Daily Ponderings: Heaven Was Opened

Revelation 15:5

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

With His help, I can find ways to be happy

Small Things

Thinking about doing a small thing might make me want to do a larger thing. That's probably a prompting from the Spirit trying to encourage me. I should listen to the Spirit and do the larger thing.

But if thinking about doing a small thing makes me feel guilty for not doing a larger thing, that's probably the adverary trying to discourage me. I should ignore him and do the small thing.

Scriptures

Scriptures are not supposed to make sense, they're supposed to put me in a questioning state of mind so that I can receive answers. A whack on the side of the head to kickstart my brain.

TFHW: Strengthen Your Family Here on Earth

8-30-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class
Texted Sarah
Texted Roger

Daily Ponderings: Thy Ways

Revelation 15:3

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

I should learn of and follow His ways

TFHW: Favorite Sister

8-29-22
FHE
Responded to Patty

Daily Ponderings: Out of the Winepress

Revelation 14:20

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Out of the winepress of adversity comes strength and joy. I just need to seek His peace during the pressing

TFHW: Contact!

8-28-22
Emailed temple workers to ask if they could help on Stake Temple Day
Mentioned stake temple day in EQ

Daily Ponderings: Their Works Do Follow Them

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

I should do kind things and note the blessings I receive

TFHW: Early in the Morning

8-27-22
Did sealings
Said goodbye to old temple presidency

Daily Ponderings: Worship Him

Revelation 14:7

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

I should decide that He is good and choose to become more like Him

TFHW: Get Ready

8-26-22
Improved place names
Printed off names for sealings

Daily Ponderings: Him That Hath Understanding

Revelation 13:18

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

I should listen and ponder and seek to understand what He is trying to teach me.

TFHW: By Immersion

8-25-22
Did baptisms at the temple, brought Abigail Howell, took names for Br. Stay

Daily Ponderings: He Doeth Great Wonders

Revelation 13:13

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

I should watch for the miracles in my life

TFHW: Meeting to Order

8-24-22
Attended TFH Zoom meeting

Daily Ponderings: Power Was Given Him

Revelation 13:7

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

He can give me the power I need to make progress in any situation

The Answer to Why

Why would a loving God do this?
The same reason he does anything - because he loves you perfectly - and He wants you to be happy
How in the world am I supposed to be happy while carrying this burden?
And THAT... is the right question. It's not rhetorical. Find the answer.
And the answer is: by being kind to yourself, to others, and to God

TFHW: Teacher's Pet

8-23-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class
Mowed the lawn
Asked TFH council for advice on activities for stake temple day

Daily Ponderings: Keep the Commandments of God

Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I should follow His commandments, especially the personal commandments

TFHW: Who Has Lesson?

8-22-22
Did FHE
Texted Ryan

Daily Ponderings: The Word of Their Testimony

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

I should think about the things I know are true.

TFHW: On Loan

8-21-22
Asked Carl Stay to bring me names that we could do on our baptism trip
Arranged to take Abby Howell to the temple on Thursday
Asked bishop when Iran can go to the temple

Daily Ponderings: A Place Prepared of God

Revelation 12:6

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

I should keep a place prepared of God in my soul and use it often

TFHW: Lots of Districts

8-20-22
Improved place names
Discussed TFHW attendance at ward council on 1st Sundays at 8:35
Talked to Carl Stay about his last trip to the temple

Daily Ponderings: The Temple of God Was Opened

Revelation 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

I have access to His power. I am not alone

TFHW: Old Standard

8-19-22
Improved place names
Texted TFH Council re: date of Stake Temple Day

Daily Ponderings: Their Testimony

Revelation 11:7

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

I should embrace that which is true and find peace therein

TFHW: It's a Breeze

8-17-22
Fixed portable fan
Tended Kitten's back Daily Ponderings: Their Testimony

Daily Ponderings: He Said Unto Me

Revelation 10:11

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

I should listen to what He says and do it. That is how I can have peace in abundance at all times.

Living Like Him Has Become a Habit

Transform from living like Him requiring effort, to it requiring effort to NOT live like Him

It's Hard, But It's the Best Way

focus on cost v. focus on gain

putting up with it v. enjoying it

grudging v. eager

tolerating v. enjoying

being willing to do His will v. wanting what He wants

TFHW: Have a Seat

8-16-22
Finished working on breezeway bench
Fixed white end table
Attended Kitten's covenant class

Daily Ponderings: The Little Book Which Is Open

Revelation 10:8

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

I should turn to the scriptures for guidance. They are a way for me to hear Him and feel His peace

TFHW: Validation

8-15-22
Did FHE
Worked on assembling breezeway bench

Daily Ponderings: He Hath Declared

Revelation 10:7

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

I should seek to hear His voice in whatever I read.

Free Your Energy

"Hatred is the emotional expression of frustrated energy" -Isabel Paterson

My Best

I should focus on doing the best I can, and not worry about anything else. I should be focused on effort, not outcome.

