Being Inspired; A constant Challenge

 Being inspired is something that has been a challenge for me since day #1.

As I've grown older, I've since found refuge in the place known as the night sky.  Though, now that I think about it, it's not even really the night sky(though that certainly helps as I've mentioned before).

It's the darkness.

When it is dark, it's unknown.  You can't see.  You don't really know what's going on.  All you really know is your immediate surroundings.

That's an ideal situation for me, it allows me to tune out everything else.  Starting from square one, I can build up a world, a universe, the possibilities are LIMITLESS.

The future is yet unwritten.

To me, that's a comforting thought, my future is not set in stone(at least my future during this life).  I can make choices to help others, to fumble around in the dark, to do what I want...

But do you know what helps me be inspired even more?

A prayer to my Heavenly father.

A silent plea for aid for just a little more help.

I know He will help me if I just ask.  He's done it before and he continues to do it even as I speak(write?), He loves me (as any parent does).  

President Monson had something to say about this subject, 

"Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without." -Reference-

I would be lost without my inspiration and my inspiration comes from God, it's really just one huge cycle!

Go figure.

Which way is right...?

So there was this one time, at band camp...

Nah, just kidding!

Last week, our District (group of missionaries), was asked to usher at an InterFaith concert put on by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington.  We, of course, jumped at the opportunity!

So we hopped on the Metro and got on our merry way.

When we got off, we were at a loss at where to go (we were all unfamiliar with this particular part of D.C.), but luckily, I had grabbed a map.  I whipped it out and started to look for the street we needed to go to,

"Excuse me, are you all lost?", a woman asked us.  Four men in suits with a map and slightly confused faces apparently stand out 'round these parts(this was a tender mercy for sure).

At first she tried to guide us with the map, then she decided the map was too troublesome and she pulled out her 'I' device(I, personally, dislike all apple devices).  With the Power of Technology, she told us exactly where we needed to go, how we needed to get there (she googled the address) and quickly left us before we could ask for a name.

Left to our own devices(a paper map), we began navigating to the road we thought was our destination.

We were almost there.  We were almost late.  We were relieved to see that street, then~

~TRAGEDY STRUCK!~ 

We realized that we had gone to the wrong part of the street!  Pulling out our map, we frantically tried to find the next part of the street.  Seeing now where we needed to go, we set out again, this time at a more forced pace.

In the end, we got there about a half an hour late with no real consequences.  Everything that needed to get done, got done and the night was a success!

Looking back though, I can see the parallel in my own life.

We were told exactly where we needed to go by that woman who helped us, but we were unfamiliar with the area, so we followed what we thought was the right route to the wrong place...

Likewise, I've had guidance from my Heavenly Father, Parents, Leaders, etc... and continued forward, thinking I'm going the right way but cut off from their direct presence(the internet in this case), I lost my way for a time, but with the guidance of the scriptures, prayer, personal revelation (or a map)... I always have returned back to the right way(also known as happiness).

I can testify that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants nothing more than for us to be happy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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When life gets dark and dreary...

Prayer is so important to me.  It is SUCH a blessing that all of God's children have been given.

I love the song "Did you think to Pray" in the LDS Hymnbook.

1. Do you ever feel tired, overwhelmed or weary?
2. Do you ever want the metaphorical night to be changed to day?
3. Does your life ever get dark and dreary?

If you are like me and answered "yes" to any of these questions, well... then don't forget to pray.

Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior, did you sue for loving favor as a shield today?

When your heart was filled with anger, Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another who has crossed you way?

When sore trials came upon you, Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow, Balm of Gilead did you borrow at the gates of day?

Chorus:

Oh how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day.

so when life gets dark and dreary,

Don't forget to pray.

These words mean so much to me.  I know I can turn to my Heavenly Father at ALL TIMES because he loves me more than I can comprehend.

One of my favorite Children's songs has these lyrics:

I Pray in Faith

I kneel to pray, every day.  I speak to Heavenly Father.  He hears and answers me when I pray in faith.

