Category Archives: Choices

Resurrected and Reunited

Today, as I watched the video below, I was touched by the look in Thomas’ face (near the end) while seeing the wounds in Christ’s hands from the nails driven through them—healed, but remaining as a witness that it was, indeed, Jesus Christ.

I thought that he must be thinking, “But I saw you suffer!” Suffering, then death, then resurrection—so that all the children of mankind may be resurrected and reunited with our Heavenly Father. How glorious. How amazing. How loving. How kind. Glory be to God for His sacrifice and loving kindness unto us all.

Thomas must have been astounded. Seeing Christ die then live again! It was unheard of, beyond comprehension, until the EXPERIENCE changed Thomas life through his experiential understanding.

I’ve learned that spiritual experiences are not only things you see, but witnesses to our hearts through feelings. I’ve learned through countless experiences, especially experiences with suffering, that Christ still lives and loves us all. I know that the God to which he ascended IS our Heavenly Father, and that Heavenly Father DOES hear and answer our prayers. Not only did Jesus provide the resurrection, that someday our own body can reunite with our own spirit, but I humbly and deeply appreciate the price Christ paid to make a way that we might repent of our sins (change our hearts and ways) in order to be reunited someday with Heavenly Father. It’s a great feeling to know we can qualify for blessings instead of punishments (no matter what we’ve done), through the great gift of the Atonement that Christ provides IF we will repent, humbly and sincerely, and ask for his mercy to cleanse us from our sins, so that we will no longer be spiritually separated from God, we will find peace, and comfort and HOPE.

My hope is in Christ. “He paid a price he didn’t owe because we owed a debt we could not pay.” It is in He whom I put my trust.

From the words of Thomas S. Monson: No words in Christendom mean more to me than those spoken by the angel to the weeping Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when, on the first day of the week, they approached the tomb to care for the body of their Lord. Spoke the angel: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” Our Savior lived again. The most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history had taken place—the victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary had been wiped away. The salvation of mankind had been secured. The Fall of Adam had been reclaimed.

May this video bring you peace, understanding and reassurance. Happy Easter!

About Carolyn Calton

The Pain of Judgment- Looking through windows

I loved this talk by Thomas Monson.  Criticism and harsh judgments can be like poison to our own soul and to relationships.

We should be careful about judging others, as we may be looking through our own “unclean windows.”

“There’s really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of
someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize.
Thus the commandment:  judge not.

About Carolyn Calton

Adoption

I’m so thankful to have been adopted and raised by the most wonderful parents I could ever have.  I’m also so very grateful to my birth mother for giving me the gift of life.

I am touched by this song from the album “Chosen–Songs of Hope Inspired by Adoption”.

Credits:
Tyler Castleton, Cherie Call, Jan Noyes

About Carolyn Calton

Hands not Guided by Eyes

Being blind is “just an inconvenience” to Diane Rose of Waco, Texas.  Watch what she creates with her “hands, not guided by eyes”.

How do you make the best of what life offers?  Are you “an encourager”?

About Carolyn Calton

The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph!

I am a firm believer in creating positive change. This short film is very powerful.

Exerpts from the short film The Butterfly Circus.

Limbless Man: “Stop it! Why would you say that?”
Showman: “Because you believe it, but if you could only see the beauty that can come from ashes.”

The limbless man is shown some traumatic conditions from which the now happy, talented performers in the Butterfly circus had come.

Limbless Man: But they’re different from me! ”

Showman : “Yes.YOU do have an ADVANTAGE. The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.”

I encourage you to take the time to view this short film.
http://thebutterflycircus.com/short-film/

Story
At the height of the Great Depression, the showman (Eduardo Verastegui) of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover Will (Nick Vujicic), a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed.  (words from www.thebutterflycircus.com)

INVITATION FROM CAROLYN:  If you have a desire to positively impact the lives of others, consider JOINING THE QUEST and becoming a Generational ChangeMaker at my Family Tree Quest site.  We are a worldwide group of people who use time-tested, principle centered solutions to strengthen ourselves and our family in THIS generation.  We recognize that our decisions in the present influence future generations.  We are willing to help each other, heal relationships and grow–in spite of challenges.

About Carolyn Calton

Happy New Year, Think About It

Something to think about. Look not behind. Press forward–awake, aware, conscious of daily choices. Learn from the past. Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Leave the past behind and move forward. Our hope is in Christ because he made the way for us to have a fresh start.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrZij9MSTRI

About Carolyn Calton