Stephenson Family Ties The Barn Burnt Down
And Now I See The Moon

SUNDAY REFLECTIONS

After all, in her cosmology, this life is boot camp. If you dont
 persevere through all its obstacles and all the wounds that it
 inflicts, you cannot move on to your next life of high adventure,
which she calls 'service,' or eventually to your third life, which
 she assumes will be filled with pleasures and glories far
 greater even than a bowl of coconut cherry chocolate chunk.
from: Odd Thomas
by: Dean Koontz

Instead of longing for a Koi  / turtle pond or for my grandkids or for life as it used to be...
Instead of wishing for that white picket fence around a home, or for Orderville Canyon to be in my back yard once again...
Instead of wishing for the beach, or the good company of a particular Young Woman from St George...
I should be pleading for a 'reboot' or attitude adjustment instead. Im praying that I can put my worldly desires aside and refocus on what's truly important.  My new 'job' at church will definitely help me fulfill this goal. My stewardship is vast and overwhelming...but I think Im going to like the challenge and the change of pace.  This week Im already out caring for those that mourn..and for the down trodden.  I know Im not supposed to expect anything in return for these 'services'..but in a way I do expect something..I expect to succeed in changing my heart.  We all know that serving others is the best way to forget oneself.  That is my goal and desire.


More holiness give me, more strivings within.


More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.



More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.
Text and music: Philip Paul Bliss, 1838–1876


 So, my good friends, thats what I got today and Im stick'in with it!

Break not my commandments for to save your lives;

for whosoever will save his life in this world, shall
lose it in the world to come.
And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my 
sake, shall find it in the world to come.
Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls;
for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole
world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man
give in exchange for his soul?
Matt 16: 10-14

1 comment:

Jared + Carly Reid said...

You are incredible, Aunt Cindy! Your words touched me. Love you.