Feeling Resurrected

If you are Christian, you probably have a pretty good understanding and strong belief in resurrection.  After all, it was Jesus Christ who made it possible for all of us to be resurrected, our spirit and our body reunited again after death, in a glorified form, never again subject to the sickness and pain brought about because of the Fall of Adam and Eve.

But, have you ever actually thought about how it would feel like to be resurrected? Personally, I’ve never given it much thought. But I know people who think about it quite a bit. Even long for it. I’ve heard elderly people talk about how much they look forward to having a youthful body again. I’ve heard bald men mention that they will someday have their thick wavy hair back. I’ve listened to women commiserating about their wrinkles and varicose veins say throw in a comment about the perfect body they will someday have.

So just try to imagine for a moment what it will really FEEL like to suddenly have a perfected body. You could see with perfect vision. You could walk and run with agility. You could hear things that have long been silent to you. You would feel a strength and sureness of body that you might never have experienced before.

When you are suddenly able-bodied, you might be filled with a desire to try something that you have always felt too inadequate to try in the past. You would no longer feel self-conscience because you are too fat, or thin, or short, or misshapen, or feeble.

Can you imagine those feelings? Can you imagine how good that will feel?

Well, guess what.  Just as Jesus Christ enabled us to someday feel rejuvenated about our physical bodies, Jesus Christ has also made it possible to have those very same experiences in a very real, but spiritual, sense when he atoned for our sins.

The spiritual pains and defects from which we suffer can be taken away from us through repentance and coming unto Christ, just as surely as our physical pains will disappear at resurrection.

Yes, it would be nice to have perfect eyesight. Like many people, I am beginning to know what it feels like to have my eyes grow dim with age, to not be able to focus on things that used to clear. That’s a physical thing.

Unfortunately, I also know what it’s like to have my spiritual eyes dimmed by sin. To slowly lose focus of what is right. To be blinded by what the world has to offer.

And then I’ve also felt how repentance has brought my life into focus and I’ve experienced being able to see and understand spiritual things in with a new clarity, like putting on eyeglasses for the first time.

Maybe your hearing isn’t as good as it once was. And it’s not Just that things aren’t loud enough. It’s that you just can’t hear certain tones anymore. Or some peoples’ voices sound like mumbles. Again, physical problems.

I’ve had years of pride take away my ability to hear the spirit, to hear the love and concern in the voice of my brothers and sisters who wanted to be there for me.
And I can testify of the way repentance allows me to begin hearing my Father in Heaven’s voice all around me. In acts of service, in the beauty of nature, and in answers to my prayers.

You might know what it is like to feel weak. Maybe you see others lifting things that you can’t, or opening jars that you can’t budge.

I know what it feels like to be spiritually weak. I’ve avoided the fellowship of church folk because I didn’t feel like I belonged among righteous people. I’ve felt like my prayers were bouncing off the ceiling and were never heard.

But listen to me, the Atonement has allowed me to feel spiritually strong and close to my Father in Heaven. I have felt the strength of my Priesthood as I worthily gave blessings of healing and comfort that have left me physically drained but quickened by the Holy Spirit.

You know that feeling you imagined earlier of wanting to try new and difficult things with your resurrected body? I have felt that same way when I allow the love of God into my life. I know that when I allow the atonement to work in my life, I have the desire to try things that I’ve felt inadequate to try in the past. I don’t feel as afraid to fellowship a new family at church. I feel more comfortable talking about spiritual things and blessing the lives of others.

No, I’m not any more perfect than I was when I turned my back on God. But I feel reborn. And I am learning to allow myself to feel God’s love for me. Christians aren’t perfect, but they are forgiven. And there is a change that comes over you when you feel that.

Since I’m on the subject of imperfect people, I’ll share with you an experience I had a few weeks ago. I was having lunch with a cousin who hasn’t attended church in decades. The subject of religion came up in the conversation as I was talking to him about what keeps me busy.

