Principles for me today.

Principle #1: We can have a cheerful heart even through life's hardest times because we are never alone.  {Acts 16:25-26}

Can you imagine getting thrown into prison for doing what the Lord asked you to do? How would you handle it? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be singing. What a lesson of attitude. When everyone turns their back on you, can you have a big enough perspective to remember that in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter? I think of Job's unwavering testimony in the Old Testament. Everything was taken from him, but the one thing that could not be taken away was his testimony.  Through Paul's incredible strength I've learned that if we truly cling on to our testimony of the Savior and understand that Christ suffered for all our sorrow and pain already, we cast our burden on to the Lord and he will give us rest. So maybe we can sing through our trials afterall...

 Principle #2: Our wisdom can often be foolish. {1 Corinthians 1:27}

Wisdom is a funny thing. Isn't it a righteous desire to be wise? What's so bad about it anyway? It seems that today more than ever before we can share our wisdom and thoughts with others with just a few fingertaps. I think the problem is not wisdom, but that it is corrleated with faith. Why is that so often faith has to go away if we replace it with things we've learned? Why can't we have strong faith in something and be learned? I think it is a matter of feeling the spirit. When we feel good inside, the spirit is telling us what we are learning is right. When we are seeking out wisdom but we feel dark and empty, the spirit is warning us that is not good for our spirit and faith. It then leads to doubt and we are left to our own. The bottom line is this - if you question your faith, turn to what you know is true. Just like a little seed, you nurture it. Give it sunlight, water it, and care for it. If you leave it alone and look other places, it won't grow on it's own. Nurture your seed, and you will be filled with fruit that is so much more delciously satisfying than anything else could ever offer.
"The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know." - Jeffery R. Holland



Principle #3: We are literally the offspring of God. {Acts 17:28}