His Is Risen

Of all the victories in human history, none is so great, none so universal in its effect, none so everlasting in its consequences as the victory of the crucified Lord who came forth in the Resurrection that first Easter morning.

Night of the Artists

Had the wonderful opportunity to conduct an art class on Tuesday for about 30 young women, ages 12 - 18, up at the church.  The class included a bit of art history, three challenging art projects and an art show of some of my work.  The projects included creating a masterpiece in the styles of three of the greats:  Michelangelo (this one was done overhead!), Van Gogh and Pollock.

My intend was to inspire and motivate the young women to create their own works of art.  I used the words of some of the masters to help get the message across:

Only God creates.  The rest of us just copy.

Michelangelo

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

Van  Gogh

My favorite, which is only too true:

All children are artists.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.  Picasso





Enjoy the scenes from the Night of the Artists:

The Worth of Souls is Great in the Eyes of God

To all of my YSA brothers and sisters ~ as promised below are the videos and highlights from last night's fireside. Hope you know how much I enjoyed meeting with YOU and look forward to being with you again in the future. Remember, the worth of YOUR soul is great in the eyes of God!

You and I are literally brothers and sisters with a loving Father in Heaven who sees within each of us our potential and capabilities. He loves us and He wants us to find joy in this life and the one to come.

Do you remember the divine truth of Alston's Awesome Allegory from the legend of the Last Supper painting above? CLING TO THE ROD ... lest you fall away.

I am a child of GOD ... and so are YOU!

HOPE you enjoy the videos again ...

When you consider the effect one person can have, it is no wonder that the Lord reminds us, "remember the worth of souls are great in the eyes of God." As President Monson says in the video below, you are always an example so be an influence for good.

The worth of each and every soul is great in the eyes of God ... what is the worth of others' souls to you?


What a wonderful and powerful lesson John Stephen Akhwari taught us ... endure to the end. Finsih the race; however, long and hard the road.

May each of us be like Paul and be able to say at life's end: "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" [2 Timothy 4:7~8].

Your soul is of great worth in the eyes of God. He hopes and others pray that you will endure to the end.


The world would have you believe that you are of worth only if you have money, a certain physical appearance, stylish clothes, or social position. The Gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on our looks or material possession. Part of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint is to know within your soul your eternal worth, who you really are, and why you are here on earth.

According to Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Too often we behave as if we were in massive competition with others for God's love. But we have His love, unconditionally and universally; it is our love of Him that remains to be proven" [Even As I Am, p. 63].

Remember, be a friend to the friendless and see others just as Jesus sees them as loving, caring brothers and sisters.


Derek Redmond's initial response to his untimely injury was, "...I hated the world, then I felt a hand on my shoulder... ." There is someone out there who needs to fell your hand on their shoulder. Will you be there for that person?

Recall the succint definition Alma offered of the covenant we make at baptism: "...as you are desirious to come into the fold of God, and to be called His people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light. Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort..." [Mosiah 18:8~9].

Do not withold your compassion and condemn others convincing yourself that those who suffer somehow deserve it for they have brought it upon themselves.


Never doubt that the worth of YOUR soul is great in the eyes of God ... remember, He allowed His only begotten Son to suffer and die that you might live.


Homework Reading Assignment: Matthew 11:28~30; Luke 15; and Doctrine & Covenants 18:10~11 and 13~16.

The Spirit of Christmas

Hard to believe another year has passed and Christmas is just a week away. I love the sights and sounds of Christmas as everyone seems just a bit happier, a bit nicer, kinder and more forgiving of others. If we could just maintain that spirit all year round we would all be happier.

I had the wonderful opportunity of joining my old friends from work yesterday for a Christmas luncheon ~ it was great seeing them all! The food was terrific, the singing outstanding, but the smiles ... oh how I love their smiles. Especially the smiles of the children as they sat upon Santa's lap (me) and shared their hopes, wishes and even a few secrets. I was especially impressed with Sierra who only asked for a new pair of boots for her Mom ~ wow!

To all of my family and friends ... amid the fun and festivities of Christmas, please do not forget the true meaning of Christmas. Hope you enjoy the tender videos below.

Lessons From the Children

The Savior's Birth

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Demand Improvement of Self

Retired life continues to teach me new lessons ~ perhaps the most important so far is that of patience AND, of course, old men like me should be more careful in riding their bicycles! I find myself being very frustrated these days as I seemingly accomplish less and less as I simply I reflect back upon my academic and professional career. I have recently realized that I am at that stage in life when I must redefine myself or else, as the scriptures have forewarned, my heart will fail me as it is so many others. I must endure.... The attached video is so inspiring. I am so thankful I have the Gospel in my life and Chris who remains my rock in all that I do.

As Elder Nelson says, I must demand inprovement in myself and so I will.

Endure

As a father and grandfather when I saw this video it brought a tear to my eyes thinking how many times I put my arm around our kids and grandkids. More importantly it makes me think how our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior put their spiritual arms around us to lift us up ...

Every Leaf a Flower...

Permanently affixed to my easel is this wonderful quote by Albert Camus: "Autumn is the second spring where every leaf is a flower." It is the time of year that I am most anxious to visit with the myriad of colors that abound and the crisp air that chills our cheeks ~ it is truly the most beautiful time of year.

Last Saturday, inspite of my injuries of the previous week - fell of my bike fracturing my right wrist and left elbow (old men should stick to their rocking chairs) - we could not wait to venture into those changing colors so Christine and I did the short hike to Eagle Lake which rises above Lake Tahoe. After the hike we drove over to Highway 50 and crossed over on Highway 89 to 88 where we always enjoy the fall colors. I think we were a bit too late as many of the trees had already dropped their leaves; nevertheless, it was a wonderful day just to get away .... just Christine and I ... sharing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the shore of Eagle Lake. We walked, we laughed and we had a great time.

I read these two wonderful quotes today which capture how I feel:

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

George Eliot

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Another painting in the making....