Good Questions: Message and Hand

Questions are the key to knowledge. If I find good questions that I feel like I should ponder, I will place them in this category.

Did God send a message that was just for me?

Did I see His hand in my life or in the lives of my family?

IABDITN: Life Lessons from Mr. Rogers

I've watched "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" at least 3 times now, and I'm endlessly fascinated with how Fred chooses the things he says. Because there's an amazing power in the way he uses words. But it's not enough for me just to be able to quote him. I want to figure out what was going through his head.

Final script here.

p 22 "Well, I figured if you wanted to talk to me, I should want to talk to you."

Faced with yet another person who wanted a piece of his day, he recognizes that he could resist and begrudgingly give the bare minimum. However, he instead chooses to embrace it and give it his complete attention.

p 22 "I try to look through the camera, into the eyes of each child watching, and speak to them, as if individually, trying to be fully present to their feelings and needs.

"Fully present" - so easy to say, so very hard to do.

p 27 "That sword looks very sharp. And heavy too."

He makes a comment about something that is important to the person.

p 28 Well you must be very strong to hold it like that. And you know what? I bet you're very strong on the inside, too."

He makes a comment about a fine quality he infers from the person's interaction with the something that's important to that person.

p 29-30 "Oh, dear. Are you all right?"

"Oh. It looks like it hurts."

"Can we have Evan look at him?"

Fred sees him him, sympathizes with him, offers to help him.

p 30 "Thank you for being here, Lloyd."

Recognizes someone went through some trouble for his sake, to be together with him at that time. (It's a small thing, but how often do I ever think about the other person's inconvenience instead of just my own?)

Daily Ponderings: Life and Immortality to Light

2 Timothy 1:10

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Light and life and all things good will come to me as I choose to live my life the way that He did.

Gospel v. Doctrine

I hear these word used seemingly interchangeably, so I wondered if there was a difference.

The Gospel mostly refers to the events of Christ's life: birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection.

Doctrine is the rules for becoming more like Him.

They're not interchangeable, but they are intertwined. The more I read about what He said and did, the more I understand how to make doing and saying similar things a part of my life.

And, with practice, as perfectly natural a part of my life as breathing.

Daily Ponderings: Lay Hold on Eternal Life

1 Timothy 6:19

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

My goal is not immortality, but rather living a life - here and now - that is worthy of an eternal being.

Daily Ponderings: Follow After

1 Timothy 6:11

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

to strive to know the truth, speak the truth, and learn more truth
foresightedness
empowering beliefs
recognizing value
patience
power (to change) under control

Seek the truth, as a long-term goal and with patience, recognizing its worth and believing that it is possible to attain, and use that truth to change my life in a direction that makes me more like Him

Daily Ponderings: A Faithful Saying and Worthy

1 Timothy 4:9

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

I should ensure that all the things I say are rooted in empowering beliefs, and that my words are worthy of one who is trying to become more like Him.

Daily Ponderings: In a Pure Conscience

1 Timothy 3:9

Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

All empowering beliefs work better when surrounded by the empowering belief that I am worthy of the blessings I seek.

Life Itself

From Richard G. Scott's April 1996 "Finding Joy in Life":

"Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself."

Daily Ponderings: Pray Every Where

1 Timothy 2:8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

There is no location or burden or sorrow that I can be in, where He can't reach down to help me if I ask for His help.

Daily Ponderings: The Glorious Gospel

1 Timothy 1:11

According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Not just pleasant-sounding platitudes, the gospel has power to transform me, but I have to put forth effort and dig deep to harness that power in order to use it to become more like Him.

Daily Ponderings: Work and Eat

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

But when I am engaged in HIS work (helping to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man) then I am fed spiritually.

It's OK to Ask for Help

He told me He doesn't ever get tired of being asked for help and strength and forgiveness, over and over and over. If I don't ask for help every single time I need it, the entire atonement will have been wasted. Its only purpose is to help His children, including me, become more like Him. Otherwise, it is completely useless and there's no point to it whatsoever.

I can't "overuse" it, any more than I can breathe "too much" air.

Daily Ponderings: Signs and Lying Wonders

2 Thessalonians 2:9

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

Satan has only the power over me that I give him, and his lying signs and wonders have power over me only if I believe them. When I identify his voice, he loses his power.

Daily Ponderings: You Who Are Troubled Rest With Us

2 Thessalonians 1:7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

When I am troubled, it is often because I am envisioning a future calamity, and am feeling fear about an event which hasn't transpired yet. This is Satan's counterfeit of godliness's power to plan for the future. It's not planning to act, it's planning to feel powerless.

"If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn."

Daily Ponderings: Ever Follow That Which Is Good

1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Whatever I do, it should make myself and someone else better off.

At the End of Every Prayer

I should add "nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done" to the end of every prayer and see what happens.

UPDATE 6-21-20:

From James E. Faust's October 1996 "The Grand Key - Words for the Relief Society"

"when they were prepared to say to the Lord, 'Thy will be done,' then would come the sweet peace which the Savior promised."