I begin by saying "Dear Heavenly Father." I thank Him for blessings He sends.  Then humbly I ask Him for things that I need, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

Your Father in Heaven loves you and wants you to succeed.  He has a plan for you and if you will humble yourself, trust Him and pray, He will lead you to happiness in this life and eternal life in the life to come.  

Matthew 7:7-8 says: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

What I want to be...

There are a bunch of things I want to be...

• A Writer
• Better at Math
• An Astronaut
• Simple-er
• Charismatic

The list goes on, but I decided to stop at that point because after that (top five, ya know?), it becomes kind of redundant.

The point of the matter is this; I want a lot of things.

I want to be constantly improving myself, progressing, helping out others.  Sometimes it's hard to do that, after all, I am Human.

But like I've said before, I've had to learn patience, 'cause-

That's something I've been working on this past week, remembering that Jesus Wants Me for A Sunbeam,

It's a simple thing.

I do my best to honor Him and His Gospel and that's all I can do.

"Ye are the light of the world", He has told us, we are to be His disciples so that His gospel can be shared throughout the world!  

I want to do my best for Him.

This is an made from John 8:12-58

Sorry for the technical problems, I had some... well, problems!

Keep it real!

The Book of Mormon: A Reading Experience

Sometimes when I would be hanging out with my friends, they would start to talk about certain books that they have been reading.  They would say how great it was and how it lined up in the series.  They would talk about how the character's roles were genius and how they loved the story line.

At these times I would feel separated from my friends, think about something and do whatever I could to change the conversation into whatever it was I was interested in.

I didn't like reading books.  I thought my time was better spent watching TV, playing video games, making music, or doing something else fun.

I had read the "Harry Potter" series as well as the "Series of Unfortunate Events" when I was a grade school student and they made sure you read something.  I did enjoy them when I got into them.

I had the"reading experience" that my friends had so often with very few books.

After I graduated, I wasn't compelled to read much... so I didn't.  College would have kept me reading (begrudgingly) but I did not go to college after high school because I had my heart set on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I've always wanted to serve a mission because the missionaries were my heroes.  They knew the scriptures back and front and they could teach people how to find happiness, peace, and the truth about God and His plan for us.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.  (Article of Faith 1:8)

The Book of Mormon is a reading experience. 

As I was reading it earlier this week, I found a few verses that struck me.  The people in the Book of Mormon had their own reading experience in Mosiah chapter 25

 5 And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned again.

 6 And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time they returned again.

 7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.

 8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.

 9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of sorrow.

 10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.

 11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.

The scriptures are true.  When we read, we may feel like King Mosiah's people and say "I know not what to think."    

Here are the reactions they felt and you may feel as you read the Book of Mormon.

1. Brethren out of bondage. . . . . . . . .joy
2. Brethren slain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sorrow
3. Goodness of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . .thankfulness
4. The Lamanites in a sinful state. . . pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls 

Reading the book of mormon can be like reading other books.  Most people I know, when they read a book, they want a happy ending.  Just as in other books, the Book of Mormon has protagonists and atagonists and at times the protagonists experience a lot of joy.  However, there are times when they struggle, suffer, are in pain and sometimes they even die preaching the gospel.  Check out the link to read about how this happened to Abinadi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon. 

There are also times they make mistakes, repent and learn from them.

 

 People can change sides!!! :)

In the Bible, it happened to Saul.  He became Paul after running into an Angel who asked why He was persecuting Jesus Christ.  In the Book of Mormon, it happened to Alma the Younger.  Both of them were converted, and sought to serve God and build up His kingdom which they were attempting to destroy not long before then.

For the members of the Church, the Book of Mormon is more than just a "good read."  The things that happened anciently in the Book are for our day.  They are for us.  Those words are His words and they help us be and stay converted to the Lord.  It helps us see the difference between good and evil and the prophets who wrote invite us to choose good.  

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon confirms: 

Jesus IS who the Bible says He is.

