tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:54:26 +0000http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)Blogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2862593108058780566Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +00002009-11-16T10:03:55.838-07:00servicechurchhopemembershipchristfaithThere is a feeling of belonging that I, growing up as a military dependent to a decidedly non-pro-military social worker, have only rarely felt. In fact, I think it safe to say that the only time I have ever felt that I belonged somewhere was before I was married when I attended the temple. One place I decidedly do not feel a part of a group is in church on Sunday. Although my current situation http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-i-belong-to-church-of-jesus-christ.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-3591546889807890176Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +00002009-11-11T11:03:35.817-07:00sacredcharitydivinitypornographymarriageI have recently gone through a drastic paradigm shift that has led me to understand several gospel principles in a new way. One of these is pornography.There is a great deal of discussion about pornography in the LDS blog world. At the risk of oversimplification, essentially the discussions involve three basic views. First, that pornography is evil because it exploits women and plays upon naturalhttp://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/11/why-pornography-is-wrong-its-not-really.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-7028168528356510553Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:00:00 +00002009-10-19T10:04:17.598-06:00Holy SpiritcompassionpeaceatonementchristfaithtempleI went to the temple again for the first time in awhile. It's funny to think that, at one point, I went every week, craving the peace and tranquility, the feeling of home. Now attendance is painful. I don't really feel a part of anything there any more, and what I do feel causes me to cry, which I hate doing. But I went because I knew I needed to, and because I had promised my mother I would.I http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/10/temple-and-squeaky-shoes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-617627586904176108Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:27:00 +00002009-10-16T12:47:31.815-06:00I am sorry for not writing more often. I would try to excuse myself by claiming to have a great deal on my plate right now, but the truth is that it's not really time (though short) keeping me from writing, any more than it is my new daughter keeping me on the bench in Fast Sunday's testimony meeting.Even now, I begin to write and find myself stalling. I don't know any more what I ought to write,http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/10/apology.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2291290121165518535Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:00:00 +00002009-09-14T08:12:04.070-06:00forgivenessscripturedespairhopefearchristfaithI am still in the midst of a very difficult part of my life. Unlike most difficulties in my past, this is not short-lived, nor will it simply disappear in time. Part of what makes it difficult is that I am very prone to putting myself in another's place, and of feeling deeply another's pain. One might say this is no vice, but it means that others' opinions of me matter far more than my own, and http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/09/cast-not-away-your-confidence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-8857999720358897634Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:03:00 +00002009-08-07T23:03:00.374-06:00scripturecharitypeacefriendshipatonementhopelovechristafflictionsfaith"And [Jesus] went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."Mark 14:35-36The moments of Christ's greatest suffering are unrecorded, but this verse opens a small window into the deeply http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/08/all-things-are-possible.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-3863420246814567475Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:50:00 +00002009-08-03T11:57:02.037-06:00hopelovegrowthchristGodfaithself-worthI have had reason to think about how we, as people, tend to define our world as how we see it. I don't mean simply perceiving the world through our own eyes, but stubbornly and consistently recreating the world in our own image.For example, if a person is a habitual liar, they will see those around them as liars and distrust everything, finding it difficult to recognize truth even when presented http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/08/phenomenon-of-projection-and-nature-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-194502358516476342Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +00002009-07-20T15:43:17.971-06:00joycharityrepentanceprayeratonementgospellovechristfaithI am finally getting around to reading June's Ensign. For some reason, until Friday morning, I felt little desire to read Elder Uchtdorf's message meant to be used for home teaching. That morning, however, I felt drawn to it. His messages often speak to my heart, and this one was no different.It never ceases to astonish me how the things I have been taught by the Spirit often come into concrete http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/07/true-prayer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-3841321619115288237Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-07-15T07:35:12.278-06:00commandmentcovenanttelevisionmediadoctrineThank you to those of you who have posted feedback in my previous post. I'm working my way up the comments, because of the complexity of some of the topics. Know that I'm not ignoring them, just having to ponder more deeply. My view on media watching, however, is something I've had to exercise many times and therefore it is rather well formed.Originally, I had a rather loose view of http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/07/rated-r-for-rather-not-thank-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-5070673076399666440Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:54:00 +00002009-07-09T05:56:07.807-06:00I have finished my series of posts on the Articles of Faith and how I have gained a testimony of each of the principles, and wanted to know if there are any topics that anyone wants me to address. All suggestions will be considered, and if none come than you will all be at the mercy of my whims.You have been warned.http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/07/plea-for-feedback.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-6138238682231852054Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:12:00 +00002009-07-09T05:54:19.951-06:00Holy SpiritsaviorpeaceArticles of FaithvirtuehopefaithArticles of Faith #13[I] believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, [I] may say that [I] follow the admonition of Paul—[I] believe all things, [I] hope all things, [I] have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, [I] seek after these things.This http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-believe-in-virtue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2721779646801892195Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:40:00 +00002009-06-22T11:54:49.651-06:00Holy SpiritknowledgegiftswisdomlearninghopefaithAmong the reading for Gospel Doctrine this week, is this passage from Joseph Smith to the School of the Prophets:"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."I have often heard this scripture, but never before has the phrase "as all have not faith" struck mehttp://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/06/as-all-have-not-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-6361793589352963228Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +00002009-06-08T07:10:14.038-06:00trialspatiencehopechristlonelyfaithpainThe funny thing about hard times is that it tends to clarify what you truly believe and what is most important while muddying up everything else. I really have no idea what to do or where to go from here. I can't think of anything I can do to improve my situation and protect my family any more than I am doing. That is a rather desperate feeling. Yet, I am learning what it means to turn my life http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-when-my-aching-grows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-7591847512113138913Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:21:00 +00002009-06-17T10:05:47.755-06:00submissionlawProposition 8obedienceArticles of FaithgovernmentArticles of Faith #12[I] believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. One thing that always mildly interested me as a foreign missionary in Germany was that, although two large religious groups made a habit of knocking on doors and interrupting people on the streets to share their religion, only one had a license from the http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-believe-in-law.