Author Archives: karbly

It Was Good
Brandon Neloms of Savannah, GA, USA

…the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. -Numbers 6:25-26

This past weekend my family and I attended the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as a surprise for my son’s fifth birthday. What my son did not know was that my parents would be there, too, so it was a pleasant surprise to able to spend some time with people I love so much. While this was a trip for my son to enjoy and learn about the great majestic sea creatures, I truly believe I received more than he did.

My father and I followed behind my son as he looked among the great sea creatures, and we began to count and marvel at not only the complexity of the fish but the colors and size and purpose of each and how they work together. We talked about how one is responsible for cleaning the ocean floor, the other is a predator, another protects a certain type, one provides food for another, etc.

We began to realize on a deeper level the design God had when creating the world. Our conversation moved to how the ozone layer protects us from the sun’s rays and only lets a certain amount through to warm the earth. We spoke about how the trees provide the atmosphere with oxygen, and the gas we breathe out is helpful for plant growth. We spoke about when God looked back at all God had made at the beginning of time and realized it was a masterpiece. Sometimes we go about our everyday life and never stop to think about how this Earth is so amazing, majestic, and designed with purpose. What a joy to be able to spend a few years on this Earth enjoying something so amazing that God also called it good.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

When Worlds Collide
Brenda M. O’Dell of Tulsa, OK, USA

Let the church be admonished that the times are portentous and demand faithful adherence to the faith and work of the church, that mankind may be blessed by and find peace in those religiously social reforms and relationships which have been divinely imposed as a great task of achievement. -Doctrine and Covenants Section 137:6a 

I almost didn’t see him
In the grocery store aisle-
Matted hair and rumpled clothes
Ill-fitting, filthy sweats
Smudged with layers of ground-in dirt.

Carefully he was searching
Under harsh fluorescent lights
The shelf of tinned cat food.
For himself? I wondered,
Or a fellow stray?

Stealing furtive glances at his face
Lined by years and weather,
His feet in worn-down slippers,
I thought, should I give him something?
Offer to buy a meal?

Locked in indecision,
Musing about dignity and worth,
I missed my chance.

He turned away with several cans
Clutched in gnarled fists
And slipped through the crowd
Toward the checkout lanes
Seemingly invisible to others.

The well-dressed shoppers hurried on
With baskets heaped with food,
Checking phones and written lists,
Oblivious to the misfit
Who walked among us.

Had my hesitation
Really been because I had no cash?
Or was it fear to enter his life
Or let him enter mine?

Regardless
The moment slipped away
Without us sharing
As little as eye contact
I, cocooned in my world, he locked in his-
Prisoners both.

Somehow I knew
The moment had eternal significance
And I felt a sense of loss.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Share the Love of Jesus Christ
Grace Andrews of Independence, MO, USA

I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love…  -Hosea 11:4

A routine, annual neighborhood meeting quickly turned disastrous when a loud voice challenged the leaders. Attempts to bring calm were drowned out. Many in the room sat in stunned silence as, one by one, board members rose from their seats and left, followed by the association manager. Sad, confused people who had come intending to do the necessary business that evening slowly vacated the building. Some quietly whispered they would not come again. Outside, a few continued spewing their negative comments saying they would “run” the meeting next time (an impossibility without proper voting). Over the next days and weeks, they became more resolute in their destructive comments as they looked forward to the next meeting where they planned to “rule.” Others turned to prayer.

When a sickness seems set in concrete, our challenge is to stir up healing. Our world is full of negatives, not just in neighborhood board meetings, but sometimes sadly in our congregations. We tend to focus on what’s wrong with individuals, or our world, rather than center our attention on what we can do to promote Jesus. There have been able ministers whose ministry was cut short because of darts aimed against them. There have been those who might have been a part of this body, but they heard not the love of Christ, or peace and joy. Instead, their ears were subjected to other matters loudly proclaimed, which seemed dearer in the hearts of God’s witnesses than the gospel. I have tried and sometimes failed miserably to practice my mother’s teaching, “If you can\’t say something nice, don\’t say it at all.” But I keep trying. Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O, Lord.”