 

The Book of Mormon is light and knowledge that comes from God through His holy prophets.  God has always spoken to us through prophets.  It helps us understand God's plan, and it contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love the Book of Mormon.  If the Book of Mormon is true, that means God still speaks to man.  

I invite everyone who reads this to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask God in the name of Christ if it is true.  I was not the first to invite you to read... Moroni was.

Pick it up and read it.  It is SO good.  I LOVE The Book of Mormon.  I want to share it with everyone.  Everyone should have a chance to read the Book of Mormon.  Please send me a message on Facebook what experiences you have during or after reading/praying about The Book of Mormon.

Here's my Facebook Page. 

Thanks for Reading everyone!!! :)  and let me know if there's any suggestions you have for a new blogger. 

 

 

...who am I!?

Who. 

Am. 

I.

This is a question which plagued me at many points of my life.  

Who am I?  

What's the point?  

Why should I?

It's a question I think all of us make war with.

As for myself, I found comfort looking up at the starry (sometimes) night sky.  Back in my hometown, there's some light pollution, so it's not exactly prime stargazing material, but that's the quality that actually helped me understand the answer.

It was early December, I was waiting for a close friend of mine at the Bell Tower (an important landmark in the city of Muncie).  I took a seat at the base of it and looked up at the sky wondering what exactly was in store for me...

When you look up at the sky, especially in a city, it's quiet. It's dark.  Just a couple really bright stars here and there, maybe Venus or Jupiter, but besides that-

Nothing.  Just empty night.  It's black, unfriendly, and cold (especially in the winter).

What I found was that, as I waited (patiently), my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw what was once hidden, the stars which were concealed by the glaring lights of the city.

It was a huge step for me.

You may be thinking, "How in the world does this relate to his original question!?"

In this world, we have lot's of things telling us what to believe.  

Magazines telling us what to wear, how to act, how to treat each other, etc...

T.V. showing us what 'reality' is like.

Games showing us who's who in a galaxy that's waaaaaaaaaaay too far away.  (not speaking against them!  I love those games)

For me, that was the empty night sky so full of questions and not enough answers-  the light obscured the beauty and majesty of the universe created just for us by a loving Father.

I could see the stars, not all of them nor their full beauty, but I could see them.  

My mind made the connection for me as I sat back and enjoyed the view in the brisk December cold.

You see, I was listening a song performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, My Shepard Will Supply My Needs, it's a beautiful song.

I realized that I would always have questions.

I know I am my Heavenly Fathers' Son.  He wants me to learn and grow and sometimes, that means I'll make mistakes.  Sometimes, that means I won't have all answers, I might not even know the question I want to ask but I am His son.  That was enough for me.

The next realization that I had; I had to wait for a moment, let my eyes see what was really there, not just freak out if I couldn't immediately discern anything.  I had to 'tune' out the light to see those stars.

Likewise, we have to stop for a moment.  We have to pay attention to those divine messages we get.  The world can get pretty distracting and obscure the bigger picture but if we want to see those stars, we have to sit still for a moment.

I sat there for a few seconds, shocked at the way my mind put two and two together.

