The Affections of My Heart

Studying and memorizing this scripture this week has been quite enjoyable for me.  I've always loved these verses, but now I love them more.  Today's line, "Let the affections of your heart be placed upon the Lord forever," has been a very tender experience.  I have always loved the Lord, but this line made me wonder if I've looked upon Him affectionately.

When I think of affection, the first thing that comes to my mind is how I feel about my children, and I LOVE when they are affectionate to me.

What kind of affection do I feel for my Heavenly Father and Christ?  This word has made an impact on the way I love them, and in the way I feel they love me.  Affection is reserved for those we know, those we treasure; it's the gentle, fond side of love for someone that you feel close to. 

This concept has deepened and softened how I feel about the Lord. 

Let All Thy Thoughts Be Directed Unto the Lord

Continuing on with my exploration of Alma 37:36-37--

The line I explored yesterday was "Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord."  This one was harder than I expected.  I frequently during the day direct some thoughts to Him in the form of little prayers, but I tried to do "all" thoughts yesterday, and it left me questioning exactly what that means.  I wondered if maybe, since He knows all my thoughts anyway, it is simply acknowledging that He is there.  Or maybe it's analyzing all my thoughts, running them by Him, making sure they are going the right direction.

One day, a long time ago I gave myself the challenge of praying all day.  I did this because of Enos, or Alma 32 where it says to pray continually--I don't remember which.  But I started the day with prayer and did not end it as I went about my life, just kept it open all day.  I wish I had been blogging then, because I don't remember exactly what happened, just that it was good.  Maybe all my thoughts to Him is keeping an 'open prayer' in my heart.

One thing that stood out to me immediately, though, as I dropped kids off to school, was that, as I was trying to direct my thoughts to Him, as I would walk by people, I had a greater desire to know them, and serve them, because He loves them.  

Well, that is all for now.  Today I am working on letting "the affections of my heart be placed upon" Him.  =)

Continuing On--Savoring Each Bite (and a little verb analysis)

I am enjoying my little pursuit of this scripture I've been blogging on so much, that I can't just let it go yet. =) This is called "Feasting on the Word."(2 Nephi 32:3 "...Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.")   Oooo--this one is "tasty," too!:

Here it is again: (Alma 37:36-37)

Today I've been concentration on the second and third lines: "Yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest, let it be in the Lord."

I've thought and thought about what exactly this could mean.  'All my doings' include a lot of housework and childcare, driving, etc.  But He, of course, understands that these are needful things.  How can all the mundane things be "unto the Lord," and everywhere I go "be in the Lord?"

What I wonder is that when I am "doing" and "going," is it ultimately to build His kingdom?  Even a kingdom has a huge TO DO list, apparently. =)  But it occurs to me that if I tackle all I need to tackle with love, and an eye single to His glory, it can be for Him, too.  And maybe it has to do with having His Spirit to be with me during these times.

It also might have to do with choosing the better part--you know, the Mary and Martha thing in the New Testament: There are things that need to be done, but am I choosing wisely the better part beyond that?  Am I spending more time with my children than my computer screen?  As much time on my Sunday lesson as on facebook?

The last thing that jumped out at me was the verb "let."  I've been examining verbs a little more closely since I noticed that the verbs in the Young Women's theme (https://lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/young-women-theme?lang=eng) are so beautiful.  This verb "let" is not a command, it is more like an invitation.  It's as if the Lord is there, wanting to be with us every moment of the day, if we will just let Him.  It strikes me as a gentle pleading: "Let me come, too."

I want Him to be here!  As I examine this scripture further tomorrow, maybe it will show me how.

There's a Reason

Since yesterday I've come to the conclusion that there's a reason that we are asked to read the scriptures daily.  I used to think it was that it helped us be closer to the Spirit on a daily basis.  In truth, I think that are several reasons, but I added one more to my list yesterday in a big way.

THE SCRIPTURES CAN HELP US AND CHANGE US EVERY DAY!!

Yesterday I talked about Alma 37:36-37, that I would like to develop it more fully into my life.  So I memorized the first line: Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support...  and so yesterday, I did.

Here's some back story: The last several months, I've awoken at odd hours of the a.m. with worries.  Worries that press on my mind enough that it takes hours to go back to sleep, if I do.  So this morning when I woke up at 4:30 a.m., instead of stressing more and praying less, I thought: "Cry unto God for all thy support."  And I did.  I asked for "support" in specific things both temporal and spiritual, and made extra effort to put my trust more fully in Him, and I felt better.  In one day, from one line of one scripture, I felt better.  It changed my perspective.  

