Josephus was not a Christian. He was not a follower of Christ. He was merely a historian who wrote things down. It is this fact, that he did not know Jesus as I know Him, that makes the above statement even more powerful. Truth is truth.
Showing posts with label the Savior. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Savior. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Josephus and I: An Intellectual's Account
"Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call Him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works -- a teacher of such men who receive the truth with pleasure. He drew unto Him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned Him to the cross, those that loved Him at the first did not forsake Him, for He appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these ten thousand other wonderful things concerning Him; and the tribe of Christians, so named for Him, are not extinct at this day." -Josephus Antiquities 18.63-64
Josephus was not a Christian. He was not a follower of Christ. He was merely a historian who wrote things down. It is this fact, that he did not know Jesus as I know Him, that makes the above statement even more powerful. Truth is truth.
Josephus was not a Christian. He was not a follower of Christ. He was merely a historian who wrote things down. It is this fact, that he did not know Jesus as I know Him, that makes the above statement even more powerful. Truth is truth.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
What Christmas Means
When I think of the birth of Christ, I think of what Him coming to this earth meant. It meant freedom. It meant love. It meant eternal joy for all of us.
Although some may label this as an Easter poem, it also makes me think of Christmas.
Although some may label this as an Easter poem, it also makes me think of Christmas.
Empty Linen
by Emily HarrisThe linen which once held Him is empty.
It lies there,
Fresh and white and clean.
The door stands opened.
The stone is rolled away,
And I can almost hear the angels singing His praises.
Linen cannot hold Him.
Stone cannot hold Him.
The words echo through the empty limestone chamber,
“He is not here.”
The linen which once held Him is now empty.
It lies there,
Fresh and white and clean
And oh, hallelujah, it is empty.
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 16, 2011
In the Name of Love
(I borrowed this from NieNie, today is her 11th Wedding Anniversary)
Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
Louis De Bernieres
This is something I learned this semester, Fall 2011. Partly from my marriage class, partly from watching my parents, and partly from me myself just learning.
In my marriage class, we compared a marriage to the story of Christ as a shepherd, leaving the ninety and nine to find the one. My professor (who is a knock your socks off professor, I wish I could major in marriage prep just so I can only take his classes) taught us that in marriage, both spouses are the shepherd for each other, continually seeking out the one. Even when you're grumpy, or tired, or annoyed, or they have hurt you, they are still your one, and you are still their shepherd. That is love.
My parents are so lovely. Its hard for me to talk or type about them because I get emotional. They will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary a few days after Christmas. I'm so thankful for their love. I'm so thankful for their selflessness. I'm thankful for times to laugh. I'm thankful for eternal families.
Now me. I've learned a lot about love this semester, particularly how the Savior loves me. Sometimes, its very hard for me to believe that He loves me free of charge. I often feel that I have to qualify, or 'earn' it. It's already mine. I can't earn it, and I can't take it away. I am loved. I am the one, and He will continually come after me when I stray. He will help me on the tests I am unready for, He will help me give the lesson I prepared the night before, He will bless me in every moment. He only asks me to try.
I am still learning. But I know that this season is about Love. God is Love. Love is Joy. Joy is Eternal.
Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.
Louis De Bernieres
This is something I learned this semester, Fall 2011. Partly from my marriage class, partly from watching my parents, and partly from me myself just learning.
In my marriage class, we compared a marriage to the story of Christ as a shepherd, leaving the ninety and nine to find the one. My professor (who is a knock your socks off professor, I wish I could major in marriage prep just so I can only take his classes) taught us that in marriage, both spouses are the shepherd for each other, continually seeking out the one. Even when you're grumpy, or tired, or annoyed, or they have hurt you, they are still your one, and you are still their shepherd. That is love.
My parents are so lovely. Its hard for me to talk or type about them because I get emotional. They will celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary a few days after Christmas. I'm so thankful for their love. I'm so thankful for their selflessness. I'm thankful for times to laugh. I'm thankful for eternal families.
Now me. I've learned a lot about love this semester, particularly how the Savior loves me. Sometimes, its very hard for me to believe that He loves me free of charge. I often feel that I have to qualify, or 'earn' it. It's already mine. I can't earn it, and I can't take it away. I am loved. I am the one, and He will continually come after me when I stray. He will help me on the tests I am unready for, He will help me give the lesson I prepared the night before, He will bless me in every moment. He only asks me to try.
I am still learning. But I know that this season is about Love. God is Love. Love is Joy. Joy is Eternal.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Advocate
D&C 38:4 “I say, even as many as have believed in my name, for I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them.”
This past summer I had a job which gave me a whole new insight and understanding into the meaning of the word “advocate.”
I worked as a CNA, Certified Nurses Assistant, in a Rehab and Acute care center. One of my first patients was a woman younger than my mom who has been paralyzed from the neck down for the past 8 years from a tragic car accident. She was pregnant at the time of the crash. Luckily, her son lived, but he and his three older sisters are being raised by their grandparents and don’t visit my patient often. She is very particular about the way she likes things done, and because she can only operate her mouth, this makes her very demanding. When I first cared for her, I didn’t do something the way she wanted it and she snapped at me. I took it personally and hoped to never work with her again.
