To Know God

In the New Testament we read that this is life eternal, to know the one and only true God and His Son whom He has sent. 

A wise man once stated that it is impossible to excercise faith in something one cannot comprehend. Hence the religious world of today. There are so many who profess faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ but do no more to follow the teachings and commandments in the Bible than those who profess no faith at all. (I am speaking generally of course) But, how many so called Christians hold fast to the laws of chastitiy? How many people refrain from using the names and titles of Deity in vain. I think the most common phrase we hear is..."Oh my...(and the title or name of Deity)". Using the name of God in vain is to use His name or titles in ANY manner other than reverence and worship. To go on, how many Christians keep the Sabbath Day as a sacred day of worship? (Why are stores open on Sunday, why are sports stadiums filled to capacity on Sunday? To keep the Sabbath Day holy would a 24 hour period of time would it not? Obviously our loves and desires for "worldly" things are greater than our love for God.

God does not change. He is perfect. He is all knowing. No mattter how we advance as a civilization does not reflect on whether or not God changes. He told us in the Bible he is the same yesterday, today and forever. Today's morality is yesterday's immorality and is looked upon the same by God. He did not allow adultery or fornication or whoredoms in the past, He does not now nor will He ever. With that He declared that our bodies are Temples of God and are to be treated as such. Look at the clothing styles of today especially with women and the showing off of their bodies; does that make their  bodies appear to be something they hold to be sacred?

The truth is we, as Christians, are happy to profess faith in God but not to excercise faith in Him. We all want truth on our side but do not necessarily want to stand on the side of truth...eternal truths. We are living hypocrites. I'm not saying we have to be perfect. While Jesus commanded us to be perfect He knew that we could not attain that in this lifetime and without His atonement it would be impossible. We can however strive to live the best we can striving constantly to improve and overcome bad habits and weaknesses. We are commanded to repent of our sins. To repent means to do it no more not to go out, do it again and repent again and again.

If we truely are Christians let us show it by our good works. Jesus gave the story of the good Samaritan. Samaritans were enemies of the Jews. Jews thought they were better. They would take extra time and walk around the land of Samaria rather than go through it. Jesus taught, however, that we should be like the Samaritan who showed love and kindness to a stranger in need and even gave of his own wealth to help one who was regarded as an enemy. Here we are having trouble getting along with our own families and next door neighbors let's not even start with our enemies.

We can do better. We must do better. Jesus Christ will return as promised, will we be ready to receive Him? 

Drugs and Alcohol..Why?

When I was in High School our football team won the state championship. A couple of guys who had graduated two years earlier rented a couple hotel rooms at a ski resort to throw a big party. I had been dating a girl for three years and she and I did not "party". The evening of the party a couple we were doubling with asked if we would go with them. They knew we didn't want to go but if we did it would give them an excuse to just say hi and leave. We agreed. 

As my girlfriend and I entered the room it was full of our friends. Someone jumped up and offered me and my girlfriend a comfortable lazy boy type chair. Immediately the host came over and tossed me a beer. I tossed it back and told him that I don't drink. He tried every way to convince me to join in; you just won a state championship...celebrate, everyone else is drinking (and they were), I never won a championship and I'm drinking, etc. I told him no. So he figure champagne would be okay and offered me that. I declined. What I had noticed while this was going on was that the room became silent and everyone was watching me to see what I'd do. We had been there about 10 whole minutes and I told my girlfriend I had been there long enough...let's go. We left the room and found the other couple coming from the other room also disgusted and ready to leave (that room was sporting an orgy). As we crossed the snowy parking lot my girlfriend put her arm through mine and squeezed me saying, "I'm proud of you, Alan." I felt ten feet tall. It also hit me, what if I had taken that drink, what would she have done?

A few weeks later my family was driving to Grandma's for a Sunday visit when my father said he was proud of me. When asked why he told me that a friend of mine had told him about the party and how they looked up to me for keeping to my standards and that they had ruined their life that night. 

As an athlete I can not understand anyone who plays any type of sport to drink alcohol, it destroys your body. One who drinks can't run as fast or far as prior to drinking. As a missionary I met many people in Amsterdam that were heavy into drugs. One attractive young woman lived on the street and her mind was so far gone she couldn't remember her name or carry on a conversation, all she could do was sit and try to sing (although she couldn't sing words as she couldn't remember words). My uncle destroyed his life with drugs and alcohol. He lost his family, his home and his business. He died a lonely and miserable death. My father and I were the only people he had left that cared about him. A former employer went out drinking with her boss for his birthday. He became so drunk he ended up deficating all over himself, and this is suppose to be fun?

