He Arose

 

If a man die

Shall he live again?

Or shall he just lie?

Is this the end?

Now, what do you suppose?
Do you know Jesus Christ?
In surety, He arose
To give us all new life

This victory was made
He atoned for us
Overcoming death in days
He resurrected, thus

Full of life and breath...
What was required He kept
He opened the gates of death
And awoke those who slept

Now is a time to prepare
For that great and dreadful day
When at our past we'll stare
And confess- He is the Way


He offers us peace and rest
If we repent and turn
To Him- How we are blessed!
So listen well... and learn!

pondering...
The Victory over Death
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Ensign, Apr 1997, 2     If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14)


I keep going back to the beautiful song based on a poem President Hinckley wrote to comfort someone. 

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2010/02/what-is-this-thing-man-calls-death?lang=eng


[Verse 1] If a man die Shall he live again? Or shall he just lie Till the end of time? Look at the wound Look at the stone The grave held still But He was not gone Do you know Jesus Christ? In surety, He arose To give us all new life That mercy overflowed [Pre-Chorus] This victory was made In blood and love He kept the cost And rose above He opened the gates For those asleep Now every soul Can wake and see [Chorus] He arose, He arose Death lost its hold He arose, He arose Now hearts can be bold He is the Way He is the Way Come turn today He is the Way [Verse 2] What was required He kept it all He bore our shame And broke the fall Overcoming death In days we feared Full of life and breath The living King appeared Now is the time To prepare your heart For that great and dreadful day When we stand apart [Pre-Chorus] At our past we'll stare And tell the truth Every hidden thing Will face the proof But mercy still Calls out your name Repent and turn And you’ll be changed [Chorus] He arose, He arose Death lost its hold He arose, He arose Now hearts can be bold He is the Way He is the Way Come turn today He is the Way [Bridge] He offers us peace and rest For the weary and worn If you come to Him You will not be shorn No need to fear The judgment day His hands still reach His arms still say [Chorus] He arose, He arose Death lost its hold He arose, He arose Now hearts can be bold He is the Way He is the Way Come turn today He is the Way [Outro] So listen well and learn Let your soul awaken He is alive And the chain is broken

Atonement Vision

 

[Verse 1] His life flashes before me His works reach forth anew He restores my sight, to see His pure love does renew He prayed continually As all our pains pressed on Him Steadfast, committedly Still, naught a bit did soften [Chorus] He asks that we forgive And turn the other cheek Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek He asks that we forgive (That we forgive) And turn the other cheek (Turn the other cheek) Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek [Verse 2] Ridicule, betrayal, Mockery, abandonment Torture that became fatal Elements of the atonement He bore it all in peace With mercy in His frame And when my heart won’t ease I call upon that name [Chorus] He asks that we forgive And turn the other cheek Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek He asks that we forgive (That we forgive) And turn the other cheek (Turn the other cheek) Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek [Bridge] Let mercy change my hand Let kindness mark my days When I don’t understand Teach me Your gentle ways [Final Chorus] He asks that we forgive And turn the other cheek Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek He asks that we forgive (That we forgive) And turn the other cheek (Turn the other cheek) Like Him we are to live He humble, kind, and meek

Humble Comes Direction

 

In the struggle to understand 

We oft wrestle in our mind

Then to the humble comes direction

Revealed from God, we find

Keep listening, keep seeking 

And let God speak through His Word

Treasure revelation 

More than the trends of the world

[Verse 1] In the struggle to understand We oft wrestle in our mind Then to the humble comes direction Revealed from God, we find [Pre-Chorus] Keep listening, keep seeking Lean in close and stay The prideful hear the noise But the humble hear the way [Chorus] Keep listening Keep seeking Keep listening God will speak Treasure revelation Treasure revelation More than the trends Of the world [Verse 2] When my thoughts get loud and tangled And my heart begins to bend Your Word breaks through the shadow And leads me home again [Pre-Chorus] Keep listening, keep seeking Let the old walls fall You speak in truth and mercy You answer after all [Chorus] Keep listening Keep seeking Keep listening God will speak Treasure revelation Treasure revelation More than the trends Of the world [Bridge] So I will bow and listen I will wait and hear Your voice is still ever precious Than every passing fear [Chorus] Keep listening Keep seeking Keep listening God will speak Treasure revelation Treasure revelation More than the trends Of the world

Posted in Facebook : I believe the words are President Holland

"From the past in the story of the House of Saul, we learn what happens whenever a people lose the guiding voice of God. Saul began as a man chosen, anointed, and lifted from obscurity. Yet as time passed, he stopped listening, he stopped seeking, and he began to follow his own fear more than the Lord’s direction. And when the voice of Heaven grew silent, every part of his life slowly fell into confusion."

"That ancient pattern speaks loudly today, because we now live in a world facing the same danger. People are surrounded by information, noise, and opinions, yet very few are seeking the voice of God. And wherever the guidance of Heaven grows dim, confusion quickly rises to take its place."

"Even within the community of faith, including the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, we see similar challenges. Some stumble over questions of history. Some wrestle with past racism. Some struggle to understand stories of prophets. Some grow offended by human weakness. Others argue over doctrines, policies, or cultural wounds. And while all these issues deserve humility and honesty, there is something deeper behind them all: a crisis of revelation."

