Graphic warning for those who don’t like blood!
Finding Abraham
Waking up to the cry of my stomach, I tumbled out of bed to the bathroom. On the other side of the city, Abraham fought the same fight.
A couple days prior, my companion had felt the same sensation, leaving us unable to leave a certain radius of a stable bathroom.
Because of this, we had bought medicine to fight the stomach bug. The brawler to my battle and diminished my pain. I kept this medicine handy and available, part of my everyday cary. Later that morning, we knocked on the door to get Abraham and go to church. His mom answered, describing his situation, no stores open to buy the medicine required and a raging stomach bug. The same one my comp and I had braved.
So there I was, opening my bag with the solution, we had been prepared. This Sunday was Abraham’s baptism. If he stayed sick, my comp would never see his baptism, the next day he was going back home.
Abraham’s mom thanked us and left to administer his relief. Eight hours later, he entered in the waters of baptism, free from his previous problems. The Lord had provided the way, even if he had to use my comp and I to suffer and to know the same pain so that we could provide the relief needed.
I’m A Paramedic, Call Me A “First Responder”
Attending to the spiritual health of a friend, we saw a motorcycle speed by, right in time for a car to pull out in his path, sending the motorist off his bike, with his bike landing on top of him.
Immediately, we were on the scene, administering aid as we waited for the ambulance.
From this situation, two things stood out. Our said motorist (he’s ok) had failed to fully comply with the law; helmet and close toed shoes required when operating a motorcycle. He had worn a helmet which had saved his head from his bikes impact, but his lack of appropriate shoes had resulted in a large laceration to his foot, cutting through the tendon, leaving a gaping wound.
I found this in direct correlation with the commandments given by God. In average situations, some of the requirements seem unnecessary or even cumbersome, something that stops enjoyment. But every single one placed in effect with careful attention to details and perils that exist. Failure to comply often leads to experience where peril is escaped and confidence grows in transgressing. How many times had our said motorist left for a “quick ride” lacking the proper equipment and escaped an accident? But the danger remained, and to his surprise, when he least expected it, he fell victim to the hazards.
The question then turns outward, are you halfway keeping the commandments, obeying the things that are easy and ignoring the ones that annoy you? The ones that on the surface don’t make sense, but in reality hold the power of protection from physical or spiritual damage?
Good news!
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
The “Governing Law
” which includes Justice also provides Relief, and through the necessary steps of action (repentance), we find ourselves cured.
Art Of The Month
Don’t Go Back To Fishing
In Matthew 4, the Savior calls his disciples, humble fishermen who had made the profession their livelihood.
18 ΒΆ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Right away, they left all that they had and followed the request, starting a ministry that would last their lifetime, a lifetime away from their profession of fishing to fulfil a greater purpose. Three years later, the Savior’s earthly ministry had come to an end and a testimony of the risen Lord had been given to Peter. For some reason, he reasoned to return to his old ways.
John 21:3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat…”
Jesus then returned to call to action his disciple, giving the command to follow Him. Once Peter had received the light and personal witness of the Savior, there was no turning back; he now had a work to do.
We too have this responsibility to respond to the light we have, progressing eternally towards righteousness and to “Not Go Back To Fishing”
Love Ya’ll
-Elder Gist