Sunday, March 18, 2007

Reality Check

I have had such an intense week. I was able to spend a whole day at the temple last week and I couldn't bring myself to leave because I had been preparing myself for so long to be spiritually ready to go again. I hadn't been for a while. You know, I am so in love with the church, with God and Jesus Christ, and with life. I don't know why I am so blessed to deal with SSA but you know what, it is my biggest blessing. It has helped mold me into the man that I am (and am becoming) and I would be so weak without it. I want to shout for hallelujah when I hear the following words of Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Finally, I just want to share a scripture that I came across yesterday and it gave me a giant reality check, for which I am most grateful. (Helaman 13:38)
38 But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.
I don't want that to be me. Can I repeat that? I DON'T want that to be me. I truly believe that this church is true and I believe that we will be blessed for keeping the commandments. When all is said and done, the only lasting happiness comes from following Christ in the manner that He has given us, even if it doesn't fully make sense now.
Thank you to all of you for your support. You really are like guardian angels sent from God and by miracle I have been kept on the right path. Let's continue to be support each other and stay true to our covenants, whatever the cost.

8 comments:

John said...

Thanks for sharing your testimony Thrasius. Way to stay strong. I hope the general conference talk works for you. Which talk are you going to pick first? I think I am going to focus on "Spiritual Nutrients" by James E. Faust. Have a great week!

Beck said...

"Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity" > If that isn't the truth! Thanks for the reminder / wake-up call. :)

Abelard Enigma said...

Thanks. I've been having a bad day and your post help lift me up a bit.

-L- said...

This post made me happy. And I always feel like I can use some happiness on call nights between being paged from one place to another. ;-)

Thanks!

Chris W. said...

I really enjoy your blog. Keep it up.

Chris

playasinmar said...

Thanks for linking our blogs. I'll be sure to reciprocate.

A cursory examination of your blog tells me that we will come down on opposite sides of many issues.

Great!

Debate moves issues forward and I look forward to debating the finer points of anything with you.

playasinmar said...

I am a cool dude :) and I don't think I've come to too many conclusions. I'm just looking to open a dialogue with someone who's opinions don't match mine.

Do have a super-secret blogger email account? I'm playasinmar@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Play...I hope you won't try to be "anti mormon" with this fine, pure souled young man.


To the author of this blog:

You are a special son of God. He has give you a wonderful testimony of the truthfulness of this Work and Gospel.. I am a Jewish convert to the Gospel (at age 12) Nothing is worth compromising its principles which are your Father in Heaven's wishes. He loves you no matter what as does Jesus Christ. That is why you are blessed with such peace, happiness and the Spirit. Satan will try to bring you down.. don't listen to his voice or the voice of his servants which sometimes appear as "wolves in sheeps clothing." I have been blessed with the Spirit of dicernment according to my PB.

My warning to you is: keep negative people and negative influences out of your life. You can love them and forgive them etc..but you do not have to get "down in the mud" with them in conversation, texting or otherwise.

Keep reading your scriptures.. my fav is: Alma 37:37-42..Every one of us are given weaknesses to keep us humble and close to the Lord (as Paul)..You are not alone Brother. I am sorry to give the warning about Playa, but I feel your "debates" with him that he wishes should be out in the open, where your friends can chime in. Playa is much older than most in this community and I fear his motives of being in this community are not very pure. If he wants to debate about the Church they're are plenty of other sites etc. Your testimony keeps you happy and peaceful.. Many will be envious of your beautiful soul, which has no guile. I pray for Playa as well.. He seems very lost and sad. I'm not suggesting not speaking with him. Just keep it out in the open with your wonderful friends in this community. God bless you always..
Love, Kittywaymo

"And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance."