No Coincidences

Tag: blessings

  • Sunday Meditation and Basketball

    Sunday Meditation and Basketball

    In November of 2019 I started meditating every morning.  I’m not doing anything real impressive.  I spend the first 10 minutes of every day laying on my back on the ground.  I started by listening to guided meditations on YouTube.  Now I have the Calm App on my phone which I highly recommend.  I rotate between guided meditations and simply laying with my eyes closed, in prayer and thought.  Early on I found meditation to be extremely beneficial.  My days would start off right.  I would be calmer and more patient with any challenge that arose throughout the day.  I know this is hard to gauge and measure.  Maybe I wasn’t calmer or more patient, but I felt more calm and patient.  That has to be almost as good.

    When I started meditating, I immediately noticed answers to prayers.  Those 10 minutes have become the most important 10 minutes of my day.  I look forward to that time to spend with my own thoughts and with God.  It’s an opportunity to slow down and think about what I want to accomplish; in life and for that day.  It’s time to stop and consider all that I have to be grateful for.

    I think I’ve written about his before, but when I was coming back to church, initially a big help was basketball on weekend mornings.  For years my weekends were spent out late.  When I was trying to stop drinking and stop going out as much, Saturday morning (7am) basketball became critical.  It was something I could look forward to.  It motivated me to stay in on a Friday night so I could get up early and play.  I also played Sunday mornings.  They were my two favorite days every week.

    Weekend Warrior

    Sunday morning basketball never conflicted with church.  I was in the Young Single Adult Ward which didn’t meet until 1pm.  I could easily play 7am-10am and have a few hours to shower, relax, read, study, and pray before church began.

    One Sunday morning I got up to play like I always did.  I was walking around my room getting dressed.  It was time to walk out the door to leave so I bent over to pick up my gym bag.  As I started to stand up the craziest thing happened.  My back completely gave out.  Luckily, I was near my bed (which still resided on box springs on the floor, like I liked it) so I literally fell sideways onto my bed.  I was in excruciating pain.  I called my mom and she said to take some ibuprofen, the basic mom guidance stuff.  I still had it in my mind that I could go play.  I was 26 years old, surely, I didn’t actually throw my back out…right?  I quickly realized, I did.

    Me that weekend

    As I laid in my bed, I wondered what to do.  I loved reading my scriptures, especially Sunday mornings after basketball and before church.  So, I pulled out my scriptures and continued to read where I’d left off in the book of Alma.

    I remember reading the story of the sons of Mosiah that morning in Alma 17-27.  I remember being struck by one thing: the sons of Mosiah were offered the kingdom.  They were each individually asked to be the king of their people.  They were asked to rule, to have power, to have the comforts and honors of the world given to them for the rest of their life.  Instead, they chose to forsake worldly possessions and go on a mission to the Lamanites.  One by one they chose to reject kingship and go to a land of people that were open about their desire to kill any Nephite that came into their presence, let alone a Nephite set to inherit the Nephite kingdom.

    What inspired Ammon and his brothers, the sons of Mosiah to forsake the kingdom and instead choose to preach the gospel?  They saw an angel.  I can’t describe exactly what happened to me that day, studying in my bed.  Something happened.  I was so filled with the spirit.  I felt like I was floating.  It was the most uplifting and edifying scripture study I’d ever had.  I grew so much that morning.  I haven’t played basketball on a Sunday since.  That morning, along with learning so much about the sons of Mosiah and who I wanted to be, I also learned the value of keeping the Sabbath day holy.

    I don’t think basketball was the worst thing to do on a Sunday morning, far from it.  I think those first few months of Sunday morning basketball had a huge impact on me and helped me stay away from activities it was important for me to stay away from at that time.  That morning though, I came to a crossroad.  The temptations of prior months had lessened.  I was immersing myself in the scriptures and praying daily.  That morning I learned how much I could gain on Sunday mornings. 