These things that worry me are still here, but I received that support.  In the here and now the support is emotional, and as I increase my faith on these matters, I'll receive greater help than if I only worried by myself about them.  I have faith in that. 

A change in one day from the Book of Mormon--that's a concept I can get behind!!

Way Excited!! And a new goal...

Well, I've been looking through several of the blogs associated with this Book of Mormon challenge, and I'm really excited to see everyone's wonderful thoughts on the scriptures!  It has been fun, and I''ve been excited to dig into my scriptures and share more thoughts as well.  I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES!!

So I've been working on where to start reading.  Let me explain--we've been reading the Book of Mormon as a family, but I'd like to start it again for myself.  I've been concentrating on the New Testament this year, since it is the course of study in the church.  But a little extra Book of Mormon on the top will only be the icing on the cake, right?

Another thing is I don't always start in 1 Nephi.  I, like many Mormons, have read first and second Nephi several more times in my earlier life than the rest of the Book of Mormon (goals set and not completed).  So last time I started it, I started in Alma and read all the way to the end and then read back to Alma.  Is that weird?  But it's all the same when you are actually reading, once you're familiar with the material.

But while I am deciding, I've been pondering a scripture lately: Alma 37:36-37

 36 Yea, and ^acry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy ^bdoings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy ^cthoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37 ^aCounsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for ^bgood; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the ^cmorning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

(copied from http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/37?lang=eng)

This scripture has meant to much to me in my life.  I remember times in my life when I woke up every morning--thrilled to be alive, with my "heart full of thanks unto God."  I actually thought of this the other morning when I woke up and was not happy to be awake!  I thought of this scripture and the times when I woke up thinking about my Heavenly Father, full of joy, and I wanted it back! 

I think the key is perspective and faith.  To go to sleep and wake up full of faith and joy, forgetting the cares of the world, committing them to my Father's care and trusting Him.  He is in charge, and the most powerful being anywhere, and He loves me.  What have I got to fear or not be happy about?

I frequently have times during the week when I am 100% content, completely at peace, feeling the Spirit.  I vow to try to capture that more often during the day, and especially in the morning, letting my heart  be full of thanks to God.  He is amazing and wonderful and I need to let that thought fill me more often.  In fact, I'd like to concentrate on living these particular scriptures more fully. =)

Until, the next post, take care of yourselves and KEEP READING THE BOOK OF MORMON!! =)

Getting Started

I ran across a Book of Mormon challenge from my encounter with watching General Conference with the #twitterstake on Twitter.  I had forgotten about it until I read an insightful blog post from someone else who took the challenge.  (Thanks for the inspiration @motherwhoknows! http://juliandnick.blogspot.com/2011/10/imperfections.html) 

So, while I'm not reading the Book of Mormon in October as a whole, I do read a bit (sometimes a very little bit with children bouncing off the walls) with my family at bedtime.  Let me say here that I LOVE the Book of Mormon and know it is scripture, just like the Bible is.  The Spirit of that wonderful book fills me to overflowing with the love and knowledge that the Lord has for me and all people.  I know it is true.

I just wanted to share some of my feelings about it, and the first thing I thought of when I heard of the challenge was one of my favorite scriptures: Ether 12:4.

4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with ^asurety ^bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which ^chope cometh of ^dfaith, maketh an ^eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in ^fgood works, being led to ^gglorify God.

(http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this scripture!  I always say that I want it on my gravestone. =)  This is what we as Christians live for and hope for: a better world.  A world that God has prepared for us, a world where all the wrongs have been righted, all God's children (us!) live in love and harmony with more joy than we can imagine!  It anchors our souls, just like the verse says.  This hope brings joy and "good works" and 'leads us to glorify God.'  Yes, definitely one of my favorite scriptures!

Reading it again, though, made me think of family scripture reading just last night.  We read in 2nd Nephi 31:

 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a ^asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of ^bhope, and a ^clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have ^eeternal life.

(Another favorite!!)  I asked my family last night, "What does it mean 'with a steadfastness in Christ?'"  Here we are in two of my favorite scriptures with this concept of steadfastness.  From the first scripture we see that it comes from faith and hope, and I'd like to ponder and pursue this idea of "steadfastness in Christ" a little further.  Any thoughts?

Maybe it's never wavering from the thought that Christ is my Savior and can help me through whatever comes in my life, that He understands, that He's leading me and my family to a "better world."  This gives me peace and happiness, despite what the world can throw at me.

Thanks for inviting me along on the Book of Mormon Challenge @motherwhoknows and http://beinglds.blogspot.com/ !!