NT Choice # 2

Luke 16:1-12 (pg 124)- The major principle that the Lord wanted to teach about the unjust steward was that the Saints of God should approach the task of preparing for their eternal future with care. They shouldn't try to deceive those around them. We shouldn't worry about the worldy wealth, but instead we should focus on the treasures the Spirit has to offer.

Luke 16:19-31(pg. 124-125) The principle that Christ was teaching by this parable was that before his death there was a separation between Heaven and Hell, and after his death he put a bridge between heaven and hell so that all Spirits may be able to obtain a second chance for repentance before the day of Judgement.

Luke 17:11-19(pg 130) The prinicple that Christ wanted us to learn from this parable was that it was the faith of the Lepers that made them whole. They believed that when Jesus said to show themselves to the priest, that they would be able to be reintroduced into society. The one Samaritan leper who gave thanks to Christ for his miracle represented how the Jewish people were going to no longer be the chosen people. That all could receive the gospel of peace just as long as they had faith.

Luke 18:1-8(pg 131) The principle found within this parable is that Christ wanted to make sure that people knew that the ways of God were no like mans. The judge represents that opposite attitude that God feels towards our needs. The judge felt that the widows needs were bother some, and he dealt with them when they became too annoying to him. God sees our wants and our needs as important and he is always willing to answer our prayers in the time that is best for our benefit and growth.

Luke 18:9-14 (pg 131) The parable of the publican and the Pharisee is simple about how we should be humble and not boast of our self-righteousness. We are not as perfect as we would like to think we are, and when we humble ourselves we are better able to learn and grow. When we think we are almost perfect, we are less likely to take advice or to change!

Our Moon

" I see the moon and the moon see's me

God bless the moon and God bless me

With a diddle-diddle-dumplin

A diddle-diddle-dee

God bless the moon and God bless me"

It is interesting how excited I get whenever I look at the moon. It's not your average, "oh the moon is up and it looks pretty" kind of reaction. My reaction is more of a calm excited sensation. It reminds me that every night everyone can see the moon no matter where they are at. For the past year and 1/2 I've found solace in that fact. Because someone I love has usually been very very far away from me. Every time I see the moon, I think of how he probably saw it too. I have made sure that where I sleep most of the time is by a window, just so I can see the moon and remember every night why I love it so much.

Last night I had a great experience. I was getting ready for bed after a long snowy day of truckin through the snow in my hefty snow boots (wonderful things), and just as I was about to shut my eyes I left a little bit of light above my head. I looked and saw that it was coming from in between the blinds. I quickly got up and pushed the blinds apart in order to see the most beautiful moon shining in the dark sky. I just sat and gazed as I reminded myself what I have been telling myself for the past 4 months, "he saw it and thought of me just like I'm thinking of him".

He actually sent me the picture that is attached to this post. His mother was wondering why he would attach a random picture of the moon to his weekly emails, but I knew =). It's moments like that when I know everything is worth it. He may be in Uruguay, but we can look at the moon and remember why we are best friends!

I tinkered with this picture to make it look as beautiful as I think it looks every night (just in case if your wondering why it looks so vibrant)!

Nelson Mandela and Truth

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” The above speech by Nelson Mandela was orignally written by Marianne Williamson who is the author of other similar material.”

I FINALLY found this online. I've been thinking a lot about all the things I've been taught in my life, and why they mean so much to me. I'm still trying to figure out why I've had certain experiences in my life and why I don't understand the importance of them. Someday I hope to fully understand the purpose of all the random events in my life.

The reason I have this quote though, is because I know that within the LDS church, we are told that we have the potential to be like God. My perspective on that statement has always been ," ya, we WILL have the potential when we are resurrected beings." It wasn't until I read this quote that I realized that is not the case.

We have divine potential NOW. Mediocrity is the only thing that puts us far below our ultimate potential. We strive for the social aspects of life. We seek for the admiration of those around us based on our wits and character. That is an important aspect, but our spiritual growth is crucial. How often do we think that we have the potential to move moutains, to heal the sick, create worlds? I honestly, never have taken the time to sit down and realize all that I could be if I just put my mind to it. I mean, I know what I'm NOT good at, but I could work harder at being better. I could even try something I never thought I could do, like playing the violin..... hahaha maybe someday. But it's the truth of my ultimate potential that makes me want to do it!

