A friend pointed out to me today a thought provoking idea about our eternal goal. We are learning to become as God is, this I know (although I do not fully understand all that it entails). I am so focused on listening to the Spirit but should I also understand that I must be able to make some decisions without His assistance? If I want to be like Him one day I will be making choices without His direction in all things. This is just something to think more about. I am not sure if I completely understood or correctly portrayed my friend's suggestion in my record or not. Hope I got it.
Today the Holy Ghost was present throughout a great majority of the day. I am so grateful I was blessed with humility to obey promptings throughout the day. I know that is why I had a wonderful day and things went so smoothly. The Holy Ghost is inspiring me in all I do. I am becoming a person of integrity. I never thought of myself as someone lacking much in that area but as I am more aware of the Spirit's direction in my life I realize there is room for much improvement in my day to day activities. I believe my heart and intentions are good but at times my actions do not fully align. I have been able to see things as they really are. I am able to be more honest with myself about how I am REALLY handling life. As I am able to recognize my shortcomings more easily I will be able to grow so much more! How exciting! I love life. I love my shortcomings- they provide great opportunity to obtain wisdom. I embrace my weaknesses and the journey to be taken with each of them that will turn them to strengths!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
By small and simple things are great things brought to pass
My life is full of wonderful experiences. Not all would seem that way from a glance but when viewed with an eternal perspective they truly are great blessings from Heavenly Father. I am grateful for every opportunity I have been blessed with, the good and the seemingly bad. I feel the greatest thing that has come through all these experiences is the growth in my understanding of my relationship with the Holy Ghost. I have much more to learn and I am trying to remember that through each day. Every moment of each day is a chance for me to grow closer to the spirit. I may not recognize it in each moment, maybe not that day or week or year or even in this life but every life event, small and large adds to my experience and knowledge. I pray I will be in tune with the spirit so that I can learn from my experiences sooner than later that way I can move on to learning new things. I feel at times the Lord has to teach me the same things over and over again but I have a great desire to learn and grow closer to Him. More humility will be necessary for me to immediately heed and understand the Spirit's instruction in my life.
I feel it would be beneficial to reflect on past experiences I have had learning from the Holy Ghost so that I can better see and understand our relationship and my responsibilities in it. And also to recognize the daily blessings, mercies, and miracles the Lord has given to me.
One day, actually it was on my 19th birthday I believe, October 8, 2009 I was rushing to get out the door for golf practice. I was half way up the stairs of my basement apartment when I the thought "put on your tennis shoes." came to me. "Eh, nope flip flops are good" I thought and continued up the stairs, I would be changing to my golf shoes as soon as I got to the course anyway. As I reached the top step I got the urge to change my shoes again. As fast as I could I went back down the stairs and put on my tennis shoes, not thinking much of it after that. I was almost to the course and a little boy around the age of 7 began frantically waving at me as I drove by. I drove a little past then decided to turn around. The little boy had tears streaming down his face. "My dog ran away and I cannot catch him!" He cried to me. I began helping this sweet boy chase down his dog and lets just say this was quite an adventure. I walked the boy and his dog back up the hill to his home. As I got back in my car and drove to practice I realized how difficult and maybe even impossible it would have been to help this little boy had I not listened to the quiet suggestion of the Holy Ghost to change out of my flip flops to tennis shoes.
These types of experiences may seem unimportant but for me they are monumental in the development of my relationship with the Holy Ghost and my understanding of God's hand in everyday life. These things are what I use to fill my heart with gratitude :). I pray I will be more aware of these experiences in my life in this way I will be more available to the suggestions of the Spirit and I will be able to remember more clearly my relationship with Heavenly Father.
(I will be adding more of these experiences as I continue this blog.)
I feel it would be beneficial to reflect on past experiences I have had learning from the Holy Ghost so that I can better see and understand our relationship and my responsibilities in it. And also to recognize the daily blessings, mercies, and miracles the Lord has given to me.
