Full of patience?

So, it's been a long few weeks. I've started a new job and my days have been pretty full.  Today was another one.  It was late, I was practicing the violin with my oldest daughter to get ready for a recital.  I don't usually get this kind of time.  My wife calls for me to take a break.  "Did we really sound that bad?"....  yes, thus the practice.  Needless to say, I was tired, not ready to take a break.  I made my way into the family room and grabbed the scriptures to read with the kids.  The kids were not willingly participating, I was cranky and not in the best mood.  So while I'm reading I snap at one of my kids, then continue to read.  The very next words popped out and hit me: "...full of patience".  It was a verse I was reading that talked about the Savior.  Other attributes mentioned in the verse were: long suffering,  quick to hear the cries of his people, full of grace, mercy, truth and equity.  My wife smiled at me, I smiled back, "Looks like I need some more patience and long suffering"

The power of mastering the Spirit over the body.

There is a scripture in Romans 8:6 that states:

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Our bodies have been given to us to help our Spirits become even stronger.  We need to learn how to control our natural carnal behaviors and allow our Spirit to lead the way.  I believe this is why it is so important to do the small spiritual things such as prayer, pondering, scripture study, etc... to feed our Spirits.  I read a great quote by Melvin Ballard, member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostoles:

“The body that has been given to us was for the purpose of allowing the spirit to exalt itself to a nobler condition. The lightning that is seen flashing from cloud to cloud, from mountain top to mountain top, is an electrical force that may tear down buildings, set fire to property, and destroy life. Conduct electricity through the dynamo wire, and motor, and behold its wonderful results working for the service of man, accomplishing something under the control of a physical instrument, it thus becomes a power for good. So with steam, if allowed to evaporate freely it does little good, but restrain it in the boiler, send it through the engine, and under its power you may travel across the continent or sail from shore to shore. And so, too, with this highest, most potent of all spiritual forces, the intelligence that is in man; enshrine it in a spiritual body, that it may have the experiences of spiritual life; and then give it a physical body, that it may enter into and obtain the joy and experiences of physical life, and you have enlarged its powers immeasurably” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1912, 107)."

On the Train!!!!

So, a new adventure begins.  I've been waiting for this for over 3 years.  I work over 50 miles away from where I live.  They opened the Frontrunner train to Provo.  I am now on the train heading into work.

The Parenting Pyramid

Have you ever been in this situation where you are trying to bring the Spirit in your home by doing the right things like reading the scriptures as a family, and during the actions of what you are suppose to do you find contention that takes away the very thing that you are trying to accomplish?  Sometimes, I think, why am I even trying?  As a parent I endure, and quickly remind myself of the rewards of preserving and enduring to the end.  I had the privilege of being trained to be a facilitator for a group called "The Arbinger Institute" a couple of years ago.  This institute teaches concepts taught in books they wrote called, "Leadership and Deception" and "Anatomy of Peace".  I strongly recommend these books.   I find myself using concepts learned in this training and books.  One that came to my  mind last night came from what is called the "Parenting Pyramid".  Do you as parent find yourself correcting over and over to a child and nothing seems to work?  Check out this 8 pg document and tell me what you think?
Parenting Pyramid
 I have to constantly remind myself to go deeper.  I think it takes a lot of effort to spend the time to help things go right, rather than trying to fix things that are wrong.  In the paper it talks about going down a layer in the pyramid to solve a problem that doesn't seem to be working in a layer higher.  One thing to note, you can always skip layers to the base of changing the way of being.

The gift of "Honey"

I was reading Elder Ballard's talk in general conference this morning where he uses the analogy of honey bees. He talked about the wonderful substance of honey, "golden honey—one of nature’s most beneficial foods. In fact, nutritionists tell us it is one of the foods that includes all the substances—enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water—necessary to sustain life."  Elder Ballard' talk

This scripture came into my mind found in 2 Nephi 26:25:

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world;for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life thathe may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth nonethat they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold,I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends ofthe earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price. scripture ref.

After reading the talk, I wanted to raise some honeybees :) But spiritually speaking, there is a hive that exists for all of us where we can partake of the honey without price.  

Rise Up, O Men of God!

In Lehi's final words to his son he admonishes his sons to rise up. In 2 Nephi 1 verses 21,22 :

"arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;" ....... "Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."

I really like the hymn, "Rise Up, O Men of God":

"Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and soul and mind and strength
To serve the King of Kings.
Rise up, O men of God,
In one united throng.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
Tread where his feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
Rise up! Rise up! Rise up!

Another bit of council that helped me start my day today was a message from President Monson. He talked about learning the ABC's of life. "A" stands for a positive "Attitude". "B" stands for "Believe in yourself". "C" stands for "Courage". This is not hard to remember and so important has we approach each day in our lives.

As a priesthood holder I hope I can follow the same admonition. Lately, it is so easy to get depressed when listening to what is going on in the world, in politics, etc.. It is too easy to lose focus, I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and a living prophet to help us stay focused on what matters most.

"Things that matter most..."

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go up in the mountains with my wife and kids. The scenery was "awe inspiring". We were up at Smith and Morehouse reservoir. It is one of the most beautiful places I've been. While we were there we did some fishing. I was sitting on a rock with my 3 year old Brynlie helping her cast the pole and reel in the fly on the end of her line. We hooked a fish. Brynlie reeled it in. As we went to the water's edge and pulled the fish out of the water there was a squeal of excitement and laughter. I pulled the fish out of the water and Brynlie put her hands around the fish, with the same excitement in her voice she said, "I got one." You could not pay me any amount of money to trade for that experience. I have four beautiful daughters and a gorgeous wife whose beauty surpass the beauty of the scenery I was experiencing up in the mountains. I treasure moments like these. In such a busy world, do you take time to notice the precious moments around you?

Click on this link in this post and watch this video. It is remarkable and powerful. There are a lot of hidden messages in here that touched me significantly. Stop, pause and notice before you run.

http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages-gallery?lang=eng#moments-that-matter-most