Sunday, November 10, 2013

Speaking in Church Topic: The Life of Christ, Savior and Redeemer

Hi all,

Once again it has been forever since I updated here.
But I am speaking in church on Sunday and wanted to share my talk.

Please be kind and do not rip my talk to shreds :) I recognize I am NOT in anyway shape or form a professional writer nor do I clam to know all things about this topic.
If anyone has any questions or just wants to talk kindly and respectfully about religion I would love the opportunity :)


Good afternoon everyone.  I’ve been asked to start by introducing myself and my family.  My name is Melanie Bush.  My husband Jeff and I have lived in Wylie for 8 years now. We met at in college at BYU.  When we first met it was at what we called snack an’ mack.  It was where a guys and a girls apartment were paired up to get to know each other and share a snack.  Jeff was in charge of the treats for the night so I like to tease him that when we first met he was more interested in the cookies than me.  But in his defense I was more interested in his roommate at the time so the teasing goes both ways.  We have five children.  Ages 10, 7, 3 and two almost 2 year olds. It’s a very busy and exciting life.



The topic I have been asked to speak on today is The life of Jesus Christ: Savior and Redeemer.

As I have been studying to give this talk I kept postponing writing anything down on paper.  I had lots of thoughts and feelings bouncing around in my mind and heart but I felt anxiety over my topic.  It was really starting to bother me that I couldn’t get anything narrowed down.

Then as I was praying for guidance I realized why I had been struggling.  This topic is so important!  I dare say the most important topic we can learn about.  So how could anything I say today ever do it justice?  Well, I realized I can not do it justice. 

Elder Richard G. Scott said “I realize that no mortal mind can adequately conceive, nor can human tongue appropriately express, the full significance of all that Jesus Christ has done for our Heavenly Father’s children through His Atonement. Yet it is vital that we each learn what we can about it. The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness.” (1)

So as I speak today please listen beyond me and try and hear the things the Holy Ghost whispers to your heart.

2 Nephi 33:1 “for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” (4)

My goal in speaking is that each of us will use the atonement more fully in our life.

I was using my husband’s scripture’s to study and I came across a sticky note from years ago. It was in Matthew chapter 15.  On it was written a very applicable question. “Who is Christ to me?” I learned a lot from the answer that came next.  “He is my Savior, and example of what and who I can BECOME.”  I love that word become.  What are we BECOMING?  The Savior taught in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  We are becoming perfected.  To me just hearing the word becoming relieves pressure I place on myself to be perfect right NOW.  It is a process, having many ups and downs. 

The Savior provided the way, in John 14:6 we read “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can become more like Him.  Using the atonement is not a onetime event.  It is meant for continuous use.

I used to think of the Atonement as being literally two events.  First when Christ suffered in Gethsemane and then second when he was crucified on the cross.  But in the bible dictionary under “Atonement” it says

“By His sinless life, the shedding of His blood in the garden of Gethsemane, His death on the cross and…. resurrection from the grave, He made a perfect atonement for all mankind.”

The Atonement was not just one or two moments of the Saviors life but rather, WAS his life. His entire life was lived for each and every one of us.

The word atonement can be defined as reconciliation, unity, agreement, or accord with God.  We can take the word atonement and break it in to three words “AT ONE MENT”.  The purpose of the atonement is to make us at one with God.

In John 4:16 we learn God is Love.

And in John 3:16 we read “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The life of Jesus Christ can be summed up in one word ‘LOVE’.

When Jesus Christ was asked “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:36-39)

The Savior loves us.  If the atonement is to make us one with God, and God is love, then the atonement is to make us one with love.  The atonement gives us power to love, and by loving we will use the atonement more fully in our life.

When Christ was on the earth he was found among the poor, sick, widowed, and sinners. Because of this I learn Christ’s love and redemption is for all.  Every person on this earth no matter what they have done, can feel the redeeming love of the Savior.

As we learn and grow we do not do this alone…

In Matthew 11:29 the Savior said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

We can have Christ with us all of our life.  He has already paid the price for us when he lived his perfect life, suffered in Gethsemane, died on the cross, and then was resurrected three days later. 

Will we do the things he has asked us to do so that we can become all we have the divine potential within ourselves to become?

I have the opportunity to teach music in primary.  I am always telling the children that we sing primary hymns because the words in them, strengthen our testimonies.  I would like to share one, it is called “He sent his son”.

“How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? 

He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness. 

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go? 

He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know. 

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death? 

He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath. 

What does the Father ask of us? 

What do the scriptures say? 

Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way. 

What does he ask?  Live like his Son.”

I challenge each of us to take a second to think of something you will do to learn more about the Savior this week. 

I know our father in heaven loves us.  I know he has a plan for our lives.  I know that learning from his perfect son Jesus Christ is the only way we will have the desire to follow that plan.

In closing I would like to bare you my testimony that Christ lives.  He lived his perfect life and suffered for you and for me.  He loves us and wants us to be happy.  I am grateful for his guiding hand in my life.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

References:



3.    King James version of the Holy Bible

4.    The Book of Mormon Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Monday, September 9, 2013

Life has obviously been VERY busy here or it would have been 10 months since my last post. 
So life has been busy but wonderful. 
The kids are all growing like weeds and learning more everyday.  I learn from them everyday also.  This school that I enrolled in called "The Family" is the easiest and best decision I ever made!
Hopefully I will be able to start keeping this updated ;0)

Eleanor Turns Three

 

 
Happy 3rd Birthday Ellie
 



The boys loved playing with Ellie's new baby dolls too! 
Sweet Hearts!