Tag Archive for: belief

The Three Pillars of Life

As a child, I grew up attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dunfermline. My faith has been with me all of my life.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has made a huge difference, bringing me peace, purpose and direction in the good and especially the tough times.
With a lay clergy, I’ve been privileged to serve in many roles locally, nationally and in the interfaith community. In those years, I have noticed something quite interesting.
Many people who rarely step inside any church, of any denomination, still choose to come to the church for help when it really matters most, especially on the three sacred pillars of life: 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.
A new baby is blessed, a couple is joined in marriage, a loved one is remembered and laid to rest.
These moments are special, tender, and deeply human.
It makes sense to me, that people turn to God at such times, because they break the bonds of our earthly thinking and touch eternity.
But here’s the thought that has stayed with me: if God is there for us at life’s bookends and milestones, how much more is He willing to be with us in the ordinary days in between?

The Life Lesson

That’s where my photo comes in…
A simple question: 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐?
Most of life is lived in the day-to-day events… you know the type…the school runs, the work deadlines, the quiet evenings, and the unseen struggles we experience.
It’s in those moments, we need people we can look up to, but even more, we need Someone to look up to.
We read in the Psalms; “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:1–2).
To me, that isn’t just for beginnings or endings… it is for every day.
So, while I love being present with others at births, marriages, and funerals, I believe the gospel is just as much about Tuesdays and Thursdays as it is about weddings and farewells.
Christ’s promise is to give us life “more abundantly” (John 10:10), not just occasionally, but constantly.
My invitation this Sunday is simple: don’t wait for the great events of life to seek God.
“It is neither too early nor too late to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ” – Russell M. Nelson.
Let Him walk with you today and look up to Him in the small and simple things.
Come join with us in Dunfermline this morning. Perhaps today’s a good day to ask: who do you look up to?

The Cost of Forgetting

After picking up Emerson Randle and her mum Lindsey, from Edinburgh Airport, we took the tram into town, heading for Princes Street and onto the Military Tattoo.
Most of the way we were deep in conversation, so much so that when we got to our stop, I stepped off without a second thought and the tram pulled away.
That’s when I realised: my backpack was still on board!
Suddenly, I realised that it had everything in it…
Car keys. House keys. Wallet. Passport. The works.
I didn’t even think. I just ran.
I took off along Princes Street like I hadn’t in years, dodging pedestrians and trying to keep the tram in sight.
Luckily, the tram hit two red lights, which was just enough time for me to catch up and frantically try to get the driver’s attention through the glass.
I must have looked a wee bit ridiculous as I mimed through the glass, but thankfully she seemed to understand.
She held the tram at St. Andrew Square long enough for me to jump back on and grab my bag.
Back on the platform, I sat down, completely exhausted, my legs like jelly, but so relieved.
Reflecting this morning, that moment has stayed with me.
Not just because of the panic or the running, but because of how quickly I dropped everything to chase after what I’d lost.
That backpack wouldn’t have meant much to anyone else, but to me, every one of the items inside really mattered and I had to retrieve it there and then.

The Lesson

It made me think of the parables in Luke 15, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.
In every story, something of great worth was missing.
And in every story, someone goes looking.
They search.
They don’t give up.
There is even some running.
And when it’s found, there’s relief, joy and even celebration – I certainly experienced all three!
It’s a reminder that what’s lost still matters deeply, because it’s not just something, it’s someone’s. It belongs.
How quickly do you act when something of real value slips away?

A Wake-up Call

A few nights ago, whilst down in London, I experienced something very unexpected.
It was late, and I had just fallen asleep in my hotel room when suddenly the fire alarm sounded.
What a noise!
I jumped out of bed, put some clothes on and headed for the stairs.
As I made my way down, I noticed something worrying as some guests had already decided it was a false alarm and were turning back, heading upstairs again.
The alarm was still ringing (loudly), but doubt had crept in for many of them.
Yet, the majority kept moving down the stairs, urging those turning back to reconsider.
Eventually, even the doubters turned around and followed the others out onto the street.
Hundreds gathered outside and I got lost in the crowd.
Some in pyjamas, others clearly having rushed out in panic in their bare feet, I was glad it was a warm evening.
A few were calm, chatting, and there were many others unsure.
Then the fire engines arrived with their lights flashing and sirens wailing.
Eventually, it was confirmed: a false alarm.
We were safe and it was after midnight before we were all able to return.
As I lay in bed, I found it difficult to fall back over as my thoughts returned to the earlier alarm, my rude awakening and to those who doubted.
The alarm had come suddenly and literally pulled me from my sleep.

False alarm or real call?

In Romans 13:11–12, the Apostle Paul wrote: “It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”
It was just an unexpected fire alarm.
Yet the experience left me pondering.
Maybe it was also an unexpected spiritual wake-up call.
A sudden jolt, to stop, think, and look forward with more faith.
How often does the Lord send each of us spiritual wake-up calls?
Are we alert and responsive – or are we spiritually asleep, do we turn back, assuming it’s nothing?
The night is far spent.
The day is at hand.
What might the Spirit be gently waking you up to today?

