Thought for the Day

[Robert E. Chatfield]

Latter Day Saints are possibly the only people who look forward to Monday. Robert S. Wood

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, some people must really love church.

"The church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians but a school for the education of imperfect ones, a nursery for the care of weak ones, a hospital for the healing of those who need assiduous care." Henry Ward Beecher 

"The late J. Edgar Hoover said that if fathers and mothers would take their children to Sunday School and church regularly,

they could strike a felling blow against the forces that contribute to juvenile delinquency." N. Eldon Tanner

When someone says they don't go to church because there are too many hypocrites there, my favorite retort (I'm a Bishop) is:

"Always room for one more!"

A PLACE WHERE THEY CARE

     Sam Rayburn was a Democratic politician who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for 17 years, and is regarded by many as the most effective Speaker of the House in American history.  Allow me to share with you some of his most memorable statements:

     "Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations."

     "No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut."

     "You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said."

     When Harry Truman was thrust into the presidency at the death of FDR, Sam Rayburn gave him some fatherly advice. "From here on out, you're going to have lots of people around you. They'll try to put a wall around you and cut you off from any ideas but theirs. They'll tell you what a great man you are, Harry. But you and I both know you ain't."

     Later on, when Sam Rayburn discovered that he was quite ill, he announced to the House of Representatives he was going home for medical tests. Some wondered why he didn't stay in Washington where there were excellent medical facilities. He supplied the answer when he told Congressman Jim Wright, "Bonham [Texas] is a place where people know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die."

     I like that last statement because I think it's true of the church.  We live in a world where people often don't care what happens to others around them.  Everyone is too interested in getting what they want to even notice what is going on in the lives of others.  But the church is a place where people "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15).  It's a place "where people know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die."

     God knew that we need a place like that -- a group of people who share the same commitment to God that we have, a place where we will be loved unconditionally, a place where we can find shoulders to lean on and arms to comfort us in times of trial.

     I hope that each and every one of you have a church family that serves that purpose in your life.

     "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

[Robert E. Chatfield]

Patience is a hard thing to learn but when you master it; a whole new and wonderful world is opened to you.

Patience is the companion of wisdom.

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."   Chinese Proverb

Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience.      Benjamin Franklin

When I was about eight or nine, my mom liked to cook food and every now and then I remember she used to cook for us.

One night that stood out in my mind is when she had made dinner for us after a very long and rough day at work, She placed a plate of jam and extremely burned toast in front of my dad. Not slightly burnt but completely blackened toast.

I was just waiting to see if anyone noticed the burnt toast and say anything. But Dad just ate his toast and asked me if I did my homework and how my day was. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember I hearing my mom apologizing to dad for burning the toast. And I’ll never forget what he said:

“Sweetie, I love burned toast.”

Later that night, I went to tell my dad good night and ask him if he really liked his toast burned. He put his arm on my shoulder and said,

“Your momma put in a very long day at work today and she was very tired. And besides, A burnt toast never hurts anyone but you know what does? Harsh words!”

Then he continued to say “You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like every other human. What I’ve learned over the years, is that learning to accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys for creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right and have compassion for the ones who don’t.”

ENJOY LIFE NOW.

[Robert E. Chatfield]

God doesn't always still the storm, but he can calm the sailor.

You may forget with whom you laughed, but you will never forget with whom you wept.

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why.

Weep With Those Who Weep

"When Jesus therefore saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews also weeping, he groaned in the in spirit and was troubled. And said, 'Where have you laid him [Lazarus]?' They said unto him 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, 'Behold how he loved him.'"¹

Chuck Swindoll in his book Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns, tells about "a little girl who lost a playmate in death and one day reported to her family that she had gone to comfort the sorrowing mother. 

"'What did you say?" asked her father. 

"'Nothing,' she replied, 'I just climbed up on her lap and cried with her.'" 

What did Jesus do when his friend Lazarus died? He wept.

Rare is the friend who knows how to weep with those who weep. 

Also, know when to be silent. In the same book Chuck tells about Joe Bayly who lost three of his children. He quotes from Joe's book, The view from a Hearse. Joe writes: "I was sitting, torn by grief. Someone came and talked to me of God's dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly. He said things I knew were true. I was unmoved, except to wish he'd go away. He finally did. 

"Another came and sat beside me. He didn't talk. He didn't ask me leading questions. He just sat beside me for an hour or more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, left.

