Lessons Learned from my Dad

I was thinking about Father's Day coming up.  I thought about all the lessons I have learned from my dad, and the example he has set.  He could out work anyone I know.  My dad is very focused and driven.  One of the lessons that stands out to me, that my dad taught me was, "if you are going to do something, than do it right, don't do it half speed"

The importance of this lesson rings true each day I walk out the door.  What I am doing is missionary work, my goal in mind is to bring as many of my brothers and sisters unto Christ.  My dad's slogan playing in the back of my mind, motivates me to always be striving to improve.  The way a missionary can be successful is by working with the Spirit.  Lack of effort or disobedience destroys that connection with the Spirit.

What motivates me also is the love I have for the people! Another lesson I learned from my dad.  He is a superintendent for a construction site.  As I worked with him, I saw the way he handled his employees.  Sometimes stern, but the employee always walking away knowing my dad cared about them.  Most the guys on the site would always talk about my dad like he was their hero.  Each one of them trusted and respected him.  As a dad he fulfilled that role for me too, even at times he would be stern, I always knew my dad loved me.

This lesson has help me make the connection with my Father in heaven.  Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"  I know that God is much more than just some powerful being up in the sky.  God is my loving Heavenly Father.   His and mine relationship works in a similar fashion as my dad's and mine.  Each time I kneel and pray I know He is always listening and will answer.  Sometimes His answer maybe stern, but each time I stand up I know He loves me.

My Father in heaven has given me a chance to be on His job site for 2 years,  and just the same as I saw in the relationship with my dad and his employees, most people love, respect, and trust their Father in heaven.  I will always be grateful for both my Fathers!  Both my Fathers have taught me valuable lessons, which have made me into the person I am today!  I love my dad here on earth, and I love this opportunity to remind people of our Father in Heaven!

To all the great dads out there, ENJOY YOUR FATHERS Day!  I love you dad!

Where do We stand?

Where have our values of today gone?  What runs our society?  Is it just mass amounts of green bills with money signs, or do we still stand for more than the quick buck?  As I met with a man just this morning, he brought concerns of how the world has lost all good intentions...He stress how all people will fall if enough money or a pretty figure is offered to them.

As I listen to the man I felt sorrow for him.  In his eyes he has lost hope in the world around him.  The thought striked deep, is this hopeless view overtaking our views on life?  How can we fight back?  Where can we find hope and happiness which seems to be long forgotten?

I realized the man had maked a good point; I feel though we can not just lay down and lose this fight.  I don't know if it was my own ego or just a child-like desire to find happiness.  I asked "how can we find the values" in somewhat of a plee hoping to see there was still a chance....

We have forgotten God.  That is where our world is falling short, we feel the quick fix is happiness, instead of the long haul happiness which God can bring us.  When we all take a stand in our own lives the happiness and high standards will begin to show their faces.  Our world is not a lost hope, but just in a testing state, which we have to to stand up and continue to fight.

No one will win this battle expect for each one of us.  Lets all take a stand for our values.  Bring back the hope and values which we all need.  Find the happiness waiting for us all, which can not be find by an amount of dollar bills.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Follow Christ's invitation to find HAPPINESS!