Right By Your Side

Her parents never took the young girl to church
Never spoke of His name
Never read her His word
Two non-believers walking lost in this world
Took their baby with them
What a sad little girl
Her daddy drank all day and mommy did drugs
Never wanted to play
Or give kisses and hugs
She'd watch the TV and sit there on the couch
While her mom fell asleep
And her daddy went out
And the drinking and the fighting
just got worse every night
Behind their couch she'd be hiding
Oh what a sad little life
And like it always does, the bad just got worse
With every slap and every curse
Until her daddy in a drunk rage one night
Used a gun on her mom and then took his life
And some people from the city took the girl far away
To a new mom and a new dad
kisses and hugs everyday
Her first day of Sunday school the teacher walked in
And a small little girl
Stared at a picture of Him
She said I know that man up there on that cross
I don't know His name
But I know He got off
Cause He was there in my old house
and held me close to His side
As I hid there behind our couch
The night that my parents died

"The Little Girl" - John Michael Montgomery

       

   

      For anyone reading this who is struggling with something in life, never forget that there is always hope. Even through the darkest times, when it seems that there is no way out. Our Savior Jesus Christ knows exactly how we feel, and He will stand by us no matter what. He endured through pain and sorrow beyond all capabilities of the imagination, and He did it for us. I know this because He took away my pain. I know the Atonement Of Jesus Christ is real and that through its power we can experience great happiness and return to live with Him again. No matter where we go or what we go through in life, He will be there, right by our side.

       

Like A Rock

      

Who was George Herman Ruth Jr. ?

          The Sultan of Swat. . .

          The King of Crash. . .

          The Colossus of Clout. . .
          The Great Bambino !!!!
       BABE RUTH !!!!!!!

    Babe Ruth was the greatest baseball player that ever lived. He started his career as a pitcher but ended it as a full time right fielder hitting 714 home runs. He was the face of baseball in the 1920's. Still today he is regarded as one of the greatest athletes period.

    Each time Babe hit a home run, he would notch his bat. Needless to say, he had a lot of bats with a lot of notches! The only other baseball player in history to truly pass the Babe's long ball record was Hank Aaron in 1974.

  

       When I was in my younger days, there was a challenge in my priest quorum. That challenge was that whoever could read the entire Book Of Mormon as a priest, would get a louisville slugger baseball bat with their name and favorite scripture on it. The bats were so sweet! I had played baseball most of my childhood so I knew exactly what they were. I wanted one so bad, and as I watched each of my close friends get theirs, my yearning for one increased.

        So I decided one day that I was going to finish reading the Book Of Mormon before it was too late. I was stuck in the book of Alma for a while, but with effort and patience I made it through and continued reading until one Sunday in sacrament meeting I finally finished ! I couldn't believe it.

        I was so excited to finally get that bat! But soon after I finished reading, I felt a different feeling come over me. I kept dwelling on the last few chapters I had read, the testimonies of Mormon and Moroni, and the promise that if I asked God with a sincere heart, I would know the book was true by the power of The Holy Ghost.

        I already knew it was true. At least, I wanted it to be. I knew that it was the word of God and I knew that no man could have written a book like that unless he was inspired and instructed by God to do so. So I took up Moroni's challenge and decided to ask Heavenly Father.

        I went out to the parking lot and got in my truck, hesitated for a little bit, but after I made up my mind what I was going to do I began to pray. I didn't get knocked to the ground, or struck by lightning. What I felt was a peaceful, burning feeling inside. As sweet assurance that I already knew the answer to my question. I knew The Book Of Mormon was true.

       The next week in church I was handed my louisville slugger, engraved with my name on it and my favorite scripture.

      

       It had a notch right near the label.

    

        I don't remember hitting a lot of home runs when I played ball, but I remembered how it felt. It felt good, like i'd done something great. This felt the same, like I had accomplished something amazing.

       The more and more I look back on the memory of finally acheiveing my goal, the more I begin to realize of what I really gained from it.

