Tag Archive for: faith

Step by Step

The dictionary says that to walk means to move along on foot or advance by steps.
In life, people take many kinds of walks.
As we walk, we advance ๐’”๐’•๐’†๐’‘ ๐’ƒ๐’š ๐’”๐’•๐’†๐’‘.
The greatest of lifeโ€™s rewards coming from walking along the right paths.
Jesus Christ recommended the strait and narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).
We are encouraged to become like Him, โ€œto walk, even as he walkedโ€ (1 John 2:6).
Becoming like Jesus Christ will not happen in an instant, it happens gradually, ๐’”๐’•๐’†๐’‘ ๐’ƒ๐’š ๐’”๐’•๐’†๐’‘.
He will guide us in our walk, at the right speed, in the right direction.
As we walk, we learn to control our thoughts and behaviour.
It takes time, maybe even an entire lifetime and beyond.
It requires daily work and daily effort.
Small steps in the right direction can sometimes turn out to be the biggest steps in our life.
All it takes, is one small step.
Becoming like Him is a slow, steady, and sure process.
The Apostle Paul taught, โ€œFor we walk by faith, not by sightโ€ (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Having faith in Jesus Christ will help us move forward, even if we’re unsure of the next step.
Step by step, inspiration will come.
Step 1, say to yourself, โ€œI can follow Him.โ€
Step 2, speak to a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It is a process you can start today, one step at a time.
Answers are only one step away.

People May Wonder

– Who is Jesus Christ? How can He help me and my family?
– What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ?
– How can having faith in Him bless my life?
– What does it mean to repent?
– How can I feel God’s peace and forgiveness after I’ve made bad choices?
– What is the purpose of baptism?
– What is the gift of the Holy Ghost?
– What does it mean to endure to the end?
๐‘ฏ๐’‚๐’—๐’† ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“ ๐’˜๐’๐’๐’…๐’†๐’“๐’†๐’…?
All of these questions and more are answered in the third lesson taught by our missionaries in “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”
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.

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?
๐‘ฏ๐’‚๐’—๐’† ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“ ๐’˜๐’๐’๐’…๐’†๐’“๐’†๐’…?
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.

Nuts and Bolts

The phrase โ€œnuts and boltsโ€ means all the basic components, the fundamentals, no matter how big or small, that are part of the essentials to complete a task or activity.
In essence โ€“ nuts and bolts hold everything together.
The phrase has been running through my head for a while.
The nuts and bolts of missionary work are the basic components, the fundamentals, the essentials to complete our tasks.
A couple of weeks ago, at Zone Conferences (when upwards of 50 โ€“ 60 missionaries come together once a transfer for instruction) I spoke specifically on four of the fundamental principles of missionary work โ€“ the core nuts and bolts, if you will.
Each missionary was issued with a bolt and 4 nuts, to make the analogy feel real.
The bolt โ€“ represented themselves.
Each nut represented a core principle.

Core Principles

1 โ€“ ๐‘ท๐’“๐’†๐’‚๐’„๐’‰ ๐‘ด๐’š ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’”๐’‘๐’†๐’ โ€“ ๐‘บ๐’†๐’„๐’๐’๐’… ๐‘ฌ๐’…๐’Š๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’. Since its publication, like many of the missionaries I have enjoyed my daily study in Preach My Gospel. President Russell M. Nelson said โ€œโ€œOur charge is much more than just inviting people to join the Church. We want each one to become a fully truly converted disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow Him, now and foreverโ€.
2 โ€“ ๐‘ผ๐’”๐’† ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’”๐’„๐’“๐’Š๐’‘๐’•๐’–๐’“๐’†๐’”, ๐’†๐’”๐’‘๐’†๐’„๐’Š๐’‚๐’๐’๐’š ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’๐’Œ ๐’๐’‡ ๐‘ด๐’๐’“๐’Ž๐’๐’. Marcus B. Nash said โ€œThe mandate for each missionary to search the scriptures is clear and unequivocal, for searching the scriptures brings to them the power of God. It does the same for anyone regardless of their age and experience.โ€
3 โ€“ ๐‘ญ๐’๐’๐’๐’๐’˜ ๐‘ณ๐’Š๐’—๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐‘ท๐’“๐’๐’‘๐’‰๐’†๐’•๐’”. Itโ€™s important that we follow the right voice in a world full of wrong voices. That right voice is Godโ€™s voice, and He speaks to us through His living prophets and apostles.
4 โ€“ ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฎ๐’Š๐’‡๐’• ๐’๐’‡ ๐‘ป๐’‰๐’† ๐‘ฏ๐’๐’๐’š ๐‘ฎ๐’‰๐’๐’”๐’•. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the privilege – given to people who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, been baptized, and been confirmed as members of the Church. He will guide, teach and comfort us.

