Our Time to Change

Knowing Christ is my Savior has changed my life.  But when? How?  Once someone knows Jesus Christ when should they change?  How soon should they begin to follow?  More than not we question this, and catch ourselves saying "I can change tomorrow...Or it won't hurt just this one last time."  These justifications or slight excuses to put off following Christ only do harm to ourselves.  Choosing a life style of living Christ's teachings should not be a something we dread, if so we have missed the message.

Here is a passage from Acts that puts the decision of when to follow Christ into a good perspective for us all...

 37¶Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

 41¶Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The moment they felt something in their hearts they desided to change.  Not only did they think to, but they immediately did.  Words or a desire can only take us so far, life does not change or improve until we act.  Christ and his teachings become a reality as we live them.  I know this to be true.  Choose Christ now, don't wait for tomorrow, or put it off for another day, but make the choice and act! 

The Book which Changes Lives

A book of CHANGE.  A book of HOPE.  A book of HAPPINESS.  A book of CHRIST.  They are not just simply words on the pages, but directions from our Supreme Creator to lead us to happiness.  As I trust the feeling I get as I read my life takes new meaning.  The guidance is there for all to receive it, we must just begin to read it. 


The Book of Mormon is TRUE.  Read for yourself, and allow the spirit to work with in you.  Ponder the message and ask God if it is true.  Follow the teachings, and enjoy the happiness which follows! 

We Have Grown

"...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God..."

This is my purpose, and at times it scares me a little.  I know I have grown, but I feel like I have so much growth to go.  For me at least sometimes life just seems to much or just can't quite hack it.  I feel like my change is not enough.  I feel far from where I should be, and no where near being able to be in the presence of God.  Then I take a second and think....Does God want me back?

Then the spirit smacks me in the head, or softly touches my heart and reassures me, of course He does.  Life is the time for growth, to often we all are too hard on ourselves, I think.  Growth takes time and patience, it is so easy for us to see the change in others, but as we look inward the change is rather hard to see. 

As I move forward I make it a goal to recognize the change in myself, not in a prideful manner or anything, but to see where I was and how far I have come.  " I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..."  Growth is not easy, and forces me to step out of my comfort zone and stretch, but I know with the help of God a servant as weak as me, can be a valuable tool.

I have noticed one down fall to this chance to grow.  I expect others to have to change and grow as I am.  Looks like pride creepin' in.  My life is mine, and the changes I go through are lessons I need to learn.  Sometimes I think we think how unfair...why me...they should have to do this...

I know I have at least thought this at times.  God gives us the chance to change and grow not just for ourselves, but so we can be a more useful tool in His hands to help others.

On Sunday this topic came up.  (Us growing and then expecting others to do the same)  We read from a talk called " You Are My Hands "  the talk in a nutshell is, we are Christ hands.  He works by way of using us to help others.  We talked about how we need to help all, no matter if they are on the same page as us or not.  That is not our place to judge.  The growth rate of another is not up to us to measure!

The Gospel allows us all to grow.  Our part in that growth is to stay humble and help others on their way.  Recognize where we, ourselves have grow, stay humble, and continue on with a heart filled with joy, knowing that this growing period is, because God loves us!  We have Grown!



Where Do I Stand with God

A few days ago, a lady we are teaching choose to be baptized!  As we were making all the arrangements for her baptism, she asked me to be the one to baptize her.  Not being able to hold back a grin from ear to ear I said, "I would love too!"   It still amazes me how much joy sharing the Gospel brings!

About an hour before the baptism we were busily setting up chairs, filling the baptism font, and just doing the finishing touches.  I was a little nervous, but at the same time so excited to see, a friend, make this step of faith which will change her life.

We started out by singing How Great Thou Art, which brought the spirit into the room real strong.  Continuing on with a prayer, and two talks. I was on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting to perform the baptism.  The time was finally here!

We walked down into the water.  She had a light  or glow to her countenance.  She is a daughter of God, prepared, and ready  to make this commitment with God.  My mind cleared, and I was filled with a sense of peace,  offering the baptism prayer  , and then immersing her under the water.  Pulling her back up, she came out of the water smiling, radiating peace and happiness.

As I was in the dressing room changing out of my wet clothes, I thought how awesome was that!  She just made a life changing choice.  All the past transgressions were washed away, having a clean slate.  In return she promise to walk in life God would want us to.

Then a thought crossed my mind.....where do I stand with God?  I had made the exact same promise with God several years ago, and how was I holding up my half of the promise?  Was I living the life God would want me to be?  I didn't realize baptizing someone else would be a growing process for me.  I thought about things I could do better, or just differently to bring me closer to God.  As I reflected my life, I knew I was not perfect, and have had my ups and downs, but the Spirit soon reminded me that's ok, that is why we have the Gospel, to grow and improve.

After my experience of examining my promise to God, I would encourage all to do so.  Look at the shortcomings, but not forgetting your successes.  See what changes could bring you closer to God, then trust in God, and with His help make it happen!

We can Change!

I met a man this week who had changed his life, for the better.  He had gotten off the path many years ago, but now he was back on and stronger than ever!  As the man told his story you could feel the truthfulness and spirit of his changed heart. 

While listening to him tell his story of challenge and change, I reflected on my own life.  Life is like a roll-a-coaster full of ups and downs, and all sorts of twist and turns.  I realized it is the downs returning to the up is where I have mostly learn, but I also recognized it took a hurtful fall to get there.  My life has changed a lot over the pass year or so.  As the man spoke, mine and his change had the same leading factor, CHRIST! 

Jesus Christ is essential to true change or repentance.  Jesus set the perfect example and was willing to pay the ultimate price for our mistakes if we make that choice to follow him.  Life can get crazy and we can find our self lost and confused, but as long as we hold on to Christ, He will show us the light.

Alma 7, talks all about the atoning sacrifice Christ made.  How blessed we are to have an older brother willing to take everything upon himself so that we could change.   Don't get me wrong change is not the easiest thing, but possible because of Christ.  With this sacrifice our choice to choose righteousness is still required.  The man's life didn't just change because Christ had sacrificed, but the man had to choose to use the ATONEMENT.

That is where we all have room to improve.  Christ did save us,  but it is up to us and our choices we make to feel of that love and forgiveness of His sacrifice.  I know that the forgiveness is REAL!  I have felt it in my life, like before I said I had found myself in some downs, which makes life not so fun.  Guilt and shame will weigh us down, but never can our mistakes make us invalid of forgiveness. 

At the end of meeting this man he testified o

f the possibility of CHANGE.  I also would like to testify of that.  Change is possible through Christ.  My life has taken a huge turn since Christ started coming first.  I don't have to be weighed down by my guilt anymore.  Life is just plain out better, as we choose change!!