Mosiah 18:9 - Yea, and are willing to mourn with those
that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as a witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be
redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection that ye may have eternal life
I shared this video with family last Sunday as part of our home church lesson. The lesson was about becoming born again. I explained to them that sometimes even after we learn of Jesus Christ our Savior, who He is, what He has done for us, and we are baptized, it still can take many years before we have that true born again conversion - what Alma refers to as the "mighty change of heart".
This man had the true born again conversion the first time he learned of Jesus Christ and prayed to know Him. Even 20 years after the matter, his spirit is still on fire for Jesus. I love his story!
John 3:5,16
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I have been a fan of the Sid Roth show for a few years now, and occasionally I share some of my favorite episodes. Here are two recent videos that really lit up my heart. The first video reminds me of the type of work 311 workers are engaged in this last hour, and the second video is a man named Mike Bickle who I have mentioned before. He started a prayer movement on 9/19/1999 (significant numbers) known as IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Missouri. In this video he shares how a prophetic minister prophesied over his life back in the 70's and it has since all come to pass.
My friend Lynn Ridenhour who founded our Believer's Building Bridges movement and also lives in Missouri, is a part of Mike Bickle's movement as well. In Lynn's books he talks about Mike Bickle, Bill Johnson, and Randy Clark who are all apart of this restoration movement in which their core beliefs are:
• Recognizes the prophetic; particularly the offices of prophet and apostle.
• Believes in open revelation.
• Believes that God speaks today.
• Embraces kingdom theology; i.e., the kingdom of God not only will be established on earth
but is on the earth.
• Embraces remnant theology that will overcome this world's present - day government.
With all of their commonalities with what we believe as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and what the prophet Joseph already has restored to the earth, we are excited to bring these groups together to become more acquainted with each other, as we believe this interfaith unity will bring about Zion.
I have provided recent videos below of Mike Bickle, Bill Johnson, and Randy Clark so you can hear their incredible testimonies and stories of faith, prayer, and healing. God is working with so many wonderful Christian men and women all over the earth to bring about His purposes. I believe we will see more of this as we continue building Zion together all throughout the world.
A few weeks ago I watched these videos back to back and found so much treasure in them. If you've hit a spiritual slump, feel stuck in your learning, experience confusion when trying to decipher answers to prayers, or just feel your communication with the Lord could use a boost - well, then these videos are for you!
As ministering is becoming a big part of the saints of the Church, I think it's important to look for new "outside of the box" ways to minister. I think we can get creative when serving those both in and outside of our ward communities.
Here is what a church in Houston did to serve those outside of their walls. I have often mentioned in videos and on facebook that I'm happy to take requests, and many times people have written me asking me to pray for them - which I have. This is prayer request on a whole new level for today's fast paced modern world.
It's a great service to be able to help pray for others, but it's even more power when we vocally pray with them. I believe it increases the faith of both the person praying and the person being prayed for. It creates strength, unity, and bonds as well.
Could you imagine what this would look like in an LDS community? Missionaries standing on the side of the road with signs offering drive up prayer. Or young men and young women, instead of washing cars for fundraising, standing by the side of the road with posters offering drive up prayers at no cost. Forget fundraising, how about soul saving? This would be awesome! I mean even walking into a retirement center and asking the residents if anyone would like a word of prayer? Taking the time to talk with them and ask them what they need prayers for, and then taking the time to pray over them each, individually.
When I saw this, I imagined a weary man or exhausted mother driving home from a long and stressful day, feeling hopeless and at the end of their rope. Not finding a reason to continue living and feeling so alone in their trials. Then seeing a sign on the side of the road that says, "Drive-Thru Prayers. Let us Pray for You". Just imagine what that one prayer and act of kindness could do for that one soul. Beautiful!
Today this video caught my attention when I saw that it was 1:13:52 in length. There's that number! After watching it I felt the importance of this man's message as he truly operates in third day power in the eleventh hour. This is the kind of faith that's needed in this eleventh hour and these are the kinds of miracles we need to be claiming. I feel we have a lot to learn from our Christian brother's and sisters when it comes to faith.
I've always been a fan of the Sid Roth show because I love the miracles and experiences that the guests often share. Miraculous healings, angelic visitations, the glory of God working in the lives of the believers. I remember at times feeling a little envious that we as Latter-day Saints aren't having these same kinds of experiences in our conferences and meeting houses. I would think about how awesome it would be if members could experience healing at church. If the hand of God would fall upon congregations and we'd witness miracles just like during the time of the Savior. How come so many other Christian leaders and congregations were experiencing these powerful miracles, acts of faith, and witnesses, but it seemed to be lacking or seldom spoken of in our services? Our members have access to the power the Priesthood. We have the restored gospel, yet more and more of our members deal with depression, anxiety, mental illness, and suffer from physical ailments. They accept it as their cross to bear rather than asking for healing miracles through priesthood power. Why?
