Tag Archive for: soul

Eyes that Shine

I have heard it often said that the “eyes are the windows of the soul.”
Have you ever made eye contact with someone and simply smiled?
I know that our eyes are the means whereby people can look into our hearts.
They reveal more than words ever could, including joy, sorrow, love, pain, truth, or sadly even in some, deception.
A glance can reassure us, uplift us, or even pierce through a carefully constructed façade.
Over the years, I have learned that our radiant, eternal spirits, shine through our eyes.
The Saviour taught, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matthew 6:22).
I know that when our hearts are pure and our intent is righteous, that light shines forth, illuminating not only our own path but also touching those around us.

Childlike

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a child filled with innocence and wonder?
Lately, I’ve had that opportunity several times with our newborn grandson, Oscar.
It is always such a simple, wonderful, beautiful experience, filled with love and joy.
I know that little children are full of faith and receptive to feelings of the Spirit.
Or perhaps you have had the chance to gaze into the eyes of someone who has suffered much, yet somehow through it all, their soul radiates peace.
Their eyes reflect the spirit within, and a quiet testimony of who they truly are continues to shine through.
I remember that look in my fathers eyes in the last few days of his life.
Sometimes, darkness enters our lives through sin, doubt, or despair, and it can dim the light in our eyes.
Over years of ministering to many, I have felt and seen that on numerous occasions.
Eyes that once sparkled with faith may have become clouded with sadness or indifference.
Have life’s experiences taken away your childlike faith and trusting heart?
I witness to the fact that the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is that light can always return.
Christ’s love, when embraced, will always brighten our souls.
And when our souls are full of His light, it is unmistakable.
So, the next time you look into someone’s eyes, pause.
Seek to truly see them.
In that moment, you may catch a glimpse of the divine within.
What do your eyes reflect today?

Running on Empty?

Our car doesn’t run at all when the fuel gauges show empty.
Yesterday, as I filled up the tank, I was reminded that it has two separate fuelling sources to power the engine and run more efficiently.
It’s a hybrid vehicle.
The engine combines unleaded fuel and electricity, to provide energy.

Soul Power

Similarly, we have two fuelling sources to power our souls.
Everything we do in life requires energy, and we too have a constant need for fuel.
Scriptures tell us that “The spirit and the body are the soul of man.” – Doctrine & Covenants 88:15
Your spirit and body don’t run at all well when their fuel gauges are on empty.
We fuel our physical body through the things we eat and drink.
Just as your body needs to be nourished with good food, your spirit needs fuel too.
Combing the two, you will run more efficiently.
The soul combines physical fuel and spiritual fuel, to provide energy.
We can fuel our spirits through prayer, studying the scriptures, partaking of the sacrament, making covenants at baptism and in the temple.
I’ve found that one of the best sources of refuelling our souls, is time alone with my Heavenly Father in quiet morning reflection, study, and meditation.

Examples

Whenever I’m in need of refuelling, instead of looking to the example of the world, I look to the example of Jesus Christ.
In John 6:35, we read that we must feed on Him; “…I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
C. S. Lewis expressed it this way: “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
Our faith in Jesus Christ is the fuel that feeds and sustains our spiritual needs.

Spiritual Fuel

“What is required to maintain a sufficient store of spiritual fuel? We must acquire knowledge of God’s eternal plan and our role in it, and then by living righteously, surrendering our will to the will of the Lord, we receive the promised blessings.” – L. Tom Perry.
My invitation today is to allow Jesus Christ to share your load and to fill up your spiritual fuel tank.
If you’re running on empty, speak with the missionaries, they can help refill your tank.

Questions of the Soul

The autumn winds of seasonal change are blowing.
Leaves are whirling and twirling, falling to the ground.
It was a chilly wet morning in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
Monic and I were already in the church, snug in a comfortable room, busy with coaching conversations.
Upon finishing one conversation, I went to find the next missionary.
And there they were.
Resting.