Daily Ponderings: Increase More and More

1 Thessalonians 4:10

And indeed ye do it [have love] toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

As I recognize how more and more things add value to my life, I increase the amount of gratitude and thankfulness in my life.

Question: How does being more grateful and thankful make me more like Him? What is God grateful and thankful for?

Daily Ponderings: Comforted by Your Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:7

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

Acting on faith not only gives me the power to improve my life and change myself to become more like Him, it can also serve as an example and inspiration to others who are struggling.

The Purpose of Prayer

From James E. Faust's October 1996 "Woman, Why Weepest Thou?":

"The Son of God shall be... quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers."

The purpose of prayer is to crystalize in your mind what it is you want, so that when you see it, you will recognize it.

Work, Labor, Patience - A Puzzling Out

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

***
work based on empowering beliefs, work based on recognizing the value that the loved one adds to my life over the long term, and patience of a righteous goal.

Work, work, patience. In pursuit of a long-term goal that involves either knowing, speaking, or learning the truth.

Patience of seeking to become more like Him?

Remembering (connecting with, returning to the state of)

The work I did in the absence of a certain outcome because it will improve my life long-term, as I patiently (a Christ-like characteristic, [charity (kindness) is patient]) seek to become more like Him.

Remember always (put myself in the state of) the times I was powerful enough to act kindly toward myself and others in pursuit of becoming more like Him.

***

Not positive that's the right interpretation, but I think it's close.

Daily Ponderings: Thank We God Without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

It's not to be happy every moment, but every time the thought of a good thing comes to mind. I should be thankful for it. There never comes a time when I am no longer allowed to be happy about a particular good thing in my life.

Daily Ponderings: As a Father

1 Thessalonians 2:11

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

I should do all I do out of either love or kindness.

Not a Burden

From Henry B. Eyring's October 1996 "Witnesses for God"

"Such work [home teaching] is an opportunity, not a burden."

As is all work in pursuit of the path of God.

Daily Ponderings: Knowing Your Election of God

1 Thessalonians 1:4

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

God lets me know that I'm doing it right by the peaceful, confirming feeling of the Holy Ghost.

Also, if I'm still receiving revelation, that's a good sign that I'm living right. People on the wrong path are less prone to revelation.

Daily Ponderings: Bold in Our God

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

If I know the truth, why would I be afraid?

Daily Ponderings: In Power, and in the Holy Ghost

1 Thessalonians 1:5

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Whenever I see the word power in the scriptures, I ask, "the power to do what?" The answer is almost always "to change" or "to transform".

The Holy Ghost's power is to transform faith into knowledge. Normally experience does this, but when experience is not possible, the Spirit's confirmation works the transformation.

Daily Ponderings: Remember My Bonds

Colossians 4:18

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

I don't have to do anything as dramatic as be thrown in prison. Any time I deny the natural man and choose a peaceful path, I put myself in bonds for Christ's sake.

Daily Ponderings: A Comfort Unto Me

Colossians 4:11

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

Who can I give comfort to?

Educating and Training

From Neal A. Maxwell's October 1996 "According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts":

"Only by educating and training our desires can they become our allies instead of our enemies!"

But... before I can train my desires, first I have to choose a righteous goal that I would like to accomplish.

Daily Ponderings: If He Come Unto You, Receive Him

Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

He whom God places in my path is placed so for my betterment. Thus I should take advantage of the opportunity, and provide him with the whole of my focus and attention, holding nothing back.

I have a habit of limiting how involved I get when I encounter other people. I want most encounters to end quickly, and I'm looking for the door. I am happier when allow myself to be in the moment and not think about the next thing I want to do. I will get to it, but I should also allow myself to enjoy the thing I'm doing now.

I think it's because encounters with people are open-ended, and have no discrete, specific, stopping point. It makes me uncomfortable, because I'm afraid I'll run out of things to say.

And who is the voice of fear? And why should I listen to him?

Daily Ponderings: A Quarrel Against Any

Colossians 3:13

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

"Any" includes myself. The adversary will whisper all the reasons why I can't let go and move on from my shortcomings. I am allowed to forgive my own shortcomings and mistakes, just as I can for anyone else. I should listen to the voice that says this is a good thing.

Daily Ponderings: Faith of the Operation

Colossians 2:12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

If my God is mighty enough in my life to overcome even death, surely I can be empowered by the belief that He is mighty enough to help me overcome any lesser obstacle.

Daily Ponderings: Image of God

Colossians 1:15

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

God knows the truth. And in His image, Christ speaks it. Before anything can happen, truth must be spoken. I can be like Him in speaking truth as I seek to create the world according to His will.

Labor for Conversion

From Robert D. Hales April 1997 "When Thou Art Converted, Strenthen Thy Brethren":

To labor for the conversion of one's self and others is a noble and joyful task.

