January 31, 2014

Visiting Teaching Message February 2014


February 2014 - VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Good Shepherd

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, taught:
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? …
“I say unto you, that … joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:4, 7).
As we come to understand that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, our desire increases to follow His example and serve those in need. Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. … And I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:14–15). Because of Christ’s Atonement, none of us will ever be so lost that we cannot find our way home (see Luke 15).
President Thomas S. Monson said, “Ours is the responsibility to care for the flock. … May we each step up to serve.”1

From the Scriptures

From Our History

Elizabeth Ann Whitney, who attended the first Relief Society meeting, said of her conversion in 1830: “As soon as I heard the Gospel as the Elders preached it, I knew it to be the voice of the Good Shepherd.”2 Elizabeth followed the voice of the Good Shepherd and was baptized and confirmed.
We too can hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and share His teachings with others. President Monson said, “We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.”3
Just as a shepherd seeks out a lost sheep, parents may seek after a child who has wandered. President James E. Faust (1920–2007), Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “To those brokenhearted parents who have been righteous, diligent, and prayerful in the teaching of their disobedient children, we say to you, the Good Shepherd is watching over them. God knows and understands your deep sorrow. There is hope.”4

What Can I Do?

1.   How does knowing that the Savior is the Good Shepherd bring peace into our lives?
2.   How can I support parents whose children have wandered from living the gospel?


“Are We Up to Our Mission?”

cji
2/1/14

The Savior had a divine mission
as we too came to earth with one
one of great worth to each of us
to our progenitors and posterity
seeking eternal life for all as one
as the Father and the Son are one
in purpose, thought and eternity
and as the Savior us commanded
that we too should all be as one
inheriting all the Father and Son
have for each of us to share
are we up to this mission today
being found in full obedience
in what we’ve been commanded
even as the Father/Son as one!

Copyright © 2013 – cji


Home Teaching February 2014




FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Serve the Lord with Love BY PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON

 

The Lord Jesus Christ taught, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24).
“I believe,” said President Thomas S. Monson, “the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”1
In the following excerpts from President Monson’s ministry, he reminds Latter-day Saints that they are the Lord’s hands and that the blessings of eternity await those who faithfully serve others.

Service in the Temple “Great service is given when we perform vicarious ordinances for those who have gone beyond the veil. In many cases we do not know those for whom we perform the work. We expect no thanks, nor do we have the assurance that they will accept that which we offer. However, we serve, and in that process we attain that which comes of no other effort: we literally become saviors on Mount Zion. As our Savior gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for us, so we, in some small measure, do the same when we perform proxy work in the temple for those who have no means of moving forward unless something is done for them by those of us here on the earth.”2

We Are the Lord’s Hands “My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. …“That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.”3

Serving in the Savior’s Shadow “In the New World, the resurrected Lord declared, ‘Ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do’ [3 Nephi 27:21]. “We bless others as we serve in the shadow of ‘Jesus of Nazareth … who went about doing good’ [Acts 10:38]. God bless us to find joy in serving our Father in Heaven as we serve His children on earth.”4

The Need to Serve “We need to be given a chance to serve. For those members who have slipped from activity or who hold back and remain noncommittal, we can prayerfully seek for some way to reach them. Asking them to serve in some capacity may just be the incentive they need to return to full activity. But those leaders who could help in this regard are sometimes reluctant to do so. We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently.”5

Are We Doing All We Should? “The world is in need of our help. Are we doing all we should? Do we remember the words of President John Taylor: ‘If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty’? [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 164]. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be not spectators but participants on the stage of … service.”6

Teaching from This Message “If you have Christlike love, you will be better prepared to teach the gospel. You will be inspired to help others know the Savior and follow Him.”7 Consider praying for increased charity for those you visit. As you develop Christlike love for them, you will be better able to serve in meaningful ways both the Lord and those you teach.

Youth

Summer of Service

By Elizabeth Blight The author lives in Virginia, USA.
One summer I spent time in a foreign country working with children with special needs. When I first met the children, I was incredibly nervous. I did not speak their language, but I trusted that the Spirit would guide me in my interactions. As I got to know each child, I realized that language is not a barrier to love. I played, laughed, and did crafts with the children and could not help but feel complete love for them. I glimpsed the love that Heavenly Father has for His children, and the joy that filled my heart defied description.
Whenever I serve others, I feel love not only for those that I serve but also for Heavenly Father. I truly have come to know that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). The purpose of my service, whether in big service projects or through small acts of kindness, has been to glorify God (see Matthew 5:16). I hope that as I serve others, people will recognize my love for Heavenly Father and the Light of Christ that burns within me.

Children Links of Love
Have an adult help you cut out 28 thin strips of paper, each about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and about 8 inches (20 cm) long. Each day this month, perform an act of service to show your love for someone. You might help your parents clean your home or write a kind note to a neighbor. Write down how you served each day on one of your paper strips, and then tape or glue the ends of the strip together to make a circle. You can connect your circles by sliding one end of a new paper strip through the circle from the previous day before you tape or glue the ends of the new strip together. Watch your links of love grow! You could even continue adding to your service chain after February is over.
“With Love in All Things”

cji
2/1/14

One loves when one is loved
Heavenly Father loves us each
thus teaching us how to love
he served each of us eternally
by allowing his son to atone
for our eternities of forever’s
thus are we also to be found
in the service of all others
loving them and our self’s
returning to Father his love
in our selfless acts of good
with love in all things we do!

