Keepers of the Light 

by Shauna V. Brown

   Years ago I lay very sick in a hospital bed in Okinawa. My performing group had left me and were headed to the Philippines. I felt alone in a far away country. Doctor's concerns had led me to feel hopeless.  I thought of my family, and future dreams.  Currants of tears were shed. Then in a dark moment  a hymn came to mind.  

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’en circling gloom, lead Thou me on! 

The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on! 

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see 

The distant scene; one step enough for me.  

     From that moment the dark thoughts changed to a bright hope and dwelt within my heart. 

         Lead Thou me on.   

         Like a lighthouse the melody brought a stream of light into my mind. I knew I wasn’t alone. I knew I would get well. I knew I would sing again. Most of all I knew just how close the spirit of Christ can be.  

     Why am I talking about lighthouses.  Especially on Easter?  

     Jesus Christ - is the keeper of the everlasting lighthouse--hopefully seen by all. He is the way. He stepped forth and courageously said “Send me.” As keeper He has climbed the steep stairs. With patience he felt the winds of the whip against his flesh. One by one he felt and knew of the personal journey of each of us. That is when we were engraven upon his bloody palms.   

    He stands ready night and day, our lighthouse, to still the waters and calm the seas of fear. He eagerly awaits to rescue anyone. Anyone who calls out His name. Anyone who seeks for the light. Jesus provides a constant light that burns for all of us to see, to find, and to follow.   He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

        Each of us - at birth -automatically became “keepers of the light. “ 

 “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world--” The light of Christ.  That newborn light was small then. 

      Imagine if we give ourselves a daily routine that ensures that we trim our wicks with wisdom, shine our souls in service, generate our thoughts to “talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ. 

    As “Keepers of the Light” we need to continually fill our lamps with oil. Prepare so we will be day and night ready, becoming -wise keepers.  Polishing the windows with prayer to see more clearly, seeking the word.... In Psalms... it reads... ” Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. "

      As we draw unto Christ , and follow him --our abilities to push away the darkness -will increase. Our abilities to discern will be enhanced.   

        Pres. Boyd K Packer said: “If you have made mistakes, and all of us have, whether minor or serious, then you have an enormous need to find out how they can be erased so that you are no longer in darkness. 

        “Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world,” he continued. “As we fix our gaze firmly on him and his teachings, we will be guided to the harbor of spiritual safety.” 

    Christ has walked the walk, talked the talk, and holds the light for all.  

        Long before Jesus came to earth Plato, the famous Greek philosopher said: 

   “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” 

        The Lord is my light - then why should I fear 

        By day and by night - his presence is near.  

This is a small portion of a talk I gave this Easter morning. Might we all rejoice in the light of truth. Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, our lighthouse.

Enjoy the gift.

Love to all

Shauna 

Smile You’re Just a Click Away!  

by Shauna Brown  

            Recently I received a notice - from Facebook - that an old friend wanted me to accept her invitation of friendship.  I was tickled with the invite, as well as an instant mind review of sweet memories that her name conjured up. With a click of the computer key I was stepping into her world, looking at pieces of her life. I smiled as I scanned  the pictures. She had married, had children, taught school, loved cooking, drove a BMW, and was now enjoying time being a Grandmother. It was simple fun connecting with an old friend.  I was happy for her. 

             I find Facebook an interesting, while yet revealing place. I don’t spend much time there.On occasion I do a quick run and scroll through. Thankfully I have discovered births, marriages to be, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries and such. It also has revealed some thought provoking moments as well. I have observed some friends and family going through difficult times. 

        I know too well what it means to be tagged by someone with one of their most ‘beautiful, candid pictures’ . 

      “Hey!” I want to say - “Erase! Erase! Take that picture off.”  I don’t want to be remembered looking like that!”   Not only was it a bad hair day, the lighting was horrible, the wrinkles showed, it wasn’t my best side, and the more than plenty unwanted pounds were so visible.  But life happens, and it is what it is, in living, breathing color. No time for Photoshop. There is no pretending. With unknown clicks of phones and cameras today-- well, every move, every moment is clicking away.  So you just grin and live it! That’s my positive spin. 

            I wish to liken those Facebook reveals to the moment when we, each one of us will stand in heaven someday. When our time here on earth is finished. We are there for the big reveal and review of our life. However, there are no surprises, as we realize that by our personal choices - it is - what it is. No time for touchups, Photoshop changes, rewinding or quick repentant modifications. Our life choices, values, focus, are clearly evident. Interesting, God just stands by and listens. We realize that we are the judge for ourselves how we did.  We will giggle at some moments, and cry at other times. We will evaluate how we spent our time, how we used the talents given. How we loved, how we served, how we gave. It will be most evident as we observe how our trust, hope and faith in a Savior grew. Did we believe? Did we follow?  We will see those moments - upclose and very personal.  