I was beginning to lose hope in our Latter-day generation, and felt we were slipping away from the powerful faith held by our early fore-bearers of the Church, especially in such a critical time as this eleventh hour. And then...
... at the recent General Conference, President Nelson spoke these powerful words that ushered a wake-up call to the Saints, especially the brethren. I could feel it in the sound of his voice and see it in his eyes. He knows. He knows our potential that we are not tapping into. He knows who and what this generation of Saints is supposed to be. He knows, and he'll see to it that we step into our divine roles and become powerful sons and daughters in the Lord's Kingdom.
"We see faithful women who understand the power inherent in their callings and in their endowment and other temple ordinances. These women know how to call upon the powers of heaven to protect and strengthen their husbands, their children, and others they love. These are spiritually strong women who lead, teach, and minister fearlessly in their callings with the power and authority of God!1 How thankful I am for them! Likewise, we see faithful men who live up to their privileges as bearers of the priesthood. They lead and serve by sacrifice in the Lord’s way with love, kindness, and patience. They bless, guide, protect, and strengthen others by the power of the priesthood they hold. They bring miracles to those they serve while they keep their own marriages and families safe. They shun evil and are mighty elders in Israel. I am most thankful for them! Now, may I voice a concern? It is this: Too many of our brothers and sisters do not fully understand the concept of priesthood power and authority. They act as though they would rather satisfy their own selfish desires and appetites than use the power of God to bless His children. I fear that too many of our brothers and sisters do not grasp the privileges that could be theirs. Some of our brethren, for example, act like they do not understand what the priesthood is and what it enables them to do. Priesthood power has been restored to this earth, and yet far too many brothers and sisters go through terrible trials in life without ever receiving a true priesthood blessing. What a tragedy! That’s a tragedy that we can eliminate. Brethren, there are doors we can open, priesthood blessings we can give, hearts we can heal, burdens we can lift, testimonies we can strengthen, lives we can save, and joy we can bring into the homes of the Latter-day Saints—all because we hold the priesthood of God. We are the men who have been “called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of [our] exceeding faith,” to do this work."
Back to the video. As wonderfully bizarre as this man's experiences may sound, I believe his example to be a blueprint for all Christians (especially Latter-day Saints), who believe in the Lord and His power, who understand prayer, who have unwavering faith, and who hear the Lord's voice and obey. The Lord can and will use us as instruments in His hands in these last days - if we are willing.
I have included a link to the full version of this interview that contains extra awesomeness, as well as a link to the transcript for the interview, if you'd prefer to read. :) Enjoy! https://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/henry-gruver/
When life dumps challenges on you, get excited! The more you lose the more you are about to gain. This week's video message is one of my favorite yet! I share several incredible and recent miracles that have forever changed the way I view trials. Plus more insight on the 3rd day and 11th hour.
My ring with the missing diamond - right before we headed to the Jazz game.
On Friday I noticed the diamond had fallen out of my wedding ring. I was driving my car when I noticed and I looked down at the floor mat wondering if I’d see it, but instead found this sparkly red heart. If you know my stories about hearts, you know I took this as a positive sign from the Lord. He was saying, “Instead of panic, choose to feel my love.” Oddly enough, I wasn’t as troubled as I thought I would be. If you’ve followed my recent videos, you know that last month God has put my faith and trust in Him through the ringer. Several big trials all at once that should have knocked me down. He told me in a dream on New Year’s Day and through some signs that followed, I would be victorious this year! He would help remove all the obstacles standing in the way of becoming the person he created me to be. He would do this through helping me heal old wounds that I was unaware of, that were standing in the way of developing a greater faith! He did this by dumping a truckload of trials and challenges all at once. I knew what He was up to, so I decided to be grateful for these trials and embrace them. Daily I praised Him and thanked Him for them and what they were going to do for my faith. I held His hand every step through that valley of darkness into the unknown. I held onto that hope that if I didn’t let go of His hand, He would sustain me with peace and when I came out of the valley, I would receive back all that I had lost. The Lord told me, “You are about to lose much, but it’s a test of your patience and faith. If you are faithful and endure, you will get it all back and more.” He reminded me that He is the Great Redeemer and I was about to learn redemption on a whole new level. I was filled with peace, love, and gratitude throughout these experiences and came out with greater love and patience than I have ever known. True to His word, one by one each trial came to an end and all that I lost with each trial was instantly restored to me 100% and more. I came out the victor! Along with the temporal things I gained back, my increase truly came from the spiritual blessings and gifts I received. And the cherry on top - Thursday my trials had just about all come to an end and I celebrated! When I noticed my diamond was lost, I heard the Lord say, “This is the final test. I want to show you how these trials truly have changed you. I want to show you who you have become, and how strong your trust and faith in Me truly is.” I felt that my demonstration of faith, trust, and gratitude in this moment would determine the length of this new “challenge”. It could be drawn out or it could be quick - it was my choice. In that moment I knew that God knew where my diamond was, and even if it was in a landfill somewhere, He could make it appear back in my ring if He wanted to. I became so happy and full of peace. It was just a diamond anyways, I can’t take it with me when I die. The things of greater value, I already had.
