About 2 weeks ago, I finished reading the New Testament as part of my goal mentioned a couple months ago. I've been lazy and unfocused and so I'm just now getting around to blogging my success. When I finished the Old Testament, I shared a few verses which really touched me, and I wanted to do the same with the New Testament. So- better late than never:
Matthew 2:2 "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."
For those of you who know me personally, you're aware that I'm partial to stars. The birth of a God was marked with the sign of a star. And there were people, great wise men, who saw the sign and sought the king. We often discuss the shepherds who were visited by angels and told of the birth of Christ. From them we learn that Christ came to lift up the lowly, a king came to rescue the shepherd. The wise men teach that even the most knowledgeable of the time can still believe in Christ. In today's world, especially working as a scientist, I'm often questioned about how I can believe in God. Some scientists claim that science "proves" that God does not exist. As one who came after him, I can believe, just as the ones who came before believed and watched for the signs and came. The shepherds were beckoned by angels, the wise men saw a star, even a great king was afraid of the power of a babe. If they can believe, so can I.
Matthew 9:29 "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."
Christ accomplished many miracles during his earthly ministry. Some of the most interesting to me have always been the blind receiving their sight (I think this is because going blind has always been one of my greatest fears). I love how often Christ reiterates the idea, "according to your faith be it unto you." Miracles come through our faith. They are a result of it. They were not intended to be proof so that we can believe, but after we believe, we can see miracles which can strengthen our faith in the Lord.
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."
This statement really means a lot to me right now. Mostly because college comes so close to feeling absolutely impossible. But there is the promise, clear as day, impossible to misinterpret. As I learn to trust in him, nothing shall be impossible. I may be weak by myself, but he is infinitely powerful, and infinity plus 1 can do anything.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Wonderful
Sometimes, life is so perfect, there is no time to write about it, which is really a shame because it limits the opportunity to share something wonderful with others.
So- a quick synopsis of all I've done since I last wrote. I finished my summer research internship. I had to write a super long project report and give a really intimidating presentation to a bunch of scientists who know far more about solar physics than I do. However, my adviser said it was amazing and a bunch of other people told me that I did a good job. Success!
After finishing work with the National Observatory, I briefly returned to school to attend the wedding of one of my best friends. Weddings in the LDS church are a little different from the traditional wedding. I believe that God has called a living prophet and given him the authority to lead the church. The prophet has the ability to appoint individuals as sealers. These are people who have been given the authority described in Mathew 16:19, "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven." This means weddings do not end with the typical mantra "till death do you part", the ceremony is instead concluded with the statement "sealed as man and wife for time and all eternity." Having the opportunity to hear these words again reminded me of Heavenly Father's plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy and married here on earth, He has provided us with the opportunity to be a family for all eternity. We can be happy for all eternity.
I returned home after the wedding and purchased my first car. I now have a car, and it's a beautiful car; I feel so empowered. My time was also spent weeding the backyard and shopping with my mom and younger brother as he prepared to start his first year of college. My baby brother is going to be up at school with me. It's the first time we've attended the same school at the same time since I was in 5th grade.
I'm now back at school getting caught up with friends and enjoying the time to relax before another school year starts. The weather is calm and a little rainy. The air is filled with the anticipation of something new about to begin. It's going to be a great school year!
So- a quick synopsis of all I've done since I last wrote. I finished my summer research internship. I had to write a super long project report and give a really intimidating presentation to a bunch of scientists who know far more about solar physics than I do. However, my adviser said it was amazing and a bunch of other people told me that I did a good job. Success!
After finishing work with the National Observatory, I briefly returned to school to attend the wedding of one of my best friends. Weddings in the LDS church are a little different from the traditional wedding. I believe that God has called a living prophet and given him the authority to lead the church. The prophet has the ability to appoint individuals as sealers. These are people who have been given the authority described in Mathew 16:19, "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven." This means weddings do not end with the typical mantra "till death do you part", the ceremony is instead concluded with the statement "sealed as man and wife for time and all eternity." Having the opportunity to hear these words again reminded me of Heavenly Father's plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy and married here on earth, He has provided us with the opportunity to be a family for all eternity. We can be happy for all eternity.
I returned home after the wedding and purchased my first car. I now have a car, and it's a beautiful car; I feel so empowered. My time was also spent weeding the backyard and shopping with my mom and younger brother as he prepared to start his first year of college. My baby brother is going to be up at school with me. It's the first time we've attended the same school at the same time since I was in 5th grade.
I'm now back at school getting caught up with friends and enjoying the time to relax before another school year starts. The weather is calm and a little rainy. The air is filled with the anticipation of something new about to begin. It's going to be a great school year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)