Believing in things

The things that people choose to do and what is most important to them can be interesting and inspiring.

And I wondered, what do you believe in?

Molding Ourselves

I heard that when Gandhi noticed something in his character that he didn't like he went about changing it immediately .

A Beautiful Life

As the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. -R.G. Scott


http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?photo_id=13162632 (Photos)

Perspectives

We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming. -J B Wirthlin

The Greatest Teacher

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone's theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowlege, He has given us the gospel-a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success.
D. F. Uchtdorf

Control

It's basic to realize that we don't run things. We are not in control. We can't make people do anything, and so we have nothing to lose. So don't get flustered and don't worry. Your Heavenly Father is in control. The Lord reigns and rules in the armies of the heavens, and does His pleasure among the inhabitants of the earth. He sets up a kingdom here, and pulls down another there, at His pleasure. He walks in the midst of the people, and they know it not. He makes Kings, Presidents, and Governors at His pleasure; hence I conclude that I shall be Governor of Utah Territory, just as long as He wants me to be; and for that time, neither the President of the United States, nor any other power, can prevent it.
-Brigham Young

Free Will

Free agency/ free will really does exist, no person nor theory of behavior has made me do anything in my entire life. Anything bad was my falt, anything good was also my choice but inspired by God and His angels. That's one reason why Jesus Christ is so important, He offers to take the punishment and the guilt from us so we can learn and grow and also not to be afraid to make mistakes.

What's it feel like?

When I hear that ukelele version of Somewhere over the Rainbow/ Wonderful World, my heart says, "Yeah, that's what it's supposed to feel like."

It's at Home

I looked everywhere, and even inside myself, but I found what I was looking for when I came home.

Who am I?

Sometimes when we listen to others we find out who we really are; as opposed to who we thought we were.

Spiritual Eyes

The Spirit of God can open our spiritual eyes so that we don't run into something.

The Attitude of Awesomeness

We can try to change our attitudes so that we can have a happy life and bring happiness to the lives of others. We will succeed by praying and asking God to help.

Beauty

There beautiful people all around us,
and some are even more beautiful the closer you look.

Near to Me

It's important to be close to the Lord, even when it's not the most fun or exciting.

Uniteam

And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another,...having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. -Mosiah 18:21

How does one pray in secret?

“. . . go where you can be alone, go where you can think, go where you can kneel, go where you can speak out loud to him. Now, picture him in your mind’s eye. Think to whom you are speaking, control your thoughts—don’t let them wander, address him as your Father and your friend.

Now tell him things you really feel to tell him—not trite phrases that have little meaning, but have a sincere, heartfelt conversation with him. Confide in him, ask him for forgiveness, plead with him, enjoy him, thank him, express your love to him, and then listen for his answers.

Listening is an essential part of praying. Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient.”

Becoming Like God

They forgive all who have wronged them, they put the welfare of others ahead of themselves, and they love all of God’s children

Charity

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with [His] love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.

What's really important?

"Kindness is an essence of greatness."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

70

No matter what anyone else says, thinks, or does, you're just as good as anyone else, but not better.

My friend lives right over there

Around the Corner
by: Henson Towne, Source Unknown

Around the corner I have a friend
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone

And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
She knows I like her just as well
As in the days when I rang her bell,

And she rang mine.
We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Jane"
"Just to show that I'm thinking of her"

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner!-yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir-"
"Jane died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
Around the corner, a vanished friend.

If you love someone, tell them.
Remember always to say "what you mean".
Never be afraid to express yourself.

Stay close to your friends and family,
They have helped to make you the person you are today.

Complementary Kindness

Alabaster Boxes
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your love and tenderness sealed up, until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier by them. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say them before they go. The flowers you mean to send-use to brighten and sweeten their homes before they leave them. If my friends have alabaster boxes laid away, full of fragrant perfumes of sympathy and affection I would rather they would bring them out in my weary and troubled hours and open them, that I may be refreshed and cheered when I need them.

Excited Apostles

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

I love how Peter loved the Lord so much that he couldn't wait to be rowed into shore. I hope we can be like that too.

John 21: 1-8

Remember Those Who Serve

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back she began wipe down the table. When she saw what the little boy had left, her eyes began to well up with tears. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Third Important Lesson: Submitted by Matt Stoker

An evening when my sister's friends came over

"Boys suck"
said Cami
"Except for you Jesse."

I couldn't tell she was sad, until she had let it come out. Then you could see it in her face, and feel it in the room. I wanted her to feel better, we all did.

