The Better Part

Mary and Martha

welcomed the Savior into their home.

Martha was busy preparing a meal for guests.

Mary was feasting on every word the Savior spoke.

She was intent on living in the moment with Jesus

absorbing his tender expressions and gestures.

Minerva Tiechert

Both women were anxiously engaged in GOOD works.

Martha was about SERVICE.

Mary was developing a RELATIONSHIP with the Master.

Sometimes we get so involved in the daily tasks of living

that we may forsake a bonding opportunity.

Image from Google "Mary and Martha"

Sometimes we have to lay aside things of this world,

and seek for things of a better world...

(Doctrine and Covenants 25:10)

Artwork found on Google "Mary and Martha"

Sometimes our choices are between right and wrong.

Artwork from Google Image

Sometimes our choices are between GOOD, 

WORTHWHILE,

and the BETTER PART.

What will I lay aside today that I might be able to completely immerse myself in the BETTER PART?

Just for oday and for the betterment of eternity

find the time

Mary Washing the Feet of Jesus

to SIT at the FEET

of the MASTER

As I Am

As I read:

What manner of men ought ye to be?

Verily I say unto you, EVEN AS I AM

3 Nephi 27:27

I am taught to liken the scriptures

unto myself.

Throughout this Journey,

the author mentions

"Walking by the SIDE of the Savior"

I picture in my mind

an informal dialogue.

Me: I don't know how many times I have tried and failed.

Him: Failed whom?

Me: Everyone...I am further from where I once was and the desire, motivation and drive is buried so deep that I can't find it.

Him: Are you still trying?

Me: Yes

Him: Then you haven't failed. As long as you keep getting up...keep reaching out for me,

then you have not failed. Do you remember your favorite passage in Isaiah?

Me: Yes...

Him: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts...

Me: and your ways are not my ways...yes I remember.

Him: Stop trying to force your ways. Worry more about what I think

and less about what others think. My ways are kind, gentle, sweet and I promise

as we walk together all those other opinions

will fall into place.

Me: Even my little family? 

Him: Especially your little family.

Me: I just do not know who I am and what I am supposed to me.

Him:Yes you do, Rebecca. You are a daughter of God

Me:

Him:

EVEN AS I AM

Being Christlike

Christ Healing the Blind by Jeffery Hein

"What seek ye?'

Currently,  just the desire to desire and then do.

What happened to my motivation?

At Ward Conference,

President Maxfield 

talked about bumper stickers.

He explained that one extremely rude driver

was causing frustration on the road.

As he neared the driver,

he was able to read the bumper sticker

on the driver's car

"HONK if you are for JESUS!"

He went on to say that as followers of Christ,

do we live what we proclaim?

Hanging in our homes are framed

Proclamations to the World...yet

are we having Family Home Evenings?

Are we having Family Prayer?

Do we speak with kindness?

Do we read the 

FAMILY PROCLAMATION

over and over again

to remind ourselves of those Sacred Responsibilities?

On our fingers,

some wear CTR rings.

When difficult choices arise...do we stop...pause

and look at the ring and repeat the words

"Choose the Right?"

In our wallets,

Temple Recommends allowing us

entrance into the TEMPLE

to do the noble work for those

unable to do it for themselves.

"When was the last time that Temple Recommend

was put to use?

What is being Christlike?

What improvements can I make?

What bumper stickers do I need to revisit?

Discipline

Becoming a true disciple of Christ

will require every ounce

 of my efforts and energy to learn the ART OF DISCIPLINE.

There are different meanings to the word discipline.

1. Willingness to reach out to the Savior over and over again. 

Images from Google

again
and again

It is not a one time event.

2. Making conscious choices 

to change my ways,

 behaviors and thoughts.

Though I may have multiple choices every single day

and throughout the day...

ultimately it whittles down to just one:

the CHOICE between GOOD and EVIL

3. Improving and increasing my spiritual 
strength
by applying and practicing what I learn.

The Spiritual Footsteps and Muscle Strengthening Program 

4. Acting according to the pattern of Jesus.

Image from Google

The Greatest of All Mankind
The Prince of Peace
King of Kings
was not above the meekest and lowliest of deeds
such as washing the feet of His followers.

5. A sense of  order in every aspect of my life.

Image Titled  Jehovah Creates the Earth by Walter Rane 

The paramount Example of Order,

Jesus Christ ordered the World from matter unorganized

under the direction of Heavenly Father

6. A desire to do whatsoever is asked of me...

especially when no one is watching. 

WWJD
"Yes...just WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?"

Heart Full of Christ

"The more we fill our HEARTS

with the message of the risen Christ

the greater our desire 

will be to follow Him

 and live his teachings."

(RP)

As I deny myself of ungodliness

bad habits

are stripped from my HEART

leaving space

for my Savior

I can begin to invite

the influence of the Spirit

by listening to uplifting music.

I may even purchase

the Scriptures on CD.

It has been a long time since

I have immersed myself

in

Sacred Works.

I may not be required to sell all I have,

but there are things that

I need to forsake

if I am to walk in His shoes...

What one distracting habit

will I let go of today?

Image found on Google

It may be difficult,

but he is there

lending His hands to help

me.

Here, take my hand and

I will give you my HEART

Disciple of Christ

I will REMEMBERI do not have to be PERFECTto be a     DISCIPLE of CHRIST

I do not need a luggage set of items for this journey. 

Infact, the only thing I really need to pack is a 

WILLING HEART

Image from Google

When I give up my worldly thoughts and behaviors for things that will bring me closer to CHRIST,  there will never be a bad trade off.

Image from Google

The Challenge of the Journey

is putting off the natural man

"Deny yourself of ALL ungodliness."

Where do I begin?

Why is it so hard?

Why do I dismiss it for a day in the future?

I am no different from the rich man...BUTI can be AND I will be.

Image from Google

"Take up your CROSS..."

Artwork: c.cbarre 

Image found on Google 

 and follow Him

Image found on Google 

Sacred Gifts

"The SAVIOR will meet you there"

So just where did I meet Jesus today?

One of the members in my

Primary class was baptized today.

Dressed in white,

he stood by the side of his mother

and sang

"I Feel My Savior's Love"

His mother,

also an Artist,

painted a portrait for this special occasion.

A smaller copy was made into

an invitation to witness this event.

My Sister

arranged for family members

to view and be an active participant

in

"SACRED GIFTS"

http://sacredgifts.byu.edu//
at the Museum of Art

in Provo, Utah

on

Brigham Young University's  Campus.

Did the Savior meet me there?

I belive He did.

Upon entering,

I was given an iPad

with a unique app.

As I pointed the device toward a particular

work of art,

there appeared in my hands...

the background of the Painting

Inspirational Music to accompany the Artist's Renditition

Perspectives from others

Activities for Children

Highlights to Pointout objects of interests
and the GIFT the Artist left with
the Partakers

Each individual from the group moved at their own pace.

Because everyone had earphones on, 

there was no one talking.
It was silently REVERENT

There I sat before this painting

and pondered over my burdens.

 I listened to the glorious music

"Come Unto Me."

Here I was on the beginning steps of my journey

seeking out my Savior.

I turned my head to the RIGHT

"He did that for me?"

I glanced BEHIND me...

to the LEFT

and for one brief moment
I felt completely surrounded by JESUS
 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

Doctrine and Covenants :88

There was not near enough time to absorb

all that was available.

I purchased a set of cards

to share one at a time.

My hope is that everyone

might have the opportunity to bask in this

SACRED GIFT and exhibit.