Promptings

In my prayers one morning this week, I specifically asked that I’d recognise any subtle promptings or spiritual insights that day.
Arising from my knees, I made my to do list for the day and set off getting things done.
Late morning, instead of driving to visit my mum, I felt to take a 45-minute walk instead.
After a lovely visit with mum, I set off for home.

Insightful detour

I felt to take a longer route home, a slight detour.
This route took me near the house of a dear old friend, who I hadn’t seen in a few years.
Approaching the house, I had a feeling to ring the bell, but I chose to ignore the thought.
At the front door, the thought came for the second time… “ring the bell” again, I chose to ignore the prompting.
About 5 metres after passing by the house, the prompting came the third time, much louder “Go back. Ring the bell.”
I stopped.
I turned around, walked back a few steps and rang the bell.
Once – No answer. Twice – No answer. On the third time, the door creaked open and there was my dear old friend….
“Paul” my friend said. “No, it’s Daryl” I replied.
I was ushered inside.
We visited for about an hour.

How can I help?

I listened intently and asked if there was anything I could do.
I returned the next afternoon with medications and listened again a while longer.
I know that spiritual promptings come.
We simply need to recognise them, listen intently and have faith to take action.
In one of their many “Don’t Miss This” series, David Butler and Emily Freeman call these moments “Compassionate Detours.”
Reviewing Matthew Chapter 9 they considered a day in the life of Jesus Christ.
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.” – Matthew 9:38.
On several occasions, He stopped and ministered, compassionately to the one.
Why not look out for a compassionate detour today…
Stop long enough to heed and listen to the promptings – that always come.
In the busyness of your complex life, do you notice the needs of others?

Thinking Together

I marvel at the thoughts, insights and commitment that I see from my colleagues and dear friends in my leadership, learning, coaching, mentoring, training and facilitation network.
It is clear to me that they are learning from their own journeys and experiences of life.
Willingly, freely and regularly they share those learnings with others.
There is a great power in all of our journeys.
There are critical learning points and instruction all along the way.
We just need to slow down long enough to learn those lessons for ourselves.

Potential

As learning protagonists, professional coaches and mentors, our responsibility is to help unleash the real potential of those people with whom we work.
And how do we do that?
One meaningful conversation at a time.
My personal witness is that I have seen many individuals figuratively take a step into the “unknown” with a good coach or mentor by their side.
How have you grown these last few years?
What leadership lessons have you learned through your journey in life?

…thy might

Reflecting this morning, I was mindful of a scripture in Ecclesiastes 9:10.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”
In the world in which we live, there is much worthwhile work for every one of us to do.
And when we do, we must remember these words from Solomon in Ecclesiastes.
That we must go and do, whatever it is, with our might!
And going and doing at times may mean a lot of actual work.
And yet, once again, I am grateful for my peers and fellow coaches who have found something to do and choose to go and do it with their might.
With the help of a coach or mentor, all of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, an awareness within, as to who and what we want to be, do and achieve.
“To the noble art of getting things done we must add the more noble art of leaving things undone.” – ancient oriental saying.
Coping with the complex and diverse challenges of everyday life, which by itself, is not an easy task, can upset the balance and harmony we seek.
I know of many good people who care a great deal and are trying very hard to maintain balance, but they sometimes feel overwhelmed and defeated.
If that’s you – then reach out to a good coach or mentor today, with their might, they “might” be able to help you along your journey in life.

Wedding #30

Finally!
Over the last three years, we have received numerous wedding invitations (approximately #30 so far) from our missionaries after they return home from Belgium and the Netherlands.
Serving a mission in Europe and the location of the majority of weddings (North America) have made it impossible for us to attend any!
This weekend was different.
We made it to Sheffield to be with Lea and Harrison.
What a joy it was to be with them, their family and friends.
Early on Saturday morning, I received a rather unusual request from Harrison.