One day, actually it was on my 19th birthday I believe, October 8, 2009 I was rushing to get out the door for golf practice. I was half way up the stairs of my basement apartment when I the thought "put on your tennis shoes." came to me. "Eh, nope flip flops are good" I thought and continued up the stairs, I would be changing to my golf shoes as soon as I got to the course anyway. As I reached the top step I got the urge to change my shoes again. As fast as I could I went back down the stairs and put on my tennis shoes, not thinking much of it after that. I was almost to the course and a little boy around the age of 7 began frantically waving at me as I drove by. I drove a little past then decided to turn around. The little boy had tears streaming down his face. "My dog ran away and I cannot catch him!" He cried to me. I began helping this sweet boy chase down his dog and lets just say this was quite an adventure. I walked the boy and his dog back up the hill to his home. As I got back in my car and drove to practice I realized how difficult and maybe even impossible it would have been to help this little boy had I not listened to the quiet suggestion of the Holy Ghost to change out of my flip flops to tennis shoes.
These types of experiences may seem unimportant but for me they are monumental in the development of my relationship with the Holy Ghost and my understanding of God's hand in everyday life. These things are what I use to fill my heart with gratitude :). I pray I will be more aware of these experiences in my life in this way I will be more available to the suggestions of the Spirit and I will be able to remember more clearly my relationship with Heavenly Father.
(I will be adding more of these experiences as I continue this blog.)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome
In response to yesterday's experience I post this quote from Joseph Smith.
"... God has created man with a mind capable of instruction and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the need and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection the clearer are his views and ... enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin... no man ever arrived in a moment"
I am grateful for struggle. I am grateful for opposition. I am grateful the Lord allows me to make mistakes and try harder. The atonement AND my efforts are both vital parts to overcoming the desires of my natural man or sin. This is the gift of free agency. If Christ came in every situation and answered all my prayers to take away my struggles and shortcomings this would be an infringement upon my free agency. This life is a gift God has given me to prove to myself that I can live up to my potential. He already knows I can do it but I need to prove to myself. So I must do all I can do and Christ's atonement will do what I cannot. What a perfect plan!
I decided this whole not making goal things is really hard for me! I am such a goal oriented person. I swear I make a new goal every hour of the day haha..... But I am so excited to be more focused on direction from the spirit. I did pretty good yesterday :) Ill do better today! I am so grateful for yesterday It has given me great motivation. So bring it on today....
:)
p.s. pronoun "I" is to often in your thoughts let the spirit direct your thoughts more towards others.
"... God has created man with a mind capable of instruction and a faculty which may be enlarged in proportion to the need and diligence given to the light communicated from heaven to the intellect; and that the nearer man approaches perfection the clearer are his views and ... enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin... no man ever arrived in a moment"
I am grateful for struggle. I am grateful for opposition. I am grateful the Lord allows me to make mistakes and try harder. The atonement AND my efforts are both vital parts to overcoming the desires of my natural man or sin. This is the gift of free agency. If Christ came in every situation and answered all my prayers to take away my struggles and shortcomings this would be an infringement upon my free agency. This life is a gift God has given me to prove to myself that I can live up to my potential. He already knows I can do it but I need to prove to myself. So I must do all I can do and Christ's atonement will do what I cannot. What a perfect plan!
I decided this whole not making goal things is really hard for me! I am such a goal oriented person. I swear I make a new goal every hour of the day haha..... But I am so excited to be more focused on direction from the spirit. I did pretty good yesterday :) Ill do better today! I am so grateful for yesterday It has given me great motivation. So bring it on today....
:)
p.s. pronoun "I" is to often in your thoughts let the spirit direct your thoughts more towards others.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I haven't given up but that does not mean Satan will
Well. Everything seemed so great this morning. And you know it still is great. It really is. But Satan was not easy on me this afternoon. I was not easy on myself. And I did not do everything according to the Spirit because I lost its influence for part of the day. I became really upset and mad at myself. WHY!. ugh. Why can I not just listen! How do I let Satan's justifications(lies) enter my mind! RRRR! but you know what. It is okay. I am fine. I am a daughter of God with divine potential. This is a learning experience for me. I will not give up. I am not going to say I am starting over tomorrow or whatever because this is a continuing journey. This day is part of the process to perfection. I am going to remember this day. I am going to do my best to take away from it what I can and use it to better myself. Satan would have me use it in a pessimistic way by making me feel like a failure. God would have me use it in positive way to better myself. I am not going to put it behind me but keep in my journey. God help me.