    I haven’t played basketball on a Sunday since that morning I threw my back out.  Instead, every Sunday morning I try to pray, read, and study.  My study isn’t as good as it has been in the past, I can always improve.  But, staying in on Sunday, preparing for church, praying, pondering my blessings, being with my wife, has become my favorite part of every week.

    In November 2019 I started meditating every morning.  I meditate 7 days a week.  There’s a strange phenomenon I’ve experienced during this time.  I meditate every single day.  But, on Sundays, something is different.  I don’t meditate with the hopes of becoming emotional.  I enjoy it when it happens.  I enjoy feeling the spirit so strongly that, as I lay on the ground in gratitude to my Heavenly Father, tears sometimes come to my eyes.  It happens every so often.  What I’ve noticed is it happens mostly on Sundays.

    Without fail, as I lay and meditate on Sundays, I will be moved by the grace of Jesus Christ and the love of my Heavenly Father.  I will contemplate the Atonement of my Savior.  I’ll consider the suffering He went through for me.  I’ll think about where I’ve been and where I am now.  I’ll wonder how God can love us so much.

    Grace of Christ

    I bear testimony that Sunday is a special day.  It’s not special because it’s specifically Sunday.  That’s the day we, our society, have set aside as a day to worship.  It could be Monday or Friday, doesn’t matter.  What matters is it’s a day for the Lord.  It’s important because it’s a day set aside for God.  He has given us all our days, our lives, what is one day a week in return?  I know that the Sabbath day is a special day.  I know it holds power.  I know it gives rejuvenating strength in a world that unceasingly sucks our spiritual resolve from us throughout the week.  I know it because I’ve experienced it.

    I would invite everybody to spend some time every Sunday morning in prayer.  I promise you will feel something special.  The Sabbath day is profound.  Keep it holy.  It was a long journey for me to truly appreciate the power of the Sabbath.  I know that we’re blessed for keeping the Sabbath holy.  In the scriptures, keeping the Sabbath is said to be what separates God’s people from the world.  Keep the Sabbath holy and I promise God will pour out blessings on you.  I know because he has on me.

  • Book Review: The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

    Book Review: The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

    The Joseph Smith Translation.  Precious Truths Restored

    by W. Jeffrey Marsh

    Copyright 2002

    ______________________

    There are multiple ways I judge a book.  It can be so entertaining I can’t put it down.  I can feel enlightened by it, like I’m learning constantly through its pages.  Ideally a book does both.  I think this book more was on the enlightened, learning something from it category.

    I realize most people aren’t going to enjoy the books I’m enjoying.  Few people get excited about learning about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is a book I wish every active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would read.  It did so many things for me: taught gospel truths, built my testimony of Joseph Smith and his divine call, and probably the biggest thing I took away from it, better understanding of the Bible. 

    A statement from the summary on the back of the book states it:

    “will guide you through the history, significance, and insights found in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible.”

    The biggest takeaway I got from this book was the knowledge of how blessed I am to have the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible and the fact that I’ve never once doubted its truthfulness and divine nature.  The book goes a lot into the history of the JST.  I didn’t know there were many years that the JST was regarded skeptically by members of the Church.

    I am truly grateful to be living while I’m living, with so much truth and light surrounding me.  This book helped me appreciate how lucky I am.  There was a part of the book where the author talked about how there would one day be a generation that never doubted the divine nature of the Joseph Smith Translation.  He talked about how that generation will know the scriptures better than any prior generation.  That generation will know Jesus Christ better than any prior generation, due to the truths restored by Joseph Smith.  He talked about this generation that will have more fullness of scriptures than any generation ever had.  Truly the fullness of times.

    This made me appreciate my place in time, my place in history, my place in the fullness of times more than ever.  It’s never been a doubt to me that the Joseph Smith Translation is holy scripture and worth studying.  It helps me trust Joseph Smith as a prophet and teaches me more about Jesus Christ. 

