9 years ago today 11-8-2009

It was nine years ago today that my father died! One of the greatest men to ever have lived. I ran into a girl that grew up in the walnut creek stake today at church. We talked about how we had never known each other growing up. Then she stopped and said that she had heard my father speak once at a youth conference or something. She talked about how amazing he was. I loved hearing it! and really didn't want her to stop... for the simple reason that I want so badly to remember.

I also think it was interesting that it happened today of all days. Just a simple quick little reminder of my great day 9 years to the day... and maybe another tender mercy that there's more to this life than we often give credit and remember.

He really was great!

I've thought a lot about relationships lately and "what makes a great relationship"... with anyone? I'm not sure there's anything new or earthshaking in the qualities necessary to make things great. They are qualities that maybe we should all have. Simple things like being kind and a good listener. Actually caring about the person you're listening too and remembering the conversations we have. Helping them achieve their goals and the things they really want to do. Being there when we need them. Maybe willing to help occasionally... simple things right? Things all good people should just do... but for some reason not always common qualities. And even more rare to find people that keep these qualities with everyone. Not just the good looking interesting people with lots of money.

My dad was one of those people! One of those people that was honestly caring about everyone he met. really wanting to do whatever he could to bless others, even people he didn't know well. He'd give them a car or anything else he had if there was a chance it could better someone... even if there with 5 drivers in his own family and only 2 cars.

I'm not saying this to brag! Honestly I guess the whole purpose of me writing this is just to relive and maybe better understand. Understand who he really was and how he touched so many peoples lives. Maybe just to better remember and get acquainted with a great man... my dad.

So today, nine years later and in his memory, I vow to be a better listener to everyone. Spending a little more time to really get to know everyone that crosses my path. Thinking how I can help others, and then be there ready when they might need me.

I love dad! still

Don't forget God

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!"

Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day

Washington, D.C.
March 30, 1863
Abraham Lincoln

Patience

There is Power in Patience. I'm at a weird stage in my life. I'm inbetween jobs, girlfriends, housing, cell phone plans, and even Dad's (mom gets married in 2 weeks). So I heard I was going to be studying patience and my heart dropped. The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word patience is "patient" and the image is a patient in a waiting room sitting slouching on their chair, completly helpless and at the demands of someone else. And yet after good study of the scriptures I'm convined that there is great power in patience. Patience is not about sitting there waiting for something to happen to us but rather an active, positive approach.

A person with patience is determined, unwavering,

there is also a connection to charity. (see general conference talk oct 2006 oaks "the power of patience") suffereth long, the word suffereth is interesting. suffer the little children to come to me, etc


There is a strong connection in the scriptures between Patience and Faith. How is Faith and Patience connected? What is patience? Is there a difference between patience and waiting around?

I'm at a weird stage in life. A stage were certain things like dating have lost some of there glamour and appeal. Dating is the perfect example of the struggle I have with patience. I know I will get married "one day." And yet for a million same reasons it's just not happening right now. For me to be patient what should I do? Move on with my life, career and make myself more appealing in other ways? date every week regardless of my interest level and keep trying to find prospects?

patience is an interesting paradigm. Somehow I think the idea of being able to step out of the box and put it all in the Lords timing is the key message of it all.

Perhaps, knowing that things Lord

To "Know" Christ

Perhaps central to all Christianity is an ideal or goal of one day knowing Jesus Christ. Our quest really takes form when we realize that our goal of knowing Christ must begin here on this earth. How can we know what we cannot see? Perhaps first we must ask, what does the word "know" mean?

In most latin languages the word "know" can be translated into two different words depending on the usage. In spanish these words are "Saber" and "Conocer." Both mean "know" but in very distinct ways. Saber is to have a knowlegde of something... to know how something works or is defined. The word "Conocer" means to know sombody or place. You have actually met them and are familiar or associated with them. You cannot conocer a place you have not been to.

With this exploration I think it helps better understand our goal and quest to "know" Christ or rather "conocer" Christ. Know him like you would a good friend.

Too often we think we need to saber Christ. Or rather in order to know Christ we must read and study all facts, ideas, and history. And although these are very important and necessary we can do them without ever really knowing Christ. It's an interesting idea. We can all read the bio of Albert Einstein and know a lot about him, but never know him. As Christians we believe that we can all actually grow to know Christ here on this earth. Know him in the same way you know a good friend. In other words, know that he lives and loves us today and tomorrow. Know that he'll be there for you, and know that through him we can all be cleansed from even our worst mistakes. Ultimately, we grow to know him in a way were we know how he'll respond to our choices, we know what we wants for us, and from us.