Chilly

The Sister Missionaries were a little tired and cold.
Huddled together, wrapped in their jackets, they were warming themselves, comforted by the toasty radiator.
All week long, like their colleagues, they’d been boldly sharing messages about the Book of Mormon, outside on street corners, busy high streets and in parks filled with fallen autumnal leaves.
Physically, their hands and feet may have been a little cold, yet spiritually, their hearts and souls were glowing, filled with a flame of fire, burning brightly, fuelled by their faith in God and their knowledge of Him.
Thawed by the radiator and warmed by our conversation, they were ready to start all over again.
Doing what, you may ask?
Providing answers.

Questions

Daily, missionaries are asked lots of questions about life – 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍.
• Is there a God? (Alma 22)
• Does God know me and care about me? (2 Nephi 26:24)
• Does God answer prayers (Enos 1)
• Why is life so hard sometimes? (1 Nephi 17:3)
• How can I find peace and joy? (Mosiah 2:41)
• What is the purpose of life? (Alma 34)
The Book of Mormon addresses all of these questions and more.
It is my witness that The Book of Mormon brings warmth and comfort in times of difficulty.
Perhaps you are whirling, twirling, tired or cold, physically or spiritually?
Are you in search of an answer?
Then speak with a missionary today and read the Book of Mormon.

Taught

You cannot teach without learning.
One day in every 6-week period, missionaries gather together to be taught at zone conference.
My experience is that these are times of great learning and understanding for everyone.
The ultimate purpose of everything in zone conference, every question, every scripture, every activity, everything taught, is to invite the Spirit to build faith and to strengthen the testimonies of each missionary as they come to know Jesus Christ even more.

In the scriptures we read, “The Holy Ghost … shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

It is only through the Holy Ghost that we can accomplish the ultimate goal of gospel teaching, which is to build faith in Jesus Christ and to help others become more like Him.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓢𝓸𝓷𝓰

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to the earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong
That it can follow the flight of a song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
– 𝓗𝓮𝓷𝓻𝔂 𝓦𝓪𝓭𝓼𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 𝓛𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓯𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀.

Hopes and Dreams

For me, these words beautifully express the hopes and dreams of every teacher who has ever taught.
This is however especially true in zone conferences.
Every missionary comes prepared to learn and to be taught.
Each session is filled with such a tender spirit, as learning comes from on High.
All those who teach in such settings provide such sweet, delicate, yet powerful messages that penetrate the hearts of all attending.
My hope, like any other teacher is that the eternal principles taught, will live, not just for a day or two, but just as their own souls, will live forever.
Ultimately my experience is always this – their hearts are filled, and their notepads too.
How was your experience of being taught at a zone conference?

Things of My Soul

Ever since I received my first blank diary on Christmas day, 1977, I have enjoyed journaling.
Recording activities, thoughts and feelings has become a daily habit.
Over the years, my journals have become a constant companion in my life. Like Nephi in the Book of Mormon, he records, “And upon these things I write the things of my soul”. (2 Nephi 4:15)
Recently, I have been very mindful about not only nourishing my soul, but also helping each of the missionaries to nourish their souls.
What is your soul?
The scriptures teach that “the spirit and the body are the soul of man” (D&C 88:15)
Yesterday, whilst attending a funeral service my soul was stirred, comforted, and cheered on through beautiful words, uplifting music, a gentle tearful embrace and by tenderly holding hands.
I felt God’s love, in the depths of my soul.
It was peaceful, elegant, and divine.
I felt safe and secure.
God’s love entered my heart and filled me with hope.
He is anxious for all of us to feel His love, wherever we are.
In a like manner, working so closely with young missionaries from all over the world, teaching moments occur daily for each of them as they discover the things of their souls.
My heart is filled with a great love for each of them, as they come to understand the things of their own souls.