Let this teaching enter into your heart and soul
I could not sleep last night because my mind would not stop after all the things I was taught. I am finding ways to let what I learned continue to enter into my mind and soul to create a true change of heart. As I allow myself to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost my heart will be as clay in the Lord's hand.
So how do I plan to allow the spirit to work within me the way the Lord desires it to? I thought about this last night a lot. I know it is going to be through much prayer. I must be asking Heavenly Father throughout the day to help me or this will be impossible. I can not truly change without constant counsel with Him. I must also continue to focused study of the words of the prophets and my patriarchal blessing OFTEN. This really is a big cycle though because if I am hearkening unto the promptings of the Holy Ghost these things will be part of His direction.
I can learn by example of the great people that surround me in my life and their abilities to truly listen to the spirit and heed promptings. One person that has had a great influence on me is Sister Winn. She is continuously listening to the spirit throughout the day. In all of her many roles in life (mother, wife, daughter, ect.) she is not acting on her own will and thoughts. She acts according to her promptings. Someone else who has truly inspired me and had a great impression on me in the ability to listen to the spirit is Paul. In every thing he does he is listening to the spirit. He is slow to speak in any conversations concerning any topic because he is pondering and listening. He is not someone of haste because he truly seeks to do everything in accordance not to his own will or desires, but to the will of God. I am humbled to know him and to have had an opportunity to learn from his example.
I am so excited to become a more devoted disciple of Christ. I do not know why this is such a "light bulb" time for me. I have known and been taught it is important to listen to the spirit. And to an extent I have. But I guess it is has brought a great feeling of freedom and peace to my heart, soul and mind that I do not have to stress every day. Goal making does not have to be such a stressful and disappointing experience that I have made it out to be in my life. I simply have to live under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. The gospel truly is so simple. We make it so much more complicated. It is pure and simple truths that lead us back to our Heavenly Father. It does not have to be a constant battle in the mind.
I am so grateful for the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost that I have been blessed with. I am greatly humbled by Jesus Christ's atonement and the power it truly can have in my life if I only allow its influence to encompass my life, even from moment to moment. God is truly great and merciful.
I say these things in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Goal #1: No Goals.
I began this blog about six months ago with the intention of it being a weight loss deal. I never got into it and had 0 posts concerning the matter.
Tonight I had a special spiritual experience. After prayer concerning things close to my heart I was directed to read the quotes, ideas, goals, and received inspiration that I have written down and posted in various places in my bedroom. As I moved through each part of my room I came to the picture of Christ I have hanging next to my window. On this picture I had posted 5 small pink sticky notes each containing counsel from D&C 93:1.
1. Forsake my sins
2. Come unto Him
3. Call on Him
4. Obey His voice
5. Keep His commandments
By doing these things the scripture says you may "...see my face and know that I am" I closed my eyes and began to ponder on these things. When I opened my eyes again and saw His face in the picture frame I was overcome by the Spirit. Christ was smiling upon me (Why? I do not know.... I do not deserve that). I felt engulfed in His love.
As I pondered, it was revealed to me that I am to stop making goals. I know this seems contrary to the way Kayla does things and maybe even to what we learn from the scriptures and our prophets but it was clear direction and I am going to heed my prompting. I am for a time not to make a single goal but to turn all my thoughts and energies to living under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost.
I know that this is going to take much dedication, practice and patient persistence. I must be worthy at every moment of the day to be under His influence. I do feel at this point in my life I listen to the Holy Ghost and heed the promptings I receive but not even close to the way the Lord has made clear to me tonight that I must be. And I do believe my constant goal making distracts my mind away from feeling and hearing promptings. This is a tool Satan uses against me- distracts me with TONS of goals so it is impossible to be successful at any of them and makes it difficult to be in tune with the spirit enough to know what God really wants me focused on. If I am able to come under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost, goal making I feel would be hardly necessary because I know that if I will listen the spirit will direct me in all things I should do, weather they be temporal or spiritual. Though I do not see much difference between "temporal " and "spiritual" because I believe all things are spiritual. That is a whole other discussion though and I will not get into this night.