Then, I started thinking about her and her situation. All of the other CNA’s talked behind her back and groaned about being assigned to her room. They would neglect to answer her call light because they knew whatever she wanted would be picky and time consuming. I decided I was going to be different. I decided to love her with everything I had. I would fight her battles for her, because she has a body that cannot. I asked the management if they would please assign me to her room every day, so that I could be her advocate, get her what she needed and how she wanted it, and defend her to the other staff. I became the master at her particulars, and she and I became very close friends.
This is the way the Savior is. He knows we’re prickly and difficult. He knows who is talking behind our backs and who dislikes us. He knows our abilities. He has felt our pain and sorrow, happiness and joy, sin and mistakes. He is our advocate with the Father. He fights our battles for us. I love Him.
This past summer I had a job which gave me a whole new insight and understanding into the meaning of the word “advocate.”
I worked as a CNA, Certified Nurses Assistant, in a Rehab and Acute care center. One of my first patients was a woman younger than my mom who has been paralyzed from the neck down for the past 8 years from a tragic car accident. She was pregnant at the time of the crash. Luckily, her son lived, but he and his three older sisters are being raised by their grandparents and don’t visit my patient often. She is very particular about the way she likes things done, and because she can only operate her mouth, this makes her very demanding. When I first cared for her, I didn’t do something the way she wanted it and she snapped at me. I took it personally and hoped to never work with her again.
Then, I started thinking about her and her situation. All of the other CNA’s talked behind her back and groaned about being assigned to her room. They would neglect to answer her call light because they knew whatever she wanted would be picky and time consuming. I decided I was going to be different. I decided to love her with everything I had. I would fight her battles for her, because she has a body that cannot. I asked the management if they would please assign me to her room every day, so that I could be her advocate, get her what she needed and how she wanted it, and defend her to the other staff. I became the master at her particulars, and she and I became very close friends.
This is the way the Savior is. He knows we’re prickly and difficult. He knows who is talking behind our backs and who dislikes us. He knows our abilities. He has felt our pain and sorrow, happiness and joy, sin and mistakes. He is our advocate with the Father. He fights our battles for us. I love Him.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I Cried At Work
For those of you unfamiliar with BYU, there is a devotional held in the Marriott Center (Basketball stadium) every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Because I work 9-1 and the time it would take to run up to the Marriott Center and then back down to the Law School is unrealistic, we watch the live devotional stream from BYUtv.
Today, President Monson came to speak. HUGE deal. We normally get one of our own professors. He gave a beautiful talk about being a light and an example, but the last story he told was what got to me. I tried to find the actual thing word for word, but no one has posted it yet so here is my recollection:
When President Monson was a mission president in East Canada, he had a young missionary in his care who had fallen sick and had to have a serious operation. The missionary's parents were called and flew out for the operation, because the doctors said his chances of living through it were slim.
The young missionary was staying in a hospital ward with six beds, his bed being number 3. The morning of the operation, the nurse came in with a tray of breakfast and approached the first bed. "No thank you," said the patient "I'm not feeling very hungry this morning."
She went to the next bed, got the same answer. After receiving five answers of "not hungry" she threw up her hands in frustration and asked the patients how they were supposed to get better if they wouldn't eat.
The patient in bed number six pointed at the empty bed number 3. "This Elder is our friend. He has laid in that bed teaching us the principles of his gospel, of prayer and repentance and forgiveness and fasting. We are fasting for our friend today."
The operation was extremely successful, and the young missionary was able to return to his service.
I testify that fasting works. I have seen it heal and protect and comfort and strengthen. I testify of Jesus Christ, who is the Light I strive to emulate and stand as a witness of every day. I know He lives, I know it better than I know that the sun will rise in the morning. And I testify of these things in His sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Today, President Monson came to speak. HUGE deal. We normally get one of our own professors. He gave a beautiful talk about being a light and an example, but the last story he told was what got to me. I tried to find the actual thing word for word, but no one has posted it yet so here is my recollection:
When President Monson was a mission president in East Canada, he had a young missionary in his care who had fallen sick and had to have a serious operation. The missionary's parents were called and flew out for the operation, because the doctors said his chances of living through it were slim.
The young missionary was staying in a hospital ward with six beds, his bed being number 3. The morning of the operation, the nurse came in with a tray of breakfast and approached the first bed. "No thank you," said the patient "I'm not feeling very hungry this morning."
She went to the next bed, got the same answer. After receiving five answers of "not hungry" she threw up her hands in frustration and asked the patients how they were supposed to get better if they wouldn't eat.
The patient in bed number six pointed at the empty bed number 3. "This Elder is our friend. He has laid in that bed teaching us the principles of his gospel, of prayer and repentance and forgiveness and fasting. We are fasting for our friend today."
