God does have a sense of humor. As many of you have probably heard, the gulf is fixing to experience a wee bit of a tropical storm these next few days. Now, as we buckle up for barometric brutality, I can't help but notice the foreshadow in God's timing: metaphorically speaking, we're expecting a spiritual hurricane in the month of September. God is just preparing the gulf people, for the spirit surge of the century. Look out Louisiana- you think Gordon is bad, wait until you get a whiff of Boyd and Cox... WELCOME TO SLIDELL SCROLLS: CHAPTER TWELVE.
When you run around Louisiana in a hurricane you experience baptism by fire.
TRANSFER NEWS: Praise God, we're staying. Elder Cox and I have oodles upon oodles of work, and it would be an injustice to separate this relationship at its prime. These next six weeks, we're hitting a category five. Grab your sandbags, ladies, and gentleman, cause tropical storm Boyd and Cox are a'brewing. Now, many of you might be asking, how exactly have we escalated our winds and broadened the eye of this storm?
Joseph Smith once said:
“Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason there of until all of the events transpire.”
Elder Cox and I were able to put this truth to action in our work this week.
"Of whom much is given, much is required...." As missionaries, we are given SO much. The opportunity to preach the Gospel and guaranteed time to serve our fellow beings are the ultimate blessings. If you think about it... we are forever indebted to our Heavenly Father- because even when we do our part and obey his commandments...as if we are finally paying it forward... he blesses us still. So really, we're just in an infinite vortex of heavenly blessings, so long as we exercise obedience. So naturally, it is expected that we are required to do our part to repay, the un-repayable, of what's been given to us. A bit of a paradox, yes I know, but still, we must TRY. One of the responsibilities I have noticed as a missionary is to act upon entrusted promptings. God expects us to follow the spirit when he allows us entry into a portion of his will... We saw this in the grand example this past week, as we mimic Christ by going about and doing good:
We were knocking doors, as missionaries do, and felt inspired to knock on these two duplexes. Nothing came of the first three doors... but because absolute completion is a satisfying thing in missionary work, we topped off the trifecta with one door more. The nicest old woman, with the cutest broken English, answered the door. We managed to get in our purpose as missionaries, but really the language barrier made things.... basic. Luckily, however, in our happy-go-lucky missionary attitude, we figured out that she needed help moving this weekend! So in OUR broken English, we said:
"We come and help move?"
....and we gave her our card, said our goodbyes, and thought nothing of it.
UNTIL Sunday Morning, we received a call from our dear friend, and she ACTUALLY asked for our help. If you ever want to make a missionaries day, call the number of the card. Guaranteed happiness. So, right before church we went over and were able to be of great help to them! Y'all if we hadn't of followed the prompting this poor lady would have been moving all of this stuff with her two skinny sons...Now, my suit pants aren't the stretchiest... but many hands make light work, and we were able to capitalize on the prompting and help out one of God's children. It was honestly, a huge testament to me that no matter what... if you're enticed to do good and you follow it... you will somehow play a part in God's plan.
This week we also witnessed how God prepares his, "storm chasers" when we visited with one of our more progressing people. Elder Cox and I have both been immersed in studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ this week...little did we know, it was God preparing us both for the lessons we were going to have that week. I have been earnestly studying the difference between doctrine and application. Too often as members and missionaries, we get caught up in providing solutions through, "applications" when a more eternal cure is found in the "doctrine." For example: if someone is struggling with addiction... you COULD provide a ten-step addiction recovery program to help them... or you could help them understand the Atonement and its influence and extent in their life. Which method do you think is going to be more long-lasting? Well, this week we found success in the latter. As we explained the Atonement of Jesus Christ to our people, I SAW how an explanation of doctrine helped them to keep their commitments more than an explanation of application. I have also tried to practice what I've preached, and increase my own understanding of doctrine, to experience a change in character. I challenge you all to try it... the answer is always the doctrine.
UNTIL Sunday Morning, we received a call from our dear friend, and she ACTUALLY asked for our help. If you ever want to make a missionaries day, call the number of the card. Guaranteed happiness. So, right before church we went over and were able to be of great help to them! Y'all if we hadn't of followed the prompting this poor lady would have been moving all of this stuff with her two skinny sons...Now, my suit pants aren't the stretchiest... but many hands make light work, and we were able to capitalize on the prompting and help out one of God's children. It was honestly, a huge testament to me that no matter what... if you're enticed to do good and you follow it... you will somehow play a part in God's plan.
This week we also witnessed how God prepares his, "storm chasers" when we visited with one of our more progressing people. Elder Cox and I have both been immersed in studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ this week...little did we know, it was God preparing us both for the lessons we were going to have that week. I have been earnestly studying the difference between doctrine and application. Too often as members and missionaries, we get caught up in providing solutions through, "applications" when a more eternal cure is found in the "doctrine." For example: if someone is struggling with addiction... you COULD provide a ten-step addiction recovery program to help them... or you could help them understand the Atonement and its influence and extent in their life. Which method do you think is going to be more long-lasting? Well, this week we found success in the latter. As we explained the Atonement of Jesus Christ to our people, I SAW how an explanation of doctrine helped them to keep their commitments more than an explanation of application. I have also tried to practice what I've preached, and increase my own understanding of doctrine, to experience a change in character. I challenge you all to try it... the answer is always the doctrine.
Well y'all we were kinda sick this week, but we came and saw and conquered. We were still able to see many mighty miracles because God was aware of our situation and rewarded us accordingly. I have such a testimony about the infinite virtue of our Savior's great atoning sacrifice. I have never felt closer to Christ than I have while serving his children... it is a great blessing to be a missionary. I hope y'all have the best week ever, and PLEASE keep the gulf in your prayers. Many people are concerned about the upcoming storm because of Katrina that pounded the area back in August 2005... so please pray for them. We're happy to stay another round here in Slidell and look forward to the spiritual hurricanes this upcoming transfer. HAVE A BLESSED ONE Y'ALL! Elder BOYD LOVES YOU!
From your friendly everyday neighborhood storm chaser,
Elder Boyd
This week's Singing Sunday
Hastens.
The Good Shepherd runs to his lost sheep, eager to welcome them home.
"Since God uses disease as a metaphor for sin throughout the scriptures, it is reasonable to ask, “How does Jesus Christ react when faced with our metaphorical diseases—our sins?” After all, the Savior said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” so how can He look at us, imperfect as we are, without recoiling in horror and disgust?
"Since God uses disease as a metaphor for sin throughout the scriptures, it is reasonable to ask, “How does Jesus Christ react when faced with our metaphorical diseases—our sins?” After all, the Savior said that He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” so how can He look at us, imperfect as we are, without recoiling in horror and disgust?
The answer is simple and clear. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ views disease in His sheep as a condition that needs treatment, care, and compassion. This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing."
I love the metaphor of the Savior as the good shepherd. We are his sheep, and we are numbered individually as essential to the flock. He cares not of our shortcomings and diseases but instead rejoices as we apply his tender love and care, and become healed in his arms.
The rhetoric used in the Book of Mormon, that portrays this beautiful relationship perfectly:
Alma 5:60
"And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep"ALSO: Shoutout to the talented Macey Adams. Thanks for being a pal.
👍#LBRMSingingSunday
I think Elder Boyd is trying to give his mom a heart attack?! I'm praying that's a pizza without any cheese he's eating!
I'm not sure what's going on with the shoe??!!
Elder Cox
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