Category Archives: Sunday Best

Sunday Best!

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Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine
 before men, that they may see
 your good works,
 and glorify your 
Father which is in heaven.
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We are all examples! Some good, some bad. We might as well be a good one. Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are be a good one”. I agree. If we have blessed with a testimony of Christ and our Eternal Father, we have an obligation to them, to stand up. To be set on a candlestick for all to see. I know to me, that sounds very intimidating. I’m not perfect, why would I want others watching me and how I live my life? Whether I like it or not, people will watch me, and my example. So, if I want God to be glorified, I must do my best. I must “Let my light shine”. 
Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy 

Sunday Best!

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“Because the Spirit is often 
described as a still, 
small voice, it is also important 
to have a time of quiet 
in our lives as well. 
The Lord has counseled us to 
‘be still, and know that I am God.’ 
If we provide a still and quiet 
time each day when we are 
not bombarded by television,
 computer, video games, or personal 
electronic devices, we allow 
that still, small voice an opportunity 
to provide personal
 revelation and to whisper sweet 
guidance, reassurance, 
                and comfort to us.”                                                                      
Vicki F. Matsumori
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We all need to take a few minutes (at least) each day to just sit still, and to listen. What is God trying to tell you about your life. He is there and He will guide you and help you along the way, I know it. Hope your Sunday was the best! Love, Joy  

Sunday Best!

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John 15:10-12

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
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In primary today we talked about the “good” Samaritan.  In the story, a man is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The man was robbed, wounded, and left for dead. A priest came by and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side of the road. Then a Levite came by, and looked on him, then passed by on the other side of the road. Then a Samaritan came by, and saw him, and had compassion on him. He bound up his wounds, took him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day, he gave the inn keeper money to take care of the man. He told the host that if he spent more money to care for the man he would repay him when he returned. 
Jesus used this example to teach that 
we are all neighbors.
 We should love and care about each other. The reason the example was such a good one is because the Samaritans were hated by the Jews. In fact, the Samaritans hated the Jews too. The man who was wounded and left for dead was a Jew, and even his own people wouldn’t help him. But the Samaritan understood how to love and care about others, and didn’t let the differences between the two groups of people stop him from being a good person. We all need a reminder about how to treat each other. 
Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!

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“When the seas of life are stormy, a wise
mariner seeks a port of peace. The family, as 

we have traditionally known it, is such a refuge 

of safety. ‘The home is the basis of a righteous 

life and no other instrumentality can take its 

place or fulfil its essential functions'” 
-Thomas S. Monson 

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Our homes are the refuge we 
all need from the world. 

“Home
-to be at home is to find yourself 
with those who put your heart at ease.“

A place of peace and safety. 

A place where we are accepted and loved. We don’t have to be 

perfect parents. We just need to love our children and provide a

 safe place for them to learn and grow.
We just need to do the best we can.

 Hope you Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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2 Nephi 31:19-20

19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope , and a love of God and of all men, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
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It is not enough to have found the way to a life focused on following Christ’s teachings to the strait and narrow path. We must press forward, continuing to focus and follow Christ in all we do. When we make mistakes, we repent and get busy. We press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.
Steadfast means: fixed or steady,
firmly loyal or constant.
I once heard a teacher give an example of direction, by showing us a picture of a person on a set of stairs. Up the stairs is God and forever with Him. Down the stairs is hell. He said we are all at different places on the stairs. Some are higher up the stairway, maybe they have lived longer or they have spent more time learning about and living a life close to God and His teachings. What matters, and what is most important, is the direction we are facing. If we are facing upstairs toward God and we stay facing that direction, that is steady and loyal. If we are facing the wrong direction, we can turn around and start up the stairs. We are not stuck in the wrong direction. We need to have a hope that Jesus will help us along, He already paid the price for our sins. We can continue learning about Him in the scriptures, and see what else He can teach us. Then, endure to the end.
To endure means:
 to bear with patience, to remain firm.
The Father has promised us eternal life, with Him. What a wonderful thought. He is a loving Father, He is aware of us, He wants us back. All we have to do is be willing to come back to Him. I will keep myself facing up, on the stairway. Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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Doctrine and Covenants 78:19
And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.
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In Luke 17:12-19 Jesus heals the ten lepers. He heals all ten, but only one returns to say thank you. Jesus questions, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” Well, they got what they wanted and forgot how they got it. They might also be the type to blame God when things aren’t going quite right. I really don’t ever want to be like that. I know I’m not perfect and I do make mistakes, but I believe it is very important to be thankful.
Years ago I learned about receiving all things with thankfulness. I couldn’t comprehend at the time, how a person could be thankful for something bad that happened to them. But since then, I have tried to acknowledge the blessings that have come to me, because of the hard things that I have been though in life. When I think about the pain, I realize it has made me more compassionate. When I think about how others treated me, I realize I am more conscientious about treating others right. I remember how it felt to be sad, because someone was unkind to me.  I am thankful for all things in my life, blessings and challenges.
 I am a better person for it.
Receive all things with thankfulness. And don’t forget to say Thank you, when you have been blessed!
Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy 

Sunday Best!!