For when revelation fades, everything else becomes harder to understand.

People begin to trust rumors more than scripture.

They trust anger more than the Spirit.

They trust culture more than covenant.

They trust criticism more than truth.

And like Saul, they begin to walk in circles, searching for clarity in places where Heaven has not placed any answers.

It is not that God has stopped speaking.

It is that many have stopped listening.

This is why the greatest treasure a believer can possess is not influence, not knowledge, not status, not popularity, and not clever arguments. The greatest treasure is true revelation—the living guidance of God given to the humble, the prayerful, the pure, and the faithful.

Because when a person carries revelation:

They see clearly when others are confused.

They stand steady when others are shaken.

They forgive when others hold grudges.

They love when others divide.

They stay faithful when others walk away.

They understand sacred things that the world mocks.

And they discern truth even when voices around them are loud and conflicting.

Revelation is the only wealth that darkness cannot steal.

In our time, many speak loudly about the Church’s problems, but few speak quietly with the Lord about Heaven’s solutions. Many debate, but few kneel. Many criticize, but few seek understanding from above. And this is how we end up with people calling sin “freedom,” calling hatred “culture,” and calling confusion “progress.”

Someone who walks without revelation will always misjudge God’s work.

Someone who walks with revelation will see God’s hand even in imperfect people.

This is why the past remains a warning for our generation.

When Saul lost revelation, fear took over.

When people lose revelation today, the same shadow falls on them.

Yet God still invites His children to return to Him. He still speaks to those who desire His voice more than their own opinions. He still reveals His will to those who are willing to obey it. And the moment a person sincerely seeks Him again, the silence breaks, the confusion clears, and the heart begins to understand what human logic could never explain.

In the end, the true strength of any believer — and the true strength of any church — is not found in perfect history, perfect leaders, or perfect members. It is found in the living connection to Heaven.

For the one who walks with true reve¹lation carries a light that no darkness can overcome.

Sacred Opportunities- Our Yom Kippur- The Holy of Holies

Yom Kippur, the ancient Jewish practice Established by God unto Moses Allowed for one priest, one day a year To enter the Holy of Holies Now God's temples dot the earth The prepared are welcome to enter As His sons and His daughters And make covenants, sealed forever The Celestial room awaits Regardless of race or tribe Or any worldly measures We enter through....with His invite What a sacred opportunity To go as often as we want To be taught individually Amidst life's trials to confront

[Verse 1] Yom Kippur, the ancient Jewish practice Established by God unto Moses Allowed for one priest, one day a year To enter the Holy of Holies Now God's temples dot the earth The prepared are welcome to enter As His sons and His daughters And make covenants, sealed forever [Pre-Chorus] The Celestial room awaits Regardless of race or tribe Or any worldly measures We enter through...with His invite [Chorus] What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity To go as often as we want To be taught individually What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity Amidst life's trials to confront And come away renewed [Verse 2] Not with fear as our only garment But with hope in every step We bring our broken questions And the mercy that He kept In the quiet He remembers Every heart that comes prepared And the path grows bright and open When our covenant is shared [Pre-Chorus] The Celestial room awaits Regardless of race or tribe Or any worldly measures We enter through...with His invite [Chorus] What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity To go as often as we want To be taught individually What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity Amidst life's trials to confront And come away renewed [Bridge] And I will walk in reverence With my burden laid down low If He calls me near again I'll come, I'll come, I'll go [Final Chorus] What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity To go as often as we want To be taught individually What a sacred opportunity What a sacred opportunity Amidst life's trials to confront And come away renewed I appreciate this beautiful message! I need to go back to the temple. Amidst is often used to convey being surrounded (enclosed) by something or in the middle of a situation or struggle. We go to the temple and can leave that struggle and are enveloped in peace where we are taught to see with a celestial lens.

Scripture Central. I am amazed how a short video can leave such an impression. The temple is there as much as we want. Beautiful!

https://youtu.be/oYIQGI5wA84?si=HbDMw3TGXl7-4SHt

Vastness of Think Celestial- Your Journey Has Just Begun

https://www.youtube.com/live/je5PJjOID-k?si=HBFNdUUnJB5LVy4b

When seeking to go 

To the depths of the sea

It’s six miles or so

While the heavens expand infinitely

This vastness of space..

Our journey has just begun

The Webb telescope

Sees afar in orbit of the sun

Thinking Celestial

Beyond the creation of earth

The cosmos, the plasma…

The earliest galaxies burst forth

Thinking of our conversion

And our quest for deep learning

A lifelong launch of immersion...

Keep on seeking and yearning

The Lord’s atonement 

Is both infinite and eternal

He knows every man

To their deepest parts, internal

Focus on the spirit

On what you are to become

Feel it light you. Hear it Your journey has just begun

I love this devotional! Of course, today is May the 4th be with you!