Individuals loved and respected may lose favor as they loudly proclaim their destructive views in one form or another. No matter our present positions, it is more important to communicate in word and deed the love of Jesus. He brought to a standstill those with rocks in their hands, poised to kill a lone figure on the ground. He quieted the twelve when their contentions were less than honorable. When Jesus saw cultural, political, or societal inhumanity, he raised people to a higher level of understanding by offering them joy, hope, and peace if they would but follow His way of love.

I will never forget the good counsel that came to us many years ago: “Speak the love of Jesus Christ and you will never go wrong.”

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

“When, Earth…When Did We Hurt You…?”
Lu Mountenay of Independence, MO, USA

And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”  -Matthew 25:40

The stewards said to the sacred Earth, “When did we hurt you?” Then the Earth said to the stewards, “I was gasping for breath, and you suffocated me-you contaminated my air and destroyed my protective shield, which I meant as a blessing for you. I was thirsty, and the waters which you did not imprison in plastic vessels, you wasted and polluted.

“I was whole and you cut off the peaks from my mountains and laid them low; you filled my deep valleys with toxic sludge. My forests were green and full of life-giving oxygen, and you clear cut my trees, leaving barren stubble and causing erosion. The waves of my seas were high and mighty and teeming with fish, and you left them stagnant, laden with mercury.

“I was generous with energy, a gift for your children’s children, and you greedily depleted my storehouse. I was delightfully naked and you clothed me with trash. I was full of resources and you scraped up my chemicals, combined and processed them in a way my creator never meant them to be-and then you exploded them against me. I revealed traces of hidden elements for your benefit, and you left me with heavy footprints of carbon and radioactive waste, which crosses borders and generations.

“I was creation itself and your blinders of power would not let you see me for the living gift that I am.
Prophetic people warned you, but you balked at the telling of the truth, and listened to the fear mongers. Some of my inhabitants tried to protect me, but your laws and regulations were feeble. Some disciples offered solutions of green, but, alas-you were short-sighted and said the cost was too high. I welcomed you to dwell with me, yet you made me a stranger.”

Then the stewards said, “Holy Earth, what else did we do to betray you?”

And the Earth said, “It was not only what you did, but what you failed to do.”

Then the stewards again asked, “Earth…Earth, when? When did we see you cry and not respond? When did we feel you shudder and not comfort you?”

And the Earth answered them saying, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to me, you did it to yourselves…and your children’s children.”

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

The Adventure Begins!
Steve Bolie of Clive, IA, USA

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
  and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
  the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
  the spirit of counsel and might,
  the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. -Isaiah 11:1-3

I had planned a trip on Amtrak to Denver, Colorado, with a car trip into the Rockies with our eight-year-old grandson. It would be a two-day, three-night trip including nights on the train going and coming. We would rent a car in Denver and see tall mountains and go over high passes. We would overnight in Granby, Colorado, and drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.

As the week of the trip approached, the logistical details were becoming a bit of a nightmare. Would the train be on time or close enough for us to have our day trip and get to our hotel? How would we get to the car rental with our luggage? Would we be able to get the car returned and to the train in time? What if…what if?

The day of the trip came. In my journal that morning I wrote, “This is the big day; the adventure begins!” Suddenly, it dawned on me that this really was going to be an adventure, especially for Ryne, but for me, too. No matter what happened we were going to have a great time. We would view everything as an adventure no matter what. With this realization I quit worrying.

The adventure plan worked. The train arrived early. We rode public transportation easily to the car rental. Then we needed a McDonald’s for breakfast and a Walgreens for a camera memory card. This should have been easy, but we saw parts of the western suburbs that even long-time residents have never seen. All the time we kept saying to each other, “This is part of our adventure.” Finally, we found both destinations within a block of each other. Construction delays didn’t bother us. No air conditioning in our hotel just added to our adventure. Everything worked out.