This past couple of months I've been spending time with some amazing people. I can honestly feel that I have been bettered because of their influence! The picture above is of my roommate Cera who put up with me and my sleep talking! I love her to death and she is a gifted pianist! She is so strong and knows what she wants in life. I hope to be like my lil girl some day ;) Cuz, even though she calls me Momma Kai, she is the one I look up to. She's my sexybeast forever and always!

Choice #2 Being a Disciple of Christ

1. What it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ:

- Listen to his words (they'll last longer) - Forgive everyone who is indebted to us - Be willing to serve -Ask, seek, and knock - never stop trying to learn -work hard to keep a strong testimony - Don't doubt God's power - Have trust in his willingness to give - keep clean in order to be received into the kingdom -sacrifice things in order to keep Christ in your life

2. One of the teachings that I would like to apply more fully to my life is that of trusting in his willingness to give. I often feel as though I have to depend on myself to do anything. Whether it be studying, taking a test, working out, running a marathon, traveling, I always focus on "how I'M going to handle" something. I need to focus on seeking divine help more often, because doing it by myself is never enough and it makes life WAY more difficult. I don't know about you guys, but I like life to be as easy as it gets =).

3. What is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is forsaking all, seek after the gospel because it is the "one pearl of great price". It is worth more than anything. Disciples need to offer their whole soul as an offering to follow Christ. Also fasting a praying, and enduring to the end are part of our offerings. Disciples should also learn all about the gospel, so that they won't be ignorant to the teachings of Christ.

Choice #3 Matthew 18:1-14 "Become as Little Children"

1. In Matt, the scriptures say that we are suppose to be like children in that we humble ourselves. In D&C , it says that we must be like little children in that we must seek to know what our Father would have us do. The Lord does say that he will help us. In D&C 78:18, He says, " ...for i will lead you along.".

2. We are to become like children:

- submissive - meek -humble -patient -full of love -willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him.

I really like this topic because I have found that being a child is not a bad thing. In high school, people use to think that if you acted child-like, then that person was naive and stupid. Since I have been in college, I have found it easier to be more like a child in the sense that I am more willing to submit to the will of Heavenly Father. I heard in a talk recently that the best thing we can give to our Heavenly Father is our free agency. I decided to do that last year and I have had many oppotunities that I never thought would be possible. It was all because of Heavenly father that I was able to accomplish many of my goals, and I'm grateful for it!

Choice #3 Matthew 14:22-33 Walking on the Sea

1. The Apostles initial reaction was fear when they saw Jesus walking on water because they assumed that he was a spirit.

2. Peter's response to Jesus walking on water indicates that he had exceeding faith in comparison to the other Apostles.

3.Peter began to sink because he let his faith turn into fear, and thus he didn't have sufficient faith to keep himself afloat.

4.Peter cried out unto Jesus to save him when he started to sink. Jesus's timing in saving Peter is portrayed by the word "immediately". He immediately has the desire to save Peter, but he rebukes him by saying, " O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?". Jesus knows that we can produce enough faith to be sufficient on our own, and he is disappointed when Peter let's his unceasing faith diminish.

5. D&C 88:67 And if your eye be ^asingle to my ^bglory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light^ccomprehendeth all things.

This scripture applies to Peter's experience on the water because he knew that by having a belief in Jesus and his infinite power that he would be able to do anything as long as the Savior said it was possible. He was able to find the light of Christ and apply it. His faith was so strong and his trust in the Lord was so great that Jesus knew that he could not deny him anything. This example can help me to make sure that my faith is sufficient enough to help me get through the storms of life. That I will be able to know, without any doubt, that Christ will be there to lead and guide me. He does these things to help build my character, which in turn builds my faith in him.

Choice #4 For NT

"What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives."
In John 3:30, John the Baptist was baptising in the river named Aenon. While he was there, Jesus had come with his disciples. John also had disciples there. Jesus and John's disciples started to ask questions of purifying. When John's disciples came to John with that question, John gave them a really great answer. He said in verse 27-30:

John 3: 27"A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease."
John shows humility by saying this. He knows that he is a servant to Jesus Christ. He knows that Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer and that John's purpose on earth is to prepare the way for Jesus. John had unwavering faith in Jesus's divinity and his perfection.
I could apply this similar principle in my life by trying to realize the bigger picture of the situations I am put into. This means to see the way that God sees towards every occasion, event and person that is placed before me. I know that Heavenly Father and Christ place situations in my life in order to help me progress and to have me HELP others to be strengthened and grow. John the Baptist realized that his purpose on this Earth was not for him to be worshipped and revered. It was all about Christ and his teachings. I hope to apply this better in my life.