No Coincidences

Tag: jesus christ

  • Jonah and the Whale

    Jonah and the Whale

    Answer to prayer – but not what you expect!

    One of the most spiritual experiences I ever had, referenced in the post You Sent a Dog to Comfort a Boy, happened in the basement of my Aunt and Uncle’s home.  Go read the post to get some back story on why I was there, ie soul searching.

    During that trip, by some coincidence, my cousin had his farewell to go on his mission.  I went to the farewell and I felt stuff.  I felt an urge.  I felt guidance.  I came to Utah to search my soul and here it was. 

    That night I went back to the bedroom I’d been staying in.  With just Bengie (my aunt, uncle, and cousin’s dog) in the room I knelt, and I prayed.  I prayed like I hadn’t in so long.  I asked what I was supposed to do.

    Have you heard the story of Jonah and the whale?  For those who don’t know, the Bible tells us that Jonah, a prophet of God, was commanded to go to Nineveh to prophesy to its inhabitants.  He was to command them to repent and preach of their forthcoming destruction if they refused.  Nineveh was described as a scary place.  It was a near certainty Jonah would be murdered upon telling the inhabitants of their wickedness.

    I always heard that story and couldn’t imagine, couldn’t comprehend.  GOD told Jonah to do something.  If God tells you to do something – you do it!  It doesn’t matter how afraid you are or how scary it is.  You DO WHAT GOD COMMANDS.  Especially when it’s that clear.  If God told you to do something, you would listen, wouldn’t you?

    That’s what I always thought.

    That night in the basement I asked what I should do next with my life.  The answer couldn’t have been clearer if an angel appeared in the room and said it to my face.  I knew.  I needed to go on a mission.  I can’t stress this enough.  I knew what I was supposed to do.

    Then the doubts.  “I can’t go on a mission.  Where would I even begin?  I have so much to repent of.  I don’t even know who to go to” were my thoughts.  Also, I would have to give a GOING AWAY speech like I just watched my cousin give that very day.  Out of the question.  The thought of getting up in church and giving a talk was enough to make me feel sick.  I couldn’t do it.  I was too afraid.  On top of that I had big plans in the coming weeks.  It was my friend’s birthday and we had partying to do.  You know, the important stuff.  I couldn’t repent NOW.

    In the story of Jonah he gets on a ship to run away (From God- I know, crazy).  But here I was, running away from God.  I pretended like I didn’t know the answer to my prayer, but I knew.  I ran.  I ran away.

    I didn’t get swallowed by a whale.  Instead I moved on, distracted and forgetting.

    After Jonah’s whale incident, he finally agrees to do what God asked of him.  He was spit up on the shore of Nineveh and followed what God asked him to do.

    I think in a way, the few years after that moment in the basement, I was figuratively in a storm and swallowed by a whale.  Not for three days but for four years.  Eventually God had the whale spit me back up on shore. 

    You’d think I missed my chance, right?  I never went on a mission.  For a long time I thought I could never be forgiven for ignoring God.  Then I got my patriarchal blessing.  In it I am told to trouble myself not over lost days.  I can’t explain in words the comfort that simple phrase gave to me.

    Back to Jonah.  He ignored God.  Yet still, somehow, God used Jonah’s mistakes to bring about His work.  I don’t know how God makes up for our mistakes.  It recently occurred to me that in that basement I gave the first sincere prayer in a long time.  Then I ignored God.  I showed a modicum of faith followed by an excess of fear.  After that I found a job in Arizona, I settled down, and have been here in Arizona ever since.  Then I returned to church.  Now I’m here, writing to you, hopefully you’ve stuck with me this far.

    It’s so much better to do what God asks the first time.   I think we avoid a lot of heartache if we do.  But never forget – trouble yourself not over lost days.  God will have you spit up on shore when you’re ready.  When you’re really ready to trust in Him.  It took me some time.  Somehow, He accepted that.  Somehow, He waited.  I’m not saying I’ll ever fully make up for disobedience, not sure exactly how that works.  But I know that Christ will forgive me because He loves me.  There is no greater comfort than that.

