Voices!

I love this article that I read about Voices. It is so true, that there are so many different voices in the world shouting demands at us. Demands on what to watch, what to wear, who we should be.
I will only share part of it with you, if you would like to read it all...check the website at the bottom.
It is definitely something to think about...good night dear friends!


Voices of the World

But we hear other voices. Paul said, “There are … so many kinds of voices in the world” that compete with the voice of the Spirit. The Spirit’s voice is ever present, but it is calm. Said Isaiah, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” The adversary tries to smother this voice with a multitude of loud, persistent, persuasive, and appealing voices:

• • Murmuring voices that conjure up perceived injustices.
• • Whining voices that abhor challenge and work.
• • Seductive voices that offer sensual enticements.
• • Soothing voices that lull us into carnal security.
• • Intellectual voices that profess sophistication and superiority.
• • Proud voices that rely on the arm of flesh.
• • Flattering voices that puff us up with pride.
• • Cynical voices that destroy hope.
• • Entertaining voices that promote pleasure seeking.
• • Commercial voices that tempt us to “spend money for that which is of no worth, [and our] labor for that which cannot satisfy.”
• Delirious voices that spawn the desire for a “high.” I refer not to a drug- or alcohol-induced high, but to the pursuing of dangerous, death-defying experiences for nothing more than a thrill. Life, even our own, is so precious that we are accountable to the Lord for it, and we should not trifle with it. Once gone, it cannot be called back.

Bombarded with Messages

Today we are barraged by multitudes of voices telling us how to live, how to gratify our passions, how to have it all. At our fingertips we have software, databases, television channels, interactive computer modems, satellite receivers, and communications networks that suffocate us with information. There are fewer places of refuge and serenity. Our young people are bombarded with evil and wickedness like no other generation. As I contemplate this prospect, I am reminded of the poet T. S. Eliot’s words: “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?” 

Many in the younger generation have been conditioned by the world to want it all and to want it now. They do not want to save or work. Such self-centered, impatient desires make them susceptible to temptation. 

• Getting gain.
• • Gaining power over the flesh.
• • Gaining popularity in the eyes of the world.
• • Seeking the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world.
• Hearing Righteous Voices

How are we possibly going to select which voices we will listen to and believe? The implications for us as individuals are staggering. To spiritually survive, we must do at least these four things.

First, we must exercise moral agency wisely. As tiny drops of water shape a landscape, so our minute-by-minute choices shape our character.

Second, we must have a purpose. “You must stand up for something, or you will fall for everything.” 

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Third, we must strengthen our testimony. We all need to study the plan of salvation and learn of our relationship to God. As we walk by faith, we will have confirmed in our hearts spiritual experiences which will strengthen our faith and testimony.

Fourth, we must search the scriptures, which are “the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.”

I suggest a simple solution for selecting the channel to which we attune ourselves: listen to and follow the voice of the Spirit.

We need to learn how to ponder the things of the Spirit and to respond to its promptings. 

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2006/06/voice-of-the-spirit?lang=eng&query=diamonds

Too Busy, can't do it all!

Today would be a great example of having too many things to do and not enough time to do it all. I am getting ready to leave on a trip and of course I want everything to be done before I leave. I am beginning to realize that I am tired already and I haven't even really begun my day yet. Why is it I think I have to do it all? Why don't I remember, that if I do all that I can then the rest will be taken care of somehow. First of all I think it is because I am a mom, it is hard to leave your family and not think of trying to cover all the bases before you leave. Which I personally no I can't, so why am I so stressed out? Plus, when I get like this then I forget to take the time out to connect with my family, say my prayers, read my scriptures, and take care of myself. I think that is why I liked this funny story so much. It was funny but there are alot of truths in it. So after reading it again, I will slow down, prioritize my day and enjoy the day I have left with my family.

Satan's Scheme

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.

So let them go to their churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.

"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.

Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CD's and their PC's going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards.

Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.

Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so the husbands will believe that external beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. That will fragment those families quickly!"

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week.

Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy!

And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions." Go ahead, let them be involved in soul winning; but crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.

Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed, going here and there.

I guess the question is: Has the devil been successful at his scheme?

 

Wow, you would think that I should already know this by now? Oh well, I guess we all need little reminders now and then!

"LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHILE YOU'RE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS"   ~ John Lennon

"WE MAY BE VERY BUSY, WE MAY BE VERY EFFICIENT, BUT WE WILL ALSO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE ONLY WHEN WE BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND."  ~ Stephen R. Covey

"LIFE SEEMS BUT A QUICK SUCCESSION OF BUSY NOTHINGS."  ~Jane Austen