tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29678042506862658302024-03-19T18:13:40.835-04:00THE 72 HOUR RULEyea; behold the day of this life is the day for men to perfom their laborsRamona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-62651891222698040642016-07-29T14:23:00.001-04:002016-07-29T14:33:37.227-04:00No Ordinary Hero.........Joan Trumpauer Mulholland<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">BOOK REVIEW FRIDAY</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start;"> </span><i style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start;">She Stood for Freedom.<br /><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal;">© 2016 Shadow Mountain Publishing </span></i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was
recently invited by Shadow Mountain Publishing to review this book : </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>She Stood for Freedom : The Untold Story of a Civil Rights Hero<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Joan Trumpauer Mulholland.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have you ever heard of her? I had never heard of her until 2 years ago, when I was talking to someone that I had only just met and she shared with me a clip from a movie about a a woman who was active in the early sixties Civil Rights movement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My new friend was very excited about this movie, because she was acquainted with the man who made the movie and also the woman who the movie was about. The movie was called "No Ordinary Hero: The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland story. What was interesting was that she is white, and also that she is alive and well and living in Arlington, Va. And she is still very active in the fight for civil rights, for all lives. Here is a synopsis of what the book is about and why it is so important and timely:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "segoe ui" , "helvetica" , "arial" , "lucida grande" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469810733727_3929" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><i id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469810733727_3928" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">She Stood for Freedom </i></b>i<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">s the story of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, a white teenager in the South during Segregation who found herself on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement.</span></i></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1469810733727_3895" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;">Written by a Utah resident and published by a Utah-based publisher, this book has received glowing advance reviews from national media for its enduring message and compelling and unconventional collage artwork style by Charlotta Janssen which perfectly captures the turmoil of America in the racially-torn era of the 1960s. The book will be published simultaneously in a picture book and middle grade edition. The picture book tells the story in an age-appropriate way and focuses on the heroes who fought for social justice and racial equality. The edition for ages 8-12 features collage artwork, plus period photos, sidebar commentary, and shocking primary source documents taken from Joan’s personal archive, illustrating deep institutional racism.</span>This is a well-timed book for this divisive election season in which American values are being profoundly questioned and with social justice and women’s roles in history sure to be on the minds of your readers .....</i></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start;">She Stood for Freedom.<br /><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal;">© 2016 Shadow Mountain Publishing </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start;">She Stood for Freedom.<br /><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal;">© 2016 Shadow Mountain Publishing </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space">I </span>really loved this
little book with a big and powerful message. It is no coincidence that her
story is now being brought to light, right now. Once again history is in the “making”.
I was a kid growing up in the South during the sixties; my parents participated
in local freedom rides and in organized protests. I remember my parents, so
young, making a small mark in history, being brave. When I think of Joan
Mulholland, and my parents and many more that went before us, we see history at
its ugliest. Sometimes the pictures are too hard to look at, but we can't look
away even now, when everything around is threatening our "false"
sense of security in this world. Sometimes we have to do scary things, but know
that God is for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really liked that one of the things that motivated Mrs. Mulholland to
step forward, was her own Christian upbringing. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She said “<i>As a child we’d go to
church and we’d learn these Bible verses about how to live, do unto others as
you would have them do unto you and love thy neighbor as thyself. But then we
were hypocrites, we weren’t doing that and I thought as a southerner when I got
the chance to help make the south the best that it could be, I should do what I
could and that brought me to the civil rights movement</i>.” </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(Found this on the Internet, though not </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">affiliated</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with the book, this will help to put a "face" on this wonderful lady.)</span></span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FOKhk0jHa0c" width="480"></iframe><br />
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TK2LDCNews Presents: Joan Mulholland<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: , , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px;">Hi! 😊 We started our own news channel on YouTube @ 9&10. We made history in just 2 mo. from starting our own channel! We are the youngest to ever ? @the Hill Center on Capital Hill & the youngest reporters 2</span>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-74550267847197761552016-07-20T08:38:00.000-04:002016-07-20T08:38:00.385-04:00DISAPPEAR FEAR: RISING STRONG<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, the world has turned upside down, even in the animal world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may think you're having a bad day, what if you were a Rooster, and couldn't do your job? You know, rise and shine every morning with a beautiful song of "cockadoodle doo?". Seriously. Here is a story about a rooster named "Poodle Roo", now I think that name alone would get you beat up in the barnyard. But this little bird is special, and will steal your heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ever bad day you are having, his day was worse but he managed to overcome it</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>SuperSoul Original Short: The Rooster Who Nearly Died and Rose Again Strong</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Words to live by: It seems that a great majority of the decisions we make and the subsequent actions taken on those decisions are motivated by fear, whether objectively or subjective. Lets fight fear with love...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quotes to live by.....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">― </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17297.Marianne_Williamson" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">Marianne Williamson</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 21px;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_845977" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 21px;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1239848" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"</a></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.” </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19968.John_Lennon" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">John Lennon</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;"><b>1 John 4:17-18</b></span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-weight: 500;">The Message (MSG)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 500;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Somehow, this post turned into a love fest. It's all bout love ya'll</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE</span>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-35965290042280836922016-07-05T13:20:00.002-04:002016-07-05T13:20:59.470-04:00Pondering: WHAT IF...... rising strong<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you pondered these things recently: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if the Donald becomes the president of the United States?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if Hillary? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if I were to move to Canada? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you been speaking in
hushed tones lately, walking around as if not to be noticed?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you quietly
doubling down on your food storage? Don’t. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Got your passport squared away,
don’t. Wait a second:</span></li>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Hebrews 10:35-37</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not throw away your trust, for your reward will be great. You
must be willing to wait without giving up. After you have done what God wants
you do, God will give you what he promised you. The Holy Writings say, “In a
little while, the One you are looking for will come. It will not be a long time
now. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a stormy year; heavy rain, massive floods, hail and lightning. In my neck of the woods, a whole state, West Va.is in distress.
I saw a Youtube video of a house that was overtaken by a flooding river and
torrential downpour. The water was so strong that it lifted the house from its
foundation and carried it away with the current. But if that weren’t bad enough
lightening struck the house as it was floating down river. It caught fire, and
the fire exploded and took out a tree as it traveled along, breaking up in bits
and pieces. Wow, I was dumbstruck to say the least. I hope that the person
filming the scene was not the homeowner. I believe that this is the part where we say:
This is a “storm” of biblical proportions”.
And it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started to compare it to the 10 Plagues of Egypt. Let’s
see, we have had wild animals (alligators) behaving badly in the Florida
everglades, which could stand in for the Nile River. Unfortunately, human lives
were taken, blood in the water. And again in certain beaches in Florida, there
is “toxic” algae growing and dying in the water ways. We are in the throes of
El Nina, with a weather pattern so judicious, that when it rains in one part of
the US, you can be sure that the same weather will happen in your state to some
degree. Like I said before, hail, torrential rain, thunder and lightning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many
first, second and even 3<sup>rd</sup> born children are losing their lives to a
plague of senseless violence, explosions, gangs and the secret combinations
that finance them. There are mothers
against daughters; a murder in Texas of two daughters by their mom. Fathers
against sons and the reverse. Parents divided in their homes. These are hard things right? And we only speak
of these things in whispers, too negative. But we can’t look away, even now,
when everything around us is threatening our “false” sense of security in this
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past Sunday, our lesson centered on the concept of “being a
witness”. I found quite a few definitions of the word, several stood out to me
that related to the lesson. We, as in we who are believers in Christ,
Christians, covenant makers etc. We are witnesses for Christ when we reflect or
mirror the attributes of the Savior himself. A witness should be in theory the “mirror”
image of ‘Him who has sent us”. But there is another definition that I almost
forgot, a witness is a martyr. Sometimes martyr’s actually live rather than die
for a cause. There are hundreds of scripture in the Bible encouraging us to “be
strong in the Lord and the power of his might”. And “be not afraid of the
terror by night”. And all of these encouraging messages we apply only to
ourselves, but let’s turn the page where the scriptures give us a “What if
scenario”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Genesis 18</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">And the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and
Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">I will go down now and see whether they have done
altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not,
I will know.”</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The “world” has literally “ended” quite a few times in history.
During the time of Noah and the flood, the tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah,
even Pearl Harbor and 9-11. These are patterns of human behavior that have
required an intervention. In this scenario, God has “come down”, to make an
assessment of what is really going on in Sodom and Gomorrah. He is responding
to “the outcry against it”. What is that outcry, and who are those who are
speaking out against the behavior of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah? Obviously
and it would seem that there is a “group” of concerned citizens (of the
kingdom), who after doing what they could, have prayed for this people. Did
they build churches in the community; did they take a stand against unjust
practices of those who were in leadership? Did they create strong family
relationships and then extend that hospitably to their neighbors? I think this where the statement applies “When
we have done all we can do…..”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22 And Abraham came near and said: “Would you also destroy the righteous
with the wicked? “<b>What If</b> there were fifty righteous within the city; would you
also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in
it?</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What if, indeed? Now we know the end of this conversation, it’s
almost a bidding war between Abraham and God. If not fifty how about forty-five?