The operation was extremely successful, and the young missionary was able to return to his service.
I testify that fasting works. I have seen it heal and protect and comfort and strengthen. I testify of Jesus Christ, who is the Light I strive to emulate and stand as a witness of every day. I know He lives, I know it better than I know that the sun will rise in the morning. And I testify of these things in His sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Some things I Love
Emilie.
I love Emilie. I love going to the Library and Walmart at 11:00 p.m. and almost buying adult size footie pajamas (PLEASE can we go back and buy some?!). I love how last night I was doing the whole pre-bedtime face washing/teeth brushing routine and she was sitting on her bed watching and all of a sudden she started singing (in the MOST adorable voice) "Giiiiiive meeeee yourrrrr PAAAAAAANTS!!!!" Clearly, she likes my pants. (Who wouldn't, right? They were the black silky Puma sweats I've been wearing since junior year of high school)
The Dentist.
Okay that was a lie, but I love that he made my smile pretty yesterday. Once upon a time in 9th grade, I ran into a glass door just like the crows in those Windex commercials and chipped the bottom half off of my front tooth. I went and had it fixed that day, but it wasn't very well done and it's been slowly chipping off again and it was never quite right and I would always see it in pictures and in the mirror...anyway it's fixed now! So make me laugh because it is a beautiful sight.
Jamba Juice.
This goes without saying. Thank you to Heather and Amanda for providing me with enough Jamba coupons to fill my addiction for the next couple days I mean weeks.
My Mama.
I love how she takes my face in her hands and kisses my cheek when I come or go. I love how she can never send just one text at a time, she always has something else to say and I get 4+ texts for every one text I send her. I love her smile and her advice and the sound of her voice and her perfume and her Mickey Mouse crocks. I love that she always knows what to say and she believes in me when I don't believe in myself.
Faith & Trust.
Something I have been learning very well in my life, but especially in the past months. There is a plan, and all I have to do is try my best to follow it everyday. I am loved and watched over. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. *and to my lovely red haired friend, thank you for being the epitome example of this. Glove you. I've got your back forever, girl.
Pixie Dust.
(Sorry, had to) I believe in miracles.
Love,
Bethany
I love Emilie. I love going to the Library and Walmart at 11:00 p.m. and almost buying adult size footie pajamas (PLEASE can we go back and buy some?!). I love how last night I was doing the whole pre-bedtime face washing/teeth brushing routine and she was sitting on her bed watching and all of a sudden she started singing (in the MOST adorable voice) "Giiiiiive meeeee yourrrrr PAAAAAAANTS!!!!" Clearly, she likes my pants. (Who wouldn't, right? They were the black silky Puma sweats I've been wearing since junior year of high school)
The Dentist.
Okay that was a lie, but I love that he made my smile pretty yesterday. Once upon a time in 9th grade, I ran into a glass door just like the crows in those Windex commercials and chipped the bottom half off of my front tooth. I went and had it fixed that day, but it wasn't very well done and it's been slowly chipping off again and it was never quite right and I would always see it in pictures and in the mirror...anyway it's fixed now! So make me laugh because it is a beautiful sight.
Jamba Juice.
This goes without saying. Thank you to Heather and Amanda for providing me with enough Jamba coupons to fill my addiction for the next couple days I mean weeks.
My Mama.
I love how she takes my face in her hands and kisses my cheek when I come or go. I love how she can never send just one text at a time, she always has something else to say and I get 4+ texts for every one text I send her. I love her smile and her advice and the sound of her voice and her perfume and her Mickey Mouse crocks. I love that she always knows what to say and she believes in me when I don't believe in myself.
Faith & Trust.
Something I have been learning very well in my life, but especially in the past months. There is a plan, and all I have to do is try my best to follow it everyday. I am loved and watched over. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. *and to my lovely red haired friend, thank you for being the epitome example of this. Glove you. I've got your back forever, girl.
Pixie Dust.
(Sorry, had to) I believe in miracles.
Love,
Bethany
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunflowers
are not my absolute most favorite flower. My absolute most favorite are white starburst lilies, because they remind me of that scripture "consider the lilies of the field..." and they help me remember the Lord provides for and takes care of me.
but back to sunflowers
I LOVE THEM.
On my last birthday, my mom focused the entire celebration around sunflowers. All my gifts had something to do with sunflowers, or were wrapped in flower paper, or tied with sunflower ribbon. I was given Richard Paul Evan's novel The Sunflower which is one of my most favorite books, and sunflower seeds, and a sunflower computer pad....I just love them. A lot of different people in my life, none of whom know each other, have picked up calling me "Sunshine", so I consider sunflowers to be my symbol.
Sunflowers mean a lot. Think about where you often see sunflowers growing: the side of highways, dirty fields, weedy patches. Sunflowers are tough. They survive in hard circumstances, and still look to the sun.
I've decided to be like a sunflower. Regardless of where I'm planted, I am going to look to the Son. And maybe drop a few seeds along the way.
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