Why Do We Need a Savior?

I was asked to give this talk in my new church ward. Here it is.
Why do we need a Savior?
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters. I’ve been asked to give my perspective on the question “Why do we need a Savior?” this morning for my talk. I started by asking myself what is a savior. A savior is a person who saves something or someone from danger, or one who brings salvation.
President Henry B. Eyring said “Our Heavenly Father loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. He knew that in mortality we would be in grave danger, the worst of it from the temptations of a terrible adversary. That is one of the reasons why the Savior has provided priesthood keys so that those with ears to hear and faith to obey could go to places of safety.”

After Adam and Eve broke God’s commandment not to eat from the tree of knowledge and were forced from the garden of Eden and cut off from God’s presence forever we’ve been in danger. We inherited their exile.

President Ezra Taft Benson said “When our Heavenly Father placed Adam and Eve on this earth, He did so with the purpose in mind of teaching them how to regain His presence. Our Father promised a Savior to redeem them from their fallen condition.”

We are cut off from our Heavenly Father’s presence, but thankfully, He knew this was going to happen as he knows all things, and He had a plan, He gave us a Savior. Articles of Faith 1:3 – “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
Elder Dalin Oaks said “The world needs a Savior. All people need to be cleansed from the effects of sin and to return to the presence of God.”
We are full of flaws, born of imperfections, and God knew this and he knew we would sin again and again. Heavenly Father knew we’d need to be clean to live with Him again, so He sent a Savior to sacrifice himself for our sins, for our mistakes. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

I know the pain of my own mistakes. The hurt I feel when I make those mistakes and break God’s commandments is painful. I couldn’t imagine feeling what our Savior felt; all the pain, all the hurt, all the sins of every person that will ever exist all at the same time and doing so willingly to fulfill the plan of salvation, to be our Savior. “For it is expedient that an atonement should be made … , or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement … an infinite and eternal sacrifice” (Alma 34:9–10).

Jesus gave his life for all of us not only to do Heavenly Father’s will for the plan of salvation but I think to culminate his teachings around universal love, tolerance, forgiveness, and pacifism. We need Jesus as our Savior so we can be saved and return to live with Heavenly Father. 1 Nephi 13:1 – “…that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.”
Elder David A. Bednar said “The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us.”

He willingly and passively gave up His life without resisting or fighting His killers. He told the truth and exposed corruption and evil, but did not resist or fight it physically, as He had advised many times in his teachings. “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Jesus lived His entire life by example, including His death. His very death is His final lesson on achieving salvation through sacrifice. Jesus purpose as our Savior was to bind up the brokenhearted, “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.” John 14:27; to intercede for us with God so we could return to our Heavenly Father, John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”; and He is to give rest to our weary souls. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:29

C.S. Lewis said “He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”

Our individual salvation is not something that is a one-time deal; like boom you’re saved and DONE! Our individual salvation is and will be an ongoing process until we die because we will continue to fall and sin until we die. This is why there is the process of repentance. "You may in time of trouble think that you are not worth saving because you have made mistakes, big or little, and you think you are now lost. That is never true! Only repentance can heal what hurts. But repentance can heal what hurts, no matter what it is." - President Boyd K. Packer
Even President Henry Eyring said “Death is not the end; it is but one more step in a great forward march made possible by the redemption wrought by the Savior. This is the spirit of true science - constant and eternal seeking.”

Salvation doesn’t have to be some huge moment, it is a journey. Most of us will move towards it slowly, day by day, moment by moment. Elder Randall K. Bennett said “We fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward.” We need to learn to listen to our hearts instead of our egos, to choose love over hate, or when we sacrifice instead of take, or when we our selfless instead of consumed by our own desires, when we choose the right without hesitating that is when our on-going journey towards Salvation takes a step forward. The more we focus on doing what is good and right the easier it will become to do good and make right. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.... But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6, 8)

Also President Boyd K. Packer stated, “The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ are not limited to those who commit sins either of commission or omission, but they encompass the promise of everlasting peace to all who will accept and follow Him and His teachings. His mercy is the mighty healer, even to the wounded innocent.”
My last Sunday with the 2nd Pickerington Ward I was asked to sub in the primary for one of the 6 year old classes and the kids were learning a song for the Easter sacrament meeting. I was truly moved by the Spirit as they sung Gethsemane, Jesus Loves me. They sung with such a solemn reverence that only such little honest innocent hearts can do. This song simply puts so many reasons as to why Jesus was our Savior and why we so desperately needed him.

