Good News!

Musings While I Sewed

2009-11-15T15:50:00.001-07:00

I was sewing yesterday. My better half went to California (He went there to run a half marathon and came in second in his age group!), and with him gone I could take up the whole kitchen with machine, cutting board, ironing board, and mess. I made Roman shades for my den and since I didn't have a pattern and was just "winging it" I also did a lot of unpicking.

While sewing and unsewing and sewing again I had a lot of thinking time and I began to realize the metaphor in sewing. One little stitich at a time that material soon became a functional window dressing. It took awhile, but stitch by stitch it was accomplished. Mistakes were made, but like the repentance process, I unpicked the incorrect stitches and started over. Process. Patience. Repentance. Begin again. Process. Patience. Isn't that how you make a good life?

I think that now every time I look at those shades, I'm going to think about life. But with life I have a pattern given to me by the Savior and if I just follow it, I won't have any unpicking to do! What a blessing!

Winners!

2009-11-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

The winners of my children's book, "Nephi and Lehi in Prison," are #4 AnnMarie and #11 Sundy Watanabe! Congratulations! If you two will email your address to smillsjo at gmail dot com, I will send your books.

Thanks to those of you who entered. And everyone have a winning day!

The Power of Positives

2009-11-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

You are all familiar with the verse in Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” It is so true. Many an argument can be averted if one party resorts to soft words. But there is a principle behind these words that extends the wisdom of this verse to so many other areas of our lives. The principle is that given enough time a positive will always overcome a negative. By positive I mean the good things such as kindness, love, hope, generosity, empathy, and consideration. By negative I mean the bad things such as hate, envy, anger, and unkindness.

The thing that confuses us is that often we resort to negative responses because they seem to work faster. If we yell loud enough or are angry enough we intimidate others into doing what we want them to do faster. But if you’ve ever had someone make you do something by yelling or getting angry at you, you know that while you may do what they want, you don’t feel good about it. Their actions generate bad feelings in you. In essence the rule is that negatives generate more negatives. While using a negative may get immediate results eventually the negative feelings will come out in negative ways.

But if we take the time to use love, gentleness, and kindness it may take more time but it creates positive feelings in both parties. If we use our imagination and are patient, we can find positive ways to deal with any problem. The very best example of the principle “If given enough time a positive will overcome a negative” is the Atonement. Eventually the Atonement (the most positive thing that has ever happened) will overcome all negatives (sin, death, disease, sorrow, hurt, etc.).

So take time to find a positive response to any situation and see what happens in your life!

The Power of Resistance

2009-11-12T09:43:00.003-07:00

Resistance, my dictionary tells me, is “the act of resisting.” (I think I need a job as a dictionary writer!) So we go to resisting for more help. Resisting is “to exert oneself so as to counteract or defeat.” The reason I’m thinking about resistance is that I’ve been studying the people of Alma who were living in bondage in Helam. (See Mosiah 23-24.) You will remember that they had been put under guard by Amulon and are not allowed to pray vocally and were made slaves to the Lamanites. But their faith never wavered.

They couldn’t pray aloud, but no one could stop them from praying in their hearts and that they did. They prayed for deliverance and help to bear the tremendous burdens placed upon them and in response the Lord strengthened them so that their burdens seemed light. Notice, He didn’t take away their burdens, but He made them strong so they could bear their burdens.

When we want to develop strength in a muscle, we lift weights. At first a 20 pound weight may seem too heavy but as we persist in resisting against the weight our muscle grows strong until soon 20 pounds is nothing. Then we can lift 30 and eventually 40 or 50 and the more we exert ourselves to counteract the weight (resistance!), the stronger we become. Likewise when we resist evil, or idleness, or staying in our comfort zones, we grow spiritually and emotionally.

God works in our lives by making us strong, not by removing every burden.

I Found More Books to Give Away

2009-11-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

I don't have very many of my children's books left, but I was cleaning out a closet and found I had a few of the Steppingstone series I wrote for Deseret Book. These were small picture books (like Berenstien Bear books) with one Book of Mormon story in each book. There were twelve books in the series, but I only have a few left. The two I have to give away this week are the story of Nephi and Lehi in Prison.

They'd make a great gift for grandchildren or children for Christmas. If you'd like to be in the drawing for one of these books, please leave a comment about how you feel about the Book of Mormon. The contest will close at midnight on Friday and I'll post the winner on Saturday!

Good luck! I can't wait to read what you have to say!

Making Life More Fun

2009-11-10T12:13:00.008-07:00

Part of the joy that comes from living in Truth is learning to make moments memorable and fun. Remember happiness is a choice and when we look for opportunities to make happiness happen, we find happiness in the most unusual places.

We made some fun during Halloween at our Halloween dinner. My very talented grandson made the centerpiece, a "brain" on a silver platter. (Really a small watermelon!) Then we had mummies, vampire eyes, fondue in a pumpkin, and I won't even tell you what we called the spinach balls.

The table was decked out in black garbage sacks with gummy worms and spiders crawling around. In short, it was a delightful dinner that we are still chuckling over!

Taking a Leap of Faith

2009-11-09T09:57:00.001-07:00

Stepping out of our comfort zones to do something new and different is often difficult. Giving a talk in church, teaching a Sunday School lesson, asking someone for forgiveness, or trying to comfort someone who has experienced tragedy can be daunting experiences. The feelings must be similar to the feelings of skydiving for the first time. The moment before the jump is filled with anxiety and fear and doubt. But once the diver has taken that first leap and is soaring through the air the anxiety is replaced with exhilaration and excitement.

Stepping out of our comfort zones is a lot the same way. The fear and anxiety exist, but once we have made the choice to step forward and do what we need to do the Spirit is there to help us and the exhilaration and excitement come. When we let go of the fear and trust God to lead us we can do whatever is required of us and have a good time doing it.

As the writer of Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (3:5). Fear is part of the Natural Man and never comes from God. When we let go of fear and trust in Him, His love and peace and joy replace the fear and are enabled to do “all things through Christ which strengtheneth [us]” (Philip. 4:13).

Close to Heaven

2009-11-08T15:37:00.002-07:00

Today was our Primary Children's program at church. Then we went to our daughter's ward and watched our grandson, Eli, in his Primary program. Two Primary programs in one day! It is always my favorite church meeting--to watch all those little children sing and give talks about their Savior touches something deep within me. It was all I could do to keep from weeping.

In addition to that, during Relief Society in my ward, a little boy and a little girl, both about a year old, were playing together. The little boy was standing and the girl sitting on the floor. Gently he reached over and carefully patted her head, then he gave her his toy, and she reached up to touch his tummy and they went on conveying love and delight without any words. It was so tender to watch. I couldn't help but feel like I was witnessing a bit of heaven.

I have decided that there are two things I can always do that will help me feel the Spirit in my life. First, I can offer a prayer of thanks for some blessing in my life and the Spirit comes. Second, I can watch small children. Their innocence and love are contagious! Doing both things always draws me closer to God.

Preventing Emotional Flu

2009-11-07T09:22:00.003-07:00

During the first meeting of a committee I once served on it became obvious that one woman in the group thought she was more qualified to be chairman than the man who was chairman. She wasn’t rude or obnoxious, but in subtle ways let it be known that she knew much more than the rest of us including the chairman and that she really should be directing the committee. During subsequent meetings she usually spoke up quite a bit and tried to take the discussion in ways the chairman was not intending to go. But one day when we met she remained unusually silent. She sat next to me quietly listening to everyone else, and I thought maybe she'd changed her mind and had gained a new respect for the chairman. But even as I thought that I became aware of a strange vexation within me and couldn’t figure out why I was suddenly feeling such negative feelings. Nothing had happened for me to feel negative about! I was even thinking this positive thought about the woman.

I tried to shake the feeling, but couldn't. Finally the meeting ended and as I left the room I heard the woman speaking to the chairman. It was obvious that during the meeting she’d bottled up some negative, critical feelings which could no longer be contained. At that point I suddenly realized that the vexing feelings I’d felt during the meeting were coming from her. I’d picked up on the negative energy she was sending out even though no words had been spoken and I had no other sensory clues as to what was going on.

It was a great lesson for me. Emotions are as contagious as swine flu! We do give off negative or positive energy that influences those around us. When we are aware of this, we can consciously direct our positive influence to help and benefit others. But most importantly we can recognize when we have picked up a negative “virus” and use the Truth Tools to get rid of it before it makes us sick or spreads to others.

Have a Truth filled day!

Reasons to Shout for Joy

2009-11-06T09:43:00.002-07:00

When Mary discovered that the sepulcher in which her beloved Master had been laid was empty, grief overcame her. Weeping she sat by the empty tomb not comprehending that what she was sorrowing over she should be shouting for joy about. The tomb was empty! Jesus Christ had overcome the barriers of death not only for himself but for her and for us!

But it wasn’t just the tomb that was empty that day. There is more that we don’t think about as often. Not only was the tomb empty, but also the cross. Jesus Christ suffered an infinite Atonement. He suffered the pains and agonies of all mankind, but it didn’t last forever. After accomplishing its purpose, the pain and sorrow ended. Likewise all our pains and sorrows will end. They are not eternal. If we but hang on there will always be an end to our suffering.

The cross and the tomb are empty. For that we should shout for joy!

True North

2009-11-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while out walking I saw a brace of ducks flying south. Ducks are not graceful in flight and it brought a smile to my lips to watch the awkward wing movements that somehow manage to keep the ducks aloft. But what struck me the most was the wonder at how those ducks know to go south. How do caterpillars know to cuddle into a cocoon to become butterflies? How do bears know to overeat in autumn hibernate until spring? It seems that all around me are animals that know instinctively what to do when. So, I’m part of the animal kingdom. Why don’t I know?

But then I thought a little more and realized that I do know. The problem (or blessing) is that I have agency and while deep down in my heart I always know what I should do, I often use my agency to rationalize away what my heart is telling me to do. But if I treat my heart like a compass and set it on True North, which in this case is Jesus Christ, and then obey the instincts of my heart, I will always be led to what I should do when I should do it.

Maybe this True North is what Paul was wishing the people when he wrote to them, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

Thanks Giving

2009-11-04T08:31:00.002-07:00

As King Benjamin grew old and knew his time on earth was about to end, he gathered his people together to give them his final counsel and advice. But before he spoke to them he prepared their hearts to receive his teachings. He had them observe the sacrificial rituals that were part of the Law of Moses and then he had the people “give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men” (Mosiah 2:4).

This sentence contains a lot of phrases that describe God. They are phrases of praise and love, but they can be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence, and in this case, there are so many they actually make you forget what the sentence is all about. So lets take them out and see what the sentence says. The people gave “thanks to the Lord their God . . . that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.”

In D&C 130:20-21 we are taught that “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” King Benjamin knew that giving thanks was the law that would bring the people the blessing of love. Likewise, as you and I give thanks we will be “filled with love towards God and all men.”

picture: http://www.silhouettesclipart.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/thanksgiving-cornucopia-clip-art.jpg

"Be Not Troubled"

2009-11-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

It is difficult to open a newspaper or watch TV news without becoming discouraged. But in the New Testament Matthew tells us, “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled” (Matthew 23:6). This may at first seem like an impossible task. How can we see all the calamities, war, terror, looting, and evil around us and not be troubled? The answer to all that is Jesus Christ.

When we trust in Christ and look to Him instead of the worldly happenings, we can partake of His peace even in the midst of disaster. This is what Living in Truth is all about. When we trust that there are bad things in the world, but that through Jesus Christ all will be rectified and recompensed we can keep ourselves centered in His peace and not be battered about by every bit of bad news. The Savior is our hope and our anchor and our strength. He is the lighthouse we steer toward in the storm. He is the buoy we cling to in our trials. He is our salvation.

When we remember that we can have peace in a troubled world.

Telestial Cultural Shock

2009-11-02T17:20:00.003-07:00

I’m excited about all the comments you’ve left about what you are grateful for. Just reading them fills me with good, positive feelings. Thanks.

I’ve been very busy the last two weeks. I am starting another series of the Living in Truth Workshops. This time I’ve developed a four-page handout to go with the classes and I think it will help to convey the ideas better. I do appreciate all the comments and suggestions all of you have given me that have helped me refine these principles. Thank you.

One of the first people to read a rough draft of a chapter and offer suggestions was my son-in-law, Ferg. In the chapter I explained how sometimes in life we feel a strange disconnect or dissonance that is difficult to explain. For example, one of the things that causes this disconnect is time. Sometimes time goes so fast and other times it goes so slow, but if you stop and ponder on time, it seems like an unnatural thing. I think the reason is that our spirits lived a long time in a state where time did not exist and now as we travel through this mortal world based upon time, it isn’t natural to us. It is like a fish being out of water.

After Ferg read this chapter he sent me a note saying that he called these kinds of experiences Telestial Cultural Shock. I loved that phrase! It summed it all up so well, and it is now part of the book. As you go through your week, pay attention to the things you encounter that are part of a Telestial world that will not be part of a Celestial world. There are many and it is a good exercise to recognize them for what they are. As you discover them, leave a comment about what you discover.

