 The most thought provoking, life changing book I’ve ever read (next to the scriptures). That is the designation I give “In His Steps” by Charles M. Sheldon. Although it is a pretty quick read, the book captured my total interest and I was often forced to stop and consider how I felt about what I was reading.
I am not the only one who has loved this book. It was first published in 1897 and for decades held the title for the most copies sold, next to the Bible. The book has sold more than 30,000,000 copies, been translated into 21 languages, and ranks as the 39th best-selling book of all time. But that is only since the population has increased dramatically and a few blockbuster books since then.
The story is about how after a tragedy in a town, the members of a particular congregation are forced to truly consider if they qualify as followers of Jesus Christ. Is it enough to sing the right songs and go to church each Sunday? The pastor, in the midst of these questions of faith, challenges the members of his congregation to take a year long pledge that before every decision, they will ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” and then do accordingly no matter the consequences. Then the book follows this pastor and a small group of members as they live this challenge and face its consequences in difficult circumstances. Everyone’s life changes by this small question, “What would Jesus do? I am sure I haven’t done an adequate job expressing it, but it is well worth your time and money.
Ezra Taft Benson thought highly of this book and referred to it quite often in various talks such as in the April 1984 Ensign (pages 9-13). Have you ever seen “WWJD?” written on jewelry or in various places? That all comes from this book.
So I would strongly encourage everyone to read this life changing book. (I don’t believe there are many of those in this world). You can download it on Kindle for 99 cents and it is a free Google e-book too. Copies are also easy to find on Amazon. When you are done with it, I would love to know your thoughts.
PS. Also feel free to order Impractical Grace. A book I also feel can be life changing. :-)
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
March 28th - April 3rd
Monday Weed Appreciation Day
Tuesday National Mom & Pop Business Owner's Day
Wednesday Doctor's Day
Thursday National "She's Funny That Way" Day
Friday April Fools and Atheist Day
Saturday International Pillow Fight Day
Sunday Tweed Day
 Some people have a presence and manner about them that just seems powerful. I met one of these people on my mission years ago. One morning, in a new area, I was surprised to find this fellow missionary, sitting in his bed, meditating.
“What’re you Hindu or something?” I said without much thought, and a little surprise. This elder smiled and in a very kind way, took the time to explain something he did that I think had a good deal to do with him being one of those wonderful people. He explained that each morning he would meditate but it wasn’t the kind of meditation where he tried to take his mind to some empty or nirvana state. Quite to the contrary, it was a time of quiet thought. While meditating he would pray and think about situations he might encounter that day with investigators, his companion, others, and then think of how to ideally approach each of those situations. He would think of how Jesus might respond to each of those situations and then imagine himself doing the same.
Years later, a colleague taught me a similar lesson. His insight came from Doctrine & Covenants 38:24 where it says, “And let every man esteem his brother as himself, and practise virtue and holiness before me.” Then he explained that the mind is where we generally practice through our interactions with others. People are pretty good at practicing vice in their minds, but not very good at practicing virtue. For instance, have you ever had a conflict with someone, so you imagined through what you might say and do the next time you see them? “And if he says that, then I’ll just tell him what an idiot he is and… and that will show him.” In other words, have you ever practiced through scenarios like that before they happen? And was it practicing how to meet those situations as a godly man or woman, or in a negative manner?
So there’s the challenge. Think of situations with spouses, children, colleagues or others that often end in a negative manner. Then meditate through how you could speak, act, or respond in a positive manner. Think of circumstances where you fall to laziness, anger, or other temptations and then “practise virtue”; meditate through that situation in a godly manner. Then you will be more likely to make that scenario a reality. And “Practice makes perfect.”
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
March 21st - 27th
Monday World Down Syndrome Day
Tuesday World Water Day
Wednesday National Puppy Day & OK Day
Thursday National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day
Friday Tolkien Reading Day
Saturday Make Up your Own Holiday Day
Sunday Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
 When it comes to insights from the Bible, it can be difficult to know who originally discovered the insight. I’m sure I’m not the first to explore this insight, but it is one that, when applied, can bless any relationship.
In the New Testament, most of Jesus’ apostles are only mentioned briefly. But when you think of Thomas, what do you think of? Somewhere down the ages, Thomas has gotten the title of “Doubting Thomas”. You know the story that got him this title. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appeared to His disciples, making them witnesses of the reality of His resurrection. The Apostle Thomas happened to be gone when this happened so after Jesus left and Thomas returned, he heard what had happened but just couldn’t believe the other disciples. “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails… I will not believe.” (St. John 20:24-29). Later Jesus returned, showed himself to Thomas and said, “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Hence Thomas is ever branded as “Doubting Thomas.”