Forty-five, do I hear thirty five? Thirty-five, okay twenty, twenty, I’ll take
ten; ten righteous people and the city will be spared; sold. But in the end,
only one person, Lot with a seeming vacillating testimony was spared. Not even his wife, nor his children who lived were spared. But why Lot? They were commanded in their fleeing not to
look “back”, but I think that even before this, Lot may have “turned away” from
his neighbors. He had no influence on them by his own life, even to save any
of their lives. The story seems to paint a picture of everyone in the city as being a “bad” person except for Lot. What good is having an appearance of
“personal righteousness” if we can’t impart some of that to others. Again this
is where we apply those verses: <i>be strong in the lord and the power of his
might, be not afraid of the terror by night. </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We live in some “bad” neighborhoods, even those in the best
neighborhoods. It is an act of great faith for most of us to just open our
doors and go outside. We live in the
neighborhood of this world, and it’s a little scary. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes
we have to do scary things, but know that God is for us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So I asked my
own “what if”, I asked what can I do? Who can I serve, even in my own
reticence, and somewhat social awkwardness? I petitioned that I don’t bake very
well, so no cookies. And I am not very handy, but I take direction well. I
don’t want to see a “train wreck” and not do something about it. So the Lord
heard my “outcry”. “Start where you are” in My household he said. Help those
who are needy there, and then fan out into the world the Lord said. There are
many members of our wards who are in danger, even one Sunday away from not
coming back. Many just need a small helping hand.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ephesians 5:13-14</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But everything exposed by light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14 So it is said: "Wake up O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ shall shine on you. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what did I do today? I
drove a member of my ward to the hospital today before I went to work. It was a
twofold lesson. I was able to wake before the clock went off, prepare for my
day and then prepare to help this person in her day. No doubt she was anxious,
maybe afraid, but you can’t know these things unless one’s heart is softened. As
we are strengthened, we can help strengthen others, even those not of our
faith. In the end it does take a village… </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pCSs4f9DlVM" width="459"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-534758954439031642016-04-15T08:20:00.000-04:002016-04-15T08:20:51.510-04:00APPOINTED DAY<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDljbWfQ6hOLmfr_jV-pzVTXjjTf7jLd3FG3eTqchS0ketY5coukhM1-TMJY-1xDM65AE99AUR4Jvf4uz3Mi36S8UqzTdQNb4SyrOw_SiDv2oCozU9Rbnnm1YNXiIUy9WYECSXdkTtfaYK/s1600/rubies.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDljbWfQ6hOLmfr_jV-pzVTXjjTf7jLd3FG3eTqchS0ketY5coukhM1-TMJY-1xDM65AE99AUR4Jvf4uz3Mi36S8UqzTdQNb4SyrOw_SiDv2oCozU9Rbnnm1YNXiIUy9WYECSXdkTtfaYK/s1600/rubies.bmp" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #141412; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #141412; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I
realize that, although I thought I was already doing my best to read the
scriptures—usually a few tired verses or a column a night, a chapter, if I was
particularly alert—the Lord knew that I was not doing the best I could. And he
knew that I need the blessings that come from trying a little harder to grab
onto the holy in life, to make meaning from the meaningless spaces of the day.</span></i></blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141412; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I grabbed this quote
today from the “Segullah blog”. I have been trying to get back into the groove
of things, a “new” routine because the old one doesn’t work anymore. One of my “old”
routines was to read my scriptures at least twice a week and more if preparing
a lesson for Sunday school. The Book of Mormon “whispers to me”, and it really
does.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #141412; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Today is my birthday,
and this is the first time that the “novelty” of celebrating for an entire
month like “the queen” has worn off. I must create a new routine or better,
make this the last birthday I celebrate in the old way and instead donate my
appointed day to serving others, to wishing others a “Happy Day” where there is
none. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #141412; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">ps: Happy Birthday to you, and you know who you are............</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mWNwQg3xoJw" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-22261721302269268422016-04-14T17:37:00.002-04:002016-04-14T17:37:16.448-04:00Eulogy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_y41CFe-vw/UBphJ151Z1I/AAAAAAAAAwo/yhicKq4O1Wc72LBHRSwyUYPqGnksrksOw/s1600/025_0A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l_y41CFe-vw/UBphJ151Z1I/AAAAAAAAAwo/yhicKq4O1Wc72LBHRSwyUYPqGnksrksOw/s200/025_0A.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>PATRICK W. GORDY<br />August 26 1957-March 23 2016</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">W. H. Auden</span></span></h1>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,<br />Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,<br />Silence the pianos and with muffled drum<br />Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.<br /><br />Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead<br />Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,<br />Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,<br />Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.<br /><br />He was my North, my South, my East and West,<br />My working week and my Sunday rest,<br />My <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_698557105" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">noon</span></span>, my <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_698557106" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">midnight</span></span>, my talk, my song;<br />I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.<br /><br />The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;<br />Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;<br />Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.<br />For nothing now can ever come to any good.</span></blockquote>
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Just thought I would mention that my husband and true eternal companion passed away 3 weeks ago. I am sharing this because we all "mourn with those who mourn". He had been progressively ill for the past 2 years from Heart Disease and all the "appendages" that come with it. But he was Valiant in his afflictions, and he tried to rally everyone around him to cheerfulness too. Although my heart is heavy, and tears are always close, the blessings, the gifts that he left me and all who loved him was one of Hope, and lightness of being and love and happiness. It was always hard to stay mad or sad around my husband because he radiated joy. I know that Heavenly Father loved him dearly, and I have the impression that in all of our wanting my husband to recover and get well and strong, the Father wanted it more than us , even in this life. I feel that in a crucial moment the Father laid out his future and asked him if he were strong enough to carry on, but even if he wasn't, it was ok. There would be rest. He said Rest now my little one, my good and faithful servant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matt.25:21<br />
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Here is a couple that inspires hope in me:<br />
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<span itemprop="description">When Sonia Vallabh was diagnosed five years ago with a rare, incurable disease the couple banded together to find a cure.....</span></div>
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"<i><b>The miracle of my lifetime is that we met...and even if we find a cure ;that will always be the miracle."</b></i> Sonia Vallabh </div>
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Danny Boy: Mormon Tabernacle Choir</div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-66354847499505731242016-03-02T16:56:00.003-05:002016-03-02T16:56:38.732-05:00PONDERING: Exodus 33:19 Proclaim Goodess<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">This past Sunday we talked about the "Atonement" in Sunday School. So the title was a proclamation: O the Goodness of our God. Just looking at this statement you might wonder where the Atonement fits in . I was listening to a talk today about the Mercy of God and the background scripture was this:</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exodus 33:18-19</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span id="en-AMP-2492" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">18 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Then
Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory!”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">And God said, “I
will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the Name of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">before
you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show
compassion (loving-kindness) on whom I will show compassion.”</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is such a cool scripture; in context Moses has asked the Lord Jehovah for one last opportunity to experience the presence of the Lord, in all of his glory. He beg's the Lord to "Show me your face, show me your glory".I can't imagine what that is like, or feels like. But the Lord did one better, he taught him about the future atonement of a Savior. So He gave Moses a "parade" of love, he literally preached a sermon about Himself, and proclaimed His own name and it's merits. All of his goodness passed before him. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John Gill’s exposition of the Bible give a really great explanation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee</b>,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="color: #333333;">
&c.] Which is his glory; the glory of the Lord lies in his goodness, and
that appears in the works of his hands, in the methods of his providence,
especially in the distribution of his sovereign grace and mercy, and
particularly in his pardoning grace and mercy, through the blood of Christ; for
as it is "the glory" of a man "to pass over a
transgression", (</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #333333;"> </span><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/19-11.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; outline: none !important;" target="_blank" url="/proverbs/19-11.html">Proverbs
19:11</a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">) much more it is the
glory of God, of which this goodness is afterwards interpreted; and may be
understood of Christ himself, who is the goodness of God itself, is not only
good, but the Lord's good One, emphatically good; as he is called his holy One,
so his good One; because all his goodness is laid up in him, is prevented and
filled as Mediator, with the blessings of his goodness; all are proclaimed in
him, displayed through him, and communicated by him; and he is that glorious
Personage that Moses might be desirous of having a view of, and was favoured
with; however, with a view of the divine goodness, as it is conspicuous in him,
in what he is, and has done for his people; for God has shown forth the
exceeding riches of his grace and goodness in him:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">and
I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee</b>:</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="color: #333333;">
his name and his nature, his perfections, and the glory of them, as displayed
in Christ; or when he is about to pass, or while he is passing by, lest he
should pass by unobserved, I will proclaim aloud and give thee notice that he
is now passing by thee, whose name is Jehovah, and whose nature, glory, and
goodness, are as follow:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">and
will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show</b><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<b style="box-sizing: border-box;">mercy on whom I will show mercy</b>:</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="color: #333333;">
signifying that notwithstanding the children of Israel had sinned against him
in such a manner as they had, yet he should show favour, grace, and mercy to
them, in pardoning their sins; and it should be distributed, not according to
any merits of theirs, but according to his sovereign will and pleasure, and not
to all, but to whomsoever he thought fit; and in this would be seen his glory:
and so it is with respect to grace and mercy, as displayed in Christ to sinful
men; it is not in proportion to their deserts, but according to the purpose and
good will of God, and that not unto all, but unto some whom he has appointed,
not unto wrath, but unto salvation by Jesus Christ, and which is to the glory
of his grace; and the more enlarged view men have of this, the more clearly and
fully does the goodness and glory of God pass before them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Today is sing a long Wednesday. But you can sing and dance and proclaim the Goodness of God. This is an oldie but a goodie from Soul Pancake. It's about love and joy and happiness when we share it with one another.</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7VJsyEtwAUY" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-55674756325509265462016-02-26T18:10:00.003-05:002016-02-26T18:10:47.850-05:00HIGHER LOVE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5g59ra7eH1XeOI1N6PVW-I7cIUdkItHgyAts9P61LZhSAE4vhocI0J-RtC9q8GK462aU4IiL30fdpDkOg9rWZh1ZVseyUwiFYJy78Q_a07nbNGdgBJWhji9znkDnRvp4uddyenO5aAz3/s1600/heart.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5g59ra7eH1XeOI1N6PVW-I7cIUdkItHgyAts9P61LZhSAE4vhocI0J-RtC9q8GK462aU4IiL30fdpDkOg9rWZh1ZVseyUwiFYJy78Q_a07nbNGdgBJWhji9znkDnRvp4uddyenO5aAz3/s320/heart.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy
Friday everyone, hope you are having a good day, me too. I wanted to share this
with you,My husband is in the hospital and he is really sick, but he is
progressing at a faster rate than usual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am
at work and as usual my mind is ticking off a laundry list of "to
do", and then my mind will go into a panic because I am really concerned about
my husband’s mental well being as he is healing. I know that he is upset because
of a respiratory tube in place to help him breathe. As I was going through some worst case
scenarios in my mind, one of which I hold the ICU hostage until they take out
the tube; I thought I heard something <b><i>"Stop looking at your
circumstances"</i></b>. Wow, I thought "What should I look at then?" And
I realized that even though the circumstances are what we see, I/we need to
look at the spiritual. I try to encourage the nurses to talk to P, or make a
joke, tell him something, or turn on the TV. When I go to see him, he maybe a
little out of it, but his presence there is quite strong. We need to encourage
him to hold on to his faith and continue to build it big. I know that this is a
lesson in patience and quiet and stillness. If we bear it well... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
this point I really feel like our lives are blowing apart, that God is after
"the truth" in both of us. Everything we thought life was supposed to
be, it is not. God is doing a "make-over". We will be stripped bare,
our pockets picked and nothing left but the shirts on our back and the faith in
our hearts. I am optimistic about this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is sing-along Friday, I found this cute little commercial, must be too long for TV. lives only on YOUTUBE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Higher Love </b>by Steve Winwood is the song...</span></div>
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x5jeP4Ftp0Q" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hink about it, there must be higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without it, life is wasted time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look inside your heart, I’ll look inside mine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things look so bad everywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this whole
world, what is fair <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We walk blind and we try to see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Falling behind in what could be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worlds are turning and we’re just hanging on<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facing our fear and standing out there alone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A yearning and it’s real to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There must be someone who’s feeling for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things look so bad everywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this whole world, what is fair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We walk blind and we try to see<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Falling behind in what could be <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring me a higher love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where’s that higher love I keep thinking of?</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-71792168074405309252016-02-02T17:29:00.002-05:002016-02-02T17:29:23.253-05:00Pondering: Greater Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh1RRNCEHrP4zsZN2wOw2fwrk5ybBTfoY9r-y8tOllYn4ML9jt36omHW4ToybyxRh9ueqXX6m1F5ae2Yml5mvJD5bwXQe0pZtd6JkOWxCMvYwIdfx1YT8MVKIPUmfzSPBDjcvfNhd8dyx/s1600/LOVE+NEVER+FAILS.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh1RRNCEHrP4zsZN2wOw2fwrk5ybBTfoY9r-y8tOllYn4ML9jt36omHW4ToybyxRh9ueqXX6m1F5ae2Yml5mvJD5bwXQe0pZtd6JkOWxCMvYwIdfx1YT8MVKIPUmfzSPBDjcvfNhd8dyx/s200/LOVE+NEVER+FAILS.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t you
love it when you are watching a TV show, and out of blue, and out of context,
the characters begin to spout “bible verses”? It’s weird, almost like the
writers wanted to throw them in to add validity to the program. I was watching
a police drama called “Bluebloods”, it centers on an Irish American family, who
have a tradition of serving their community as policemen and lawyers. They seem
to be religious, they practice Catholicism. This particular story centers
around a series of “vigilante type of murders”, and one of the main characters
is interrogating a suspect. Apparently the suspect is admitting to the killings
and to justify himself he quotes these verses in <i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Exodus 21:24…an eye for an
eye.</b></span></i> After which the main character spouts off<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> Proverbs 22:23 “For the Lord
will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.</span></i>” This
is some pretty heady stuff right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Plunder meaning <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">steal goods from (a place or person),
typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder.</span> </i></b><span style="color: #333333;">I looked up those scripture to make sure they were quoting them
right and insure relevance (What…someone has to do it)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have
you pondered the “language” of these verses? Contrary to what we have assumed,
a language is not the dialect we speak, nor is it French or English, etc. Language
is words that form into legal precedence, such as contracts, or in scripture,
words that have become promises, covenants, even curses. There is a theme, a
pattern and a future purpose of the words in these verses. The language in
theses verses seem to attribute to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The
context of the verse is a law and that if two men are fighting and a pregnant woman
happens to be in the fray, maybe she is trying to stop the fight. And she is
injured and it cause’s her to miscarry the baby the retribution is this: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Exodus
21:23-24</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>23 And if any mischief follows, then thou
shall give life for life,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> </span>24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot
for foot,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><i> </i></span><i>25 Burning for burning wound for wound, stripe for stripe.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
I think of vengeance in its worst form, I think about “The Hatfield’s and the
McCoy’s”, who according to lore, started an epic family feud because of a pig,
and later because of sons and daughters dating on the wrong side of the family
tree. This type of vengeance seems to be fueled by “eye for an eye”, and
“righteous indignation”. The perpetrators are usually the family of the victim.