       As awesome as my bat is, its just a piece of wood. It will hang on a wall or sit on a dresser somewhere someday where I can see it and reflect on what it means and what it took to get it. But the real prize was the testimony I gained from reading The Book Of Mormon. I know it is true and that it is the word of God. It is what it says it is right on the front cover: Another Testament Of Jesus Christ. I know this to be true, and I know that Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet and instructed to translate ancient plates into what we know as The Book Of Mormon.

       There are many ways to prove if the book is true or not, but it all comes down to the way that will truly testify for itself. Read it, and ask God. Out of any geological evidence, or theological thinking, this way will surely reveal the best answer. That of The Holy Ghost, which will bear witness to anyone who sincerely asks God in the name of Christ.

      4 And when ye shall recieve these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

      5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may konw the truth of all things.

                                                                                                    - Moroni 10:4-5

                                        Moroni's promise still stands true today, and always will.

    

     

The Golden Ticket Theory

       Wouldn't it be nice if all we had to do was open up a chocolate bar and find a golden ticket to get into heaven? Well heck yeah it would, and I think most people would agree.

      It would be so easy. Just buy a bunch of chocolate bars until you find your ticket, and youre home free. You might spend a little money and maybe even gain a few pounds but in the end you'd be set. . . right ?
     Unfortunately its not that easy. But fortunately were all here on earth working for the same goal and in turn, we can all help eachother out.
    The Lord is the one who will ultimately judge us when that time is to come. He is the only one, and nobody knows exactly how we will be judged or on what conditions. But what we do know is the path we are to walk and the gate we are to enter in to. Christ taught that "except a man be born of the water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). Thus we see the need to be baptized. But then we ask ourselves: Is that it?
    The answer is no. Althoguh some might think so, baptism is not the "golden ticket into heaven". Some would say that it doesn't matter what happens after baptism, that you can go on sinning and no matter what you do you will always have your baptism, or "golden ticket". This may be somewhat true but we are still held accountable for the things we do after baptism. Thats what the Holy Ghost is for. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us thst we must have faith in Jesus Christ and his attonement, repent, be baptized, and endure to the end. The last part is the kicker. Enduring to the end.

    We not only have to be baptized but also keep our promises we make at baptism by enduring to the end. Were all different and have different challenges throughout our lives but with the Lord's help it makes it possible. Through the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ we can repent of our mistakes that we make in this life and move on. We might stumble along the way but were always learning and always progressing. No matter what comes in our path we must strive to have faith and pray for strength to carry on. It is my prayer that we can all build our foundations on the rock of our redeemer so that we may one day live with him in the kingdom of our Father.

     

     

