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Feeling Forgotten?

July 24, 2022

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞?

I am comforted by Matthew 10:29, their the Lord said that not even a sparrow falls unnoticed by the Father.

If not one sparrow is forgotten before God (Luke 12:6), how much more will our Heavenly Father remember and want desperately to sustain you and me, for “ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7)

Sometimes I wonder if anyone really knows what we are going through, or for that matter if anyone really cares.

Occasionally that thought crosses my mind, but then I remember the story of Zacchæus from Luke 19:1-4, who simply wanted to see the Saviour.

You will recall that the crowd was large, so he decided to climb a sycamore tree, hoping that he’d see Jesus. “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house” (Luke 19:5)

The Saviour knew not only his name, but also knew his heart as well, see – Luke 19:6–9.

Zacchæus was a man who was reviled, rejected, and cast out by many. But the Saviour knew him. He knew his heart, and He loved him.

Jesus Christ came into the house of Zacchæus and into his heart.

I know and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is just as aware of you and me, remembering our individual needs, just as He was of Zacchæus, or for that matter a tiny sparrow.

I believe He even knows us more personally and intimately than we know ourselves.

His eyes are not only on the sparrows, but on you and me – always.

I know that and know that you can know that too.

Jesus Christ does love us.

You are not alone.

#HearHim

Choose to Play

July 21, 2022

“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲!

“𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡…𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧!? – 𝐍𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐞!”

Why me? Perhaps the better question is why not me?

All too frequently as a teenager – that’s where I found myself in the High School Basketball team. I just wanted to play in the game.

I wanted a jersey, I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines – I simply wanted to play!

In my youthfulness and eagerness to play, long hours of practice and effort eventually paid off, and I became a regular starter – playing constantly.

I learned too, that sometimes when you are not playing well, the coach can take you out of the game.

Similarly in life, I want to be where the action is.

Sitting on the sidelines is just not for me.

At home, at work, in the community I need to be involved, I need to play, to make a difference.

As Oliver Wendell Holmes said “It is required of a man that he share the action and the passion of his time at the peril of being judged not to have lived.”

Whatever it is that is most important in your life…

– choose to be engaged

– choose to participate

– choose to practice and expend the effort

– choose to get involved

– choose to make a difference

Decide now to get up off the bench, move from the sidelines and into the field of action – 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚!

What will you choose to do today?

#sidelines #commitment #Change

Being Heard

July 19, 2022

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝?

Years ago, when training to be a coach, one of the first exercises we were encouraged to do in our practice sessions, was listening to another person for five minutes.

After listening for five minutes, the roles were reversed.

It involved paying close attention and actively listening.

As the short activity was debriefed, I can recall two insightful takeaways.

Firstly, during the short activity, some kind of internal distraction occurred, allowing the mind to drift, which took the attention of the listener away, even for a few nanoseconds at a time.

Secondly, when listening to someone intently, there was a strong tendency to want to add or share your own views on the topic being shared by interrupting.

For instance, have you ever sat in a café somewhere and been distracted by someone at another table, or been tempted to listen into someone else’s conversation instead?

Whilst listening intently to other’s it easy to get distracted by another thought popping into your head.

So – what can we do about it?

All of us at times are liable to be distracted.

The key is to notice it instantly and, in that moment, decide to let the thought go, rather than pursuing it further.

Real listening only happens when we pay attention and have a real desire to understand what we are hearing.

In turn, when people feel heard, they are more willing to listen.

Do you want to be heard?

#distractions

The Enos Challenge

July 17, 2022

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲?

“Studying – the act of texting, eating and watching Netflix with an open textbook nearby” – that’s one definition at least!

Growing older, I’ve discovered that I love to study, i.e., “devoting time and attention to gain knowledge” – perhaps that is a more traditional definition!

In Doctrine & Covenants 88:118, the Lords describes how to learn the gospel “…yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

Reading and studying are both part of the learning process.

So – is there a difference between the two?

Another definition I found suggests that – Studying means to concentrate and devote time in completing or researching any task; while reading means to understand and grasp the meaning of any content without devoting much time to it.

In simple terms, “you’re only going to get out of this what you put into it.” – Boyd K. Packer.

Whilst listening to a podcast in our pre-mission training, we were encouraged to take the Enos challenge.

The invitation was to study the one chapter of Enos in the Book of Mormon for 30 days.

My immediate thought was “How can I study Enos for 30 days, there are only 27 verses!”