"I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go."

This visitor and the little girl were being as Jesus to hurting people. May God help us all to be and do likewise.

1. John 11:33-36 

[Robert E. Chatfield]

And ye shall be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13

And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved. D & C 18:22

He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world. D & C 63:47

"Brothers and sisters, the gospel is easy to live. All we have to do is stay everlastingly at it." Hartman Rector, Jr.

The work is demanding, the impact everlasting. This is no time for "summer soldiers" in the army of the Lord. Thomas S. Monson

You're Not Home Yet

"His lord said unto him, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord'"¹

After serving as a missionary for forty years in Africa, Henry C. Morrison became sick and had to return to America. As the great ocean liner docked in New York Harbor there was a great crowd gathered to welcome home another passenger on that boat. Morrison watched as President Teddy Roosevelt received a grand welcome home party after his African Safari.

Resentment seized Henry Morrsion and he turned to God in anger, "I have come back home after all this time and service to the church and there is no one, not even one person here to welcome me home."

Then a still small voice came to Morrison and said, "You're not home yet."²

1. Matthew 25:21
2. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com

[Robert E. Chatfield]

The Savior's last commandment. "And he said unto them, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.'"¹

"The Lord made it very clear at the start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls." Henry B. Eyring,

"Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel." David A. Bednar

Show Me – Don't Tell Me 

Dick Innes

I have often felt that much of my education taught me how to make a living and do a lot of good things, but it didn't teach me how to live or make a life. That I have had to learn the hard way—and am still learning how to do that.

Nevertheless, my education did teach me many valuable lessons. One that I have never forgotten was from my journalism professor. Time and again in bright red he would write on my papers, "Show me. Don't tell me!"

I took it to mean that in my writing I needed to illustrate important points with stories, which was the way that Jesus taught in his many parables.²

I like to apply the "show me—don't tell me" principle not only in my writing, but also in my teaching and especially in my testimony. In other words, one of the greatest ways we can teach others and bear witness of Christ is to model true Christianity and effective testifying. While the words we use ARE important, until we do the above, our words won't carry much weight.

Like St. Francis of Assisi wisely said: "Preach the gospel at all times. Where necessary, use words." And as another wisely said, "The living truth I long to see, I cannot live on what used to be, so close your Bible and show me how the Christ you talk about is living now."

In other words, "To win some we need to be winsome."

1. Mark 16:15

2. See Matthew 13:35.

[Robert E. Chatfield]

Mahatma Gandhi spoke forcefully to Christians when he said, "You Christians have in your keeping a document with enough dynamite in it to blow the whole of civilization to bits, to turn society upside down, to bring peace to this war-torn world. But you read it as if it were just good literature, and nothing else."

I am afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt. Martin Luther

"When scripture reading and sharing is a tradition in our families, then our children are more likely to make it a habit in their personal lives."

Anne G. Wirthlin,

The scriptures that are never read will never help us. L. Tom Perry

A WORD FITLY SPOKEN

I heard a story about a friend of the bride who was not able to attend the wedding, so he sent a card of greeting which was read at the reception after the ceremony. It should have included the reference 1 John 4:18 -- "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear". However the "1" was accidentally omitted. So a Bible was fetched and the best man read out the verse on the card -- John 4:18, "For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not your husband.......".

Scripture is meaningful, but only when it is appropriate. Satan used scripture while trying to tempt Jesus, but Jesus was able to recognize that the verses he used were quoted out of context.

When used properly, though, the Scriptures are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Prov. 25:11

May the Scriptures speak to you in a meaningful way today.

[Robert E. Chatfield]

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on."        Sir Winston Churchill 

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."         Georges Braque

"Truth is always strong no matter how weak it looks; and falsehood is always weak, no matter how strong it looks."         Phillips Brooks

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”         Buddha

12 TRUTHS ABOUT LYING

1. Honesty may not always pay, but lying always costs.

2. Trust is a tower, built stone by stone, lies take stones from the bottom.

3. There is no security in secrecy; every undiscovered lie is a live landmine.

4. Lies breed a bodyguard of new lies to protect themselves.

5. Lies look very different to the person lied to than the person telling the lie.

6. Rationalizing, justifying or trying to minimize a lie only deepens distrust.

7. When we are lied to we wonder: “What else have you lied to me about?”

8. It only takes one lie to make you a liar or distrust someone who lied to you.

9. Apologies for lying help but they can’t remove the scar or heal the wound.

10. You can’t disguise lies in half-truths or silence; a lie is a lie.

11. Lying is not only dishonest; it’s disrespectful.

12. When you lie to a liar your still a liar.

Michael Josephson

[Robert E. Chatfield]

Thought this to be a good reminder and helpful, as I may well be one of the greatest offenders.