But there are actually two stories in the Bible of Thomas. In John11 Jesus tells His disciples that He needs to go to Judea to raise Lazarus from the dead. Some of the disciples objected knowing that there were many in Judea who wanted to stone Jesus to death. But rather than trying to dissuade Jesus, Thomas stood and said to the others disciples, “Let us also go that we may die with him.” So rather than abandoning his Lord, Thomas was willing to go and die defending his friend with courage and dedication.
But what do we remember Thomas for? His moments of devotion or his moments of doubt? Do we unfairly label him for his best moments, or his worst? We can make the same mistakes within our relationships and marriages. Despite knowing a person for years, when they falter and slip up, are we tempted to label them by their mistakes? It is tempting to say, “Oh, now I see the kind of person you really are”, “Your true colors have come out.” The Adversary would have us notice the bad rather than the good; to unfairly brand a person according to their faults, rather than their strengths. However, when we define a person by their mistakes, it can become a self fulfilling prophecy where they will only achieve our lowest expectations of them. On the other hand, when we accentuate the positive, it gives them room to repent, grow, and progress.
By the way, in the end what kind of person did Thomas end up being? What were his true colors? Tradition holds that after the Savior appeared to Thomas, he spent the rest of his life traveling and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ till he was martyred in India. Devoted and true.
 Official Holidays & Observances This Week
March 14th -March 20th
Monday Pi Day (as in math 3.141592...)
Tuesday Ides of March
Wednesday Lips Appreciation Day
Thursday St. Patrick's Day
Friday Forgive Mom and Dad Day
Saturday Purim Day (Big Jewish Holiday based on the book of Ester)
Sunday Maple Syrup Day
 This is kind of “Part Two” from last week’s blog. So you might want to read that first if you haven’t yet. The other huge discovery for me from the hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”, is about how “He lives” not “He lived” or “He will live.” Most of us have been well educated on what Christ has done for us: He lived a perfect example to follow and He suffered and died for us so we can repent. Most also understand what He will do: He will bring to pass our resurrection, He will be our Judge and Advocate, and He will grant us an inheritance in a wonderful kingdom of glory. Few however, understand what Christ does for us now, and the relationship He is seeking to have with us. This lack of understanding is ironic because perhaps the most exciting part of the Gospel is what the Lord Jesus Christ currently wants to do in our lives. The Lord does not want the Atonement to be a past-tense thing in our lives or something that is only significant in the future or in context of repentance. Rather, He wants to be part of our lives in the here and now. Boyd K. Packer has taught, “For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. "The Atonement has practical, personal, everyday value” ("'The Touch of the Master's Hand,'" Ensign, May 2001, 23-24)
Perhaps the importance of this point is best presented with this question: Why don’t we have crosses on the tops of our churches or at the front of our rooms of worship? Don’t we think that the sacrifice and suffering, even the giving of the life of Jesus Christ was important? Of course we do, but we do not worship the event of His death. We worship a Being who is alive. The Cross, by itself, represents the Lord improperly. We do not worship a Lord and Savior who is dead and done, but rather One who is alive and working here and now. We worship a living Christ.
Ralph Waldo Emerson stated the idea this way, “It is my duty to say to you that the need was never greater [for] new revelation than now.” “The doctrine of inspiration is lost… Miracles, prophecy, … the holy life, exist as ancient history [only]… Men have come to speak of … revelation as somewhat long ago given and done, as if God were dead… It is the office of a true teacher,” to show us that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake.” (The Complete Essays and Other Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, ed. Brooks Atkinson (1940), 75, 71, 80).
I used to think of the Lord much differently than I do now. I sort of thought of Him as one in partial retirement. I thought of Him as one who says, “Good luck. I’ve done my part; now you do yours. I’ve lived a perfect life as an example for you. I’ve given my words in the scriptures, and I’ve even given you the Atonement by which you can repent. My part is done. Now let’s see how well you can do your part.” Then I imagined that with love, He sent us on our way hoping that we would be able to do what we need to do in this life. In other words, “I’ve done my part, now you do yours.”
The scriptures show us a Lord which desires to play a more direct active role in our lives. Rather than “my part” and “your part” the scriptures express, “our part.” Rather than separate parts, the scriptures express partnership.
 Official Holidays & Observances This Week
March 7th -March 13th
Monday National Be Heard Day
Tuesday International Pancake Day & Mardi Gras
Wednesday Barbie Day & Lent Begins
Thursday International Day of Awesomeness
Friday Johnny Appleseed day
Saturday Genealogy Day
Sunday Donald Duck Day
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