No Coincidences

Tag: story

Maybe (The Story of the Chinese Farmer)

“There once was a farmer whose horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. ‘Such bad fortune,’ they said, full of sympathy.

“‘Maybe,’ the farmer replied.

“The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. ‘What great fortune!’ The neighbors exclaimed.

“‘Maybe,’ replied the old man.

“The following day, the farmer’s son tried to ride one of the untamed horses. He was thrown off and broke his leg. The son would forever limp. ‘What terrible fortune!’ The neighbors cried.

“‘Maybe,’ answered the farmer.

“The next morning the army came through the farmer’s village to draft young able-bodied men for the war. Seeing his son’s limp, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer. ‘What wonderful fortune!’ They said.

“‘Maybe,’ said the farmer.”

So, it’s hard to know which experiences will turn out to be fortuitous and which will be unfortunate.

Another story to consider.

A dog is at the vet. It is there with its wonderful owner. The dog knows his owner loves him very much. The dog’s owner provides food and shelter to him every day. His owner takes him for walks every day and loves him so much. His owner would never do anything to harm him.

At the vet, the dog is due to get shots.

The owner knows the importance of these shots. The owner knows the dog needs the shots to keep him healthy. The owner knows the shots are for her dog’s ultimate benefit.

While the dog is getting shots, all he can think is, “why oh why is my owner letting them do this to me? It hurts so bad! Why is she letting this happen?” The dog looks at his owner and cries and cries. He’s in so much pain. “Why is she standing there ignoring my pain? Why isn’t she doing anything? Doesn’t she love me?”

The gap between the dog’s understanding and his owner’s understanding is vast. If the owner tried to explain to her dog germ theory and why he needed his shots, he wouldn’t understand any of it.

The gap between God and us must be infinitely more expansive than the gap between our understanding and that of our pets.

We don’t know completely why bad things happen to good people. We don’t know why some live while some die.

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ tells us some key information. This information doesn’t completely answer the question of why bad things happen to good people, but it does add important information.

We all chose to come here.

We all knew it would be hard.

Some knew they would experience unimaginable pain.

We all chose to come here.

The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that no pain, no hardship, no difficulty, no tragedy, is without meaning or purpose. It’s all for one great design: to make us better and stronger. Even as I say that, “to make us better and stronger” those words fall flat. Someone experiencing immense pain doesn’t care that they’ll be stronger in the end. Saying “to make us better and stronger” is akin to telling the dog, it’s going to be ok. Our understanding is limited. That doesn’t take away from the fact that everything that happens here is meant for our ultimate good. Everything here is to help us to reach our full potential.

Do you think that dog understands those shots will help him live longer? Could we possibly understand if God tried to explain to us the mysteries of the universe and how that unimaginable pain can be for our benefit?

Does this make unimaginable pain easier to endure? I think it does. I’m not in the throes of pain at the moment, though.

When I thought I might die, and I thought how desperately I would miss my wife and my one month old daughter, when I thought about how I wouldn’t get to teach her to talk, shoot a basketball, or ride a bike, my heart hurt. But then I knew something amazing. I knew that, even if I had to leave my daughter and my wife, I’d see them again. Life is one eternal round with God and nothing would be lost. I knew that if I had to leave, it was for my ultimate benefit, and the benefit of my family. I had to trust God in that moment. That brought me peace.

Could the farmer’s son have realized that breaking his leg and being limp for the rest of his life would actually save his life? He couldn’t know it. But someone did.

When bad things happen, take comfort. Trust Him.

How do we know what is a blessing and what isn’t? We don’t. Someone does. Trust Him.

November 17, 2022
What is the Power of Faith?

What is the power of faith?

Well, by it the worlds were made so… what can our faith do?

I’ve written about a miracle I saw happen in my post Miracle Baptisms.

I was once told a story that strengthened my faith and taught me something about the power of faith. By the way, this is a true story, not made up. If you don’t believe me, have faith.

The story goes like this…

There was a guy attending ASU. His parents planned a big cruise vacation over the winter break. This guy had been praying and looking for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. Who? He didn’t know, just someone. He had made a commitment to baptize a friend before the end of winter break.