My friend came a few minutes later.  I shared the insights with her and we took a moment to enjoy the quiet peace as we listened to music...

~~~~~

That experience helped me appreciate the wonderful plan that our Heavenly Father has for us and the tools he has given us to learn more about it...

So the summary of what I learned was this;

Sometimes we need to stop our lives, put them on hold for a second, so we can learn about the bigger picture from God, the source of all Truth.

After all, in the scriptures many times in words of comfort, he says,

"...Be still and know that I am God."

 -Full Reference-

(Yes, I am still in the process of discovering of who I am but with this was a major step in that process.  Like my parents always said, "Remember whose you are")

Thank YOU Veterans! 

Repentance

My name is Matthew Hart.  Whether or not you know me, you and I have some things in common.

Of the many things we may have, I will just list a few.

• We both are Children of God

• We both make mistakes that make us sad and separate us from our Heavenly Father and true happiness.
• We both have a Savior.  He loves you and will wrap you up in His arms of mercy as soon as you repent.
• We both need to repent.

What is Repentance?  To me, it is an opportunity to Come to Jesus Christ and and take the heavy burdens off my shoulders.  Matthew 11:28-30 is a scripture I love about how Jesus Christ helps us lift our burdens.

Repentance makes me feel all better.  After tasting something disgusting, Spit it out!  Use Mouthwash!  Make your mouth Clean.  Sure mouthwash might sting a bit while shwishing and gargling, but your mouth says "thank you for giving it a fresh, clean feeling just as your soul does when you repent.

Repentance might be needed even if you haven't done anything bad.  Just like a car needs maintenance, or teeth need to be brushed, clothes need to be washed, and carpets need to be vacuumed, our souls NEED repentance consistently.

In Washington DC, and the area surrounding it, there are many trees.  During this time of the year the leaves change color.  I often find myself in awe with how beautiful the trees are and how marvelous God's creations are.  Then I think about what it must be like for the trees.  If trees had feelings, maybe during autumn (or fall), they might be frustrated, upset, or depressed.  They worked all spring and summer developing their leaves only to have them fall off again.  One by one those leaves fall until the trees don't have any more leaves. They might feel embarrassed, cold, naked, hungry, lonely or unloved.

All that work to make those leaves... was it all for nothing? could it be that trees make leaves only to lose them? No way José!  When a tree loses its leaves, it has room to grow new ones.  Spring comes and trees bud and blossom and they make new leaves.  I think trees have been around long enough to have positive attitudes about the need to change, adapt and grow.  We should see repentance as that opportunity awaiting us to improve.  Although we may have to give up something good first, as we repent, we can trust God will return to us something better.

Repentance is not really changing who you are, but finding out who your Heavenly Father intends you to be, and acting on that.

Repentance is becoming who you divinely invited to be.

It's kind of like what Mufasa says to Simba in the Lion King.  

"You are more than what you have become." 

Simba is awakened to his potential and his responsibilities and repents of his slothfulness, and commits to do his Father's will.  2 Nephi 9:45

Repentance is coming unto Jesus Christ and renewing our commitment to follow Him.  

2 Nephi 31:10-12, 15, 19-20

Okay so ALL of 2 Nephi 31 is fantastic, and I invite you to read it, because I LOVE IT!

The principles of Repentance and enduring to the end are weaved together.  You need one for the other to work.  Jacob says that after we repent we should Cleave unto God.  Jacob 6: 5, 8-9, 11-12

I will now say a line quoted often by Christians worldwide. 

"Jesus Christ died for us."

There it is in its beautiful simplicity.

Is this true?  If it is true, what does that mean?  Am I saved?  Is there something I need to do to accept His Atoning sacrifice?   ---   These are some questions of the soul concerning Salvation.

The role of Christ in our life:  Alma 7:11-13

We have our ability to make choices and we have the ability to choose to rely upon Christ's Atonement.

Lehi, a prophet from the Book of Mormon around 580 BC says this about choices:  2 Nephi 2: 27-28,30

How do we choose Jesus Christ's sacrifice on our behalf?  First, we must believe or have a desire to believe until that desire grows into Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Alma 32: 21, 27

Then! Alma continues on to say, Repent and keep the commandments.  Alma 7:14-17

I will say more concerning Baptism in a later blog post.  For now, I will say repentance prepares us for Baptism, and Baptism is our first covenant we make with God, and it is the way to receive a remission of our sins.

Trust in the Lord enough to have faith in Him enough to repent.  He knows much more than we do.

Proverbs 3: 5, 11-12