Top: The heart I found when I noticed the diamond was missing.
Below: My diamond!
Last night as I was getting ready for bed I decided to clean out my purse. My hand goes in there so often, I thought maybe my diamond fell out in there. Up to that point, I hadn’t even tried looking for it. The day I lost it, I had been all over the city and had been to several places. It could have fallen out anywhere. I didn’t find it in my purse, but at least my purse was now clean, so I was happy. I passed from my bedroom to the hallway several times yesterday always looking at the carpet and wondering if I might spot a diamond. Never did. The Lord said to me, “Do you trust me? Then don’t spend you’re time looking. Just ask and you’ll receive.” So, I said a tiny prayer in my heart and in that prayer I thanked Him for bringing my diamond to me, because I knew He would. Then right before I switched off the light I looked down and there on the carpet in front of the bedroom door was my diamond!! Right in front of where I stood. During my prayer He put it there right where I would see it!! Laid so gently on top of the carpet so I would notice it. I picked it up and shouted for joy! Manuel asked me to bring the diamond to Him. He couldn’t believe it! We had walked that path so many times and by now the diamond would have been trampled below and embedded into the carpet pad. We surely would have felt that under our feet. We knew that God truly had placed it there. It was His birthday gift to me. God is amazing and I can’t stop praising Him!! My faith is so strong I feel like I can move a mountain right now. Never give up on the Lord, and when things “go wrong”, be excited and believe that God is about to work something awesome into your life!! Even better, He is carving you into a diamond! We are all diamonds in the “rough”.
So what was this recent rare moon all about? The battle of darkness and light is ramping up as time winds down. I've experienced the truth of this in my own life over the past week and experienced a profound healing miracle! This is the hour to claim wholeness and experience the Lord's power. What does this mean for you?
The Spirit speaks in a still small voice. Sometimes it's so still that we dismiss it as not important, or just our own thought. But what happens when you treat those thoughts like a phone call and you pick up on the first ring? Listen to my recent experience!
A few years ago, I discovered this video and recently came across it again. It's a powerful, eye-opening, and very enlightening gem of knowledge about the power of prayer from a scientific perspective as well as straight from the gospel. I would most certainly call it a mystery of the Kingdom.
Greg Braden shares the translation of the book of John from it's original language and a translation of the recently discovered Gospel of Thomas (print dating back to about 300 A.D). There is something key in this translation that has improved my own personal prayer.
I don't want to give it away, so you'll just have to watch the video!
Over the past five years, I have observed the various differences across many cultures when it comes to prayer. Some cultures pray with hands clasped together and fingers interlocking, some pray without fingers interlocking, some pray with hands crossed, some pray arms crossed, some pray with arms bowed down to the ground and other pray with arms extended towards the Heavens. HATS ON OR OFF? Women in the southern states and women in England, often don Sunday hats to church fastened tightly with hair pins which are not expected to be removed during prayer. At girls camp it's common along with men to see some women remove their hats for prayer. In the 19th century, pioneer women prayed in their prairie bonnets while pioneer men removed their hats. Pagan traditions taught the contrary - men were to cover their heads when praying. Though the Hebrew Bible and Talmud taught men to pray uncovered and women to cover, the Pagan traditions were adopted and later confused as Jewish tradition with Hebrew origins (see reference). And we've all seen the famous painting of George Washington in prayer at Valley Forge with his hat off. In one version his hands are open and his head is raised with eyes closed, in another version he is depicted on one knee with head bowed. So, what does scripture teach us about this?
I remember about five years ago reading my scriptures and coming across this curious passage from Paul to the Corinthians; 1 Corinthians 11:4-7 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. Why would a man dishonor God by praying with his head covered? Because the blood of Jesus was the final sacrifice and covers all as it serves as our atonement before God. It is believed that to have covered his head would have been to undermine the Atonement. (See reference). As for women, it was tradition to veil their heads for prayer. Why? In the first century and the centuries before and after, for a woman to wear a head covering was an act of propriety in respect for her husband and his covering role for her as protector. Further, it recognized that the Lord Almighty was over her husband as well who covers man and woman with his rule and makes them clean by his atoning blood. If the woman acted improperly in respect to her husband by uncovering her head, Paul said, she "dishonours her head" (11:5). What is her head? The answer is three-fold: 1) Her own head - herself as a whole being. 2) Her husband. 3) The Lord God.
