Sabbath Reflections - Christ's Tender Mercy

Garden of Gethsemane

A tender peace truly abides among us when we pause from the cares of the world, amid the commotion of all things, and gather together to lift, to strengthen and to nurture one another in the gospel of Christ; pausing from the seeming routineness of everyday living or amid our midnight moments to draw upon the tender mercies of the Master. We are blessed beyond measure as partakers of His love and atoning sacrifice, wherein we can be sheltered and comforted amid the storms of life.

As so many are sorrowed in the suffering of Stephanie's dear friends, Christian and Stephanie Nielson ("NieNie"), may we find comfort in the Atoning love and tender mercies of the Master. It has been a difficult year for many, and irrespective of our personal storms or joyful mornings, the Lord entreats each of us to come as He did Peter in Matthew. There is joy amid the sorrows, born of His tender love.

The meekness and infinite capacity of the Master to love is manifest in His submissive sacrifice for each of us as He willingly submitted and suffered in Gethsemane and on Calgary.

"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. And He will take upon Him death, that He may loose the bands of death which bind His people; and He will take upon Him their infirmities, that His bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that He may know according to the flesh how to succor His people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

His love and perfect empathy are without bounds as is His capacity to comfort because He suffered all things. How comforting it is to know and feel of His constant love.

Reflecting upon the compassion and tender pleadings of the Master, and following the account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we read in Matthew 14:

“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

The Savior, knowing the hearts of His friends, constrained them that they should go and prepare the way for Him on the other side, while He offered concluding comfort to the multitudes, who likely sought to remain in the presence of the Master. After the multitudes dispersed, having previously learned of the death of his cousin John, the Savior sought for solitude and the comfort and solace of our Heavenly Father in submissive prayer. Having been comforted by His Father, the Savior went to join His friends. Amid the contrary sea, He approached. Discerning their fear and trepidation as He approached, He “straightway,” or immediately sought to comfort them by reassuring them that it was He, and to be “not afraid” and be of “good cheer.” How blessed we are as He tenderly offers similar counsel and comfort to each of us amid our contrary seas. Peter, seeking for reassurance, bid the Savior that he could come unto Him on the water. To which the Savior said, COME. Amid the storm, Peter looked about for he was distracted and looked away from the Savior, as we tend to do in life. He began to doubt, wherein he began to sink. Pleading for help, the Savior stretched forth His hand and caught Him, as He does with each of us in similar circumstance. Our contrary seas may be personal or extensial, spiritual or temporal, notwithstanding, our tutorial trials can be absorbed in the atoning sacrifice and suffering of the Savior, if we will but let them. His tender hands are continually stretched out to reach our reaching; if only we would recognize the infinite capacity of His atoning gift and love.

Sabbath Reflections - What Matters?

We made a quick trip to Southlake to see our Texans these past couple of days, and look forward to the coming journeys to Nevada, Arizona, California and Indiana in the next couple of months. Although we have no plans to visit Washington DC in the near future, our constant is found in change, so who knows. In any event we look forward to our family "counting" (gathering) in October for the Chapman University unveiling of 'Bill and Barbara Parker Atrium Lobby.' (notice the orange and pink)

Sabbath Reflections
Sunday's are always great days for quiet reflection and contemplation. Having spent so much time with our kids and grandkids lately, and having just returned from Texas, my reflections have turned to family. While sitting in church today and singing the hymns my mind harkened back to years past when our kids were in fact kids, little children, even babies. It must have been the hymns that we sung today. But every time we sing Abide with Me, I Know That My Redeemer Lives, Silent Night, Families Can Be Together Forever, I Feel My Savior's Love ..., these tender thoughts re-emerge. As vivid as memories can be, especially for me these days, I thought of days' past when Lauren and I would share our daily evening routine of singing our kids to sleep at night, either while rocking them in a chair, in our arms, or just attending their bedsides. We would often sing hymns and Primary songs until they were fast asleep. What sweet memories!

