Tuesday, February 28, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
When a child forgets and forsakes their parents – not just two – but many hearts will be broken!!
Monday, February 27, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
If we ever hope to complete the goals we make – the must be both realistic and of value to us!!
Sunday, February 26, 2017
WHOM DO YE WORSHIP
Although I am sure I have been guilty of the practice myself, I have always felt a bit of distain for statements which include words or phrases which are all inclusive, such as everyone, everywhere or their counterpoints no one or nowhere.
These statements were especially irritating when we had teenagers in the home and were constantly reminded that everyone but them got to go everywhere.
More recently I have become aware of the non-institutional religious movement, which pretty much contends that there is no religious organization which exists that doesn't have self-perpetuation as its sole purpose for existence. This new millennial philosophy goes on to contend that nowhere would we be able to find an organized church which did not have a hidden agenda of power or greed.
Even though they want this philosophy to be the latest and greatest of ideas, one of their tenets exposes it to be just an old tale revisited.
Everyone who attaches themselves to a religion is an emotional cripple who needs this crutch to lean on!!
I have likewise been fascinated by a definition of God which seems to have evolved. I have tried to pin down the origin of the millennial definition of God and as close as I can come it would have to be attributed to Books 1-9 of George Lucas.
I am very willing to be corrected, but as I understand this philosophical teaching of God goes something like this:
There exists some kind of universal force which keeps unity among the bodies of the universe.
The inhabitants of this earth will progress best when they allow that universal force to work upon them to bring them into unity with all others.
Any person or action or event which promotes disunity is from an alternate force.
Since multitudiness unity is but a dream, I must strive to bring myself into unity by practicing love and peace.
Since my purpose of this Thought is not to expose everyone to this new trend of thinking, I will get into the theme I desire to leave us thinking about today.
Since it is pretty obvious, regardless of one’s environmental upbringing and inherited characteristics, when we attempt to express or define the concept of God to one another, we seldom arrive at a commonality of belief and understanding. Even among those who share the same scriptural writings and attend the same congregations, we won't have to visit for very long before those unique understandings emerge. It is no wonder that the Savior Jesus the Christ declare that no one knew Him and that life eternal was dependent upon knowing both Him and His Father.
According to the Biblical account since the days of Cain and Abel we have been unable to come to a consensus of whom or how we should worship.
Even a brief perusal of the histories of the Zoroastrian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Chinese, African, Abrahamic, Indian or Christian nations, along with all the divisions within these various entities, not to mention those whose worship has been called pagan or witchcraft, enlightens us to the challenge our ancestors have had in the struggle to define let alone come to know God.
Even those among us who have been blessed with the highest degrees of intelligence fail to define God in such a way which is universally acceptable. I offer the following quote from the book Einstein, His Life and Work (page 91) as an example. I suspect there will be those among us who not only do not have the same understanding of God, but there may also be those of us who do not entirely understand Einstein’s definition.
An intelligence knowing all the forces acting in nature at a given instant, as well as the momentary positions of all things in the universe, would be able to comprehend in one single formula the motions of the largest bodies as well as the lightest atoms in the world; to him nothing would be uncertain, the future as well as the past would be present in his eyes.
This leaves me with little wonder why Joseph Smith declared one of the basic beliefs of the church which he was called to establish was to claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
I am not sure what path this Thought will lead you upon, but it leads me to remember the words of Joshua which I now take the license to paraphrase to make my point. We all, at one time or another will choose whom we will serve, whether it will be according to the beliefs of some ancient society, the greatest generation, the baby boomers, generation X or the millennials or whatever stimulus gives us a reason to get up in the morning and go to bed at peace at night, but as for me…
I will continue to believe that my understanding of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus the Christ is still on a basic and fundamental level.
I will continue to believe that no matter how many days I am privileged to dwell in mortality, I will pass on to the next stage of life having but a grain of understanding of the things of Godliness.
I will be grateful that the understanding which I have achieved brings me peace and a desire to be ever inclusive in my love of others.
I will be content that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with at least a partial assurance that those things as I currently understand them are true.
I am grateful that I rise each morning with purpose and meaning in my life, spend my day mostly with feelings of love for my fellow earthly travelers and lay my head peacefully upon my pillow at night.
I know that I am a child of God and that Jesus is the Christ.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
These statements were especially irritating when we had teenagers in the home and were constantly reminded that everyone but them got to go everywhere.
More recently I have become aware of the non-institutional religious movement, which pretty much contends that there is no religious organization which exists that doesn't have self-perpetuation as its sole purpose for existence. This new millennial philosophy goes on to contend that nowhere would we be able to find an organized church which did not have a hidden agenda of power or greed.
Even though they want this philosophy to be the latest and greatest of ideas, one of their tenets exposes it to be just an old tale revisited.
Everyone who attaches themselves to a religion is an emotional cripple who needs this crutch to lean on!!
I have likewise been fascinated by a definition of God which seems to have evolved. I have tried to pin down the origin of the millennial definition of God and as close as I can come it would have to be attributed to Books 1-9 of George Lucas.
I am very willing to be corrected, but as I understand this philosophical teaching of God goes something like this:
There exists some kind of universal force which keeps unity among the bodies of the universe.
The inhabitants of this earth will progress best when they allow that universal force to work upon them to bring them into unity with all others.
Any person or action or event which promotes disunity is from an alternate force.
Since multitudiness unity is but a dream, I must strive to bring myself into unity by practicing love and peace.
Since my purpose of this Thought is not to expose everyone to this new trend of thinking, I will get into the theme I desire to leave us thinking about today.
Since it is pretty obvious, regardless of one’s environmental upbringing and inherited characteristics, when we attempt to express or define the concept of God to one another, we seldom arrive at a commonality of belief and understanding. Even among those who share the same scriptural writings and attend the same congregations, we won't have to visit for very long before those unique understandings emerge. It is no wonder that the Savior Jesus the Christ declare that no one knew Him and that life eternal was dependent upon knowing both Him and His Father.
According to the Biblical account since the days of Cain and Abel we have been unable to come to a consensus of whom or how we should worship.
Even a brief perusal of the histories of the Zoroastrian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Chinese, African, Abrahamic, Indian or Christian nations, along with all the divisions within these various entities, not to mention those whose worship has been called pagan or witchcraft, enlightens us to the challenge our ancestors have had in the struggle to define let alone come to know God.
Even those among us who have been blessed with the highest degrees of intelligence fail to define God in such a way which is universally acceptable. I offer the following quote from the book Einstein, His Life and Work (page 91) as an example. I suspect there will be those among us who not only do not have the same understanding of God, but there may also be those of us who do not entirely understand Einstein’s definition.
An intelligence knowing all the forces acting in nature at a given instant, as well as the momentary positions of all things in the universe, would be able to comprehend in one single formula the motions of the largest bodies as well as the lightest atoms in the world; to him nothing would be uncertain, the future as well as the past would be present in his eyes.
This leaves me with little wonder why Joseph Smith declared one of the basic beliefs of the church which he was called to establish was to claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
I am not sure what path this Thought will lead you upon, but it leads me to remember the words of Joshua which I now take the license to paraphrase to make my point. We all, at one time or another will choose whom we will serve, whether it will be according to the beliefs of some ancient society, the greatest generation, the baby boomers, generation X or the millennials or whatever stimulus gives us a reason to get up in the morning and go to bed at peace at night, but as for me…
I will continue to believe that my understanding of Heavenly Father and His son Jesus the Christ is still on a basic and fundamental level.
I will continue to believe that no matter how many days I am privileged to dwell in mortality, I will pass on to the next stage of life having but a grain of understanding of the things of Godliness.
I will be grateful that the understanding which I have achieved brings me peace and a desire to be ever inclusive in my love of others.
I will be content that the Holy Spirit has blessed me with at least a partial assurance that those things as I currently understand them are true.
I am grateful that I rise each morning with purpose and meaning in my life, spend my day mostly with feelings of love for my fellow earthly travelers and lay my head peacefully upon my pillow at night.
I know that I am a child of God and that Jesus is the Christ.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Friday, February 24, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Those who live – knowing that life is a marathon – usually have the strength to endure to the end!!
Thursday, February 23, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
Those who act as if life is a 100 yard dash – seldom have the strength to endure to the end!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
Now in my final phase of life – when I respond to people’s inquiry about my health – that I am fine – they need to understand – if I had felt this way 20 years ago – I would have thought I was at death’s door!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
All current emphasis on the way we should be living – in order to walk the gospel path – are most often reminders – and seldom new revelations!!
Monday, February 20, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
There is no test – when people are forced to be obedient – the test is only real – when we are free to make a choice!!
Sunday, February 19, 2017
YA GO WITH WHAT BRUNG YA
‘Ya go with what brung ya!’
The first I heard this non-grammatical phrase was when I was attending Washington Junior High School in Long Beach, California. I am sure, I would fall short of the actual number of times I heard Coach Hill say these words when I was participating in the sports programs under his guidance. The interschool programs for Junior High Schools in those days consisted of Basketball and Flag Football.
In those days, before everyone else had overnight growth spurts which left me rather dwarfed at my 5’ 8” plus stature, I was really physically competitive with my peers and enjoyed more than a little bit of success on those teams. Sadly, by the time I was very far along in my High School years, and as I started looking up at my friends, I was relegated to the bench in those leagues and eventually found satisfaction in participating in the Church sponsored athletics. This being left behind in school athletics must have been quite traumatic, since I treated it quite at length in my personal history which I affectionately refer to as my guessoirs since I wrote it when my memory was beginning to falter.
Anyway, ‘Ya go with what brung ya!’
One of the times I remember most clearly hearing Coach Hill use these words was when we had made it to the 7th grade district championship game in flag football and he was trying to make the point that just because it was the most important game of our season, this was not the time to make a lot of dramatic changes.
The irony of that day was that on our last possession when the game was about to end, Coach Hill called a time out and drew up a play in the dirt which we had never used. I was to take the ball from center and start to run to the right and then abruptly stop and throw the ball to a friend who was streaking down the left sideline. Perfection = Championship!
Since that time I have come to realize that like most things we utter or write, this saying of Coach Hill’s probably didn't originate with him, but was probably said to some knight during a jousting tournament in the middle ages or maybe David said it to Saul when he rejected the king’s heavy armor and picked up his familiar sling and went forth to meet Goliath.
Over and over when a skater has lost their edge or a ball player gets out of their groove or a pitcher loses their snap or a runner is a half a step slower, we hear coaches everywhere say in one way or another, ‘Let’s get back to basics.’
‘Ya go with what brung ya!’
Maybe, just maybe, in this age of high stress, too few hours and increasing moments of depression, it might be time to get back to life’s basics and try to find out what ‘brung us’. What were we doing and how were we doing it in those days which were more up than down, when happy was the constant and sadness was the exception?
I am pretty sure my list would include items to be tossed as I unencumber and items to be retrieved as I return to where I was when happy days were normal.
There would be fewer gadgets, toys and cluttering stuff!
I would be trying to go in fewer directions all at the same time!
I would attempt to stop being encumbered with the impossible task of trying to please everyone!
I would attempt to stop using my critical lenses when looking at others!
I would remind myself that I can only affect the small world that surrounds me!
I would let go of trying to solve the macro problems of the world!
I would speak as one who is on the path of learning!
My prayers would become more inclusive!
I would demand less logic on things little understood!
I would base my relationship with God more on love and faith!
The pragmatist who resides in me is reminded by that Hail Mary pass in the 7th grade that there indeed are times when unanticipated circumstances require unusual and untested actions. Just like that championship which came about because of a play hastily drawn in the dirt can result in spectacular results, by and large we will all be better off to rely on the basics to guide us to happiness and contentment.
The preceding list could be summed up by saying that that life which was far simpler and far less complex included a much shorter and less complicated path to joy.
I still think about the whole speech Coach Hill gave on that day. ‘When we are about to be involved in some very important events of life and we want to maximize our chances of getting through them successfully, ‘ya go with what brung ya!’
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
The first I heard this non-grammatical phrase was when I was attending Washington Junior High School in Long Beach, California. I am sure, I would fall short of the actual number of times I heard Coach Hill say these words when I was participating in the sports programs under his guidance. The interschool programs for Junior High Schools in those days consisted of Basketball and Flag Football.