For a woman, wearing a head covering showed her "sign of authority on her head" (11:10). Paul was counseling the people on the importance of this tradition and what it symbolizes. Today we can liken it to a woman's cover being the protection of her husband through his priesthood. Paul reminds us of the patriarchal order in 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the ahead of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. We learn from Exodus (28:4, 37, 40), that the high priest covered his head and that it was generally considered a sign of mourning to cover the head and face (2 Samuel 15:30, 19:5; Jer 14:3-4; Esther 6:12). Mourners and lepers covered their heads as to show uncleanness and unworthiness before God. Their unjustified state shown in the unclean state of death (see reference). Paul then goes on to tell us in verses 14-15 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
This is most likely where the cultural rule of thumb for it being appropriate for women to have long hair and men to have short hair stemmed from. Long hair acted as a covering.
Why then was Samson told not to cut his hair as it contained spiritual power? And why is Jesus almost always depicted with long hair, and also praying in head covering?
Samson was a Nazirite, and in that he was given immense strength to aid him against his enemies and allow him to perform superhuman feats, including slaying a lion with his bare hands and massacring an entire army of Philistines using only the "jawbone of an ass". However, if Samson's long hair was cut, then his Nazirite vow would be violated, and he would lose his strength.
According to the Bible, a Nazarite (not to be confused with Nazarene) was one who voluntarily took a vow to abstain from alcohol, refrain from cutting hair, and be ritually pure (Numbers 6:1-21). Samson’s long hair was not the source of his strength. Rather, it was the symbol of his covenant relationship with God, who was the source of Samson’s strength.
Could Jesus have also have taken the Nazarite vow? A Nazarene Nazarite? It's possible and would explain the depictions of long hair. Otherwise according to Paul who taught after the teachings of Jesus, it was a shame for man to have long hair.
In Native American culture however, it is believed that long hair is a physical manifestation of the growth of the spirit, and some say it allows for extrasensory perception, and connection to all things. Some Native American tribes even believe that the hair is connected to the nervous system. That long hair reaches out like tentacles, and pulls energy and information from the world around us similar to a cat’s whiskers (see reference). In fact, during the Vietnam war, special envoys of the war department were sent to Native American reservations in search of Men with a reputation of having seemingly supernatural tracking abilities. Once the men were enlisted however, their extra sense and supernatural tracking abilities seemed to vanish. When the privates were asked about why they would fail to perform as before, they would consistently answer that their required military haircuts left them unable to harness the sixth sense that was previously very natural to harness. They could no longer sense an enemy approach, and felt as if their natural intuition was no longer reliable. After this was uncovered, further tests involving privates who were allowed to keep their hair against those who had received the required military haircut commenced (see reference).
Is there validation to long locks and spiritual power?
In Numbers 15:38-40 it says:
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
Jews refer to this as a "tzitzit" and is worn as a reminder of their covenant with the Lord. Jesus wore a tzitzit as a practicing jew. In fact, Mark 6:56 tells us this about Jesus' tzitzit,
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
The word "tzitzit" comes from the root word for "flower" and originally meant a "tassel" or "lock", as in the Book of Ezekiel where Ezekiel is picked up by an angel and carried by a "lock" (Hebrew tzitzit) of hair (see reference). Interestingly, orthodox jewish men sport long side burn locks called a "peyot" which have a separate unknown purpose to the tzitzit. The Torah states, “Do not round off [the hair] at the edges of your heads.” The Talmud explains that the term “edges” refers to the hair between the ears and the temples. “Rounding out the edges” refers to removing the sideburns so that there is a straight hairline from the forehead to behind the ears (see reference).
When pondering on this tzitzit or tassel, I thought of the graduation ceremony and the square cap. In the Old Testament, the square symbolizes the four corners of the earth, the four angels, and the four living creatures that surround the throne of God. We use the sign of the square to sustain church leaders and according to Elder Robert D. Hales in 2008 April conference, "...even a covenant, to sustain and to uphold the laws, ordinances, commandments, and the prophet of God..."
The gesture of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other symbolizes the individual’s movement from candidate to graduate. Prior to the ceremony the tassel is expected to be worn on the right. During the ceremony it should be moved to the left side. This reminded me of advancement in the priesthood from candidate to "graduate" and also advancement from glory to glory through our covenants we make here and in the realms hereafter. We can learn quite a bit in the temple through the guidance of the Spirit about the great symbolism in the ordinances we participate in.