Copyright © 2013 – cji

January 30, 2014

"Morning Clouds"

“Morning Clouds”

cji
1/31/14

Without the sunrise only haze
darkened skies to give light
nighttime into the daylight
causing lights to stay lighted
yet it was another day come
whether or not there was light
the sun was still there high
warming the earth and day
finding even the dampness
less harsh in understanding
for in the morning clouds
 each life found rejuvenated
knowing the heavens alive
another day able to pray
giving thanks for the eternal
asking blessings for others
who stand in need each day
the morning clouds awaken
much inner peace within me!


Copyright © 2013 – cji

January 29, 2014

"Selling One's Nation" (short essay)

Received the following from a friend of mine – below the abridged article is my reply – c/ork
Hi Chuck: This article and the one I sent just before it scare me a lot.  What do you know about this information? –
Purging and Transforming Our Military
One can go and read the full context of the below – but I’ve edited it simply to give the gist of what is being stated. c/ork
Posted By Matthew Vadum On November 8, 2013 @ 12:56 am In Daily Mailer, FrontPage
President Obama hasn’t just been hollowing out the military since taking office, he’s been gutting it, purging it of ideologically hostile personnel, and fundamentally transforming it into something other than a war-fighting force, military experts say.
… This is, of course, the same through-the-looking-glass administration that goes out of its way not to label actual Islamic terrorists as terrorists, that calls terrorist attacks “man-caused disasters,” and refers to the Global War on Terror as the “Overseas Contingency Operation.”
… The former officer said that President Obama is getting rid of experienced war fighters for no apparent reason.
… The military is being turned into a laboratory for radical social engineering experiments. They’re wrecking the finest military force the world has ever known — brighter, better educated, trained, led, and now the most combat-experienced military force in the history of the world. And they’re not standing up and saying, “stop wrecking it.” This administration is intent on wrecking it.
… Americans ought to be alarmed that the administration is now using the same heavy-handed, un-American tactics to turn members of the nation’s armed forces against its domestic political adversaries. We know, for example, that a January 2013 Department of Defense (DoD) diversity training center “student guide” entitled “Extremism” instructs soldiers that conservative organizations are “hate groups” and Tea Party supporters are potentially dangerous extremists.
… This is what happens when you make a radical left-wing community organizer Commander-in-Chief of America’s armed forces.

My Reply:
Yup – remember he’s a zealot with a mission – think of him as a sleeper agent of the Oligarchical Left. Between Carter, Clinton and he they’ve destroyed one of the best trained and equipped militaries in the world – till not it cannot even complete 1/3 of its overall mission to protect and defend the Constitution of the US. Remember also he’s had many inner-city youth in a ‘Brown Shirt’ program for several years now – and indeed the massive ammo purchases. In line with this is the UN goal (Ezra Taft Benson) to disarm the US – without worrying about China, Russia or any other nation adverse to the US. A couple months ago I wrote an essay referring to this and various detention centers already built around the US – think of the land grab of the EPA and others – making normally state or privately owned lands – federal. In the West you all see this much more than we do here on the East Coast.

Any within the military – who do not pledge their ‘souls’ to him and not to the people/Constitution are either forced to retire or kept from promotions. One forgets the overall mission of the FBI is not just spying on the American people but building a ‘black book’ to blackmail anyone who opposes POTUS – this is in keeping with Chicago Politics – one would guess this is why Congress (even in Athenian Democracy this was not allowed c. 5th Century BC) – Judges and others are afraid of him. He also retains a lawyer team (it used to be at $6 Million per year) to defend and advise on how far he can go – and this has been broadened continuously over the past five years. That the MSM give him a free pass (most likely because they’ve been threatened with blackmail) and also that they’re part of the liberal education they’ve received on the evils of capitalism and the wonders of Socialism/Communism (of which their definition has nothing to do with what they really are) and thus the totalitarian dictatorship oligarchy is slowly coming into being. Currently he’s bypassed both Congress and the Courts with over 1000+ Executive Orders with no regard to the Constitution or the nation.

The world game of King of the Mountain has been going on for ages (refer to many of the writings of Hugh Nibley) – and it still continues today. What most forget is that the needed allies to become king – become the next series of enemies for the current king. What they all forget who’ve lived and been raised up in a free society – is that China is playing the game of ‘Go’ – and there are no allies – or contenders for the thrown when the game is over. If anyone doubts this China has a puppet state called N. Korea – where they try everything out. i.e. anyone who appears to be a threat – is a threat – might grow up to be a threat is eliminated – and as in the old mafia – all of their family with them; which we’re witnessing at the current time.