Song

Jesus climbed the hill to the garden still.
His steps were heavy and slow.
Love and a prayer took Him there
To the place only He could go.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me.
So He went willingly, to Gethsemane.

He felt all that was sad, wicked, or bad
All the pain we would ever know.
While His friends were asleep He fought to keep
His promise made long ago.

The hardest thing that ever was done
The greatest pain that ever was known
The biggest battle that ever was won
This was done by Jesus, the Fight was won by Jesus.

Gethsemane, Jesus loves me.
So He gave His gift to me, in Gethsemane .

I’d like to close with my testimony, I know this church is true, studying for this talk, searching the scriptures, the doctrine, and the ensign; I was enriched by the word of God and it brought me comfort and peace. I know the scriptures are true. I know Jesus is our Savior.
I leave this with you humbly in the name of God’s son and our savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Red, Redder, and Reddest of All

I am a natural blonde, in case you hadn't guessed that by all my blonde moments, but I do like to color my hair various shades of blonde and red. My hair was looking a very very dirty blonde and grays were showing themselves so I thought it was time to get some red hair color and make a change.

I picked light cherry auburn as my color.

I focused on the roots and the ends and went to do the middle. My hair is thick and long right now. I ran out of dye. There wasn't enough to fully coat the middle. I went ahead and finished. When it dried there was way too much blonde still in the center. It looked two tone in a very bad way. So I went up to the store to buy another box of it but they were out.

So I bought the next color closest too it, just auburn, MISTAKE!

My hair is a very dark red now with some lighter red mixed in. It is still very two toned and it looks bad. My kid is just get some blonde and dye it back. I asked her if she wanted all my hair to fall out! So I am stuck for at least a month with this red, redder, to reddest hair. I hate it.

The good news is the little kids in the apartment complex like it.

The reaction amongst the adults was more like what the hell did you do to your hair.
Hell is a nice way to phrase it, I tried to tell one guy my hair had always been this color and he just never paid attention it. He didn't buy that.

I think end of May we will be going honey to golden blonde and see what happens.

I do thank God that if even this fails, it is hair, and it does grow back, and I can just get it cut super short like Pink, into a pixie cut, and start over.

This is why I don't get piercings or tattoo's. If i mess those up they are permanent!

A Mishap at the Dentist

Today i went to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. The dental hygenist can't get the water pick to work. So I have to rinse out with a cup. No big deal.
So she starts polishing my teeth and i feel something cold and wet on my legs and private area.
the water pick is shooting a steady stream of cold water onto my legs and private area.
she starts freaking out, grabs the water pick and drops it into the sink and runs out to get me a towel.
the water pick is shooting water up and out of the sink onto my chart and soaking it.
so i grab my chart and move it then i move the water pick so the water is going down into the sink.
she's really agitated now, but i can't stop laughing.
this type of thing happens to me all the time!!!

thankfully, i had on the track pants, but they were soaked and so were my panties.
i got home and changed, and hoped that was the most eventful part of my day, but it wasn't.

i ordered me a birthday present, a brand new ipad nano with the fitness chip in it.
it'll clip on and track your workouts, which i think is cool.
i double checked the address i saw on the screen and placed my order.
30 minutes later i checked my email and saw the confirmation email and the shipping address wasn't my current address!!!!
it's my old address, but the bill to address is correct.
the only address i was asked to verify was the bill to address, i thought i had checked the box that said use the bill to address as the ship to address, but guess not.