         I believe we will also recall a tender moment when Jesus Christ held our face within his hands, ‘engraved us upon his palms’ and shed blood and tears for each of us.  

     He will look into our face as our eternal Facebook reveals the story of the choices and changes we willingly made.  Our wrinkles won’t matter. The color of our hair will be of little importance. He will see our best and beautiful side. The perfect lighting will only come from God.  

        I guess someday we all will ‘face’ the reality of how we used this life to prepare to meet God again.  

Change is like a bumper car of opportunity.  

~ Shauna Brown

Enjoy the ride this Sabbath Day

Love to all

<Bear hug.jpg>

--

     Enjoy the Fragrance of Forgiveness

by Shauna V. Brown

Last Friday afternoon a young mother entered my office. She was concerned about the numerous times her two daughters had missed seminary.  I quickly pulled up their attendance records. It was instantly clear that something had occurred during the last couple of months.  I counted the days. I looked into the face of the young mother. “We’ve got some work to do,” I said with a smile, but can be done."          With a clear sense of regret she said,  “I’m going through a divorce, and it has been a difficult time for all of us. I’ve got seven young children and each are handling the separation in a variety of ways.”      Excusing the absences was simple. With just a click of the mouse the missing days were changed.      “That was easy,” she said. I explained how the girls could complete make up work.       "Wish I could fix life that fast," the young mother responded.          I then asked what she was doing to remain so positive during such a trying time. She smiled even bigger and shared:  “I have discovered that no matter what, I forgive.  I forgive him as quickly as I can. I forgive him for the mean text messages. I forgive him for not seeing the children like he said he would. I forgive him for his poor choices.  I am teaching my children to forgive him quickly and then the hurt doesn’t stay as long. I won’t be held down by his choices.” Then she added, “ You know what?” A sweet smile found place, “ I have discovered we can live in peace.”       Her outlook was positive as she said, “The Lord has helped me. A few months before my husband  left us I literally fell into an opportunity to be a translator. I can work from home and be with my family. I know God is watching over us.”       This young woman had come to a dark moment in her life and had chosen to seek the light.  She had done just as Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans: 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.        I couldn’t see her armour, but I could sense she was aware of it. From her brightness I could rejoice with her as she moved forward with confidence and trust in Christ.  She was leading her little band of seven. Onward good soldier!        “Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy... With God’s help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light.”   ~ Marvin J. Ashton           I liked her message for me and for all of us : FORGIVE QUICKLY.   Say you’re sorry. Write it off for experience. Let it go. Apologize and accept apology. Choose the better.             “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”                         Mark Twain    Don’t you love the smell of violets? Good things are happening!     Breathe in and enjoy the peace. Especially this Sabbath day. Love to all, Shauna p.s. FORGIVE my spelling mistakes - I do make them on occasion.

IMAGINE IT!

by Shauna V. Brown

     For the past few days I have been walking with the gate of a ninety year old.     I pulled out my back. Don’t ask me how I did it, I don’t know. I just woke up and instant shooting pains sent flashes to my brain. Hot pad, pain killers, electrodes, and blessing were eagerly engaged. I tried walking it out, but  I even found if I crawled it was better. 

      All day, all night I tried to find relief. Picture me on all fours trying to figure how to get myself into bed. I hurt and tried at least five times to pull myself into position to make it to the top. Rick tried to help me, but the pain was too intense. At one point I thought, ‘this is enough.’ I thought, just let me lay here, toss me a pillow. I was done. It took tears, and continued effort, but I finally did it.

     With a full dose of Melaotin, Advil, heating pad, I sought for peace, sleep and no pain. I know I didn’t move an inch the whole night, as even the slightest of a twist sent another flood of pain my way. Sleep was granted. 

     This sabbath morning as sunshine welcomed the day I laid motionless in my bed. Rick was up dressing for an early morning church meeting. I was trying hard not to set off the pain again, yet, Mother Nature called. Within an instant of movement I felt the unwelcome guest again. I realized my prayer of relief had not been granted. Ever so carefully I made my way to my feet.  I walked slowly, sleeking to glide. It seemed impossible as with each step a bolt of pain sprang into action. 

     I finally made my back to my bed and lay exhausted. It was then I was taken into thoughts about my Savior, Jesus Christ. He crawled, He cried, and endured to the finish. 