So how can we better know Christ? There are many ideas. Prayer, Meditation, keeping out thoughts in harmony, etc etc etc. and yet it's like any good relationship. They are great ideas to build your foundations, and yet, not a perfect or exact formula. Your relationship of knowing Christ is very personal and slightly different for each of us. Perhaps for you knowing Christ is achieved by service. By really going out of your way to make someone's entire life better. By doing so you better understand what the Savior himself went through and grow closer to him. Perhaps, it's church where get to feel of him quietly whisper to you. Or maybe diligent scripture study, regular home teaching, or loving and spending time with you family. I have found personally that my relationship with the Savior and desire to "know" him better, grows best for me through regular temple attendance and fervent prayer.

I bare my testimony that he cares! That he's been near me in the middle of my prayers. That he's hurt and suffered for me. I have felt his presence. I bare witness that we can all "know" him. He is our best friend and he's just there itching to get to know you better. Make an effort for him in your life. I invite you to do all in your power for 3 weeks to better get to know him and you life will be full and rich!

Atonement

There are many principles that improve the quality of our lives. All of these Principles are connected in one way of another the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is an essential part of this life. Without it we would all waste away into nothing.

I have always loved the way my dad explained the bicycle story- many people misunderstand the story. we don’t show up at the end of our lives with just a few cents and Christ makes all the difference. The atonement is an active part of our life. we practise it everyday and through it we are able to become great... Through the atonement we are able to become Gods.

Motivation

The question came up this week about what motivates you.

Success is an interesting term! It has so many different meaning for different people. Many great athletes are very success in their field, and yet complete failures as mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. Many would argue that if this the case they are not successful. Many fathers look for financial success at the cost of their families. I'm sure that when they started out their family was number one. My father could be another example: A brilliant man who passed up money to teach. Success can be found on many different levels and yet to understand what motivates us you must understand your personal definition for success.

My personal definition of success for myself or mission statement is something to the following: Always have the time and resources to help others!

I'm convinced that a successful life is being close to lots of people. Life's joy is when we are surrounded by all we love and they are happy, and healthy. Perhaps we need each other to all be happy!

1) I'm motivated by my family heritage. I came from a history of loyalty, love, respect and hard work. A heritage full of successful and great lives all sharing similar principles. Principles that are the essence of this entire blog and my personal search for happiness.

2) My present family- We share a level of morals or ethics. I'm motivated by keeping in good standing with these morals and ethics. Creating a family name that stands for something. And keeping those with whom I share this family name proud that I'm a part of it.

3) My future family- Career, hard work, striving to be obedient to personal standards and moral, saving money, schooling etc are all in in my mind designed to provide the best situation for my posterity. I think at this moment in life I would be happier on a beach in some unknown island surfing and exploring than I am right now working hard, living at my moms house, saving money and driving an old rundown car. And yet I'm motivated to stay in my situation with the hope that 20 from now my situation will be better and allow a better life and situation for my future family...

My personal happiness comes from the word Family. All three dimensions of the "family" bring me joy and motivate me to be better. I am convinced we are all somehow connected!!! Perhaps in some sort of human or spiritual family. Therefore, for me to be truly happy, I need you to be happy. I think I can be a better neighbor, friend, citizen, and person. I can better help and serve my fellowman. The weird part is I know in my heart that even when I help others I too am helped.

Obedience

OBEDIENCE: November 25, 2006

We have all been obedient at times in our lives. We have also all been disobedient at times in our lives. Obedience to principles that we know and/or believe to be true is a necessary part of anyones spiritual health. Obedience can make or break relationships, sport games, and even our own lives.

The importance of obedience in sports and even relationships is often more obvious than in general life. Whole outcomes are decided in just hours and minutes instead of life times. Misconduct on a football feild may cost you valuable yardage, or a foul shot in basketball. And cheating on a spouse may quickly disolve a possible beautiful relationship. Obedience in general life isn't usually as obvious since outcomes often take lifetimes. There are areas of our lives where we can "cheat" and nobody but ourselves will know. Our lives could be related closer to a game of golf which we play by ourselves. We can cheat and move the ball around the tree, or kick it out of the sand. Nobody is watching and we are keeping our own score.

The question is do even these areas effect us? When we cheat, steal, or lie and nobody but us knows does it effect us? and maybe more importantly does our disobedience effect others?

(I think the answer is obvious when we look at obedience and disobedience as a matter, substance, or energy. When we attract light into our lives we are full of it and therefore radiate light. When we attract evil with just the smallest lies and cheats, we too attract it and it does affect us and as those around us. ____this whole paragraph needs help)

POINT #1 There is a power in obedience!

Every prophet, apostle and perhaps every good person to have lived has had to go through some sort of obedience. From Adam (I know not save the Lord commanded) to Nephi (I will go and do) and Joseph Smith (when the Lord commands. do it!) One of my favorite examples of obedience is the story of Abraham being asked to sacrafice Iassc. I like the story because it's a quick example that this commandment to sacrifice hi son was for Abraham to learn a huge blessing about Abraham. The rest of Abraham's life he had this great power within knowing that when the Lord commands I DO IT.... EVERY SINGLE TIME! 

Just a quick example. But the more you read about any prophet you will see that they were in turn and when the Lord commanded... THEY DID every time not knowing before hand what was to happen. 

On another Level you have to look at Christ himself. He being "perfect" and the only perfect one to ever live. The only having the power to overcome death. Would he still have had that power if he had sinned just once? There is a power in obedience. from the small things to the large. Be obedient and ye shall be blessed and you will see a glimpse of this power in your own life. 

What is the reward for obedience? All blessings come through our obedience

(D&C 130:20–21) "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated"

A couple important points:

1) The principle of obedience is something that was established even before the foundations of the world. In construction, the stage before digging and pouring the foundations would be planning and approvals.

2) All blessings from God come through the principle of obedience to the law upon which it was predicated. This line can be tricky to interpret.  Often times it leads us to believe that all people that are honest, good, helpful, loving people are all more successful, smarter, and better looking then those that cheat, lie and steal. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. There are many rich cheaters, many beautiful liers, and many smart robbers. The important point to remember and understand is that these people are not exceptions to the rule! The promise that we will be blessed through our obedience remains true so do not let these people and situations distract you. You must be able to see that things would have worked out better for all these people had they not lied, cheated, or stolen. They would be happier, more fun to be around and full of love and joy in their lives. 

The other truth is that it's not always a blessing to be rich, smart and good looking. Our definitions of blessings and success may be different. Sometimes the blessings of obedience come in ways we don't anticapate. It's the final outcome that's important. In the grand scheme of things altitude means nothing, but rather direction. It's what way are you facing today not how high you were yesturday that's important.

(Have I been sufficiently obedient? I look at the scriptures and read of the Anti-Nephit's  and how they would rather put down their swords and worship the Lord instead of take another's life. The Lamanites where killing their entire families... and yet they had made a covenant with the Lord they would not kill again. ___rework)

The gifts of obedience often bless the lives of those around us. I have found that obedience often radiates in the lives of those around us. When we are obedient, honest and good, they know, recongize and appreciate it.

There is a bit of magic within the Atonement. It's through the Atonement that I have learned to put up with myself and even learn to love myself. Life has also taught me that when I love myself I am capable to truly love others. Obedience = love ourselves = which helps us love others.  

Things will always be better for us and our loved ones when we are obedient.

What are we to be obedient to?

(Abraham 3:24–25) "We will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them"

I am convinced that there is a misconception about the principle of obedience. We often believe that the words obedience and perfection go together. Although it is true for someone to be perfect he must be obedient I have found that one can obedient and not perfect but rather worthy. obedience is a stepping stone for perfection. Obedience for you and me should go hand in hand with the principle of repentance.

Commandments- There are laws in the game of life set by God himself. We call them the 10 commandments."If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32) Keep in mind that our goal is to be better than we came.

The higher level of this would be to live a life so in tune with the spirit that hear small promptings (or perhaps commandments) for you to follow. When you hear this still small voice... in the phase of Spencer W Kimball "do it"... 

Pray to know God's will for you, his gospel, teachings, and ordinances. Receive your answer and be true to it. Then later look over your life and evaulate the fruits of your labors. Have you helped and blessed others?