    I know these things aren’t to be taken for granted.  Our generation isn’t gifted greater scriptural knowledge simply by living now.  We must study and learn.  If we devote ourselves to the Word of God, there is more out there for us to devour and grow from than any people on this earth has ever had the opportunity to know.

    I’m so grateful to be alive today and I’m so grateful to Joseph Smith for the truths he restored.

    ____________________________

    To learn more about the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible go here:

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/joseph-smiths-bible-translation?lang=eng

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-translation-of-the-bible?lang=eng

  • My Coincidences

    My Coincidences

    Have you ever noticed how easily we forget?  It’s a cliché statement on human nature – “humans have short memories,” but It’s so true.  Have you ever walked into work on Monday and been asked what you did over the weekend… and not be able to think of anything?  Sometimes it takes me 5-10 minutes to think of what I did 1 and 2 DAYS ago, never mind years. 

    Soon after I came back to church, I started keeping track of “coincidences” that I experienced.  It was my way of taking note of God’s daily influence in my life.  It’s a list of those answered prayers, small moments that seemed significant, things just working out.  I keep this list so I never forget God’s hand in my daily life.  I’ll fluctuate in how good I am at keeping the list.  Sometimes I’ll go weeks or months without adding anything.

    If I’m going to name my blog nocoincidences I gotta back it up with some data.

    My entries go back to 2016.  Four years of “coincidences.”  101 total entries.

    I’ve found it extremely helpful to look back on and remember how blessed I’ve been.  Even when things are hard, God is there.  I would recommend this practice to anyone. 

    My experiences vary from something I study before church being mentioned that day in someone’s talk, that always makes me pay attention; to the postcard I received the day I was wondering where to go to church.  There are tons of small moments that can become big moments.

    Reading back through them I realize most of them I can’t explain.  It was something I felt or something only I could appreciate.  Kind of like faith.  Even if you’re explaining faith to someone else with faith, your experience with faith will always be unique.  My “coincidences” as I call them are mine, and extremely personal. 

    One thing I notice as I read through these notes is even today, I don’t know the significance.  That night I felt a weird feeling as I was going to bed and decided to check the kitchen only to notice I left the oven on.  Was the house going to burn down?  I don’t know.  What I do know is the feeling I had to go back to the kitchen was distinct, and obvious.  God knows what would have happened, that’s enough for me. 

    There are many moments at work.  Moments of frustration, anxiety, worry.  Then I pray and it somehow works out.  The answer I’ve been staring at jumps out at me, someone calls and helps, I’m given more time, a boss shows sympathy.  These blessings come in many ways.  If I’m not looking for them, I would miss them every time. 

    Look for the blessings in your life.  If you don’t look for them it’s easy to feel alone or like things never work out.  Write down all the blessings in your life, everything you’re grateful for.  Look at all the moments that just work out and realize you’re being watched.  Look at all your “coincidences” and appreciate them. I have 101 coincidences I’ve written down in 4 years.  101.  It will be so amazing to one day stand before my Father in Heaven.  He will laugh jovially at my 101 remembrances and He will open my Book of Life and show me the countless, infinite times His hand was with me.  That will be a good day.

  • Policy

    Policy

    I want to write about what I learned when I struggled with something at church.  I apologize for not going into specifics because I don’t want that to be the point.  I want to write about what I learned from my struggle.  To be clear, it was not a faith crisis.  It was a policy/decision that I struggled with.  I think almost all of us can relate to this for some topic, to some extent. 

    The first thing I learned is that God will speak peace to us, if we need it and if we can accept it.  In my case I was questioning something and asking myself, “was that right?”  I was pretty worked up about it.  I was upset and confused.  At some point, I stopped thinking about it.  At the time I didn’t realize what was happening.  I somehow moved on.  I came to a feeling of peace about it. Initially, I attributed it to my general lack of caring about things I can’t control.  But then it worked itself out, or God worked it out, and I look back and realize He spoke peace to me.  I can almost hear Him, “Peace, my son.  Don’t you know my hand is in these things?  Don’t you know I will care for my children?  Have faith.”

