Tough Grits

Great, just great. So, is this going to be the new Y2K/Mayan Calendar/Solar Flare/Asteroid/WW3 end-of-the-world scare?

How has Jesus helped me? Coming from and agnostic/atheist upbringing, I can truly see a stark difference between my life "pre-Jesus" and "post-Jesus". But that difference did not become perfectly obvious at the moment of my baptism. Only looking back now after 14 years of membership, can I begin to see the true difference. When trials become over-whelming, when people hurt me, when I feel like giving up, I think of him. I will be honest--at first, when I thought of the Savior, he was an abstract image in my mind. He was a person I believed to be real, because I believe the Gospel--all of it--but it was hard for me to add dimension to that abstract image in my mind. But in the last few years he has become so much more than an abstract image. When things become difficult, I can now close my eyes and know and feel that he is real, I know and feel that he is beside me, and I know and feel that he has already suffered what I am suffering. It is in that moment that I can let go of the pain, or the turmoil, or the grief. I don't think that would be possible if I was still picturing him as an abstract figure in my mind. This is how the Savior has helped me. Yes, he helped me by organizing this world, by gaining a body and coming to earth, by living a perfect example, by atoning and sacrificing for me, and by being resurrected. But these things were flat, they were words and sentiments that I memorized and believed with an immature testimony. I was sincere in that immature testimony, but now I can see the difference. Now I know that he was the greatest, who took upon himself a mortal body. He was a real man, though son of God, who lived, breathed, laughed, loved, mourned, wept, suffered, and died. Finally seeing him as a real mortal, a real person who did these things, has helped me to shatter that abstract image of him in my mind. Now it is easier for me to overcome trials and move past hurts and pains, because I am giving those hurts and pains to a REAL flesh and bone resurrected being who truly loves me and who truly already suffered those pains for me. Not that the pains or trials have lessened, for Satan seems to be working harder every step higher that I take, but that my ability to move beyond the pain and the ability to endure the trial has increased. I now see Christ as a person that I could wrap my arms around and weep in joy that he is my Savior and weep in releasing all my frustrations upon his shoulders. Does this new way of seeing and feeling him make me perfect? No. Does this new way of seeing and feeling him bring me closer on my journey to perfection? Yes, because the better I get at enduring my trials and the better I get at letting go of pain, the more time I can spend on learning, loving, serving, and obeying. This my my testimony of how the Savior has helped me, and is still helping me. ~TG

Some think saying that they love the Lord is enough. My problem with that, is when I really love somebody it is manifested by actions. I love my husband and children, therefore I do things for them, I serve them, and so forth. Can we really love the Lord if we do more for ourselves than for Him, or if He comes at the bottom of our "to do " list, or if He is the least of our priorities, or if we put limits on what our love for Him motivates us to do and to become? Just wondering. ~TG

This scripture reminds me that one simple flower belonging to God is more glorious than any kingdom made by man. This scripture reminds me that my "glory" comes not from what or who the world tells me that I am, but from what my Father in Heaven says I am and whose I am.

I take medicine for anxiety. It helps me, and I am happy. It also keeps people around me happy too, when I take my medicine. Heavenly Father gave us common sense for a reason. He also has placed people on this earth with special abilities and talents. If we are hurting, we should definitely pray. Then we should listen to what the Holy Ghost says. That guidance could lead us in a multitude of directions, among which could be therapy, medicine, better diet, exercise, and/or a combination of any or all of these. ~TG

