Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the phrase "Be still, and know that I am God." I have witnessed a miracle and the healing of hearts. I am the "prodigal son's" mother and my child has come home. God told me to leave my child in His arms and let them fail. Then I had to stand still, and leave them alone. They would not want to hear from me until they were ready. I had to let God take care of them and do his work and not interfere. Three years later they were ready for me to love them once again. I have reflected on the reunion and how much my heart has changed while I learned to be still. Being still does not mean I do nothing. What I needed to do was know God. I had to seek His face, and trust him. Coming to know God has made me the mother my child needs. One day I hope they too seek God.

Day 1099

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 45:17

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 45:17
"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever."

I may leave this earth and be forgotten here. But, I know in the next life generations before me will praise me for the work I did in their behalf in the temples of our God. I've already seen them, I know they are there. I will never forget seeing untold numbers streaming out of paths before me during my near-death experience. My life's work had an influence on them. Every name on a card that I carry in the temple represents one of them. There is so much work to be done, one name, one person at a time.

Day 1098

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 44:21

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 44:21
"Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."

David is speaking of the judgment come upon them. Why do these things happen?  It is to turn our hearts to God. Only he knows where my heart is. There is nothing that can be hid or kept secret from Him. He knows what is best for me to experience so I can totally give my heart to Him. I am tried and tested and learn from each opportunity. With gratitude unmeasured I am grateful for this gift called life and for Christ's atonement that heals the broken heart.

Day 1097

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 43:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 43:3
"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto they holy hill, and to thy tabernacles."

I pondered on how the light of gospel leads towards the temple. Seeking greater light and knowledge and this is where the path takes me. I have learned so many lessons in the House of the Lord.

Day 1096

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 42:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 42:8
"Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayers unto the God of my life."

I love it when I find confirmation in the scriptures on what I have experienced in my life. The Lord gives songs in the night. I did pondered on the fact that night can be a period of time, and a time of trial. I have experienced it in both.

Day 1095

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 41:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 41:1-2
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive;  and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies."

These verses made me think of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. She is an absolute example of living this counsel. Feeding Elijah blessed her and her son and sustained them during the famine. Now I see this beautiful promise of the Lord. Having charity towards others, and he will show mercy in my time of need.

I found the video on "Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath" and enjoyed watching it again. It touched my heart when the video was first made, and the feeling is the same today.


Day 1094

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 40:3
"And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

David wrote hymns and these psalms come from his music. I have often wondered how the melody would have played with these words? It also reminds me of the hymns that awaken me in the morning or come into my mind at different times throughout the day. How they instruct and encourage me. Lately, this has made me reflect on a part of my patriarchal blessing that I received when I was 15 years old.  "Seek those things in life which are edifying and uplifting--the beautiful things of life, the arts, music, science, and shun those things which are of darkness."

I thought at the time it meant I had some undeveloped musical talent within me. Something I have come to learn is not my gift. Lately as I hear the songs of redeeming love I know that music is a way the spirit touches my soul. It is how I am instructed and taught to ponder the ways of the Lord. When I hear the hymns they are so beautiful to me. Appreciation of music has become my gift. They edify and uplift me. No one hears the music within me they're my special messages from God.

The song of my heart...."Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

Day 1093

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 39:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 39:1
"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."

I have learned a lot about this but am unsure how to describe it. Calling someone a sinner is never going to change their ways. The first sin is judgment and that now falls on me. The best thing for me to do is to love and invite to a better way of life. Line upon line, precept upon precept.

Day 1092

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 38:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 38:15
"For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God."

The opposite of hope is despair. Recently I read a great article on overcoming despair with hope. Now I cannot find it. While looking  I found this Oct 2008 General Conference talk by President Uchtdorf "The Infinite Power or Hope".


Speaking of his mother President Uchtdorf said:
"I know with certainty: her faith overcame her fear, and her hope overcame her despair. She was not a woman who would sit and bemoan tragedy. She moved. She put her faith and hope into action."

For faith to overcome fear I do need to put it into action.


Day 1091

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 37:7
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

That first part of the verse made me ponder on patience. How I once prayed for it and all I received were more trials. Opportunities to try my patience further. I was told by others never to pray for patience. But, I needed it desperately, especially with my autistic son. As time passed and with more trials my patience shortened until I was a complete mess. It was only when I was completely broken in body and spirit that I turned to the Lord and he strengthened me. I learned to trust Him and found his ways were better than my ways. Coming into the rest of the Lord is where patience grows. I can see it can be given no other way. For He is the strength needed to wait patiently for what he has in store. Oh, I must do my part, listen, learn, search for what is the right answers to my problems. Patience is not waiting but doing. Then when I come upon the answers the spirit confirms, that is correct. Patience is an adventure and an opportunity to know the will of the Lord.

Day 1090

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 36:9

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 36:9
"For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."

At church on Sunday we spoke about questions, and how the spirit teaches us through them. That it is by faith, and perseverance that we are prepared and made ready to be taught the answers. In this verse it reminded me that gospel questions are answered as we seek the Lord. In His light we see light, and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Day 1089


Posted 21 Mar 2018

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 35:20

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 35:20
"For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."

