Not Enough of Me
Just One More Day She was up at 3 am and again at 5 am with sick kids. After cleaning up the throw-up she was able get a few minutes of sleep before fixing her husband’s breakfast. They had family prayer and sent her husband off to work. He’s been working overtime. She ran the daughter to violin lessons and the son to gymnastics. She worked on her Young Women lesson as she and her toddler waited in the car. Just one more day and her husband would be back to his normal schedule. There’s Just Not Enough of Me to Go Around! He filled the empty fishing net. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at
“A Worthless Soul”
“I’m just no good. Today I was supposed to be in Boise. I couldn’t fix my truck. I’m frustrated. I can’t afford to pay someone to fix it. I’m not a good provider. I might lose my job… I talked to my wife about how much of a failure I believe I am and she says she’s going to divorce me… I came in the house twice and prayed. I lack the faith… nothing changed… I wish I was dead.” I sat in his front room as he went on and on describing how he believed he was “a worthless soul.” Such a good man and family. They were just completing Family Home Evening with their children as I arrived. I could see their garden in
Today’s Trials, Tomorrow’s Testimony
He Will Not Always Take Your Afflictions – The ultrasound was complete. The doctor told the prospective parents there was a cyst on the baby’s brain. – The divorce wasn’t even final before his wife learned about her husband’s girlfriend. – She was discharged from the mental hospital in Utah. Her parents located her at a bus stop in Las Vegas. – The foreclosure on the home was final. The family had to be out by Saturday. – There was nothing more the doctors could do. The young father died. What do all these families have in common? Each have completed a session at a local LDS temple. The Doubt And Fear Of Our Times “We are living through turbulent times. A great storm of evil
Measuring UP
“They’re right. I’m just no good!” she declared. Over the years, she had surrendered her “freedom to choose” positive feelings. Her family would criticize her and as a result she would feel depressed and frustrated. She had given-in to using her “family’s yardstick” to measure her own self-esteem. At times she was actually responding as if her family’s words, in some magical way, controlled her feelings and behavior. Her feelings and behavior were no longer hers, but a response to theirs. The tragedy of this scenario was this good woman was a very talented, bright, caring, wonderful person! In my opinion, she was not doing anything seriously wrong and the criticism from her family was unwarranted! In her case, like many others, the offending behavior seemed
Hello, Is the President Available?
Calling the White House President Obama says he is committed to creating the most open and accessible administration in American history. So I called the White House to visit with him about some of my personal concerns. A receptionist answered the phone, “White House.” I asked if I could talk to the President and that I had some concerns. She transferred me to another line. I received a tape recording “President’s Comment Line” saying, “We are closed.” When I call upon God in prayer, he is not that way. The call always goes through. No foreign voice. No voice recording. No support staff is going to answer. We are His children. He’s not out of the office when we call. He’s not disinterested in our
You Get What You Faith For
The Power of Negative Belief “Dad, I don’t have any place to stay. They kicked me out… I’ve lost my job again. I’ve been in IHOP now for 5 hours waiting for someone to come get me. I don’t have any more money. Dad, you have to come get me, now!” pled Amy. Amy was a 20 year-old “prodigal daughter” in a far off state. Dad thought as he has for the past few years, “She needs my help. Honestly, she can’t do this on her own. This is way too hard for her… Why, she can’t even get out of bed on time .” The father booked the next flight to go help Amy. As a psychologist I’ve spent my life reading, studying and
Worrying Is A Sin
Are you a worrier? Do you sometimes lie awake at night worrying about what might happen to you or a loved one? Worrying is being concerned about things over which we have little or no control – like paying rent on a house you don’t own. Worrying can be a sin like lying, cheating or stealing and results in a lack of faith in God. Worry denies the power of God When we face difficult situations, do all we can, and then place our problems on an all-powerful Heavenly Father. When we cast our burdens on Him He will not fail us. (Matthew 11:28-30.) Worrying typically increases as faith in God decreases. When we worry we are saying, “God cannot handle this situation in my life. This is too
Packing Your Wagon
Too heavy … then lighten the load! If the going is too heavy, maybe you need to lighten your load. When we talk about our schedules, commitments, expectations, pressures, and even about dates, deadlines, decisions, finances, future obligations, and unlimited opportunities we may have thought: “So much to do and so little time!” Too often we allow ourselves to be driven from one deadline, activity, or opportunity to the next. We check events off our calendar and think, “After this week things will let up,” or “After this semester …” or “After graduation, then the pressure will ease.” We live with false expectations. Unless we learn to take control of the present, we will always live in anticipation of better days in the future. And
Overlooking
I was having lunch with a friend when a waitress dropped a tray of dishes. Most of the people turned and looked at the person who dropped the tray. My friend did not look to see who dropped the tray, he just continued with our conversation as if nothing had happened. I thought the person who dropped the tray would have liked to have had everyone in the restaurant overlook that incident. The more mature person has developed the discipline to overlook, in others, a minor incident, a thoughtless act or an embarrassing moment. Missing Out of the Gospel To overlook an act of no consequence or of little importance is a quality of graciousness and patience. The less mature person often tends to react,
“Mormon-Lite” Anyone?
It’s 9:00 am and the High Priest Group Leader asks for volunteers to take the Sacrament to the Shut-ins after sacrament meeting. About 25 High Priests, many of which have been in bishoprics, stake presidencies, and have served on the high council were present. No hands went up. Next, in Gospel Doctrine class the teacher asks if anyone read the assignment for today’s lesson. Again no hands were raised. Finally, it was time for sacrament meeting. The chapel and the overflow were full. Several members snuck in having missed the earlier meetings in order to take the Sacrament. They crossed paths with others who were sneaking out just after taking the sacrament. In Sacrament meeting , the Bishop spoke on improving a very low home and