  • Freedom

    Freedom

    Let’s take a quick trip through history.  Bear with me on the history recap, I swear it will be brief.

    The Revolutionary War started in 1775. 

    Some rag-tag colonists decided to stand up to and fight for independence from the greatest power in the world.  I’ll say that again, a group of mostly untrained men decided to take on the greatest military force on earth at that time.  Louder for those in the back, a group of settlers stood up to THE world superpower.

    Can you believe how truly insane that was?  Just that they revolted was crazy.  Surely that got smashed into submission…right? WRONG!

    They won! Independence.  How?  Tons of stories from that time point to divine intervention.  We can save those for another day.

    Interesting Revolutionary War Facts You've Never Heard • FamilySearch

    244 years ago, July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed.

    1777 The Articles of Confederation were written.  This would be the first constitution of the United States.

    1787 The Constitution we have today was written.

    1791 the Bill of Rights was written for the United States. 

    Amendment I of that Bill of Rights:

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

    Joseph Smith – Praise to the Man | The American Citadel

    1805 The Prophet Joseph Smith was born.

    1820 God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith.

    1827 Joseph Smith received the golden plates.

    1830 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ’s restored church was re-established on the earth.

    Fourteen short years after the Bill of Rights was established and set forth the freedom of religion in this choice nation a prophet was born.  29 years after the established freedom of religion Heavenly Father appeared to His prophet.  Four short decades after the Bill of Rights was ratified Christ’s Church was restored. 

    Think about that for a moment.  Human history spanning thousands of years.  Yet, somehow, within 15 years of a free nation set forth the guidelines for free religion, a boy was born who 15 years later would claim visitation from God the Father.  He would establish a church from meager means.  Within 200 years that church would have millions of members across the globe.

    Talk about all the coincidences. 

    It was less than 40 years after freedom of religion was established in the United States of America that the Church of Jesus Christ was organized.

    What spectacular timing.

    I know there aren’t coincidences in God’s plan.  I know he reared up and prepared inspired, God-loving, intelligent men to establish this great nation.  Men who desired freedom above all else.  I know that soon after they did their part in establishing this free country it was finally time in God’s plan to establish His Church.  There had to be a place for the Church to be restored first.  There was nowhere else in the world the Church of Jesus Christ could have been established.

    God works in miraculous and spectacular ways for His purposes.

    I know the exact timing of Joseph Smith’s birth and the exact timing of the freedom of the United States were no coincidence.  They were planned out long ago.

    On this Fourth of July I’m grateful to our founding fathers.

    I’m grateful to Joseph Smith.

    More than anything I’m grateful to God for His perfect plan.

    I’m grateful for a country where I can worship whom, how, and where I please.  I’m grateful that I can pray in private or public.  I’m grateful to be born in a country free.  I’m grateful that I’ve never been truly persecuted for my religious beliefs.  We live in a special country.  We live in a country founded on true principles: freedom, liberty, and equality.  I know it took some time for those principles to be truly established and I know we’re still working on some of those principles.  But the principles are there.  There are still parts of the world, many parts of the world, where freedom, liberty, and equality are not even considered.

    The most important principle of all that this nation was founded on:  faith and belief in God.

    I know right now America is in a predicament.  We have turned from God.  God gave us this great nation and helped its establishment.  Now we spit on Him and marvel at our own great strength and power.  We’re American!  THE Global Superpower.  Doesn’t that sound familiar.  We know what happens to global superpowers that rely on their own strength.

    If we don’t humble ourselves and confess to whom we owe all, God in Heaven, He will take back His land.  We are only as strong and powerful as our faith in God allows.  Like England during the Revolutionary War we will fall if our pride is not removed.  We must return to God.  He founded this country and it will continue to degrade until we return to the source of all strength.  It’s time to repent.

    I love this country.  I hope we can return to our principles and be better.  I hope we can love God and keep Him here with us.

