The Lord calls out... “Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want you!!! All of you!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to kill it! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them all over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
As I “Give up [my]self... [I]will find [my] real self. Lose [my] life... [I] will save it. Submit to death, death of [my]ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of [my]whole body and in the end submit with ever fiber of [my]being... [I]will find eternal life. [As I] Keep back nothing. Nothing that [I]have not given away will be really [mine]. Nothing in [me]that has not died will ever be raised from the dead... [As I] look for Christ and [I]will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Everyone has their opinion of what makes great music. My favorite is the kind that not only gets me moving but points me in the right direction. I absolutely love the feeling of discovering a new song to add to my list. I really like this one not just because it makes me want to "bust-a-move" but because I can relate.
When I share my testimony, when I write, when I pray, when I give praise to another... it will all be nothing more than words if I don't show it through what I do. It is all in vain if it doesn't come from my heart. It's so easy to "talk the talk." But if I'm not practicing what I preach, "What good are words?" I want to be the one who walks the walk!
It's time to move my feet, baby!
- Alicia
Make a Move
by, Royal Tailor
Mr., good intentions,
So much I wanna do.
My mouth just keeps on running,
But I never follow through.
I heard that true religion,
Is love with hands and feet.
I wanna find my own way,
To reach a world in need.
I've been, captured by the unimportant.
Locked in, and now it's time to break free
There's more to life,
Open my eyes.
Someone is needing You.
So I gotta Make A Move.
What good are words,
When this world hurts.
Real faith will come through.
When I Make A Move.
We don't need permission,
To go outside of these doors.
And dream some crazy dream,
No one else has dreamed before.
To show love and compassion.
Where ever way it may be.
To put faith into action,
Do more than just believe.
We are,
Hope to those who have been broken.
We were,
Made to make a difference, Made to make a difference.
There's more to life,
Open my eyes.
Someone is needing You.
So I gotta Make A Move.
What good are words,
When this world hurts.
Real faith will come through.
When I Make A Move.
"Ask in Faith" - Ensign, May 2008, 94-97 - David A. Bednar "True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness” and that it is also “the principle of action in all intelligent beings” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). The Prophet Joseph further explained that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28)." - "Ask in Faith" - Ensign, May 2008, 94-97 - David A. Bednar
When working through difficulties or particular challenges, how often have we heard the phrase, "This will be good for you, it builds character."
What is character?
It is the sum of the soul. It is the qualities and attributes that make up one's personality, who they truly are. It is character that determines destiny, NOT appearances, prestige, popularity, or circumstance.
How is character reveled within each of us? Martin Luther King taught, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
In Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith described that one of the three things "necessary in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in [the Father and Son] unto life and salvation is a correct idea of [Their] character, perfections, and attributes:" (page 33)
How do we gain a correct idea of the character of Christ? We observe and study His life and His teachings... but there's more to learning than just studying, it must also be by faith. - D&C 109:7
"Faith is a principle of action... Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action."
-Bible Dictionary
There's an old saying that you never truly understand a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. In order to understand the character of Christ, we must "walk a mile" in His shoes, we must try to be like Him in whatever circumstances. Learning to walk in the footsteps of the Savior doesn't happen overnight. The Lord is patient with us just as a father is patient with his children when they attempt to take their first steps. Every time they stumble, he encourages them to keep trying and his heart is overjoyed with every success. It requires constant effort and God is proud of all who are sincerely and genuinely doing their best.
Learning the character of Christ requires acting out what we learn. And in order to "act" out what we have learned from our great Teacher, we must be given circumstances that test us and try us. Because of this knowledge, I am grateful for the challenges that confront me. Challenges are opportunities for me to exercise my agency, to practice in faith/action what I have learned by study.
Learning the CharACTer of Christ comes from acting as He would act, from practicing over and over what He would do.
I am genuinely grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who is incredibly patient with me. He doesn't scorn me when I stumble but sees it as a "good fall" because he sees my heart, He sees I'm trying. The faith He places in me stirs within my soul a greater love and admiration for His character, I have a greater desire to become as He is. So I'll keep learning, keep practicing, keep trying, and through His amazing grace, I won't just walk, I'll run!
"Live your life to be a good example of what you believe—in word and deed. How we live our religion is far more important than what we may say about our religion.
My beloved brothers and sisters, don’t walk! Run! Run to receive the blessings of agency by following the Holy Ghost and exercising the freedoms God has given us to do His will."
One thing I really love about this video is it's not just a loving father who encourages but also loving brothers and sisters. How thankful I am for my brothers and sisters in the Gospel who cheer and inspire me every step of the way. Oh how I love them!