In those days, before everyone else had overnight growth spurts which left me rather dwarfed at my 5’ 8” plus stature, I was really physically competitive with my peers and enjoyed more than a little bit of success on those teams. Sadly, by the time I was very far along in my High School years, and as I started looking up at my friends, I was relegated to the bench in those leagues and eventually found satisfaction in participating in the Church sponsored athletics. This being left behind in school athletics must have been quite traumatic, since I treated it quite at length in my personal history which I affectionately refer to as my guessoirs since I wrote it when my memory was beginning to falter.
Anyway, ‘Ya go with what brung ya!’
One of the times I remember most clearly hearing Coach Hill use these words was when we had made it to the 7th grade district championship game in flag football and he was trying to make the point that just because it was the most important game of our season, this was not the time to make a lot of dramatic changes.
The irony of that day was that on our last possession when the game was about to end, Coach Hill called a time out and drew up a play in the dirt which we had never used. I was to take the ball from center and start to run to the right and then abruptly stop and throw the ball to a friend who was streaking down the left sideline. Perfection = Championship!
Since that time I have come to realize that like most things we utter or write, this saying of Coach Hill’s probably didn't originate with him, but was probably said to some knight during a jousting tournament in the middle ages or maybe David said it to Saul when he rejected the king’s heavy armor and picked up his familiar sling and went forth to meet Goliath.
Over and over when a skater has lost their edge or a ball player gets out of their groove or a pitcher loses their snap or a runner is a half a step slower, we hear coaches everywhere say in one way or another, ‘Let’s get back to basics.’
‘Ya go with what brung ya!’
Maybe, just maybe, in this age of high stress, too few hours and increasing moments of depression, it might be time to get back to life’s basics and try to find out what ‘brung us’. What were we doing and how were we doing it in those days which were more up than down, when happy was the constant and sadness was the exception?
I am pretty sure my list would include items to be tossed as I unencumber and items to be retrieved as I return to where I was when happy days were normal.
There would be fewer gadgets, toys and cluttering stuff!
I would be trying to go in fewer directions all at the same time!
I would attempt to stop being encumbered with the impossible task of trying to please everyone!
I would attempt to stop using my critical lenses when looking at others!
I would remind myself that I can only affect the small world that surrounds me!
I would let go of trying to solve the macro problems of the world!
I would speak as one who is on the path of learning!
My prayers would become more inclusive!
I would demand less logic on things little understood!
I would base my relationship with God more on love and faith!
The pragmatist who resides in me is reminded by that Hail Mary pass in the 7th grade that there indeed are times when unanticipated circumstances require unusual and untested actions. Just like that championship which came about because of a play hastily drawn in the dirt can result in spectacular results, by and large we will all be better off to rely on the basics to guide us to happiness and contentment.
The preceding list could be summed up by saying that that life which was far simpler and far less complex included a much shorter and less complicated path to joy.
I still think about the whole speech Coach Hill gave on that day. ‘When we are about to be involved in some very important events of life and we want to maximize our chances of getting through them successfully, ‘ya go with what brung ya!’
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Saturday, February 18, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
There are few things more certain – than the atrophying of muscles – which are not used!!
Friday, February 17, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
We need to be careful about becoming comfortable – with the amount of light – we have been blessed with – because all of us will eventually run out of oil – or – our eyes will begin to dim!!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!
Counting the cost – before making a commitment – was more than a suggestions made by the Savior – if we consider the law of consequences – which attends the keeping – or – breaking of His commandments!!
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It would probably serve us all well – if we appreciated the gift of sight – as if we were blind – the gift of hearing – as if we were deaf – and the gift of touch – as if we were blind and deaf!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We who have been blessed with sight and hearing – may never understand the gift of touch – to the extent of those – who are blind and deaf!!
Monday, February 13, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We who are blessed with hearing – may never understand the gift of sound – to the depth of those who are deaf!!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
THE REAL VALENTINES DAY
During the years of my youth, while we were living in Long Beach, California, I had my first working experience as a paperboy for the Long Beach Press Telegram. (I suspect paperboy is no longer a politically correct term and today we would probably use paper deliverer in order to avoid showing sexual bias.) Anyway, when I was delivering papers, my route took me by the See’s candy store. In those days they made the chocolates in the front window of the store and it was always a treat to stop and watch on days when I was ahead of schedule on my deliveries.