    GOD Bless the USA

  • Prayer

    Prayer

    I don’t know exactly what I want to say on this topic because I still feel like it’s something I’m learning more about every single day.  Of course, I do have some thoughts.  Though, since it’s still something I’m always trying to understand better, these thoughts may be seemingly random with no organization whatsoever.  I know, you’re probably thinking, “uhm……. What else is new.”  My response, “be quiet and just keep reading.”

    An artist's rendition of the parable of the persistent widow.

    Christ taught to pray always.  He taught to have a prayer in our hearts.  He gave parables for us to understand.  One parable is of the unjust judge who didn’t care about anyone or anything.  But, because a woman bothered him he decided to help her simply because he didn’t want to be bothered by her.  Christ’s point with that parable was that, since a man who didn’t care about anybody gave in to being bothered, why wouldn’t God?  I agree with what you’re thinking, I find the story kind of… interesting as well.  Like God is this person being pestered to the point of answering.  I don’t think that’s what Christ meant at all.  He meant that our Father is all loving.  So, how much more is He likely and willing to help us simply if we ask?

    I’ve thought a lot about how Christ prayed.  How powerful those prayers must have been.  We see mention in the scriptures of the power of His prayers.  It was often said that the words couldn’t be repeated for they were so powerful.  My favorite is Third Nephi 17: 15-17 which reads

    15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

    16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

    17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

    Gives me goosebumps.

    Just think about that.  Christ’s prayer was so powerful that it brought joy to those who just listened.  What love must have been expressed. 

    There are also many examples of Christ going off on His own to pray in the New Testament.  Many times He’d be gone for hours praying.  I won’t list these scriptural examples but there are plenty.  What does this tell us?  Even Christ prayed, how much more need we to pray? 

    I’ve seen many miracles come about from prayer but maybe the most amazing thing about those miracles is that they don’t quickly come to mind.  I’ve felt the power of prayer and yet often forget when I have had a prayer answered.  I try to record them, so I don’t forget.  One small example happened once at work.  I was at work and really overwhelmed.  Many requests were coming in for things I needed to help with.  I had a meeting coming up that I wasn’t prepared for.  I really needed to take some time to gather some information for this meeting.  Otherwise I’d be going in and possibly make a fool of myself from being so unprepared.  I was getting more overwhelmed by the moment. 

    As I started to panic I remembered, like a slap to the face, to pray.  Sitting at someone’s computer trying to fix a problem for them, I silently prayed for help, patience, and peace.  I immediately felt better.  Within a couple minutes the person whom I had my meeting with walked by and said they had something come up and we’d have to delay our meeting.  This gave me time to go and gather all the information I needed.

    This happened years ago but it’s an experience I’ve held to, to remember the power of prayer.  These experiences happen daily.  I know they do.  I also know we often don’t notice them.  If we constantly have a prayer in our heart, God is constantly looking to show us how much He loves us. 

    I try to remember this story especially when I feel I’m not receiving answers to prayers.  In church many people tell stories of receiving their powerful answer.  Many people talk about the warm feeling in their chest.  I don’t know how much I’ve experienced those feelings.  I do know I’ve felt peace.  I do know I’ve received answers.  Often though, they don’t come.  My faith is that I can develop my skills in prayer and be better at receiving the answers God has for me and accepting when He doesn’t have an answer to give me at that moment.

    I think one day we’ll learn of the profound nature of prayer.  It likely won’t be until the next life.  I believe when we pray spectacular things happen around us that we don’t see.  The book, Visions of Glory talks about how when we’re feeling temptation or we’re in a negative environment, just a thought of prayer allows angels to surround and protect us.  I believe we are blind to the constant influences of good and evil around us.  I mean literal beings of light and darkness that want to influence us.  I think when we pray the heavens are moved and we are given protection.  Think about that.  If you knew that a prayer brought an angel to be by your side and watch and protect you, would you ever stop praying?