However, I accepted the challenge and learned many wonderful lessons, as I slowed down and studied those verses, one by one.

The book of Enos is like a pure journal entry and is a very personal chapter of scripture.

There was indeed much to learn.

The Process of Studying…

The process of studying the scriptures has three important parts:

1 – Understanding the background and setting of the scriptures.

2 – Identifying the principles and doctrines being taught.

3 – Applying those truths to our own lives.

I learned that studying is better when you take your time, by looking out for key words, you’ll discover that truths about Jesus Christ are everywhere.

Recently I invited all of the missionaries to complete the Enos challenge.

I love this piece of street art graffiti in Friesland.

It was a timely serendipitous find by Tess Flake upon her completion of the challenge!

Have you ever taken time to study the scriptures?

Enos may be a good place to start!

#HearHim

Its time to wake up!

July 12, 2022

Are you wide awake or sleepwalking through life?

Are you aware & conscious about all that is going on around you?

Are you stuck in a rut?

Some clues…

– You may endlessly scroll through Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok.

– You lack a clear direction in your life.

– You are often stressed, worried or anxious.

– You frequently complain or moan about other people.

– You can’t seem to find quiet time to even breathe.

Sound familiar?

It is really easy to slip into a very comfortable and rigid routine in your daily life.

We fall into an emotional state of autopilot and disconnect from our real feelings.

Each can bring exactly the same.

Choose to 𝒘𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒖𝒑!

Start today by choosing the life you want to create!

Choose to find some fun today. George Bernard Shaw said…

“𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐥𝐝; 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

Be curious, look around. Enjoy the moment

Put your phone away today – stop scrolling!

Have a real conversation with someone! If you struggle with that then get someone else to hold you accountable.

Start journaling! Record your feelings, recall what makes you happy and capture the conversations you had in the day.

Call or write to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Learn to stop and awaken your five senses of listening, touching, looking, smelling, and tasting.

In slowing down, you will recognise that you have much to learn as you awaken from your slumber.

Its time to wake up!

A still small voice.

July 10, 2022

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥?

I am surrounded by people who speak different languages.

Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and many more are a constant in my life.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to communicate and understand.

Yet, the language of the spirit helps us distinguish truth from error.

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” – Matthew 13:15

Do you want to be healed?

The example of the Prophet Elijah

In 1 Kings chapters 18 & 19, the Prophet Elijah had to flee for his life to escape the rage of Jezebel. In those chapters we learn about the language of the spirit and how he heard the voice of the Lord.

“A great and strong wind” surged and shattered rocks into pieces.

“But the Lord was not in the wind.”

After the wind came an earthquake.

“But the Lord was not in the earthquake.”

After that “a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.”

Finally, after these dramatic demonstrations of God’s power came “a still small voice.”

I know that we can all understand the language of the spirit as we hearken to the voice of the Lord.

He can communicate with all of us – if we will listen to our hearts.

The voice of the Lord is 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍.

The voice of the Lord is 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍.

The voice of the Lord 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔.

The voice of the Lord can touch our 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔.

I have learned that the voice is often felt, rather more than it is heard.

If you come seeking and listening, you too can be guided by the language of the spirit.

It should be listened to.

Please slow down.

Be still and quiet.

Consider what really matters most.

When we get ourselves quiet enough, we can hear Him giving us the direction that we need.

No matter what earthly language you speak, you too can hear and will feel the guidance of the language of the spirit.

It really is all about what you see, hear and feel.

#HearHim

Emotional Rollercoasters

July 8, 2022

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭?

Transfers week and riding the emotional rollercoaster began all over again.

Rollercoasters are thrilling though – aren’t they!?

Missionary arrivals on Tuesday and departures on Thursday mean that emotions are pulled in opposite directions over a very short period of time – again!

During our 3-year period of service, transfers happen 27 times.

This week was our 9th rotation.

Our emotional heartstrings have already been stretched in so many ways.

The thrill and excitement of welcoming our new arrivals.

Followed by the joyful and agonising feelings that accompany those departing for home.

For instance, highs and lows, laughing and crying in rapid succession (or even at the same time) are commonplace in the mission field.

𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒖𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.

Rather than let these emotions run my life, I am learning to deal with them in a much healthier way, by considering the bigger picture for each of those coming and going.

I am beginning to understand my emotions more as a barometer to measure my own sense of wellbeing and happiness, by mastering those feelings and listening to my heart.

The most challenging moment for me is the final hug at the airport with those departing missionaries.