Nourishment

They are eager to learn and hungry for soul stirring nourishment.
They have many questions.
Teaching moments come frequently, as I sit and discuss with them the things of their souls.
Just as we need food and water to nourish our bodies to survive physically, we also need the gospel of Jesus Christ to feed us to survive spiritually.
Where do you record the things of your soul?
Is your soul inquiring after some spiritual nourishment?
Then, why not speak with one of the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Each one of them know a bit about the things of their souls.
They can help feed, nourish and illuminate yours.

Arm in Arm

Early on Friday, we said farewell to our departing missionaries at Schiphol airport.

An hour later, we welcomed 11 new missionaries to the Netherlands.

It was an emotional rollercoaster of a day.

Elder Ranse Cottam drove us back home.

For those who know Ranse, or have met him for even a moment, will know that he is filled with and serves with the “pure love of Christ”.

Pure Love

Love indeed, is the true sign of every true disciple of Jesus Christ.

His parents and little sister were coming to collect him, mid-afternoon.

What unfolded during their visit was beautiful.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” – Matthew 5:8

It was a sweet reunion.

After 2 years, a family together again, in pure love.

It was heavenly, as if “angels above us are silent notes taking” (Hymn 237 – Choose the Right)

The feeling of pure love permeated the room, filling our hearts and souls.

I beheld joy.

For a moment, Heaven’s doors were unlocked.

I beheld wonder.

In the stillness, God’s presence surrounded us.

I beheld pure love.

Motherhood

I witnessed the love of a mother for her son, and a son for his mother.

They sat, snuggled next to one another.

Time stood still.

With one another, they linked arms, held hands – tightly, yet gently, wrapped tenderly, in each other’s love.

Honouring sacred covenants, I observed the selfless love of a devoted mother and son.

Beauty

It was beautiful.

In that moment, I was changed, by the pure love of Christ.

Tears came easily for all of us.

Motherhood is a divine role.

Motherhood is about loving and nurturing others.

Symbolically, Ranse was held by two mothers, arm in arm, side by side, shoulder to shoulder, surrounded with pure love.

I will treasure this hallowed sweet memory – forever.

I hope and pray that our hearts may be filled with charity, the pure love of Christ.

Are you hungry?

“That’s it then, sadly we won’t be going…”
Monic and I had been so looking forward to our trip to Rome this week for our six-monthly Mission Leaders Seminar, but sadly on Sunday evening, I came down with a terrible stomach flu. It’s not been very pleasant. 🙁
We hummed and hawed about it for 24 hours, delaying flights and changing schedules, but eventually, we sadly came to the conclusion on Tuesday morning that we wouldn’t be travelling and cancelled our travel plans.
We’ll be joining everyone else in Rome via a zoom link later today.
However, it meant that I’ve been in bed for the last couple of days, feeling sorry for myself.
I’ve lost a few kilos in such a short time – that’s an indication of how rotten a bug it was.
At the same time, my tummy has been making lots of weird and whacky noises.
I’ve hardly eaten a thing but drank lots of water instead.
For the first time in a while, I felt hungry.
On the plus side I’ve done lots of reading and reflection.
Unable to feed my physical body, I focussed on feeding my spirit and nourishing my soul.
Doctrine & Covenants 88:15 reads; “And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.”
Just as there is food for the body, there is food for the spirit.
Daily, as I watch the unfolding turbulent global complexities, forced to pause, ponder, and reflect longer than normal, I concluded that there is a great hunger in the world, namely, it is starved of spiritual nourishment.
I asked myself “What would Jesus do?”
A question came to mind.
Are you feeding your spirit and nourishing your soul – or are you hungry?
Job 32:8 “But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”
For instance, we may all experience physical hunger, but perhaps you have starved yourself of spiritual food for far too long?
It is a labour that takes more than an afternoon or a day or two in bed.
Why is it sometimes difficult to focus on spiritual things?
The Saviour said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” – John 6:35
Not only do our physical bodies need essential nourishment, but our spirits do too.
I know it is not only important to study secular things and educate our minds, but it is also essential to nourish ourselves spiritually.
In what ways do you experience conflict between your physical and spiritual nature?