In Deuteronomy 32:35 Jehovah (Jesus) declares that vengeance is rightfully His.
Although He is not the victim, in some future time He will stand in for the
victim and become the propitiation that is being punished. He will suffer the
wrath of Heavenly Father against all past, present and future wrongs. He will
give his life, which is his body and soul, to be retribution. In
Deuteronomy 35 he declares Himself the avenger and the one who makes the
payment of retribution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.05pt; line-height: 115%;">"<i>Propitiation means
the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology,
propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning
sacrifice of Christ.</i></span></span></blockquote>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><i>Deuteronomy 32:35</i></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b><sup>35 </sup></b></span><span class="text">Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; </span><br />
<span class="text">their foot shall slip in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">due</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">time; </span><br />
<span class="text">for the day of their calamity</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">is</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">at hand, </span><br />
</span></i><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">and the things to come hasten upon them.’</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.6pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, in <i>Matthew 5:38-48 J</i>esus further extrapolates the theology
behind <i>Deut. 35,</i> he says….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: 5.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“You have heard
that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,<b><sup> </sup></b>But I tell you
not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn
the other to him also. <b><sup>40 </sup></b>If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him
have your cloak also. <b><sup>41 </sup></b>And whoever
compels you to go one mile, go with him two. <b><sup>42 </sup></b>Give to him who
asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="line" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text" style="line-height: 12pt;">Does that sound like he is trying
to take away the “sting” of vengeance? Can you find his admonition to “love thy
neighbor” in these verses? Jesus
said “Vengeance is mine or vengeance is mine to bear, and I will also repay for
the wrongs committed. </span><span style="line-height: 12pt;">What
do I really know about the </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">Savior's</span><span style="line-height: 12pt;"> his atoning sacrifice? Do I know what those
words mean? In Isaiah, the Lord speaks
to us, he gives us a glimpse into his mindset</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">I</span>saiah 50:6</i></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><b><sup>6 </sup></b></span><span class="text">I gave My back to those who struck</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">Me,</span><br />
<span class="text">And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;</span><br />
<span class="text">I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.</span></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="text"><br /></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
Isaiah 50, he gave his cheeks to have his beard plucked out. I have never
really considered what it means to pluck, until I thought about how a chicken’s
feathers are “plucked” out of their skin.(It's pretty brutal). In Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in
his face and beat him with their fists; and others slapped him. There he is
true to his word to offer his face for slapping, his body for beating. He was beaten with whips and sticks, as he was
struggling to drag a heavy portion of lumber of what would be his "cross" through the town.People screamed at
him; hit him, spit at him. Wow how humiliating. I don’t know if I have ever
been humiliated in these terms in my life, have you? I don’t know if I could
bear it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>D<b>octrine
& Covenants 19:16-18</b>……….For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all
that they might not suffer if they would repent; Which suffering caused myself,
even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at
every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit… </i></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.3pt; margin-bottom: 13.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking
of the extent of the suffering required of Christ, <b><i>President Joseph Fielding
Smith</i></b> said: </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.3pt;">“We
cannot comprehend the great suffering that the Lord had to take upon himself to
bring to pass this redemption from death and from sin. …“We get into the
habit of thinking, I suppose, that his great suffering was when he was nailed
to the cross by his hands and his feet and was left there to suffer until he
died. As excruciating as that pain was, that was not the greatest suffering
that he had to undergo, for in some way which I cannot understand, but which I
accept on faith, and which you must accept on faith, he carried on his back the
burden of the sins of the whole world. It is hard enough for me to carry my own
sins. How is it with you? And yet he had to carry the sins of the whole world,
as our Savior and the Redeemer of a fallen world, and so great was his
suffering before he ever went to the cross, we are informed, that blood oozed
from the pores of his body.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1947,
pp. 147–48.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, the Lord has put on my own heart, to ponder just what it means to be called a son or daughter of God. We are bought with a price, an awful price of blood, sweat and tears. You could say, "Well let's not dwell on the ugliness, let's move on to the victory, the resurrection, the ascension." Are we like Thomas, who loved Jesus with all of his heart, but could not bear the "realness" of his sacrifice, much less his death. But Jesus loved him anyway, and sought him out, and bid him to touch the wounds. One day we will too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New music Tuesday y'all, Sidewalk Prophets "YOU LOVE ME ANYWAY" It's a sing a long too, the words at the bottom of the page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sidewalk Prophets - You Love Me Anyway (Official Video)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y8BBCYFAYRI" width="480"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
The question was raised<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />As my conscience fell<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A silly, little lie<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It didn't mean much<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But it lingers still<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In the corners of my mind</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
Still you call me to walk<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />On the edge of this world<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To spread my dreams and fly<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But the future's so far<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />My heart is so frail<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I think I'd rather stay inside</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's like nothing in life that I've ever known<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
Yes, You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh Lord, how You love me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />How You love me</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
It took more than my strength<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To simply be still<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To seek but never find<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />All the reasons we change<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The reasons I doubt<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
And why do loved ones have to die?</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's like nothing in life that I've ever known<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yes, You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh Lord, how You love me</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
I am the thorn in Your crown<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
I am the sweat from Your brow<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
I am the nail in Your wrist<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
I am Judas' kiss<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But You love me anyway</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yes then, I turned away with a smile on my face<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And then alone in the night, I still called out for You<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />So ashamed of my life, my life, my life</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
But You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's like nothing in life that I've ever known<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Yes, You love me anyway<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh Lord, how You love me</div>
<div class="verse" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">
You love me, yes You love me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />How You love me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />How You love me<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />How You love me</div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-7453641823688966452015-12-31T07:53:00.001-05:002015-12-31T07:53:07.480-05:00DELIGHT YOUR SOUL IN FATNESS..........2016!!!!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My journal went missing in Oct. and it was right under my nose,
but it didn’t say a thing to make me aware of its presence. I found it in my
office, right under my nose and because I did not immediately grab it and put
it in a place where I could find it, the grasp is tenuous at best. So much has
happened during Oct-Dec that I want to share with my journal…… I will become a more organized journal
keeper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">Satellite journal entry 12/30/15</span></b><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">: today I could not get out
of the house without “leaving something behind”. My cough drops were left in
the car, which is parked in the Parking Garage at work. Yesterday, the phone was left
in the car, even as I was blissfully enjoying a peaceful, non- jerky elevator
ride up. (I am terribly phobic of elevators, and closed in spaces, etc) There
was one other person in the elevator and she was so intent on her phone, that it
reminded me that I needed to go back for my phone, Drat!! I was pushed back late 15
mins for work. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Today I managed to garner 15 early minutes that I hoped would
coast me in at </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">30 min</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> early to work. Instead I had to get gas for the car,
at 711. ( I really hate 711 and their devious practice of running out of paper at the gas pump receipt counter and causing us to go inside to ask for the </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">receipt</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> from
the “Sales Associate” ) who is usually held hostage by someone buying a million
scratch off tickets. There should be a line for “missing gas pump receipt's. We
have all been there; I digress. Anyway, for whatever reason, I could not use my
ATM card, and was instructed to see a “Sales Associate”, I decided to go to a
different place. I forgot my lunch, “Drat”; I had to stop by the house and get that,
but I did not have time to haul in the
water. (Another story another time)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For all
of this, I still got to work at the same time. I thought about this verse in </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Genesis 3:17-18 </b>and I was having this day<i>:<span style="color: #0b5394;">Cursed is the ground for your sake, in toil you shall eat of it, all the days of your life</span></i><span style="color: #0b5394;">. <b>18</b> <i>But thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread."</i></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">My goal for 2016 is to “Be
present in my life”. I know that sounds like new age hokum, but we can lose
track of ourselves, our real selves in the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>absolute tedious minutia </b></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">of our
daily lives. I have felt that this is not what our Heavenly Father had in mind.
Jesus offered a great deal to us, he said that he came to offer us “life” and
not only life but an “abundant life”, filled with possibilities of happiness
and hope. I think I will grab that brass ring. I feel like the average believer
in God and Christ is afraid to be happy, believing that
for every euphoric moment, it must be paid for with the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">“absolute tedious
minutia of our daily lives.” </span></b></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> Not so...
