There Is Too Much At Stake

Society does not always value what you do. At times you may feel lonely or even strange, because you are going against the grain of a laid-back, permissive society. We cannot let the world’s values dictate your own, there is too much at stake for that.

Expectations.

I've found that whatever you expect, with confidence, becomes your own self-fulfilling prophecy. 

When you confidently expect good things to happen, good things usually happen to you. If you expect something negative to happen, you are usually not disappointed. 

Your expectations have an inordinate effect on the people around you as well. What you expect from people and situations determines your attitude toward them more than any other factor, and people reflect your attitude right back at you, like a mirror, whether positive or negative.

Active Citzizenship

The survival of a free society depends upon its citizens. Experience suggests that we make much more progress when we put aside the idea that people who don’t agree with us are ignorant of the facts, stupid, or evil and focus instead on what we have in common. Active citizens must strive to synthesize and reconcile conflicting views, values, and priorities. This is not easy to do.

One of the best examples of this type of deliberative process is the convention that produced the U.S. Constitution. The delegates came with strong and conflicting personal and regional interests. What they shared was a commitment to some very basic principles of freedom and governance. It took months of collaboration and, at times, contentious discussion, but the result has blessed the lives of millions.

When Abraham Lincoln dedicated the cemetery at Gettysburg, he spoke of “the great task remaining before us”—that of preserving a free and democratic government. This task is not finished, and it never will be. It will always require active citizens to maintain a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Happy Mother's Day!

My wife Melissa & our daughter Charity sang this song in church recently, accompanied by our son Jared. With Mother's Day approaching this Sunday, I wanted to share it with you. 

We love all you Moms!

Click here to listen to Melissa, Charity & Jared 

MOTHER DO YOU LOVE ME?

Mother, do you love me?

Mother, do you care for me?

Even if I turn away, or disobey, or go astray,

Then will you love me still?

Mother, will you teach me?

Mother help me choose the right.

When I do not understand the Lord's command, please take my hand

And lead me safely with his light.

(First time child only.)

I need your love, I need your light

To show me how to be like Jesus.

The Savior's love will light the path

To lead me safely home.

(Mother) Oh yes, my child, I love you.

My child, I'll always care for you.

And with the Savior as our guide,

I'll share the light I feel inside,

And you will feel his love for you.

Oh, yes, my child, I'll teach you.

My child, I'll help you choose the right.

And when you do not understand

The Lord's command, I'll take your hand,

And he will lead us with his light.

I need your love, I need your light

To show me how to be like Jesus.

The Savior's love will light the path

To lead us safely home.

*Words and music: Michael Finlinson Moody, b. 1941. (c) 1986 IRI

Courage.

We live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround us.

Because of these and other challenges, decisions are constantly before us which can determine our destiny. In order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed—the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right.

We will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which we believe. Will we have the courage to do so?

The Strength to Endure.

Every morning when we wake up, we face a new day filled with the challenges of life. These challenges come in many forms: physical challenges, financial setbacks, difficulties with relationships, emotional trials, and even struggles with one’s faith.

Many of the challenges we face in life can be solved and overcome; however, others may be difficult to understand and impossible to overcome and will be with us until we pass on to the next life. As we temporarily endure the challenges we can solve and as we continue to endure the challenges we cannot solve, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in life.

As an anonymous author once said, “You must become the rock the river cannot wash away.”