I suppose it was the tender memories of singing the kids to sleep that caused me to further reflect on one of my favorite phrases, "it mattereth not." It is in knowing what truly matters and what doesn't that affords us valued perspective in life. For to know what matters and be anxiously engaged therein, increases our God-given capacities for success. It is when we are diluted or distracted by that which "mattereth not", that we become weary, frustrated and constrained or diminished, in whatever course we choose. If success is found in striving to meet the full measure of our creation, then it is incumbent upon us to be discerning as to what matters; in marriage, in parenting, in family, in our societal responsibilities and in life. I can still remember a story told by Stephen Covey of the family whose choice it was to spend their annual bonus on renovating a bathroom or taking a family vacation - his conclusion was that in the years that followed, little would be remembered of the bathroom, whereas the memories of the family vacation would linger through the ages. The perspective of attending and responding to what matters brings so much more peace and satisfaction in life. Inherent in its demand is to subordinate our self interests to those of others, hence the peace and joy derived thereby. Our joy is full as we think of our family and visit with each, even if they are spread in 6 states!

In the illustration above of loving our kids to sleep, will they remember us singing them to sleep at night, or getting them a drink as they sought to delay bedtime? Probably not, but the time spent, the peace felt and the love nurtured, if it did not profoundly affect them, it did me! These wonderful and tender memories continue as we visit our kids now as adults and have the opportunity to love our grandkids to sleep!

Joy in the Morning of our Lives!

Although the exhilaration of pleasure has its allure, it cannot compare to the exquisite nature of joy. Pleasure is something we experience here and now, while joy is something without boundary or measure, for joy is everlasting. It is also interesting to note, that when seeking for pleasure, a temporary and fleeting experience, we fail to experience true joy, but when we seek for true joy or joy everlasting, we can and often do experience pleasure along the way. "Even legitimate pleasure is as transitory as the things which produce it, while joy is as lasting as the things which produce it!" (Neal A Maxwell) Hence the argument.

Unlike the pleasures of life, joy is everlasting and eternal, and is only found in that which truly matters; in knowing our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ; in tender and loving relationships; in family and posterity; in loving others more than self; in observing and experiencing the hand of God in His creations and in all things. Joy is the singular byproduct of charity and charity is the pure love of Christ.

As noted in a previous post and referenced above, joy is in family and in posterity. Without doubt our life is full. Such is not to say we don't have our moments or trials, but joy is also found amid sorrows in life.

To the joy in my life - Happy Anniversary! These past 36+4 years together have been filled with joy!

Obama Said What? Tell Me It Isn't So!

Although not intended to be a political blog, I can't help but comment on the audacity and compromised judgment of Barack Obama, if what he is quoted as saying is accurate.

Tell me he was misquoted, but in today's USA Today Opinion Section Obama in defining sin is quoted as saying, sin is "being out of alignment with my values." Did he really say that? I know he talks of audacity, but really. This is beyond the pale, that he could define sin in such a manner, and qualify himself as the arbiter and judge of what is sin. It is not mine to judge, for people can think and believe what they will. Even so, it is an issue of pride beyond measure and extremely dangerous for anyone to assume such a position. Maybe he meant to say that sin is being out of alignment with Christ's values, that gets him closer, but he didn't. America cannot, should not and hopefully will not elect any individual who appoints himself as such.

Joy

This past week we had the joy of family, with all in Sundance. Joy without measure - only added upon in fullness by participation with our sons as Matthew blessed Sadie. Although it is uncommon in the world today, there is no greater joy than when a loving father, by and through the holy Priesthood, takes his child in his arms and presents him or her to our Heavenly Father and then pronounces a heartfelt and inspired blessing on the child. To our joy, such has been our lot, as each of our sons have so blessed their children.


To each of our children and their families - you provide joy beyond measure because of who you are and the love and tenderness reflected in your countenances.

A Counting!

We have spent the past week with all of our children and grandchildren. Although not a formal family reunion involving days of planning, the serendipitous event brought us all together since Hawaii last year. My parents flew in and we had quite the affair. I suppose you could say we "held a counting." Some pictures below to remember the occasion.