the check has already been paid. Thistles and thorns were promised when Adam
and Eve fled the garden, but the Savior wore a thorny crown upon his head and
paid the note. We are indeed fallen but we don’t have to stumble all of the
time.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A notable
prophet named Jacob said, quoting Isaiah said in </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2 Nephi 9:50 </b>“Come my
brethren, everyone that thirsts, come ye to the waters; and he that has no
money, come buy and eat; yea come buy wine and milk without money and without
price. 51: Wherefore do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your
labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember
the words which I have spoken: and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast
upon that which perish not, neither can it
be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are words to
live by indeed. So delight your soul in fatness.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">So I am leaving you with some things that touched me this year; I love to hear people testify of their relationship with the Savior, it doesn't matter who you are, I think at least 8 out of 10 people at any given time have been been touched by the Savior in a very personal way</span></i><br />
<br />
<b>The Overwhelming Spiritual Experience Lenny Kravitz Had as a Child </b> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HzcdJk4Yqd0" width="480"></iframe><br />
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New Music y'all<br />
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MATT MAUER AmenRamona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-18160016090957313912015-12-23T17:14:00.002-05:002015-12-29T12:52:41.268-05:00The Real Meaning...... <br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>New Book Wednesday</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow it's T-2.5 and counting until Christmas. How ironic that the holiday falls on a Friday, so there won't be a "black Friday" but a Super Saturday. I digress. Today is New Book Wednesday. I haven't done this in a long time, although I have been reading through a lot of books. I found this book by accident. A guilty pleasure of mine is surfing Youtube for good Christian based music. I found an artist named Nichole Nordeman, and she had a really sweet voice. She sang her own faith inspired songs and standards. She reminded me of Jewel, she even looks like her. One of her Youtube videos was a "Lyric" video called "Real". Here are the first verses:</span><br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HocGittiL._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HocGittiL._SY498_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #999999;"><b>Frozen statues in the cold<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Washed in moonlight, blue and gold<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mary's babe in plastic hay<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Quiet wonder on her face<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Mary you look so serene<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Far too pretty, much too clean<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />We might think we know you well<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />But what stories would you tell?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Of all the dirt and dust and shame<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Everybody burning labour pain</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>And as I turn to walk away<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I hear you say<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I am real<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Don't turn me into memory or myth<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Let me be real<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And I'll show you what it means to love like this<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />To be real</b></span></div>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And as I listened to her voice and the lyrics, my heart was touched. I wondered what or who was she singing about and as I listened to the rest of the song, I realized that she was singing about those Nativity statutes that inevitably spring up every Christmas Most people have a love-hate relationship with them, not so much what they represent. I remember a few years back, when a local church had the Baby Jesus stolen out of it's manger every year, no matter what they did to secure him in. I heard once that they put a real baby in it one year, but no takers. So I listened to this song and heard a true story of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. We think we know who they are, and we hope we know who Jesus is. Their "real" stories of life and growing up, and heartache, etc are buried or even concealed in the thousands of years gone by. It is no wonder that the prophet Isaiah noted that Mary would be a "sign" for us.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Prophecies:</em> Seven hundred years before she was born, Mary was prophesied to be the mother of Christ. Isaiah wrote, “The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/isa/7.14?lang=eng#13" style="background: transparent !important; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Isaiah 7:14</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Alma the Younger also identified Mary as the Savior’s mother about 80 years before Jesus’s birth and halfway across the world from Isaiah: “He shall be born of Mary, … she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/7.10?lang=eng#9" style="background: transparent !important; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 7:10</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fulfillment:</em> Eight decades later, the angel Gabriel appeared “to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, … and the virgin’s name was Mary” (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/1.27?lang=eng#26" style="background: transparent !important; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Luke 1:27</a>). Mary was the mother of Jesus, who was the Son of God.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I was obsessed, I found that I couldn't buy a CD of this song and it was inspired by a book called </span><br />
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"<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">A Walk One Winter Night by Al Andrews"</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But drats, the book was out of print..... I scoured Amazon.com and found a few copies. There is a beautiful back story. I wanted to share this with you (my 6 loyal readers), this is my gift to you. I found a You-tube of the author reading this book. Please take a few minutes and listen and you won't be disappointed. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are real, and they lived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Bonus y'all, Nichole Nordeman singing her song "REAL"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas y'all </span><br />
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Nichole Nordeman - Real (Lyric Video)Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-84156109868451592452015-12-14T01:45:00.000-05:002015-12-14T01:45:56.197-05:00PONDERING Luke 1:1-4<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QuD_WncrtyrWSsNL-HO8vfceXn5HgkyfHlzlvM6fFu2SLVyTvwI5vPRBFWcf29Rb6srbHu0Qf0kYHTvhTsmKZK4cV5yFUW-GK-DApkJl1jluErYOUAipkpUZtH0heMhP3AxNDlrIZR8q/s1600/john-piper-quote-3things_1280X800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QuD_WncrtyrWSsNL-HO8vfceXn5HgkyfHlzlvM6fFu2SLVyTvwI5vPRBFWcf29Rb6srbHu0Qf0kYHTvhTsmKZK4cV5yFUW-GK-DApkJl1jluErYOUAipkpUZtH0heMhP3AxNDlrIZR8q/s320/john-piper-quote-3things_1280X800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Read Luke 2</i></b>; was on a list that suggested "Simple Activities for a more Christ Centered Christmas" There are about 30 such suggestions, but this one is good if you love Christmas but are having a hard time preparing for it. Luke 2 is "The" Christmas story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is from this chapter that Linus of Peanuts, does a wonderful soliloquy on the true meaning of Christmas. I have read this chapter a lot in my life, but it hasn't been until recently that I was able to understand the truth of it all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I like to read in chronological order, sometimes I skip around. I usually skip reading Luke 1, or I would wonder who " Theophilus" was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-1-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Luke </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">1:1-4</span></span><i><span class="text Luke-1-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Luke-1-2" id="en-NKJV-24896" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Luke-1-3" id="en-NKJV-24897" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Luke-1-4" id="en-NKJV-24898" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Luke-1-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The voice sounded familiar: do you recognize it?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Book</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i> of Mormon 1:1</i> And now I, Mormon, make a record of the things which I have both seen and heard and call it the Book of Mormon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I recognize Luke, who obviously was a "real" person instead of a name on a chapter. He is found in the book of Acts as a "witness" to the Pentecost, the outpouring of God's spirit, after Christ had ascended to Heaven. He somehow befriends the Apostle Paul and is a sometime scribe and traveling companion. It is to Luke that Paul requests a warm cloak and the "parchments" via Timothy. What is on those parchments? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">What do we know about Luke? He may be a physician, or a Greek, possibly a freed Greek slave, who was converted to the Christian movement at that time. More than likely, he was a Hellenized or Greek speaking Jew. He was a member of Christ's church and maybe a missionary and traveling companion with Paul. He seemed to have the responsibility of an appointed </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">messenger, a guardian of the records that detailed the life of Jesus Christ. He reminded me of Moroni. Maybe he too abridged the record. I have the impression that he sacrificed much and remained steadfast in the faith.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is Theophilus? He could be you or I. We want to know who Jesus Christ is, we want to know what the foundation of our faith is all about. I love how in Luke 2, </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luke himself is speaking and narrating a story that is well known to him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I have pondered these verses and have been blessed with a better understanding of how important is was then and now that the Church of Jesus Christ is established on the earth. Even though many followers of Christ left the Church and others corrupted the true meaning, it was people like Paul or Luke who managed to literally keep hope alive through their writings and their testimony. There was no "official" book about Jesus at this time, only the testimonies of his most devout followers, who sacrificed much. Luke reminds me of Mormon and even his son Moroni. This is a bridge to the book of Mormon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas y'all, new music Monday, Big Daddy Weave</span></span><br />
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Big Daddy Weave - "My Story" (Official Music Video)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1TKAN-nAsu8" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-54846655128678537532015-11-13T15:19:00.003-05:002015-11-13T15:19:48.875-05:00Pondering: Moses 7:63: Veterans Day of Remembrance<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #404040;">Moses 7:63 </b><span style="color: #0b5394;">And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shall thou and all thy city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">Happy Veteran's Day to all my fellow Vet's.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">I have never looked at this day as a "holiday", but more of a day of remembrance, so I am really glad that it is on the day that it falls, no special shopping days, no half off sales and definitely no Black Friday.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">It is a day to remember the service of our fellow brothers and sisters, some fallen, most still here. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; line-height: 18.2px;">When I tell people that I served in the Navy, many say "Thank you for your Service".This used to confuse me, because I never thought what I did deserved any recognition. Some would ask why did I join, and I wished I could say that I was "Born to Serve", but in reality I joined like most people; needing a job,or job training; money for school, more regular pursuits. But looking back, I have realized that love of country came later, in maturity, and after experiencing the intensity of military life and comparing it to the civilian life I came back to . The intensity of our mission, regardless of where we served, in the field or on base. Whatever our job was, it was stressed to us, to take pride in the execution of it. To do it right the first time. The intensity of our friendships for our buddies, our friends in arms, those relationships never end. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Some compare service in the Military as a great sacrifice, and I never thought of it that way and I daresay that if you asked other vets, they might view it that way too. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">I can say truthfully that it was a privilege to serve, and to live in this beautiful country of ours seems like a given,but it is not. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">I have always thought, that given the opportunity, I would serve again in some capacity.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">New Music y'all</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Celebrate your favorite Veteran home. </span></span></span><br />
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LeAnn Rimes with Gavin DeGraw - Celebrate Me Home (Official Video)Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-40719404526733330552015-11-03T17:35:00.004-05:002015-11-03T17:38:37.507-05:00Pondering: Make Ready<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wow, the year is almost over, and our lessons in the New Testament draw to a close. I have loved learning and teaching this record this year. It has been humbling to realize how little I really know about our Wonderful Savior Jesus Christ. When we started this course, Christmas was past and again we were teaching about Jesus. I thought to myself, I am really going to have to get people excited about Jesus again, and all of his works and parables. One scripture really "set it off" for me and still does:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-weight: 500;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Luke 1:16-17 Amplified</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;"> Bible </span></span><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">And he will turn back</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">and</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">cause to return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">And he will [himself] go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn back the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">incredulous</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">unpersuadable to the wisdom of the upright [which is</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-AMPC-24909a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-AMPC-24909a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1%3A16-17&version=AMPC#fen-AMPC-24909a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the knowledge and holy love of the will of God]—in<b> order to make ready for the Lord a people</b> [perfectly] <b>prepared</b> [in spirit,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-AMPC-24909b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-AMPC-24909b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1%3A16-17&version=AMPC#fen-AMPC-24909b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 24px;">adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].</span> </span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the Amplified Bible version that breaks down the meaning. I love studying the New Testament and my Faith in my Savior has been bolstered, I don't think I can go back to just being a passive reader, a non-doer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NEW MUSIC Y'ALL</span><br />
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<b>Casting Crowns - Until The Whole World Hears</b><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o7qi2KlUffs" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-16468953946485810452015-10-20T14:25:00.001-04:002015-10-28T07:56:40.688-04:00Pondering: “What do you believe?”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdt2vY_KPN79e3sITCZYsk4XP1LynWHPuc1YREmuKPdpjk014UX3Om8b0jKxW6j4N4ULB5mim6ys4ALZWf2gqghHlwYGPFB7DeU2faGd7V-RY0GR-EIrIhEJ6dLyOJ_y_kuXqsfzevdWV/s1600/believe-in-poss-for-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdt2vY_KPN79e3sITCZYsk4XP1LynWHPuc1YREmuKPdpjk014UX3Om8b0jKxW6j4N4ULB5mim6ys4ALZWf2gqghHlwYGPFB7DeU2faGd7V-RY0GR-EIrIhEJ6dLyOJ_y_kuXqsfzevdWV/s200/believe-in-poss-for-web.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, Oprah
has asked the question, <i><span style="color: #b45f06;">“What do you believe”? </span></i>Oprah has produced a documentary
that focuses on the question of belief and how this belief integrates the lives
of various people, of different cultures and creeds, and ethnicities around the
world. It is scheduled for seven days. It reminds me of the “I am a Mormon”
videos. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My verse to
ponder this week is from <i><b>Doctrine & Covenants 46:13-14</b></i></span><b><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">To some it is given by the</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Holy Ghost</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was