Authority

“So, my Bishop was potentially going to do a fake ceremony for us again in the evening for the guests that aren’t there in the morning, but he can’t make it now. I’m sorry it is so last minute, but would you be able to do that for us?”
Civilly, they were married in the chapel in the morning.
Eternally, they were married (sealed) in the temple in the afternoon.
And for the third time in the evening, they took their vows again with the fake imposter minister!
It was fun to be asked and fun to help out, as I shared the words of their vows again.
It got me thinking about authority and on this occasion my lack of it!
Whilst serving as a Bishop, then Stake President in the church, I had the legal authority to perform many civil marriage ceremonies. That authority ended when I was released from the position.
The authority to unite families forever in the temple is called the sealing power. It is the same power that Jesus gave to His Apostles during His ministry on earth. (Matthew 16:19.)
An eternal marriage is therefore called a sealing.
Unlike marriages that last only “until death do you part,” temple sealings ensure that death cannot separate loved ones.
I love these words from one of our church hymns #300:
“Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father’s plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.”
I am so grateful for our sealing in the London temple in 1994.
And I look forward to attending many more events in the years ahead.
If you want to know more about temple sealings, speak with a missionary today.

London

It’s approaching nearly 5 years since I was last in London.
Unbelievable.
My last time was on 18th December 2019 for some consulting.
Covid came along early in 2020 and blocked all travel for a while.
Then we were in Belgium and the Netherlands from June of 2021 for another 3 years.
Yesterday, it felt good to be back on the warmest day of the year.
32C! It was hot!
In amongst some business networking, I visited with a great friend in Parliament – Julie Jones and we talked all about Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB).
It was a real delight to catch up after so long.
I stopped by South Kensington too.
As an 18-year-old, I spent a lot of time as a young missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in and around that area.
That was 40 years ago now!
It felt as if the platform was exactly the same.
Many memories came rushing back for me, as I thought about the many times I’d been on the platform before.
Later it was off to Kensington, to meet up with Emerson Randle, one of our missionaries from Belgium and the Netherlands.
She is in London for a summer internship.
It was an absolute joy to be with her for a wee while and reminisce.
Sweet memories for us both came flooding back.
The visits with Julie, Emerson and to South Kensington – all have one thing in common.
The connection – Jesus Christ.
This quote from C.S. Lewis, sums up perfectly how I feel about yesterday and being with dear friends and special places.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.”
It is because of Him that I see what is possible in our lives.
And so can you too.

Pruning

Since returning home four weeks ago, Monic has spent quite a bit of time in the garden.
She loves it!
It is actually hard to keep her out of the garden!
She is always up for tackling whatever job there is at hand.
If I can’t find her in the house, then I know exactly where to find her!
Yesterday afternoon, it was the turn of the holly tree.
I had to help hold the ladder whilst she tackled the huge tree that had grown so much over the last three years.
Looking carefully, Monic identified what needed to be pruned.
I watched her lopping off some big branches and felt a little sorry for the tree, as it looked a bit painful.
Ouch!
Pruning changes the whole shape and future of the tree.

Is it your turn?

You know, we’re also a little like trees.
From time to time, we need may some pruning too, so that we can grow as God intended.
Its either to remove dead branches or in this case where there has been so much growth, you and I need to be pruned, shaped or moulded.
It can happen at different times and in different areas throughout our lives.

In the scriptures…

In John 15:2 Jesus Christ explains that “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Sometimes I even ask myself, if I need to have some dead branches that need lopping off, those that may be hindering my own relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Even though it can be painful and a little uncomfortable, the best thing you can do is let the Master Gardner, do His pruning.
He has great plans for your life.
Its only after those sometimes-painful experiences that you will truly see the fruits of the labours.
After Monic was finished pruning, the holly tree was nearly where it needed to be. In her words its “90%. It’s a lot better.”
Why not look up Hugh B. Brown’s masterful talk from 1968 “God is the Gardner”.
Sometimes His pruning is a little painful.
But ultimately, if we trust His plan, we will most definitely bloom.
How is the Lord pruning you?

Familiar Lessons

We’ve been home in Scotland for 3 weeks.
Already, I have learned some old familiar lessons.
For the last 3 years, our focus on our missionary efforts, meant that our time to stay up to date with news and current affairs was at best, limited.
For certain, content standards and regulations about what can be shown on the news in the Netherlands were far less restrictive than here in the UK.
The images and footage shown were starker, never sanitized or blurred as shown here.
However, regardless of which news channel you watch, it is clear that in our day, we are living through a period of wickedness, tribulation, calamity, peril and great distress.

