Lent Challenge Day 6

Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.

March 10 near Durham, NC · Edited

Day 6: http://youtu.be/VPbDZnrxBLM

"Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" -T.S. Elliot

Don't let the world tune out the voice of the spirit.

I particularly like when Faust says: "Listen to and follow the voice of the spirit. This is an ancient solution, even eternal and may not be popular in a society who is always looking for something new. This solution require patience in a world that demands instant gratification. The solution is quiet, peaceful, and subtle. This solution requires you to walk by faith in a world governed by sight."

Receiving information and guidance through faith and still small voice are foreign concepts to our generation. Instead information comes from google and our favorite news/entertainment shows. They are instantly gratifying and give you what you want to hear and not what you need to hear. Receiving revelation from the Holy Ghost can be particularly challenging when we are so use to instant answers and the constant need to be entertained and having people vie for your attention is an expectation and norm. The Holy Ghost will not compete for your attention, we must actively "listen" for him... which is hard and discouraging at times because he is not google and you rely on his timing. He is, however, much more reliable than any search engine or expert you will come across today. I know that to be true. I have tried to keep him as my guilde, sometimes he will come when asked, others he will come unexpectedly, and often I have felt his distinct absence because of an attitude I have or the surroundings I have put myself in, and especially when I am relying more on the sources of my generation more than I am relying on him for guidance. I am not saying those various sources are bad, we are blessed to be in an age where information is so readily available, but I think with that blessing also come curses, and we should never ever rely on the information of the world more than we rely on the information of our Heavenly Father who will give it to us just as freely and willingly if needed. Most importantly we must not forget patience (my sister gave a great post on patience for #40daysoftruth that I think you all should check out) and we must not keep our lives so full of noise and constant activity that we never stop to ponder the quiet. Don't let the world tune out the voice of the spirit. #LentChallenge2014

Voice of the Spirit

In a world full of noise and many voices, President James E. Faust invites us to listen to and follow the voice of the Spirit, which is calm and quiet and le...

Ann Barrow Bradley shared a link.

March 10

Day 6: No words are coming to me today, but late last night while James and I were up trying to comfort our grumpy feverish little baby, we stumbled upon this video.

Happiness is something that many of us seek. Here are some people who have found it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epNjOrfmdlA#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014.

We Can Find Happiness

See the stories of three people who find happiness through the plan of salvation as taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ. To learn more about how to find hap...

Jenny Barrow

March 10

Day 6: Always make the choice to be kind.

Kindness is a choice. Every interaction we have with each other we can choose to react in a kind and merciful manner, or we can choose to make that person's life just a bit more difficult. Life is hard enough, just choose to be kind.

It will make you happier. We are all children of God. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be kind to each other because He loves us. It is how we honor Him, by loving His children.

#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

Lent Challenge Day 5

Kelley Barrow Miles

March 9 near Durham, NC

Day 5: Today in church the Young Women (girls ages 12-18) who I mentor were taught about the atonement of Jesus Christ. The focus of the lesson, however, was not on the redemption of sin (which is a great and merciful blessing that comes with Christ's sacrifice) but rather on the other aspects of the atonement that I think we often forget. I love the scripture in the Book of Mormon in Alma 7:11-12 which reads:

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

This is probably the only scripture I can reference off the top of my head (I know. sad. Next years lent challenge...) I love to know that Christ is there for me not just when I need forgiveness, but also when I need comfort, patience, a burden lightened, or even when I just need someone who just understands. Reading this scripture and understanding its significance changed my prayers for the better. It taught me that Christ and Heavenly Father don't just care about what I've done wrong and what I've done right, but they care about me and what I'm going through- good and bad. They rejoice when I rejoice and are pained when I am pained. They are there to help and not just to judge and forgive. They love me, they understand me, they understand how hard life can be, they have been where I have been and they want to help me get where I need to be. I often kick myself for not relying on them more and for not trusting them more to understand and to be there actively helping and rooting for me through the good and bad times. Reminding myself of Christ's gift to us, not just the opportunity that we have to return and live with God again, but also his promise to be with us and to never leave us alone, increases my love for them and reminds my heart just how much they really do care for me.

