Every Day Follower of Jesus Christ

I will laugh at the world, and most importantly, at myself.

Knowing that we are all children of God gives us a vision of the worth of others and the ability to rise above prejudice.  His message is love.  His life on earth was love.  His resurrection is love.  Love for each and everyone.  We are all alike unto God.

Did you know learning any concept or principle or changing any behavior pattern requires five important steps?   First,  you have to expose a person.  Second  is the law of repetition.  Third  is to give understanding, the why. People of all ages want to know the why's when asked to support a change or to change.

As the Savior said, “Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon these things … that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow." Clothing for the soul comes by living principles of righteousness, pondering and praying about that which we learn as we seek to be followers of Jesus Christ.

It is not always easy to achieve an appropriate balance. In addition to what we read in social media posts, we can have brought right into our homes in color most of the problems of an entire world. We also have our own personal ups and downs and challenges. The stresses of life are real and rather constant. There is, however, a defense against much of this.

There are significant numbers of youth who are striving to identify a path that will bring them satisfaction—a sense of belonging and of self-worth. A sense of belonging is critical to the wellbeing of our children. Ensuring that home is a safe and stable place, a place where belonging means being seen valued and appreciated. I have come to learn to be fully present to children no matter what othe...

When encountering those who have a rebirth of spiritual life, my eyes are often teary with happiness for their journey to the Savior and partaking of His atoning sacrifice. How beautiful, how tender it is to see the heart changed, the lost found, and the blind restored to sight. Though we may not understand how it happens, we know why—because God loves His children. A love that transcends our doub...

The Atonement cleanses us and it also completes us. The Atonement brings us comfort and it also compensates for our shortcomings in mortality. The Atonement liberates us from death and it also lifts us higher on Christ's path as we follow Him back home.

There are two deaths, physical and spiritual. According to a young child, "Jesus beat the pants off of both." Physical death came in the Fall of Adam and Eve. "Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light. " [2 Timothy 1:10, Bible New Testament]. As a result all humanIty will overcome physical death by being resurrected and obtaining immortality.

Jesus Christ commanded us to forgive others seventy times seven times [Matthew 18:22, Bible New Testament]. Why is it so hard for us to believe He would also forgive us more than once? Too many people think that if they commit the same sin again, and again, it's all over. That is not true. We will mess up again and again, and the Atonement of mercy is ours to claim through repentance. Each time we...

We know he sweat great drops of blood from every pore as he drained the dregs of that bitter cup his Father had given him. A good friend of mine, a medical doctor and founder of pain study centers commented, "for a person to sweat great drops of blood from every pore would mean the capillaries in their system all burst, just one of two is such excruciating pain that we cannot ease that suffering,...

When we put together the teachings from the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph, it is clear that love, forgiveness, judge not and the giving of second chances over and over leads to love and fulfilling relationships. Happiness rests in understanding that it is natural to love others, to feel their pain and help, to forgive no matter what, and build relationships that bring hope and peace one p...

This day is all any of us have, so with the moments you have left of this day, what can you do to lift another? What will you see in this day that fills your soul and propels you to action?

In order to avoid an eye for an eye, we must learn to curb our tongues. We should always remember that spoken words can never be recalled and may be remembered in sadness and regret forever. Not everything we feel has to be said. Almost nothing we think in anger should ever be said.

Because agency and the right to choose is an eternal principle that was part of our pre-mortal rights, our choice to come to earth and be tried and tested, left the need for a Savior. One who could pay the price of justice and through mercy and grace, provide a path of repentance that would allow us to be claimed as worthy of eternal life.

There is no one that is void of expectations. These can be violated by developing circumstances and if we are not meek, the surprise or disappointment by the violation of such expectations can throw us off our stride and even cause us to stumble. This has certainly happened to me several times in the last few months, to the point that it seems like I'm drowning in quicksand. It is the climb back o...

...meekness is so much more. It also has to do with things of everlasting and salvational significance. In the opening words today, there are two references to scripture around the meek. Let's add another one, "God arose to save all the meek of the earth." [Psalms 76:9] Jesus Christ, whom we strive to follow, describes himself as being meek and lowly of heart. He continues His counsel by encouragi...

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." [Matthew 5: 14,16] In this ever increasing world filled with confusion and anything goes, each of us needs to let our good works shine and glorify our Father and Mother in heaven. It is this that combats the trash the fills the minds and carnal desires of humanity.

Our brother, our Redeemer is not going to then, now or ever bestow cheap grace on us, and He wasn't going to ask for that Himself. With things of the spirit we need to develop patience and recognize that we, too, will struggle to know our standing before God.

When looking back on his life accomplishments and his generosity to others, he was not ordinary in our eyes. He spent a lifetime striving to emulate, Jesus Christ, no ordinary man.

the entire Buffalo Bill team and some Bengals, kneeling and praying over their teammate, led to prayers being uttered all across this country. In that moment, football was reduced to its proper size as just a game. The first and most important element, was the status of a colleague, friend, family man.

The practice of reviewing the past and setting new directions for the future is a very healthy one, a scripturally encouraging one, in which we can beneficially alter our lives. I recommend the practice to you, especially if it is thoughtfully pursued and the resolutions made clothed in righteousness, bringing behaviors and attitudes that truly bless your lives and the lives of others. Shakespeare...

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, "where is He that is born King of Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him." - Matthew 2: 1-2, Bible New Testament.

Little one, do you recall The King who was born in a cattle stall? Who left His royal throne on high That still and starry Christmas night? He came from Heaven to Bethlehem And hope was born within the hearts of men

Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. It is a good time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its personal meaning. It is a powerful time of renewal and recommitment...