crucified for the sins of the world.</span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"> </span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">14 </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">To others it is given to</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">believe</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #134f5c;">on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they
continue faithful.</span></i><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this verse;
it is so self explanatory and mysterious all at once. To some; Who are those
people? Have they been specifically chosen for this gift, or did they do some
work? </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did they ask questions? Did they challenge themselves to find out what
they believed? </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To believe is to set out on a journey, to seek, to find out if
there is something better and bigger than ourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We are
asking the age old questions, “Is there more to life than this?” “Are we alone
or is there someone out there?” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">To those who have been given the gift to know
who Jesus Christ is, they have the profound duty to share that knowledge and
help those who seek. <i><b> Romans 1:16 </b></i></span><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…. </i></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Are we
defined by our beliefs? Or are we transformed and renewed by our believing that
leads to faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world?</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <i><b>Romans 12:2</b></i></span><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span></sup></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again,
that proving involves seeking, and asking questions and praying to know what is
that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. I asked myself these
questions, one stood out; </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Ramona, what do you believe ?“ </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>I believe
in God the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.</b></span></div>
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(New music Y'all)<br />
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NEWS BOYS: WE BELIEVE</div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-50062046043065635832015-10-06T15:47:00.002-04:002015-10-06T15:47:40.096-04:00PONDERIZE; PONDERATION NATION........<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What a great General Conference, just what we needed to help us finish out the year. I have 3 key talks that really resonated with me:</span><br />
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<img alt="" class="util__float--left" data-id="17016740299385508527-eng" data-pin-nopin="true" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/magazines/ensign/2014/06/rosemary-m-wixom.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Discovering the Divinity Within</span></span></em></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/rosemary-m-wixom?lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rosemary M. Wixom</span></a><br /><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Primary General President</em></span></address>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We come to this earth to nurture and discover the seeds of divine nature that are within us. …</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">Our divine nature has nothing to do with our personal accomplishments, the status we achieve, the number of marathons we run, or our popularity and self-esteem. Our divine nature comes from God. It was established in an existence that preceded our birth and will continue on into eternity.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">We identify with our divine nature as we feel and give the love of our Father in Heaven. We have the agency to nurture it, let it flourish, and help it grow. Peter said we are given “precious promises” that we “might be partakers of the divine nature” [</span><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-pet/1.4?lang=eng#3" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Peter 1:4</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">]. As we understand who we are—daughters of God—we begin to feel those precious promises. …</span></div>
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<img alt="" class="util__float--left" data-id="17016740299385508527-eng" data-pin-nopin="true" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/church/leaders/thomas-s-monson.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Be an Example and a Light</span></span></em></h2>
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/thomas-s-monson?lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">President Thomas S. Monson</span></span></a></address>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others. …</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. … May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.</span></div>
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<img alt="" class="util__float--left" data-id="17016740299385508527-eng" data-pin-nopin="true" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/church/leaders/devin-g-durrant_72dpi_105x131.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div>
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<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My Heart Pondereth Them Continually</span></span></em></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/devin-g-durrant?lang=eng" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brother Devin G. Durrant</span></a><br /><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency</em></span></address>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I invite you to “ponderize” one verse of scripture each week. The word <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ponderize</em> is not found in the dictionary, but it has found a place in my heart. So what does it mean to ponderize? I like to say it’s a combination of 80 percent extended pondering and 20 percent memorization. …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course this last talk by Brother Durant was one that stood out to me the most. A challenge for us to "Delight in the Scriptures", to "Ponderize" them. His challenge for us was to choose one scripture a week, read it, write it down and put it in a place where we can see it daily, and then study it, break it down, seek out the deep parts, to ponder it and to apply to our life. I found two verses to ponder for the week, I usually study one verse and I will find the "answer" or "explanation" verse to go with it.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">John 1:12-13 </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">B</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">ut as many as received him, to him gave the power to become: the sons (and daughters) of God; even to them that believe on this name</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">.</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;"> 13</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God</i><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">Mosiah 5: 7-8; 12 </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters; for behold this day he has spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">8</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">: A</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;">nd under his head ye are made free and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation comes; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 30.6px;"> </span></blockquote>
<b>Joseph Smith History: 1:74</b> Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understanding, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously..... <br />
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NEW MUSIC; Obsessed with this group NeedtoBreathe.<br />
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-90583173110638400012015-10-02T16:44:00.001-04:002015-10-02T16:44:50.036-04:00ADVENT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPWX3JdmEQz_ytAmnNJlwlr1gh1UQMBtINt3AhlfTBfetpqa5F80FdTjiLM3H8Fr1QV57Mz95hPGY4slN6we7CJ4JgqubMCyoOIXIJzEmdl7kFR_tp1MdxoweetOjWB4FTypkX01_ubtf/s1600/hope-affirmation72dpi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPWX3JdmEQz_ytAmnNJlwlr1gh1UQMBtINt3AhlfTBfetpqa5F80FdTjiLM3H8Fr1QV57Mz95hPGY4slN6we7CJ4JgqubMCyoOIXIJzEmdl7kFR_tp1MdxoweetOjWB4FTypkX01_ubtf/s200/hope-affirmation72dpi1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wow<o:p></o:p></div>
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This must be a Utah thing. I saw the disclaimer briefly, really
out of the corner of my eye, I thought it was a prank. I mean I didn't get the
memo that the World was ending in Sept.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Church Responds to Inquiries about
Preparedness</b><br /><span style="color: #666666; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-transform: uppercase;">SALT LAKE CITY — </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">(September
26, 2015) In response to several news media inquiries, the Church
recently issued the following statement: </span><i><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Church encourages our members to be spiritually and physically prepared for
life's ups and downs. For many decades, Church leaders have counseled members
that, where possible, they should gradually build a supply of food, water and
financial resources to ensure they are self-reliant during disasters and the
normal hardships that are part of life, including illness, injury or
unemployment.</span></i><i><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
teaching to be self-reliant has been accompanied by the counsel of Church
leaders to avoid being caught up in extreme efforts to anticipate catastrophic
events. </span></i><i><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
writings and speculations of individual Church members, some of which have
gained currency recently, should be considered as personal accounts or
positions that do not reflect Church doctrine. Courtesy Mormon Newsroom</span></i></blockquote>
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Did this have anything to do with the Lunar Eclipse and the
unusual coloration of the moon as it passed between the Sun and the Earth:
blood moon I think they call it? Is it the same as a Harvest Moon, but it would
be great for Halloween? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here on the east coast, we had so many distractions, impending
tropical storms turned hurricanes (now that could be the end of the world in a more
selective manner). The Pope visited D.C. last week (my hometown), so maybe he
brought in some positive vibes. Maybe positive enough to inspired the Speaker
of the House to resign.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But seriously, I went back and listened to Elder Neil Anderson's
April conference talk; <b>"Thy Kingdom Come"</b>, where he exhorts that
preparing for the return of Christ helps to build our faith. So the key word is
prepare, which is less about food storage, and amassing a arsenal of firearms,
than it is about looking at the eternal. </div>
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In <b>Malach</b>i the Lord asks “<i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears? </b></span></i>There are two really good points in this
verse: Endurance which can imply faithfulness and standing which implies
covenant making and living according to those covenants. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Psalm 24:4</b> answers<span style="color: #45818e;"><b> </b></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who
has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully</b></span>.</i> Clean hands
reference our integrity, and a pure heart entails just that. We should strive
to have a heart for God, to love him with all of our heart, our might and our
mind. We are “fixed” on serving the Lord, and not the idol’s of the day which
can be any worldly pursuit that is taken out of context and goes against God’s
statutes and commandments. Or as a saying in the world goes, name your poison.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If our goal is life eternal, then we need to think on these things
and reconcile them to ourselves in this earthbound life. <i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Fear not we are
counseled, Peace I leave you. Not as the world gives peace but my peace. </b></span></i>I
believe that peace is power, blessed are the peacemakers for they will be
called the children of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe we should define what
is the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>"end of the world</b></span>". Is it the earth upon which we stand? Or is
it the "established order" of all things social, political, and religious,
etc? </div>
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Maybe a cursory reading of the Book of Ether will put things into perspective.
The scriptures also teach that when Jesus returns he will destroy the
wicked. <b>Psalm 145.20</b> <span class="text"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>T</b></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>he</b></span></i></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span class="apple-converted-space"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></i><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>preserves all who love Him, But all the
wicked He will destroy.</b></span></i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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After all is said and done, old things will pass away, a new
heaven and a new earth will replace the old earth. But look at this verse: <b>2 Corinthians
5:17</b><span class="text"><b> </b><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Therefore, if anyone</b></span></i></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">in Christ,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">he is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></i><span class="text"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>a new creation; old things have passed
away</b></span></i>; Behold all things have become new. We are a fallen people who are
a part of a fallen world ideology, a fallen earth. But now, we who are in
Christ are in process of being made new and newer still and shiny and new when Jesus
returns. All of the rules, and fallen state of the old world order, the laws of
sin and despair, of hopelessness, of dirt and filth, should not be our <b>Truth</b>. Jesus
said that <span style="color: #990000;"><b>I AM</b></span> come(ing) that they (you, me) may have life and have it more abundant.
At this very moment, old things are passing away, sloughing off.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 12pt;">Have you ever wondered why there would be a need for a “new”
Heaven? <b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Isaiah 29:14<span class="apple-converted-space"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></sup></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><i><span style="color: #45818e;">Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work</span></i></span></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">among this people; A
marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise</span></span></i></b></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">men</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">shall perish, And the
understanding of their prudent</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">men</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">shall be hidden.”</span></span></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Before Jesus was crucified his disciples asked him where was he
going, he said in <b>John 14:2<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><sup><i><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></i></sup></span></b><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>In My Father’s house
are many mansions;</b></span></i></span></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">if</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">it
were</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">not</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">so,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you.</span></span></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">In my Father’s house; or rather<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> in
the presence of My Father, (<i><b>my Father and your Father, My God and your God</b></i>); in
the place where He abides, there are rooms/mansions/glory. This is beautiful
Temple imagery that points to Malachi 3’s question of abiding the presence of
the Lord. Jesus as the Great High Priest officiates in
the presence of God, seated on his right hand of power and authority. He
prepares that place; he prepares us to come into the presence of the Lord. But
these concepts are too high to understand by the average man, the natural man.
But if you consider yourself a new creation, preparing to inhabit a new heaven,
a new earth, and then it is important that we seek to understand this.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12pt;">I have wondered then if we lump the term
"world", with earth, moon and sky. I have thought about this a lot
and after I got over the fear and panic of "not knowing", I prayed
for knowledge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">We have covenanted to
"stand" for the Savior and be a witness for Him, in all things, unto
death. Do we escape the end of the world if we "die" before His
coming? No, we are still bound, but is the destruction of the wicked you or I?
I hope not and I believe not. Paul the apostle said in <b>Philippians 1:21<span style="color: #45818e;"><i> </i></span></b><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>f</i></span><i><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>or to
me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. </b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><i><span style="color: #76a5af;"><b>For in Him we live and move and have
our being:</b></span></i> <b>Acts 17:28 <i><span style="color: #76a5af;">"</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #76a5af;"><b>We are his offspring.</b></span></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">So what is the answer for the
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>“end of the world</b></span>”, it is the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The atonement
is a perfect answer, a perfect scenario, a perfect solution for an imperfect
and fallen situation. We are not spared trials, and storms and job losses etc.