Join Me In A Month of Thanks Giving

2009-11-01T21:49:00.001-07:00

It's November! Yeah! Happy Thanksgiving month.

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday. I love getting together with family and having a special meal together. I especially like the lingering around the table afterward and talking and laughing together. I won't have all my children here this year, but some of them are coming!

I'm also going to try something new this year. Each day this month I am going to concentrate on one thing I am very grateful for. I'm going to decide what that thing will be the night before and then each morning I'm going to say first thing (before I'm even out of bed!) I thank Thee for ______ . And the rest of the day I'm going to think about how grateful I am for that specific thing.

For today, I am thankful for life--for the opportunity to grow and experience. I'm grateful to be!

Anyone want to commit to a Month of Thanks Giving with me? If so leave a comment with the first thing you are thankful for. Then on Thanksgiving day we will share not more of what we are grateful for, but what we experienced by filling our month with gratitude. I hope you all will leave a comment. The whole world is better when people are grateful! Let's fill the world around us with gratitude.

Book Winners!

2009-10-31T08:57:00.001-06:00

I love giving away books! A big thank you to all who entered. I've had so much fun, I'll do this again soon.

Now for this weeks winners. The lucky numbers drawn from my once-a-chocolate-box are #11 and #41. #11 belongs to M&M Embley. # 41 is Marti. If you will both send me your addresses via my email (smillsjo at gmail dot com) I will send out the books. Just let me know what you think of it after you've read it! If you lke the book tell everyone you know about it. If you don't like the book just keep it a secret! Congratulations!

To everyone--remember to make it a happy day. But then what else can it be with all those excited children running around in cute costumes. Enjoy!

Joy of the Day--Enthusiasm

2009-10-30T12:58:00.001-06:00

Many years ago while driving on I-15 the warning light on my car suddenly glared at me and the car started growling angry noises. I pulled off the freeway at the next exit and as luck would have it there was an automotive shop just a way down the frontage road. I pulled in and a young man leaped out of the bay to greet me. “How can I help you?” he asked. I explained, and he took over while I sat on a chair and watched. He and another mechanic were the only employees present, but they both dropped what they were doing and began examining my car with such enthusiasm it was apparent they were delighted at the challenge of finding and fixing another motor problem.

For the next hour, I watched as they went about their work. Was I bored? No way! They were so excited and obviously loved their work so much that it was sheer delight to watch them. Since that day I’ve watched a lot of people work hoping to find that same kind of enthusiasm. It is rare, but it is worth it when you find it. People who love what they are doing are so happy and their happiness and enthusiasm is always contagious. I walk away from them wanting to be a happier, better person.

The word enthusiasm has an interesting history. Originally it came from the Greek words en and theos which mean “in god” and in its verb form meant “inspired or possessed by a god.” From there it passed from Latin and French into the English with the sense of “divine inspiration.” During the Puritan era it took on a derogatory meaning of “excessive religious emotion.” But the modern meaning of “eagerness” has displaced the negative meaning so that it now describes those young auto mechanics in a very positive way. They were inspired and possessed by goodness and joy and love.

I learned a lot that day that I have never forgotten. Each of us is daily faced with the choice of whether we will simply do what needs to be done, or whether we will do what needs to be done with enthusiasm. I’m voting for enthusiasm!

picture from: http://silverbulletselling.com

PS Don't forget to sign up for the book giveaway.

Bring on the Light!

2009-10-29T09:36:00.001-06:00

In the first Epistle of John we read that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). I’ve always understood the metaphor in that verse, but lately I’ve been pondering on how literal that is. I think of the things I equate with darkness in my own soul. Obviously sin and fear are darkness as are depression, discouragement, and doubt. But there are other things like worry and stress that fill me with darkness. Too often I think of these as just part of life unlike sin which has to be overcome.

But when I read John’s words I began to rethink the matter. If there is no darkness in God then obviously He doesn’t get depressed, discouraged, or doubt. But He also must not worry or stress.

Learning that is helping me. Lehi taught that “Man is that he might have joy,” (2 Nephi 2:25), and worry and stress are not part of joy. So when I begin to feel worry and stress darken my day, instead of just accepting them like I do sunshine or rain, I realize that they are choices and that I have the ability to choose them or joy and that God wants me to have joy. Then I use one of the Truth Tools to escape the dark and live in the Light of Truth where joy is found in great abundance.

Secondary Messages

2009-10-28T09:08:00.002-06:00

Recently I had one of those awakening moments—you know, a moment when you suddenly realize that not everyone sees life like you do. You’d think that by my age I’d have exhausted those moments, but the other day after teaching a student came up to me and said, “But the real meaning in that verse is. . .” as if there could be only one meaning. As he spoke to me I realized that he really thought that the statement made by Nephi could ONLY have one meaning.

For years I’ve been obsessed with looking at what I call secondary meanings. To my way of thinking everything in life has multiple meanings, especially the things we say. When a mother says to her child, “Put on your gloves. It’s cold outside” the first meaning is obvious. It’s a simple command. But the secondary message can be one of many things. Hopefully it is “She loves me enough to care about whether I am warm or not.” However, past experience or tone of voice can change that secondary message. Maybe the child perceives the secondary message to be, “She just wants everyone else to think she’s a good mother.” Or, “She spent all that money on gloves and she just doesn’t want it wasted.” Or, “She doesn’t think I can take care of myself. She doesn’t trust me.”

Understanding that what we read and what we say can have multiple meanings changes how we interact with the world. First, when someone reads a verse of scripture and gets something out of it that we didn’t we don’t need to dismiss it as “wrong.” Every verse in scripture can teach us many things. Second, when we interact with others we need to stop and think about the secondary messages that could be attached to what we are saying or doing. When a child is struggling to cut out a paper doll and you suddenly say, “Here, let me help you,” your intentions may be very loving, but the secondary message may be “You are incompetent.”

This isn’t a principle that only applies with children. Any communication with spouses, friends, coworkers, or family carries secondary messages with it. If we learn to look for the possible secondary messages when dealing with others, we can make our communication more effective. And when reading scripture? By looking for secondary messages, we learn more. And when we are the recipient of a message? We should realize that the secondary message we are attributing to the person may be true, but then again, it may not!

Givaway: My Book - Gospel Insights for Everyday Living

2009-10-27T13:49:00.000-06:00

This week, as I promised, I am giving away two copies of my new book, Gospel Insights for Everyday Living. Writing this book was a labor of love. It consists of insights I have gleaned over the years about what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about, and how it operates in our lives to bring joy and peace and hope into daily living. The “chapters” are very short. (That’s why I put chapters in quotation marks—they are so short they almost can’t be called chapters.) Each chapter zeros in on one gospel principle and usually just one idea about that principle so that you can read a chapter in a few minutes while waiting for the carpool or for an appointment or whenever you have a few minutes.

Soooo. . . if you would like a chance to win a copy of Gospel Insights just leave a comment below. The contest will be open until Friday at midnight. Saturday morning I will randomly draw two winners from among those who leave comments and post the names here on the blog. Tell anyone who might be interested and you are welcome to post this on your own blogs in case anyone else wants to join in.

I love this giving away thing!!! Good luck!

The Parable of the Quicksand

2009-10-26T09:42:00.001-06:00

One day while walking in the forest watching for birds, Clarence came upon a man stuck up to his waist in quick sand. Surprised that the man who was sinking deeper each minute wasn’t calling for help, Clarence asked if he wanted help. “Another one of you bird watchers,” the man said. “You think you have all the answers.”

Startled Clarence said, “But I have a good, sturdy rope. I could tie it to a tree and give you the end so you could pull yourself out.”

“You just don’t see reality do you?” the sinking man said. “You think that all there is to life is walking along your way enjoying nature, observing birds. But reality is mud and quick sand and those are the things we need to deal with in life. You think just because I hold on to some rope I can be out of this mess?”

“Well, yes. I once fell in quicksand, but I got out by using a rope.”

“How little you know of life. Are you not educated? Have you been brainwashed so that you don’t see reality? I know your type. A Simpleton with Pollyanna solutions to life’s deepest problems.”

Clarence could see that the man was getting deeper and deeper into the muck and he feared for the man’s life. “But you are sinking fast. Please let me help you out!”
The man laughed. “You think a rope is going to save mankind from all the sinkholes in the world. Take off your rose colored glasses, man! See reality for a change! This is reality!” and he pointed to the mud that engulfed him.

“But I’m standing on dry ground. That mud is not my reality.”

“So naïve!” the man said. But by now his chin was touching the mud.

“Please,” Clarence called one last time. “Let me help you. There is so much more to the forest than quicksand. Let me give you the rope and then show you the trees and animals and flowers.”

But it was too late. With a proud, all knowing smirk on his face the man slowly disappeared into the mud.

The moral of this story? Negative attitudes sink the soul but they also blind the eyes.