Many paintings depict the Lord with his head covered while blessing and praying. In today's western culture Christian men uncover their heads as a sign of respect and humility when praying. In these paintings it appears also to be a sign of humility to cover the head - as to cover your own glory when in the sight of God's glory. Whichever the case may be, it's universally agreeable that prayer should always be offered in humility - whatever that looks like between you and the Lord.
There is no official church doctrine on men and women covering or uncovering their heads or how our prayer stance and arm positions should be. Culture and tradition have led to arms folded, head bowed, and eyes closed. According to legend the origins of the pretzel had everything to do with teaching children to pray this way, when an Italian monk invented pretzels as a reward to children who learned their prayers. He called the strips of baked dough, folded to resemble arms crossing the chest, "pretiola'" meaning "little rewards." Praying with arms folded, head bowed and eyes closed is taught in the church to primary children to help them maintain their reverence and keep from being distracted. Though this is what we are accustomed to, a much different custom of of raised hands during prayer can be traced to the early years of Israel.
HAND POSITIONS?
Aaron, the first High Priest, raised his hands in prayer as he blessed the Israelites when the sanctuary was first established. The book of Psalms speaks of raised hands regularly: "Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." (Psalms 63:3-4). Further, the congregation is exhorted to lift their hands in worship of God: "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion." (Psalms 134:1-2).
So, what does raised hands signify? For one, raised hands are symbolic of our dependence on someone else. Raising hands during worship can be similar to children who lift their hands to be picked up, comforted, protected, or carried: "I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah." (Psalm 143:6). Thus, raised hands in worship may suggest a reaching out for God's presence, blessing, comfort, or strength.
Another significant meaning of raised hands is to bless God, much like Aaron's blessing of the people. In Psalm 63:3-4 the psalmist says he raises his hands to bless God. "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." This symbolizes both gratefulness and joy for the blessings God has given. Indeed, many of the psalms indicate that hands are raised in song and prayer to show thankfulness and joy for God's great works (Psalms 134, 141).
The lifting of a hand may also signify a vow or covenant. This is practiced throughout scripture: "Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:" (Psalms 106.26) and "And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:" (Revelation 10:5-6)
The raising and showing of hands can also symbolize clean hands before God. "I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" Alma 5:19
The custom of raising hands during worship was a common practice in the early church, especially during prayer. In Paul's letter to Timothy he writes, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8). Indeed, according to some Jewish commentators, the Israelite practice of lifting hands during worship in the synagogues was stopped in reaction to the Christians who customarily raised their hands during prayer. (see reference)
The thought has crossed my mind that an unseen power flows from the Lord into us through our hands. It reminds me of a TV antenna AKA rabbit ears. These are used to pick up the stronger VHF signal (frequencies) which transmits the picture and sound onto your screen. The rabbit ear antennas are the strongest indoor antenna for picking up the best signal. One reason for the V shape is that when receiving channels at the top of the band with the rods fully extended, the antenna elements will typically resonate at their 3rd harmonic. In this mode the direction of maximum gain makes it advantageous to be able to adjust them to various angles.
I felt great symbolism in this as the "V" reminds me of a compass, and resonating in "3rd harmonic" reminds me of resonating in the third heaven, the Celestial Realm. Our hands are pointing towards Heaven and acting as an antenna picking up frequencies from our Heavenly home. Direct communication through the Spirit. In some churches, the congregation holds hands during prayer. Science can teach us much about the power of connection during prayer. I have shared before in books, videos, and blog posts the work of Greg Braden. He speaks about a scientific discovery known as the "Divine Matrix". This is the energy field in which thoughts, feelings, and emotions are transmitted, and how they travel. I will share more on this in my next blog post. In a Manila, Italy conference he conducted a live experiment in which he created a powerful circuit of energy by having the audience hold hands, creating one long chain together. He asked the audience to feel the feeling of love in their hearts. He then measured the calibrated frequency in the room when hands were connected before feeling love, during feeling love, and then disconnected while still feeling love. He demonstrated that hearts can be knit together without a physical connection. We can unite through love and prayer throughout the world without holding hands, and it is just as powerful!
In a the March 2017 Face to Face with Elder Eyring and Elder Holland, Elder Eyring mentioned that when praying you are approaching the throne and you should act as such. He said that he wears a suit or Sunday best when kneeling before God. On the contrary, a few years ago I was listening to Kirk Duncan speak at a conference, and he mentioned that when he thought of Heavenly Father as God on the throne he felt intimidated and unworthy. He found it difficult to pray and develop a relationship. So one day he asked God for to permission to think of Him more as God the Father - rather than God the Deity. He asked Heavenly Father if he could imagine him in a cabin in the woods and the two of them fishing together and wearing flannel shirts. He felt if he could imagine Heavenly Father that way, he would feel more comfortable talking to Him. He felt God's love surround Him and tell him that was just fine. God would take a relationship with Kirk in any way He could get it. That story touched me, as it reminded me of the fatherly, nurturing side of God.