This is how I feel, too. Bini, I identified with, and appreciated, your entire post. I know people who truly think that to forgive it to go back to exactly the way things were before. I know somebody who has hurt me deeply throughout my life. Repeatedly I have forgiven, and let this person back in and extended love. However, each time it becomes a little harder. Each time the mending process takes a little longer. This is not a spousal abuse situation, and this is not anything of a physical violation. This is merely old-fashioned, can't-play-nice, want-to-control-the sandbox kind of behavior. Still, it takes a toll. After the last dust-up, I truly thought that I would never be able to have any kind of relationship with this person, other than bottom-of-the-barrel, basic human kindness sort of stuff. The "incident" happened on a Saturday night. Bad. Really bad. My husband and I were livid. However, we talked late into the night. We discussed how we would handle the situation. I knelt in prayer that very night and prayed for me, for my husband, and for that other person. My husband and I decided, that night, to forgive and to let it go. However, over the course of the next two years I was at the mercy of this person's judgement. They (plural, even though I am talking about a person in the singular) accused me of not forgiving, they accused me of hate, they accused me of not being able to let go, they accused me of so many things. Why? Simply because I did not immediately act as if all was well. The consequence for what this person did, could have been more...much more. Yet, the only consequence they received was the lack of a relationship with me. Well, I forgave immediately. I went to church the next morning happy and at peace. I had no stone around my neck. Why were they now the one offended? I can only imagine because they must have known they were wrong, but their pride was too great to admit it. And when I pulled away, it was a very real and obvious consequence for their actions. And yet they never apologized. They would use testimony meetings to loft damnation at me through veiled--and not so veiled--lectures on forgiveness and contention. Which only made it worse. Anyway, I had a heart-to-heart with this person one day. It took all my courage and all the power of the Holy Ghost. I told them with total love and peace that I had forgiven them, but that forgiveness did not equal "bestfriendship". I would not heal on their time-table but my own, and that lofting verbal assaults through the ruse of a "testimony" was not going to make the healing come any quicker. I explained that a lack of relationship DID NOT mean that I had not forgiven, or that I did not love them. It just meant that damage had been done, trust had been violated, and that it would take time to forget and to heal. Well, I now have a relationship with this person--again. I even invited them (plural, as it includes the spouse as well) to my house for Christmas. That was a big deal. So, what's my point? 1. Forgiveness does not equal bestfriendship. 2. Forgiveness does not always (nor should it in certain circumstances) mean that things should go back to exactly as they were before. 3. We cannot assume that just because somebody is not wanting to have the same relationship with us as before that they have not forgiven us. Star, pray about the matter and follow the Spirit. Maybe this person needs more time to digest your words. Maybe they have forgiven you, but don't know what they next step should be. Maybe they don't want to say anything further, so as not to embarrass you. Maybe they have written a response to you, but are too scared to send it. Maybe they haven't forgiven you yet--in which case, there is nothing you can do. The answer could be a thousand things. If you followed the Spirit in sending the letter, then you did your part. Now, continue to rely on the Spirit and be patient. You don't know what the next lesson Heavenly Father has in store for you. Hope all turns out well. ~TG

Wow. Never heard this before. Awesome quote, and very true.

LOL

Yes! Mine are just slightly different (American Eagle), but that is the style that I LOVE!! I could wear them every day, and I would too, if I had them in every color!!!! Thank you Wingnut...you truly are awesome! Now, just find that story on prayer that I am looking for and I will put you on a pedestal!!! Mother!! You finally posted!! SO glad to see you back! Yes, my mother is telling the truth. However, I will not benefit from her horde of shoes...as she is a 6 1/2, and I am a Hobbit (8 1/2 or 9).

Now Pam, why would you post that on a thread with no laugh button? Too funny!!

Yes, it is a closed group. Only those that I invite can see what is posted. Actually, the group is mostly for the parents, not the kids themselves. I want to get the parents more involved. Iggy, you are correct...the new curriculum is for YM/YW and youth Sunday school. However, my students will be moving up to these programs at some point during this year. In our ward, as soon as Valiants turn 12, they can choose to move directly into the YM/YW and Youth Sunday School classes without waiting for the beginning of the next year. So, I wanted to provide a place where parents can see what lessons are coming up, what scriptures we are reading...etc. This will also get the parents and kids more prepared for the new curriculum in Youth that is supposed to be more inclusive of parents. Also, being in a VERY small town and ward, everybody involved is already friends on fb and half are related by blood, the other half by marriage. So, no worries about privacy! But as I said, it is a closed group. Thanks for the feedback!! :)

So true. Thank you for posting this! So many of us need to heed this counsel. The guardrails on either side of the strait and narrow are NOT to trap us. The guardrails are there for our protection. But if we really want to, and we are foolish enough to do so, we can climb over the guardrails at any time and wander around in the mist of darkness without the protection of the guardrails and without the guidance of the iron rod. The choice is ours. ~TG

In the new curriculum for the youth, there is an emphasis on extending beyond the Sunday classroom and YM/YM classes in order to make stronger connections with the parents. I woke up this morning with two thoughts/ideas waiting on me. One of the thoughts, was to create a group within fb for the parents of all the students in my Valiant 10-11 class. The purpose of the group will be to give the parents the lesson and scriptures for the upcoming week, share what we have learned thus far, to send reminders (if any), and to simply connect with the parents, making them feel part of what is going on in the class with their children. This could also prepare them for when their child moves in YM/YW and the Youth Sunday School, and the new curriculum that they will encounter. I am excited, but I also know that many parents may not read the updates or take the time to actually have the children read the scriptures in advance. I know. Still, when I wake up with ideas waiting on me, I try not to ignore them. Any thoughts?

Awesome! Thanks for posting. This might help those of us who are teaching this year, and those of us that plan on learning.

Love this prisonchaplain! I am sure that this will be the inspiration for my next thread..."Trafficking Rumors". Haha.

