A Bit of Silver Lining

Overall, I feel the media focuses on stories of disasters, bombings, wars, deaths, and conflicts. While I do believe awareness of these things is important, I also believe there should be balance. We live in a world with both sadness and joy. I know and believe that there is much of hope in the world. Just the other day I read an article at nytimes.com and loved it for the sense of hope it brought. It reminded me that all over the world there are children wanting to laugh and play---there are people wanting to live peaceful lives. I don't think we should ever give up hope. That isn't what God intends. One of my favorite scriptures talks about this. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:17, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." There is so much reason to be happy and to hope :) And with God's help, we have the power to do good. And so: let's do it. Here is the article I was talking about---it's not only interesting for its glimmers of hope but also for the unique look it gives into the Afghan world today. Enjoy! It's called "Skateboarding in Afghanistan Provides a Diversion From Desolation." (The url is http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/sports/othersports/26skate.html). Also, here is a photo from the Canadian National Defense website of some cute little kids in Afghanistan :)

Better to do Good or to do Evil?

Hello once again :)

The other day in my New Testament class at school a very interesting point came up that I've been thinking a lot about lately. This semester we are studying the four Gospels and are currently reading in Mark. Anyway, in Mark 3, Jesus enters a synagogue (Jewish temple) on the Sabbath. As he enters, he sees a man with a crippled hand. However, it is not only he that notices this man. There are also Pharisees there, watching to see what Jesus will do. Here is what the scriptures have recorded: "And they [the Pharisees] watched him [Jesus], whether he would heal him [the man with the crippled hand] on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him [Jesus]. And he [Jesus] saith unto the man which had the withered [crippled] hand, 'Stand forth.' And he said unto them [the Pharisees], 'Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?' But they [the Pharisees] held their peace. And when he [Jesus] had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, 'Stretch forth thine hand.' And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him [Jesus], how they might destroy him." (Mark 3:2-6)

What we discussed in class is the irony contained in this passage. The Pharisees seek to condemn Christ for doing good on the Sabbath, when they themselves are secretly plotting evil (to kill Christ). I thought about this more later and I realized that the Pharisees performed exactly the words Christ spoke. Christ asks them if it is better to do good or evil on the Sabbath. Christ does good and they do evil. Further, he asks them if it is better to save life or to kill. Then, Christ heals and the Pharisees plot murder.

We also discussed in class how Christ is teaching about what the Sabbath is really for: to do good. As I reflect, I also realize that we are taught what really matters in other ways. What matters is showing love and compassion. What matters is noticing and tending to the needs of others. It doesn't matter how many incense sticks we burn or prayers we say if we are thinking evil in our hearts. Christ taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40). I definitely believe this with all of my heart.

I guess the main thing that I learned from this is not to be a hypocrite or worry about the wrong things. Our focus shouldn't be on performing rituals, but on loving. That's what I'm going to try and do more---to take more time each day to smile at people and take care of them. Those are the things that bring the most happiness, anyway. Ok! Well, it seems that I've been writing for a while (hopefully it hasn't been too rambling---perhaps stream of consciousness writing?). I hope that you learned something or were sparked onto some joyful tangential thought. Until next week! - Sierra

PS- The painting I've shown is called "Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda" by the Danish painter Carl Heinrich Bloch. The original hangs in the art museum at my university. It is huge and beautiful. If you want to read more about it, here is a link: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=b46e66ce3a47b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Also, I copied an electronic version of the painting from: http://cfac.byu.edu/fileadmin/moa/user_files/00TRANSFER/Shop_at_MOA/images/christhealingthesick.jpg

First Things First, Let's Say "Hello!"

Hello!

Welcome to my blog :) As I considered how I would use my blog, I first thought that perhaps I should avoid "smileys" and other potentially silly emoticons and phrases. However, I want to be myself---it seems there's no use writing this if it isn't true. That being said, I pre-warn you that my blog may contain several "smileys" and a healthy sprinkling of "teehees". Nevertheless, in order to perhaps salvage my ethos, I will tell you that I am a third year student at Brigham Young University, and am not an eleven-year-old girl :). I am studying International Relations and have a Russian minor and love to learn! Other things that I love include: my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, my family, meeting new people and making new friends, being outside and outdoor adventuring, foreign films, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, serving others, reading, writing, teaching, making home-made popcorn, word games, being happy about small things, and traveling. I think that's enough about me for now (I'm sure more will become known through my future posts). For now, let's start talking about the scriptures!