Potential

     Every person on earth has potential. Each individual has capacity to do great things because, I believe, we are all children of a Heavenly Being who has unlimited potential. This Creator has passed this onto us, His spiritual offspring. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, just know that it is possible to grow, get out ruts we think we're permanently stuck in, and achieve a better version of ourselves. 

    In Mark 14, Jesus tells us, "The Spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Meaning, we do have great potential within ourselves, but the natural man, our id, the ways of the world, superficiality, can all get in the way of our potential if we're not careful. Humans have weaknesses, we are selfish, deceitful, lazy, addicted. We also have strengths. We can move those weaknesses aside, get them out of our way and push on towards bigger and better ways using strengths. 

    One of these strengths is friends and family. Jesus spoke highly of good friends. His good disciples were amazing friends He made. We all understand that seeking out help from friends and family can be a complete life-changer. I find greatness in turning to any of my family members, but I want to mention my older sister right now. She has been an incredible sister. I find shelter, hope, and feel even more appreciated when I spend time with her. I am grateful to God that He has put her in my life. She is Christ-like in many ways. 

    I encourage anyone who feels like they are stuck, lonely, or feeling like their "flesh" is bring their spirit down, to seek out help from loved ones. Helping others is an amazing blessing, for both the giver and the receiver. Even Jesus asked for help in a great time of need. God loves you and has provided help for every trial and challenge. Don't forget that. 

What to Think About the World Today

I believe we have every reason to be hopeful about the future. While wars, rumors, and speculation increase, we can find hope, joy, and true peace in the world. Hope can be found every single day if we know where to look. It can be found in a child's face as they play and learn. It can be found in the grasp of a couple's hands as they walk down the street. Hope can be found in a man taking his old dog out to the park for an evening game of fetch. Most importantly, hope is found in Jesus Christ. As we learn more about our Big Brother, we can have better eyes to see hope with. Learning about and coming closer to the Savior will strengthen our ability to see the good in the world, no matter where we are, what we've done, or what is going on in the world. 

    I've heard too many facts and rumors alike about nuclear war (did the cold war ever end?), inflation, abuse, disease, divorce and other trials and challenges that exist in the world today. Jesus knew these would arise. In the 13th chapter of Mark, verse 7, He explains that there will be news of wars and rumors of wars. However, He tells us not to be alarmed. Why? Why not be alarmed? These are awful things that happen to innocent people. God has provided a way to work through them. I don't think He's provided a way out, per se, because we can't ever truly escape the challenges of this life, but we can change our perspective, we can help each other, we can find hope in things that really matter. 

    While we can work together to decrease and mitigate some man-made trials, other challenges will remain. With the right mindset, no challenge or trial or hardship is the end. We can grow stronger. We come to know God's ways, find hope as He wants us to find hope, and we will be better off for it. 

    While the world is an uncertain place, I invite us all to make at least one thing certain: God loves each of us and has provided a Savior to help us return to Him. We can choose to focus on the bad and only see the bad, or we can choose to see the good and learn from the bad. God will help us make the right decisions. 

Walking in the Light

 I've loved hiking since I was a kid! Getting out in nature and enjoying what God has created is one of my most favorite hobbies. Love of hiking started with my family. My dad told me a story about a hike of his when I was a kid, which highlights how walking in the light, both physically and spiritually, can save our lives. 

    My dad had gone out an early morning hike before that sun had come up. He had no flashlight or headlamp on so was going by feel and maybe some minimum moonlight. While pushing through some brush and trees he heard a distinct voice say, "Stop!" He stopped stepping forward immediately. Focusing more on the area ahead of him, he realized there was a massive void where he thought was solid ground. Had he kept moving forward, he would have tumbled off a cliff. 

    Because my dad was willing to listen to that voice, what he believes was the Holy Spirit, his life was saved. When we are walking in the light of Christ our lives can be saved, in more ways than one. 

    I've realized that many people go through this life without a full sense of direction and purpose. When we come to Jesus Christ and live His gospel, we have greater opportunities to find our true, eternal purpose. In John, chapter 11, Jesus reminds us, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of the world." 

Turning to Jesus will enable us to reach our greatest potential in both this life and the next. We will be protected, strengthened, and find greater self-worth. We will be warned of danger, as my dad was, and directed to places that will give us greater hope and light. 

    

3. Jesus appreciates those people who simply try. Mark 9:40-41

     I was reading in Mark this week and came across a couple of verses that I find insightful for anyone who might be struggling with their faith or struggling with their sense of self-worth. In Mark chapter 9 verse 40, Jesus says, "For he that is not against us is on our part." 

    To me, this is Jesus validating anyone who is simply trying. He is saying, "I know you're trying to do good, and I see that. You are not against me when you are trying. In fact, you are with me, and I will be with you because you're trying your best."  

    We are either with God or against Him. In this context, one of the things we can do to be with God, is to not be against Him. If we are just trying to do good, God will recognize that. Of course, I believe there are other things we can do to further see and come closer to God, but the first step is almost a default step; don't fight against God. 

    I know it's sometimes hard to recognize God and trust in Him, but I know He will turn our faith into great actions and growth. There are blessings to be realized as we turn to God. We don't have to be perfect. We just need to try. 

Relationships

     Do you find relationships with other people important? I do! I love my family, I have wonderful friends I love, I enjoy watching humans interact with each other. In today's world we see so much of the bad side of human beings through news, social media, gossip, and a plethora of other ways. Why do we focus so much on the bad? We are brothers and sisters with so much potential to love. 