Actions

After explaining each principle and the ensuing discussion, each missionary tightly fastened their nuts and bolt together.
As the nuts tightened, thread by thread, symbolically each missionary was strengthening and securing themselves to Jesus Christ, as each core principle was riveted into their mind through their actions.
I know that true joy comes through our daily actions of study, pondering, reflection and prayer, as we fasten ourselves, thread by thread to Jesus Christ.
The world is changing whether you like it or not.ย  Are you?
How can you fasten yourself to Jesus Christ?

Letters to President

Are you excited when you receive a letter?
Every week, I receive letters from many of the missionaries serving throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.
In my time as a young missionary 40 years ago, serving in London, they arrived by post. Now, they arrive by email every P-Day (Preparation Day) โ€“ a Tuesday.
I am always excited to read their letters and hear about all that is going on in the mission field.
They share personal stories, challenges, spiritual insights and respond to several questions such as the following:

Questions

โ€ข Please share a few successes and/or challenges from your efforts to fulfil your missionary purpose this past week.
โ€ข During the past week, did you feel joy and satisfaction in your work?
โ€ข How united did you feel with your companion(s) this past week?
โ€ข What is one area you can focus on this coming week to more closely follow the principles in Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ?
โ€ข Did you participate in any companion exchanges this past week?
โ€ข Are there any physical or emotional health, safety, or security challenges that you would like to share?
โ€ข Is there anything happening at home or with your family that you would like to share?
โ€ข Is there anything else you would like to share?
โ€ข During the past month, how have you seen the hand of the Lord in your work?

Responding

Yesterday, I spent most of my day, reading and responding to many letters.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time understanding all that is happening throughout the mission.
After 2 years of reading letters, I am constantly thrilled to learn about the many divine experiences that happen week in, week out through the ministering efforts of these young missionaries.
Their sincerity, their faith in Jesus Christ, their spiritual insights, their drive and determination is real.
The Lordsโ€™ hand is in the details of their work, every single day.
If you havenโ€™t spoken with one of our young missionaries, then now is the time to reach out and listen.
Many of the messages in their letters to me are filled with miraculous experiences and wonders galore.
Yes โ€“ miracles happen in our day, every day.
If you allow them to, missionaries can help you slow down and see His hand in your life too.
You may not receive a weekly letter from them as I do, but the message theyโ€™ll share with you is equally as potent and powerful.
Go on, reach out to a missionary today and ask them to share a message with youโ€ฆ I know you won’t regret it! ๐Ÿ™‚

Faith precedes the Miracle

๐๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š๐ง๐ ๐‡๐š๐ซ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ 
Over the course of the last 2 years, we have made many friends in Belgium and the Netherlands.
One of my new dear friends, is Melina. With her husband Michiel, they run a farm where they grow sugarbeets, wheat, Belgian endives and onions.
I love reading their posts on Facebook and Instagram.
In my personal study this morning, I got to thinking about planting and harvesting.
There is if you will, in planting and harvesting a design, a method, a sequence, a system, an order, a pattern.
Itโ€™s a simple one.
๐–๐ž ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐ญ, ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‡๐’๐’“๐’† ๐ฐ๐ž ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ.
Mingled with lots and lots of hard work in between.
And so, it is with ๐Ÿ๐š๐ข๐ญ๐ก.

Faith precedes the Miracle

In his book Faith Precedes the Miracle, Spencer W. Kimball taught; โ€œIn faith we plant the seed, and soon we see the miracles of the blossoming. Men have often misunderstood and have reversed the process. They would have the harvest ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‡๐’๐’“๐’† the planting, the reward ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‡๐’๐’“๐’† the service, the miracle ๐’ƒ๐’†๐’‡๐’๐’“๐’† the faith. Even the most demanding labour unions would hardly ask the wages before the labour. But many of us would have the vigour without observing the health laws, prosperity through the opened windows of heaven without the payment of our tithes. We would have the close communion with our Father without fasting and praying; we would have the rain in due season and peace in the land without observing the Sabbath and keeping the other commandments of the Lord. We would pluck the rose before planting the roots; we would harvest the grain before sowing and cultivating.โ€
Melina and Michiel are amongst some of the hardest working people I know.
They understand that faith is a principle of action and power.
Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from one tiny seed into a marvellous harvest.
Remember the order, through exercising our faith, first we plant, we work hard, ๐’•๐’‰๐’†๐’ comes the harvest.
What harvests have you seen as you have exercised your faith and gone to work?

