Friday, October 12, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Thankful for the Teachings of Jesus
In my scripture study
this morning I was reading John chapter 6 and passages in the companion
scriptures of Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9.
I was pondering the similarity between Jesus and the multitude in the desert
[solitary] place being miraculously fed and Moses and the Israelites in the
desert being fed manna. Mark states, “They
considered not of the loaves: for their hearts were hardened.” How often do we forget the everyday miracles
we experience? The scriptures often tell
us we need a contrite spirit and we need a broken heart. Then I came to John 6:22 “The day following…”
and verse 27 reads,
“Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man hath power to give unto
you; for him hath God the Father sealed.”
Jesus goes on to
say that he is the bread that Father gave unto the world. I know that faith casteth out all fear. How apropos that the teaching of Peter
walking on the water is part of this reading (see Matthew 14:28-31). May we all partake of the bread of Life.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Mother and Son Parting
Farewell My Stripling Warrior, by Del Parson
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This image was inspired
by my wife and son when he was leaving on his mission. We were at the airport
saying our good-byes, and I watched him as he hugged my wife. She was hanging
on, having a very hard time letting him go, and he was hugging her, but he was
looking beyond her — toward the airplane. He was obviously ready to go. The
expression on her face was one of trepidation. It was as if she were asking
herself, "Have I prepared him for this? Have I done all I could?"
While his expression was one of eager determination. He had been preparing so
long for this and he was ready to get started.
That moment made me
think of the story of the Stripling Warriors. Those two thousand young men had
never fought before. They had no idea what they were up against, or what to
expect going into battle against the Lamanites, but that didn't matter to them.
They were prepared in spirit and in faith. They knew that the things their
mothers had taught them were true, and they were willing to march into the
unknown, with their strength and courage coming from their faith. I think about
those young men and their resolve to defend their families and their homes.
They went forth with bravery and they succeeded. Then I think about their
mothers. I know how worried and afraid they must have been. That's what moms
do. They worry and they wonder if they have prepared their sons. That is really
the feeling I wanted to portray in this painting.
Monday, October 8, 2012
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