Some passages of scripture are like old friends. I didn't much feel like reading the scriptures today, but I did anyway. I have made a habit of responding to the "I don't feel like it" impulse that way: I do it anyway.

As I read, I encountered some passages that are quite dear to me. Here's one:

"Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea remember that he cometh to redeem the world." (Helaman 5:9)

I'll be taking a break from the blog on Thursday and Friday. But, I'll post again on Monday, so please check back. It'll be there.

John.

My good friend, Jerry, and I went on another ride this past Saturday. It was not quite 40 degrees (Farenheit), so it was chilly at the start. Layering is key. In this brief recording, we describe which types of layers we are using. You can hear the morning birds joyously chirping away- definitely one of the best parts of riding early in the morning.

Ride On

We are sometimes inclined to think that scriptures are dusty old books with old words that have lost their meaning to us now. But, this is not so. Carefully read these ten short verses and see if we feel something like David did:

Psalms 141:

1 Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

7 Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.

9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.

My sweet wife, Carolyn, has been buying these things called Gel Gems. And, I am decorating my window in my office with them. I include a photo from today. I had to take it at an angle to avoid glare from the office across the hall.

I love these things, mostly because they remind me of her.

Nearly everyone who has met me knows of my passion for music- particularly rock and roll. One of the bands that has caught my attention is Silversun Pickups. They are a band from Los Angeles.

I went to a show featuring this band last Friday. It was an amazing performance, and the band held nothing back. I was right in the front enjoying every note, every syllable, every vibration. Sweat was flying, and the crowd was very into it. We were all jumping about. At the end of the encore the drummer gave one of his sticks to two different people right next to me. The band cleared the stage, and the house lights came up. I wished I could have received one of the sticks for my son, Andrew, who is an aspiring percussionist.

I looked down in front of me, and directly within my arm's reach was a guitar pick from the bass player. She had left a pick there after her fine performance. I was briefly tempted to grab one of the picks as a gift to my son, James, who also plays the bass.

Exodus 20:15

15 Thou shalt not steal

I did not take a pick. They are inexpensive--- a trivial expense. One dollar will usually buy a couple of decent picks.

But, it is not about their value. I knew that I could not give a pick to James that I had not acquired honorably.

I am grateful for the commandments. They protect us and protect our conscience.

I'll always enjoy the Silversun Pickups even more now knowing that I had not fetched that guitar pick.

I was on the phone this morning with a dear friend from the past. Several years ago there were some miscues and misunderstandings, and our friendship seemed ended. No angry words were exchanged, but it was sad nonetheless. I have thought of him and his family nearly every day since then.

I finally phoned him after carrying his number with me for nearly a year, and I was delighted to hear his voice. It felt good to catch up, and I was eager to let him know that I could see how I had contributed to issues that arose between us, and I was sorry. He was gracious and kind. We both recognized that we were a bit younger, less wise, and we've learned a lot since then.

He said something to the effect, "Well, when you have people figuring things out, finding their way in the midst of challenges, it's not going to be pretty." He was as thoughtful and good as I recalled him being.

I am reminded of the Lord's admonition for us to be forgiving of others--- especially when we owe Him so much. We owe Him infinitely. He tells the story of a servant who sought forgiveness of debts but could not extend it to those who owed him money (Matthew 18:23-35)

 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

It felt so refreshing to renew contact with this friend. I feel more love. It's a good feeling.

In Galations we read Paul's writing about the Law of Moses. This was a key topic, because there many who wondered if they should keep going with the Law of Moses in the context of their new Christian faith.

Paul leaves no doubt about Jesus being the focus of it all along. He recognizes that somewhere along the way, the children of Israel phased the the Messiah out of the picture and focused uniquely on the law itself. He says (Galatians 3:24)

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

I spent a good deal of time in college studying the Greek in the New Testament. The word "justified" as used here in Greek means literally "acquitted." In other words- we are all guilty as charged, but through the grace of Jesus Christ, we can be acquitted nonetheless because He has suffered the penalty in the grand Atonement. By following Him and being obedient to His commandments, we show the desire of our hearts, that we love Him and desire His company eternally.

The Book of Mormon, a record of part of the tribe of Joseph before Christ's advent, contains startlingly clear doctrine about what the law of Moses is all about. At one point, a faithful group focus their lives on the Christ who is to come, but they continue with the law of Mose (Alma 25:16):

"but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith unto eternal salvation..."

Commandments are not meant to limit us but to help us become stronger in our faith in Jesus. Obedience is the way even though it is not always easy.

Easily one of the most important verses of scripture in my life is this one from Alma 22:14. It sums up so much of the Gospel and the unique power of Jesus to save us. Our works do not save us. We cannot "earn" any of our salvation through our works. There is no debate about this. There is no point in discussing the question. The Bible and the Book of Mormon are clear. As the ancient prophet taught:

 14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory;

Let us repent and be obedient to His commandments and demonstrate our desire for the great gift of salvation. It will not be granted to us otherwise. Only one Man has any Merit- and that is Jesus Christ.