When he was young, he had been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He knew their standards and recognized how many of them didn’t follow them. He said, “I just can’t stand all the hypocrites in church. I remember there were people in my ward who smoked during the week. There were alcoholics. Some of them were hateful and dishonest people. If you are going to do those things, you shouldn’t go to church.”

My reply to him was the same thing I say to everyone who uses other people’s weaknesses as an excuse to not follow God. It’s a response that I’ve developed through years of my own struggles with imperfection. I said, “So by your reasoning, nobody should ever join a gym unless they are in perfect shape. Fat people shouldn’t go to the gym until they are thin. Weak people shouldn’t go to the gym until they have big muscles.”

My friends, Church is our Spiritual Gym. If you are weak and out of shape, this is the place for you. Jesus Christ has atoned for you. Don’t wait another day before you come to him and let him make you stronger.

No matter where you are in your progression, no matter if you are wallowing in the filth of the world, you can lift your dirty hand out to the Lord and he will lift you and make you clean.

In the January 2014 issue of the Ensign magazine, Deiter F. Uchtdorf wrote:

“At times in my life I have spent sleepless nights grappling with issues, worries, or personal sorrows. But no matter how dark the night, I am always encouraged by this thought: in the morning the sun will rise. With every new day, a new dawn comes—not only for the earth but also for us. And with a new day comes a new start—a chance to begin again.”

Now, There might be a few people reading this who have been working out for years in your little gym called Church. You feel like you are spiritually strong. You have made a lot of progress. You should be proud of how far you have progressed!

However, now is not the time to look around in contempt at all of us out-of-shape people, us weaklings, those of us with disabilities. It isn’t time for you to shake your head and question why we are so slow in our own progression.

Now is the time for you to become a personal trainer. Now is the time to help us, and show us, and teach us.

If nothing else, please be that voice that calls out, “you can do it!” while we struggle.

In the May 2014 issue of Ensign Magazine, David A. Bednar testified:

The Savior has suffered not just for our sins and iniquities—but also for our physical pains and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, our fears and frustrations, our disappointments and discouragement, our regrets and remorse, our despair and desperation, the injustices and inequities we experience, and the emotional distresses that beset us. The Son of God can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power.

I promise you that someday you will enjoy the blessings of a perfected body because Jesus Christ prepared the way for you to be resurrected. And I know that you look forward to the celebrating you will do that day.

But I also promise you that right now you can begin the process of becoming perfected in Christ. Following the Savior will bring a joyful celebration to your soul as you come unto him and you will feel spiritually renewed and strong in a way that transcends the physical limitations of your mortal body.

That Can’t Possibly Help My Addiction — Part Two — Positive Affirmations

Preface:

Every once in a while, someone in a 12-step meeting will confidently testify of a treatment for addiction — something that changed their life and gives them power to get through another day.  My first reaction to these suggestions is almost always a cynical one.  Come on, it can’t be that simple!  However, I am learning to not discount the effectiveness of something just because it doesn't make sense.   I started trying some of these crazy ideas and discovered that they actually worked!  I’ve decided to make a series of blog posts about a few of these counter-intuitive actions that make recovery a reality.

Positive Affirmations

The whole concept of trying to change your life by repeating positive statements about yourself seemed like a joke to me.  Admittedly, my opinion was probably shaped a great deal by Stuart Smalley, the effeminate Saturday Night Live character created by Al Franken in the 1990's, who was a a member of many twelve-step groups and stands in front of the mirror in his powder blue sweater chanting, " I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone It, people like me!

It all seemed so wimpy and New Age.  I could hardly even entertain the idea of actually trying it.  But then someone explained it to me in a way that rang true in my mind.  He pointed out the fact that almost since birth, everyone around me has told me what and who I am.  "You are adopted."  "You are fat."  "You suck at math."  "Your handwriting is terrible."  "You shouldn't try that because people will laugh at you."  "Nobody is as good a helper as you are."  "You should stick with what you are good at."

It didn't take long before the YOU turned into an I and my inner voice was defined and my self-image took shape.  This wasn't anything sinister or planned on the part of those other people.  It's just a part of growing up.  And some of us are more susceptible than others to these external voices around us.  