The Rising Generation

I know for many of the rising generation, their hopes of a bright future are filled with anxiety and despair.
I think we’ve all had times of confusion.
I am a church man and have faith in God, His Son Jesus Christ and the great plan of Salvation.
Much has been written about the calamities that will overtake this generation.
Yet, I find great comfort in this pattern.

There is Hope

Make a serious study of Matthew 24 (include the inspired version).
Then study Doctrine and Covenants 45.
Followed by Sections 101 and 133 of the Doctrine & Covenants.
Finally, review section 38 of The Doctrine & Covenants.
In the first few weeks of our missionary service, we attended a conference in Copenhagen.
At one point in the conference, tensions increased as a difficult topic was discussed.
Elder Massimo De Feo, a General Authority Seventy, who was presiding, asked for a video to be played by Sissel, “Slow Down” from the Pioneer Concert of 2019 in Salt Lake City.
Immediately, the tension dissipated.
The room was filled with a tender, beautiful spirit of love.
I will never forget that moment and will cherish the feelings that pierced my heart – forever.
The words and message of the song are powerful and I used it constantly throughout our missionary service.
“In the midst of my confusion
In the time of desperate need
When I am thinking not too clearly
A gentle voice does intercede.
Slow down…..”
In our final Mission Conference, Emma Holmes and Brigitta Broadbent shared their own beautiful version with us.
I invite you to “Be still and know that I am God” – Psalms 46:10

Landmarks

On Thursday, I met up with a friend for lunch and enjoyed a moment by one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Forth Railway Bridge.
Opened on the 4th of March 1890, it has stood the age of time.
Landmarks give us a true sense of place.
The Eiffel Tower, The Grand Canyon, The Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China, Mount Rushmore, The Acropolis, Big Ben, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Colosseum, Stonehenge, Niagara Falls and so forth…
𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌: “An object or a feature of a landscape or city that has importance or makes a place easily recognisable.”
Landmarks form markers, or reference points for orientation and direction, for travel and communication.
40 Cruise Ships this summer in the Firth of Forth are testament to the fact that the bridge is a significant landmark and a popular tourist attraction.

Dad’s story

I shared with my friend a story my dad told me about the bridge.
6.5 million rivets were used in the construction of the bridge.
They’re no ordinary rivets; these are 8 centimetres long and 4 centimetres wide, that binds the structure together.
Dad was a train driver for most of his life travelling over the bridge many times. He told me that one of those rivets was made of gold.
It has long been painted over many times, and I’d guess few, if anyone knows which one of those 6.5 million, is the gold one.
Landmarks often evoke a sense of awe and wonder to people all around the world, whether they are natural or man-made.
They often tell us the story of human history, of a time long past, yet oft breath-taking and still relevant today.  They also serve as a point of interest and pride for the locals.

Landmarks in Life

Reflecting upon the significance landmarks in my life, a rather unusual one came to mind.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained: “The scriptures are the word of God. They are God’s landmarks that show the way we should travel in order to draw closer to our Saviour and reach worthy goals.”
The scriptures have been a great marker and a point of reference.
They provide direction for travel in my own life and have helped me to understand the vital importance of communication with God.
Indeed, they are an essential landmark for me and millions of others.
There are 3,116,480 characters in the KJV of the Bible, 783,137 words, or 31,102 verses of scripture.
Each character, each word, each verse, are as vital to the Bible as the 6.5 million rivets are to the Forth Railway Bridge.
And if you look long and hard enough, there isn’t just one, but thousands of golden “rivets” to be found.
Go on, take a look!