TFHW: Spread the Word

8-14-22
Talked about upcoming stake temple day in EQ
Gave Kitten a blessing

Daily Ponderings: I Heard a Voice

Revelation 10:4

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

I should listen for His voice, and do what He tells me

TFHW: Long Walk

8-13-22
Did sealings
Went birding
Went on accidental 5 mile walk with family, stayed cheerful

Daily Ponderings: Repented They

Revelation 9:21

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

I can do better with His help

TFHW: Golden Brown Goodness

8-12-22
Texted TFH Council
Prepared food and names for the temple trip
Toasted marshmallows with family

Daily Ponderings: Which Were Prepared

Revelation 9:15

And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

I should practice feeling His peace at all times so that I am prepared to keep feeling His peace when I need it most

TFHW: Same Green Hill, Different Day

8-11-22
Star gazed with family
Made appointment for sealings
Tried to remove Joshua's splinter
Handled meeting with the Bishop about the bathroom

Daily Ponderings: Teeth of Lions

Revelation 9:8

And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

His peace can proceed to me as from the mouth of a lion

TFHW: Green Hill Far Away

8-10-22
Star gazed with family

Daily Ponderings: I Beheld and Heard

Revelation 8:13

And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

I should watch for His hand in my life, and listen for what He is saying to me

Gain the Mind of Christ

Striving to gain the mind of Christ - not just WWJD, but WWJ Think?

He would think - I am a fount of kindness, and this person will enjoy the kindness I am about to give

Be Like Him

I should have a consuming desire to become like Him, all the time

When I blogged, I was always thinking about being kind.

Maybe... all it takes is always being kind to everyone I meet, then being grateful to Him for the pleasant experiences that being kind brings

TFHW: Front Row, Center

8-9-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class

Daily Ponderings: The Third Part of the Ships Were Destroyed

Revelation 8:9

And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

To progress and become something new, I must be willing to let go of what I am now, to become something better. This process is uncomfortable.

TFHW: Traditional Monday

8-8-22
Did Family Home Evening

Daily Ponderings: There Were Voices

Revelation 8:5

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Of all the voices I hear, I should listen to His. It will be the one speaking peace.

TFHW: Go Tell It on the Mountain

8-7-22
Gave testimony of blessings of Temple & Family history work. Encouraged members to talk to their family about their family
Did indexing
Emailed Tom

Daily Ponderings: Wipe Away All Tears

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

He can help me find ways to be happy, even when things are hard, if I ask for peace.

TFHW: Come on Down

8-6-22
Did endowments at the temple
Went with Kitten to see her friend Suzanna and her daughter Mikayla

Daily Ponderings: Worshipped God

Revelation 7:11

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

I should stand before Him and let Him change me to become more like Him

TFHW: A Thought on the Temple

8-5-22
Texted TFH council
Emailed Tom

Daily Ponderings: Sealed

Revelation 7:6

Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

When I become sealed His, I am entitled to His peace whenever I ask for it.

TFHW: Maintenance

8-4-22
Mowed the lawn
Went with family to meet with Iran and the missionaries
Texted Sarah
Emailed Tom

Daily Ponderings: Who Shall Be Able to Stand

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

I can stand if I seek the peace of His power

Daily Ponderings: Be at Peace

Job 22:21

Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

TFHW: Rescue Ranger

8-3-22
Drove out to Kitten & Joshua and jump started the van; replaced battery in van

Daily Ponderings: White Robes Were Given

Revelation 6:11

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

If I seek His help, the white robe of His peace will surround and comfort me.

A Little at a Time

God won't ask me to do every good thing every day. Jesus didn't do every good thing every day, and He was perfect.

(from Kitten's covenant class)

The Gospel Is for ALL of His Children

Jesus taught prostitutes and tax collecters, who the Pharisees deemed unacceptable

It's my fault if the unacceptable don't feel welcome in Christ's church because of the things I say and do.

(from Kitten's covenant class)

The Atonement

Mosiah 3:19 - "he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord..."

I do the yielding. Then His atonement makes me a saint.

The atonement is cosmic habitforce. It's the tipping point where actions turn into habits turn into character - who I am instead of what I do

Like Him

Thought that occurred:

"If you want to be like Me, feel My peace."

TFHW: Apple for the Teacher

8-2-22
Attended Kitten's covenant class

Daily Ponderings: Hurt Not the Oil

Revelation 6:6

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

I should be kind to myself and allow His peace to fill me, displacing sadness or frustration

The Assumption of Responsibility

From Bruce C. Hafen's June 1977 "The Value of the Veil":

"The assumption of responsibility can be liberating or crushing, depending upon one's preparation to receive it."

Progress

From Bruce C. Hafen's June 1977 "The Value of the Veil":

"Change and growth achieved by repeated mental effort aimed at learning a specific skill, n the pursuit of some purpose."

TFHW: Sing Around the Table

8-1-22
Gave Kitten a blessing
Had FHE

Daily Ponderings: Worshipped Him

Revelation 5:14

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

I should make choices that help me become like Him. The first is to feel His peace.

TFHW: Sorting Issues

7-31-22
Took Kitten to see Pr. Nussbaum to discuss how to deal with Mariah