Sick?

Doctors, I don't know too many people who like to go to the doctors, especially for checkups. Every time that I would go in, all he would want to do is stab me with a needle and tell me what I need to do to be healthier. I saw no purpose in making those trips and having those appointments. I never liked listening to his advice either unless I was sick or injured in some way.

I have recently come to reflect upon the reasons why we go to the Doctor in the first place. He is there to keep us healthy. Maybe if I wasn't poked so many times by those needles, who knows what kind of sicknesses might have befallen me! Who knows if it would have affected the quality of the life I live? Sure, I may have listened when I was sick or hurt, but I may have been able to prevent the future injury with a little bit of prior preventative measures.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles stated in this past General conference, quoting C.S. Lewis, "C. S. Lewis, the striving, pragmatic Christian writer, poignantly framed the issue. He asserted that Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness; but until people know and feel they need forgiveness, Christianity does not speak to them. He stated, 'When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor.'"

This is so true. Most will only listen to the doctor when they are sick. likewise, most will look for forgiveness when they find they need it. But I would encourage you all to not wait until you need repentance to seek the Savior of the world. Study His words and ponder in your hearts His message. Christ and His teachings will help prevent sorrow, heartache, and regret with love, peace, and joy. Why wait when you are sick to get healthy? Why not get healthier and feel better than you ever have before? I promise that doing so will bring you added happiness and spiritual growth in your life and will help prevent you from the influence of the adversary. 

Can you see me?

Faith, for many people is a very hard concept to grasp. Why would people want me to believe in something that I cannot see? My question is, why do people base a their belief that it is not there upon the fact that they cannot see it! Take a look at this picture I took here in Billings. Do you see the sun in this picture? Do you know the sun is there? How?

Look at the sunbeams emerging out of the ominous, cloudy cover in the sky. The luminescent rays beautifully streak through the dismal space in a shining splendor. Could this be caused by anything but a massive, luminous sphere of plasma? I say NAY! 

Obviously we all know that the sun is indeed the cause of this, because we have witnessed the sun and seen similar events to this, so our knowledge is perfect in the existence of the sun. We are asked to exercise FAITH in Jesus Christ, namely that He is the son of a loving Heavenly Father, that He lives today and guides and directs us today. 

Skeptics may say, where is the proof, does God really exist? How are you to know? Well I will ask you, what would God's sunbeam look like? What hints would He give us to know He is there? Keep your eyes open, all you have to do is look.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Matthew 7:7

Also, check out Elder Bird's blog: Is There A God?

In Your Face

When I think back to the good ole football days, one of the main aspects of life on the practice field was the coaches. Football coaches, as many may know, are not known to be tranquil or quiet at all! In fact, they are often loud and in your face! Having a coach yell at you is probably one of the least desirable situations I can think of next to watching one of the Twilight movies! 

I used to think that when a coach was yelling at me that I was just making him angry because I couldn't do what I needed to correctly. This was largely demotivational to me and made me think that not only was I not a good player, but I had no potential compared to all of the other players that were doing so well and seemed to be far more experienced than myself. 

I was severely mistaken in my thoughts. After talking with one of the coaches, he told me that the reason they yelled at me and some other players so much is because they see the potential in us that we don't see. When we aren't doing things the way they know we can, they let us know it. One coach even told me when you aren't getting yelled at is when you need to worry. That basically happens when you do the wrong thing over and over basically showing the coach you aren't willing to listen.

This is similar to how our Heavenly Father interacts with us. He doesn't usually get up in our face and yell at us like coaches do (unless you are Mahonri Moriancumer). He will still show us in different but distinct ways that he does care. He sees our potential and puts us through trials and tribulations so that we can grow to that potential, to be like Him. So when tough times come, don't get discouraged, know it is because God loves you and wants you to grow. He is always there to help and will show you the way you need to go. He cares for you and loves you and only wants the best for you, and I know that to be true!

Who is your Superhero?

As children, we all loved to dress up as our favorite superheros, some of us even like to dress up like them as we get older. Like me for instance, I made an appearance at a birthday party as CAPTAIN AMERICA!

When we see these Superheros, we want to be just like them, we want to fly, shoot lasers and webs, have super speed. Whatever it it is, we emulate them for it and want it. We are willing to do anything to be like them. 

So think to yourself you do you try to emulate most in your life? Who do you always try and become like? Is it Captain America? Spiderman? Who should we be emulating in our lives? 

You got it! Jesus Christ should be our Superhero! He lived an absolutely perfect life and set the perfect example for us to follow by word and action. He was baptized by John who held the Priesthood to perform it, He taught the Gospel to those in need. He healed served those around Him and gave everyone an opportunity to turn to Him and find the answers to salvation. 

We should take our lives and try and make our actions, words, and thoughts what the Savior would do, say and think if He were in our shoes. Doing so will sanctify us and help motivate us to be a little better every day and to reach our goal of Eternal Life!

This is my Dad, he is the man!

My very own father featured on mormon.org, check it out and share with friends!