I compare drinking with putting a spoon full of sugar in the gas tank of your car everyday. It will not take too long before your car has problems. I see people who drink and most all of them have problems connected to their drinking. 

Why is it okay for adults to drink when it is not for children? At what age do we become stupid enough that it becomes okay? The same with other "adult" things; language, sex, etc,. If something is not suitable for children it should not be suitable for adults. I told my children as they were growing up that if mom and dad did it so could they, but that they would never see mom and dad; drink, use drugs, use bad language, watch inappropriate movies or other type things. My children never questioned what they could or could not do.

There are so many things we can do and enjoy life...let's not be stupid using things that destroy.

That's it for today.

Alan

Life's Questions

I think every person asks themselves at least once in their life; who am I, what is the purpose of this life, is there anything beyond this life.  I asked myself these questions when I was fourteen years old. A close friend, a very attractive young woman, who came from a well to do family, who was liked by everyone (very popular), etc, etc, took her own life. It seemed she had everything going for her, why end your life? I struggled with this for some time. I wondered if there was a purpose for life or did she do the smart thing? I began to look at my religion more seriously and at others. My best friend and I were not of the same faith and we discussed religion often. 

I found my answers to these questions which have brought peace and confidence to my life. No matter how crazy life gets I know there is a Heavenly Father who cares about me and has a purpose for my life. He has not promised that this life will be without pain and trials but He has promised to help me through them.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). What I appreciate about the Church is that it does not tell one what they must believe but tells one that they can know for themselves and teach one how to do that. In the last chapter of the Book of Mormon there is this statement; "and when ye shall receive these things I would exhort you that ye would ask God in the name of Christ if these things are not true. And, if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth of these things unto to you."

This is the same promise made in the Book of James in the New Testament; "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally."

  Many philosophy professors have tried to destroy peoples faith in God by telling them that religion, God cannot be proven to be true or have any substance. This is a false statement. By the previous quotes there is a way and one must experience it to understand it. I'm sure there have been those who have asked God and received nothing and therefore it is not true, but the reference in the Book of Mormon tells one that they must be sincere. That is they must want to know with all their heart, they must be willing to submit to living the life God wants them to live, when this approach is taken God will always answer. The answer I received is something I can never deny or turn away from. Yes, there have been times when I have questioned God, but I have that witness to let me know to carry on until the understanding comes. Faith is walking into the dark trusting that the light will come to illuminate the way. Faith is not having a sure knowledge but trusting in God. When we live as so directed by Jesus Christ throughout the Bible we come to know the goodness of that life and receive a witness that it is of God.

I believe that every person believes in God or a supreme being. So called atheists proclaim not to believe to justify their behavior. They feel as long as they claim no religious beliefs that frees them to behave however they desire. They try so hard to convince others to appease their own conscience. Belief in God is born with us. I like to compare it to a brand new computer. A new computer comes with a basic memory which allows the computer to be turned on, new programs to be added, internet lines to be connected, etc. As we are born in life there we are born with what is termed a conscience. We know basic rights and wrongs. This is a gift God sent us to this life with. This life is a time to prepare to return to God, a time to excercise faith. That being the case we were given a basic set of knowledge that will help us to recognize truths and learn to believe in an trust God.

I am a student of life, I watch people. People who believe in God and strive to live a good life as has been outlined in the Bible are the most happy and well adjusted people. Those who ignore God's commandments are among the most miserable. You know commandments is a word that bothers a lot of people. Many people don't want to be "commanded" to do anything. Think of the commandments as blessings. If we live our life by them they bring a happiness and  peace none other can experience. Jesus' answer about which is the greatest commandment is truely the secret of life. If we love God and we love one another as we love ourselves would we ever do anything to bring harm or pain to another? Would we ever allow another to go hungry or naked? Would we ever steal from another? Would we engage in immoral conduct?

The world wants peace...there is a way, are we willing to submit to it?

This is my introduction to my blog, so you may get to know me. I'm not looking to disprove others beliefs or be controversial, simply share my reasons for faith, my base of happiness. I am a happy person. I was once in a business meeting when a corporate manager wanting to learn about employees posed the question; "What do you want most in life?" I was astounded that about 85% of the people answered they wanted to be happy. 

I close with the words to this song which expresses answers to the title of my blog.

"I am a child of God

and He has sent me here,

has given me an earthly home

with parents kind and dear. 

(Chorus)

Lead me, guide me,

walk beside me,

help me find the way.

Teach me all that I

must do,

to live with Him someday.

I am a child of God 

and so my needs are great,

help me to understand His words

before it grows to late.

(Chorus)

I am a child of God

rich blessings are in store,

if I but learn to do His will

I'll live with Him once more.

(Chorus)

until next time,

Alan Anderson