Imagine it!

   Now, I have felt the pain of bearing six children, root canals, poor choices, surgery, death and such, but now facing a battery of intense pains shooting up my spine, my thoughts went to a greater appreciation for the unending agony Jesus Christ experienced. Thoughts flooded my mind: If Jesus felt these extreme pains for me, multiplied by humanity - how could He have done it?  Just one area of my body was inflicted with soring, shooting pains... how could He bear his whole body and mind being assulted? Jesus Christ has felt this tsunami of pain and more.  Thus, He understands all pain.

In Isaiah 49:16 it reads: “ Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” 

Deeply engraven I feel, carved carefully, as to understand our purpose more profoundly.  One by one He walks with us through our pains, discomforts, afflictions and suffering.  He knows pain extremely well. Upon His palms in prayers and pleadings He sacrificed to understand each of us. 

Max Lucado shared: “He loves each one of us like there is only one of us to love.”

Imagine it!

I gasped as I felt the first surge of pain. I wanted it to “stop!” I sought for instant relief.  “I’m ready to be done with this.” Yet, today, I see more clearly that the will of the Father and His son, was to secure peace for each one of us. I do stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. He was willing to push ahead through the pain-- for me.  My soul is filled with loving wonder and appreciation. 

        When Jesus had finished His work- our work, we all cried out in joyous relief. 

Imagine it! 

So this Sabbath - take a moment to think about Jesus’s loving investment in each one of us.  Do our efforts and desires reflect our appreciation of His eternal commitment?

If I Ruled The World by Shauna V. Brown      Years ago my good friend and fellow performer, Ralene Gerrard Bills, sang a song. I fell in love with the melody and words:            If I Ruled the World   Words by Leslie Bricusse/Music by Cyril Ornadel  If I ruled the world, ev’ry day would be the first day of spring  Every heart would have a new song to sing  And we’d sing of the joy every morning would bring          If I ruled the world, ev’ry man would be as free as a bird,          Ev’ry voice would be a voice to be heard          Take my word we would treasure each day that occurred  My world would be a beautiful place  Where we would weave such wonderful dreams  My world would wear a smile on its face  Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams          If I ruled the world every man would say the world was his friend          There’d be happiness that no man could end          No my friend, not if I ruled the world          Every head would be held up high  There’d be sunshine in everyone’s sky  If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world

Every day the first day of spring -- I’m ready! Birds--let them sing. Happiness everywhere --yes! Hearts lifted in melodies inspired by the spirit--applause.  Smiles on faces -- not often enough.  Sunshine --oh, to feel the warmth of it. Heads held high -- we must.         Yet, I  find that everyone of us do rule a world--  worlds of our own making. We have the capacity to choose it, define,mold it into what ever we want it to be. You and I are the masters of that which is around us. We can choose to see the good or focus on the bad. We can seek to share that which is uplifting or dwell in negativity.We can lift our voices to cheer another, or sit back and hope for a better. We can spread possibilities. We can treasure more often the hugs and tickle more frequently. We can sing aloud of God’s redeeming love. We can make a difference! We can live and thrive in a wonderful world.       While visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany, I was taken in deep thought as to the cruelty and treatment of those prisoners.  Yet, in the midst of all the darkness some of the prisoners made a choice of their world. Conditions didn't change - they did. They choose to see differently. Even though they were surrounded by death and hatred they selected words like hope, faith, forgiveness, trust, God.  Let me share a few thoughts of those who lived in such concentrated camps of darkness:       “Happiness isn’t something that depends on our surroundings... It’s something we make inside ourselves.”  Corrie ten Boom       “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  Anne Frank      “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”          Viktor E. Frankl         Hey, surround me by Pollyanna types. Buy me rose colored glasses. Paint my room yellow. Be sure to plant daisies and blue forget-me-nots in my garden. Bring me rainbow colored balloons and I’ll be a happy camper.  Yet, I know and believe with full heart the key factor in my world--is placing God - central to all things. I want Him just the way and where He is --  FOREVER.        I realize and testify that in my world there will come cloudy days, intense storms, and seasonal dark moments. Equally, I have learned and rejoice that those drenching, down pours will pass, and the sun will come out again.  (Sounds like another song.)            So whether we dance in the rain, bloom where we’re planted, cry over spilt milk, look for the silver lining, find ourselves between a rock and a hard place, or endlessly seek to sprinkle joy along the way... it is our choice in the world we are creating.           IF I RULED THE WORLD ---- YOU DO!