Speaking Up for Faith

Last week, I spent a couple of days in London on business, attending a book launch, and I also spent some time with a new friend, Celine Brown.

Celine is interning with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Foundation (FoRB), which acts as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the same topic in Westminster.

Just before Christmas, I joined FoRB as a trustee and have been finding out about projects all around the world where the basic human right of Freedom of Religion or Belief is being challenged, restricted, or actively defended.

Freedom of Religion or Belief is a fundamental human right that protects the conscience of all individuals.

It allows us to think, express, and act upon our deeply held beliefs, whether in private or public settings.

This freedom encompasses the right to change one’s religion or belief and to manifest it through teaching, practice, worship, and observance.

However, globally, this right faces numerous challenges, including governmental restrictions, societal pressures, and acts of intolerance.

International Religious Freedom Summit

A few of my FoRB colleagues attended the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C. this week, where Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasised the importance of compassion in religious freedom advocacy.

He stated, “Protecting religious freedom is a key to peace and stability around the world.”

Elder Soares highlighted that fostering understanding and respect among diverse religious communities is essential for building peaceful societies.

My personal commitment to FoRB stems from a heartfelt belief in the inherent dignity of every individual and the conviction that freedom of belief is essential for human flourishing.

In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul said: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

This scripture highlights the principle that our freedoms are not just for personal benefit but are opportunities to serve and uplift others.

In my role as a trustee, I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote religious freedom, understanding, and mutual respect among all people.

By doing so, we can contribute to a more just and harmonious world where everyone’s right to believe, or not to believe, is upheld.

How can you and me, in our daily lives, promote a culture of respect and understanding for religious freedom in our communities and our workplaces?

 

In Harmony

Every Sunday morning, ever since I can remember, I have attended a Sacrament meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Like many other religious denominations, in our communal worship, we sing congregational hymns together.
I have a few favourites that I have grown to love.
The last few years whilst serving in Belgium and the Netherlands, I also learned to sing the hymns in a different language and enjoyed getting my tongue around the more difficult words!

The Results…

In every congregation, there are some who sing very well, some who used to sing quite well, and others who have yet to find their singing voices! 😉
Sometimes the result of our communal singing together is pleasing to the ear and on other occasions it can be less so!
All are welcome to join in regardless of their singing ability.
Expressing our individuality is accepted by all.
In our congregational singing, each of us joins our voices and hearts and souls with no regard to elegance, exactness or talent, unitedly strengthening our combined faith in God.
I have many memories of disharmonious moments, including times when I’ve been way off key!
Yet, occasionally, when we make a concerted effort to sing together in real harmony, our joined voices create a sacred atmosphere that helps us all to feel closer to God.
“𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒚” is the pleasant combination of different notes of music played at the same time.
Over the years, I’ve found that singing hymns together offers an opportunity to strengthen that harmony, both musically and spiritually, aligning our voices and hearts with the purpose of worshiping God and reinforcing gospel principles.
Singing hymns together is a form of participation that transcends our spoken languages, bringing people of different backgrounds and experiences into harmony—literally and figuratively.

Our Beliefs

As we sing, we are reminded of our shared beliefs and values, united in song from the youngest to the oldest.
The powerful messages of the words also reinforce bonds of friendship and foster a sense of belonging.
This unity creates an environment where we all feel supported and spiritually connected.
Even scripture underscores the importance of singing praises as a form of worship.
For instance, in Doctrine and Covenants 25:12, the Lord declares, “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.”
It is a wonderful feeling to be in harmony with others.
What creates harmony for you?

God-incidence

For those of us who have put our faith and trust in God, there seems to be a lot of “coincidences.”
I believe that God puts people in our way for a reason and He was at work again this week, with my dear friend Derek.
We were talking about recognising “hand of the Lord” moments in our life, when he introduced me to the term “𝑮𝒐𝒅-𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.”
It was the very first time I’d heard such a phrase.
“𝐆𝐨𝐝-𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞” – A happening exceeding happenstance.
The hand of the Lord, divine design, divine signatures, divine appointment, divinely orchestrated, providential coincidences, or even… strikingly juxtaposed events!
I encourage you to reflect on the sheer ‘coincidences’ in your life.
Could they be ‘God-incidences?

You decide!