When his parents told him about the plans for the cruise he declined. His parents were shocked. “Why??? We’re going on a family cruise!” He explained he already had plans.

“What plans?!” They asked. “What could be more important than our family cruise?”

“I’ll be baptizing a friend at that time,” was his response.

Oh… they thought. Well, that is important. They asked who the friend was. He told them he didn’t know, yet.

Let’s break this down. Here was a cruise. It existed. It was paid for. It was happening. It was a guarantee.

This guy, though, had another guarantee. He had a commitment. He would be baptizing someone at that time.

Soon after the conversation with his parents (aka the testing of his faith) he was sitting outside on campus reading the Book of Mormon. An acquaintance from class walked by and asked what he was reading. A few weeks later our hero was baptizing this friend at the precise time his family was on their cruise.

Some would say the cruise was a sure thing and the baptism was not. The baptism was a pipe dream, a shot in the dark. It was unlikely to happen.

What role did faith play in this story?

Obviously, faith was everything.

Soon after declining a sure thing, an all-expense paid cruise vacation, the interaction happened.

While this guy could have been on a cruise, he was doing something vastly more important, baptizing a friend.

What is a cruise when compared to the eternal salvation of a soul, of one of God’s children?

I don’t know the rest of the story. I don’t know what happened with the individual that was baptized. My faith tells something special happened. What if this individual joined the Church of Jesus Christ and devoted himself to it? What if he went on a mission? What if he baptizes five individuals on his mission and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with countless others? What if he marries in the temple and has five children? What if those children are raised to worship Christ and bear testimony of Him throughout their lives?

Fact – that cruise turned into one baptism.

Faith – that one baptism turned into thousands hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and coming closer to their Savior.

Where does faith end and fact start? – That’s up to us.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10

“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”
Doctrine and Covenants 18:15

June 17, 2021
Prodigal Son

The story of the Prodigal Son is well known. For those who have not read it before or haven’t read it recently it can be found in Luke 15:11-32.

The story of the Prodigal Son has always hit close to home for me. Obviously, it’s easy for me to relate to the younger son. You should read Luke chapter 15 above but a quick summary: there were two sons. They will be referred to as the elder/older son and the younger son as I write. The two sons were given their inheritances. The younger son left his home and went to a faraway city. There he squandered his inheritance on “riotous living.” When he hit the lowest of lows, the younger son returned home to beg his father to allow him to be a servant. The father, instead of showing anger, welcomed his son home, killed the fatted calf, put a robe on his son, gave him a ring, put shoes on his feet, and threw a huge party in celebration of his return.

The older son, upon hearing of his brother’s return and the subsequent party, was angry.

This story is often told in such a way that the primary lesson is about the Prodigal Son and his father’s reaction to his return. The story is called “the prodigal son” after all. That lesson being that no matter how we stray, how far gone are, and how many mistakes we make our Heavenly Father (the father in the story) will always welcome us back. In fact, Heavenly Father rejoices at our repentance:

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7

All Prodigal Sons like myself rejoice at this story.

I once heard a different perspective on this story, and I’d like to share it. There is a great lesson to be learned in the story of the Prodigal Son by looking at a secondary character: the older brother.

A great question to ask yourself before reading any of Christ’s parables is “who was He speaking to?” Another good question is “What was He trying to teach?” If you look at the parable from the perspective of the Prodigal Son, you can say Christ was teaching those who have sinned that they can always repent and return to the light of their Heavenly Father’s love.

Who was Christ speaking to when he gave this parable? He was speaking to those looking for the message of God. He was speaking to the listeners. These were the ones looking for the message of God. When giving this parable Christ was speaking to the saints.

Consider what can be learned from the older brother. The older brother never left. The older brother never sinned. The older brother respected and worked for his father. Many say, and I always thought, he was justified in his reaction. His exact words in verses 29 and 30:

“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid (fatted calf), that I might make merry with my friends:

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.”

This appears to be a natural reaction. He had always been there. He had always done right. Only for his corrupt brother to return and receive honor.