She had just broke up with her boyfriend and so; herself, my sister and their lil' girlfriends had a girls night with facials and you tube videos. For some reason I was invited to join them.

It was certainly a new experiance to be at a boys suck party, and frankly it was totally sweet.

I did learn something besides how to exfoliate my face and the existance of the "my hands are bananas" music video. I learned I should be kind to all that I speak with because maybe they're having a hard time and I don't know it.

Sometimes stuff sucks, and it's nice to be there for someone when it's like that, even if your the only guy there. Actually, especially if your the only guy there. There are few things that invite goodness and peace like virtuous women.

True Love

http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages-gallery?lang=eng

Inspiration and Service

All inspirations to do good are from God, the devil doesn’t trick us by tempting us to do good things; however, there are situations where we need to choose the best thing to do at the time as opposed to just a good thing.

We know by this that promptings to do good can be manifestations of the Spirit. Have you ever learned of someone in need, perhaps a close friend, and felt strongly impressed to help? Have you ever talked with someone and been led to say the right thing? Have you ever suddenly felt a need to fix something in the house or to weed the garden? This is how the Spirit can work—he leads us to do good.

“Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good.” (D&C 11:12)

(Doctrine and Covenants) see LDS.org

The Flame of Love

Flame of Love
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

"I can master it", said the Ax.
His blows fell heavy on the hard, strong steel.
But each blow only made his edge
more blunt until he ceased to strike.

"Leave it to me", said the Saw.
With his relentless teeth, he worked back & forth.
But to his dismay, all of his teeth
were worn out or broken off.

"Ha!" said the Hammer. "I knew you could not do this.
Let me show you how."
But with the very first blow, his head flew off, and the steel was unchanged.

"Shall I try?" asked the Flame.
And it curled itself gently around the strong, hard steel, and embraced it, and would not let it go.
And the tough steel melted.

There are hearts that are
hard enough to resist:
The forces of wrath,
The fury of pride.
But hard is the heart that
can resist the warm "flame of Love".

O Chama de Amor

por: autor anônimo

" Eu posso o dominar" , disse o machado. Seus sopros caíram pesado no aço duro, forte. Mas cada sopro fêz somente sua borda mais sem corte até que cessar de golpear.

" Deixe-o para mim" , disse a serra. Com seus dentes implacáveis, trabalhou para trás e adiante. Mas para seu desânimo, todos seus dentes foram gastados ou interrompidos.

" Olha só! " disse o martelo. " Eu sabia que você não poderia fazer isso. Deixe-me mostrar-lhe como." Mas com muito o primeiro sopro, sua cabeça voou fora, e o aço era inalterado.

" Devo eu tentar? " pediu a chama. E ondulou-se delicadamente em torno do aço forte, duro, e abraçou-se o, e não se deixou. E o aço resistente derreteu. Há os corações que são bastante duro para resistir: As forças do ira, A fúria do orgulho. Mas é duro o coração que pode resistir o " morno; flama de amor".

Home teaching

Well it's great to see that we have a visitor from Denmark and Malaysia, you are both welcome here at the Blog!

So, what's home teaching?

---

Home teaching is the responsibility of all Melchizedek Priesthood holders and of those who are teachers and priests in the Aaronic Priesthood. As part of their responsibility to watch over the members of the Church, home teachers visit their assigned families at least once each month to teach and strengthen them. Home teachers establish a relationship of trust with these families so that the families can call upon them in times of need.

For further information see LDS.ORG (search "hometeaching")

When she told me that she was half Korean I was super excited because I love Koreans and especially their food. I was her hometeacher, and since my hometeaching companion couldn't join me to bring her a message about Christ, the Missionaries came with me.

We visited her every month. She showed me books that she liked and I read them. She played the piano and we sang hymns together. One time her mom made us dinner with Korean dishes that were like a paintball fight of flavors. The flavors on a Korean table being unmistakable and unique. Afterwards we went to see Wall-e (except the missionaries).

I just found her on facebook and she is still just as funny and different as she was. If it weren't for hometeaching I wouldn't have come to know such a odd and wonderful person.

Hockey Practice

You play (practice) hockey on the frozen lake with rough ice to build strength and agility, in the little balance muscles of your body. As the game starts on the fresh smooth treated ice of the arena, you have the advantage.

So it is with our mortal bodies now and how it will be in eternity. We prepare now, doing all we can in our weakened state. We learn to control what little power we have, then, as we become immortal and enter into the presence of God, our works and faith and repentance have prepared us to recieve a perfect body, great power, and responsibility.

Like the hockey players who practiced on rough ice, we will have more control and capacity to govern and work.