In the Church, if a person has been found unworthy by the bishop to take the sacrament, he/she is usually asked to refrain from praying in church, until he/she is deemed worthy again. I have always pondered on this and thought it must have everything to do with being clean before God and having a pure vessel to be able to pray by the Spirit. The way to the Father is always though Jesus Christ. Personal prayer however, is never refrained from. We are always encouraged to pray to our Father especially when we need help and especially when we have sinned. Through Jesus and His Atonement, we can be made clean so that we can be worthy of the companionship of the Spirit. So that we can have clean hands and receive His signal. We are always worthy of the love of our Savior and our Heavenly Father, that is something we don't ever have to earn, but being worthy to be in the presence of the Father has everything to do with being clean. If Moses was asked to take off his shoes in the presence of the Lord, how much more mindful should we be about our personal cleanliness when we exercise our faith and approach the throne of God? Just think of what the brother of Jared may have missed out on, had he been unclean when petitioning the Lord. He was clean, he was pure, he had faith, and the veil could not constrain him.
Elder Russell M. Nelson said in April 2003 conference in regards to prayer,
"Jesus taught us how. We pray to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is the “true order of prayer,” in contrast to “vain repetitions” or recitations given to 'be seen of men.'
Jesus revealed that we pray to a wise Father who knows what things we have need of, before we ask Him."
I often ponder on the way in which we are taught to pray in the temple when petitioning the Lord for greater miracles on behalf of the names of those who are afflicted whose names we write on the prayer roll. There is so much we can learn when we are in the temple.
IN SUMMARY
I will say that the way I pray in my closet is much different than the way I pray in public. If we follow President Nelson's counsel, we can't go astray when we pray. Whether we prefer to clasp our hands, fold our arms, kneel, extend our hands, etc. when praying alone in our closets, what's most important is where our heart is and our intentions are. When we are humble, meek, and submissive before the Lord, He hears us. When we are repentant the Spirit can be with us during prayer, and miracles happen when we pray in the Spirit.
Remember prayer is a two-way street. We can't just be good talkers, we must be good listeners too. I know this to be true, and I know that the Spirit can teach us more about prayer if we desire, if we ask, and if we are willing to listen and be taught.
I first learned of Kevin Zadai several months ago and was very fascinated by his near death experience.
It all began on a fateful day in 1992, when author Kevin Zadai died on a hospital operating table after a surgery. While in heaven, he came face to face with the Savior, Jesus Christ, who later came to Kevin regularly in visitations after he survived his near-death experience. The Savior revealed messages to Kevin in visitations about God's upcoming kingdom on earth, Jesus' future return, and guidance for furthering a relationship with Him. Kevin passionately teaches others to trust God for their lives and how to love others while preparing for Jesus' return.
This recorded program has built in commercials - you can skip through them to keep the video shorter. :)
The Spirit has impressed upon my mind and heart so much lately. Things are happening so quickly and yesterday my sister texted me and said, "It feels like a movie. You just can't make this up."
I feel very strong that now is the time to get our lives and our homes in order. Remove all the clutter, all the distractions, and the things that are eating up valuable time. Teach your children how to really pray and how to have a close walk with God. Fast and pray on a weekly basis to be shown what the Lord's will is for you and your family. Ask Him to purify and sanctify your family, your home, and the land that you live on. Ask to receive the mantle of charity. Ask to receive the Spirit of peace.
It's time to finally put away the natural man. Things of the flesh block the bridge between you and the Lord. Clear the bridge and get to know your Savior Jesus Christ in a way you have never known Him before. Talk to God as often as you can, and do it often on your knees. Open up your heart and remove all forms of doubt and pride. Cease all judgement and criticism of those in your family, your ward, your neighborhood, your community and those in authority of the Church and government of this nation. Begin to build them up, pray for their protection, and extend unconditional love. Repent of all sins holding you back and keeping you from the presence of the Lord. Forsake the very sight of sin and evil. Fill your heart and home with the things of God. Your home must be a sanctuary and Holy like a temple. Stand ye in Holy places.
This is a season of change. With the arrival of fall, will come the fall of the old ways, the old man, and the old world. The wheat and tares are separating and the wheat is being strengthened and purified. This brief grace period is a gift from God to allow us to get our lives in order. To align with the will of the Lord in all things. Take advantage of this gift to the fullest that you can. Express gratitude all throughout the day for all of your blessings. As the world enters a period of chaos just remember that the Lord has a purpose for it all. He is doing a marvelous work and a wonder in preparation for His return. Don't allow fear to enter into your heart. Trust God in all things and through all things. Smile, have hope, and keep your eye single to the glory of the Lord. :)
This morning a friend posted a question on facebook about our ability to command bad weather to stop. She mentioned that every time she tries this it works - and she wanted to know if anyone else had tried or experienced this.
