Ok, time to play "catch up"... I've MISSED A FEW DAYS!!!! But! I'm BaCk! ;)
So, a talk that I have been studying, (for this 30 day challenge I have been doing), really amazes me.
Like really.
Quite literally.
Years ago, when I was like graduating from high school (?) I heard this AMAZING talk about repentance and the Atonement in General Conference. It inspired me so much—in such a way to set my life in order.
The name of the talk? "The miracle of the Atonement," by C. Scott Grow.
Haha wait. Check out that name! :) Amazing huh? C. Scott Grow.
....
Continuing, this really hits home every time I read it, however, I just want to highlight one thing:
"We access the Atonement through repentance. When we repent, the Lord allows us to put the mistakes of the past behind us."
The Atonement is accessed through repentance and therefore, when we repent, we are actively using the Gift He soo graciously gave unto us.
THE ATONEMENT IS FOR EVERYONE.
We hear that quite a bit, huh?
I think it is quite easy to forget where our strengths come from...
and just as easy to forget that the Atonement is for everyone.
....And just as easy to forget that when I make a mistake, I must remind myself, to breathe.
To recognize that yes, while I made a mistake, I can start over.
To realize that repentance is a gift not a punishment.
That through repentance, I gain access to the Atonement.
And who would hold back on accessing such a blessing and gift?
Something else that came to mind while reading:
That while healing takes time, our healing begins once we turn to Him—whether we recognize it or not.
Until next time franz!!..
JT! :D
Friday, December 5, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Grace
Today, in my study of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I learned about grace. I think I thought I would walk away understanding everything—or almost everything there is to know and understand about grace.
However, I was wrong. What I learned was this: that Christ does not make up a certain percentile (is that a word?)—He makes up the difference, the whole difference. The whole entire difference.
And that is where the question is asked, "Well if He has already done everything, then what do I have to do?
Good question. What do we have to do?
Well in his BYU address, Mr. Brad Wilcox states that while yes, Christ does make up the difference, we still must do our part ("For it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do"—I don't know the ref. guys. I'll be sure to find it later though. 2 Nephi..28:??....) ;)
"Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice—not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His.
Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us now with His own set of requirements (see 3 Nephi 28:35)."
To show appreciation and to show that we will live and lead a life patterned after His is why we are asked to do these things that keep us safe (obedience).
Mr. B-rad Wilcox does a beautiful and wonderful job describing His grace. Check it out here:
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/09/his-grace-is-sufficient?lang=eng
See his full address here ( I WATCHED THIS ONE AND LOVED IT!! IT MUST SEE—I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!) =]]
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1966&tid=7
Comment below:)
JT
However, I was wrong. What I learned was this: that Christ does not make up a certain percentile (is that a word?)—He makes up the difference, the whole difference. The whole entire difference.
And that is where the question is asked, "Well if He has already done everything, then what do I have to do?
Good question. What do we have to do?
Well in his BYU address, Mr. Brad Wilcox states that while yes, Christ does make up the difference, we still must do our part ("For it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do"—I don't know the ref. guys. I'll be sure to find it later though. 2 Nephi..28:??....) ;)
"Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice—not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His.
Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us now with His own set of requirements (see 3 Nephi 28:35)."
To show appreciation and to show that we will live and lead a life patterned after His is why we are asked to do these things that keep us safe (obedience).
Mr. B-rad Wilcox does a beautiful and wonderful job describing His grace. Check it out here:
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/09/his-grace-is-sufficient?lang=eng
See his full address here ( I WATCHED THIS ONE AND LOVED IT!! IT MUST SEE—I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!) =]]
http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1966&tid=7
Comment below:)
JT
Monday, December 1, 2014
No Return
Yesterday, my visiting teachers gave me a gift. They are both so wonderful (I love you girls!;])
Along with some notes, chocolate, candy canes, and a candle, Alyssa gave me a talk written by Dieter F. Uchtdorf titled "Point of Safe Return."
It was such a beautiful message of hope.
The Gospel brings so much peace to my heart and soul. I love it so much and I am so happy when I am closer to Father.
Recently I have learned how much I need the Atonement in my life. I think it is so easy to feel so broken at times—that we are not adding or measuring up to others' high standards, thus taking the blame upon ourselves.
The main thing I learned is the hope that the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides for us all—for me. It's kinda hard to grasp the fact that Someone is there waiting to accept you as you are—with open arms—willing and ready to help you change...And all you have to do is ask.
There are so many lies from the adversary that we cannot change or return to Father,..that we have gone too far..that the Atonement "is not for me," but rather for those who have made or committed "serious sins."
Sometimes the hardest and most difficult thing to do is ask for help, but when our focus is on Christ, and we have Godly sorrow, thing become more bearable.
I love this Gospel so so much and want to always live in a way to be worthy to Have His Spirit with me at all times.
Until next time,
with much love JT
Along with some notes, chocolate, candy canes, and a candle, Alyssa gave me a talk written by Dieter F. Uchtdorf titled "Point of Safe Return."
It was such a beautiful message of hope.
The Gospel brings so much peace to my heart and soul. I love it so much and I am so happy when I am closer to Father.
Recently I have learned how much I need the Atonement in my life. I think it is so easy to feel so broken at times—that we are not adding or measuring up to others' high standards, thus taking the blame upon ourselves.
The main thing I learned is the hope that the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides for us all—for me. It's kinda hard to grasp the fact that Someone is there waiting to accept you as you are—with open arms—willing and ready to help you change...And all you have to do is ask.
There are so many lies from the adversary that we cannot change or return to Father,..that we have gone too far..that the Atonement "is not for me," but rather for those who have made or committed "serious sins."
Sometimes the hardest and most difficult thing to do is ask for help, but when our focus is on Christ, and we have Godly sorrow, thing become more bearable.
I love this Gospel so so much and want to always live in a way to be worthy to Have His Spirit with me at all times.
Until next time,
with much love JT
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