    I believe God blessed and helped me.  I believe the Holy Ghost spoke peace to my soul.  I didn’t ask for it.  I didn’t even question it.  Maybe I showed a fraction of faith and God rewarded me with peace.  I more think He loves me and gave me that peace because I needed it.  Either way it became a non-issue for me.  Things would work out. 

    But, no matter our faults or potential mistakes, God will make things happen the way they need to happen.

    I learned an important lesson.  Despite how I think things should go or how I think things should be done, God has an order to His church.  Decisions are made by those in authority.  End of story.  Satan ended up where he was because he fought God’s authority.

    This gets me into the second thing I learned.

    Throughout history, there have been things that are hard for people to understand.  This has happened since before the restoration of the gospel.  For the entirety of human history, and especially Christ’s Church, there have been aspects of it that man couldn’t understand, comprehend, or sometimes accept.  We fall into this recency bias where we think we’re the only ones who struggle with church policy.  In Adam’s day, his children had issues with “church policy.”  In Moses’s day the Israelites disagreed with him often.  In Joseph Smith’s day and up to right now with Russell M. Nelson, there are policies that we don’t understand.  This isn’t unique to me.  This is constant throughout the history of man.

    In my opinion, it is okay to question.  The restoration started with a question.  We must be careful with doubt.  Doubt can be a part of faith; in fact, it is a part of faith.  If there weren’t some small part of doubt, it wouldn’t be faith.  It would be something known.  What we must be sure of is that our faith is stronger than our doubt.

    The third thing I’ve always known but have learned to truly appreciate is that our testimony must be based on something sure.  If our testimony is based on Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, it will all work out. 

    My testimony is built on something much bigger than any policy. 

    My testimony is built on Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith being a prophet of God, and the Book of Mormon being an inspired and true translation of an ancient book, given to us by God’s hand.  I know these things because I’ve prayed about them.  I know these things because I’ve felt them.  Some recent archaeological discovery is not going to dissuade me from the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  I won’t let some recent finding by society make me doubt things of God.

    I refuse to let my testimony of the important things be shaken by a policy. We must do our best not to get hung up on a moment.   I can’t fully comprehend eternity but I still try to put things into an eternal perspective. The bigger picture is that God guides this church.  It doesn’t mean our issues, doubts, and questions will be resolved today, next week, next month, or even in this life.  But it will get resolved.  I know that.  And if you’re experiencing a faith crisis I would suggest praying.  Don’t always ask for your question to get answered or for it to be “resolved” by your definition.  Ask for peace.  And then be willing to accept that peace and move on.  That’s important.  You will receive peace.  But if you dwell and dwell and dwell on the doubt the peace will leave, Satan will win back his portion.  Have faith that your question will be answered at some point and move forward.  I know that’s easier said than done in many instances. 

    There are so many things I don’t understand.  Faith comes with the hope that I’ll one day understand. 

    I think that’s the lesson to take from this.  God is watching.  He loves us.  Things will work the way they need to.  When we get ourselves worked up, worried, concerned, frustrated, even angry, He can speak peace to our souls if we seek it.  He can speak peace to our souls even if we don’t know how desperately we need it. 

    I’ll end with a quote I heard from a recent meditation:

    “If we can accept that life has changed even though it’s hard, if we can surrender to the fact that all we can do is move on then we won’t experience the same level of stress we would have had we resisted our circumstances.  And if we can remind ourselves that this pain we’re feeling will change, that it will soften… we’ll heal and feel joy again much sooner.  So, in times when there’s nothing that we can do to change our circumstances, in times we feel stressed and uncertain and overwhelmed, the most kind and compassionate thing we can do for ourselves is to surrender to what is.”

    I would add, surrender to God.  If we surrender to Him, He will take care of us.