With all the storms and fires roaring across the country right now, I felt this topic was very fitting to share today. Earlier this year there was a bad wind storm and my 6-year-old daughter has been traumatized since the tornado last fall that touched down over Layton. She asked me if we could command the storm to stop. We both went out on the front porch and raised our hand and in Jesus' name commanded (with authority in our voice) the winds to stop. Immediately they stopped from garbage cans blowing down the street to barely even a breeze. The rest of my family looked at us in disbelief. The radar showed the worst of the storm yet to come. There were still dark clouds over the house but no wind. The wind never came back the rest of the evening. It was a testimony builder for my young daughter that Christ has authority over the elements. They obey His authority and there is power in His name. When we exercise the power of His name coupled with our faith - anything is possible.
I was reminded of an experience last year of a storm that came over my in-law's house and the entire city, in Germany. With my faith, I called upon Heaven to stop the rain and divert the storm for my niece's birthday party. We witnessed a miracle that day. I later learned that on the other side of town, the missionaries did the same thing for an even they were at, and also witnessed a miracle. This experience along with a few other miracles that happened that week, are shared in detail in the video below (from my Happy Lady playlist). I pulled up the video so that I could share and was amazed when I saw that this video was published exactly a year ago to this date (September 5th 2017). Coincidences are always confirmations from the Lord. Could this video made a year ago to the date, actually had been made for a time such as now? The Lord works in mysterious way. This confirmation testified to me that this video needed to be shared today.
It is my hope and prayer that after watching it along with the images shared below (in relation to the story) it will stir up a powerful faith and confidence among those who find this post. A faith unwavering and a confidence unbreakable. Rather than enduring and suffering through the storms in life, we can find the faith to cast them away. Rather than living in fear of danger we can be over the weather and not under it. Aligning ourselves with the will of the Lord in all things, can give us the knowledge and strength to know when to act and the trust needed to ignite that faith into powerful action. I believe it was the Spirit who spoke the idea of stopping those storms into my mind and the mind of my daughter. All good thoughts come from the Lord. When doubt creeps in, and you second guess a good thought - remember that doubt is the weapon of the adversary. He uses doubt to destroy faith - every time.
It may be the will of the Lord to send a storm, but it can also be the will of the Lord to spare your home or neighborhood during that storm. If we don't ask, or have the faith - His hands are tied.
Luke 8:21-25
22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
With all my heart I know this to be true. In Jesus' name amen.
The weather angel in the patch of blue sky.
The missionaries in Hof - who also had a miracle.
Manuel's grandma in the center. She passed away on December 7th.
I have written many posts over the years about storms and prayer. Here are some older posts you might enjoy:
I've been wanting to share this thought for quite some time now and felt this would be the perfect message to usher in the three-day weekend! It's light, uplifting and so fitting for a Friday :)
A couple years ago, I was driving home from an appointment headed west into the setting sun and towards my house. Suddenly, the song "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood came on the radio. It's a song from 1986 (that totally ages me) I have heard many times, but in that moment it felt like I was hearing it for the first time!
This time was different than all the others. As, I listened to the words and sang along at the top of my lungs (best accomplished when you are alone in your car with the windows up) I could almost hear my own private gospel choir sitting in my back seat. I felt warm Light come down through the sun roof and pour all over me, especially during the lyrics,
"Let me feel that love come over me Let me feel how strong it could be"
It was so powerful, I felt that in that moment the Light did something incredible to my spirit, soul, and body. It was the most amazing euphoria and I felt like I could fly. I had goosebumps from head to toe until the very last note faded into the commercial break.
Since that day, every time that song comes on I turn it up and the same thing happens (only if I'm singing along). As you've seen in past posts what I've shared about the power of words and music - this was truly some kind of powerful reasoning, prayer request, and declaration all in one.
Now, I've heard other beautiful arrangements of the song that I have since downloaded that have pierced my soul, but something about the original 1987 radio version (With Steve Winwood and Chaka Khan) opens up the windows of Heaven and I feel that light flood over me. Watching the video is fun, but it lessens the effect compared to when I'm just listening with my ears without visual distractions.
I've posted the lyrics below and some videos you might enjoy, as well as some research I did on the song writer and the story behind the song. Scroll down to see more.
"Higher Love"
Think about it, there must be higher love
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above
Without it, life is a wasted time
Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine
Things look so bad everywhere
In this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind and we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?
Worlds are turning and we're just hanging on
Facing our fear and standing out there alone
A yearning, and it's real to me
There must be someone who's feeling for me
Things look so bad everywhere
In this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind and we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Bring be a higher love
I could rise above on a higher love
I will wait for it
I'm not too late for it
Until then, I'll sing my song
To cheer the night along
Bring it... Oh bring it...
