Love my new calling in primary & working with the little children.
Love, love, love the music...

We sang this one: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus this past Sunday.

Try the link.
It should take you to an interactive music player...

=)
Sister Parsons

As long as we are thinking...

I got this from my blogger friend, "Mike" -

On the old Dick Cavett Show (an old talk show) ...
Bette Midler told about how they mercilessly teased one of the boys in her band class.

It seems there is always someone that is the target of condescending jokes or mean spirited “humor”.

The internet is full of this as are many blogs and 'My Spaces'.
The activity isn’t limited to children.
The strategy is applied skillfully in politics, academia and corporate America.

Bette finished her story noting they returned to school one day to find that this young boy had hung himself in the band room.

I can’t hear the word “think” without remembering a sermon.
The point of the sermon was about walking our talk.
Most would agree that seventy five percent of good communications is skilled listening. I’m uneasy around people who talk endlessly. Beyond that, the speaker specifically addressed the damage that is caused by the tongue. That is particularly true in a time when a malicious accusation , impudent word, or rumor, is enough to pronounce guilt and affect ruin fueled by our righteous indignation, or a media circus.

The acronym “THINK” was used to provide a guide to monitoring our own words.
He advised that we apply the THINK principal - is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind?

One foolish woman actually shouted out, in puzzlement and void of embarrassment,
“Well, then I’d never have anything to say!"
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What was she thinking??? lol!

Think

Great food for thought.
I'm thinking about blogging on this one...
...and as long as we're thinking I'd add one more thought to the closing comment:
 
Life is a gift, Live it, Enjoy it, Learn from it, Celebrate it, And fulfill it
=)
Love and hugs!
Sister Parsons


Very powerful words!!!

Just "Think"

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him.

Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying. "Just take care of my eyes, dear."

This is how human the brain changes when the status changed.

Only few remember what life was before, and who's always been there even in the most painful situations.

Life Is A Gift

Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one Maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Life is a gift, Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, And fulfill it

Someone just sent this to me and I wanted to share it with you too....
Click here, on this link.... 1John 4:16
Then - just for fun, look up what that reference says in the scriptures.
Love to all who pass this way...
=)
Sister Parsons

Long time no posting!
It's a brave new year and I've a new calling, as councelor for the Primary program at my Branch.
I told the children, by way of introduction Sunday that I wasn't sure how much help I'd be as a councelor as one of the things I love is.... the sound of children's laughter!
Hehehee!
Happy, healthy and abundantly productive new year to you all.
Love,
Sister Parsons

Lesson
40

“Enlarge the Place of Thy Tent”

Isaiah 54-56; 63-65


Preparation:
1. Prayerfully study the passages from Isaiah: 54-56 and 63-65 discussed in the lesson




Picture a tent.
Consider the lowly tent stake and ask yourself the following questions:


○ Why does this tent need stakes?
○ What would happen if the tent were not supported by stakes?
○ What does the tent mentioned in Isaiah 54:2 represent? (the Church of Jesus Christ)
○ What do the tent stakes represent?

President Ezra Taft Benson said:
“The term stake is a symbolic expression. Picture in your mind a great tent held up by cords extended to many stakes that are firmly secured in the ground. The prophets likened latter-day Zion to a great tent encompassing the earth. That tent was supported by cords fastened to stakes. Those stakes, of course, are various geographical organizations spread out over the earth. Presently, Israel is being gathered to the various stakes of Zion”
--(“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991,2).

The first stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were organized in Kirtland, Ohio, and in Clay County, Missouri, in 1834. As the Church grew, more stakes were added as commanded by the Lord (D&C 101: 20-21), Today there are hundreds of stakes located throughout the world.

This lesson will discuss how we can strengthen the stakes of Zion. It will also discuss Isaiah’s powerful teachings about the Second Coming and the Millennium.

In reviewing the following scripture passages, think (ponder!) how they apply to daily life. You should feel free, encouraged even, to share experiences that relate to the scriptural principles – as you feel spiritually prompted to do so, be sure to post your comments, in review of this gospel doctrine lesson.

1. “Lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes” (Isaiah 54:2).
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○ What do you think is the meaning of the phrase “Enlarge the place of thy tent”? (Isaiah 54:2). (The Lord wants Church members to share the gospel with many people so it can cover the earth. Isaiah prophesied that in the latter days, the Church would grow rapidly and many people throughout the world would be converted to the truth. [Isaiah 54:3]).
○ What other counsel is given in Isaiah 54:3 regarding the tent, of Church?
.How can we follow this counsel?
.You may want to write your thoughts down for discussion with your family and friends...

Isaiah’s Counsel What we can do:
Stretch the tent curtains and Serve as full-time missionaries;
share the gospel
Lengthen the cords. With friends and neighbors.
Strengthen the tent stakes. Strengthen our local stakes.

○ What can we do to strengthen the stake in which we live? (Answers could include the following: Develop personal spiritual strength, influence our families and friends to do the same, serve our member and nonmember neighbors, and accept calls from priesthood leaders to serve in the Church.)
○ How can stakes bless people’s lives? (see D&C 115:5-6.)
.How are the stakes of Zion places of defense and refuge for us?

2. “With great mercies will I gather thee” (Isaiah 54:7).

○ Although Israel was scattered for many years, the Lord promised that he would gather her to the true Church in the last days (Isaiah 54:4-10).
What can we learn about the Lord in Isaiah 54:4-10?
What specific blessings does the Lord promise his righteous servants? (See Isaiah 54:13-14, 17.) Why are these promises important?

○ Who is invited to find refuge by gathering with the Saints? (All of Heavenly Father’s children.)

