Romans 6

Again, I am writing for my New Testament class. Enjoy!

Before baptism can occur we must forsake our sins and not partake of it anymore. Baptism is in similitude of Christ’s life. The immersion represents death and coming up out of the water represents resurrection and newness of life. This is why we totally submerse our members in water when they are baptized. Water being sprinkled, wiped, or poured over someone does not capture the similarity of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and his rising on the third day. Romans 6:13 helps us to understand the newness of life that is received upon baptism. About halfway through the verse it says, “…but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

We serve those that we love, and we know whose servant we are by whom we obey. Romans 6:16 says, know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” The true source of freedom is through God granting us eternal life because we were obedient to him and were his servants.

Forgiveness

Here is my second religious post for the week! 

Forgiveness is something that we have to understand and be willing to implement in our lives if we hope to grow and become better each day. In 2 Corinthians chapter 2 the Corinthians were commanded to forgive each other “if any have caused grief.” In verse 7 it says, “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” It is hard to forgive others sometimes and at some point we will all have to forgive someone if we haven’t already, but if we fully forgive those who have wronged us we will be better off in the end. In Matthew 6:14-15 it says, “For is ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive your trespasses.” If we do our part by forgiving others, then when we ask our Father in heaven to forgive us he will do so. If we do not forgive than we will not be forgiven ourselves, and we will fall into Satan’s grasp because of the hardness of our hearts.

The Impact of Example

 Again, I am taking a New Testament religion class and I am posting thoughts to my blog that go with our lessons.

In 1 Corinthians 4:2 it says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” It is our responsibility to have faith in God. We must be a light to those around us that try to bring us down and we need to put all of our trust in the Lord. As we talk about being an example there is one example that we should all follow. This is the ultimate example, Jesus Christ. He is perfect and dwells with the father. In order to live as He did we must put aside our selfishness and try to serve others daily. We need to put our trust in the Lord so that His blessings might pour over us. In 1 Corinthians there is a specific group that was selected to be examples and they are the apostles. They have a duty to be exemplary of Christ in their day to day living, but so do we. Being a good example in every situation of our lives will help bring ourselves closer to our Father in Heaven as well as the people who watch our behavior.

                In the Book of Mormon, the book of Alma talks about how knowing that something is right and acting contrary to that is wrong. In verse 11 it says, “Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.” If you know that something is right, then you should not act contrarily. In 3 Nephi 8:1, which is also found in the Book of Mormon,  it talks about miracles that came about and how the person that performed the miracles was clean before God. The things that he was able to do came as additional blessings from God because he acted upon his faithfulness.

Camping at Redfish Lake!

Last week Hunter and I went camping at Redfish Lake with our friends Kaile, Cambria, and Brecken Myrick! We had so much fun! The lake water was crystal clear and the mountains were beautiful. It was FREEZING at night and HOT HOT HOT during the day. Since it was so hot we thought it would be a great idea to go play in the lake that was basically glacier runoff. IT WAS FREEZING! The water was so cold but we refused to be hot, sitting in the sun all day. Lucky for us we found Sunbeam Hot Springs! They were the coolest ones I've ever seen. The hot spring flowed into a river and there were huge rocks that enclosed the hot water. Since the river water was flowing in as well the water was the perfect temperature.

We all got sunburnt but I think I got it the worst. I woke up one day and my bottom lip was swollen. It looked like I got punched in the mouth. We found out later when my lips started to scab that it was because they were so burnt! What?! Thanks for nothing, sunscreen! Now I'm in recovery mode and I'm peeling like an onion!  Oh, and the best part is I wore sunglasses and now I have a raccoon face!

We had a great time and being able to take a break and relax was fantastic! We can't wait to go back!

If that face doesn't make you smile, then I don't know what will! Brecken was such a trooper!

The Acts of the Apostles Part 2

Attributes members have been counseled to improve on:

• Love for all mankind
• Abstain from fornication
• Study
• Keep to your own business and work
• Be sober and put on love, faith, hope, and salvation
• Edify one another
• Support the weak and be patient
• Rejoice evermore
• Pray
• Give thanks
• Quench not the spirit
• Despise not prophecies
• Hold fast to that which is good
• Abstain from the appearance of evil

1. I plan on improving in my study. I will accomplish this goal by properly preparing for this religion course, preparing for church lessons in advance, and continue my study of personal topics I have questions on. I will devote at least one hour a day to these tasks.
2. I will improve on my patience. I know that as I make this a goal, opportunities will abound, thats what happens when you ask for patience. It becomes acquired as I recognize what trials I am facing, and take a step back and breath as I overcome them.
3. The last virtue I will focus on is edifying one another. My husband had to drop this class for some personal reasons but I plan on teaching him the things he would have learned. This is important because as we talk about the gospel together, we can become enlightened together as well.

The Acts of the Apostles

I am taking a New Testament course at school and for a weekly assignment I will be writing some posts about what I am learning.

1.     1. Acts emphasizes many different things throughout the book. Here is a list of some of those things:

·         Missionary work by spreading God’s word

·         The future of Christ’s church

·         Saints are enriched by the words of Christ

·         Miracles are worked through the power of God

·         People are baptized

·         Gospel is taught by witnesses

·         Repentance is granted unto the Gentiles

·         The name “Christians” is used to describe disciples

·         The church grows!

2. Peter's happenings in Acts 2-5 and 8-10:

·         Testifies of Jesus’ resurrection

·         Preaches about salvation

·         Talks about the Holy Ghost

·         He and John heal a man who is lame

·         Preaches about repentance

·         Talks of the restoration of the gospel and the Second Coming

·         He and John are arrested

·         Testifies that salvation comes through Christ

·         He and John are arrested again and an angel rescues them

·         Testifies of Christ

·         He and John give the laying on  of hands so that the Holy Ghost might be received

·         Peter rebukes Simon for trying to buy the gift of the Holy Ghost

·         He heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas from the dead

·         He sees a vision and is commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles

·         He gets freed from prison again by an angel

Summer Fun!

Hunter and I started out our summer semester while I was on tour in Texas for Dance Alliance. It was a fun experience and I got to meet alot of really great people, while eating my weight in "good 'ole Texas barbeque".

The worst part was that it was over our 1 year Anniversary! How sad! So when I got back we went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to celebrate!

We had so much fun walking through all of the shops and eating a fun places. We ate at The Blue Lion and Hunter had the most delicious steak ever made! We had such a great time!

In May,  Heidi, Lauren, and I went to the greatest concert ever...Mindy Gledhill! :) We sat in the 3rd row and loved every minute of it, well Heidi and I did anyway haha...

Also in May, Cody and Anna got engaged! So, Anna and I had a girls day out and went wedding dress shopping!

June was filled with school, school, and more school! We have been having fun and trying to make it through the end of the semester.

July has brought us a Carlson Family 4th of July weekend so far, with the all-day grilling of a 30 pound pig! (Hunter's dream come true!) We are looking forward to the end of the semester so we can be outdoors more and soak up the summer sun!