Not Accepted: The Feast Parable

Last updated on: November 6, 2024 at 7:48 pm By Brad Wilcox

The king prepared a sumptuous feast for his son’s wedding, but his offering as king was not accepted. Neglectful, unworthy, and rebellious guests were, in turn, not accepted by the king. Privilege and Command A parable, by its nature, can be examined from different perspectives and interpreted with different applications and results. This consideration will focus on types of guests who received invitations—anticipated or unanticipated. Invitations can be considered a nuisance to be brushed aside, a chance to enjoy a... Read more

Deadly Surprise: The Rip Current

Last updated on: October 23, 2024 at 5:48 pm By Abe Mills

While swimming comfortably at the beach, you suddenly feel yourself being drawn away from the shore rather than toward it. You are being pulled into a deadly surprise, known as the rip current. Nature’s Freak Show Rip currents, as defined by the U.S. National Weather Service, are “strong, narrow, seaward flows of water that extend from close to the shoreline to outside of the surf zone.” My family and I have lived in Florida for over a decade. We have... Read more

Messy Mortality With Its Magical Moments

Last updated on: October 17, 2024 at 8:19 am By Ganel-Lyn Condie

In recent weeks, headlines have highlighted the horrific and heartbreaking. From wars to hurricanes, to bitter election conflict, the news feeds feed fear not faith. Messy mortality seems to eclipse many moments of magic. There seems to be little to uplift and inform. But God sent us to earth to experience joy. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). Magic Amid Messiness When Hurricane Helene hit a portion of the... Read more

Writing Things Out: Exploring and Finding Peace

Last updated on: October 9, 2024 at 4:20 pm By Lisa Laycock

We have times that our thinking seems full of gaps. Experience has taught us that writing things out helps us explore, remember, and find peace. Discoveries and Realizations C.S. Lewis, one of the most versatile, widely read, and loved of all 20th century writers, admitted, “We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.” He helped an incredible worldwide audience understand A LOT—as he followed his own understanding quest. On our everyday level, writing... Read more

Challenges and Changes

Last updated on: October 2, 2024 at 5:54 pm By Sharon Black

Mortal experience often requires us to venture into challenges and changes, which we may or may not have chosen, and may or may not have already known. In faith we may move confidently forward. Challenges, Answers, and Residue “You serve a Master who loves you, who knows you, and who is all-powerful,” assured Elder Patrick Kearon. He has created . . . opportunities for your growth. You can pray to Him with confidence and ask, “What would you have me... Read more

Needle’s Eye: Camels and Riches

Last updated on: September 25, 2024 at 5:12 pm By Brad Wilcox

A needle’s eye is poor passage for a camel. According to Matthew 19:24, a camel can more easily make it through a needle’s eye than a rich man can pass into heaven. Striking Image When a rich, righteous young man, who had been keeping all the “commandments” he knew, asked Jesus “What lack I yet,” he may have been expecting assurance that he was doing well. He definitely was not expecting the answer that he got: “If thou wilt be perfect,... Read more

Noun/Verb Faith: An Adventure

Last updated on: September 19, 2024 at 12:52 pm By David Wunderli

(Wölbern/Wikimedia Commons) Some words might be called a noun/verb: you can possess it and do it. My wife and I benefited in this during one of the most critical adventures in our life. A Question Years ago, a good friend asked a group of us, “Is faith a noun or a verb?” After a lengthy, passionate discussion, we settled on “unsettled.” Siri was more definitive: “Faith is a noun” she affirmed. I have often thought about this question, not that... Read more

Trials and Blessings: Individual Paths

Last updated on: September 11, 2024 at 3:31 pm By Abe Mills

Each individual comes to this world to experience individual trials and blessings. Some will experience dramatic changes: Jackson Mills is one of them. Uncertain Beginnings Jackson, our first born, came to this earth in a room filled with stress, fear, and chaos. Doctors were running everywhere. Urgency was in the air. Tense voices barked observations, and instructions. When the dust settled, a quiet reverence filled the room. A miracle had happened that night, and everyone in that room knew it.... Read more

Strong Meekness

Last updated on: September 4, 2024 at 2:13 pm By Ganel-Lyn Condie

Today’s worldwide conditions and controversies require strong meekness. Tough is not enough; one who has not taken a stand doesn’t stand. We feel overpowered by online self-proclaimed experts and social media commentators who boldly declare and comment. The louder and more exaggerated the claim, the more viral it becomes. Controversy is rewarded. Christlike Meekness “One of the most powerful and possibly underappreciated characteristics of Christ is meekness.” Consider how the Savior of the world, the Creator of universes, taught of... Read more

Personal Progress

Last updated on: August 28, 2024 at 5:33 pm By Lisa Laycock

Making significant changes in our lives may seem to require superhuman effort. As we struggle, we may not understand our personal progress as we move forward step by step. Miracle of Change Recently we took a man who is recovering from drug addition to lunch. Heavily addicted to methamphetamines, he had lost everything, but has now been clean and sober for over 14 years. He is working hard to come to Christ and regain his life. Now on the covenant... Read more