Comfort

2 Nephi 32:5   John 14:26-27   1 Corinthians 2:9

I have some Big Decisions looming on the horizon, and I have to admit that I have been fearful and emotional lately.  The Lord knows the secret feelings of my heart, and so He whispered words of comfort to my soul:

The Holy Ghost..."will show unto you all things what you should do."

How wonderful that Heavenly Father wants me to know that I don't have to make these decisions on my own.  I don't have to rely on my own understanding.  I don't have to worry that my fears and insecurities will cloud my judgment.  I don't have to worry that my decision will have tragic consequences, because the Lord would never allow that.

Then, my study led me to John 14:26, but my eyes strayed further to the following verse, just as it did a few days ago.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Hush, child, everything will be all right.  There, there, I'm here, and I always will be.  I'll take you by the hand, and we'll face this storm together.  You are not alone.  Peace.

And finally, this promise:

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

I do love Him, and He knows how deeply I love Him.  Now it is time to turn my fears over to Him, having faith that my life is in His hands.  Come what may, there will be great blessings in store.

Scripture Journal

Funny how the Lord works.  How He puts an idea into your head a little piece at a time until it all comes together in a wonderful way.  I've felt that recently.  This new blog is one of the pieces in the puzzle.  Or maybe it's where I was being led all along.

It began with the newest edition of the Ensign magazine, September 2010.  I read an article on using the manual Preach My Gospel as a personal scripture study tool.  I had just finished the Book of Mormon again, and I was wondering where to take my scripture study next.  I thought that would be a great idea.  So, I brought it up to my room and started.

One of the suggestions in the manual is to keep a study journal.  I liked that idea.  I already have a notebook I use for recording spiritual impressions as they come to me, and I thought I could expand its function and use it.  Then, a couple of things happened: My husband was preparing a Sunday School lesson on missionary work, and I read another article in the Ensign about sharing the gospel through the internet.  The impact of all of these things -- the articles, my discussions with my husband, my reading in Preach My Gospel -- led me to the idea of using a blog as my scripture journal.

These are private thoughts that are important and precious to me, but I am willing to share them publicly.  I do so hoping that some of my insights touch your own heart, make you think, help you feel the love of the Lord as I have, and strengthen your faith, whatever it may be.