Does any of this sound familiar?
“That is simply not possible.”
“Wasn’t that just perfect timing?”
“And you just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“I couldn’t have planned that better if I’d tried.”
“It just so happened that in that moment…”
God doesn’t work by coincidence.
I believe in God-incidence.
And this is not a faith specific phenomenon.
It occurs in all faiths and beliefs.
And yet, it baffles believers and sceptics alike.
I also believe all things are crafted by God — including time.
He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent!
Nothing is random with Him.
If you are devoted to Jesus Christ, I am sure you’ll notice God-incidence, yet many will argue simply human coincidence.
However, I know that Jesus Christ is a loving God and He has intentional plans for each of us.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” – Psalms 37:23
Let’s expect Him to be at work, in our day, every day!
Look very carefully at your own life today.
Watch and see those God-incidences unfold…

My Witness

Throughout my life, I have witnessed many physical events that have changed the world.
I can sign up and say I’ve seen them all.
On July 13th, 1985, The Live Aid concerts held in London and Philadelphia, that were broadcast to the world, raised $125 million dollars in relief aid to famine-stricken eastern Africa.
A few months later on January 28th, 1986, just over a minute after lift-off from the Kennedy Space Centre, the space shuttle Challenger exploded, killing all seven crew members.
On November 9th, 1989, as the Cold War began to ease, the destruction of the wall in Berlin that led to millions of people celebrating in the streets across the world.
1994 – Nelson Mandela elected President of South Africa.
1997 – Princess Diana dies in car crash
2001 – 9/11
2004 – Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2008 – the Great Recession and financial crisis
2020 – the Covid-19 Pandemic
2022 – the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Personal Events

I have also witnessed many personal events.
Graduating from University, getting married, the birth of our children, the death of my gran, my nana, my father and father-in-law and a host of others.
I testify that I have witnessed all of these in my lifetime.
There is, however, a spiritual witness that is more than a singular event.
It has been a constant throughout my life.
Between 1983 and 1985, as an 18-year-old, I served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in London.
It was there, acting in faith, in my studies, prayers and service that I received a witness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Twenty centuries ago, the gospel of Jesus Christ turned the world upside down.
Through the great apostasy that true gospel was lost for generations.

Changes

It was in my teenage years, that my witness of and faith in Jesus Christ was impressed upon my mind, which changed my life and gave me great hope, in a battered and troubled world.
I testify, He has made a difference for me, and He will make all the difference for you.
Like so many other Christians today, I refuse to be silent.
My signature if you will, has been added to millions of others.
Jesus Christ will never give up pursuing or loving you.
I witness that He is the only way to find real joy.
Events continue to happen in an ever-changing world, but let me assure you, there is a divine work in progress.
I invite you to come unto Christ, let Him change your world.

The Road to 200…

“Can it be done?” asked the missionary.
“That’s a stretch” was the reply.
Nevertheless, the goal was set.

Finding

Every week, finding new people with which to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is a challenge.

Missionary work is finding people, teaching them and helping them to come unto Christ.

Since 2017 in Belgium and the Netherlands non-religious people have been in the majority.

Indeed, recent censuses show that those following no religious belief is increasing.

Its tough out there!
And yet we try.
Our previous best, 10% shy of the new goal, was achieved with a seasoned group of experienced missionaries.
Things change, our mission is now made up of youthful inexperience, yet aflame with a fire of faith.

Impossible?

The scriptures are replete with examples where the Lord employs the unlikely to achieve the impossible.
Could it happen again?
“And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” – Luke 18:27
Faith is a principle of action and power.
I know that struggles yield learning and growth.

Momentum

And so, with obedience, prayer, inner belief and frankly, a lot of effort, the missionaries went to work, with all their heart, might, mind and strength.
Momentum started to build.
Hour by hour, day by day, miracles happened.
One by one, clutching a Book of Mormon, missionaries spoke with everyone they met.
Here’s just one example.
By mid-week, I received a message from Kate, Emily, Anna and Grace.
They’d been working their socks off all day in Amsterdam and online.
The result, that day, they found 32 people themselves.
By Friday afternoon the mission goal was done.
By this morning, it was completely smashed.
A remarkable week! How could that happen?
President Russell M. Nelson taught that as we increase our faith in Jesus Christ, focus on eternity and build our strength and courage in Him, miracles happen as we acknowledge the Hand of the Lord.
And they did!
How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life?

People May Wonder

– What is the purpose of life?
– Where did I come from?
– Is there a God who cares about me?
– How can I feel that He cares?
– How can I believe in God when so many bad things happen?
– Why is life so hard sometimes?
– How can I find strength during these times?
– How can I become a better person?
– What happens after I die?
𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅?
All of these questions and more are answered in the second lesson taught by our missionaries in “Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation”
Why not speak to one of the many missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, today.
Answers are only a conversation away.

Work in Progress

Are you satisfied with where you are now?
Preparing for the day ahead, it struck me that I’m a work in progress.
Later this morning, I’ll be working with missionaries to help each one of them to become a better missionary… I guess, a few, like me who are also, a work in progress.
Deep down I think we may all see ourselves as a work in progress, whether we admit it to ourselves or not.
Isn’t each of us a work in progress in the hands of God?
Progress means moving forward even when we encounter difficulty along the way.
I’m allowing myself to be a work in progress.
And you can, too.
How are you a work in progress?