Last Post (until summer!!!)

Alright I'm gonna make this quick because I need to get back to studying.

Summer is three weeks away for me. Some people are already off. Okay--that's not fair. But I will get through these last few weeks. These last few tests. These last hours of squeezing my brain to get the last drop of intelligence out of it. Yep, this summer is going to be really fun.

How do you stay motivated through the end?!

Endurance. Endurance is about keeping the end goal in mind, but not forgetting to have joy in the journey. Summer is coming, but I can enjoy time spent with family or the little victories of getting a good test grade.

Okay now I gotta get back to endurance. See you in three weeks!!!

Breastplate of Righteousness

In battle, I believe a breastplate is something extremely important (well not that I've ever been in battle, but I've seen enough Merlins and King Arthurrs to know what they are ;). A Breastplate covers your chest, some of your stomach, and part of your shoulders. It is made of very strong metal so that swords will not pierce it or bend it. But the most important occupation it holds is protecting the life giving, blood pumping heart, as well as other important organs. (Lookey, you're getting an anatomy lesson too ;)

Righteousness. Righteousness.

First let me tell you something my dad told me. Have you ever thought of how faithful means obedient? Being Faithful means being obedient to and honoring someone else. But it also is literally 'full of faith.' So if you want an increase in faith, it can come parallel to increased obedience and righteousness.

How does righteousness protect us in the war of life (or righteousness. I was gonna say righteousness, but then realized that would be redundant ;) ? Well, first, our obedience must be molded perfectly to fit us so as not to injure us and become counter productive. And guess who knows us the best and can  come up with the best blueprints for our armor? You guessed it, Heavenly Father. In the long run, the blueprints for the whole war are found in the plan of salvation. But the blueprints pertaining to our personal righteousness is found in the commandments and by listening to and following the Spirit.

Then this righteousness needs to be strong and immovable, so that not even swords wielded by the devil can pierce it. We need to keep our convictions strong, and never yield to temptation. Luckily thpugh, if you mess up or if there is a chink or weak spot onyour armor, you can go to the expert to fix it.

http://churchleaderscampfire.com/wp-content/uploads/Armor-of-God.jpg

Jesus Christ is the ultimate hero, healer, and making-weak-things-strong-person ;). He will help you as you build your armor piece by piece so that you can fight for God and all good.

We're all in this together. As each of us works on our personal righteousness, we will be able to protect the life in all of us. But there is an even greater heart to this-- as we put on our armor, we are protecting our eternal life. Thank you thank you to God for his unspeakable gift.

Run and not be Weary

Wow, my school is so far behind. Just finished finals. I'm gonna miss this semester. :(

Haha this is perfect. My mascot is the eagles!

Ugh, this semester brings one of my greatest fears and worst weaknesses:gym class. I'll be praying for the ability to run and not be weary. The problem is, you need to work hard and exercise your physical muscles in order to let those faith muscles carry on. ;) you gotta put the work into it.

One of the promises of the Word of Wisdom is to run and not be weary. For those unfamiliar with this, the Word of Wisdom was revelation given to Joseph Smith from God concerning a health code for Latter Day Saints. It promises us that as we refrain from drugs, alcohol, and other addictive substances, we will be blessed with knowledge and health.

I'm grateful for these commandments to keep me safe. I know that as we follow God's commandments for us we will be able to recieve all the promises he has for us. No eye hath seen, nor ear heard, nor has ever entered into the heart of man, the great things God has in store for those who follow him.

Another one of my FAVORITE promises is that Heavenly Father will help us with our weaknesses. In the Book of Mormon, in Ether 12, it says:

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 

As we humble ourselves and ask God to help us with our weaknesses, he will help us turn our weaknesses to strengths.

Wish me luck in gym. I know God will give me strength as I exercise faith in his promises.