Jesus once of humble birth...

This Hymn on pg. 196 may not be found in the Bible, but I believe the Hymns are Scripture.  They can speak to the soul on a different level and touch our Spirits even when we believe we are beyond feeling.  Each verse throughout this song presents comparisons about the life of Christ. The first column speaks of his trials and humility, the second his exalted state.

Humble birth - in Glory comes

Suffered grief and pain - now He reigns

Meek and lowly - the Great I Am

Bowed upon the Cross - Chariot is a cloud

Groand blood and tears - Appears in Glory

Rejected by his own - Now is their King

Forsaken - Exalted

Bore all things - free from burden

Today I am thinking of my own children's birth. The instant joy as their innocent forms were placed in my arms.  At that moment the world was at their feet, their young minds and spirits ready to learn all their Heavenly Parents and earthly parents had to teach them.

Even our Savior, Jesus Christ began his mortal life as an infant needing to grow and learn from earthly parents.  Even he had to start humble, to suffer and experience those times in life that teach meekness, and those moments when he felt low and alone, rejected, forsaken, and asked to bear trials, to bear ALL things. 
When we compare what he bore to what we are asked to endure, our path should appear relatively simple.  So why isn't it simple?  Why does the path become hard to follow?

Think how it would be to travel through the thickest part of the jungle.  If you had to clear the path yourself, the journey would become long and exhausting.  But if you followed a guide, one who cleared the path who was stronger and more experienced, you may even have time to enjoy the sights along the way. 
Christ has shown us that through humility - bearing all things with grace - meekness - we too can have glory.  Not the fleeting glory of the world, but glory with Him who reigns on high.

I know my kids are tired of hearing my council.

I know they think sometimes Church is long and exhausting.

While I may not be a strong guide, I am more experienced. 
Remember even Christ had to have earthly parents to teach him..

Still he is the guide whose footsteps you should follow.

His path is tried and sure.

Stomping out your own path may make you feel independent -
but it is also tiring, dangerous, and may not lead you to a safe and glorious place.
Ask yourself -

Where do you want your journey to take you?

How hard do you want to make it be?

Where will you turn for peace?

Will you receive his Glory?

Hunger and Thirst

Today is Memorial Day.  We have had an absolutely wonderful weekend at the Jones Family Reunion.  We missed those who were unable to come and honored those who we will not see again in this earthly life.  I think my belly has never been so full.  Why is it, when we plan get togethers, food is abundant and passes excess?! 
Sunday some of us attended church at the old hometown Ward.  The Missionaries serving in that area spoke, and I found myself jotting down ideas for today's blog. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:

for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Hunger's footnote asks us to look at the Topical Guide for the word Teachable.  There we find a list of suggested alternative keywords to search. I think it makes for a list of the qualities we must possess in order to be Teachable. We must

• Believe
• have a Contrite Heart
• and Humility
• be committed to Learning
• be Meek

One of the Missionaries who spoke gave another key element to being teachable.

• 
  
  Invite the Spirit 

Believe -

"...Be not afraid, only believe."  Mark 5:36

How much more simple or straightforward can He be....if we can "only believe" all he offers in his teachings. 

Contrite Heart -

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite...spirit, ...and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15

I know of no better teacher than our Savior, if we can possess a contrite heart, or heart that is repentant, he will dwell with us, teach us, and revive our weary hearts.

Humility

And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge... D&C 1:28

That almost sounds like a contradiction in terms - to be humble AND strong?  But when we are humble, we are teachable and able to receive knowledge from on high.  When I picture Christ and think of his attributes.  I can see that he is humble, yet strong.  He knows from whom all blessings flow, acknowledges his Father in all things, and is strong in his committment. 

Learning -

I have linked learning, I feel it is worth at least skimming though the passages of scripture listed there.  We must never stop learning!

Meek -
I recently touched on meek, so will only add -
The meek will he aguide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalms 25:9
Invite the Spirit -
None of this is possible without the Spirit who knows all things and testifies of truth.  When we pray specifically to feel the Spirit - it is like having Christ as our constant Professor in life. Do we hunger after righteousness the way we do Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes? S'mores around the family campfire? or do we thirst for Christ's teachings like we long for loved we seldom see or will not see on this side of the veil?  It may sound basic, but do we do it? 

Ye are the salt of the earth:

Graduation is tonight and my heart is full for many reasons.  I am faced with the future of my adult children, my own mortality, and changes in life I have no control over.  How is it possible I have three adult children? Where did the time go and where do I go from here?
I have skipped a few of the beatitudes, but Matthew 5:13-16 jumps out at me today as a message I could send to those I love. 

Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,
 but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
 but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

My dear childen, you will have many trials in your life, never let those trials dim your light or cause you to lose your savour.  You are of a chosen generation and must do better than your parents. Choose to be good for something, nothing is a lonely place to be . Take his image in your countenance and Glorify God with the works you choose to do as you head out into the world.  Such a better place to be than trodden under the feet of men.  You truly are the light of the world!

