Day 17

Hope is the Gospel of Christ

2 Nephi 32:3

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy
Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of
Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast
upon the words of Christ; for behold, the
words of Christ will tell you all things what
ye should do."

While taking a walk one Sunday evening,
I passed by the old Church on Main Street.
My mind was flooded with memories of
my childhood, serving on an Indian
Mission and going from Branch to Branch
and on the reservation to give talks
or sing a hymn for a special number,
 and share the Gospel.
The Gospel of Christ is such a blessing, it is
a strength of hope in knowing that we are in
His hands, and that through the atonement
of Christ we shall have eternal life.

Mormon 5:23

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of
God? Know ye not that he hath all power,
and at his great command the earth shall
be rolled together as a scroll?"

 

 

Photo By Jeri Burt

Day 16

Hope is an Alabaster Jar

Matt. 26:7

"There came unto him a woman having
an alabaster box of very precious ointment,
and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat."

Mary took an Alabaster flask of costly oils of
spikenard and anointed the head of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.  She set an example of love and
service.

It is a very blessed calling to anoint someone's
head with your gifts.  You could anoint
someone's head with the gift of finances for
someone who is in need.  You can give the
gift of time to the elderly, or sick or afflicted.
You can be creative in the ways that the Holy
Spirit calls you, to pour your alabaster jar of
gifts. 

Isaiah 58:10 says, "If you pour yourself out for
the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness and
your gloom as the noonday sun."

Keep your jar of alabaster with you, being
watchful and ready to pour the gift of love
in serving our Father in Heaven.

                                                     Photo By: Jeri Burt

Day 15

Hope is Humility

Micah 6:8
"He has shown you, O mortal what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God."

While I was contemplating humility I decided
to search it out a little.  In searching I found
a wonderful story told by President David O McKay.
It is a long story yet I wanted to share it.  I will do my
best to share a short account of the story.

There was an artist who had been laboring on a
painting depicting the life of Christ.  His painting was
near to being complete except for two figures.  He
needed a face for the child Jesus, and Judas Iscariot.
So he went out searching.  He found a humble young
boy who was perfect for the painting.  The young boy
modeled as the perfect image for the Christ Child.
Now the painter needed to find a model for Judas.
He searched for many years unsuccessful, until one
day he saw a man who was dirty, and drunk, lost in sin 
and pride.   His face was weary and sad - a perfect model.
The painter began painting the man and as they talked,
the man revealed to the painter that he was the child
the painter had used for the face of the Christ Child.

Like Judas, this man had lost hope.  It was his pride
that led him down the lost and hopeless path.  Judas
Iscariot did not betray Jesus with the kiss.  He lost hope,
and his pride led him to the Kiss of Betrayal against our
Savior.

Humility draws us into helpful and truthful things.

Humility is so important in our hopeful journey
that despite the length of this post I feel compelled
to share these words by President David O McKay.

"Only the complete surrender of our inner life may
we rise above the selfish, sorbid pull of nature.
What the spirit is to the body, God is to the spirit....
When we eliminate God from our lives, spirituality
languishes."

Day 14

Hope is Joy

James 1:2-3
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds. 3 because
you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance."

When I was ministering in the jail, I did a series of messages
on joy.  Happiness is based on emotions and good circumstances, pure Joy comes from Jesus.  We can find Joy in any circumstance when we are walking in the foot steps of Christ.  He created us to have joy.
There is a form of True Happiness and according to our Prophet Joseph Smith he said,  "Happiness is the object and design of our existence ad will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads us to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all of God's commandments."

Joy is a series of notes
playfully skillfully
gliding along in each measure.
The joy of Christ rings out
a church bell echoing
reaching the ears of his people.
Joy in the Lord is like wings of Eagles
flying high above the storms.
written by: Jeri Burt
  

 

                                       
                                                                photo by: Jeri Burt

Day 13

Hope is Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"4.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. 

Love covers so many different things. 
The love of a child, the love of your spouse,
the love of God, the love of nature, the love
of music, loving our enemies, loving those who
hurt us.  The list goes on.
Forgiving unleashes the chains we
hold on those who have offended us.  Forgiving
ourselves is freeing.  There is so much I can say
about love so I will put it in a nut shell with
this poem I wrote taken from my Sunday Poetry.

