Pondering

It has been a while since I posted anything, and life marches on even if there isn't as much time to ponder. This picture is of modern-day Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born. Pondering involves 'chewing' on a thought or a subject to understand it better. In an era when so much information is transmitted, it can be difficult to slow things down and ponder. In order to really understand something, however, it requires some pondering to 'digest' it, since all truth is connected.

Then, there are times when pondering would mean facing ourselves and our mistakes/rebellions/foolishness. These are the times when escaping into a flurry of busyness postpones the inevitable, maybe even making it more painful when it does come. Perhaps there are a couple of things that can help us to avoid running from ourselves.

I think it helps to know that there really is nothing new under the sun. We're not the only ones to struggle, especially because there are quite a few other persons in the world wrestling with their human natures. Just like children, we tend to think we're very unique, and it's true to a degree, but each of us shouldn't expect to be taking the world by surprise, much less God.

Most importantly, it is important to understand that there is a Creator, and that He is our loving Father. An understanding of who our Father is, now that is a great subject to ponder. He is completely deserving of all honor and gratitude and praise and glory and worship we can perform. And the greatest form of worship is emulation.

The wave!

I've been thinking lately about "our fading civility" to borrow a title from the book Standing for Something by Gordon Hinckley. I agree that it seems as if, especially with the rising generation, that personal honor is discounted. The general attitude is that the less I care, the tougher I am, and the more selfish I can act, the more impressive I am. What a lie!

The truth is that the more civil we act, the less apt we are to be "carried about by every wind" of attitude and clashing opinion and contention. Civility is a virtue of caring for others simply because we are all brothers and sisters of a common humanity, even a common ancestor. Civility prompts consideration for others and is only superficially shown with politeness, something that has been mostly cast aside in our "post-modern" era.

I believe change on a large scale begins with a single person. Like the "wave" at a football game. Maybe a few friends get together to start the wave, then the next people in line continue, with the wave only dying when some fans are less enthusiastic.

Well, there isn't any difference when talking about virtue or civility. One person can start it, and with enough patience that individual sets an example that inevitably ripples across the throngs that come in contact with that person. All the while, the Light of Christ sheds light on the whole occurrence, opening the eyes of understanding to those who see the example. One person can definitely make a difference, yet our society tends to teach an opposite doctrine: that we need something, an "it" factor to change the world. A great calling in life would be to set an example of purity, virtue, and civility in a world that needs it.

There is something to be said for "hands-on training." Granted we all learn differently, but when we are put in a position that tests our knowledge, the knowledge becomes part of us as an individual. My wife and I recently experienced the loss of an expected child. I've always trusted in the words of Christ through His apostles that "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (New Testament--1 Corinthians 15:22). The depth of my knowledge was nothing compared to the "hands-on" knowledge I have gained after the experience. I know that families are forever. I know that sooner or later, my wife and I will raise this child, whose spirit is now awaiting such a time with God. How can I know these things? Through the Holy Ghost, which brings all things to my remembrance, even the things I knew before coming to this mortal existence, when my own spirit resided with our Father, "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (New Testament--James 1:17).

On another note, what has historically given the Jews and the children of Israel such confidence in the face of adversaries? It has been such knowledge they have obtained through the Holy Ghost. Knowledge such as that God still speaks, He lives, He blesses those that love Him, and He is unchangeable. Also, that the heavens are open, the true doctrine of where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going was known to the Israelites. Such knowledge gave them confidence before their Maker. Their obedience gave them confidence in themselves when approaching God in prayer.

To see His face...

This is one of my favorite pictures. The reason is because it shows a child looking into the eyes of the Savior. It makes me think of how the child isn't looking away in shame or fear. I believe that God would have us have confidence in ourselves as well as Him. We can feel confident when we know deep down if how we are living is the right way to live, without the slightest hint of excuse or justification to ourselves. Some people think God is interested in reiterating His majesty and supreme authority over all of His children. I would think that all of those attributes in Him would speak for themselves in His glory. I believe He is concerned with saving and helping His children, us, to progress as far as we are willing.

Faith

I'm setting up a new blog to answer questions about the unseen, namely where we came from, why we're here, and where are we going. I plan on keeping it clean and posts will be censored to reflect unoffensive language or themes. All discussions that maintain an honest and respectful attitude will be allowed.

With that introduction, I would like to just state something that I read about today: faith. If faith is simply the evidence of things unseen, then we all use faith in every action we perform. We trust that our efforts will be rewarded with desired and sought after results. This is why we act in the first place.