So doesn't it make sense to keep reminding yourself of the person you want to be?  Shouldn't we at least try to counter balance the external voices that have bombarded us on a daily basis since we were old enough to understand?  This is where positive affirmations come in.  And here is the amazing part:  They actually work!  And they start to work almost immediately!

So how do you make your own affirmations?  It's not rocket science.  First, decide what areas of your life you want to improve.  In the case of addiction, you want to improve the parts of your life that LED to the addiction.  Get to the roots of the problem.  Remember, addiction is a symptom of other underlying issues. 

Next, write out a few positive statements for each of the areas you want to work on. Your statements should be short, positive, and in the 1st person present tense.  And keep your list small -- work on a few at a time.  Affirmations are most effective when they are few and repeated often.   Remember to focus on the goal, not where you are now.

For example, if you have a sexual addiction that developed because of your need to feel loved and accepted, your affirmation would not be, "I am not a sexual addict."  It might look something like:

"I am more than enough."  "I fully accept who I am."  "Other people enjoy being around me."

It's that simple.   Don't fall into the trap of thinking that it's prideful to make these statements about yourself.  These are worthy goals and eternal truths.  You are only helping yourself become convinced of their reality.

My list of affirmations changes and adapts.  I add affirmations and remove them, depending on my current need.  But but some of the more important ones, never leave the list.  My list of affirmations that don't change are as follows:

I choose my behavior
I am a Child of God with infinite worth.
I am always taken care of.
God loves me and accepts me.
I am always more than enough.
The worth of my soul is great.
I now fully accept myself.
My body is now in perfect balance.
I am always healthy and strong.
Everything I touch prospers.
Other people feel their worth when they are in my presence.
Everything works together for my good.
I don’t fear, because God is protecting me.
I choose my actions based on long-term prosperity.
My Spirit and my Physical body are in tune and in perfect sync.
I enjoy physical activity
I eat only when my body needs nourishment.

Okay, okay, I am fully aware that I am not as far down the road of accomplishing some of these as I should be.  That's why I they are on my list.  Some of them are simply factual statements that I need to be reminded of on a daily basis because I tend to forget them, and when I do, my life goes to hell.

So now that you have a few affirmations, how do you get them into your head?  There are many ways that people choose to do it.  Most of them aren't something I could keep doing on a consistent basis.  

1. Stand in front of a mirror and repeat the affirmations to yourself.  (Too much like Stuart Smalley.  I know myself well enough to know I wouldn't do this.)

2. Write them down several times a day while repeating them in your mind.  (Way too much work for me.  I know I would give up after a couple of days.)

3. Subliminal recordings.  (I'm just not sold on this method for me.  I wanted something I could do myself and something that I could focus on with my conscious mind as well.)

I knew I needed a way to get these thoughts into my head without having to put in much daily effort.  That's just me.  

Years ago, I learned that classical music (especially Baroque music) stimulates the brain.  When I was in high school, I would sometimes play Handel while I studied for a test, in hopes that it would help the knowledge to sink into my brain.  I decided to use music to help me with my affirmations.

I simply recorded myself saying my affirmations clearly and slowly.  Then I looped them to repeat over and over again for 15 minutes.  Then I added a background of Bach and Handel.   So I have an MP3 that I can listen to each night as I fall asleep, because it's believed that the human mind is most accepting of affirmations when it is at rest.  Sometimes I listen to it first thing in the morning, as well.  I also burned it onto a CD and sometimes I listen to it in the car.  

I can tell a difference in my attitude, confidence, and choices when I listen do my affirmations on a regular basis.  It's just another one of those wacky things that has to be tried to be understood.  

Change your thinking and change yourself.

Below is a list of affirmations that I like.  Maybe they will inspire your own affirmations.  Good luck!

