7 February - The Discipline of Dejection

I have a point of disagreement with today's devotion. Chambers seems to speak of prayer as only a method to learn about God, not to receive answers. I have to disagree. How can we learn of God and His plan for us if we do not ask and receive answers. However, we must not doubt the instruction and answers we receive from the Lord.

So that begs the question ... what have I been receiving in my prayers or as instruction from the prophets that has caused me to doubt the Lord by doubting myself? Thinking of the last calling I received ... I doubted all over the place. And what was the result? I really just ended up confused and frustrated, feeling very sorry for myself. But when I let go of the doubt in myself I was able to enjoy the confusion (oh, yeah, there was still confusion ;-). Everything came easier because I wasn't worried about what I couldn't do.

So what doubts do you have in the Lord's instruction or your confirmation in prayers are you holding on to?

6 February - Are You Ready To Be Offered

So today I decided that if my role is to be the "file girl" then the that is my role. And guess what? I had a fabulous day! I found all sorts of things to do.

"Tell God you are ready to be offered, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever dreamed He would be." As I read this devotion I thought of Alma and the seed of faith (Alma 32) ... it just needs a place to grow. So I wonder if it is the same with this concept? If I just say that I'm ready, will God help me be more?

** Side note: James boarded for his Eagle rank and ......... HE IS AN EAGLE SCOUT! Woohoo! **

5 February - Are You Ready To Be Offered?

I have been really struggling lately. Oh, I'm not sure struggling is the correct term. Wondering might be better. Wondering about my place in this world. Time is so short and getting shorter ... what am I doing with my life. And then I read today's message and realize that what I want to be doing doesn't really matter.

Now, I'm not saying that I don't have talents ... I'm definitely good at a few things ;-) and could be good at probably many things. But as I look at the lives that have been brought to the forefront in these past few days (Hinckley, Monson, Eyring, Uchtdorf to name a few), I think of men who did not think about all the things they were "good at" -- ever. I cannot imagine President Monson ever thinking "Man, I'm really good at story telling. That's what I'm going to be known for in my Church service -- parables and stories -- that's the ticket." Egad! That mind boggles with that concept, doesn't it?

"Are you ready to be not so much as a drop in a bucket - to be so hopelessly insignificant that you are never thought of again in connection with the life you served?" Am I ready for that? I don't know if I'm ready for that, but I truly believe that is the answer to my wondering. For example, I've been so concerned about my place at work -- why am I not being utilized for all the great things that I "bring to the table" -- but really, does any of that matter? Not in the context of true service (even service at work) because our lives must be lived not just for Jesus Christ but through Him, doing the things that He would have us do.

4 February - The Overmastering Majesty of Personal Power

Wow ... today is even more exciting than yesterday. Today, we learned about our new First Presidency ... I'm so excited by our new leaders. Read about them here.

I have been most busy with starting school, getting ready for the Valentine's Dance and finding out that we ARE going to be doing a service project in April ... AAAHHH!!!!

I hope to catch up tomorrow. I bet these devotionals are really interesting ;-)

3 February - The Recognized Ban of Relationship

Super Bowl Sunday. What a great victory! That had to be the most exciting Super
Bowl ever.

Okay ... that means that I have not thought about the devotional at all. I'll talk about it tomorrow ... Go Giants!

WOOHOO! ;-)

2 February - The Constraint of the Call

Forget the devotion today ... I think there may be a nugget or two in there, but it's not worth the effort of finding it right now.

Gordon B. Hinckley was laid to rest today ... well, his body was laid to rest anyway. He is busy, I'm quite sure, with the work of the kingdom on the other side of the veil with his sweet companion by his side. What must it be like?

I rarely cry at funerals ... actually never had. They have always seemed a joyous occasion to me. It used to be because I thought this life was so worthless, that at least we'd be done with this drudgery. Then, I learned about the Gospel and found that the joy was because of the knowledge of what was to come. The ability to understand where we came from, why we are here and where we are going it abundantly joyful and incredibly powerful.

There is much peace in that knowledge. There is also much peace in the life of a humble servant of God. Can we take a moment and reflect on a life of service and in a sense become greedy for that life? Can we make the object of our existence here, as short as it is in the grand scheme of things, the building up His kingdom on earth? We can ... really, we can ... Gordon B. Hinckley is just one example of one who did. I guess the question is really ... will we? Will you build His kingdom and establish His righteousness, or not?

Will you?

1 February - The Call of God

I cannot see the message in today’s devotion … I think there are some nuggets here, but Chambers did not have the blessing of the Restoration, so is missing some key points. Maybe I’m wrong. Let me know if you think so.

He says, “We are nowhere commissioned to preach salvation or sanctification …” What? While I agree with his statement a few sentences later … that Christ came to redeem the whole world, not just our puny selves … I find it incongruent to leave salvation and sanctification out of our preaching and teaching.

We have to teach all three ... redemption, salvation and sanctification. I also don't agree that God is annoyed with us ... oh, well, maybe he does get annoyed with us!

I'm confused.