One of my favorite times of year to go by the store was around Valentine’s Day. The boxes were fun to look at, even though this was before the heart shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day started to rival the women’s hats at the Kentucky Derby. It was especially exciting to know I had earned sufficient money to be able to buy a small box or two for those who were most significant in my life in those days.
I made a terrible blunder the first Valentine’s Day after I met the love of my life, Kathleen Wootton, when I wrote a very unnecessary poem, which shall remain unrepeated. Other than that one really bad gesture, I have always cherished the idea of having a day dedicated to expressing and feeling the importance of having love for someone else.
When Kathleen and I were serving in Colombia on our mission we were delightfully surprised to discover that in that country they have a whole month dedicated to Amor y Amistad (love and friendship). It was like having a whole month to cherish the wonderful sights in the See’s candy store window. I never got weary of hearing people express their feelings of love and friendship to us and each other. It was wonderful. Can you just for a minute close your eyes and imagine what it would be like trying to be extra nice to others for a whole month and delighting in the feeling as they reciprocated.
The Savior had tried to help us understand that this is the gospel in its simplest sense when he told the inquiring lawyers that the sum of the gospel could be expressed by the words of loving the Lord and our neighbors. Then, just in case the message hadn't been received, he gave us His last commandment that we were to love one another as He had loved us.
It doesn't take a lot of pondering to come to the understanding that He did not mean for us to love each other on one day set apart each year. A short moment of quiet time will also leave us with the understanding that He did not mean for us to love each other 1/12th of each year. The conclusion will shortly come as we think upon His words that it was meant for us to express, feel and demonstrate love 24/7/365.
Somewhere back in the recesses of my mind I recall learning about the law of the boomerang. It applies to things both negative and positive. Such as, the quickest way to get punched in the nose is to punch someone in the nose, or the quickest way to receive a Christmas card is send one. (Obviously that example was taught to me before people were nose punching for no reason at all and email and Face Book had replaced Christmas cards.) However, I believe the boomerang principle is still very applicable to receiving love from others. If this be our desire we should be about the Lord’s work of loving them.
Also along the way, I was introduced to the principle of unconditional love which can be expressed most simply by saying; it has nothing to do with what anyone else does to or for me, but everything about what I do to or for another. I must become a loving being, who loves others regardless of their philosophies of life, country of origin or DNA makeup. In order to gain the attribute of unconditional love, I must be striving to love unconditionally every moment of every day. As I move along the path of obtaining this Christ like characteristic I will begin to understand what the Savior meant when he taught that charity (the Pure Love of Christ) was the greatest of all the attributes.
Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. (Moroni 10: 20-21)
And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the Atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-- But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:41-46)
I have found the challenge of binding to my soul the Pure Love of Christ to be long and difficult, but on those days when it becomes especially challenging, I go in my mind’s eye and look through that window in the front of the See’s candy store or walk the streets of Bogota, Colombia in vision, and find myself making course correction towards loving others as He loves them.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
One of my favorite times of year to go by the store was around Valentine’s Day. The boxes were fun to look at, even though this was before the heart shaped boxes for Valentine’s Day started to rival the women’s hats at the Kentucky Derby. It was especially exciting to know I had earned sufficient money to be able to buy a small box or two for those who were most significant in my life in those days.
I made a terrible blunder the first Valentine’s Day after I met the love of my life, Kathleen Wootton, when I wrote a very unnecessary poem, which shall remain unrepeated. Other than that one really bad gesture, I have always cherished the idea of having a day dedicated to expressing and feeling the importance of having love for someone else.
When Kathleen and I were serving in Colombia on our mission we were delightfully surprised to discover that in that country they have a whole month dedicated to Amor y Amistad (love and friendship). It was like having a whole month to cherish the wonderful sights in the See’s candy store window. I never got weary of hearing people express their feelings of love and friendship to us and each other. It was wonderful. Can you just for a minute close your eyes and imagine what it would be like trying to be extra nice to others for a whole month and delighting in the feeling as they reciprocated.