Review the following passages from Isaiah that describe groups of people whom the Lord wants to come to him and find safety in the gospel:
a. Isaiah 55:1-3 (All who thirst.) What kind of thirst is referred to in these verses?
What happens when we try to satisfy spiritual thirst by spending money and effort on temporal things?
How can our spiritual thirst be truly satisfied? (See 2 Nephi 9:50-51: 3 Nephi 20:8.)
b. Isaiah 55:6-7 (The wicked who will repent.) What promise is extended to those who repent?
c. Isaiah 56:3, 5-8. (Strangers who do not know the Lord.) What must the stranger do to be accepted by the Lord?

○ What do these passages teach about the mercy of the lord?
What do they teach about how we should view all of Heavenly Father’s children?
○ Isaiah wrote that God’s word can nourish our souls much like rain and snow nourish seeds (Isaiah 55:10-13).
How does God’s word nourish our souls? (See Alma 32:28, 41.)

3. The Millennium will be a time of peace and joy.

○ Throughout his writings, Isaiah testified that although there would be struggles, temptations, and suffering in this world, good would overcome evil in the end, and for the righteous, the future would be full of joy.
Isaiah prayed fervently for the Second Coming of the Savior, which would bring retribution for the wicked and great rejoicing for the righteous (Isaiah 64).
What message of hope and joy is contained in Isaiah 64:1-4?
How does this message increase your desire to endure to the end in serving the Lord?

○ The closing chapters of Isaiah’s record present a beautiful picture of the Millennium, the thousand-year period of peace that will be ushered in by the Savior’s Second Coming.
As recorded in Isaiah 65:17-25, what conditions will exist during the Millennium?

(You may want to list these conditions in your notes; see also Isaiah 11:6-9.)
a. The Lord will create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17).
b. There will be great joy and no more weeping for the Lord’s people (Isaiah 65:18-19)
c. People will not die young; they will live to be 100 years old (Isaiah 65:20).
d. People will enjoy the fruits of their own labors (Isaiah 65:21-23)
e. Prayers will be answered immediately (Isaiah 65:24).
f. There will be no enmity among beasts (Isaiah 65:25).

○ What does Isaiah 63:7-9 teach about infinite goodness and love of the Lord?
What words and phrases from these verses that show the Savior’s love for us?
You may want to write these in your notes
In what ways has the Savior shown you “the multitude of his lovingkindnesses”?

Conclusion
We so testify that as we strengthen the stakes of Zion and share the gospel with the world, the riches of eternity await us. We can look forward to the Second Coming of the Savior and the peace and joy that will exist during the Millennium. The prophecies of Isaiah encourage us to remember that it is a privilege to serve the Lord and that he blesses his disciples.

Additional Teaching Ideas for these chapter of Isaiah:

Material supplemental to the suggested outline, you may choose to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.

1. The true law of the fast (Isaiah 58:3-12)

○ What can we learn from Isaiah 58 about fasting?
What are the elements of a true fast? (See Isaiah 58:3-7.)
One element of a true fast is giving a generous fast offering.
President Spencer W. Kimball said, “I think that when we are affluent, as many of us are, that we ought to be very, very generous… and give, instead of the amount we saved by our tow meals of fasting, perhaps much, much more – then times more where we are in a position to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 184).

○ What blessings for living the law of the fast are promised in Isaiah 58?
a. We become stronger in resisting temptation (Isaiah 58:6).
b. Our burdens are lightened (Isaiah 58:6).
c. Our physical and spiritual health are improved (Isaiah 58:8).
d. We become humble and prepared to communicate with the Lord (Isaiah 58:9).
e. We assist the poor and the needy (Isaiah 58:10).
f. We received continual guidance form the Lord (Isaiah 58:11).
g. We have our souls satisfied in drought and become “like a spring of water, whose water fail not” (Isaiah 58:11).

Can you think of any examples from the scriptures, Church history, or personal experience that show the blessing of living the law of the fast. (See Topical Guide, “Fast, Fasting.”)

○ How can we become more diligent in living the law of the fast?

2. Description of the savior’s ministry

○ Isaiah 61: 1-3 is a declaration of the Savior’s calling and ministry. Early in his ministry in Nazareth, the Savior quoted these verses and said to the people, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:14-21). What do these verses teach about the character and mission of Jesus Christ?

3. Christ’s Second Coming (Isaiah 63:1-6)

○ The second Coming of the Savior is described in Isaiah 63:1-6. What color will the Savior’s robe be when he comes in his glory? (See Isaiah 63:2; Revelation 19:11-13 ; D&C 133:46-48.) What does the red color symbolize? (The blood that he shed when he suffered for our sins in Gethsemane and on the cross.)

Hello.
Welcome.
What better time than "All Saint's Day" to open up a blog for scripture study?
=)
Let's begin with a prayer:

"Oh God, the eternal Father - holy, holy, holy, loving, and providant art Thou.
I ask Thee, in the name of thy Son, to bless the hearts, minds, and homes of all those souls who should enter this space in time and technology - open our eyes of understanding, dear Lord, God.
Bless us, with Your spirit and the fruits of Your spirit, Lord.
Yea, Father, bless us, with every good gift according to Your will - and our abilities to receive them all.
Bless us, in our discernments.
Bless us, that we might ever be mindful, of Your will, and Your commands.
Bless us, that we may hold steadfast in application of these things into our daily lives.
Bless us, with purity in the desire of our hearts.
Bless us, that we may truly be as Your children, serving Thee well, in turn.
Bless us, in our learning and in our actions. That we may live - always and allways - with Your presence near, to bless and serve our fellow beings in kind and purposeful ways.
I pray unto Thee now, and in perfect brightness of hope - for what is yet to come, with love, with a humble gratitude and with all faith in Your Son, the Redeemer - Jesus Christ
Amen."
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Let us all embrace a loving spirit here, in this space......
- Sister Parsons