I was reflected on David's life and how Saul sought to destroy him. Wondering if David wrote this psalm at this time? When I read this verse all of a sudden it made me think of my day, and those trying to destroy religious liberty. Like David all I want is a peaceful quiet life, and do no harm to others. For some reason that totally bothers the forces of darkness, and they cannot leave it alone. They devise deceitful ways to catch the peaceful into snares.

Day 1088

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 34:13-14
"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."

I reflected on these verses because that is what I have been trying so hard to do. I even put this reminder on my Facebook profile, inspired by the 13th Article of Faith.

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things."

I have to say it is very freeing to walk away from the terrible noise others are making around me. I have no part of their anger. They cannot destroy my peace because I do not let it in, and it has been lovely. I think it has also made me a better person because I'm not looking for the fight, only for good in others.

Day 1087

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:11, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 33:11, 15
"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works."

I pondered on how similar the hearts of men will be throughout all the generations. Our hearts will all know good from evil, and justly be judged on the intents of our hearts. How God's laws never change for they apply to every man throughout time. I thought about someday listening to my ancestors relate their stories that lived thousands of years ago, and by human nature I will understand them. The words or tools we had at our disposal might be different, but at the heart we will relate to the same things. No wonder God's words never change.

Day 1086

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 32:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 32:5
"I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."

This made me ponder on how I thought I could hide sin. How did I ever not realize that God already knew my sins, I was hiding nothing from Him, only lying to myself. All I had to do was sincerely confess, repent and He would forgive. It took me years to realize I had to forgive myself too. It is who I am today that He cares about. No matter how dark my past or how righteous it used to be. What matters is my relationship with the Lord today. For He will remember my sins no more if I truly repent and follow Him.

Day 1085

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 31:5
"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth."

And Jesus said this.

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." (Luke 232:46)

If David and Jesus said this, should I not say this too? To be spiritually born again I would need to commit my spirit into His hands, and say Father thy will be done.

Day 1084

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:10

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 30:10
"Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper."

This made me think of an October 2017 General Conference talk by President Uchtdorf, "A Yearning for Home".

"No one else is responsible for your personal journey. The Savior will help you and prepare the way before you, but the commitment to follow Him and keep His commandments must come from you. That is your sole burden, your sole privilege."

If I don't seek the Lord or ask for his help then he cannot show mercy upon me. He will never take away my agency to follow Him or not. That is my choice. What a difference it has made when I admitted I needed a Savior and he carries me. If I need help He is the very best help to have.

Day 1083

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 29:11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 29:11
"The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace."

This is so true. I was just thinking the other day how I know the Lord lived a perfect life. That he completed his mission and atoned for my sins, because he was able to lay down his life and then take it up again. If he had not done all that God the Father required he would not have resurrected and now live. This made me realize that I know I am His because if I was not, there would be no peace. Peace is not only a blessing he gives me, its also a sign he gives me.

Day 1082

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 28:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 28:7
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."

I pondered on how the Lord can be my strength and protection and yet I can be made to walk though fire and trouble. I have found that when I trust in Him it does work out for my good in the end. I come out on a better side. I never know what direction I need to take to become want he knows I can be, but trusting His ways are better than my ways gets me through. Any good that I do in this world is because of Him.

Day 1081

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 27:4
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

That is my heart. I thought about how David felt the same way I do about the temple. Then my heart mourned for him because he desired to build a temple and the Lord said no. That it would be one of his descendants that would built the House of the Lord after him. How many people have lived on this earth without a House of the Lord there for them? I am sad for all of them. How did I get the blessing to have a temple just minutes from me? I cannot ever take it for granted. I am one of the most blessed people to ever live upon the earth.

I also pondered on this verse in John 14:2-3
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

My desire to be in the Lord's house stretches the eternities.

 San Diego California Temple

Day 1080

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 26:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 26:8
"Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth."

Honour = or glory, presence.

The last few weeks while going to the temple I have pondered on who's house this really is. How blessed I am to be there. My heart has changed. Where I once desired to mock what I wore is now so beautiful to me. How can something I once thought strange seem so part of me now? I sit in the celestial room and just feel a sense of belonging. I have gratitude for resting for a time in this part of heaven on earth. It is the most beautiful place on the earth and the Lord shares it with me. I sit and just feel the glory of the place. I draw strength from being inside those walls. I love learning there. I read my scriptures there and they open up. How did I ever think it was an effort to come? It's hard to stay away. Making a conscious effort to find a day and time to come each week and doing it, was the best thing I have ever done. I am homesick when I am not there. As I have pondered over this change I realized the Lord's presence has always been there, it was only me that couldn't see it.