Jesus nurtured his sheep
He told stories for you and me
of the love command to keep.
He asked Peter, "Do you love me?
Then feed my sheep."
Love is nurturing to set people free.
Loves conversion is to love
to tend to each others needs
Nurturing builds the Kingdom thereof.

We build Zion when we nurture with love.
Love is our hope.

                                                      Drawing by: Jeri Burt

Day 12

Hope is Being Still

Psalm 62:5
"My soul, wait thou only on God;
for my expectation is from Him."

A loss for words
is a resting place in my song
where notes once played
melodies moved with rhythm
different sounds
tones and tempos danced in harmony
the music taking me away
on unknown paths
So, I wait - resting
in my Saviors loving presence
His love is immeasurable
on the musical scale
of notes and timing
His song lifts all measures
so I rest - waiting for the cue
where I'll follow his guiding hand.
Then the notes I play will be
the sweetest notes taught to me
A lovely melody resumes.
Written By: Jeri Burt

God is the composer;
His will is at work, be still.

Drawing by: Jeri Burt

Day 11

Hope Looks Up

Psalm 123:1
"To you I lift my eyes, O You
who are enthroned in the heavens!"

In the poem, I went to heaven, written
by Emily Dickenson, she describes heaven,
" ...At the full dew,
Beautiful as pictures
No man drew..."

The Prophet Joseph Smith was quoted as
saying, "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes
you would know more then reading all that ever was
written on the subject. (TPJS,p.324; cf HC 6:50)

When I was in college I chose to draw this Chimp
because of his upward gaze.  I love this drawing
because it is a constant reminder for me to keep
looking up, keep the faith, keep the Hope.

Day 10

Hope has sails

1 Nephi 18:8

"Strong winds blew the ship toward
the promised land."

                                              Painting By: Jeri Burt

We know the story of Lehi and his family 
The Lord  told him to take his family onto the
ship  they had built.  They loaded their provisions
and began their journey to the promised land.

The strong winds blew rocking the ship.  Nephi's
brothers became wicked turning against him and
disobeying their parents who became very sick. 
Their trials were many. Eventually the story tells us
that Nephi steers the ship to the promised land.

The storm and the trials on the voyage did not
stop the family from arriving to their destination.
Why?  Because it was God's will that they reach
the promised land although they had much to endure
and learn.  

Trust God even in the days of great trial, when the winds
are fierce and the waves seem to rush over you. God turns
those times to glorify Him, and all He has planned for your
life.  Set your sails so that the winds take you to the promises
God has for your life.

Day 9

Hope is New Life

Colossians 3:10

"Put on your new nature and be renewed
as you learn to know your creator and become
like Him."

Photo By: Jeri Burt

Spring has blossomed with evidence of new life
all around us.  Flowers bloom and baby animals are born.
Birds return singing their songs, the leaves on the trees
bud, and blossoms on fruit trees fill the air with their
lovely fragrance.  It's a season of change.
Of course it isn't Spring all year, but we experience
new beginnings every day in the Lord. Each day can be
like Spring.

In Lamentations 3:22-23 we are reminded;
"The steadfast  love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies
never come to  an end; they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

Renewing our minds in the light and love of our Savior,
the freshness of new life, is a blessing of  hope. Arise and shine
blossom with a fullness of life with joy in knowing that all is well.

 

Day 8

Hope is the Umbilical Cord to Heaven

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, that ye may abound
in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.



Photo by: Jeri Burt

With Faith and hope we have a well spring of promises.
One of those promises is so amazing as we ponder on the
Hebrew word for hope, which means cord.  And further study
shows us that it means an umbilical cord to Heaven.  Hope
connects us to our Father in Heaven in such an awesome way
that we can stop worrying and picture it done.
Start expecting, Start believing, and start looking forward.

Day 7

Hope is One Act of kindness at a Time

                                            Photo taken by: Jeri Burt


Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, this women was abounding with deeds of kindness and Charity which she continually did.
Acts 9:36

I think of being out in the wilderness with beautiful scenery all around, and the weather like the comfort of a warm blanket with kindness all around your senses - that is what showing kindness is  like. When the winds blow, or rains fall from the sky we naturally take cover.  It is not quite that easy when people are unkind to each other. Finding refuge may seem a bit more difficult.   When we  follow the example of Tabitha, we are like the beauty found in the wilderness with the warmth of the sun, a peace and calm, in others lives spreading hope and peace.