The Strength To Come Back

    Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He grew up his whole life playing baseball and had a natural talent for it. His ability enabled him to outplay kids twice his age. He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character" superstars. But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness. What followed was a nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from his friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.
    After signing with Tampa Bay, Hamilton spent his first two years in the minor leagues living with his parents, who had quit their jobs to shepherd their son. Just before the 2001 season began, all three were injured in a car accident. While his parents recovered at home in Raleigh, Hamilton recuperated in Florida while staying with the team.
    Alone for the first time, unable to play, he started hanging out in a local tattoo parlor where he developed his first addiction—to ink. Josh soon began too fall to the influence of the parlor employees which soon led him to alcoholism and the use of cocaine.
       At first Hamilton's drug use was occasional, but by summer 2002, he was using during the season and acting out the paranoid life of a junkie. Then came the first of several positive drug tests and suspensions. By 2004 he had been banned from pro ball altogether.   
      Nearly four years later, after crack-and-booze-induced hazes, bouncing between trailer homes where he'd collapse onto the floor with other addicts, and posh rehab centers where he failed time and again, Josh finally began to hit the road to recovery, when he began to pray and read the bible. He read and stumbled across a scripture in James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" At that moment, he went cold turkey. It was a frightful few weeks. His mind played tricks on him. The cravings were gargantuan. But he began to gain weight and strength, and his Grandmother, who at the time was providing him housing and support, began talking about a comeback. 
       For Josh, that comeback meant making restitution with his wife Katie, restoring their trust, and restoring meaning to his life. It wouldn't be easy, but he knew what he had to do.  After much counseling together their marriage was saved, and Josh found the way to restore the meaning in his life: Pick up the bat and play ball. 
        He began by spending a long winter and spring at the Winning Inning, a Christ-centered youth baseball academy in Clearwater, Florida, where Hamilton cleaned toilets, mowed lawns, and slept on an air mattress. He had to do his chores, help teach the students, and maintain a good attitude. At first, Josh was withdrawn. He had a hard time trusting others, but through his work ethics and bible study his demeanor began to change, and his time in the batting cages proved he still had the goods.
       By the end of the 2006 season, Josh Hamilton was given a second chance by the Tampa Bay Rays and he played well in fifteen games with their minor league team. He was then traded to Cincinnati where he displayed flashes of greatness but was held back by injuries. Then after being traded once again, Josh found his home in Texas. It was here during the 2008 season that Hamilton hit for an average of .304, knocked 32 home runs, batted in 130 runs, and was chosen to play in the all-star game. 
       The night before he set the record in the annual Home Run Derby where he smashed 28 homers in the first round. Crushing the current records set by sluggers like Bobby Abreu, David Ortiz, David Wright, Jason Giambi, and Mark McGuire, some even soaring over 500 feet. His longest one, and estimated 518 feet. Afterward, as millions watched from home, Hamilton credited God for his recovery, and almost immediately the speaking requests poured in from churches, drug rehab programs, and schools.

     
       Hamilton was named to the American League All Star Team, and made the All-Star team the next two seasons as well. He also won the American League batting title in 2010. Then on October 22, 2010, Hamilton was selected as MVP of the 2010 season, and on November 23, 2010, was named the 2010 American League MVP, earning 22 of 28 first-place votes. He would also carry the Rangers to the world series that year, where they lost to the San Fransisco Giants, but despite missing the taste of a world title, Josh Hamilton continues to amaze baseball fans all over the world.
      If you ask Josh, he'll say it's all part of his "platform" for reaching people who deal with their own or loved ones' addictions, and for reaching people with the good news of the gospel. He says, "I'm amazed God could use somebody as flawed as me."
      Josh Hamilton found his way back, and so can we. Each and every one of us are faced with challenges, whether they be big or small, and each of us encounter our own trials. Although we may not know just quite how others feel in these times, there is always someone who does. Our savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for the sins and afflictions of the world. We may never know in complete detail the pain that he suffered, but we do know that because of that great sacrifice we can all return to live with God again one day. 
       No matter how far off the path we find ourselves, we can always pick ourselves back up and keep moving forward. Sometimes it takes time and most always it takes a lot of courage and strength but its possible if we have faith and pray. Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game, because there's always hope through our Savior Jesus Christ who can give us the strength to come back. 

     
       

I've Been Watchin' You Dad

     The further we go in life, the more we come to know ourselves more and more. Through every trial, and every hill we climb, we find out for ourselves who we really are. We find out that we aren't always who we are on the inside, but it's what we do that defines who we are. And we also draw parallels and see where everything we learned came from, who taught us this and who taught us that. The further I go in life, the more and more I realize who I am, and who I want to be. I've been a few places in my life, and learned a lesson or two. They all make me who I am today. But the more I grow up the more and more I realize just who It was who taught me everything I know. My Dad.
     Whether it was under the hood of a truck or sitting next to a fishing hole, pulling cable through houses or out mowing the lawn, I always learned something that I have eventually come to hold priceless. I may not have been the best listener, and things sometimes went over my head, but I was always watching him.