and the best part in less then 30 minutes it's already in shipping status so i can't change it.
i call the help line in a panic, i'm freaking out man,
the tech said she can't change it, but she put in notes to reroute it to my correct address.
i told her it's an apartment, what if they sign my name for it.
she says to watch the tracking on it, and if they sign my name for the delivery, i would call back and open a case, and i'd have to file fraud and theft charges against them to get a new one sent to me for no additional costs.

luckily, i still had my old landlords email address.
and luckily, he still reads his email and uses it and owns the property.
he contacted the current residents and asked them to refuse the delivery so it could reroute to me
and they agreed.

so here's hoping this rerouting thing works next week and i get my new ipod.
all my information is now correct up at apple.
the ipod is even engraved with my motto of inspiration, never quit, never surrender!
yes, i know i got it from galaxy quest, but i like it.

but i'm starting to wonder if bret's bad luck is contagious or if i'm so distracted by sexual thoughts of scott, what else am i gonna screw up
i got to get rid of these men, they are going to be the death of me.

10 years later

9/11/11 - 10 years have past, but it could be a 100 years and the pain lingers, you will not be forgotten.

Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ~ Rossiter W. Raymond

we must remember, keep the pain close, and hold onto it, pass it down, and let our children's children know the heartache. remembering is the only way to make sure this tradgedy is never repeated. once we forget our past we open the door to repeating it's mistakes.

may peace begin within you and spread outward from you like the brightest light that no darkness can ever conquer!

I can't help myself

well, i'm doing it to myself again. i let him back in. i invited him, opened the door and my legs and just took it hard, fast, slow, and over and over again. i can't say no to him. i sent him a facebook and told him i missed him and he missed me to. now he's back, but we are back to just friends that have sex sometimes. i don't want to call it friends with benefits. i don't want to label it. i don't want to have to explain it to anyone. i don't want to defend myself when it comes to him.

i was honest. i told him a part of me will always be in love with him. the weight loss made the sex even greater, which i didn't realize was possible. i tell ya he knows my buttons and he pushes them expertly. it was so hot between us. i don't know what to do. i can't put pressure on either one of us. i don't want to get married or have kids so what am i giving up just by fucking around with him. i know my heart will jump in eventually and make a mess of things, but right now i just love the way he makes me feel.

Days like Today

the softness of the dog's fur when i pet her
the coldness of the morning breeze
the saddness of an acoustic guitar plays
the stillness of my self as i meditate
the beauty of the moment sinks in
days like today i appreciate being lonely

the warmth of the sun upon my face
the roughness of the patio concrete against my feet
the sweetness of a cherry coke on my tongue
the songs of the birds in the trees
the simplicity of life washes over me
days like today i admire God's work

the quiet of my mind
the focus of my thoughts
the joy of my heart
the smile i have right now on my face
the faith i am feeling
days like today i remember why i breathe

the sorrows of my mistakes ease
the passions of my heart are pleased
the confessions of my soul are addressed
the questions of my mind are answered
the miracle of contentment settles on me
days like today i am thankful to be alive

Self-inflicted misery

why do i do this to myself? i know the meat is too spicy for me, but i eat it anyways. and it attacks my stomach and causes me to puke. i burn and twist with misery. i know the food will do this but it sounded so good. i do this to me all the time. especially when it comes to food. i know i have to give up certain foods, to save my teeth (pop), to save my heart (cheese) and just to be healthy (choc, pizza, fast food) but yet i sit at the edge, hesitant to commit.

i'm always hesitant to commit to anything. i have been engaged 4 times and only married once, that ended in divorce. i don't like to join clubs that cost money, in case, i change my mind, then i'm out of that money, like curves for a recent example. now i'm hesitating on picking furniture, because i don't know if i can just stick to one color. i didn't like my last sectional. it was alright for like a year then the color and size just started to annoy me. i didn't pick it out, the ex did that, that could have explained my increased hostility towards the furniture. i have issues, i know that, and i try to work on them, but i always end back where i started.

it's like i'm in a infinite self-inflicted loop of misery, saddness, lonliness, depression, over eating, emotional eating, flabby, fatty and over spending existence. i don't even know if that makes any sense. i just get so tired of repeating my mistakes and not even realizing it until afterwards. hindsight is truly 20/20 in my case.