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Happy 4th of July!!
I feel such gratitude and appreciation for this free land of America. I am so grateful for those who sacrificed so much, sometimes everything, so we can now enjoy the things we so often take for granted. Our family has traveled to many significant  historical sites in American history, an experience I wish all Americans could have.
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I went on a field trip with my son Alex when he was in 4th grade to the Utah State Capital. One of the original copies of the “Declaration of Independance” was being displayed there and traveling the country. It was wonderful to see it. Another treat was to see the original painting by Arnold Friberg, “Prayer at Valley Forge”. It was also on display at the capital. Wow! What a beautiful painting. As we came out of the room it was being displayed in, I saw a man talking to people. I said to my son’s teacher, “I think that is Arnold Friberg!” So we went over to where he was, and just listened. It was him! He was explaining his feelings about the way George Washington’s hands appear in the painting. He said that when he painted it, it was more traditional to paint the hands with the palms together and the hands flat. He wanted to help those viewing the painting to feel the urgency and need for help from God that George Washington must have felt. So he painted the hands clench with the fingers interlocked. It worked, I felt that urgency! I wanted to tell General Washington as I looked at the painting, “It will be okay!! What you’re doing now, will work!We do become the land you dream of. Thank you for loving God and fighting for our freedom!”
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Well, Arnold Friberg died this last week. But what a gift he has given to all. You can read about him here!
Thank you Arnold Friberg! Thank you for your life of giving and your faith in God.
Hope your Sunday, July 4th 2010, was the best!!!
Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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Ephesians 6:11-17
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of thes world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
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Speaking about the whole armor, President N. Eldon Tanner said, “Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. … Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments.”
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Alex had his mission talk today.
He leaves in 1 1/2 weeks. He did a great job. He spoke on the “Armor of God”. He has always been interested in armor. He loves to play games, and watch movies that have to do with men wearing armor. Some of his favorite stories in school had to do with Spartans, or gladiators, etc.
The armor of God
is the ultimate armor.
In the scriptures we learn that we are ingaged a battle against evil and that we must protect ourselves, if we are to be victorious.
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“Missionaries are the special forces
 in God’s army, sent in to find and arm those who
are ready and want to fight against evil.
They are being shot with fiery darts and they are scared and frustrated. We find them, those who are ready, and
we arm them by teaching them…or just fasten their armor better then it is. Then other members of the church
can help them train for the fight.
And help them build their armor.”  -Alex
He will be a great missionary!
I hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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Blessed are the peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
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“Do good; seek peace (Ps. 34:14).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ gave us the beautiful beatitude about peace and peacemakers.
I like to think of when the sermon was first taught. In my mind’s eye, I see a peaceful afternoon in early April. The sky is softening toward dusk, with not even a breeze. White, wispy clouds stand almost motionless in the blue sky. Below, on the coast of the Sea of Galilee, soft waves lap against moored fishing boats. Eager listeners sit on the grass or stand amidst the rocks and early spring flowers. All are hushed and thoughtful, and every face is lifted toward the Lord as He tells them what they need to do in order to have peace in their lives. Tenderly Christ speaks: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matt. 5:9).
To follow Christ and bring forth the blessings of heaven, we must actively make peace in the world, in our neighborhood, and, above all, in our homes.

The following prayer by St. Francis of Assisi suggests that we can be instruments in the hands of the Savior for bringing personal peace to others. To be a peacemaker, it helps to understand what brings peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

No matter what the reason for the lack of peace—sin, not living God’s commandments, selfishness, pride, lack of love, even just being an innocent victim—the way to achieve peace is always the same: Turn to Christ; follow His example; repent of all wrongdoings; study and think about Jesus Christ every day; love Him and thank Him for His teachings and His example and His sacrifice for us.”

-Robert E. Wells

Hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Sunday Best!!

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John 14:21
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
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“I am going to preach a hard doctrine to you now. The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar.
It is a hard doctrine, but it is true.
The many other things we give to God, however nice that may be of us, are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him. And that hard doctrine lies at the center of discipleship. There is a part of us that is ultimately sovereign, the mind and heart, where we really do decide which way to go and what to do. And when we submit to His will, then we’ve really given Him the one final thing He asks of us. It is the only possession we have that we can give, and there is no lessening of our agency as a result. Instead, what we see is a flowering of our talents and more and more surges of joy. Submission to Him is the only form of submission that is completely safe.”
-Neal A Maxwell
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I love this!!!
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” 
If we love Him, the way to show it,
 it to do what He has asked us to do. It’s something to think about, and do. Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy