Scripture Study Suggestions

It will soon be time to watch/listen to General Conference.  Because I let myself get behind with my goal of reading all of last October conference talks, I have had to read two talks a day to catch up before next Saturday.  I have no idea why I let other things get in the way of my scripture study (and I do consider these talks from the Ensign to be current scripture).  Anyway, what a joyful experience to feel the spirit while reading.  I like these suggestions from Jay Jensen as printed in the Church News.  They have made my study more meaningful.

1. Pray.  "Make prayer a part of scripture study.  Pause to ask God for His Sprit to teach you."

2. Pay the right price.  "Whether you study and search the scriptures chronologically, by themes, or topics, or a combination, pay the right price; study search, ponder, liken, feast upon, compare, analyze and synthesize."

3. Look for patterns, themes, connections. "The footnotes and other scripture study aids are to assist you."

4. Create outlines and write scripture insights.  "Going through the scriptures regularly is good, but to have the scriptures go through you and having them change you comes with a price."

5. Mark, annotate and write in your scriptures. "Two purposes...are to (1) capture revelations you receive as you study, and (2) retrieve or recall what you have learned.  In a way, well-marked scriptures are a portable revelatory filing system."

6. Teach what you learn.  "By this you will demonstrate if you have truly mastered a topic.  Until I am able to articulate what I am studying, I confess that I have not  yet mastered it."

In order not to get overwhelmed, someone once told me to consider conference talks to be like a delicious  buffet, to take from it what you need at the time, knowing that there is plenty for all. It has worked for me.

Story of a Life in Mosaic

Whenever I see a piece of mosaic art I think of the process of creation--of how each piece has a place in the whole.  I also think about our roles in life, of how many facets it takes to form a whole individual.  And what do you do if one of those facets (or roles) is missing from your life at the present time?  I don't have answers.  Maybe it is an individual thing. I've noticed that we don't all have the same strengths.  Do we compensate for what we think is missing by switching gears?  Is that possible? Or to keep the metaphor, maybe we fill in a missing place with our own unique talents and keep on the look out for new ways to live and serve.  Maybe I am thinking of this today because of uncertainty in this economy.  Maybe this is a good time to reevaluate and make a course correction, to look for ways to make life more secure and meaningful.  I know that sometimes the painful process of chipping out what doesn't work has to take place, whether it is a piece of glass or a distorted belief, whatever does not fit the picture for me right now.  Mostly I am thinking about how prayer  has helped so much when I have exhausted all the other places I usually turn to for counsel and advice.  Prayer is a way to tap not only into the will of a loving God but to tap into the wisdom that I have inside. In my experience, the combination of those two things is unbeatable. This mosaic in the Metropolitan Museum was beautiful but even more lovely to me is watching myself and others continue on in the process of making a life out of the materials we have been given.  And remembering to give thanks for that which we do have, for even the tiny pieces of joy that come our way.

Calling Home

While I was in England and Wales, each phone booth I saw was like a connection to home. I knew that given time, I could enter, use my international calling card and like magic, Art or one of our children would be there on the line with me, available to talk. Linking the telephone and prayer as a metaphor has been used so often it might be called a cliche. I prefer to think of it as a truism. During those moments of uncertainty, crisis, or even pure joy, it is wonderful to be able, in an instant, to make a connection with a loving God.

Brittany in the Almond Tree

She is a climber, so it is not surprising that on the day of the Easter egg hunt a year ago this is the place she chose to go. I have been pleased to be a part of Brittany's circle of family and friends. I have watched as she has used her considerable talents to improve and grow in skills and character. Keep on climbing Brittany. Don't let the challenges of life hold you back! The sky's the limit! Remember that no matter where you are or where I am, I will always be praying for you and cheering you on.