Week 13: You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

-Josh Groban
"You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)"Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved

Since it is Valentine's Day, I have a Special Treat this week,

I have selected something not in the Hymnbook or Primary Children's book, not that that isn't good.

I have taken the liberty to go outside of those resources....well, it is my blog anyway!

I ran across this song, I don't know many Josh Groban songs, but I have heard a few. I really liked this one.

I thought it was perfect for this week. Whether you think about the Savior or your family while listening to this is up to you.

As this is a Spirtual Blog I need to include some great scriptures, and some thoughts.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace", Ensign, Mar. 2004, 2–7

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In a world where peace is such a universal quest, we sometimes wonder why violence walks our streets, accounts of murder and senseless killings fill the columns of our newspapers, and family quarrels and disputes mar the sanctity of the home and smother the tranquility of so many lives.

Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ.

The Peace of God

World peace, though a lofty goal, is but an outgrowth of the personal peace each individual seeks to attain. I refer not to the peace promoted by man, but peace as promised of God. I speak of peace in our homes, peace in our hearts, even peace in our lives. Peace after the way of man is perishable. Peace after the manner of God will prevail.

 The consequences of conflict are so devastating that we yearn for guidance—even a way to ensure our success as we seek the path to peace. What is the way to obtain such a universal blessing? Are there prerequisites? Let us remember that to obtain God’s blessings, one must do God’s bidding. May I suggest three ideas to prompt our thinking and guide our footsteps:

1.Search inward.

2-Reach outward 

3-Look heavenward

First: Search inward

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ⁷

Truly peace will reign triumphant when we improve ourselves after the pattern taught by the Lord. Then we will appreciate the deep spirituality hidden behind the simple words of a familiar hymn: “There is beauty all around When there’s love at home.” ⁸

Second: Reach outward.

Service, to be acceptable to the Savior, must come from willing minds, ready hands, and pledged hearts.

Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, “You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven’t time to be concerned for others.” Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord. In moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we can take comfort from His promise: “Be not weary in well-doing. … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” ⁹

Third: Look heavenward.

As we do, we find it comforting and satisfying to communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer, that path to spiritual power—even a passport to peace. We are reminded of His Beloved Son, the Prince of Peace, that pioneer who literally showed the way for others to follow. His divine plan can save us from the Babylons of sin, complacency, and error. His example points the way. When faced with temptation, He shunned it. When offered the world, He declined it. When asked for His life, He gave it.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ¹² “I go to prepare a place for you … ; that where I am, there ye may be also.” ¹³

^{---We have so many different trials that we pass through.} 

^{We sometimes become so discouraged and overwhelmed we forget, we want to quit!}

^{We don't need to go it alone, we shouldn't forget that we have so many people around us that love us.}

^{We also forgot the the Savior loves us, He loves us so much that HE even gave his life for us.}

^{We can't give up, we CAN rely on the strength of the Lord and those around us to help lift us up.}

^{Our Family, and Friends....and best of all He who never fails us, THE SAVIOR!}

^{I am so grateful that I can go to my knees and talk to HIM,  MY HEAVENLY FATHER and I am heard.}

^{I am comforted and strengthened and given a new resolve for a better day. What  A GIFT!}

^{I am so Blessed!}