Ann Barrow Bradley

March 9

Day 5: "We believe in God, the eternal father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." Article of Faith 1:1.

I believe in three separate beings. God is our creator. Jesus Christ helped create this earth and is our savior. The Holy Ghost, often referred to as "The Spirit", is our comforter, guide, and companion here on this earth.

I have not seen God or Christ but through the confirmation from the Holy Ghost I know they are there. It's stronger than faith. I cannot deny what I have felt when pondering this and that has led me to this knowledge.

Below is a picture of one of the most peaceful places on earth, even among the busy rustle of many visitors. You can find these larger than life Cristus statues at a few LDS Temple visitor centers. This one happens to be at the Salt Lake City Temple Square Visitors Center. (I'll share my belief and love for temples later on.) if you ever have an opportunity to go visit one of these beautiful sacred grounds, see if there is a visitors center and go sit at the feet of this statue. You will be in awe. You will feel so small but significant at the same time. You will know the plan of our Father and the sacrifice of our Savior to be real. I invite you to go.

And if you're in the SLC area, I'd be more than happy to join you. . Because I love that place and I love this gospel. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014

Jenny Barrow shared a link.

March 9 · Edited

Day 5: Having internal validation in spite of nothing in the external world validating you is important.

So much of what people offer is rejected by the world. To know that you qualify when so much of what you do is rejected is an important truth to hold close.

Do not focus on the validation we receive from the world. Focus on the internal validation you receive from within.

This is how God views you. He knows if you are giving your all or just of your abundance. Focus on the internal, give your all, and don't worry about external validation.

#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-teaches-about-the-widows-mites?lang=eng

Jesus Teaches about the Widow's Mites

A poor widow contributes her all into the temple treasury. Jesus teaches that her contribution is greater than that of the rich who gave of their abundance.

Lent Challenge Day 4

Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.

March 9 near Durham, NC

Day 4: Today I just want to bear my testimony of prophets and apostles. We have them today. They are good, kind, and concerned leaders. They are leaders who talk with God. They know us, they know the concerns of their church members, and they know the concerns of the world. In return they are also concerned for us and for the world. They have a strong and sincere desire to serve us and the Lord and I know they are diligently seeking to guide the church according to His will and what He knows will work best for us. I know they are selfless and charitable servants. I know they are imperfect, but guide perfectly and humbly. Sometimes it feels like there are few leaders who stand for what is right. Rather they stand for whatever pleases the most powerful, most noisy, and most profitable groups. However, I know that these men are not of the world and are not easily persuaded by the simple desires of men, but instead they have a bigger vision of what will work best that is not informed by men, but instead by God. I also know that if you give them a listen you will only want to hear more.  https://www.lds.org/general-conference #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014

Ann Barrow Bradley shared a link.

March 8 · Edited

Day 4: I've said it once, I'll say it again, our Heavenly Father loves us. He has provided us with a beautiful plan filled with opportunities to help us understand who we are, what we are to do, and who we will become.

We must seek Him to help us understand ourselves. We were made in His image and likeness and if we follow ALL that He has asked we can become like Him. #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

http://youtu.be/R5FxdCgD-qI

Jenny Barrow

March 8 · Edited

Day 4: Patience is a skill we must cultivate if we want to find happiness in life.

When we have learned how to wait:
We learn how to respect other's wants and desires along with our own wants and desires.
We learn how to control our impulses.
We learn to appreciate the process of life rather than the events of life.
We learn to have hope in things that are not yet. (If we don't wait for something, we have lost hope that it will ever happen. Patience is an expression of hope.)

I think life is a process. We have to wait to watch it unfold. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to wait. They have taught me how to hope, how to respect, and how to have joy in life.