"Labor for conversion" vs "this is my work". It's not just noble and joyful, it's Godlike.

Daily Ponderings: I Am Instructed Both

Philippians 4:12

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

In my life I will live in a variety of conditions. In all conditions, the way to respond to circumstances is the same - by seeking to become more like Him and do what He would do.

The alternative is to default to shoetop vision and do what is more comfortable, rather than what will be most helpful long-term.

Daily Ponderings: Attain Unto the Resurrection

Philippians 3:11

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

In a metaphorical sense, I can have the power to keep going, even when I can't see any way forward. I can ask Him to help the fear and the powerlessness fall from my mind and free me from the adversary's spiritual bog.

Daily Ponderings: I Joy

Philippians 2:17

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

If what I do helps someone else, it's a good reason for me to feel joy.

Daily Ponderings: Day of Christ

Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

If I choose, I can make every day a day of Christ, and rejoice.

Source of Strength

From then-Elder Russell M. Nelson's April 1997 "Endure and Be Lifted Up"

"...strength comes from commitments made well in advance."

When I'm feeling my strongest and best self, I should make my decisions about the future. Then, in the future, when I'm feeling wobbly, I can fall back on the decision I already made when I was in a more forethoughtful place.

Preach Christ of Contention

Inspired by Philippians 1:16

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

I reflected that I sometimes find that I serve grudgingly and with resentment. It brings me contention instead of joy. And so I asked, "How can I release my hardness and allow joy to enter my heart?"

It occurs to me that I enjoy doing things others can't do for themselves. Less so when they can, but don't.

However, then I saw verse 18:

What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

From this I see that even serving grudgingly is better than not serving at all, although the adversary might insist loudly otherwise. Contentious service is still service. The adversary only loves contention.

Then 23-25:

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

So I'm not alone in the choice between what I'd rather do, and what is better for someone else. I am told by Paul that by choosing to do the "not rather", I will be blessed for having chosen to abide.

2:6-7

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

He knew who he was, and the appearance of being subservient and lowly did not affect that knowledge. He was the King who washed feet. Which others can certainly do for themselves.

And 2:8:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

And since he was in the form of a man, he chose to do a man's work, and fulfill a man's obligations, duties, and burdens. And joyed in them, because his goal was to be an example for others. Which leads to

2:9:

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

and the final charge in 2:13-15:

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

It's not too late to teach the boys how to be like me, if indeed, I believe (and I do) that I am worthy of emulation, because I emulate Him whom I serve.

And the lesson is not necessarily about service, so much as how to change gears (sometimes at a moment's notice) and choose to do the things you'd rather not in a graceful, dignified and cheerful manner.

THAT is the lesson that will serve them best as they create their own lives.

Daily Ponderings: Be Prepared and Strive

Ephesians 6:15

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Not shod with the gospel, but with the preparation.

And with Ephesians 6:14

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Righteousness is all about striving to know, speak, or learn truth, not the degree to which I'm successful at it.

As I give my best effort, His grace will make up the difference, and I will be blessed with all that I need.

Daily Ponderings: Armor of God Against the Evil Day

Ephesians 6:13

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Armor is something that's put on before the battle. So, thinking ahead to troubles I know I will face during the day, I can ask for the foreknowledge of how to better react in the challenging situation. I can make my decision when I'm strong, and be ready to execute it, instaead of having to decide on the fly when I may not be at my best.

Come Up Just a Little Bit

In John Bytheway's talk on the war chapters, he speaks of Amalikiah's trick of asking his victims to "come down just a little bit."

It made me realize that I can become a little more like God each day if I "come up just a little bit" at my choice points. I don't have to do things perfectly, but I can do things just a little better.

Daily Ponderings: Always for All Things

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

"All" means even trials and adversities, because every adversity carries within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.

Daily Ponderings: Not Unwise, But Understanding

Galatians 5:17

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The way I attain understanding of His will for me is to listen to Him. I can't listen to him if I'm listening to the fearful doubts of the whisperings of the adversary. If it's not making me happier or stronger, it's not His voice. And if the doubts are in my voice, I can ask for His help to strengthen and fortify me until my voice sounds like His.

A Translation on Empowerment Toward the Fulness

Ephesians 3:16-21

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That I will be spiritually strengthened by His transformational power

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

That I might hold many empowering beliefs and recognize the value Christ adds to my life

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

That I can have knowledge and not just faith.

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

That I can come to know how Christ values me. That I may slowly attain all of God's knowledge.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

That I can attain even more knowledge than the apostles, if I'm willing to put in their level of spiritual work toward attaining understanding.

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

As my faith transforms into knowledge, I will become more like Him until I am like Him.

Daily Ponderings: Worthy of the Vocation

Ephesians 4:1

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

My vocation is to do the Lord's will so that I can become more like Him. I tend toward asking "What is thy will?" and being disappointed by the ensuing silence. But faith is doing, so maybe I can try "How can I do thy will?"