So along with my last post on Words, I have another idea rolling around that I have always liked sharing, and thought I'd include on this page. Sometimes, words are hard to get out. Things in our mind can be there but not have materialized into reality yet. I want to talk about the concept of brainstorming, it's value, and how the lord can inspire us through our own thoughts.
There is great value in brainstorming. I love doing it. We as missionaries will brainstorm different teaching ideas, or things to say when we first meet people, or specific answers to questions we have posed often. In all cases, the brainstorm starts out a bit slow. We think of the same old things we always say. Then the ideas start getting a bit out there, crazy. There is so much value here though. As we start to get the words flowing, the bad ones come out, but it will get your mind cranking and eventually the truly good ideas come out. You have to start throwing out the crazy ones first, with the total understanding that you won't be using that idea. It's just a brainstorm. This is hard for people sometimes. We as humans get so possessive about our ideas. We don't want to admit it's a bad idea, we want to cling to ideas we have and pound them into the ground til they work. As we let the ideas flow, letting them be bad, then we don't care any more. Then the ideas can be flushed out, the old usual ones, then then crazy ones, then the good ones. It helps to write things down.
So why am I talking about this? I think we all have the potential to affect those around us. We can plan events, plan gifts for people, come up with all kinds of things that lift others. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. Sometimes we need fresh new ideas. Sometimes we're trying to overcome something, or trying to make a change in life, but can't seem to think of a way to do it. If we take the time to get out a pen and paper, let the ideas flow, especially with other people, we can come up with ideas that can be turned into real action. If you're trying to think of a good B-day present for mom. Start with flowers... card... balloons... dayspa... circus animals... airplane flying by... parachuters... firework show... tickets to a circus... day at a horse ranch... now the flowing is happening, and the good ideas started.
I know God can inspire our ideas. We have to do the work. The old adage, "God can help the guy who's out Pushing his car and praying, much more than the guy just sitting In his car praying." Sometimes that work can be in the form of pen, paper, and good brain flow. God can inspire. Brainstorming takes some effort, but if used well, God can inspire our actions. Try it next time your planning activity, or trying to help someone out, or trying to help yourself out. I know we have great potential if we give our self the chance to be inspired. I know that we can let things go, and move on to better things. Give it a try. Happy Brain Flowing!!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Words Without Number
I have many thoughts rolling around my head on Words. I want to share some of them on how we have power to control words, how God has used that power, and how we can use that power.
With a few simple words, I can direct your attention to something very specific. Watch: The angel Moroni on the Tokyo Temple has a fly on it's nose with one wing. Weird example, but with very few words, you now have your attention on the wing of a fly in Japan. My point is that we as humans have been given the gift of learning and understanding words, in whatever language, that can take our minds together to any place we choose to take it. There are volumes of written words all over the world that are impossible to read in this lifetime. It's hard to choose what to take the time to read, with the vast amount that you'll never get too. The power that words have to make us who we are is astounding. Written or spoken, words can brighten your mood, make you cry for joy, or the opposite. We can't control all of the words that we hear, but we can choose to bring certain words in or out of our life.
It's so amazing to me that words are the one tangible thing that God can give to us. We have those words because of chosen prophets and their learning. We have the ability to know what God has said to them, and what he still says. Think about it, these words have traveled from outer space, across who knows how many light years, to arrive in our hands, ears, and hearts. This is truly communication from the beyond this world. As pointed out by Neal A Maxwell in his book "Things as They Really Are," men are trying right now to send radio waves into space and hoping for a response, when we already have messages that have come and continually come to us right now.
Of course I'm alluding to the scriptures, General Conference, ensign, family proclimation, etc. The history of the bible is complex and amazing, but God has preserved those words for us. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a story for the ages, prophesied in both ancient America and Jerusalem. I have a growing understanding and appreciation for the power of those words and their origin. God loves us! He is reaching out to us in the way that can affect us the most. The power of those words can enlighten our souls and minds to truth. Think about it. TRUTH..... There is a reality, and God wants us to know it.