There are three threads that I could post this on. This one, the Pepsi thread, and the Chocolate Craving thread. Here goes... Did you know that Midol and migraine relief medicine have caffeine? Hubby knows, that when I ask him to bring home chocolate or cola, that it is time to tread carefully around me. This happens 12 times a year. HA HA If caffeine keeps him from being thrust out from the tent and into the wilderness, then so be it! (see the thread "An Angry and Contentious Woman", if you don't know what I am talking about! LOL)

Seriously, you guys are killing me here...:lol: I will just press my pretend laugh button. You know, like the "That Was Easy" button from Staples. LOL The secretary at the school used to have one. She doesn't have it on her desk any more. I think she got tired of me pushing it (and laughing) every time I went by her desk. Yes, the tools in my shed aren't very sharp.

WHY? Why is there no laugh button???? :lol:

My conscience is pricking me. I never did the chocolate thing again...but I did filch from my Grandma's kitchen again. I was an adult, just a few years back. We were all in there cooking for something (probably Thanksgiving). I saw a spoon on the counter with WHAT LOOKED LIKE white icing. So, I put the spoon in my mouth, prepared to relish the sweet taste of icing. I swallowed too quickly. It wasn't icing. It. Was. Lard. I stood there. Horror. Revulsion. My stomach immediately began to feel sick. I was too embarrassed to tell anybody what I did. I was just praying that nobody saw me, and that I wasn't going to become violently ill right before our feast. I was sick the rest of the evening. Apparently, I am just a few sandwiches short of a picnic. :lol:

Oh my gosh, that is funny! I can remember that my grandmother was baking something, and there was a bag of the tiniest, cutest little chocolates. They looked like really tiny Hershey Kisses. Trying to be sneaky, I reached my hand in and grabbed a handful and shoved them in my mouth as quick as possible before she could catch me. I smiled, thinking it was GREAT to have a mouth fulll of tiny, baby kisses...until the vile bitterness of the baking chocolate hit my taste buds! I never, ever did that again. It taught me not to filch stuff from Grandma's kitchen. To this day I don't bake.

I don't doubt it, because in the South, I have seen people put cola and sodas in bottles! Goodness, kids can drink cola as soon as they learn to suck from a straw and are out eating at restaurants. Crazy. My kids don't drink sodas in the home, only when we go out to eat or order pizza. Which is not often at all. They drink skim milk and Kool-Aid. I am sure all the sugar from the Kool-Aid is bad too.

Like Pam, I like carbonation. I hear it is bad for the bones. Oh well. I limit my caffeine intake. Moderation. I limit my soda intake. I try hard to never drink more than two cans of soda a day. Which is still too much. I did not used to be this way. I used to drink a large glass of orange juice every morning (grew up on a fruit farm---LOVE orange juice). Well, we are rather limited on funds right now. Orange juice is more expensive than soda. Sad. Anyway, as soon as I can afford God's wonderful, heavenly juice for my morning drink again, then I will kiss soda good-bye in the mornings. I do like soda for lunch at work. It is just easy to transport a soda can and stick in a frig. or mix with ice in the cafeteria at lunch time. I like carbonated strawberry drinks. Fanta and Crush have some good strawberry sodas. Mmmm.

It amazes me how much of a role the Holy Ghost plays in our lives and in the role of the Church and Gospel. Indeed, we cannot not even truly teach the Gospel without the Holy Ghost. The quotes below are from the "Teaching, No Greater Call" manual. Not only can we not teach truth without the Holy Ghost, but we cannot learn truth without the Holy Ghost. Can we bear testimony without the Holy Ghost? No, not even that can be done without the Holy Ghost. To me, it is just humbling to really think about the role of the Holy Ghost, and to ponder how much we rely on, and need, the Holy Ghost.

Okay, this may not be exactly pertaining to the original question, but that is what is so great about these threads...they evolve and expand, allowing all of us to find something that will touch us (hopefully). Here is the talk by David A. Bednar regarding acting and being acted upon, also it is a great talk about not "being offended". And Nothing Shall Offend Them - general-conference I love the following quotes from the talk, they have given me much to think about through the years since I first heard the talk: David A. Bednar, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, Ensign, October 2006

This is a good quote about prayer: “Satan trembles, when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.” William Cowper, Olney Hymns, in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2nd ed. rev. (1966), 161. Prayers that touch me are: 1. In the proper order. 2. Guided by the Holy Ghost. 3. Sincere and with real intent (Moroni 10:4). I have heard some interesting prayers and testimonies in the 14 years that I have been a member. I learned early that prayers are to Heavenly Father and testimonies are to those we are addressing. Thus, prayers can end with "...thy Son, ...", but testimonies would not have a "thy" in the close, as it is not being addressed to Heavenly Father. I just always say "...in the name of..." regardless of whether it is a prayer or a testimony so that I don't mixed up. Can anybody remember the account given about a person (quite possibly an apostle) giving prayers in such a way that those closing their eyes during the prayer felt as if they could open their eyes and see the Father standing with them? That story made a huge impact on me...and yet I can't find it! Any thoughts? I have tried searching LDS.org...but can't seem to locate it. Can't remember if it was a talk or in a manual.