    I believe one of the reasons humans are on the earth is to form loving and eternally lasting relationships. This week I was studying in the New Testament and read Matthew 12:11-12. These verses say, 

"And he said unto them, what man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days."

This passage reminded me that our humanity is greater than anything material. Jesus implies that if man is better than a sheep and we would sacrifice so much for a sheep, than why wouldn't we do that for man? I also asked myself, do I put ideologies, thoughts, and barriers between me and my fellow man? Some people thought it was unlawful to help someone on the sabbath day. Do I think it is unlawful to help someone because they don't share the same political views as me? Do I think it unlawful to love others because they made what I think are bad decisions? 

I hope we can all see the good in each other. I hope we don't love our own ideologies more than we love the humans around us, especially in our own families. 

What We Can Learn From Jesus Christ

    No matter whether we're a participating Christian or not, almost everyone in the modern world has heard the name of Jesus Christ. But who is He? Why is He so important to so many people? Jesus was a great leader, teacher, and - one of the most influential titles to me - friend. I want to share a quick story about Jesus when He was about 30 years old and why it's important to me and, hopefully, you. (This story is told mostly through my own words, but it still gets the important messages across).

    Jesus had gone to the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. While there the devil came to Him and tried tempting Jesus three times. The first time the devil told Jesus "You must be really hungry. If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread so you can eat." Jesus replied to the devil, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." He did not fall to the first temptation of the devil.

    The devil came to Jesus a second time and told Him, "Let's go to the top of the tower. If you are the Son of God, throw yourself off. Angels will catch you and you will be protected." Again, Jesus denied the temptation and told the devil, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."

    Once more for the third time, the devil told Jesus, "If you worship me, I will give you everything." Jesus exclaimed, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." The devil left Jesus for a while after that. Jesus was successful in resisting all three temptations. 

There can be many lessons learned from this story, but one I want to talk about is the understanding Jesus had of who He was. In the first two temptations, the devil had said "IF you be the Son of God..." because I think he was trying to get Jesus to doubt who He truly was. I believe that humans have amazing potential to do great things, just like Jesus did. If we ever feel like we aren't good enough, or have low self-worth, we can know that those thoughts do not define reality. While those thoughts can be hard to ignore, they do not define who we are. We are so much greater than we realize. 

The Family

 I understand how much struggle a family goes through. I have been very blessed with a good family; loving parents and caring siblings. I have many wonderful memories with each family member and with the family as a whole.

However, we have not been spared from family struggles, especially the pains of divorce. After 6 years, one of my siblings is still fighting through the residual effects of divorce and child custody ordeals. After remarrying, my sibling is now an active and involved parent of a "blended family." While being part of a blended family might lead to more difficulties in the family life, are there any benefits to a blended family? Or rather, what good can come from remarrying and joining families together? What can be done to help ease the struggles that naturally come from blended families?

One benefit for joining multiple families together is the amount of loving adults in child's life. Instead of having the typical 4 grandparents, the child(ren) now have 6 caring grandparents. The amount of aunts and uncles and cousins increase. Though they may not be blood-related, they can still be considered family and learn to love the child(ren) that are especially hurting because of the divorce their parents went through.

Of course, this only makes a difference to the child(ren) if the adults have the right attitude and mindset. One of the most important things to remember, for any marriage not just blended families, is that your mindset and way you think can affect the outcome. If I tell myself my marriage is lame, then it will be lame. If I tell myself that my marriage is wonderful, then it will be wonderful. This applies to any part of our life, but family is a huge part of life. If we remarry and are struggling with connecting with our non-biological kids, it will help to change the way we talk and think about them. Instead of acting like a connected parent, try taking on the role of a cool aunt or uncle. Don't be so controlling, but be a somewhat influential and caring adult in their life. It also helps to be patient. Consciously work on being patient. Don't get upset or agitated if things don't seem "normal" after marriage. It usually takes about two years for things to return to a sort of "normalcy" after the remarriage. This allows for everyone to experience two Christmases, two birthdays for each person, two of everything together. So, don't be afraid or impatient if things aren't feeling normal after a few months. Things won't ever be the same, of course, but with the right mindset, things can even be better than what they once were for both families involved.

I hope that families, especially those that are struggling with divorce, can recognize the blessings that come from the family. Studies show that 70% of divorced people said they could have and should have saved their marriage. We all go through struggles both as individuals and as whole families. I hope that couples and families can realize their strength to save their marriage. There are the exceptions when abuse is involved, in which I recommend taking necessary and immediate action, but for those who simply think they've "fallen out of love," or their spouse is "just lazy," I would invite you to think again. You loved them at some point. You saw them work hard during one period of time. What can you do to love them again? Can you do something to help them get back to work? Talk to them. Perhaps they are fighting unknown depression and don't want you to worry. The point is, there are things we can do to better understand our partners and there is always something we can do to try to save our marriage. Communication is, obviously, a key to success. Empathy needs to be a constant in marriage. Even going on weekly dates can help contribute to a successful marriage. In fact, going on frequent dates with your spouse could be considered vital.

I know marriage is supported by God. Turn to Him during the good and bad times of your marriage. Pray for your spouse and kids. If it is God's will (and it most likely is) your marriage will be successful and joy filled. If divorce is necessary, trust Him, and know that He will lead you to a better marriage and family if you so choose.

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/what-is-a-blended-family#:~:text=Blended%20families%20provide%20children%20with,to%20teach%20and%20nurture%20children.