Small and Simple Things

Time is precious for all of us, isn’t it?
Even more so when serving a mission.
Every minute of every day often has to be accounted for.
In my morning prayers I always ask that I may see the hand of the Lord manifest in some way.
Last Saturday, coming back from our weekly shopping, I mentioned to Monic that I really needed to get the car washed that day.
It had been several weeks since Iโ€™d last washed it, but sadly the local car wash had just been closed and there wasnโ€™t another nearby, in fact its several miles away.
We had several other more important things to do on Saturday in preparation for a very busy weekend, and an even busier week ahead.
I never mentioned it again.
Within an hour, the doorbell rang.
Two teenage girls stood at the door.
They held up a home-made cardboard price list and said they were hoping to earn some holiday money by washing cars in the neighbourhood.
I readily agreed.
They set to work, and within 30 minutes the car was spotlessly clean.
We have lived in this house for 1 year, 10 months and 22 days or to be more precise 691 days.
Never before to our knowledge, had anyone come to the door, offering to wash the car.
But within minutes of our need, an answer came.
Yes, itโ€™s a small and simple thing.
Coincidence – perhaps?
Tender mercy – perhaps?
You choose.
Small and simple things often happen in our life, but do we put them down to coincidence or are they a tender mercy from the Lord?
How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life recently?

Faith v Fear – The Mull of Kintyre

Counselling many of the missionaries as they return home, reminded me of this experience from a few years ago.ย  I’ve shared it before, but it is time to share it again….

It was 2002. Setting off in the early hours of the morning, I knew it was going to be a very, very long day.

In fact, not one that I was particularly looking forward too. Following a client visit in Dumbarton, I arrived in Campbeltown around lunchtime. However, the journey down along the A83 that day was absolutely stunning – Scotland at its very best!. I was there on a sales visit with a supplier, who was demonstrating a new CCTV system to a large new potential client. It was only 175 miles from home, but it had taken over 4 hours to get there. After another 4 hours of demonstration, it was time to turn around and head home. By this time, it had gone 6pm. There wasn’t much of a rush hour down there, in fact I decided that I would take a leisurely drive back home. I didn’t have any real haste. The lessons learned over those next few hours were unquestionably a pivotal point in my life.

My Journey home

As I started back up the A83, the sun started to set. My thoughts turned from the demonstration of the afternoon, to much more important questions – such as “What am I doing with my life?”, “I’m not in the least bit interested in CCTV – so why am I driving for hours on end selling this stuff anyway?” “Is this just all about the money?”

As the light started to fade I pulled over to look over the sea towards Northern Ireland to view the onset of the night sky. It was a beautiful clear evening. As I was reflecting on all those questions and more, I witnessed several shooting stars as well as the Northern lights (for the first time), in all their majesty.

I gazed heavenward, it was a quite remarkable, inspiring light show.

I stood for a while fascinated by the beauty of creation. Those few moments had a real impact upon me. I started for home determined to face the future with much more faith and to embark upon a career journey that would enable me to get up every day and really love what I was doing.

Career Choices

That career journey has taken lots of twists and turns over the ensuing 21 years. There have been numerous difficult decisions. Lots and lots of personal procrastination, other seemingly more important priorities, along with mega doubts & fears within myself that I could actually do something that I loved.

The journey also included two redundancies, a challenging selection of opportunities in between, mixed with a real belief that I could eventually take the leap of faith, face the fear of the unknown and start on my own.

The differentiators?

A supportive family – who put up with me long enough and encouraged me to turn the dream into a reality. Supportive colleagues over many years, who helped me to understand the capabilities that I had been gifted with and developed over a long period of time. All of whom helped me develop my faith and take that step into the unknown. Thank you one and all.

“Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back where my memories remain
Flickering embers go higher and higher
As they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre”

These are the words from the third verse of Paul McCartney’s – Wings #1 Hit record – The Mull of Kintyre. I have often reflected upon my journey that day and these words have always inspired me to reach for higher ideals, values and purpose in life.