Blessed are the meek...

"...for they shall inherit the earth."

Matthew 5:5

The foot note next to meek reads:

GR gentle, forgiving, or benevolent.

The Heb. in Ps. 37: 11 characterizes as the humble those who have suffered.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

We live in a world where the successful people are aggressive...go getters...sometimes even ruthless. This scripture tells us to be the opposite...gentle and forgiving? Benevolent even, and the earth will be ours.

I don't feel meek, but I don't feel ruthless either, and honestly, it is a little intimidating to think of inheriting the earth.  What does that mean for those of us who feel less than adequate?  I hate to think of my children feeling this way also, but the truth is, sometimes we do. 

Read the whole text of

Psalm 37

(It expands on Matthew 5:5)

I almost wonder if David felt the way I do, that he was inadequate for the gifts God was willing to give him  even if he was righteous. 
But, he was wise, had hope and gives us hope in verses 25-34
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

I truly believe God does all he can for His righteous children to seperate them from the wicked...not just in the life to come, but now.  He loves and watches after those who love Him and are His servants. They will be forever blessed, while the wicked are cut off from their presence.   He answers the prayers of the righteous and sends people into their lives to keep them on the path that will return them to Him...to peace, the path away from the wicked.  

Know you deserve peace, hope, and the love of God.

Be kind, gentle...be meek...and you will inherit the earth.

"thou shalt see it"

Blessed are they that mourn...

Back to the beatitudes.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

Three key words stand out in this verse:

BLESSED - MOURN - COMFORTED

The dictionary defines BLESSED as:

1. consecrated; sacred; holy; sanctified

2.worthy of adoration, reverence, or worship

3.divinely or supremely favored
4.blissfully happy or contented.

5.bringing happiness and thankfulness:

Look through the list of adjectives above and you will find the words

....Sacred...Holy...Worthy...Divinely Favored...Blissfully Happy...Thankful....

The world entices us with a different set of adjectives:

....Wealthy....Sexy....Favored of Man...Fun Loving...Independent...Self Oriented....

Which attributes actually last, not just in this world, but in the world to come?

Hopefully we want to be Blessed...

The second key word, MOURN, is defined:

1. to feel or express sorrow or grief.

2. to grieve or lament for the dead.

3. to show the conventional or usual signs of sorrow over a person's death.

We all have cause to mourn.  My current list of why I mourn is long...

• Death is one reason for mourning - I think I will forever mourn my brother, but also others I have lost to death, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, friends who have gone on to the other side, even pets I have loved.
• I mourn at the loss of friendships - people who have impacted my life who are no longer a part of it.  I think sometimes death is easier.  The finality of death gives us hope of being reunited,  where as the loss of a friendship may never be restored.
• I find I am mourning the youth of my children - how is it I will have less children home than will be out in the world?  There were times when I thought we would never pass the diaper/bottle stage, or the busy toddler stage, or even the hormonal teenage years.  Even those will pass in the blink of an eye.
• I mourn lost  or wasted opportunities - times I should have been wiser, moments I should have acted upon and even moments I shouldn't have.  Things I should have said, asked, or done.  Opportunites that may not come again.

With so many things in life to mourn it is no wonder that Christ added this statement to his teachings!

 ....for they shall be comforted."

 COMFORT is defined as either a verb or a noun:
–verb (used with object)

1. to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to.
2. to make physically comfortable.
3. to aid; support or encourage.
–noun
4. relief in affliction; consolation; solace.
5. a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety.

Little needs to be said once we realize who is there to soothe, console, reassure and cheer us.
Who is able to provide physical comfort when we mourn so deeply we physically ache.
Who will aid, support and encourage us while we try to survive.
Who we can turn to for relief and solace as He frees us from pain and anxiety.

Elder Robert E. Wells poses the questions and provided divine answers;
"How can it be a blessing to be in mourning? To mourn is to show grief or pain at the death of a loved one. This intense feeling cannot be hidden from the world or from God; it cannot be eased or pacified except with comfort and consolation from God through the Holy Ghost.

So why would the Savior say that it is a blessing to mourn? It may be that pain and suffering at the death of loved ones is an essential part of our mortal experience that obliges us to face the question of the reality of the spirit world and the hope of the Resurrection. It is through suffering that we discover what is eternally important.
It might be that it is a blessing for us to become more fully aware that God’s ways are not always our ways, and that we must trust him when things don’t go as we believe they should. When we can see the Lord’s purposes fulfilled in our sorrowful moments, the Holy Ghost can console us and the Atonement and Resurrection can become the cornerstones of our faith. Again, both the Joseph Smith Translation and the Book of Mormon accounts indicate that the mourner is truly blessed only if he comes unto Christ."