I've been watchin' you Dad, ain't that cool

Im your buckaroo, I wanna be like you 

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are

We like fixin' things and holdin' Momma's hand

Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we Dad

I wanna do everything you do

So I've been watchin' you

     Im proud to say that I am my father's son. He is my hero. I hope one day I can be just like him. That might be impossible though, because of the great man that he is. But thats my goal. I hope one day that I can be as great as an example to my future family as he is to mine.  

Thanks Dad, For Everything.

I Love You 

                                                      

Men United Are Better Than Men Divided

      During my years in high school I took a mythology class. I can't remember why I took it but I do remember learning a lot of . . . stuff. Some of it was cool like stories about Thor and Zeus and all the greek "gods," and then some of the other things I learned just made me shrug my shoulders and wonder. Despite learning a lot of random myths and legends, I did learn a few useful things in that class. One story in particular was from Arabic mythology, It was about three princes and their father who ruled the kingdom.    

      The princes fought and fought all day and night and were always running through the kingdom trying to best each other. One day after causing much destruction during one of their fights, the three princes were brought before their father who then asked in desperation, "what is going to happen when I die?"

      It was then decided that in the best interests of the kingdom the three brothers would be sent out on a quest to find the most wondrous object they can find. Whichever brought back the most wondrous in the eyes of their father would inherit the throne. The three brothers immediately set out in their quest.

      Exactly one year later the brothers met at a trading post a hundred miles away from the kingdom to compare their treasures. One had found a magical flying carpet that could fly at extremely fast speeds. The second brother had found a magical telescope that could show him anything he desired to see. And the third had discovered a vile of potion that could heal any wound and even heal the deceased.
      Just as they were about to race back to their father's kingdom, one of the princes had seen their father through the telescope he had found. To their dismay they saw that their father had become very ill and was on his deathbed. The distance they had to travel was too great to travel in the time their father had left, so they quickly put their wits together and used the magic carpet to race back to the kingdom in hopes that they might save their father with the potion the one brother had found.

                                                                     They Flew. . . .











                                                                     And Flew  . . . .












                                                 And made it just in time to save their father!!!

         After a lifelong quarrel, the three brothers were able to work together for once and because of it their father was saved ! All three eventually became heirs to the kingdom and ruled for a time until it was time for their sons to do so.

         I share this story because of what I learned when i heard it for the first time. We see it all around us. Wars and rumors of wars, contentions, disasters, and calamities. Were definitely seeing the signs of the times! But no matter what comes our way we are always surrounded by others who all have different backgrounds and different strengths. Thats why it is so important that we do not let contention into our hearts. We know it is of the devil. And Jesus himself said to "love thy neighbor as thyself." We are all brothers and sisters and if we can all come together and forget our differences not only in times of emergency but all the time we will be amazed by what we can accomplish!

The Holy Ghost: A Man's Best Friend

      Those who know me know that I have a great love for animals. My favorite of course, are dogs. For all those who own and are around dogs know of their loyalty and their love. My dog Millie, is an American Pitt Bull who my girlfriend and I rescued from abandonment a year or so ago. She has been the best dog I've ever had! Loyal, friendly, protective, and always right by your side. Truly, a man's best friend.

      This morning while I was studying and reflecting on a few things, I ran through some memories of home. My study topic this morning was The Spirit of God. Upon searching out scriptures I made a parallel from some of the characteristics I found. The Spirit is with us always, granted we live worthy and do not offend it. It is there to protect us, to warn us, and to keep us safe.

      I was drawn to memories of Millie and my five year old brother Gage. Whenever he was outside working on his quad, or riding his bike, playing in the mud etc. . . She was always there. Always right by his side. And wherever he went, so did Millie. We were never too worried about him when he went out on his own adventures, Because we knew Millie was with him and she would stand in the way of any danger.

      The Holy Ghost, is a man's best friend. How blessed we are to have the Holy Ghost with us, to warn us and to protect us. This gift we receive at baptism is so essential in enduring to the end. I pray we can all strive and live worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us at all times and in all places. That we may further escape the hands of Satan and his servants. And to always have the Spirit with us, as a man's best friend.