[Verse 1] When seeking to go To the depths of the sea It’s six miles or so While the heavens expand infinitely This vastness of space Our journey has just begun [Pre-Chorus] The Webb telescope Sees afar in orbit of the sun Thinking Celestial Beyond the creation of earth The cosmos, the plasma The earliest galaxies burst forth [Chorus] Your journey has just begun Your journey has just begun Keep on seeking and yearning Keep on seeking and yearning [Verse 2] Thinking of our conversion And our quest for deep learning A lifelong launch of immersion Keep on seeking and yearning The Lord’s atonement Is both infinite and eternal [Pre-Chorus] He knows every man To their deepest parts, internal Focus on the spirit On what you are to become Feel it light you Hear it [Chorus] Your journey has just begun Your journey has just begun Keep on seeking and yearning Keep on seeking and yearning [Bridge] The cosmos in motion The promise still calling Through the dark and the distance You’re never falling He knows every man And He lifts you along [Final Chorus] Your journey has just begun Your journey has just begun Keep on seeking and yearning Keep on seeking and yearning Feel it light you Hear it Your journey has just begun

Clothed in Majesty

 

[Verse 1] With righteousness from heaven And truth from out the earth The gospel moves among us Like a stone cut without hands Each priesthood bearer is needed To preach where he is sent To prepare the world for morning For our Lord’s descent [Pre-Chorus] The signs are all around us On the earth and in the sky So keep your eyes on Jesus Every minute, every hour [Chorus] He will come Clothed in majesty He will come In power and glory Look to Him Every minute, every hour We will not be denied His coming is ours [Verse 2] The sun never sets on calling When hearts say here am I Dressed in white and bearing witness We go out side by side No work is small before Him No step is done in vain We speak His name in mercy And wait for Him again [Pre-Chorus] The signs are all around us On the earth and in the sky So keep your eyes on Jesus Every minute, every hour [Chorus] He will come Clothed in majesty He will come In power and glory Look to Him Every minute, every hour We will not be denied His coming is ours [Bridge] When the world is shaking And the dark grows long Still we stand believing Still we sing this song He is coming nearer Than the tear can fall Every heart made ready Will hear the final call [Final Chorus] He will come Clothed in majesty He will come In power and glory Look to Him Every minute, every hour We will not be denied His coming is ours

thoughts from

Elder Neil L. Andersen-

Preparing for The Second Coming 

April 2011

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/preparing-the-world-for-the-second-coming?lang=eng

Summer Science Challenge- Lessons From Above

[Verse 1]

Creations, here on Earth, Connect with us, and give birth To lessons from above, Of the gospel's light and love God feeds the animals He speaks to the wind We are His creation His blessings, He does send [Chorus] Lessons from above Lessons from above The gospel's light and love The gospel's light and love [Verse 2] From the majestic eagle To the humblest dove The birds of the air teach us To seek truths from above God feeds the animals He speaks to the wind We are His creation His blessings, He does send [Chorus] Lessons from above Lessons from above The gospel's light and love The gospel's light and love [Bridge] From the eagle to the dove We look up and we believe Every feather, every breath Shows the grace we still receive [Chorus] Lessons from above Lessons from above The gospel's light and love The gospel's light and love

(Then, a tender moment just as I wrote this.  I looked out my window which doesn't have a view of the sky but of a brick wall and my neighbor's stucco.  I saw one lone dove walking on my wall!  I hope this challenge means something to someone.  It means something to me!)

Have you ever wondered what science would be like if you were attending a Christian School? You can discover them for yourself!

Spiritually connect with Earth-

A Summer Science Challenge 

How many lessons from God can you unearth from nature around you? At the minimum: order and individuality...

Our Privilege and Honor to Care for the Earth:

Psalm 8:5–8
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. (NIV)

We can learn from nature:

Job 12:7–10
Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the LORD.
For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.

We can find God in nature:

Psalm 8:1–4
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 

The Light, The Life, The Bread, The Living Water

• sun
• moon
• planets
• day and night 
• light and dark
• seasons
• stars
• sands of the sea
• dust
• Magnets
• Mountains 
• caves
• firm foundation
• clouds
• Diamonds
• silver
• gold
• Sunflowers
• thorns
• mustard seed
• olive tree
• hair
• dragon
• Honey bees 
• Butterfly 
• Ants 
• Forget-Me-Nots
• Water
• fish
• Light
• Rainbows
• Yeast
• Apples
• Corn 
• Snake
• Dog
• Cat
• lamb
• rooster
• donkey
• eagle
• dove
• scorpion
• Parts of the human body
• eyes to see
• ears to hear
• heart to feel
• feet to follow
• head to turn
• hands to work
• flesh
• marrow
• bone
• womb

Hint: scriptures and posters on Pinterest

https://pin.it/4iL3v0B

Principle Approach

Google search:  best scriptures about nature

Add Light and Life to your learning

13 Important Animals In The Bible (Scriptures, Symbolism, Stories)

#summersciencechallenge 

https://www.learnreligions.com/animals-in-the-bible-700169   Animals listed A-Z with scripture reference.

Nature:

Ephes 4:18

for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.

Ephes 4:22

Regarding your former way of life, you were taught to strip off your old nature, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires,

Ephes 4:24

and to clothe yourselves with the new nature, which was created according to God's image in righteousness and true holiness.

Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Nature