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2944817784268134243Fri, 29 May 2009 17:03:00 +00002009-05-29T11:13:53.504-06:00womenmodestylawfeministmenchastityscienceA study at Princeton* found that when men see pictures of women wearing bikinis, the part of their brain associated with using tools activates, and the part associated with assessing a person's motivations deactivates. The conclusion is that men see scantily-clad women as objects. This is a bit of evidence that suggests what the Lord's servants have been saying all along: that modesty is http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/05/scientific-evidence-for-modesty-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2157277033375749817Tue, 26 May 2009 15:16:00 +00002009-05-26T09:38:55.918-06:00repentancehopechristfaithI have been writing in this blog for nearly two and a half years, now. I have 168 posts, all but twelve published. It now averages 50-70 views on the days I post new, and receives more than half its views from direct traffic and search engines. "Self-hatred", "fear" and "joy" are among the most searched-for terms, and those searching for these three terms tend to spend the most time here. I don'thttp://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-than-two-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-2371715576834935281Thu, 21 May 2009 12:46:00 +00002009-05-21T07:35:22.962-06:00choiceprayerdivinityloveGodmotherAlthough it is a bit late to be making a Mother's Day post, I have had a song not far from my thoughts for several months, now. I find myself even dreaming it, but could not remember where it came from until I searched for it this morning. It is called "A Mother's Prayer", sung by Celine Dion in Quest for Camelot. It captures perfectly how I have been feeling, and the more I think about it, the http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/05/every-mothers-prayer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-669477612439139285Mon, 18 May 2009 14:16:00 +00002009-05-18T08:43:21.447-06:00trialshardshipchurchfaithI usually have difficulty in discussions of the pioneers. Not because I think their trials were not hard nor that their sacrifices were not great, but because we discuss them the same way every time, praising them with beautiful phrases such as "faith in every footstep" and almost worshiping them for their sacrifices.Recently, as I read an account of Emma crossing the frozen Mississippi with her http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/05/harsh-reality-of-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-5264443250344029980Wed, 06 May 2009 15:01:00 +00002009-05-06T09:01:29.933-06:00servicecharityrepentanceatonementhopelovechristfaithMost of you don't know the particulars of what I am going through right now, though I have alluded to it when posting. Although I do not yet feel at liberty to discuss even the generalities of it, I would like to share a few things I have learned.Before I found myself in this situation, I looked down at others in similar situations with pity and judgment. I felt that their troubles were brought http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/learning-humility-and-charity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-250421895601499240Mon, 04 May 2009 13:36:00 +00002009-05-07T06:46:29.601-06:00choiceagencyArticles of FaithBook of Mormongospelmissionary workmissionArticles of Faith #11We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. This may seem like a strange title for this Article of Faith. It seems to be saying, "Eh, you do what you do, and I'll do what I do, and no worries!" which is seemingly in direct contradiction http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-believe-in-missionary-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-1180480483156450553Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:08:00 +00002009-04-13T07:58:23.449-06:00joypatienceadampeaceevefaithWhen Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden for their choices, the Lord speaks to them in outwardly-harsh words, often referred to as the curse of Adam and Eve:"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."And unto Adam he said, Because thou http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/that-they-might-have-joy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-7120842680469807135Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:56:00 +00002009-04-09T08:05:46.241-06:00Holy SpiritchoiceknowledgefaithI have heard this term quite often, and don't think I understand it. From what I understand, a "cafeteria" belief system means that you pick and choose the doctrines and concepts you believe to be right for you out of a set of beliefs and doctrines.Yet, I've heard the term applied to situations that don't quite seem to fit. Instead, many of these situations seem to describe a simple search for http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/cafeteria-mormonism.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-1520961906546552720Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +00002009-04-06T09:45:11.829-06:00forgivenesshealingprayerhopeGodfaithShortly before conference this weekend, as I prayed and struggled to be healed from the pain in my heart, I was taught that I need to refocus on what I can do to bring my life back to Christ. At first, I was filled with resentment and fear. I resented being asked to find one more thing for me to work on, to change. I felt exhausted and drained, heartsick and weary of trying to see my behavior http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/plea-to-forgive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-8255058582637054026Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:25:00 +00002009-04-03T07:29:32.331-06:00goodjoyhappinessadamgloryevelifethe fallWow. Just wow. Rarely has a blog post left me so glad to have read it as this one from Nathan Richardson. Something I have always known is suddenly given words and thought.Thank you for a most powerful insight into the nature of an eternal perspective.http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/biology-vs-bible-to-have-joy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270245506969727628.post-7826192287924581588Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:56:00 +00002009-04-02T07:18:05.955-06:00scripturepraisegloryprayerfearworshiplovechristGod"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."—2 Timothy 1:7I have had reason to be very afraid, particularly in recent months. My father gave me a blessing, and in that blessing the Lord told me not to be afraid, that there was no reason to be afraid because He was with me. At the time, I was afraid, more afraid than I have ever been in my life. http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2009/04/spirit-of-fear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (SilverRain)4