The Power of Music

I love music, but not usually the stuff you hear on the radio. Because I am trying to become a better person, you'll find my car CD player full of uplifting, often religious, music. Some may think that is so boring, but I love it--I need it.

I think music is healing, therapeutic, inspiring, energizing and uplifting. Because the words are put to music, it is easier to recall the words and the messages given. When I am going through hard times, I am often comforted through music. The Holy Ghost can speak to us when we strive to listen to good music that is conducive to the Spirit.

Recently, I had the opportunity to review a CD of my favorite group, Mercy River (incidentally, they just changed their website, and it is gorgeous! I literally just spent 20 minutes perusing it. I'm kind of a huge fan/non-dangerous stalker). I was grateful for the opportunity of course, but I soon realized how it was an answer to my aching heart. So many of the lyrics were reminders of who I am, a visual of what I need to do and a feeling of peace and love from God.

One of these is "Holy Ground"
(David Osmond, Aaron Edson)
© 2010 One South Publishing

I guess my life has somehow been like the woman caught in sin
She sat there broken at His feet she knew the law
But heard let he who’s without sin cast the first stone
And not a single one was thrown
With no man left there to accuse, she left behind her tattered shoes

I’m on Holy Ground now and I don’t ever want to leave
Hold me here now and keep my feet planted down in what I’ve found
Upon this holy ground

I know I didn’t have to leave to find this feeling inside me
But I left it all the same I broke the rules to win the game
And now its clear from where I stand, I could’ve always felt His Hand
And though His touch I did refuse, I’m laying down these tattered shoes

With every moment standing here I can feel Him drawing near
And if I could stay in this place I’m sure that I could see His face
And yet I know life must go on, so let this memory linger on inside
Become a part of me

I’m on Holy Ground now and I don’t ever want to leave
Hold me here now and keep my feet planted down in what I’ve found
Upon this holy ground

For me, this song is a beautiful illustration of how we leave not only our sins at the feet of our Savior, but also leaving behind our hurts, pains, sufferings and the wrongs done to us. We don't need to carry any of this around with us as our Savior has already done it for us. We can become clean, be healed, and become whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Whether it's a CD in your car, at church or wherever else, there can be inspiration and special messages just for you conveyed through the Holy Ghost. I say no to the music of the world because it does not make me feel good inside (though you can find  some on the radio that are good!). I fill my life and the lives of my kids with good music. It is powerful. It can change and shape lives. The same goes for bad music, but in a negative way. The influence of music in our lives is far reaching, so choose wisely! 

© Wendy 2014

Greater Love....

It's Valentine's Day...a day where love is celebrated by couples and often despised by those who may be currently single. Regardless of how you celebrate, here's something to always remember, or at least consider:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

 Think about what each of these images mean and represent:

Christ prayed and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sins, our pains, our sorrows, our infirmities. He felt every pain we have ever and ever will suffer. He is the only One who really knows exactly what we are going through and can thus perfectly pay the price for us. We are saved only through His grace, His sacrifice, which is greater than any humanly possible love.

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." (Alma 7:11, The Book of Mormon)

In the midst of this suffering, he was being sought after to be put to death. He could have stopped this, but physical death was another part of the Atonement.   

"And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people." (Mosiah 15:5)

"16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS." (John 19:16-19)

Because of the resurrection, the bands of deaths will not hold us. All mankind will be resurrected--wicked or righteous--another essential part of the Atonement.

"And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again." (Mark 10:34)

"And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20)

At some point, a time that no one knows, except the Father, Jesus Christ will come again. A day I look forward to, a day for rejoicing and gladness. At which point, a Millennium will follow where Satan will be bound and peace will reign on the earth with Jesus as our King.

"29 For in mine own due time will I come upon the earth in judgment, and my people shall be redeemed and shall reign with me on earth.

30 For the great Millennium, of which I have spoken by the mouth of my servants, shall come.

31 For Satan shall be bound, and when he is loosed again he shall only reign for a little season, and then cometh the end of the earth." (Doctrine and Covenants 43:29-31)



Regardless of who you are, where you live, your race, economic status or what you have done wrong, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of mankind loves you. He wants to help you. He wants you to use His Atonement to be cleansed and healed from sins, sorrows and all other pain. We can be made whole through Him. Just do it. We only have to open the door, as he is always there, knocking, waiting for you to let Him in.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

Remember that you are loved by the Greatest One of all, and His love never fails.

*Pictures courtesy of www.lds.org.

© Wendy 2014