I could light the night up with my soul on fire
I could make the sun shine from pure desire
Let me feel that love come over me
Let me feel how strong it could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love I keep thinking of?
Beautiful right? Here are the videos followed by the story behind the song and my interpretation of the message. After listening to the different versions of "Higher Love", I'd love to know which one is your favorite and why?
This James Vincent McMorrow arrangement is so moving, and I have the radio version. But there's something raw and special about this live version. What do you think?
Here is the only video I could find of Steve and Chaka performing together. They look like they are having a lot fun.
Here is a beautiful, recent version of Steve and his daughter.
Here is the full 1987 version that Pandora always plays when I request this song. This version turned up loud is the one I recommend. I especially love to sing it when I'm cleaning the kitchen. Can't help but raise my hands and dance on the "higher love" part. :)
And I know this is a little unrelated, but while watching these videos this next video popped up. It was from a 2005 gospel brunch hosted by Oprah Winfrey. It features a freestyle solo of LDS legendary R&B artist Gladys Knight. As these legendary stars came together in musical worship of the Lord something powerful happened. I felt it so strong, I watched the video a few more times. Just wanted to share as an added bonus.
I love how the power of music can bring so many different people together. There's something almost supernatural about it, especially when they come together in worship of the Lord.
So, back to the story behind the song."Higher Love" was Steve Winwood's first Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit, topping the chart for one week. Steve Winwood is an English musician with a successful solo career, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
It turns out that Steve Winwood wrote the music for "Higher Love" but not the lyrics. The lyrics were written by Will Jennings, an Academy, Golden Globe, and Grammy Award winning song writer. Will was born in Kilgore, Texas. When I read "Texas" it made sense to the southern gospel feel of the song.
In an interview about the song, Jennings said,
"I was born in East Texas and my mother and father's families were from Arkansas and the generations before were from the Deep South. My father's father was a Methodist preacher, a circuit rider, in Arkansas. My earliest memories are of the music in church and of my aunts and uncles singing the beautiful old hymns. 'Higher Love' is a generation past that, when things were not so much taken for granted, so that one has to plea, 'Bring me a higher love,' and the lines are all trying to explain why there must be higher love. A modern hymn, you might call it."
In the James Vincent McMorrow version I get a feel for someone who has struggled to find love in all the wrong places. Some try to find a higher love through addiction, others through physical love or through the way which the world may view love. To me, this song is a plea for something even higher. A love that doesn't fade after a few minutes, or abandon you at the end of the day. A love that is all encompassing and unconditional. A love you don't have to earn. A love that once felt, makes you want to share it with the world. A love that burns, sanctifies, and heals. A love that changes you! A love that is free to all who will receive it!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It has been an intense week. With so much happening and so quickly, there is so much I want to share but there's not always enough time to do so.
As I edited this "message of the week" video for my Happy Lady series on my HappyMarriages channel, several thoughts came to my mind after I had uploaded it. Last night, while watching the headlines the Spirit said to me, "Look up the meaning for the name Harvey". So, I pulled up the name and here is what I learned:
Name: Harvey
Origin: Scottish-Gaelic. Meaning: Carnage worthy, warrior, eager for battle.
Yes, I would agree that this storm is carnage worthy. The name is appropriate. Just what battle is this storm fighting? I wanted to know more from the Spirit. It was then I was reminded of the all the hate news that had dominated the headlines days prior. The race wars that appeared to be going strong according to the news. As I looked at the images on my TV screen, I saw black, white, Hispanic, and Asian races all coming together in love. Love was winning! It was now love that was dominating the national headlines. I was led to this article that said it best!
"You don’t need to wait for a devastating disaster to love. You don’t need to wait until your neighbors are drowning to reach across the color, religious, nationality, political boundaries. This world is suffering a different kind of storm, one far more dangerous than Harvey–a storm of hatred. Let’s refuse to let it break us."
God sent this storm to cleanse our nation of hatred. To turn our hearts towards Him. To love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Shortly before going to bed last night, I was led by the Spirit to the words of an evangelist who said that the Lord told him beginning in 2017 through the year 2021, the Lord would pour out an abundance of spiritual gifts upon His children. He spoke of what he terms the "global harvest" and that this outpouring from God would create a fire that would help gather in souls to come to know their Savior.
He said the Lord showed him Acts 2:17-21 to confirm his message. Notice the numbers of the scripture: 2017-2021. 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
I was touched by the Spirit upon reading this, after having had the experiences I shared in my video below. We truly are living in marvelous and wondrous times. Let us continue to pray for our nation, for this world, and for our local communities and families. Prayer and love will be the most powerful weapons in this Last Days battle. God bless!