Day 6

Hope is the power of Christ

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ
Which strengthens me."

                                           Photo by: Jeri Burt

I ponder on the power of having faith in Christ,
and the amazing strength  and hope it blesses
us with in our lives.  I can't imagine my life
in all its trials with out the amazing love -
and unrelenting love our Savior has for us.
I imagine His smile, that he will turn our
mourning into dancing.  We all need
support and we all need a loving smile,
 He is right there surrounding us.
One of my favorite songs, which I have many
favorites, is Rose of Sharon.
"I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
He's the Rose of Sharon to me.
I love Him, I love Him, I love Him,
and someday His face I shall see."

With faith and hope and loving my Savior
 I can do all things,
I can do hard things,
I can endure all things,
because He is my strength.

Day 5

Hope is discovering our purpose

As we discover the things we can offer the world,
things we can do to serve our Father in Heaven
by sharing our talents we find hope.  Our faith
drives us into action and we find purpose and meaning
in our lives. 

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

 

 

                              Painting by: Jeri Burt

Day 4

Hope is Peace

I compare a peacemaker to a
Feathers journey from the sky,
gently gliding, swirling, dancing
           With the wind.

The swishing twisting, creating
A whimsical dance as it flows and pulls
while it sways on its way to nestle to
          Earths ground.

The spirit stirs our souls
when ever a feather is found
Our hope regains, peace remains when
         We become peacemakers.
Copyright; Rose Low


Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they
shall be called sons of God."

                                                        photo by: Jeri Burt

Day 3

Hope Endures

My mind takes me back to a memory of one of my favorite stories;  The story of Seabiscuit, the race horse.  It fascinates me how the ordinary horse became a hero to millions of people. I see the image of Seabiscuit on the race track with some of the horses trailing behind, others at his side, one or two in the lead. He holds back just enough, as his rider instructs, until he comes around the last corner where Seabiscuit looks his rival in the eye.  Then Red, his rider, gives him the okay and off he goes like a bolt of lightening, winning the race. 

Seabuscuit endured.  He ran to the finish line. And the most incredible part of the story is that when this fine horse was young, he was trained, by his first owners, to be a loser. They put no value on him, then ,they sold him as a lazy worthless horse.

  I like to compare the later part of his life with those who believed in him and saw that  he was more then ordinary, and with proper training and love Seabiscuit became an all time winner, a Hero.  Our loving Father in Heaven sees the value in each of us.  He believes in us and knows we have high potential and worth. So many of us may be like Seabiscuit, or his rider, who overcame hardships also.  Know that with steadfast endurance you too can look the enemy in the eye - listen for the Holy Spirits guidance - the  voice that says, "see ya later," to the enemy - your cue to run harder then ever before, with dust in the air to the finish line. God is with you.  Look a head at the prize with hope, enduring the race.

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father; ye shall have eternal life.

 

Day 2

Hope is Jubilation

Jubilation is a series of notes
playfully - skillfully
gliding along in each measure.
Heaven and Earth colliding
Angels guiding singing,
dancing with glee.
copy right Rose Low

Psalm 57:7,8
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:
I will sing and give praise.
Awake up, my glory, awake, psaltery, and harp:
I myself will awake early.

 

Since my daughter went to live with the Angels

in Heaven,

the pain and emptiness has propelled my life

in ways I would have never ventured before.

My blogs are in her honor, hoping to

share hope and joy as I myself strive

to move forward in this Vail of tears.

I know that with out the knowledge of

our loving Savior and trusting in

our Heavenly Fathers Eternal Plan

I would be lost in despair.

I know that even in the midst

of darkness and pain,

there is Joy in the Lord

there is Hope. 

 

Day 1                           

 Hope Is the Wind beneath Your Wings

Psalm 119:11
"I have hidden Your word in my heart..."

David understood that simply reading the book of the law, among other writings, was not enough to impact his life with the hope of Gods promises.  He hid them in his heart where he could keep the knowledge with him at all times.

Hope is found in God's treasure box, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, where pearl white pages with ivory writings reveal Gods promises and guidelines. The ancient books hold within their pages the secrets, as faith turns into action, where hope and joy unfold, mercy and justice meet, even in our darkest days. Tuck Gods truths neatly in your heart and they shall be the wind beneath your wings.

"Hope is the thing with Feathers that perches in the soul."
Emily Dickenson