Reflections

 A few days ago I was at the library. We have a table there where people can drop off magazines that others can take for free to enjoy. As I browsed the contents, at first I didn't see much that interested me. Then my eye caught one that looked like a Christian magazine. Picking it up, I realized that it was a Latter-Day Saints ( Mormon ) one. Looking around, I saw that there were actually quite a few. Some were geared for adults, some for youth, one for children. I thought, " Hey, they might not believe the same as I do, but there might be some good articles in these. " I scooped up all of them. ( I know, kinda selfish...some I will probably return though. )
 I glanced through the children's magazine and one of the youth ones last night and am starting on another youth magazine today. Wow! I was really surprised. Apart from things like the Book of Mormon and how their church system is structured, there was a lot I agreed with. In fact, ever since last night, my heart has been rejoicing mightily. Not only did I agree with a lot of the material, a lot of it really spoke to me. There is a difference inside me already.
 Some of the things covered were: strengthening and keeping a good testimony, serving others, not getting caught up in worldly things ( be in the world, not of it ), forgiveness of sins, understanding grace, overcoming temptation and addictions, and so much more.
 One thing I remember off-hand that really stood out to me when they were discussing a newly revised book for Mormon youth was how God's standards have not changed, but the attacks of Satan have become more crafty and numerous and that was why they updated their book. So that today's youth could have help living up to God's unchanging standards against Satan's ever-changing attacks. There is more out there now to make one's faith and testimony waver than at any other time in history.
 Another thing that really made me think is how we tend to judge people who don't believe the same as we do. We make negative comments, jokes, and critisize ( even despise! ) those that have a different belief system, idea, or agenda than us. There is actually scripture about this. I never really took it in the spiritual sense before, but as I read my Bible last night, it jumped out at me.

 " Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not, and let him that eateth not judge him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. " Romans 14:1-4

 There is more to the chapter that is very good and continues on those same lines. While this can certainly pertain to what one prefers to eat in the natural sense, it is also typed in the spiritual, as all scripture is. Let us all be more aware of what we say and do and think. God is the Judge, not us. Everyone is at a different level. Let God deal with each of us as He sees fit. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit that leads and guides to ALL truth. God may use us to help someone see the error of their way, but we must deal with that person in love and with a Christ-like spirit. It can be hard to do! But pray. Above all else, prayer changes things when a situation seems impossible. Many times with a sincere prayer, God will move without us having to do or say a thing. That is so amazing! :)

God Bless!