Yesterday I did better!

I stopped for a moment and took a big conscious breath. It made a difference, at least until we started walking back to the car, and I had a wee tear (or two even!)

The best thing about the afternoon on departures day, is when I take a break and have a wee nap. It allows me to reconnect with my heart and is a golden opportunity to relax.

9 transfer weeks down, only another 18 to go.

Do you listen to your heart?

#joy

Strength in unity

July 3, 2022

Why should less be more?

A few days ago, we received a letter indicating the Belgium Netherlands Mission had been chosen to pilot a programme to integrate service missionaries into the traditional mission structure.

It is an exciting opportunity to reduce duplication of effort, have more aligned reporting structures and to be more unified in our missionary labours – together, as one.

As we unite, we will create an even stronger missionary force to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we read in Ephesians 4:13; “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”

The Forth Road Bridge

As I considered the transition over the last few days, my thoughts returned to Scotland and the Forth Road Bridge, which is only a short distance from our home.

It was opened in 1964 and at the time was the longest suspension bridge in Europe, spanning 1005 metres across the Firth of Forth.

Suspension bridges have to be strong and tough enough to overcome a number of extreme obstacles – long distances, high winds, and water.

A suspension bridge is held up by individual wires, which when spun together make strands.

Several strands are then combined into giant wire cables that can hold thousands of tonnes of weight.

In a like manner, speaking figuratively, this principle is evident in our new mission structure, allowing us an opportunity to discover new strength in unity.

Unity grows when we serve together, teach each other, and encourage one another. Our hearts can be “knit together in unity and in love one towards another” – Mosiah 18:21

When it comes to structure, less, frequently is much more.

There is beauty in simplicity.

What blessings have you seen by being unified?

#Unity

A little wink

June 30, 2022

Do they smile back at you?

Last weekend, Monic and I were visiting Brussels.

We had the opportunity to speak in church services on Sunday.

Whilst Monic was speaking, I noticed a little boy, around 6 years old, looking directly at me.

In that split second, I made eye contact with him, tilted my head slightly to one side, smiled, and gave him a friendly little wink.

He smiled back and tried a little wink too.

For a brief moment in time – we enjoyed our little connection and smiled together.

It was an innocent thing.

In that instant, a thought entered my mind when I was his age.

Immediately, in my thoughts, I dismissed my well-rehearsed, prepared talk, already provided to the translators in advance and shortly thereafter apologised to them.

As I stood up, I shared the impressions of my heart and mind.

Slowly, I told my simple story.

Look out for little impressions and ideas, if you are listening, they always come.

The power of a little wink.

Be careful how you use it though, you just never know who may smile back at you!

Learning takes practice.

June 27, 2022

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤?

Growing up in Scotland in the 1970’s was a fun place to be.

I was oblivious to many of the challenges of the era, but I do recall one occasion at Primary school when I was around 9 years old, that I’ve never forgotten.

An announcement was made in class that a recorder group would be starting in school and that anyone interested to learn how to play should come along to the next practice.

I had grown up listening to my dad playing regularly on his chromatic mouth organ and like him I wanted to do something musical – he always seemed to be having so much fun!

The day came and along I went.

I was given a small descant recorder and duly started practicing in the weeks that followed.

Through lots of lessons, my playing began to improve, and I learned to read music too.

Lessons Learned

I began to understand that

Growth and development take time.

Learning takes practice.

As time passed by, one day I recall being picked upon and bullied by several boys.

“You’re just a big namby pamby, a big sissy” they’d say to me, along with a few other belittling terms.

Why?

I was the only boy, playing the recorder amongst a group of around 15 girls.

Despite the regular taunts, insulting and smart-alecky remarks, I continued playing the recorder throughout my school years and developed a resilient spirit to the comments.

Playing simple melodies, always brought joy to my youthful heart. And it still does!

In later years, in a little tender mercy, I discovered that like me, Monic too played the recorder.

Sometimes in life we have to persevere when opposition comes our way.

Oftentimes, its listening to the feelings of our heart, that can overcome the challenge of the day.

What challenge might you face today?

What does your heart think?

Feeling Forgotten?

Choose to Play

Being Heard

The Enos Challenge

The Process of Studying…

Its time to wake up!

A still small voice.

The example of the Prophet Elijah

Emotional Rollercoasters

Strength in unity

The Forth Road Bridge

A little wink

Learning takes practice.

Lessons Learned

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