So, it is with all of us – don’t settle for the mundane – in factย neverย settle for it!

It is important for each of us to have those meaningful conversations with ourselves and nearest and dearest about happiness and what makes each of us tick! If you are stuck in an unhappy career, perhaps its much more to do with your personal motivators.

Now is not the time to revisit Herzberg’s Motivation theory – around incentives and hygiene factors – but I wish to encourage you to look deep inside yourself and question the reason and purpose of your work – is it meaningful – is it what you really want to do? Looking inward is the critical step, to face up to your fear. Now is the time for faith – not fear!

I love this quote from a wise leader Boyd K. Packer, he stated… “Faith, to be faith, must centre around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness.โ€

One of my favourite poems is by Christopher Logue.

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
Itโ€™s too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
and he pushed,
and they flew.

As you consider your challenges at home, at school, or in the workplace – reflect upon those things that really matter most.

Face up to your fears, look inside and take those first few steps into the darkness – you can do it!

Good, Better, Best.

This week, we joined with other European Mission Leaders at a 4-day Seminar in Den Haag, here in the Netherlands.
We counselled collectively together and received inspiring instruction from the Central Europe Area Presidency.
It was wonderful to share many experiences together, including the obligatory visit to Keukenhof!
Personally, it gave me the opportunity to reflect upon all that I have learned as Monic and I have served concertedly in Belgium and the Netherlands for nearly two years.
Through the course of the 4 days, many principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were discussed.
For a few brief moments we spoke too about โ€œThe Chosenโ€.

The Chosen

For the uninitiated, itโ€™s an enjoyable multi-season television series about Jesus Christ that has been watched by tens of millions, throughout the entire world.
Monic and I have watched all the series and are sure that many reading this post will have done likewise.
However, reflecting upon all that I continue to learn about Jesus Christ, from my perspective I have come to conclude this truism.

Connecting…

Connecting to Jesus Christโ€ฆ
– Through the Chosen is ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’๐’….
– Through the Missionaries is ๐‘ฉ๐’†๐’•๐’•๐’†๐’“.
– Through the Scriptures is ๐‘ฉ๐’†๐’”๐’•.
I love The Chosen and I love our missionaries too.
Both play their part in helping many to understand the three most powerful behavioural words spoken by Jesus Christ, namely โ€œCome Follow Meโ€ โ€“ see Luke 18:22.
I know that as you personally study the scriptures, you will come to know the Saviour and His teachings.
Few things you do will bring greater dividends, as you absorb his words by pondering them, then letting them sink deeply into your heart and applying them into your life.
Spencer W. Kimball emphasized the need to continually read and study the scriptures. He said: ” I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”
Enjoy The Chosen!
Invite the missionaries to speak with you!
Theyโ€™ll guide you through the scriptures as you accept His personal admonition to โ€œCome Follow Me.โ€
How have the missionaries helped you?

An example of the Believers…

There is never a typical week in missionary work.
And there is also never a dull moment as they Preach the Gospel.
This week was busy, very busy, as more people than ever responded to their message of hope.
From singing in choirs, playing violins, serving cookies, street contacting, knocking doors, reaching out on social media, serving in the community, teaching Dutch or English classes, biking everywhere and occasionally a flying kick, missionaries serve and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ through their actions and service.
They are called to represent Jesus Christ.
Day in, day out, missionaries work tirelessly in their efforts to โ€œInvite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.โ€
The message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses individuals and families.
Their message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that all individuals are part of Godโ€™s family and that families can be united now and in eternity.
We believe that โ€œHappiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.โ€ โ€“ The Family A Proclamation to the World.

Joy in Action

Missionaries are to go โ€œin the power of the ordination wherewith [they have] been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospelโ€ (Doctrine & Covenants 79:1)
And as the Lordโ€™s representatives, they are to be โ€œan example of the believersโ€ (1 Timothy 4:12).
They honour Christโ€™s name by their actions.
During His mortal ministry, the Saviour โ€œtook upon him the form of a servantโ€ (Philippians 2:7). He went about โ€œdoing goodโ€ (Acts 10:38) and โ€œpreaching the gospelโ€ (Matthew 4:23).
Through their service, they fulfil the two great commandments of loving God and their neighbour (see Matthew 22:36โ€“40).
โ€œTrue Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary workโ€ (Gospel Ideals p129).
If youโ€™d like to know more about why they are so happy, I suggest you stop and speak with one of them today.