Why did the older son stay and work hard for his father? Why did he keep his commandments? Was he simply looking forward to the inheritance he was to receive?

Why do you serve God and keep his commandments? Are you looking forward to your mansion? Do you serve God so you can inherit His glory? Are you serving Him for YOUR benefit?

We should serve God because we love God. We should serve God because we love those around us. Our service to God shouldn’t be for the blessings and honors He can give us. Our hearts should serve for love and not for our inheritances.

Jesus didn’t tell this story only to get sinners to repent. He also told this story to get the saints to repent. The Prodigal Son went out to experience life and disregarded his father’s possessions. The older son on the other hand stuck around, but he was working to please his father. He looked at himself as moral and worthy. He was after his father’s possessions. That’s what he concerned himself with. The elder son was keeping score. He was trying to earn his father’s love and inheritance.

Sometimes we are like the Prodigal Son: sinning and needing to return home. Sometimes we are like the older brother: serving for the glory of the world.

Often we are like the older son in our envy and jealousy. When someone returns to the fold do we judge them for their past? Or, like the father in the parable and our Heavenly Father, do we rejoice at someone’s return?

Elder Holland in his talk, The Other Prodigal, said:

“I testify that no one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us-insecurities, anxieties, self-image, and all. He doesn’t measure our talents or our looks; He doesn’t measure our profession or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other. I know that if we will be faithful, there is a perfectly tailored robe of righteousness ready and waiting for everyone, “robes…made…white in the blood of the Lamb.” May we encourage each other in our effort to win that prize is my earnest prayer.”

Let us not compare our blessings to the blessings of others, what we have to the possessions of others. Let us support and help each other to all return to our Heavenly Father. Jealousy is of Satan. We should never look down on somebody who made mistakes and is trying to return to God, because then we are the sinner. We can learn from every character in Christ’s great parable. Be like the Prodigal Son and repent, humble ourselves, and return home. Be like the elder son and don’t envy but welcome our wayward brothers and sisters back home with joy and love. And be like the father, loving all those around us, embracing the sinner and the saint alike. I believe this is God’s hope for us and what Christ was teaching us through this story.

__________________________

Here is a link to Jeffery R. Holland’s talk, The Other Prodigal:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/04/the-other-prodigal?lang=eng

April 8, 2021
At Peace in the Light
By Dannion Brinkley with Paul Perry

Copyright 1995

_________________________________

I don’t recommend books to people often. This book I recommended directly to a cousin. This was a great book. I wonder if I say that about every book I read…

At Peace in the Light is a true story of a man who has died twice. Both times he was struck by lightning. Both times he returned to his body.

I guess not everyone would believe this to be a true story. I love near death experiences. I am all in on belief in near death experiences. They often support what I believe to be true of the afterlife.

I often joke that being struck by lighting would be the way to go. I say that’s a clear indication that God needs you back pronto. Dannion’s story made me rethink this slightly. His return to his body was an excruciating experience. His body was destroyed both times, inside and out, by the lightning strike.

Two very interesting points from this book.
- Dannion’s near death experience gave him special abilities.
Dannion became famous as a psychic. It seems whatever happened to him left him with some ability to speak or understand the souls of individuals around him. It’s fascinating to read his description of his “powers” for lack of a better word.
- Dannion’s near death experience led him into an interesting career change.
After Dannion was struck by lightning he received clear instruction on what he was supposed to do. His purpose was to setup a center to help people spiritually transition into death. Dannion describes a major issue with our society being the fear of death. It was his new purpose in life to help people transition into their next life.

It’s partly for this reason that Dannion transitioned into hospice care. To hear Dannion describe the rewarding experience of caring for the dying made me reconsider somewhat what is important in life. Near death experience books often help me re-orient my priorities.

We live this life to die. Ultimately, the most important moment of this life will be how we die.

I have a new appreciation for the sanctity and importance of hospice care. The cousin I recommended this book to works in this field.

I have had one experience with “assisting” someone (for lack of a better word) who was near death. A friend’s mother-in law was nearing the end. She had battled with cancer and it was time. This friend is not a member of my faith, but, in his words, “we don’t really know our priest. We know you.” So, he asked me to come give her a priesthood blessing.

