Christmas = LOVE

When I think of Christmas, I think of excitement and adventure.  Present opening and family traditions. Decorations and hanging up lights.  This year, being on a mission, my mind has been thinking a lot more on what Christmas should mean to me and what my thoughts for Christmas should be.  There never was a Christmas that went by that we didn't talk about the Saviors birth or that we didn't read the story from the Bible at one point or another, but I have never had a Christmas where I was constantly thinking, everyday about the birth of the Savior during the holidays.  So as I have been studying the scriptures, here are some of the things that have stood out during the holiday season.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." Luke 2:16-17

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  1 Timothy 1:7 

"O be wise; what can I say more?" Jacob 6:12

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  1 John 4:10

"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?"  Genesis 18:14

"12. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."  1 John 4:12

These are all wonderful qualities and gifts that God has given us.  Lets do our best this holiday season to share these truths we know with others around us.
   

A little out of wack!

I saw this tree the other day and thought that it looked a little lop-sided.  As you can see, the tree started to grow very close to the house.  They continue to let it grow away from the house but now the poor tree is lop-sided.  This won't work forever.  Because as the tree continues to grow away from the house, the roots are going to be pulled on.  It is becoming a very unstable tree. 

This can be like our lives.  It is wonderful to be good in one area, but then the other areas won't be given a chance to grow.  If we focus only on our spiritual minds, or physical minds will decay, and visa versa.  We can't be strong in one area without the other areas suffering.  This is an important lesson that we learn here in this life.  God instructs us many times through the scriptures to "Organize yourselves."  (D&C 88:119)  An apostle of the Lord spoke of 4 simple things that we can do to organize ourselves.

Elder M. Russell Ballard said

"First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.

Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.

Third, everyone faces financial challenges in life. Through wise budgeting, control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life. Far too many individuals and families have incurred too much debt. Be careful of the many attractive offers to borrow money. It is much easier to borrow money than it is to pay it back. There are no shortcuts to financial security. There are no get-rich-quick schemes that work. Perhaps none need the principle of balance in their lives more than those who are driven toward accumulating “things” in this world.

Fourth, stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends. They will help you keep a balance in your life. In a recent study by the Church, adults in the United States were asked to identify a time when they were very happy and to describe the experience. They were also asked to describe a time when they were very unhappy. For most people, one thing that had made them the most happy or the most sad was their personal relationships with others. Much less important were their personal health, employment, money, and other material things. Build relationships with your family and friends through open and honest communication."

I Know and can promise you that if you are feeling out of balance and are looking for something that will help, these 4 steps will help you overcome and you will be able to stand tall and will be balanced once again.