• I feel God’s love for me each hour. 
• I trust him and I walk in confidence through life, knowing that he protects me. 
• I trust that everything that happens to me is for my good and long-term happiness. 
• My relationship with God is very trusting. 
• I know that He loves me and desires my happiness. 
• I am directed each day through the spirit as I seek His guidance in my life. 
• I clearly see and recognize God's hand in my life as I take time to listen and be still.
• It feels good receive promptings and be an instrument in the Hand of the Lord. 
• I feel peace and confidence knowing that God is with me each day.
• My relationship with God grows as I have meaningful daily prayers and scripture study. 
• I talk with God as a friend and take time to listen for answers as I seek His guidance. 
• I feel uplifted, peaceful and strengthened after I pray.
• I receive answers to my questions and inspiration for others as I search the scriptures. 
• I take time to apply what I read into my life. 
• I receive instructions from God continually for me and for those in my stewardship.
• I live righteously enough to receive those messages when they come.
• I see people's lives blessed and my life blessed as well
• I am always inspired in the council I give to others.
• God puts me in the right place at the right time.
• I ask God for what I need. He freely blesses me.
• I know my prayers are heard.
• I expect to receive inspiration
• I take opportunities to ponder and meditate each day
• I am still and know God
• I experience now in this moment how it feels to have this connection
• I see myself taking steps to connect with God
• I am filled with his love
• I see myself as God sees me
• I am always aware of the help that surrounds me
• I am a valiant son of God. 
• I have great faith in Jesus Christ. 
• My faith guides me every day. 
• I am calm and steady throughout my life, no matter what is going on around me. 
• I am an example to others. 
• I find joy in obeying the commandments. 
• I am confident with who I am, and how I live my life.
• I have a kind and sensitive heart and genuine desire to help others in need. 
• I am creative.
• God expects me to be a creator of things.
• I am excited to try new things.
• I experiment with new ideas and techniques. 
• I am artistic.
• I love meeting new people and I am a friend to those around me. 
• I'm a positive person who looks for the good in everyone.
• I respect myself.
• I take care of my physical, emotional and spiritual needs so I am at my best
• Others feel better about themselves and uplifted after being in my presence
• I treat others with kindness and love.
• I am calm and steady in the direction I'm going
• All things work out for my good.
• I connect with my higher self and learn from his wisdom.
• My relationship with my wife, family and friends is one of love, respect and support. 
• People feel and know the love I have for them through my words and actions.
• I have balanced relationships.
• I give great service to others
• I experience connection, camaraderie and fulfillment as I support them and they support me.
• I contact my friends often.
• I enjoy having friendships.
• I am a supportive husband. 
• My wife’s callings are also mine.
• I respect others for who they are.
• I take time to savor my relationships.
• I am a good listener.
• I don’t try to “fix” other people or change them to suit my needs.
• My outside reflects the inside.
• I have an abundance of energy.
• My body and mind are renewed each morning. 
• I enjoy starting my day by waking up early in the morning feeling rested and clear .
• My body is in complete harmony physically, both inside and out.
• I am in tune with my body. 
• My body tells me what kind of nutrition, exercise or rest it needs. 
• I take time to listen to my body.
• I am attracted to the foods that help my body perform at a higher level.
• I feel great!
• I eat small meals, several times a day.
• I eat when I am hungry.
• My body is attracted to foods that serve me
• I am always healthy and strong
• My body is now in perfect balance
• I experience myself doing the work of keeping my body strong
• There is harmony and balance in all of my systems
• I'm attracted to foods that allow my body to function at the highest levels
• There is a bounce in my step
• I take time to experience health
• I experience vibrant athletic energy
• I regularly exercise my body
• I listen to my body and take care of its needs
• My body regulates itself and works to be at my proper weight.
• My body has perfect balance.
• I live debt free.
• I am in alignment with the spiritual laws of abundance
• I have more than I will ever need.
• I have more than enough to store away.
• I have enough to share with others.
• I live in a home that is paid for.
• I always have more than enough
• I spend my time and talents doing the most important things for my purpose
• I trust that God will always provide for me, so I share freely and I know it always comes back to me 100 fold.
• I Experience how it feels to have everything paid for, and several years of resources available.
• I Experience how it is to have such abundance and tranquility in my life.
• I Experience financial power and the ability to enact my vision
• Our house has room enough to welcome others in need. 
• I feel secure because I know I have enough money to live on for years.
• I have skills that make me very profitable. 
• I have investments and businesses that continually provide a generous income. 
• I am my own boss. 
• I pay my tithes and offerings with gladness and gratitude. 
• My prosperity prospers others. Their prosperity prospers me.
• I constantly find ways to help people. 
• I leave everything more beautiful than I found it. 
• I make the world a better place.
• I know that I deserve love and I accept it now.
• I give out love and it is returned to me multiplied