This comes with… but as I understand it, the atonement is that Balm of Gilead,
the way and the truth and the light. It is the hope, the truth against the
lies. We must prepare ourselves in many ways to live in this world, and we must
prepare for our eternal life, and Jesus is coming soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">How will we know for
sure? Jesus asked his disciples a rhetoric question: <b><i>“What manner of men and women
should you strive to be; he answered “Even as IAM.</i> </b>Wow what a tall order, but
then here is wisdom,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In the <b>Book of Mormon</b>, we
learn the great truth that we <i>“pray unto the Father with all the energy of
heart, that [we] may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all
who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that [we] may become the sons
[and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we
shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified
even as he is pure”</i> (</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/7.48?lang=eng#47"><span style="color: #0091bc;">Moroni 7:48</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">). Visiting Teaching Lesson Ensign Oct 2015</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">We have nothing to fear,
there is no fear in Love. <b>Proverbs 29:25 </b><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>the fear of man brings a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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NEW MUSIC Y'ALL<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fGF-MGGLpB0" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-66904002585584401082015-08-12T15:46:00.001-04:002015-08-12T15:46:29.679-04:00WELLNESS WEDNESDAY<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is NMW (new music wednesday) Y"all Lately I have been listening to a really great Christian Inspired Music Station. Maybe you have too, and the music is rocking and great and really soul lifting. Today's song is from a group called <span style="color: #45818e;"><b>"THIRD DAY</b>"</span>, some good ole boys singing some good ole Southern Rock inspired, soul stirring music. This is one of my favorites, <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Soul on Fire".</span></b> Have you heard it yet? It is awesome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the testimony of this song, I want my soul to be on Fire for God, and I believe that it is. So enjoy this jam, get up and dance if you want too......</span><br />
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<b>Third Day "Soul on Fire" LIVE at K-LOVE</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/giuLT8UUO-U" width="480"></iframe>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-55028678604362012682015-07-31T13:33:00.002-04:002015-07-31T13:33:57.326-04:00PEACE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C8jll0el9hpQXMIehH9I7VIEkimyXa1l5oAsJMTW82i4cvcJrJ7G3lJxJlOF2k8ODPz_805HJpX4_OPVn3i1rh3vozAa5Izjp7KR19qfqGmx0Q_8GKjqRc-Zpro7Ppk9DvNhbMe5zFEJ/s1600/102513-dt-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C8jll0el9hpQXMIehH9I7VIEkimyXa1l5oAsJMTW82i4cvcJrJ7G3lJxJlOF2k8ODPz_805HJpX4_OPVn3i1rh3vozAa5Izjp7KR19qfqGmx0Q_8GKjqRc-Zpro7Ppk9DvNhbMe5zFEJ/s320/102513-dt-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am having a Friday like its Monday. It’s
weird how we place certain values on days, events, even our dog’s names. Now
most of us at some point in our work a day world live for Friday, some people
only animate at 0030 Friday morning and through the subsequent weekend. And then
like a vampire, sink into deep despair, at the end, moving Zombie like through
the week until its FRIDAY. Oh, I thought we were talking about me, but enough
about me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Seriously, it’s been a wild and wacky
week. So much is info coming out of the news reports; and papers and around the
water cooler. (We actually have one in my office, but no one hangs around it
though) On Tuesday I awoke with my semi-annual Sinus issue that tends to take
away my hearing, or taste in my mouth or at least fill my head with pressure
like a balloon. I try to ignore these seemingly minor ailments and push
through. But I had to take one for the team and call out sick. I hate doing
that but it happens. But I took this as a “teaching moment”. I asked the
Universe, what does this mean when have these small things, and they feel like
big things? The answer or question to me was: “What is
your Priority”. Or rather, who is on First in your life? Why are you working so
hard, so long and for what purpose? Another question/answer was “Who are you
serving?” Is it your boss or is it me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was flummoxed to say the least, but
I pondered the answers. I say with my lips and hopefully my full heart that I
am serving my Heavenly Father, that all I am and who I will be is for Him. But
do my actions prove it? My boss is out
of the office for a few months, and she left an entire agenda. The office was
to function as if she was here, and every detail would be met, as if she was
here. But she is a hard taskmaster, and somewhere during the third week, we
(the staff and I) had a breakdown in communications. There is a paper backlog a
month long, all of us at some point have been working way too much overtime (I
don’t care what Donald Trump says about overtime). I realized that I have
become like those sitcom’s where the husband is always working late and the
wife is always eating dinner by herself. What is suffering is time with family,
time with God, rest and health. (And don’t get me started about the overdue
laundry). I lost a crown on a tooth during dinner, and I panicked because I
knew I would have to take a sick day to get it fixed. (My Dentist takes Friday’s
off to be with her family). And that’s when I had to shut it down. Who am I
serving? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It Is
Well With My Soul Lyrics</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">When peace, like a river, attended my way, <br />
When sorrows like sea billows roll; <br />
whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, <br />
It is well, it is well, with my soul.<br />
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It is well, with my soul, <br />
it is well, with my soul, <br />
it is well, it is well, with my soul.<br />
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Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, <br />
Let this blest assurance control, <br />
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, <br />
and hath shed His own blood for my soul.<br />
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It is well, with my soul, <br />
it is well, with my soul, <br />
it is well, it is well, with my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I need a revival, peace like a river to help
me get my heart and head straight on. It’s new music Friday Y’all. I found some
good Old time gospel from a New School group, the “ </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Berklee Gospel &
Roots Choir</span></b></span>”. Go look them up, they are
solid. Also a new to me home girl named <i><span style="color: #351c75;">Lauren Daigle. </span></i>She is from my home
state of La.,and a true child of God. She has a beautiful voice and a tremendous
testimony of the gospel in her life. I love her music. So have a good Friday and
enjoy the concert<o:p></o:p></div>
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Berklee Gospel & Roots Choir - Full Concert - 07/28/13 - Newport, RI (OF..<br />
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<br />Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-39315695700325295662015-07-04T12:27:00.001-04:002015-07-04T12:27:15.385-04:00We Hold these Truth's to Be Self Evident,,,,,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMdlpfUS5pNDW2Fmog-1svAMjz3aZpkq42dU1JZaN2x7jHKIfNfQ2WDQeRRMq6jA6tGfW-YdrD5oCqC66ejtgEwgjEcxGQejUNdr7QskY8BtH1hO7wOQ1Z5Ia1gThLx6x0IP4AYC2eO1b/s1600/spiritofthelord_POM_June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMdlpfUS5pNDW2Fmog-1svAMjz3aZpkq42dU1JZaN2x7jHKIfNfQ2WDQeRRMq6jA6tGfW-YdrD5oCqC66ejtgEwgjEcxGQejUNdr7QskY8BtH1hO7wOQ1Z5Ia1gThLx6x0IP4AYC2eO1b/s320/spiritofthelord_POM_June.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Psalm 33:12:</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Blessed is the nation whose God is the</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span></i></span><span class="text Ps-33-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>the people he chose<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14379B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14379B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for his inheritance</i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<i style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Romans 8:1-2 </span><span class="text Rom-8-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Therefore, there is now no condemnation<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28118A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28118A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> for those who are in Christ Jesus,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28118B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28118B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">because through Christ Jesus</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28119C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28119C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> the law of the Spirit who gives life</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28119D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28119D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> has set you</span><span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-28119a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-28119a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A1-2&version=NIV;KJV#fen-NIV-28119a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> free</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28119E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28119E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> from the law of sin</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28119F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28119F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and death.</span></i></h1>
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<i style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.1;"><span style="color: blue; font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 3:16-17</span></i></h1>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><span class="text 2Cor-3-16" id="en-NIV-28858" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28858A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28858A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the veil is taken away.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28858B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28858B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> </span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="text 2Cor-3-17" id="en-NIV-28859" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>Now the Lord is the Spirit,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28859C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28859C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</span></i></span></div>
<h1 class="passage-display" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
<i><span style="color: #990000;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">John 8:32</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”</span></span></i></h1>
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Condoleezza Rice & Jenny Oaks Baker</div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-43583181171539033582015-06-08T17:30:00.000-04:002015-06-08T19:43:03.668-04:00Do Right-Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU780dYbbF_dVjHhgtn7Cht6CWdLrXsnnbO_Z4dFT3nsA_vIOljawgYJJajP6oginM3ZbVNLRDZhozvwQJ63iOssx4r1UUVyufG5YEdzG8Mk6p3PpQ37fomyTwrfUMIwsBFkQux1EJl7un/s1600/fruitofspiritpeargray001wm_md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU780dYbbF_dVjHhgtn7Cht6CWdLrXsnnbO_Z4dFT3nsA_vIOljawgYJJajP6oginM3ZbVNLRDZhozvwQJ63iOssx4r1UUVyufG5YEdzG8Mk6p3PpQ37fomyTwrfUMIwsBFkQux1EJl7un/s1600/fruitofspiritpeargray001wm_md.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333;">Happy Monday everyone!!! Wow that weekend got up and
left in a hurry didn’t it? My favorite day of the weekend is Sunday, because I
have the opportunity to gather with many of my friends and worship. I love
these moments because even when we leave the chapel we are still friends and
family to one another. And then Monday comes, with another work day; another exercise
in self restraint and good behavior. I have to say that work is the experiment
that probably has many false positives when it comes to determining if a group
of people, with little in common, and from various backgrounds and beliefs, can
gather in an organized fashion? Can they occupy a space together and strive for
the same goals with causing each other bodily harm? </span><span style="color: #333333;">It can be done, and it continues to be done,
but it isn't easy.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">I sometimes
wish that in my office we could just leave the “personal, knarly stuff” at
home. I know that we do bring our own “lunch” daily, but if we can’t share our
hearts in a peaceable manner and then receive the kindness offered, then we
need to eat our lunch in the cafeteria.</span><span style="color: #333333;">
</span><span style="color: #333333;">Do you understand this frame of reference, like the Rock says “Do you
smell what I am cooking?” HA HA.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;">So today I was drawn into a one sided argument with
my boss, who seems to be under a lot of stress lately. Most of the time when I notice
that she is not in a good mood; I only communicate by email, and try to avoid
eye contact or any sudden moves. I failed today, and obviously said something
that “ticked her off”. Maybe it was the joke that fell flat, or it could have
been the flippant way I said it. Nonetheless, my boss had a terrible meltdown,
which really wasn’t pretty. So I asked her what I had done to offend her, and
she then dredged up a laundry list of past sins, many of which I asked forgiveness
for and was granted absolution. I told her that I did not feel at all spiteful
or mean against her, and in her current condition, I have really tried to be
helpful. Ok, she is a drama queen, and I did not feel angry with her, only
sorry that she was under such duress. She would not accept my apology, so I
went back to my office and tried not to think bad thoughts. So my good friend
Oprah sent a really nice message to help cheer me up. Seriously, Oprah and I
are like this; long distance BFF’S.
This was a really thoughtful piece featuring the late Dr Maya Angelou,
called “<b>Just do Right</b>”. It reminded me of a primary song called <b>“Do what is
right”. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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Dr Angelou was a wise woman, She is totally right, I know that I have the responsibility to be the better man (so to speak) These words from Nephi really put things in perspective for me.<br />
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<b>2 Nephi 4:27-30<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16" style="line-height: 17.1pt;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><span style="line-height: 17.1pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And why should I yield to
sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that
the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict
my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Awake, my soul! No longer droop in
sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my
soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do not anger again
because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine
afflictions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0091bc; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"> </span></a><b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rejoice, O my heart, and
cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul
will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</blockquote>
Words to live by, and also to set the tone for the rest of week. Regardless of what else may happen,I hope I can Be the Change I wish to see in the world or at least my office.<br />
<br />
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<b>Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Do what is Right</b></div>
Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-21799172144034792032015-06-05T14:47:00.003-04:002015-06-05T14:47:25.023-04:00FRIDAY: GOING VIRAL<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFKRbDaYGWwNJCv9qSi8NpuAJAQNqju6hacKRhfD-Khi1CbpdKNWrQutMplS3k-686dTxGzfz96Yj8GV2DYKSj3dkv30mdRG8bIwgc0x4xXHRHJqtlS10_09c6-4xDRv4uUwQLRUisXUh/s1600/il_570xN.301649298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFKRbDaYGWwNJCv9qSi8NpuAJAQNqju6hacKRhfD-Khi1CbpdKNWrQutMplS3k-686dTxGzfz96Yj8GV2DYKSj3dkv30mdRG8bIwgc0x4xXHRHJqtlS10_09c6-4xDRv4uUwQLRUisXUh/s200/il_570xN.301649298.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>adam & eve....Golly Bard</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i>A Few Things for Friday </i></b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3333330154419px; line-height: 24px;">A photo of a young Marine praying with his bride-to-be quickly went viral after it was posted on Facebook by the wedding photographer.</span></span></blockquote>
I am always surprised at what goes “viral’ on social medial
these days. I doesn’t take much really, most of the time it is of something “cute”
like puppies or babies and the other spectrum tends to show the worst of human
behavior.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I saw this picture out of the “corner of my eye” last week. The
caption at the time was “Look what his Marine did.” So I ignored it, and it
came back again and further elaborated on what “that Marine did”. Was it the prayer or the marriage that "went viral"?</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 18pt;"><i>U.S. Marine Cpl. Caleb Earwood wanted to
pray with his bride Maggie before their ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina,
on Saturday. So with the help of their family and wedding photographer Dwayne
Schmidt, Caleb was guided to the cabin where Maggie was getting ready for the
service, where the couple joined hands around a corner so as not to break
