Tag Archives: Trials

Spiritual Vitality: Where is the Solid Foundation Upon Which to Stand?

Helaman said to his sons:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
–Helaman 5:12

Enough said today.

About Carolyn Calton Carolyn Calton

Carolyn Calton is an online educator and ReNEW YOU Life Strategist. As founder of FamilyTreeQuest.com, CarolynCalton.com and as CEO of Ron Newsom's LiahonaLightAcademy.com, Carolyn helps sincere, determined men and women embrace with certainty a safe, secure framework for creating their own brighter and happier future TODAY—no matter their past. Turning heartache to happiness, those who Join her ReNEW YOU Classes and Joyful Breakthrough Membership Circles at FamilyTreeQuest.com, learn how to turn stress, anxiety, anger and dysfunction to hope, direction, happiness and peace in order to renew and regenerate themselves, their families and family lines.

Spritual Vitality: Love God Through Thick and Thin

This morning, I was pondering. This realization came to the forefront of my mind.

I have a deep and abiding desire to teach my children and grandchildren, through my example, to Love the Lord through thick and thin.

In Isaiah’s words:

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29–31.

God helps us when we call upon His name in faith, believing we shall receive. I bear witness to His constant goodness and divine intercession in our behalf.

Consider the deepest desires of your heart. What will you do today to take creative action in order for your desires to be fulfilled? Take decisive action. Celebrate your results.

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Spiritual Vitality Tip. We Almost Lost Her.

Service amid despair and Gratitude for service rendered

Remember, your choices today INfluence Generations!

I’m reflecting, with deep gratitude, on the loving service given to me and my children by MANY family members and friends during our times of deep distress last year.

My sweet youngest daughter, Marissa, was in crisis, and her oldest brother and second sister moved into quick action to get her from Arizona to Colorado. They took her directly to the hospital where I met her and stayed with her there. She was immediately placed on suicide watch. I remember, so well, her courage to do what it took to work through her anxiety, face her fears and to slowly, but steadily, release her depressed thoughts. Somewhere amid the gloom, she wanted to live and to create a better life–and that desire and determination won out over her despair.

We shared a room for many months, she got a job at TJ Maxx, got her Colorado license to do hair and began working as a stylist and makeup artist at a salon with the support of so many friends here in CO. She bought a little truck, and today she and her friends are moving into their own place! Small, deliberate steps created SUCH a huge miracle in her life!

Sincere service and Gratitude for service rendered are, indeed, heavenly qualities and gifts. The feelings I feel right now touch me deeply. Helping others while having a sincere heart and real intent adds up to making a huge difference in our world.

There are still so many wonderful people in our world, including Marissa’s friends, hospital staff, counselors, and friends here in Colorado, who, through their loving support during that tumultuous time, helped to keep my daughter safe and alive. I will be forever grateful for the loving, supportive, much-needed service of those who rose to the occasion, gave of themselves, and allowed me to still have the blessing of having my youngest daughter near. AND the untold sacrifices of my sweet Lisa, during and persisting through the months of Marissa’s recovery and continuing now are beyond measure and will be forever embedded in my heart. Jon and Lisa opened their both their home and their hearts, and no, it wasn’t always easy. The prayers and other enduring devotion to family shown by my other children and their spouses are also acknowledged.

The divine in me recognizes the divine in you,

INspired Action Step: Let us be grateful today for at least 3 people who have touched our lives in a meaningful way. Let us notice and be grateful every day for those people who bless us, help us and cause us to want to contribute positively to the lives of others as well.

Carolyn

About Carolyn Calton Carolyn Calton

Under the onslaught of troubles

My sweet friend has recently experienced the death of her mother. She is a woman of faith (not losing faith), yet I know times are really tough for her right now. Many of us have undergone other trials– finances, health, frustration, discouragement and more that is spoken of in this video. My heart is deeply touched by this topic. I hope it will help you or someone you love.

Below are comments from Henry B. Eyring. I hope you will take 5 minutes to watch Mountains to Climb.

“Now I wish to encourage those who are in the midst of hard trials, who feel their faith may be fading under the onslaught of troubles. …

Finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will help us have the power to endure and overcome even the hardest trials in life.

If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts the power to endure will crumble.

Acting on even a twig of faith allows God to grow it.

That particle of faith, most precious, that you should protect and use to whatever extent you can, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord has promised, “I will not forsake thee.”

Comments are welcomed under this post on my Facebook site.

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God did hear our cries and answer our prayers.

New thoughts are posted on my www.HealingYourFamily.com blog.
God did hear our cries and answer our prayers.
Take a look by clicking here.

About Carolyn Calton Carolyn Calton

Flattery and Empathy

Wow. I gained insight today as I read about a man named Gadianton “who was exceedingly expert in many words.” He used flattery, others bought into it, and it turned out to be more destructive through its ripple effect than could ever be imagined!

I concluded that it’s important that we DO NOT CONFUSE FLATTERY, which is insincere praise, WITH EMPATHY, which is a sincere seeking to understand another’s situation or feelings.

I realized that many good-hearted, empathetic people in our day may confuse flattery with empathy. Many stay in more-than-difficult situations because they see what seems to be good in another person and think it’s empathy, when underneath, in the heart of the other, there is deceit and calculated choices. Destruction is brewing.

Developing the quality of discernment is important in our lives today. Discernment is keen perception or insight. To me, this must be coupled with the influence and insight that comes from God into our own hearts, so that we may see clearly and know clearly what to do next in our lives and in our relationships.

The influence of good-hearted people is needed in our ever-darkening world. We must continue to shine the light of our positive influence without fear of being used and abused. To do this, I can see that discernment is needed, so we do not become prey to those with deceitful desires and self-centered, destructive purposes in their hearts.

We must also check our own heart and the methods we use to interact with others. Do we simply use flattery (insincere praise) to get our own way, or are we truly connecting heart-to-heart through empathy. We all long to be loved, appreciated and cared about. Choosing empathy is choosing a path to healthy connections if both parties have empathy in their hearts. Choosing flattery leaves you feeling emotionally flat and alone–even in a crowd.

Reference to Gadianton: Helaman 2:4-14 in the Book of Mormon