Now as I laid down to sleep with joy in my soul and peace in my heart I decided I needed to record the key instructions I received tonight. On a piece of paper I wrote "live under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost." Next to this I put "This is it." I immediately remembered that was the same name of a blog I had started forever ago. How and why I remembered that??? Well....... I do not believe any of this is coincidence at all. I do not think no reason exists to why I started this blog months ago and could not come up with one thing to begin writing about although I had thought about it on more than one occasion. No this is not at all chance. The Lord has had this planned.
I do not believe this blog is necessarily for anyone to read but I believe it is going to be a key factor in my spiritual development and becoming a more righteous devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. I will record here the journey I am beginning in living by the counsel I have received tonight.
I am far from perfect and have made several mistakes, even in the last 24 hours. I have done things against the will of God in full knowledge and awareness at the time that it was not in line with God's will. BUT Christ still loves me. AND I was still greatly blessed tonight to be able to have such an experience even as a sinner. How? I do not deserve such mercy. My heart is full of gratitude. I am greatly humbled by this experience and look forward with hope and excitement to the things I will be learning in the near future.
Tonight I had a special spiritual experience. After prayer concerning things close to my heart I was directed to read the quotes, ideas, goals, and received inspiration that I have written down and posted in various places in my bedroom. As I moved through each part of my room I came to the picture of Christ I have hanging next to my window. On this picture I had posted 5 small pink sticky notes each containing counsel from D&C 93:1.
1. Forsake my sins
2. Come unto Him
3. Call on Him
4. Obey His voice
5. Keep His commandments
By doing these things the scripture says you may "...see my face and know that I am" I closed my eyes and began to ponder on these things. When I opened my eyes again and saw His face in the picture frame I was overcome by the Spirit. Christ was smiling upon me (Why? I do not know.... I do not deserve that). I felt engulfed in His love.
As I pondered, it was revealed to me that I am to stop making goals. I know this seems contrary to the way Kayla does things and maybe even to what we learn from the scriptures and our prophets but it was clear direction and I am going to heed my prompting. I am for a time not to make a single goal but to turn all my thoughts and energies to living under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost.
I know that this is going to take much dedication, practice and patient persistence. I must be worthy at every moment of the day to be under His influence. I do feel at this point in my life I listen to the Holy Ghost and heed the promptings I receive but not even close to the way the Lord has made clear to me tonight that I must be. And I do believe my constant goal making distracts my mind away from feeling and hearing promptings. This is a tool Satan uses against me- distracts me with TONS of goals so it is impossible to be successful at any of them and makes it difficult to be in tune with the spirit enough to know what God really wants me focused on. If I am able to come under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost, goal making I feel would be hardly necessary because I know that if I will listen the spirit will direct me in all things I should do, weather they be temporal or spiritual. Though I do not see much difference between "temporal " and "spiritual" because I believe all things are spiritual. That is a whole other discussion though and I will not get into this night.
Now as I laid down to sleep with joy in my soul and peace in my heart I decided I needed to record the key instructions I received tonight. On a piece of paper I wrote "live under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost." Next to this I put "This is it." I immediately remembered that was the same name of a blog I had started forever ago. How and why I remembered that??? Well....... I do not believe any of this is coincidence at all. I do not think no reason exists to why I started this blog months ago and could not come up with one thing to begin writing about although I had thought about it on more than one occasion. No this is not at all chance. The Lord has had this planned.
I do not believe this blog is necessarily for anyone to read but I believe it is going to be a key factor in my spiritual development and becoming a more righteous devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. I will record here the journey I am beginning in living by the counsel I have received tonight.
I am far from perfect and have made several mistakes, even in the last 24 hours. I have done things against the will of God in full knowledge and awareness at the time that it was not in line with God's will. BUT Christ still loves me. AND I was still greatly blessed tonight to be able to have such an experience even as a sinner. How? I do not deserve such mercy. My heart is full of gratitude. I am greatly humbled by this experience and look forward with hope and excitement to the things I will be learning in the near future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)