I love the power we have with words too. We have knowledge and understanding that deepens in us as we hear words and have experiences. We can share those words with those around us. We can choose to speak up. We can choose to send out good or bad words. Words are making reality out of our thoughts. Once you say something, it's out in the universe now. It's gone from a thought to real vibrations detectable to the world around you. As those words echo from or to us, there is power that can follow those words if they are true. That power is the Holy Ghost. He can be in those words, and he can carry those words to the hearts of the hearers (2 Ne 33:1). If the words, read or spoken, are truth, and the listener is in tune, the Holy Ghost can bear record of that. I know this is true. I have felt his presence in the words I've heard and read. I've felt the lack of his presence in words also. I've felt his presence in words I have spoken. I know the Holy Ghost is real!!!!
Words are all around us. We can choose to bring the best words into our life. I know that as we read from the words God has, and still does deliver to us, we will grow in our understanding and be guided. I know this life is a process. Our minds are continually being prepared to receive more and more words. We may hear words several times before they finally ring true. We may hear words ring true in a new way over and over as we change. I know that we as humans, use the words from God to grow and progress, the Holy Ghost will guide our Journey here. I know those words lead to happiness in this life, and eternal life in the world to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
http://lds.org/scriptures?lang=eng -Scriptures online
http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng - October 2011 Conference
With a few simple words, I can direct your attention to something very specific. Watch: The angel Moroni on the Tokyo Temple has a fly on it's nose with one wing. Weird example, but with very few words, you now have your attention on the wing of a fly in Japan. My point is that we as humans have been given the gift of learning and understanding words, in whatever language, that can take our minds together to any place we choose to take it. There are volumes of written words all over the world that are impossible to read in this lifetime. It's hard to choose what to take the time to read, with the vast amount that you'll never get too. The power that words have to make us who we are is astounding. Written or spoken, words can brighten your mood, make you cry for joy, or the opposite. We can't control all of the words that we hear, but we can choose to bring certain words in or out of our life.
It's so amazing to me that words are the one tangible thing that God can give to us. We have those words because of chosen prophets and their learning. We have the ability to know what God has said to them, and what he still says. Think about it, these words have traveled from outer space, across who knows how many light years, to arrive in our hands, ears, and hearts. This is truly communication from the beyond this world. As pointed out by Neal A Maxwell in his book "Things as They Really Are," men are trying right now to send radio waves into space and hoping for a response, when we already have messages that have come and continually come to us right now.
Of course I'm alluding to the scriptures, General Conference, ensign, family proclimation, etc. The history of the bible is complex and amazing, but God has preserved those words for us. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a story for the ages, prophesied in both ancient America and Jerusalem. I have a growing understanding and appreciation for the power of those words and their origin. God loves us! He is reaching out to us in the way that can affect us the most. The power of those words can enlighten our souls and minds to truth. Think about it. TRUTH..... There is a reality, and God wants us to know it.
I love the power we have with words too. We have knowledge and understanding that deepens in us as we hear words and have experiences. We can share those words with those around us. We can choose to speak up. We can choose to send out good or bad words. Words are making reality out of our thoughts. Once you say something, it's out in the universe now. It's gone from a thought to real vibrations detectable to the world around you. As those words echo from or to us, there is power that can follow those words if they are true. That power is the Holy Ghost. He can be in those words, and he can carry those words to the hearts of the hearers (2 Ne 33:1). If the words, read or spoken, are truth, and the listener is in tune, the Holy Ghost can bear record of that. I know this is true. I have felt his presence in the words I've heard and read. I've felt the lack of his presence in words also. I've felt his presence in words I have spoken. I know the Holy Ghost is real!!!!
Words are all around us. We can choose to bring the best words into our life. I know that as we read from the words God has, and still does deliver to us, we will grow in our understanding and be guided. I know this life is a process. Our minds are continually being prepared to receive more and more words. We may hear words several times before they finally ring true. We may hear words ring true in a new way over and over as we change. I know that we as humans, use the words from God to grow and progress, the Holy Ghost will guide our Journey here. I know those words lead to happiness in this life, and eternal life in the world to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
http://lds.org/scriptures?lang=eng -Scriptures online
http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng - October 2011 Conference
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