(the gospel according to jesse)

Você joga o hóquei (e prática) no lago de gelo áspero para construir a força e a agilidade, nos músculos do contrapeso de seu corpo. Enquanto o jogo começa no gelo tratado, liso, e fresco da arena, você tem a vantagem.

Assim é com nossos corpos mortais agora e como estará na eternidade. Nós preparamo-nos agora, fazendo tudo que nós podemos em nosso estado enfraquecido. Nós aprendemos controlar o pouco poder nós temos, e então, quando nós nos transformamos immortal e nos participamos na presença de Deus, nossos trabalhos e fé e arrependimento nos prepararam para receber um corpo perfeito, grande poder e responsabilidade.

Como os jogadores de hóquei que praticaram no gelo áspero, nós teremos mais controle e capacidade governar e trabalhar.

(o evangelho de acordo com o jesse)

Royal Blood

If it so be

that one man thinketh of himself as a servant of another

we would all be Kings and Queens

Fat Souls and Failures

When Isaiah spoke to the Lord about his responsibility as a prophet called from the womb he expressed his sadness in not being able to accomplish what the Lord had asked of him. The Lord told Isaiah to bring Israel back to Him.

Upon reflecting about the state of Israel Isaiah expressed disappointment in himself for not succeeding in what the Lord required of him, for at the time Israel was still falling farther into apostasy. However the outcome, the Lord was still pleased with Isaiah’s service and expressed his blessing, glory, and salvation that were to come.

Furthermore, The Lord gave the bigger picture to Isaiah, that the tribes of Israel were the “easy” part and that all the gentiles would be brought to the light and truth as well. (1 Nephi 21: 1-6)

As we look at verse 3 in a different light, perhaps Isaiah felt that he hadn’t done all that he could have to do his part in the spiritual work that he had to do. Being that he said, I have worked in “vain” meaning that he had “failed” according to his own perspective and perhaps he hadn’t put as much effort forward as he thought he would, could, or should have. Perhaps putting temporal things in 1^st place on occasion. (Isaiah 55: 1+2)

This is speculation, and The Lord quickly lets Isaiah know that he is pleased with the service he has given so far and that there is more where that came from!

(The Gospel according to Jesse)

Why Does Heavenly Father Love Us?

Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you.

God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely.

He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked.

What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.

Dieter F. Uchdorf, General Conference October 2009 "The Love of God"

Pense do amor mais puro e mais forte que você pode imaginar. Multiplique agora esse amor por um infinito quantidade isso é a medida do amor que Deus para você.

Deus não olha na aparência externa. Eu acredito que não se importa nem pouco se nós vivemos em um castelo ou em uma casa de campo, se nós somos bonitos ou simples, se nós somos famosos ou esquecidos. Embora nós estamos incompletos, Deus ama-nos completamente. Embora nós somos imperfeitos, ama-nos perfeitamente. Embora nós podemos sentir perdidos e sem direção, o amor de Deus cerca-nos completamente.


Ama-nos porque é cheio de amor infinita, santo, puro, e indescritível. Nós somos importantes para Deus não por causa de nosso résumé mas porque nós somos suas filhos. Ama cada um de nós, mesmo daqueles que são danificados, rejeitado, inábil, triste, ou quebrado. O amor do deus é tão grande que ama mesmo o orgulhoso, o egoísta, o arrogante, e o mau.
...

The power of Jesus Christ

O amor e a luz de Cristo vão chegar na sua casa, e não vão ser impedidos pelo inimigo pois Cristo tem poder sobre ele.

J.R. Holland

The love and the light of Christ will be in your home, and will not be stopped by the devil for Christ has power over him.

J.R. Holland

Media

My Mom as a media specialist was teaching her class of Second graders. One student tells another about how his mom got bit by a dog. Lynne Rhodes (my Mom) asks: "Is she ok? The boy responds she's fine.

A boy sitting near the back is shocked, and asks: "She's Blind?!"
Mom laughs and answers: "No, she's fine."
A boy way in the back with a puzzled look on his face shouts: She got a fine!??

Mom laughed with the other students who were just old enough to understand the humor.

9/25/08
Told to me as Mom and I were too exausted to go to bed.

Marshmello

I had been pretty stressed out one week due to social ajustments and worries. Nevertheless I agreed to go to a bondfire in Omro WI. I knew that I wouldn't know many people there but I went anyhow.

We shambled down the country road in Aaron's little red hatchback, we had stopped to get marshmellows from the gas station eariler. When we arrived the fire had died down to coals and someone had brought a small case of beer.