Collaboration

Working together, with a group of returned missionaries is such a joyful delight.
Last night, despite being geographically dispersed, literally thousands of miles apart, through the marvel of technology, we were focused, unified and purposeful in the pursuit of a new book project.
Our working title – “𝑫𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒕 – 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑮𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒍 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒔”
It is a collaborative effort.
Collaboration: “is the act of working together to produce a piece of work, especially a book or some research.”
I certainly liked the feeling of being a team again.
Any successful collaboration requires our time as well as effort to communicate and gain understanding.
Whilst serving in Belgium and the Netherlands, each of them learned that to be successful in their work, they must be together, as one.
Creating a culture of collaboration was essential in the mission field, and now a new opportunity has arisen for them to co-create in a collaborative way.
Together they shared their views, we heard different perspectives, and received a broader understanding of the project at hand in a respectful and loving way.
It was captivating, engaging and quite frankly just so exciting to be working together again.
I was so grateful to sit in counsel once more with so many of my dear friends.
Individuals brought their own unique perspectives to our discussions, which is of course highly desirable in any great collaboration.
I count it a great blessing and privilege to work with each one of them.
It was as if we’d switched on a powerful divine light as we collaborated and shared ideas.
We began to understand each of our roles and how the project work will move forward.
Through experience, we all know the best collaborators also need to be great communicators.
We learned that successful collaboration allows for lots of benefits to emerge that are essential to success, including delegation, innovation, planning, persuasion, agility, and speed.
And we got off to a marvellous start!
It feels that all of this experience didn’t just happen by accident, or random chance, but rather by divine design.
I can’t wait to meet again in two weeks’ time.
How do you feel about working in a collaborative team?

Lost and Found

Meet Blue.
On returning home two weeks ago, our youngest daughter Cristi, moved into student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed there.
Subsequently, we have become the caretakers of her cat, Blue.
Now, I am not a cat lover.
It’s not been the easiest of adjustments for sure.
Monic has done much better than me!
Daily, Blue is in and out of the house, all day long.
However, yesterday, we were a little concerned as neither of us had seen Blue for over 24 hours.
Going to bed last night, we reckoned it was nearing 30 hours.
Now that may be common for cats, but admittedly, we were both concerned.
Arising early this morning, what do we hear at the front door, but a meowing cat, hungry, cold, in need of some attention and love.
It is now sat purring on my knee, falling asleep.

Bible Scriptures

I am reminded of the stories of the lost shared by Jesus Christ, in Luke chapter 15.
The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The Prodigal Son.
M. Russell Ballard taught “If for any reason you … have lost your way, then you need only apply the Saviour’s teachings from Luke, chapter 15, to correct your course. … Why did Jesus teach these parables? He wanted us to know that none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way again through His Atonement and His teachings.”
I know in life, many can lose their way.
Yet, every soul is of equal worth to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the worth of each soul is so great that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will go to every effort to seek out, find, and save each one—one by one.
Recently, President Russell M. Nelson said “At age 99, I have no need of physical gifts. But one spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to “the one” in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone.”
I’m actually feeling a little joyful this morning, that Blue is home – safe and well.
Similarly, I know that as you find your way home to Jesus Christ, you’ll feel joyful too.

New Friends

Last week, whilst on BBC Radio 4’s “Beyond Belief”, the final question asked to the panellists was “Does evangelism (missionary work) actually work?”
Responding, I said, “Absolutely!”
Like many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing the gospel daily in normal and natural ways is in my DNA!
Last year there were 251,763 new converts of the church around the world.
That equates to 690 new members every day, or 29 every hour.
Post covid, the rate of church growth is accelerating, with an annual increase of 22% year on year.
And why is that so?
Firstly, I believe that it is to do with the times in which we all live.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” – 2 Timothy 3:1
We live in such times, and many people are searching for something.
During the last 3 years, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to be deeply involved in missionary activities of the church in Belgium and the Netherlands.
It was a labour of love.
Doing so, has helped me understand the Saviour’s great commission to His disciples (you and me) to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” – Matthew 28:19.
Many are finding peace, joy, comfort and reassurance in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, no matter where you are on planet earth you will find missionaries of the church.
They are pretty distinctive, with their nametags and white shirts.
Today there are 74,000+ young missionaries and another 29,000 senior missionaries serving around the world.
Last night, Monic and I made some new friends in two of those, serving here in our area.
Both come from large families.
Cash Lunt is from Arizona, he is the eldest of 7 children
and Bernardo Machado is from Brazil, he is the eldest of 8 children.
Daily, just as the disciples of old, they go forth throughout Dunfermline and beyond, to invite others to Come unto Christ.
If you see them today, why not stop, talk with them and make some 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔.
Their message will literally change your life for the good.
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