It was a unique, uplifting, powerful experience I will never forget. This lady I didn’t know, had never met, was so frail. You never know what a person is thinking in these last moments. It’s hard to understand the pain, fear, acceptance, peace; whatever emotions and feelings they are experiencing. It was an honor to get to lay my hands on her head and let her know her Father wanted her home, and soon the pain would be gone. Soon she would be happier than she could imagine. Though she would miss her children here, and they would miss her, it was time for her to progress into the next part of her journey.

This was one experience I had with a person moving on. It has impacted me ever since. It was something I’ll never forget. Imagine having thousands of these important experiences.

For anyone that hasn’t read a near death experience book, At Peace in the Light may not be the best place to start. It kind of jumps into the topic. I still recommend it. It may leave you asking for more.
December 24, 2020
The Chance of Faith

One Sunday I was in my car with a friend, CJ Matthews. We were driving after church to go do something. I can’t remember what it was. Visit someone or give a blessing or something that like.

A few minutes into the drive I realized I was out of gas. I remembered I’d been out of gas since I left my home that morning to drive to church. It was 20 minutes to our location. It would be 20 minutes there, 20 minutes back to CJ’s car. Then the drive home. No way I could make it without getting gas.

Not me on a Sunday unless CJ is in the car.

I informed CJ of our dilemma. I let him know I wouldn’t be getting gas on a Sunday. God would get us there and get us back. If you could see the look on CJ’s face! It was great. His response, “Is God going to turn air into gasoline for you to return? Pull over and get gas. I’m not walking to a gas station.”

I eventually complied with his request, though begrudgingly. I had the faith that God would help us accomplish what we needed to accomplish without having to stop for gas.

This is a topic my wife and I playfully debate often. I try to say that I have no concern about my life or well-being. If I’m meant to die, I will die when God needs me back and not a second sooner. I joke often that the best way to die would be by lightning at the top of a mountain. That would clearly indicate an urgent need God had for me to return and start serving Him on the other side.

My wife is in the other school of thought. She agrees with CJ. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Don’t put yourself at risk. Don’t be stupid. Boring! I’m inclined to be stupid. Sometimes I consider it my way of showing God I have faith. I know, my wife has already told me I’m stupid.

Anyways.

I’ve made this a joking introduction but it’s something I truly struggle with.

Where does faith end and wise action start?

The principle is told in a story that I love and think about often. The story goes like this, I’ll tell my version.

A great flood comes, and a man gets on top of the roof of his house. A man comes by in a canoe. “Hop in!” he yells. The man on the roof calmly tells him no thanks. The water gets higher. A couple in a boat comes by. “Get in! The water is rising!” The man on the roof calmly denies the gesture and stays on his roof. The water gets higher. The man on the roof is close to being overtaken by the water. A helicopter comes by and throws a rope down. The man on the roof waves it away.

The man on the roof is finally overtaken by the water and drowns.

When in heaven he looks to God and asks, “I prayed the whole time I was on the roof. Why didn’t you help me?”

God replies, “I sent you a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter! What else did you want from me?”

I know what the scriptures tell us. I know God wants wise servants. I know he wants us to be prepared. I know He wants us to work problems out in our minds and learn to problem solve. I know we’re here to learn to make good choices.

But I also know we’re here to learn faith. We’re here to learn obedience. We’re here to learn to trust God.

I hope I live my life with a firm belief that God will guide me wherever He needs me as long as I do my part. I often joke about how God holds my hand and guides me to places, decisions, people. I often joke how God has been there with me every step of the way. He has blessed me in so many profound ways I can’t deny His loving guidance in every moment of my life.

I know that God still wants me to do my part.

So, I put my faith forward. God will get me there! Or does God put a gas station directly on my journey so I can get gas? How often is God up there, exasperated, “I put the gas station right along the way!” Or even better, “I put CJ and Beth around you to balance out your silly refusal to take care of yourself!”

I wonder how often I’m turning away the canoe, boat, and helicopter. I only hope I’m ultimately doing what God wants me to do. I think that’s the best any of us can do.

November 26, 2020