I wasn't planning of having any, and the fact was that there wasn't even enough for each person there to even have one. So the campfire crew was kind of bummed and probably hoping someone else would bring some more "refreshments".

Luckily I had brought some. And by this I mean 2 bags of big fat marshmellows! Aaron and I threw some more logs on the fire which light up the faces of our friends and we began cutting fresh sticks for roasting mallows and handing them out.

Later on someone mentioned that we had "saved the night from being lame" and that they were impressed that we thought to bring something that to us was such an obvious essential to a bonfire.

Most of the beer stayed in the case, and as we were roasting and talking Stephanie was pulling a marshmellow between her fingers until it had become taffy, she offered it to me and because handing it to me would get my hands all sticky as well I ate it out of her hands.

Anonymous
2006

Oscar Z

When I was a young boy twelve years old the other boys my age liked to play tricks on each other. One day while I was riding home on bike one of the boys had cut the rope that held my books onto my bike so that it broke and my books all fell into the water. I wondered why would someone do that, and then I thought this is an opportunity to find a friend. So I talked to the boy that did it and we became friends. Then he got the scarlet fever and had to stay home from school. I got his books and homework from the teacher and brought them to him after school. I would write the problems and hold the book up to the window. And it was fifty degrees below zero. He would slide the answers out to me and I would hand them into the teacher.

We both got good grades in school. At our graduation we both hugged each other. It’s a good thing to find a friend and our Heavenly Father is our best friend. That’s something that we need to remember. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

-Oscar Zuehlke (Fast and Testimony Meeting June 3rd 2007 Oshkosh WI)

(Descupa, não está em português ainda)

John: caught going good

John was a missionary for the Lord and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in Russia. Before this mission we was a power-lifter, and needless to say John was and still is a very strong professor of the Gospel.

As he and his companion were walking down the street they noticed an old man with a flat tire. He was without a jack to lift the car. So, John and his companion lifted and held up the man’s vehicle as he changed the tire.

Good one John!

João foi um missionário pelo Senhor e A Igreja de Jesus Cristo Dos Santos do Últimos Dias. Ele serviu em Rússia. Antes deste missão ele exercícios muito pesados, e então João foi e é um professor muito forte do Evangelho.

Ao andar com o seu companheiro na rua eles perceberam um homem velho com uma roda furada do carro dele. O homem não tinha as ferramentas necessárias para erguê-lo. E aí, João e seu companheiro pegaram e levantarem o carro e o homem trocou a roda.
Bem feito João!

Some people believe in swordfish,

People believe in lots of things.

I tried to figure out how to start a discussion forum about the church that I belong to. When I was talking to my savvy roommate about how it's all done he asked me:

how is your forum going to compete with facebook and all the other ones just like it?

As he continued explaining the how-to’s and dollars involved in the galaxy of internet interneting, I realized that I didn’t want to pay for this stuff. I also didn’t want to have a bunch of cyber-problems in my cyber-hands, so here we are in this thing called a blog.

It’s about doing good things, positive stuff that happens and makes us feel good. Like a baby monkey riding on a pig, or a “punk rocker” fixing a neighbors couch. I’ll be putting things on here that I think are worthwhile to look at, read, or hear when we want something good.

I believe in doing good things,

anything that is positive, uplifting, inspiring, is what we welcome here.

Love, Jesse Rhodes

As pessoas acreditam em muitas coisas. Eu tentei aprender como começar um fórum de discussão sobre a igreja que eu pertenço. Quando eu estava falando com meu companheiro de quarto intelegente sobre como é feito ele perguntou-me: como é que seu fórum está indo competir com facebook e todos os restantes como ele?

Ele continuou a explicação como fazê-lo e os dólares envolvidos na galáxia do Internet ou internetar Eu percebi que eu não quis pagar por este material. Eu igualmente não quis ter um grupo dos cyber-problemas em minhas cyber-mãos, então nós estamos aqui nesta coisa chamada um blogue.

É sobre fazer boas coisas, o material positivo que acontece e faz nos a sensação boa. Como um vizinho velinho que dá abacate para tudo o mundo por muitos anos, ou um pintor que tem muitos filhos e trabalha duro todo o dia e reconhece a mão de Deus cuidando da familia dele.

Eu estarei colocando coisas aqui que eu acho são de valor para olhar, ler, ou ouvir. Estará aqui quando nós queremos algo bom. Eu acredito em fazer boas coisas, qualquer coisa que é positivo, inspiradora, surpreendente, é o que nós damos boas-vindas aqui.

Com Amor, Jesse Rodes