…and Why I Wrote Them.
#10
I have always been inspired by the doctrine contained in Christmas carols. When I focus on the substance of those songs, I feel the Christmas spirit so much more deeply. A few years ago I started a series of posts about these messages and called it Christmas Carol Theology based on a phrase shared by Jeffrey R. Holland in one of his Christmas messages.
Christmas Carol Theology: Fitting Us for Heaven
The focus of Christmas is most often the infant Christ who carried the promise to change the world as a man. That change absolutely occurred; however, the most important change He came to offer was individual–one…
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This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my paternal step-grandfather who passed away in December 2021. He was my last living grandparent, three of whom died in 2021. These personal eulogies not only fall in my Top 10, they all fall into my Top 5 most read blog posts.
The Farm Was His Classroom
When I was about 7 or 8 years-old, my brother and I received a letter in the mail with a half a dozen or so hand drawn pictures of different adventures that were awaiting us on…
READ MORE#8
On Christmas Eve of 2024, I learned so much from the apparent devotion of a stranger in an unlikely place. It impacted me so much that I wrote down how it changed me.
The Rosary in the Sauna
Sometimes the most powerful lessons in faith come from unexpected places. A stranger’s quiet devotion in a crowded sauna challenged me to examine my own heart: How deeply do I yearn for God? Transformation rarely happens…
READ MORE#7
Nothing too profound here. I was just inspired one day while teaching Sunday School by a particular verse in the Book of Mormon about the symbolism of Jesus Christ as our shepherd.
The Shepherd Who Runs
We all wander. Sometimes we even run straight back into the problems we were just rescued from. But scripture offers a beautiful picture of what happens next. The Good Shepherd doesn’t simply wait for us to…
READ MORE#6
I wrote this post after hearing from several friends and loved ones over a short period that they felt as if they were not measuring up. Around the same time, I was inspired by the song “You Say” and wanted as many people as possible to hear it.
“Remind Me Who I Am”
The world has plenty to say about who we should be, how we should look, and what success should mean. Hear those messages long enough, and they can become our own. But perhaps the answer isn’t…
READ MORE#5
This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my paternal grandmother who passed away in February 2021.
The Day I Became a Great Cookie Baker
My grandma passed away this morning just a few months shy of her 97th birthday. She was a widow for almost 30 years. I’m glad she gets to be with my grandpa again, as well as…
READ MORE#4
This is a personal eulogy of sorts that I wrote in honor of my maternal grandmother who passed away in July 2021.
God Will Help Us through the Tight Spots
A river pilot, a sudden storm, and a quiet prayer offered miles away. This story reminds us that even the most experienced among us need help beyond our own strength and that God is present in…
READ MORE#3
When I was teaching seminary, we spent more than a few lessons on Lehi’s dream because of the depth of the message and the power it had on the students. This is one of a three part series.
Clinging vs. Continually Holding: The Rod in Lehi’s Dream
A rope swing taught me more than I expected about Lehi’s dream. There is a difference between grabbing hold and holding fast. One keeps you moving. The other gets you home. The distinction is more important…
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As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact us in all aspects of life, I felt strongly about following the council of our leaders. I became disheartened as I watched members of the church blatantly dismiss, disregard and disrespect the council in favor of their own understanding, opinions or political views.
#1
On a trip to Italy several years ago, I was inspired by the story of Michelangelo’s last work, left unfinished when he passed away. But more so, I was moved by a sonnet he wrote about his own conversion.
Michelangelo’s Greatest Work
When Stone Becomes Story 516 years ago this month, Michelangelo unveiled his commissioned work, David — one of the most recognized sculptures in the world and often celebrated as his greatest masterpiece. Even more impressive, Michelangelo…
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