This is a video of leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that everyone should watch.

The Languages of Love: Giving Gifts!

I've been told that there are five different languages of love by Elder Hart (Which he was told by his Mom, aren't Moms the best?)~

Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Giving Gifts, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation

A couple of weeks ago(STORY TIME!), we were just relaxing during our lunch hour at the apartment.  We were talking, cracking jokes, y'know, the usual.

One of our roommates, Elder Stevenson, asked Elder Mecham for a piece of one of his tiny microwavable pizzas-

This, of course, sparked controversy~

"No."

"Why not?"

" 'Cause I'm a poor missionary."

"Just a bite!  Not that much, I promise," Elder Stevenson never gives up when it comes to food, especially when it comes to pizza, "C'mon, pleeeeeeeeeease?"

At this point, Elder Hart and I start paying more attention and since he's more of a peace keeper, he tries to make some sort of compromise.

I just stand back and watch, enjoying the little escapade(having faith that it would work out, of course[!]).  Elder Hart talks,

"Elder Mecham, What would the Savior d-"

"He would expect me to take care of myself, so I can help others!"  At this point Elder Mecham was getting  exasperated.  Elder Stevenson jumped on that,

"Is a bite really going to make that much of a difference...?"

"Look, if I had enough money, I would buy ALL the microwavable pizzas in the D.C. area, then I would share freely and we'd have enough food to last us for the next transfer!"  He took a bite out of his pizza, "Y'know, it's kind of like, 'I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give',(We quote scripture at each other all the time) just like King Benjamin says!"

As this is going along;

On the inside, I'm laughing like a maniac.

On the outside, I am completely stoic, straight-faced, and serious.

I could tell he was at his turning point, so I wanted to push just a little bit more(being the mischievous person that I am)...

"Well, that doesn't mean anything, giving means so much because we don't have an infinite amount."

I paused for a second, thinking about what I said.

That's exactly why giving means so much.  We don't have an infinite amount of time or resources, it's a sacrifice if we give something to someone else, it means more if we have less (usually).  Just like the widow's mite, that Jesus used as an example,

In the end, Elder Mecham didn't give Elder Stevenson a piece of his pizza.

I'm not speaking for or against that, I just want to say this;

We all have choices in our lives, in fact, this life is a time for us to learn to make choices!

One thing that I've noticed through my own time on this Earth is that when we make sacrifices to include God in our life(whether it be time or resources; [remember the languages of love!]) we are blessed for our decision.


...What do you think?

  

I love music!

Let me be the first to say THANK YOU for reading my very first ever blog post... EVER.  I am Matthew Hart, currently in Washington DC, and I also want to make a difference.  I love Aram Horowitz's idea to make a blog about what we love and want to share with everyone.

I love this life!  It is full of Music.

Because people are different, they will wear different clothes, eat different food, and listen do different music.  But when we find a certain AWESOME food, or find some AWESOME music we listen to, we want to share it with someone, so that they say, "Wow, that's AWESOME!"

Listening to certain music gives us certain feelings.  For example, epic music makes me feel like I'm on an adventure.  Sad music makes me feel sad for a time.  When I listen to sacred music, it brings the Spirit into my life like a river or rushing water, strong and steadfast.  It helps strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel so my faith can be strong and steadfast too. 

Making music in musical theater, in my high school choirs, with my family and with my friends is one of my favorite things to do, especially when we perform it so someone can listen and experience the music, especially (again) when that music brings the Spirit.  I love music.  I want to make it and have the Spirit it brings for the rest of my life.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has some amazing music and I invite you to check it out, and feel the Spirit that flows from the music.  This can be a healing balm from the cares of the world, troubles, worries and trials.  It can be a motivator to stay on the right path, or get back on it if we have stepped off.  Enjoy.

http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/shop/albums?lang=eng

http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/shop/products/called-to-serve-2008?lang=eng

Listen to these songs and tell me what you think!

https://www.facebook.com/elder.matthart

Go the Distance - Vocal Spectrum

The BFF Song - Bryant Oden

Deliver Us - The Prince of Egypt


Elder Horowitz's birthday is today!!! :)


I will probably send more of my favorite music later on.  Thanks for checking out the blog!