Title: 'We All Long For Peace'

 

Title:*PEACE* 3a/Mm - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola A

 *PEACE*

We all long for peace.

Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention.

Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows,
 that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, 
even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.

Remember, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” 

For those who reject God, there is no peace. 

We all participated in the councils of heaven that provided for moral agency, 

knowing that there would be mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy,

because of the abuse of agency.

We understood that this could leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable.

But we also knew that the Saviour’s Atonement would overcome and compensate, for all of the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace.

“To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, 

and that there will be wonderful surprises.” 

What are the sources of peace?

Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed.  
Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. 
Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure.

None of these can, even when attained in abundance, 

create any lasting happiness or peace.

How do we stay close to the Savior?

Humbling ourselves before God, praying always, repenting of sins, 

entering the waters of baptism with a broken heart and contrite spirit, 

and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ are profound ,

of the righteousness that is rewarded by abiding peace.

Repentance and living righteously allow for peace of conscience, 

which is essential for contentment.

When there has been a major transgression, confession is required to bring peace.

Perhaps there is nothing to compare with the peace that comes,

from a sin-wracked soul unloading his or her burdens on the Lord and,

claiming the blessings of the Atonement.

As another favorite Church hymn puts it,

 “I’ll drop my burden at his feet and bear a song away.” 

The Church is a refuge where followers of Christ attain peace.

Some young people in the world say they are spiritual but not religious.

Feeling spiritual is a good first step. 

However, it is in the Church that we are fellowshipped, taught,

 and nourished by the good word of God. 

More importantly, it is priesthood authority in the Church that provides,

 for sacred ordinances and covenants that bind families together and qualify,

 each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom.

These ordinances bring peace because they are covenants with the Lord.

“Two sets of forgiveness are required to bring peace to the transgressor—

one from the proper authorities of the Lord’s Church, and one from the Lord himself. ”

Lift up your hearts in praise to God; Let your rejoicings never cease.

Though tribulations rage abroad, Christ says, “In me ye shall have peace.”

Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace,

with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong,

in the face of discord or stress.

Being "at peace" is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis)and,

the opposite of being stressed or anxious.

Many spiritual practices refer to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself.

Finding inner peace is often associated with Spiritual practices and traditions.

The question of real, lasting world peace concerns human beings, 

so basic human feelings are also at its roots.  

Through inner peace, genuine world peace can be achieved.

In this the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear;

an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves,

then gradually expanded to include our families,

our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.

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Researched and Compiled by Rev.Bola - 17.Nov.13

Title: *COMPASSION*

Title:*COMPASSION* Light Orb 25 /Mm - Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola A

'The Serenity Prayer'

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

'Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.'
 

- Proverbs 3, 5-6

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Peace and Love

Rev.Bola

Title: *EXPERIENCING COMPASSION*

Title:*COMPASSION*Orb of Light 14b/Mm - Visual Prayer Art by Rev.Bola

*COMPASSION* 

 Definition:
A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Compassion involves more than putting yourself in another's place.
A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is struck by a misfortune.

Synonyms: beneficent , benevolent , benignant , humane , good-hearted , kind , kindhearted , kindly , softhearted , sympathetic , tender , tenderhearted , warmhearted.
As many of us have witnessed or experienced firsthand, there is much pain and suffering in the world.

If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see?
The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. 
Hence, therefore....

'We pray for children, who stomp in puddles and ruin their pants,
and we pray for those who stomp in puddles without choice.
We pray for children whose pictures we carry in our billfolds,
and for those who stare at photographs behind bars.
We pray for children who can't find their shoes,
And for those with no shoes to find.
We pray for children who dawdle over meals,
And for those who have no meals to dawdle over.
We pray for those who put chocolate fingers on the walls,
and those who never get desserts.
We pray for those who love to have daily bread,
And for those who steal because they can't find bread.
We pray for those who straighten their rooms,
And for those with no rooms to straighten.
We pray for those whose nightmares wake us up,
And for those whose monsters are real.
We pray for those who throw temper tantrums in grocery stores,
And for those who go to bed hungry and go to sleep crying.
We pray for those who get visits from the tooth fairy,
And for those who have never seen a dentist.'

You may argue it is impossible to eliminate suffering,
and maybe it is, yet we're to respond anyway.
 
Empathy, as most people know, is the ability to put oneself in the other person's place.
For example, instead of assuming that the reason someone has done something that hurts you is because they are selfish or inconsiderate, assume instead that they had a good reason for doing it.

The Holy Bible states.....

*I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?*

*Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.*

*Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.*
Those words mean, to show mercy in most of the Old Testament readings. 
To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;.

'He has made His wonders to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and compassionate.'

As Christians, we are to follow the example of our savior, Jesus Christ, and show compassion to others. This is difficult to do sometimes as we all struggle to show compassion for all people.

Those who can understand the common method of life that no one lives rosily, and problems are bound to hurt others; then will gain the perception of compassion.

It is easy to show compassion for certain people, but everybody has people in their lives that they struggle to show compassion towards. I encourage you to pray that God will convict your heart to have compassion for all people.

To myself, compassion is about taking notice of a very significant part of this world: Others.
There is a Greek word translated to English as Compassion from the New Testament where it means to be moved in the gut, and that is in regards to it causing an emotion of feeling that moves us to do something.

Even if we are to entertain what is or is not part of compassion for us, 
we need to remain open to hear what is said and to let everyone be our teacher. 
Starting in our home. Do we have compassion for those closest to us? 
Compassion does not mean doing for someone else what they can do for themselves.

Although thought of as the same, Empathy and Compassion are different forms of the same emotion. Empathy and Compassion require you to imaginatively experience the same feelings as the person or situation in question. If we show the individual compassion for their loss, not only will we understand and identify with the same feelings, but we will want to take some kind of action to alleviate their pain.

Compassion is a word used to express the same feeling as empathy. 
Yet when you feel compassion, you have more of a desire to take action.
Compassion is an emotion which calls for action. 
It's not passive - it's not empathy alone - 
but rather an empathetic altruism that actively strives to free others from suffering.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. 
Wisdom , compassion , and courage,
 are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men. 

*A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.
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Posted by Rev.Bola