    She Will Find What Is Lost Litho Print - Deseret Book
    She Will Find What is Lost by Brian Kershisni

    My last thought I want to mention is that, for me, I’ve learned my life is better when I pray better.  It’s not something we notice unless we really, really stop and think about it.  But I’ve come to realize it’s true.  Stop and think about your day then think back on your prayers.  Did you have an amazing day?  Maybe an awesome conversation came about.  Maybe, if you’re a member of the church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…or any church for that matter), you had a great opportunity to share something about church or the gospel.  Maybe you just had a clarity of mind, a focus at work.  Maybe you had a productive day and just felt good.  How was your prayer that day?  How about days that you feel like you’re drudging along, impatient, short with people, not interested in talking or being friendly?  How was your prayer that day?  I think if we inventory our prayers and compare it to our resultant day, we’d be blown away by the correlation.  Our prayers bring power, it’s something I’ve learned.

    The funny (or sad) thing, even with this “understanding” I claim to have, I still fall into mundane prayers.  Repetitive, mindless prayers.  When I do, I see my days suffer.  For some reason it’s hard.  We fall into a rut.  We can’t focus on what we’re saying.  I sometimes even feel like He’s not there.  Then I have to remember He’s always there.  If someone is lacking in the partnership between myself and God, it is definitely me.  I have to be vigilant and strive to pray with focus and intent.  I have to express gratitude and actually mean it.  I have to thank Heavenly Father for His plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ and actually think about it and mean it.  I have to consider what I would be without repentance.  When I do these things, my life is better.

    When I have a prayer in my heart constantly, I am happier.  I feel light.  I feel love.  I’m more willing to serve and I’m more patient.  I’m more aware of opportunities to do good.  I’m not special in this regard, in fact there are so many out there saying their prayers the right way.  I think as we pray better, we can be better, and we can help each other. I believe this world would be a much better place if we all kept a prayer in our hearts.

    _____________________

    To learn more about prayer please check out these links:

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/prayer?lang=eng

    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-8-praying-to-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng

    The title is outdated but I thought this video did a good job of showing how to pray:

  • Which Church?

    Which Church?

    I often have religious conversations.  As often as possible I try to have those conversations with people of different faiths.

    I’ve had great conversations with someone who is devout in their faith of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t believe the Book of Mormon to be true.  We have many great discussions.  Our discussions are always extremely cordial, soft-spoken, and kind.  I think we are both extremely aware and conscious of our tones when we get into topics.  Early on in our discussions things would get somewhat heated every once in a while.  I don’t remember a time when we yelled at each other or it ever got out of hand, but there’s always this feeling when we talk.  It’s a feeling of being on the edge of a cliff.  Like we’re justttt teetering on the edge of it being a full-blown argument.   We could topple over the edge at any moment.

    Our discussions are almost always centered on disagreements.  There are many, many things we agree on.  Obviously, what good is it for us to dwell on those things?  We get to the meat of our differences and try to learn from each other, I love it.  But like I mentioned, there’s always this dangerous balance.  It makes sense since we disagree.

    Our extra-cautious approach protects us.  We both love Jesus Christ and His principles with all our hearts.  We’ve both been saved by Him in powerful ways.  I believe this is what keeps us from toppling over the edge.  The constant fight within ourselves to let love, tolerance, patience, and agreeing-to-disagree trump those powerful emotions brought on by Satan in the midst of a heated discussion centered on doctrine and eternity. 

    I’ve had similar discussions with many different faiths.  Catholics, Presbyterians, Bahai. I’d like to have these discussions with every faith on earth. 

    If we all believe in Christ we should all be able to agree on so many points, right?

    No matter what there’s always that feeling.  Are we going to go over the edge?  Is this going to turn from friendly banter and growth to a “I’m right you’re wrong!” And a storming out of the room?

    This particular friend I started the story about and I have in the past discussed John 17:21:

    “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  that the world may believe that thou has sent me.”

    When we had this discussion my point was this: How can we be one in Christ if so many sects disagree?

    His standpoint is that as long as we believe in Christ we are one.  We are all one under Christianity.  Under this great umbrella, we are all one in Him. That sounds great, and I love that.  In theory that is so beautiful.  There are some immediate problems with this, though. For one, I’ve been told I’m not Christian. Where do we go from that? For another, I’ve mentioned the contention that so easily arises when two groups disagree. As much as we want to be one in Christ, how can we be when there’s that underlying tension of disagreement? While millions of people can have a good Christ-like conversation with other faiths, there are also wars over these topics.

    Let me be EXTREMELY clear about one thing. There is some truth and light in all religions that teach and promote peace and love.  I love any religion that brings someone closer to God and especially if it brings someone closer to Christ.  All religions that love Christ and focus on Christ have light to them.

    There seems to be this issue when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be THE True Church of Jesus Christ. 

    The millennium is coming.  A time is coming when all Christians in the world will begin to be persecuted.  It won’t matter if we’re Baptist, or Catholic, or Protestant.  What will matter to the world is the belief in Christ.  As the world unites against Christians, what banner do Christians unite under?  Is it Christ alone?  Is there no one organization He would have us look to?  With all the arguments, contentions; standing on the edge, ready to topple off, between different Christian sects, how can we possibly unite as one?  If we do unite, who do we listen to?  What do we follow?

    God is a God of order.  He wouldn’t have us blindly wander as the world unites against all believers.  He can’t have us guessing which way is up and which way is down.  So, where is our banner?  Do we follow the Catholic Church, the Pope?  Do we follow some non-denominational sect?  We’ve never been able to unite.  When the world is in chaos, will that be the time the Christian world pulls it together and joins as one? I don’t see that happening. Especially as the world in general becomes more and more divided.

    We must be one.  We must be united in Jesus Christ. 

    My belief is that the Church to follow is Christ’s restored Church.  There is no more beating around the bush.  The Church of Jesus Christ has come out with a worldwide declaration that makes clear what we’ve always declared: 

    “In humility, we declare that in answer to (Joseph Smith’s) prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.

    “We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored.”

    The declaration is clear.  This is the banner.  The keys of the gathering of Israel were handed down to Joseph Smith by Moses himself.  Those same keys have been passed down for 200 years and are now in the possession of God’s prophet on the earth today, the speaker of the above declaration, President Russell M. Nelson.  Only by God’s official authority could the gathering of Israel be accomplished;  without contention, without fighting, without controversy.

    This is my testimony and I leave it in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

    __________________________

    If you would like to learn more about the gathering of Israel, the keys that have been handed down, the restoration of Christ’s Church, and why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends out so many young men and women to preach the gospel, please click below:

    https://www.comeuntochrist.org/belong/meet-missionaries

    A missionary would gladly teach you more about what we believe. Thank you for reading.

  • An Angel

    An Angel

    Some of God’s children are special beyond measure.

    They never lose their innocence and childlike wonder.

    I have a cousin who is like that.

    She taught me a lot.

    She has taught me about true joy.  She has taught me about true happiness.

    The simple things in life would bring such a laugh.

    The kind of laugh you couldn’t avoid.

    The kind of laugh that made you laugh, I guess because her joy was so contagious, so infectious.

    Olivia and her bike

    I had to laugh with her.

    God’s plan is perfect. 

    Despite a loving family, loving parents and siblings, there was never a perfect place on this earth for her.

    I’m not sure she ever had a comfortable moment on this earth.

    Despite that, still the joy, the joy was ever present.

    A new dress.  A butterfly.  A rad motorcycle.

    She could teach us so much.

    There was never a perfect place for her on this earth.

    I know when I next see her, she will be clothed with such beauty and glory that I will be blinded by her.

    But God’s plan is perfect.

    I know there is a perfect place for her with Him.

    If you looked very closely you could see her glory here.

    I know there is a perfect place for her.

    I’ve never been around a soul who deserved a perfect place more.

    I’m thankful for what she has taught me.  I’m grateful for her strength.  I’m grateful for her fight to stay here and teach us.

    I know her family is grieving now.  We all are.  We grieve when someone so good is taken from us.

    Take comfort in where she’s gone.

    No place was good enough for her here.  She’s finally in a place deserving of her light.

    We will miss her.

    Enjoy paradise Olivia. You are a princess every day and I can’t wait to see you again.