Life as a disciple of Jesus Christ is a lot like this trip. When we rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance with a receptive, positive attitude we are equipped for the adventures that come our way.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Repent and Forgive
Kris Judd of Des Moines, IA, USA

Give ear to my words, O Lord;
  give heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
  my King and my God,
  for to you I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
  in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch. -Psalm 5:1-3

Friday morning started out well but by noon was full of bad news; unnecessary appointments and frustrations and freezing rain made my drive home a challenge. A long line formed in the drive-thru lane, but I wanted to treat myself so decided I could wait a few minutes. The line of cars moved forward very slowly. Urgent texts and emails continued to beg my attention and my anxiety was growing. I was trapped in the lane for seven minutes before placing my small order. The cars before me inched forward until 10 minutes later I reached the window. The young girl offered a quick apology for my wait. Ordinarily, I would have accepted that with grace and made a joke to lighten the mood. But that day I surprised myself with a curt response. When she gave me my chips, I rudely handed them back insisting the “hot” chips were anything but.

Her manager heard my frustration, stepped in, and gave me a fresh, hot order and an apology. I shared my surprising reaction with a few who know me well. They tried to assure me I had every right to be frustrated, even angry. But I was not assured. I was uncomfortable and embarrassed by my reactions. The Holy Spirit was convicting me that repentance was needed for my sake at the very least.

Monday afternoon I drove to the restaurant and bravely entered. I spotted the same young woman behind the counter, and when our eyes met, I motioned that I needed to talk with her. When I began to offer an apology, she appeared to remember the incident. “Oh, yeah, the hot chips,” she said, which let me know it had bothered her as well. I apologized for my rudeness and indicated it had been a rough morning. She apologized and shared that hers had been as well. We smiled, shook hands, and thanked each other.

It would have been easy to convince myself that my reaction was not only reasonable, but that it didn’t matter in the long run. But it did matter, to me and to the young woman who served me. And offering an apology and receiving forgiveness mattered even more, for in this young woman’s welfare resides my own.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? As we move through the Easter season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.

Do Not Doubt, but Believe
Robin Linkhart, Council of Twelve Apostles

“Peace be with you”…he breathed on them and said… “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  -John 20:21-22

It was a critical time during my journey of faith when I met Sue, a high priest from Greeley, Colorado. I was a young mother preparing for ordination. Sue skillfully guided the diverse class of learners through our Temple School course Basic Theology.

My soul’s growing hunger to understand God and faith and what it means to live a life of love had already catapulted me into a theological process of discovery and learning. I was engaged in the mind-stretching exercise of sifting, sorting, stretching, and growing. Punctuated by uncertainties, my questions tumbled out with no apparent end in sight. How would all these pieces ever fit together, and what was I to do if they did not?

Sue embraced it all. She patiently engaged my inquisitive mind and accepted my persistence. She freely shared her vast knowledge and favorite resources. We became fast friends and met regularly at Sue’s to feast on food for body and soul.

Nothing was off the table and I delighted in the safe, sacred space Sue created. She took me by the hand and led me gently through the dark. Physically unable to see, her keen spiritual eyes held more than enough vision to help me find my way. With Christ-like love, she invited me to touch the unknown places and learn for myself. Sue’s ministry and treasured friendship breathed the evidence of things not seen and embodied the promised presence of Christ’s peace.

Faith and doubt walk hand in hand. Christ welcomes our searching and beckons us to reach out, touch, explore, and know: Christ is God with us.

Prayer Phrase

Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?

Spiritual Practice

Moving Toward the Peaceful One

As Jesus was nearing the final days of his life, he wept over the city and proclaimed, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace” (Luke 19:41-42).What are the things that make for peace in our lives, communities, and around the world? During the Lenten season, spend time in silent refection or journaling each day to notice: Am I moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One? Pay attention to your attitudes, actions, and relationships this day. When did you most embody the peaceful One in your daily living? When were your thoughts or actions contrary to the peace of Jesus Christ? How might Jesus, the peaceful One, who is always near to you, be inviting you to draw nearer to him through your daily living?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

Click here to comment or read online.