tradition and see each other before the altar.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SQ_qcpk7pvCw-jbPsE73ZFxiLZw6k6s6w0JXH4JtW_HSBGBoyTUT2jW5Ju2yut-NOtTjcqWGVnQd46en7HKWxW8TmzxVEsJLV7ti09OMr18xptYrCu42A774RDJu3Nu9fpLMqklXSMNA/s1600/ht_marine_wedding_dwayne_schmidt_kb_150525_16x9_992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SQ_qcpk7pvCw-jbPsE73ZFxiLZw6k6s6w0JXH4JtW_HSBGBoyTUT2jW5Ju2yut-NOtTjcqWGVnQd46en7HKWxW8TmzxVEsJLV7ti09OMr18xptYrCu42A774RDJu3Nu9fpLMqklXSMNA/s320/ht_marine_wedding_dwayne_schmidt_kb_150525_16x9_992.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was filled
with the Spirit of the occasion that prompted this new husband to pray with his
bride. What a great way to prepare both of their hearts to walk out on their
journey together and it’s going to be one that will challenge them, and shape
them and rock them to the core. But what a great symbol of unity it is to pray
together. The Savior promises that “where two are gathered in my name; there
will I be also”. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints a man and woman have the opportunity to marry in the Temple for our time that is reckoned here on earth and to be sealed/joined together in a covenant relationship in eternity as a family with God and his Son Jesus Christ. When bride and groom meet at the alter, they have walked there together, there is no more veil, no surprises, only the fullness of that moment that will lead them on their journey together. I believe that true marriage, between a man and woman is gonna go viral real soon. </span><br />
<br />
<i><b>Sing a long Friday</b></i><br />
So I want to end this week by sharing my testimony in a song, thankfully not sung by me. At times I will post "Open Mike" and share some really great new to me music. Here is a song I love by a<br />
Christian music artist named Yolanda Adams, and it is appropriately called "Yeah".<br />
Here are the words and I think they tie in with going "Viral"<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">"</span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Can I be committed?", is the question in my
head</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">All the issues in my life keep holdin' me back</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Can I live up to the standard? Seems so hard to do</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">But then You tell me, "Take my hand",
You'll help me make it through</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">You ask me, "Child, do you love me?"</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And I say, "Yeah yeah yeah"</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">"But will you just give up everything?</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Follow me", "Yeah yeah yeah"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We talk periodically, what should be everyday</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Can imagine how it would be if I let You lead the
way</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">No broken hearts, less scars, less roads that
never have an end</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">So I'll throw away my pride let down my guard,
Lord hear I am</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">You ask me, "Child, do you love me?</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">And I say, "Yeah yeah yeah"</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(And then you say)</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">"But will you just give up everything?</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Follow me", "Yeah yeah yeah"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">When I just stop and think of all that you've done
for me</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">How can I say anything but yeah yeah yeah?</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(Yeah yeah yeah)</span></span><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-86857316095736961492015-05-26T17:17:00.001-04:002015-05-26T17:17:02.829-04:00HERE'S MUD IN YOUR EYE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3nZI9Mk92O75zoWB4Yba4XtEBUaXI8xId9uNaXro9THnO6crvJ8WDLXy8rnhyVs_MpioMC-4POMZc9sVuNUTLtPmN-lc7FltWn33U_XI__OVYl5oP9C0IoxyB2guXMICbcrxb0602EHt/s1600/th+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3nZI9Mk92O75zoWB4Yba4XtEBUaXI8xId9uNaXro9THnO6crvJ8WDLXy8rnhyVs_MpioMC-4POMZc9sVuNUTLtPmN-lc7FltWn33U_XI__OVYl5oP9C0IoxyB2guXMICbcrxb0602EHt/s320/th+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesus healing a blind man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">So,
have you ever had this happen? I woke up this morning refreshed, from a really
good sleep, so good that I almost missed the alarm, well I did miss it by 30
minutes. I love it when I am able to fall asleep and then wake up uninterrupted,
it is a rare thing. So I woke up, and I noticed that there was something in my
left eye. I couldn't see too clearly, so of course I rubbed it. I check it out in the bathroom mirror and the eye is naturally red and upset from me
rubbing it. But there seems to be something “floating” over the surface of my eyeball
that I “see” from the inside out. (I know this sounds like an episode from
Alice in Wonderland). Why, it’s a “Floater”!! And my brothers and sisters, this
is a real medical term; floater. I checked out Wikipedia to find out what a “floater”
is and what is really going on. I don’t know about you, but this is not my
first experience with a floater. It does eventually disappear, and not for the
reason you think. This is what causes the “float”: Age. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="background: white; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Floaters</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are
deposits of various size, shape, consistency,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractive_index" title="Refractive index"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">refractive index</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #252525;">,
and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motility" title="Motility"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">motility</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525;">within the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye" title="Human eye"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">eye</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #252525;">'s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_humour" title="Vitreous humour"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">vitreous humor</span></a></i><span style="background: white; color: #252525;"><i>,
which is normally transparent.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>At
a young age, the vitreous is transparent, <b>but as one ages</b>, imperfections
gradually develop. The common type of floater, which is present in most people’s
eyes, is due to degenerative changes of the vitreous humor</i></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be caused by damage, maybe too
vigorous “eye rubbing”, I have allergies and the pollen is super thick this
year….. I digress. It is caused by age.</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Causes</b></span><span style="-webkit-user-select: none; background-color: white; display: inline-block; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;"><b>:</b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">There are various causes for the appearance of floaters, of
which the most common are described here. Simply stated, any damage to the eye
that causes material to enter the vitreous humor can result in floaters.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Floaters can be a sign of</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_detachment" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;" title="Retinal detachment"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">retinal detachment</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">or a</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_tear" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;" title="Retinal tear"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">retinal tear</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">but in most cases (98% according to
the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Service_(England)" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;" title="National Health Service (England)"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">National Health Service</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> i<b>t
is simply age related</b> or due to natural change in the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_humour" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;" title="Vitreous humour"><span style="color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">vitreous humor</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">.</span></span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">So, sometimes I
might accidentally “punch myself in the eye” when I sleep; It could happen. Did
I mention that I have allergies? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Treatment: </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 16.8pt;">While surgeries do exist to correct for severe cases of
floaters, there are no medications (including eye drops) that can correct for
this vitreous deterioration. Floaters are often caused by the <b>normal aging
process</b> and will usually disappear as the brain learns to ignore them.</span></span></i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, after I determined that it was a true “float thingy”, I put
some “allergy” drops in my eyes, and I took an allergy pill and put a warm
compress in my eyes. The float thingy is still there but my brain is “learning”
to ignore it and that takes anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of days. <i>(I think the pill and the drops worked too.)</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, this reminded me of my Sunday school lesson this past
Sunday. In John chapter 9 Jesus heals a blind man by using “spit” as an active
agent. On this occasion, he spits into some clay on the ground, makes some “mud
cakes” and puts them on the eyes of the blind man, and directs him to wash
three times in a pool. Now this was sort of what I did, only with drops and a
hot compress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this lesson because Jesus seems to be portrayed as a country
doctor, using various folk cures to heal people. But with one exception, he actually
cures the illness and affects a whole person healing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">So why did Jesus use spit to
heal the blind man? </span><span style="color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">John 9</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="passage-display-version"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Living
Bible (TLB)</span></span></span><span id="en-TLB-23581" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 </span></b></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As he was walking along, he saw a man blind from birth.</span></span></span><span id="en-TLB-23582" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Master,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind?
Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”</span></span></span><span id="en-TLB-23583" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Neither,”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jesus answered</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“But to demonstrate the power of God.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-TLB-23584" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4 <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us
by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls
and all work comes to an end.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-TLB-23585" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">5 <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But while I am still here in the world, I give it my
light.”</span></span></span><span id="en-TLB-23586" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">6 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then he spat on the ground and made mud from the spittle and
smoothed the mud over the blind man’s eyes,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span><span id="en-TLB-23587" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">7 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and told him,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(the word</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Siloam</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">means “Sent”). So the
man went where he was sent and washed and came back seeing!</span></span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So why did Jesus use spit and mud? I found some info from an
ancient medical book (online) that describe several techniques used during
Jesus time to “cure blindness”. One remedy was that if you happened to “awake”
into blindness, you were to immediately “spit” into your hands and rub it into
your eyes vigorously. As the first morning spit after the fast had some powers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next remedy was that a person experiencing blindness, after they had washed
their feet in the evening, dip their finger in the dust infused wash water and
place it on their eyes three times. Wow!! So Jesus has a tendency to “come” to
a person where they are in their faith. What type of faith did this Blind Man
have? In his day, there were no rights for disabled persons. He was a beggar,
maybe kicked out of his home, living on the streets. He seemed to have found a
place to beg in front of the Temple and maybe during his days, he may have
heard talk of Jesus. But Jesus came to him. According to the scriptures, he
simply “came” to him, and having compassion on him, offered his assistance. He
seemed to use the prevailing practice of the day because I am sure this Blind
Man was acquainted with the treatment. Jesus did not take him out of his
comfort zone to minister to him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As you
read this story, there is a progression, much like investigating a new church
or a new religion. Do missionary’s come
to visit and sit down to eat with you? Do they invite you to share in learning
about a “new” life? Are you invited to make a drastic and joyful change in your
life through baptism? Will your heart and mind find illumination through the
Holy Spirit? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZHRZWyoqUr6o1zFpT4YrT7cxjp4Chj9qceNC8lLrX5Fdy1MDwq6CzG0eyHHnZ-i0q1TSfOOHehH4jHdYfTDOfT6Nl0qVHsbs_67BMk5nFY1qgCOyfC7FCDsMhLY-pV6Z-gQ4oy-4WMeF/s1600/quotes-point-forward-michael-j-fox-600x411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZHRZWyoqUr6o1zFpT4YrT7cxjp4Chj9qceNC8lLrX5Fdy1MDwq6CzG0eyHHnZ-i0q1TSfOOHehH4jHdYfTDOfT6Nl0qVHsbs_67BMk5nFY1qgCOyfC7FCDsMhLY-pV6Z-gQ4oy-4WMeF/s320/quotes-point-forward-michael-j-fox-600x411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really love this record and I find that the more I learn about
the “truth” of the Saviors mission the more my heart opens to love Him more.</span></div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-53219165335408588252015-05-21T17:12:00.001-04:002015-05-21T17:12:40.312-04:00Lift<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSHGVi9pR5VI6s2AvGBcK_EgRnO-c_b0cLqM4OTG-_3NvKaxDhlndzX8XtbeSOORrb5pJzfOBxaJw9i5VyEvVDCFfpIqWU5jVuPXRpUEfPVLYGnvHkztj-lNYBlRw-q4Gbh5sqrt5MLM_/s1600/is+there+something+on+my+back-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSHGVi9pR5VI6s2AvGBcK_EgRnO-c_b0cLqM4OTG-_3NvKaxDhlndzX8XtbeSOORrb5pJzfOBxaJw9i5VyEvVDCFfpIqWU5jVuPXRpUEfPVLYGnvHkztj-lNYBlRw-q4Gbh5sqrt5MLM_/s320/is+there+something+on+my+back-.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Is there something on my back" Caitlin Connolly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jesus heals the Whole Person<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Have you heard this
story? In the Bible, in Mark 4 Jesus is preaching the Word to some people
in a town called Capernaum. Everyone wanted to be there, in that house to hear
Jesus speak, to be healed by him, to touch him, to talk to him.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mark 4:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span class="versenum"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">3</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></span><span class="versenum"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></span><i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Four
men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. </span></span><span id="en-TLB-21576" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">4 </span></b></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">couldn't</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through
the clay roof above his head and lowered the sick man on his stretcher, right
down in front of Jesus.</span><span data-fn="#fen-TLB-21576a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-TLB-21576a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<i><u1:p></u1:p>
</i><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span class="versenum"><i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-TLB-21577" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">5 </span></span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">When Jesus saw how strongly they believed that he would help,
Jesus said to the sick man, <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“Son, your sins are forgiven!”</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now the point of the story is that Jesus forgave this
man of his sins, and then he got up and rolled up his bed and went home. But
wait, Jesus also observed the faith of his four friends, in their determination
at any cost to help their friend, to love their neighbor. I would say also that
there was a blessing for those men. How long do you think that they had helped
this man? Did they bathe him, dress him, and feed him? And what of his family?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
What about this story, on Mormon Messages: <span style="color: #45818e;">"<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><b>W<i>hat if your neighbor asked you to take 20 minutes one night to help him? Would you do it? Most decent people would. But what if he asked you every night following, with no end in sight? Would you be willing to do it? … When would serving your neighbor feel more like servitude?”</i></b></span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YAuqdPWTGLI" width="480"></iframe><br />
<div class="p1" style="background: white; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 21.6pt;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #393939; font-family: Cambria, serif; line-height: 21.6pt;">That is the
question a group of men had to ask themselves when they united to serve their
neighbor Kathy, who suffers from the debilitating effects of multiple
sclerosis. For the past seven years they have lifted Kathy into bed at night.
