Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Update
Love to all! God loves us. Love to you guys. ^_^

Hope you enjoy these readings. ^.^

Alma 36
2 I would that ye should do [... and remember] the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
4 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God.
5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things; but God has, by the mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself;

The Lord loves us, too, to help us at all times, if we will let Him. I speak for myself and for us all. The Lord Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, our God, love us all. You and me. Love Them, too.


Refined in Our Trials, by President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, Ensign, February 2006
First Presidency Message

Here, then, is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The Apostle Paul referred to his own challenge: "And lest I should be exalted above measure . . . , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh[...]."

The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner's fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

Said Alma, "A shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!" In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and "mount up with wings as eagles."

The proving of one's faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." This trial of faith can become a priceless experience.

States Peter, "The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew.

[...]

A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures.

We become God's children even more fully--by choice as well as by birth. He loves us and wants us to be with Him again, and safe. That's why He gives us commandments. Love, and pocket hugs. God bless you all. ^_^

Glomps.

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Sorry, guys. I didn't realize my inbox was full. ^/^ I have opened up some room in it, though, and I will extend the deadline for the masquerade mystery answers. How does Thursday sound? If it sounds good, I probably won't update between now and then, unless I add to this or to the masquerade notes themselves. Don't worry, the masquerade will essentially stay the same.

A couple notes on the masquerade. I tried to make the clues so that you could figure out the main facts without having to know the characters. I suggest that if you're having a problem, read through the clues again. If you do, or have, and still have problems, then feel free to PM me. I want everyone to get as far as they can, so this isn't a contest between each other so much as a challenge for yourself.

Happy hunting!

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Fact of the day: Often in birds and mammals, the males are generally larger than the females. However, in raptors (birds of prey) the females are generally larger than the males.

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Moses 7

35 Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also.

36 Wherefore, I can stretch forth mine hands and hold all the creations which I have made; and mine eye can pierce them also[...]

39 And That which I have chosen hath pled before my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins; inasmuch as they will repent in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me[...]
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