Picture found at: http://www.movements.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/34776777quicksand-1.jpg

The Waters of Marah

2009-10-25T13:29:00.010-06:00

While camped at Marah, just three days after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the children of Israel began to complain to Moses because the water was bitter to the taste. All they could think about was their thirst, and forgetting the power God had manifest in their behalf when He parted the Sea and allowed them not only to cross but to cross on dry ground, they murmured against God thinking He had now forsaken them.

You and I are also wandering in a wilderness called life where some days we experience miracles and other days trials. Is our memory so short that three days past the good all we can see is the bad? Marah means bitter and it was named that because of the water there, but it more aptly fits the people and their attitudes. They forgot how the Lord had delivered them and chose to be bitter instead of grateful. But instead of murmuring, Moses turned to the Lord and asked how to solve the problem. The Lord showed Moses a tree and told him to cast the tree into the water. Moses did as he was commanded and the water became sweet to the taste.

There is so much symbolism in that story for all of us to learn from. The cross of the Atonement is often called a tree, and the Lord was teaching the people that the bitterness of life could be made sweet through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Moses tells us that this was a test for the people and that they were then told, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26).

The bitter experiences of life are a test for all of us. Will we murmur against the Lord because of the bitterness or will we trust in the Lord? If we trust the Lord will heal us and protect us from the “diseases” of the world.

After leaving Marah, Moses led the people to Elim, which means palms. We are told that there were twelve wells of water in Elim and 70 palm trees. Twelve is a symbol of priesthood and it is through the priesthood that the living water of the gospel (the covenants) is administered to mankind. Seventy is a symbol of perfection or completion and palms are a symbol victory. So the people were guided out of the place of bitterness to a place where the priesthood could complete them (through the covenants) and bring them to victory.

It is a given that we will encounter bitterness as we travel this wilderness called mortality, but if we diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, He will lead us to victory and through the Atonement heal us of the bitter experiences we encounter along the way.

Mirror Addendum

2009-10-24T16:45:00.001-06:00

Wow! I just found this and couldn't wait until tomorrow to share it with you. I found a scripture that says exactly what I was talking about in the last post on storytelling and how when we pass judgment it is often because the thing we condemn the other person for is the very way we think or react. The verse I read is in Romans 2:1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

The NIV Bible says it like this: "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."

Drum Roll For The Winners, Please

2009-10-24T09:25:00.001-06:00

These book giveaways have been so much fun for me that I wish I could afford to just give everyone who enters a book. Maybe someday. . . In the meantime, the winners for the book Man, Woman, and Deity (which were picked at random from my sweet smelling once-a-chocolate-box) are #7 Martha, and #29 Melinda A. If you two will please email me (smillsjo at gmail dot com), and give me your addresses, I will send the books out on Monday. All I ask is that you let me know what you think of the book after you've read it.

Thanks everyone for entering. And next week on Tuesday the drawing will begin for two of my new books, Gospel Insights For Everyday Living. It is just off the press and barely onto bookstore shelves. You can read about it on Amazon by clicking on the book image on the left.

Thanks again.

Beware of Mirrors in the Stories We Tell

2009-10-23T08:50:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was looking for a book on Amazon and reading the various reviews of the book. Most of the ratings for the book were five star but one review was only a three star so I read it first. The reviewer talked about how good the book was, said the research was sound, but then said that the book was ruined because the author threw in a lot of historical research just so he could brag about the important people he had known and worked with.

The next review I read was one of the five star reviews. This reviewer said the same positive things about the book, but then added a comment about how the book slows down a little as the author explains the historical research in an effort to give credit to the scholars who have not been properly acknowledge for their contribution to the field.

Interesting example of Storytelling! Same book, but two people assigned their own meaning to the inclusion of the historical research. What Storytelling often reveals is not fact (neither reviewer can know for sure why the author included the research). Instead Storytelling reveals what our motivation would have been if we were the author. If we are the kind of person who would brag, then we think that’s what everyone else does. If we are the kind of person who would want to give proper credit to fellow workers, then that’s what we think everyone else is doing.

When we judge others we usually use our own criteria to make the judgment. So a statement of judgment can say as much about the person making the statement as it does about the person being judged. Listen to the stories you tell about what others are doing and watch to see if your own motivations to do things aren’t mirrored in the story.

I know I find myself in my stories about others all too often! So I laugh at how ridiculous I’m being and drop the story. Isn’t it wonderful we can all grow and change!

PS This is the last day to enter the book give away!