Day 1079


Posted 11 Mar 2018

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 25:4-5
"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

I pondered on how being instructed of the Lord is a journey of discovery. Line upon line I am taught. How at first it was tiny beams of light coming through a mist of darkness. If I wasn't careful I would miss it. Slowly the frequency increased. I'm talking years of studying and pondering the scriptures every day. At first I couldn't even read and comprehend. I had to listen to a recording as I read along, because my illness had robbed me of my comprehension. I just listened and kept at it. It healed me. Now I read and can feel power coming from the words. My soul if filled with joy and happiness. I attend the temple and see new things every time. I am excited about what I will learn new each day, as I wait on the Lord. Consistency and saying this is important to me, and I want to learn, has brought me to this beautiful place. For I know the Lord will teach me as I am ready and able to comprehend. The path he takes me on, if I let him, is perfectly designed for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

"And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree." (1 Nephi 8:24)

"And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." (1 Nephi 8:10-12)

Day 1078

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 24:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 24:3-4
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully,"

I just pondered on how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to go to the temple on the hill as often as I do. What a source of strength and peace it has added to my life. I cannot imagine living in these last days without a temple of the Lord there for me.

It also made me think about the temple recommend questions asked, so I can be found worthy to go. Seems like recommends have been around a very long time. I judge my actions based upon those questions. They really are a guide for me and in what I say and do. The more I go to the temple the more I want to emulate what is good. I am incredibly blessed and I know it. I do not take it for granted because I have not always been so blessed to be able go. What must the world think of LDS people that do not go to the temple, when we profess it to be the Lord's House. Would not God's people want to be there? What I have should never be taken for granted or treated lightly. I pray I never do.

Day 1077

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 23:1
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

The 23rd Psalm is engraved upon my heart. I feel every part of it. I had to sit and listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing it, and just embrace it.  What could it have sounded like in David's time? These words had to have touched their hearts like they do mine.


Day 1076

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 22:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 22:16
"For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet."

This chapter is a messianic psalm, fortelling future events in the Savior's life. I cried. Then I pondered on the beauty of hymns, and how inspiring they are. David wrote and sang the words in this chapter in a hymn. It must have been so inspiring to them. Music can open the spirit to teach gospel principles in such clear and understandable ways, and it appears to prophesy.. It made me feel like listening to the hymn "Oh My Father" and how it speaks of eternal truths.


Day 1075

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 21:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 21:2
"Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah."

This made me this of Matthew 6:21
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I pondered on the beautiful gift of free agency, the freedom to choose eternal life or not. Where my heart's desire lay, is what I will be given. It doesn't mean God is a genie that will grant my every wish for material items. He lets me choose which direction I want to take, and the consequences that go with it.

"I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction."
(Alma 29:4)

Day 1074

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 20:2

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 20:2
"Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;"

I thought of both going to church on Sunday, and attending the temple each Tuesday morning. Without both I would have no strength in the Lord. I can feel it when I miss attending during in the week. What a difference both have made in my life. I am learning so much which has taken me years to be able to say that.

As I pondered on this more I realized my home is a sanctuary to me too. For at home I study the scriptures, and even more falls into place. I cannot take away any of them for they build upon each other. It's like the strands of Samson's hair, remove it and my strength is gone.

Day 1073

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:7

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 19:7
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."

I have rejoiced in the simplicity and beauty of the gospel. I have found I was making it much harder than it is. The most beautiful of things to ponder on is faith, and how easily it is over looked.

A young man gave an excellent talk in sacrament last week that has stuck with me. He gave the analogy of faith and testimony. In seminary his teacher had given each of them a little seed to plant, of faith and testimony, and they got to bury it. The seminary teacher told them to be really careful not to go to deep. If you go to deep it won't get enough sunlight, water, etc. and won't grown. It is like our testimonies if you go to deep, and try to get into really deep doctrine, it won't do as much for us, it could choke and die. It is best to start out shallow and let our roots grow deep. We need to plant our testimony, it is basic for it to grown.

I am finding all the little primary answers are the most important things I need to understand. I can stay in primary forever, because there is just so much to learn there. There is much treasure in the simple things of the gospel. It is through them my eyes are made open to see what I never would have seen any other way. The simple does make me wise.

Day 1072

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:32

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 18:32
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."

I am so hopelessly flawed. I need my Savior. Only through Him can I be redeemed and made perfect. I have felt myself made stronger than I am physically able, in order to accomplish what He would have me do. Any good that I do is not of myself. I am told to never compare my weakness against another's strength. I think instead I need to recognize strength comes from the Lord, for his purposes. If another is made stronger in an area I have to look at the source of where that comes. I need to rejoice for the talent and ability they have been given. For the Lord gives me exactly what is needful to complete my mission here on earth.

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
(Matthew 7:11)

Day 1071

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 17:15

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 17:15
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."

I want this.

"Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
(1 John 3:2)

At the resurrection I want nothing more than to be able to look into my Savior's face, after having worshipped at his feet. I want to be built upon His rock, and not desire the rocks and mountains to fall upon me and hid me from his presence.
.
"For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence."
(Alma 12:14)

I want to see his reflection inside of me. That I became like him, and can now live with him.

Day 1070

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 16:8, 11

Today's Favorite Verse: Psalms 16:8, 11
"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

I have known sorrow and grief, and I have known joy. I have found with my eyes looking towards the Savior I can have joy even in the midst of sorrow. How is that even possible?  I don't know, only that He makes it so. He paid the price with his atonement to rescue me.

Day 1069