I know waiting is part of God's plan for us. After all, He patiently waits on us. The world He created is a testament of waiting. Nature, geology, and the cosmos, all testify of a being that spends a lot of time waiting. I am glad I can learn to wait, I think it is a divine characteristic.

#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

Lent Challenge Day 3

Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.

March 8 near Durham, NC · Edited

Day 3: Today I've been thinking about how what I do affects those around me... or more accurately doesn't affect them. I'm quiet and like to keep to myself. Today I found myself actively making choices that would result in the least amount of people contact possible. Then, I got the lyrics to this hymn in my head:

"Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad
and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed."

And I realized that maybe avoiding people wasn't the best way to serve those around me. I think it is easy to think of ourselves as kind and helpful people, but when it comes to our own comfort we are quick to act in our own interest. We will say something if it makes us look smart, cool, funny, witty... but how often do we say something because we want someone else to feel appreciated, validated, loved? How often do we think in terms of "How can I better help the people around me?" rather than "How can I better help myself today?"
In other words, I feel like I am a generally helpful person, but being a helpful person is more of a special occasion rather than a daily habit. How am I suppose to help those around me, know what they need, be there for them, if I'm not actively reaching out and getting to know them? How much more could I be doing if I woke up in the mornings and instead of thinking only about what I needed done also asking myself what can I do for others today? Often we are answers to each other's prayers so...

"Wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above!
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love."

(P.S. Here is a new "hip" version of this lovely hymn that I kind of like, but it still needs some time to grown on me I think...:http://youtu.be/aIeA_5yYgB4) #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

Ann Barrow Bradley shared a link.

March 7 · Edited

Day 3: We have been put on this earth to be tested. To be given trials. They hurt. They are often long. They drain us. They make us question. We can not prevent trials. Nope, we need the trials to grow. Let me repeat: We need the trials. We need them to prove who we are.

Below is a video about a woman named Stephanie. I don't know Stephanie. I've never had to deal with anything as hard as she has. But she stands for so much goodness. I can feel her faith. Faith is why we have trials. Will we turn to the Lord, or away from Him? Because of the Atonement, He knows exactly what we are feeling. He knows our pain. That is a bit overwhelming for me to understand. But I feel it to be true. I know He knows us and is willing to help us carry our burdens.

While you watch this, maybe don't try to understand everything in this video. Just sit still and feel it. You will not be disappointed. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E

Jenny Barrow

March 7 · Edited

Day 3: Don't let fear guide your life. Fear is the absence of faith. You have to have faith if you are going to accomplish anything in your life.

I hate heights. I really hate them. If you look at the picture on my timeline It looks like I am sitting on the edge of a cliff looking at the Tetons. Trust me, I am not that close to the edge. I have a lot of space between me and the edge of that mountain because I am so afraid of heights.

But if you look at my profile picture, it looks like I have just climbed up a cliff. That picture is absolutely real. I am hanging on to the edge of a cliff with one hand. Why am I not afraid? Look at my pinky finger on my profile picture, it is pointing at the secret. Tipaleli Fotu is holding onto my rope. I am hooked to a belay system.

When I am in a harnessed belay system, I will jump off of towers, climb crazy high heights, and zip line over canyons.

Take me out of my harness, and I am a whimpering, terrified fool. I hate driving over bridges in my car!

If you are going to move forward in life, you can't let fear guide you. Fear is a prison. You have to have faith in something that is secure, and will not fail you. This belay system will allow you to climb mountains.

For my life I have found faith in Jesus Christ to be my most fail safe belay system. The more securely harnessed I am to His teachings and precepts, the less fear I have in my life. He has never failed me. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014

Lent Challenge Day 2

Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.