In doing so they have lifted her spirit, as well as their own.</span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">Kathy was
diagnosed after 16 years of marriage. She assumed her husband would face the
challenge with her. He decided he could not and filed for divorce. When her
sons grew up, they had to come to her house every night and morning to help her
in and out of bed. The work became too much for them to do alone.</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">A group of
50 men—friends, neighbors, and church members—offered to help. Every night, two
of them come to get the bedtime routine rolling. They pull off her slippers,
adjust her pillows, charge her wheelchair, and place pills on the nightstand.
Then they lift her into bed. At first, the men felt awkward about the procedure
and burdened by the responsibility.</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">“I felt
sympathetic to the situation, but I felt like ‘You know, I’ve got other things
I need to deal with,’” one explains.</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">The group
discussed how they could help Kathy without having to visit her every night.
One of the men said that if the others didn’t want to help, he would do it
himself if he had to. That caused a change in attitude among the group. Kathy’s
heart has also been touched and changed as a result of the service.</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";">“I have seen
an even greater compassion. It’s let me know that I’m not forgotten, that I’m
still valued, not only to God, but I have worth to give other people in
different ways,” she says.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="color: #393939; font-family: "Cambria","serif";"><b>What can you
do for someone today? What is your story?</b></span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
love this "moment", it really hit the spot. I have been contemplating on how to say "Thank You" to everyone who has helped me and my husband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.6pt;"> My husband has a chronic illness, and he has been "sick" for a year.
At first we thought that after his first hospital stay, he would recover and be
well and "return to his "life". But that was not the case, and
God has other plans for him and us. The Apostle Peter said: 1 Peter 4:12-13
</span><i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.6pt;">12</span><span style="line-height: 28.7999992370605px;"> Beloved</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.6pt;">, do not be
surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing,
as though some strange thing were happening to you;</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21.6pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 21.6pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.6pt;">
<i><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">13 B</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ut to the degree that you share
the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of
His glory you may rejoice with exultation.</span></span></b></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 21.6pt;">
What a learning experience this has been and continues to be. We have learned that Heavenly Father really does love his children and just like earthly parents, who would go to the ends of the earth to help their children, and make them well; so does He. But the brilliant part is that He inspires us his children to love one another, and succor one another and be the angel we need at that moment. It is this love that we have for one another, that helps us to heal. My favorite part in this story is when one of the men says that when he works out at the gym, he does dead lifts, but he call's them "Kathy lifts". I see that this man is strengthening himself which is a wise thing to do, but it's great that he felt the motivation to be a "better self", in order to be more effective in serving Kathy.</div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-90003586327971302512015-05-08T16:50:00.001-04:002015-05-10T13:32:28.426-04:00THEIR MOTHER'S KNEW<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wow, we are only 5 months into this momentous New Year of 2015, and we have started out with a bang, and no whimpering is allowed. I live in the Nation's Capital and the one thing you can be sure of, the Morning News can sometimes play out live in your front yard. A couple of weeks ago, there was a riot in our neighboring city of Baltimore,Md. I am sure you have all read the papers, twitter feeds, instagrams and you-tubes. It was stunning act of violence of neighbor against neighbor, friends and enemies alike fighting against each other. I know that the core or their protest was their sense of injustice, but it was still pretty scary to look at. Whenever the camera's would sweep over the crowds of people marching and chanting, and also the video of people burning down their neighborhood business, even a senior citizen home with no regard to anyones life or livelihood; this verse from scripture came to my mind: <b>1 Peter 5:8<span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><span style="color: #351c75;"><b><i>Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil (he) walks about, seeking whom he may devour</i>. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like that word "walks about", it reminds me of the movie <i><b>Crocodile Dundee</b></i>. I know, it is such an old movie, but the main character Mick Dundee, is on a "walk about" in the US from Australia. He tries to explain that the concept of "walk about" is not just a short stroll through the neighborhood, but a purposeful "walking" journey, that includes meeting and mingling with the people who live in those cities and towns. Think about how the adversary comes into your neighborhood. And remember. that your very own neighborhood is more than the street we live on. It is the life we live, it is the words we speak to one another and teach our children. It is what we watch on television, what we listen to in our ear buds. Our neighborhood is our life, our soul. Satan takes a "walk about" in our lives and mingles our current conversation with his, and soon we may all speak the same language. Jesus commanded his disciples at his last meal with them, he said a new commandment I give unto you, Love the Lord, your God with all of your heart, might and mind. And a second, like the first, Love thy neighbor, as thyself." Let all our conversation be seasoned with salt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the more "positive" things that came out of this whole bad scene was a story about a mother saving her child from possible arrest or worse being beat up, or killed. She single handed wrestled her one and only son from the jaws of that roaring lion. Her name is Toya Graham, and she is a single mother of 6 from Baltimore, Md. The video of her confronting her son at the riots, who was apparently holding a rock and preparing to hurl it at the wall of policeman nearby, is priceless. Here is a mother who knew, and she acted on that "knowledge" to find her son and bring him home by whatever means necessary. I am sure that raising children can have some "ugly" days, but we promised to work through all of those good, bad and ugly days with love and perseverance. There were so many opinions about this mothers behavior, but as hard as it was to watch, it was also so good to see a loving parent in action. Hater's gonna hate, but don't judge, what would you have done, even after all you had already done? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">"</span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 28px;">There is eternal influence and power in motherhood." Sister Julie B. Beck</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So happy Mother's Day to all of my favorite Soul Sister Moms and you know who you are. One of my favorite Soul Sisters is Julie Beck, former General Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS. She gave many inspiring and challenging talks during her tenure. My favorites have concerned Motherhood. I am not a Mom with children, but I learned from one her talks that "All Women are Mothers". But my favorite talk is "Mothers who Know" </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;">Mothers Who Know</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">n the </span><a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial !important; border-image-repeat: initial !important; border-image-slice: initial !important; border-image-source: initial !important; border-image-width: initial !important; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Book of Mormon</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> we read about 2,000 exemplary young men who were exceedingly valiant, courageous, and strong. “Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/53.21?lang=eng#20" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 53:21</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">). These faithful young men paid tribute to their mothers. They said, “Our mothers knew it” (</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/56.48?lang=eng#47" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alma 56:48</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">). I would suspect that the mothers of Captain Moroni, Mosiah, Mormon, and other </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">great leaders</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> also knew.</span><br /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (</span><a class="scriptureRef" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/eph/6.12?lang=eng#11" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ephesians 6:12</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">).</span><sup class="noteMarker" guid="bce253bd-d639-4db6-b479-60aebc871364" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/mothers-who-know?lang=eng&query=their+mothers+knew#1-" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0091bc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1</a></sup><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"> However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children." <i>Sister Julie B Beck</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"><b>Alma 56: 47-48</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"><i>47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);"><i>48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying We do not doubt, our mothers knew it.</i></span></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new favorite artist, folk singer Carrie Newcomer........If Not Now </i></div>
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Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2967804250686265830.post-6717038816673794912015-03-31T11:50:00.000-04:002015-03-31T11:50:46.851-04:00THIS IS JESUS....book review<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg589qghS_mcGiyiufoHu4lVxZFktbDSDBeLShetfEMVvT4EUZ2y3bIomN0DNp_9zHVDbNP7_Yv_6FCjzCXM39WlGUUre7CPCoD08lWh6hUpxdTLQDuujmgd3S0xqgYLnCim0Nm0uMuzc8L/s1600/B13-WHzHBNS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg589qghS_mcGiyiufoHu4lVxZFktbDSDBeLShetfEMVvT4EUZ2y3bIomN0DNp_9zHVDbNP7_Yv_6FCjzCXM39WlGUUre7CPCoD08lWh6hUpxdTLQDuujmgd3S0xqgYLnCim0Nm0uMuzc8L/s1600/B13-WHzHBNS.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>J. Kirk Richards</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #7f6000;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i><b>1 Nephi 11:21 And the angel said unto me: "Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!"</b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">So lately I have been searching for and collecting books about Jesus, especially books with pictures featuring the Nativity and the life, and death and resurrection of the Savior (typically called Easter) I checked out Amazon.com to see just how many books were available that featured the "truth" of the mission of Jesus and his Atoning sacrifice and gift to us. So far the scriptures give the most accurate reading. Most of the books I found feature an Easter Bunny, and other cartoon characters "offering" their own rendition of the "Easter" story, and sometimes if we are lucky, Jesus may make an appearance. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> I am not condemning these books because they do serve their purpose. But are you looking for a really good book that will help you to define the "real meaning" of Easter or Resurrection Sunday? Here is a </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> simple but powerful book that shares the life and mission of Jesus Christ. </span></span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">"THIS IS JESUS" </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">is a beautiful book that is composed of original art by the artist J. Kirk </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="color: #333333;">Richards and is narrated by scriptural accounts from the Bible. The cover of the book is a beautiful </span><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Gold</b></span><span style="color: #333333;"> and it is padded so that you can really enjoy the physical feel of this book. There are about 40 pages, with each art piece depicting defining moments in the life of the Savior, particularly in the final weeks and days before his crucifixion</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">. The mood of the paintings are subdued and emotional and somewhat faded. But the message is the central focus and it comes out clear. I would recommend this for families as a family heirloom and also a teaching aid, to help bring in the "Spirit of Easter" You can find this book on Amazon.com and also Deseret Books. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">"The life of the Savior is portrayed in stunning fine art pieces by award-winning artist J. Kirk Richards. These striking new images were created by the artist exclusively for this book. Accompanied by a harmonized account of the Savior's ministry, Atonement, and Resurrection, these exquisite paintings reflect a deep reverence for Christs mission and sacrifice. Each page is beautifully designed to complement the unique style of the artist. A perfect reminder of the true reason we celebrate the Easter season, this handsome volume will be treasured by the entire family for years to come."</span></span></span></i></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>J. Kirk Richards</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxWnIBBPFWcWRRGezQptPrOliI09rgZ9XVfX_Ewr85-AusViU2ud5R3UKNfNO-x-4lCMwNY7YVWlTqAC3c03T0ojQ8ZeI7Wp2eN1S0fqtjlWja4N74aYBkG3zwSCUVetSne88M_-jsNQM/s1600/j-kirk-richards-2013-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxWnIBBPFWcWRRGezQptPrOliI09rgZ9XVfX_Ewr85-AusViU2ud5R3UKNfNO-x-4lCMwNY7YVWlTqAC3c03T0ojQ8ZeI7Wp2eN1S0fqtjlWja4N74aYBkG3zwSCUVetSne88M_-jsNQM/s1600/j-kirk-richards-2013-01.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the artist</td></tr>
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<b>BIOGRAPHY</b></div>
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J. Kirk Richards is a favorite among admirers of contemporary spiritual artwork. His love of the textural, the poetic, and the mysterious has translated into a unique take on traditional Judeo-Christian themes.</div>
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Richards attributes much of his love for the arts to an early emphasis on musical training in his parents’ home. Turning then from music to visual arts, Kirk studied with painters Clayton Williams, Bruce Hixson Smith, Patrick Devonas, Hagen Haltern, Gary and Jennifer Barton, James Christensen, Wulf Barsch, Joe Ostraff, and others.</div>
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Two years in Rome influenced Richards’ palette, which often consists of subdued browns and rusts.</div>
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Kirk is best known for his contributions to the BYU Museum of Art exhibit <b><i>Beholding Salvation: The Life of Christ in Word and Image</i>; </b>for his contributions to Helen Whitney's PBS Frontline Documentary entitled <i>T<b>he Mormons: An American Experience</b></i><b>; </b>for the cover image of Jeffrey R. Holland’s book, <b><i>Broken Things to Mend</i>;</b> and for his imagery on the cover of BYU Studies Magazine and in the Ensign, Liahona and Upper Room publications.</div>
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Kirk and his wife, Amy Tolk Richards, have four creative children. They split their time between their home in Woodland Hills and their country studio in the small town of Redmond, Utah.</div>
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Richards’ work is mostly found in private collections throughout the country.</div>
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I<b>n Reverence-David Tolk featuring art by J. Kirk Richards</b>Ramona Gordyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03897052109437761869noreply@blogger.com0