Lessons Learned From A Leaky Roof

My wife and I have been struggling with something for a while. Our roof is leaking and we don’t have $8000 for a new roof. We have been praying and praying that Heavenly Father would help us.

Last Winter the water was beginning to damage our ceilings and sheet rock. So why didn't I just get up there and patch it?  Well, I had never been up on a roof in my entire life. Fat kids don’t get on roofs. Fat teenagers don’t get on roofs. And Fat old men definitely don’t get on roofs.  The thought of getting up there terrified me.  I just knew the roof would cave in, or I could take a bad step, resulting in death or a long and painful injury.  

I had talked to several people at church about our problem, hoping that someone would offer some advice, or even offer to help me patch the roof, but no one did. I felt utterly helpless.  I couldn't understand why my prayers weren't being answered.

Finally, it got to the point where something had to be done.  Inching my way up the ladder took everything I had, but I finally made it onto the roof and put a tarp over the area that was leaking.  I secured it with boards.  I was shaking with fear as I came down the latter, but I was so glad that I had done it.  That night, a big windstorm came up and ripped down the tarp. I went off by myself and cried.

Then I had an impression. I needed to go to Home Depot and figure out what I needed to patch the roof myself.  I'd never done roofing before, so I was clueless.  I remember my wife praying that night in our family prayer that I would be guided in figuring out how to repair the roof and that my hand would be guided as I worked.

I took 3 gallons of roof tar and headed up on the roof.  I was worried that if I fell, there would be no one to call 911 because my wife was at work.  I tried to get someone to come over, just to be here in case something happened, but everyone was busy. So I was on my own.

I told my wife to call me every hour on my cell phone, just to make sure I was still alive.

While I was up there, I could feel my mind being enlightened as to how to fix the problems. I could suddenly see areas that needed fixing that I hadn't seen before.  In fact, I hadn't even known what to look for until I was up there.

When I was done, standing up there on my roof looking around at what I had accomplished, I suddenly knew why I had to do this alone.  The Lord had to show me what I can do. I needed to learn that I could reach beyond what I thought were my limitations.  I needed to learn that I can do hard things.  I CAN DO HARD THINGS.  

Some folks may think this is silly, but I'd never felt more like a man than I did at that moment.  I felt so alive.

Our roof had no more leaks that year.   I thanked God for giving me the precise experiences and trials that I needed to learn and grow in faith.

But apparently, I still had lessons to learn.  And since the leaky roof proved to be a good teaching vehicle in the past, Heavenly Father decided to use it again.

Yesterday, I noticed a brown spot on our ceiling.  We had another leak.  But I knew from past experience that I can do hard things.  Heavenly Father taught me I can patch the roof. I checked the weather report and saw that a storm was coming in today.  

So I went back to Home Depot and got another 3-gallon bucket of patching tar.   I came home and said a prayer asking for help, similar to the prayer my wife had offered last year.

As I made my way up the latter, it began to rain.  Hard.  

Why wasn't God helping me?  Why didn't he answer my prayer?  I was feeling abandoned and alone as thunder cracked in the sky.

And then I realized something.  As the rain steamed down the roof, I could see the areas that needed to be patched.  I followed the water paths and discovered the places that puddled.  Had it not been raining, I never would have been able to find the problems.

I sat there on the roof, cold and soaking wet, and thanked my Father in Heaven for making it rain.  I asked His forgiveness for doubting Him. 

I know that to find happiness I must turn my entire life over to God.  As I do so, I am amazed to find Him patient and accepting of my faltering efforts.