March 6 near Durham, NC

Day 2: Watch this video. https://www.lds.org/youth/video/origin?lang=eng

This kind of goes along with yesterdays post, but I just love how they put this video together. She is reading the words of our first modern day prophet, Joseph Smith, who was a teenager during a time much like ours. There were a lot of opinions of what was "truth" just as there is great debate today over what is "right" and what is "wrong." I believe, that just like Joseph, we have the ability to go to the source of all answers for those times of confusion. If we ask sincerely then we will get a sincere answer. I also have a testimony of modern day prophets and apostles... but we'll save that for another post. (I still have 38 more of these to go you know.)#LentChallenge2014

Ann Barrow Bradley

March 6

Day 2: Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to his earth as a humble baby into the loving arms of parents, who were willing to help this babe learn His mission. He came to teach us how to live. He came to help us return to our Heavenly Father. We can't do that without being perfect, and none of us are capable of becoming perfect on our own. He suffered for our sins and transgressions. If we turn to Him and repent of our sins- do a little better each day- it will be through Christ that we will be saved. He is more than willing to help us up time, after time, after time, on our journey to become perfect as He is. I know that to be true. #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

161

Jenny Barrow

March 6 · Edited

Day 2: Don't compare yourself to others, it is rarely a fair comparison, and it rarely helps you feel good about yourself or others in the long term.

We don't know all of the facts, we don't know a person's entire story. We just see brief glimpse of a person's life in our daily interactions with each other. We can not use these over simplified glimpses of others lives as our standard for accomplishment or success.

We only know our own story, we can only compare ourselves against ourselves. You are the only fair standard for measurement when determining if you are improving or digressing in your life.

I know that one day each and every person will have an accounting of how they have lived their life, how they used their talents and gifts in the world, and the judge will not be a single other person on this earth. Our judge will be our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.

Only He knows and understands your entire story, only He knows and understands your heart. It will be a fair, loving, and merciful judgement. But we will be held accountable for our lives. So live your life according to God's standard. He is your only judge. No one else.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014

Lent Challenge Day 1

Kelley Barrow Miles

March 5 near Durham, NC · Edited

Day 1: Today's thoughts have been on prayer. I. love. prayer. It hasn't always been that way, in fact this has been the year of learning how to love praying. This senior year of college has been... challenging. Not academically necessarily, but life just has those moments when it gets hard and awful and you just want it to move on already... you know? I've been forced on my knees to pray some of the most genuine, humble, pleading prayers I have ever given. As a result some of my lowest moments have become moments that I have loved. If anything they bring the best out of me. They help me go from selfishness to selflessness as I pray for those around me. They help me go from proud and stubborn to humble and submissive as I have asked for guidance. And during some of my loneliest moments prayer has delivered comfort and love. I know prayer can be answered in many ways. Sometimes those answers come fast sometimes they are slow. Sometimes they appear suddenly other times they are so subtle that you don't notice it until you view the picture in hindsight. While my various challenges haven't disappeared, I have learned that when I do pray I become a person who can handle the challenges better. Prayer reminds me that I am not alone.#LentChallenge2014

Ann Barrow Bradley

March 5

Day 1: I will begin with this basic but fundamental truth. We are all spirit CHILDREN OF GOD. Sons and daughters beloved by the Most High. Everyone of us on this earth. He loves us so much and wants us to be happy.

Jenny Barrow

March 5 · Edited

Day 1: Humility is one of the hardest virtues to learn, but honest to goodness, it is the magic fix it button for life.

Being teachable, being able to say "I don't know the answer, but will you teach me?" Is sometimes the hardest thing we will ever do. Having to say, "I was wrong." Sometimes feels like pronouncing a personal death sentence.

But those times I ate my humble pie, and admitted my mistakes, my ignorance, my weakness, and then opened myself up to learning, listening, and changing, have been some of the most precious moments of my life.

We are all weak, we all need to be taught, when we are humble we learn far faster, and the lessons are far sweeter.

I know we do have a loving Father in Heaven who is all powerful, all knowing, and all loving, and often He is just waiting for us to humble ourselves, so He can teach us. When I humbly approach Him, I am always blessed.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014