The Savior had tried to help us understand that this is the gospel in its simplest sense when he told the inquiring lawyers that the sum of the gospel could be expressed by the words of loving the Lord and our neighbors. Then, just in case the message hadn't been received, he gave us His last commandment that we were to love one another as He had loved us.
It doesn't take a lot of pondering to come to the understanding that He did not mean for us to love each other on one day set apart each year. A short moment of quiet time will also leave us with the understanding that He did not mean for us to love each other 1/12th of each year. The conclusion will shortly come as we think upon His words that it was meant for us to express, feel and demonstrate love 24/7/365.
Somewhere back in the recesses of my mind I recall learning about the law of the boomerang. It applies to things both negative and positive. Such as, the quickest way to get punched in the nose is to punch someone in the nose, or the quickest way to receive a Christmas card is send one. (Obviously that example was taught to me before people were nose punching for no reason at all and email and Face Book had replaced Christmas cards.) However, I believe the boomerang principle is still very applicable to receiving love from others. If this be our desire we should be about the Lord’s work of loving them.
Also along the way, I was introduced to the principle of unconditional love which can be expressed most simply by saying; it has nothing to do with what anyone else does to or for me, but everything about what I do to or for another. I must become a loving being, who loves others regardless of their philosophies of life, country of origin or DNA makeup. In order to gain the attribute of unconditional love, I must be striving to love unconditionally every moment of every day. As I move along the path of obtaining this Christ like characteristic I will begin to understand what the Savior meant when he taught that charity (the Pure Love of Christ) was the greatest of all the attributes.
Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. (Moroni 10: 20-21)
And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the Atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.
And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-- But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moroni 7:41-46)
I have found the challenge of binding to my soul the Pure Love of Christ to be long and difficult, but on those days when it becomes especially challenging, I go in my mind’s eye and look through that window in the front of the See’s candy store or walk the streets of Bogota, Colombia in vision, and find myself making course correction towards loving others as He loves them.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Saturday, February 11, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We who are blessed with sight – may never understand the gift of sound – to the depth of one who is deaf!!
We who are blessed with sight – may never understand the gift of sound – to the depth of one who is deaf!!
Friday, February 10, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
One of the most cautious steps we should ever take – is into the sacred ground – where the agency of another begins
Thursday, February 9, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Observing a bishop or mission president – as well as many others – faithfully filling callings in the kingdom – should help us understand – what entering into the Lord’s rest – has to do with our eternal immortal existence!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
If we could all follow our bishops around for a few Sundays – we would get a much clearer idea of what it means – when the Sabbath is called a day of Rest!!
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Being a mission president – is like having seven Sabbath days of rest each week – during which we can work – and – wear out our lives!!
Monday, February 6, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Although it is easy to become an expert – in pointing out the imperfections of our imperfect neighbors – personal growth will only take place – when we become better at concentrating on our own imperfections!!
Sunday, February 5, 2017
BECOMMING
Be careful what you think you see
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
Even with the advantage of millennia of study many continue to look back at the decision Adam and Eve made in the garden as a spoiling of God’s Plan. If we saw Adam and Eve more clearly and with even the slightest vision of our Heavenly Father, I am quite sure we would count their choice as a blessing and not a curse.
As Abraham fled the sacrificial knife in his youth, I doubt few with the exception of his Heavenly Father realized he was running towards becoming that father/prophet through whom countless nations would be blessed.
As Moses strolled the paths of the Valley of the Nile in his princely robes, I am quite sure few recognized that this was the man whom God was preparing to lead Israel out of bondage and who would become the revealer of The Law.
Joseph Smith was not even of an age to be accounted significant when he became the prophet of the Latter-Day restoration. Yet, with his brother Hyrum, he had been chosen of his Father to seal his testimony of the reality of the restoration with his blood.
Most significantly, his neighbors saw Him as the carpenter’s son. Surely of Nazareth never could anyone of worth come. His countenance did not mark Him special, yet His mother knew in her heart and His Father proclaimed this Jesus to be the very Christ the Savior of all.
Be careful what you think you see
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
I remember when I was still in that time of life when I was pretty sure Solomon held no advantage over me when it came to being wise and I looked on a young boy and said within my heart, surly this lad will fall far short of any meaningful contribution in life. Now that the years have stripped me of my youthful pride, I am grateful to have lived long enough to view his contributions as husband, father and citizen.