Most continue to ignore the book, “Unrestricted Warfare” written by two Chinese Colonels in 1998 and translated to English in 1999. Satan was most likely a third co-author as it is his plan as well. The overall premise is to fund, encourage and initiate division and conflict whenever and wherever possible – and to keep it going – such as a forest fire of destruction. Whatever can promote China to a higher rung one or many at a time is in China’s best interest and thus warfare or conflict further helps them in the game of ‘Go!’
The US and other nations who seek to disarm – dismantle freedom – stable governments – financially ruin ones economy – are playing not to win but for China to win. Treaties or agreements between nations are treated like the 19th Century treaties the US made with the Native Americans – not worth the paper they’re printed on then or now. Thus when the GOP breaks their contract with America – China laughs and turns over more pieces on the board. When the current administration pushes the US further into debt, China turns over more pieces. When Iran offers to make a deal – China turns over more pieces on the board when the US and others believe it’s an honest offer.

One must always remember – who has the most to gain and the least to lose. This is the premise behind all acts of disruption – warfare – and criminal activity. In the US at the current time – the American People have the most to lose – their freedoms and the Constitution – which is a reflection (or was) of Gods Law. Who has the most to gain – those who would destroy personal freedoms anyway that they can – thus they’ve also the least to lose because they too enjoy all of the freedoms provided under the Constitution. They also know with the media on their side most likely they’ll lose little because they had nothing to start with.

Think of it this way – when a hardened criminal goes to prison – what have this lost? Very little as they never consider freedom as something they’ve ever had or enjoyed. Someone who’s a hardened criminal has been hiding and thus does not have the freedom of open movement – while in the prison system they enjoy free meals, room and board, the company of those intimidated by their reputations – remembering there’s a class society within the prison itself and the more hardened the higher class to which they belong. Thus when they commit a crime (as long as it is not rape, child abuse or something which could bring the death sentence) they much to gain if not caught – and little to lose if they are caught. With the current legal system they actually have a good chance of never going to prison or if they do for a limited time.

The politically correctness of our current society is a great incentive for the current administration to expand their powers and dominion – having the media given them positive press for the more politically correct they are found to be – i.e. kids in school being sent home for praying, pointing a finger, wearing a tee shirt deemed offensive, or otherwise thinking aloud; while those who use four letter foul language – threaten kids for their lunch money – dress with their pants around their thighs – are consider models of being politically correct. This is part and parcel of the intimidation used by those who seek to become a totalitarian dictatorship oligarchy (TDO) within the US – and thus they need only enough military to support their causes.

The current administration could care less about the military – and keep them in contact with the enemy outside the US to continue the destruction of those loyal to the Constitution. Where they are set up for ambushes by the administration and left to fend for themselves when all or most are killed. The media whose liberal agenda hate the military – hate conservatives – hate the Constitution – while not understanding the first to go in a TDO is the free press! Too late seduced many who’ve now sold their souls – find they’ve only marked themselves for death or worse.

Hopefully this addresses your concerns – we’ve to remember this has been the game since the murder of Able (within our human generation on this planet) – the actual warfare started in the Spirit World – and will continue until the Second Coming. And as in most warfare the further into the battle the worse things will become. What differences do we see between the last of those Ether wrote about and today? Almost none – little children – women and everyone in some nations of the world are involved in the combat – carrying weapons of all kinds – with no regard for human life. Within the home there is no longer a solid foundation as the purpose of marriage eternally is lost among all of the religions of the world except one. The eternal family is not taught as a reality except by one religion. The Bible and other Scriptures are not believed literally except by one religion.
Should it come to pass that those seeking a TDO become successful – they will then try to go worldwide and China will pounce – turning over the last token on the board. There’s no such thing as a defensive war which can be won. Thus while China and others claim their military buildups are needful to protect their homelands – in reality they are set up for offensive warfare to increase their power and dominion over others. We must never forget the military and finances are married one to the other – and the result of the marriage is power – and the goal is absolute power.

Finally – one must remember – those who’ve sold their vote to such as our current administration are also paying for their own subjection to not only TDO – but to the dole – which is worse than any addiction known in the history of mankind. 
c/ork


“Selling One’s Nation”

cji
1/30/14

Some do it in ignorance
others knowingly seek
most do it with their guile
all the while with a smile
pretending that we’re weak
having been in arrogance;

Currently too many asleep
as Main Stream Media
assist in the sale of freedom
supporting the new kingdom
adoptive pars intermedia
fostering a nation of sheep!

Copyright © 2013 – cji


January 28, 2014

"The Soccer Player 2"

“The Soccer Player 2”

cji
1/29/14

Vibrant full of excitement
knowing skill and purpose
looking down the field
controlling the ball
visioning the play
knowing teammates
overcoming defenses
without hesitation,
moving in the today
reflecting on the future
the soccer player
exciting and vibrant!

Copyright © 2014 – cji

"The Soccer Player"

Painting by MCI 1990

“The Soccer Player”

cji
1/29/14

Vibrant and full of excitement
knowing of skill and purpose
looking ahead down the field
controlling the ball with surety
visioning the play to occur
knowing teammates all about
defenses recognized to beat
without hesitation in his youth
caught in the movement today
reflected upon for the future
the soccer player full of life
excitement full and vibrant!

Copyright © 2013 – cji