The Dangers Of Sitting

Most people wouldn’t consider sitting to be dangerous, but if you are sitting too much then you could be putting your health in a poorer condition. The human body wasn’t designed for prolonged periods of sitting, but that is exactly what advances in technology have allowed us to do. The answer to how to avoid the negative health effects of sitting too much is simple, you have to get up and move more and move often. For some easy tips on how to stop sitting so much watch 9 Easy Ways to Get Moving.

http://biggeekdad.com/2014/12/dangers-sitting/

[Robert E. Chatfield]

"There is no bravery in evil, no true courage in behavior that can only result in deep disappointment." Marion D. Hanks

“Do not doubt your abilities. Do not delay your worthy impressions. With God’s Help, you cannot fail. He will give you

the courage to participate in meaningful change and purposeful living.” Marvin J. Ashton

"Courage is acting in spite of fear." Howard W. Hunter

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." Billy Graham

BE COURAGEOUS

At the zoo, a man watched as an attendant entered a wildcat cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom. Carefully closing the door, he proceeded to sweep the floor of the cage. The onlooker observed that the worker had no weapon to ward off an attack by the beast. In fact, when he got to the corner of the cage where the wildcat was lying, he poked the animal with the broom. The wildcat hissed at him and then lay down in another corner of the enclosure.

He remarked to the attendant, "You certainly are a brave man."

"No I ain't brave," he replied as he continued to sweep.

"Well, then, that cat must be tame."

"No," came the reply, "he ain't tame."

"If you aren't brave and the wildcat isn't tame, then I can't understand why he doesn't attack you."

The man chuckled, then replied with an air of confidence, "Mister, he's old -- and he ain't got no teeth."

Some situations don't require much courage. Others, however, require a great deal of courage. Take, for example, the choice Daniel was given -- stop praying to God or face the hungry lions (which weren't toothless!). Or Moses -- live a life of luxury in the king's palace, or align himself with God's people. Or Esther -- keep quiet and not cause a commotion, or stand up against evildoers at the risk of losing her life.

How we need such courage in our own lives! Courage to stand for the truth regardless of the consequences. Courage to live a life where Christ comes first regardless of what others might think. Courage to confess the name of God to a world which regards us as fools.

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD." (Psa. 31:24).

[Robert E. Chatfield]

Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations. D & C 115:5

"We are miracles in our own right, every one of us, and the resurrected Son of God is the greatest miracle of all. He is, indeed, the miracle of miracles, and every day of his life he gave evidence of it. We should try to follow after him in that example." Howard W. Hunter

Emulate the Savior in your life by serving and consecrating, by overcoming temporally so that you might more fully achieve

spiritually.” Spencer W. Kimball

"A friend of mine, Dr. Jae R. Ballif, a physics professor at Brigham Young University, put it this way in a recent address at BYU: "Too frequently we strive to live as good a life as our peers, when we should be striving to live like the Savior." Spencer J. Condie,

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU IMITATE

The following story is reported to be true:

A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn't understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit one of the local churches, he got lost, but eventually got back on track and found the place. Having arrived late, the church was already packed. The only pew with a seat open was the one on the front row.

So as not to make a fool of himself, this recruit decided to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He chose to follow the man sitting next to him on the front pew. As they sang, the missionary tried to follow along. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too.

When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man took the cup and bread for the Lord's Supper, he took the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn't understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look just like that man in the front pew.

Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too. Then the preacher said some words that he didn't understand and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up, too.

Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing, so he sat down.

After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: "I take it you don't speak Spanish."

The missionary recruit replied: "No I don't. Is it that obvious?"

"Well yes," said the preacher, "I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up."

There is nothing wrong with imitating godly men and women, but we need to be careful who we imitate, and to what extent. Even the apostle Paul was careful to limit those who sought to follow him:

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1)

Follow the example of those you know who are living godly lives, but be sure to keep one eye on Christ as the ultimate standard. Otherwise, you may find yourself standing when you ought to be sitting!