When Kathleen and I were called to serve in Colombia, Elder Perry blessed us that we would love and help bring those with whom we would serve closer to Christ. Even though I was never blessed to be their judge, I am sure I wrongly participated in that activity far too often, branding youthful and unlearned behavior as a permanent condition. I am grateful that over the years I have been able to witness their strength and marvelous contributions to their families and the church.
I have found that even within the framework of my most sacred callings as a husband and a father, I have too often fallen into the entrapment of making premature and wrongful judgements. The pains and strains of growing up and living life often cause all of us to undergo changes which are somewhat equal to those which Abraham and Moses underwent.
Be careful what you think you see
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
What I will be thinking about this Sabbath Day is that you and I are still in the process of becoming and when our headstones have turned to dust we will probably yet be involved in that magnificent adventure.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
Even with the advantage of millennia of study many continue to look back at the decision Adam and Eve made in the garden as a spoiling of God’s Plan. If we saw Adam and Eve more clearly and with even the slightest vision of our Heavenly Father, I am quite sure we would count their choice as a blessing and not a curse.
As Abraham fled the sacrificial knife in his youth, I doubt few with the exception of his Heavenly Father realized he was running towards becoming that father/prophet through whom countless nations would be blessed.
As Moses strolled the paths of the Valley of the Nile in his princely robes, I am quite sure few recognized that this was the man whom God was preparing to lead Israel out of bondage and who would become the revealer of The Law.
Joseph Smith was not even of an age to be accounted significant when he became the prophet of the Latter-Day restoration. Yet, with his brother Hyrum, he had been chosen of his Father to seal his testimony of the reality of the restoration with his blood.
Most significantly, his neighbors saw Him as the carpenter’s son. Surely of Nazareth never could anyone of worth come. His countenance did not mark Him special, yet His mother knew in her heart and His Father proclaimed this Jesus to be the very Christ the Savior of all.
Be careful what you think you see
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
I remember when I was still in that time of life when I was pretty sure Solomon held no advantage over me when it came to being wise and I looked on a young boy and said within my heart, surly this lad will fall far short of any meaningful contribution in life. Now that the years have stripped me of my youthful pride, I am grateful to have lived long enough to view his contributions as husband, father and citizen.
When Kathleen and I were called to serve in Colombia, Elder Perry blessed us that we would love and help bring those with whom we would serve closer to Christ. Even though I was never blessed to be their judge, I am sure I wrongly participated in that activity far too often, branding youthful and unlearned behavior as a permanent condition. I am grateful that over the years I have been able to witness their strength and marvelous contributions to their families and the church.
I have found that even within the framework of my most sacred callings as a husband and a father, I have too often fallen into the entrapment of making premature and wrongful judgements. The pains and strains of growing up and living life often cause all of us to undergo changes which are somewhat equal to those which Abraham and Moses underwent.
Be careful what you think you see
For things seldom are what they seem to be
Being quick of opinion is seldom an art
Often adds to the mountain of wrong on our part
Many a son has been too early judged
Our daughters we might have differently nudged
Many hearts might have been left unbroken
If with greater clarity our words had been spoken
If with Father’s vision we had viewed
And not in ignorance our judgements spewed
What I will be thinking about this Sabbath Day is that you and I are still in the process of becoming and when our headstones have turned to dust we will probably yet be involved in that magnificent adventure.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Saturday, February 4, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
While they are in mortality – perfection will always be a fleeting goal – for all of Heavenly Father’s children – even the Only Begotten in the flesh – had to become a resurrected being before – He became perfect in His immortal state!!
Friday, February 3, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Because of the reality of our individuality – we would never be able to come to a unity of thought – if there were not an Omniscience One – to look to for guidance!!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
As we witness the gap between the mores of the world – and the morals of the gospel – growing further apart with each passing day – I don't think any of us should be surprised – many are finding it difficult to define where we want to be in our lives!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Like all the other commandments – keeping the Sabbath Day holy and striving to make it a delight – may be a different an experience for all – since we are all on a – distinct portion of the path!!
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