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Thoughts of Shawn

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Thoughts of Shawn

Tag Archives: Peace

Justin shout out…

11 Friday Nov 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Quotes, Stories, Thoughts

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Brother, Christ, Comfort, control, craziness, easy, Engaged, evil, Family, forgiveness, freedom, Friends, Girl of my dreams, God, Grateful, happy, heal, Heart, Justin, Life, Lord, love, Married, mission, Parents, Peace, positive attitude, Power, Prince of Peace, roommate, rough time, wisdom

Doesn’t he look happy? Everyone, I’d like you to meet my roommate Justin. Not too long ago Justin wrote a very insightful blog post that I would like to re-post here to my blog. But before posting his thoughts I would just like to say that Justin has become one of my best friends. Although he is still a young buck, behind that huge smile lies some wisdom. I’m always impressed with his ability to listen and to ask the right questions to create understanding. Although he has been going through a rough time, he has handled his situation extremely well. Although what he writes is just words, they really reflect the type of person he really is. Love ya brother! Read directly from his blog here or just keep reading below:

“What I thought I knew and what I’ve learned”

“It is hard to believe it, but one month ago I was engaged to be married to the girl of my dreams. I’ve decided I can’t dwell on what might have been, that would make this an exceptionally boring blog post! Rather I’d like to share what I feel like I have learned through all of this craziness and I hope that some of it will help the nine people who will actually read this. Ready? ok let’s go….”

“First of all, I have learned that I cannot always control whether or not the situation I am in is what will bring me the greatest measure of peace, but that it is not the situation I am in that will ultimately bring peace, but the way I choose to react to it. This is the first of many things I have always intellectually known, but that I have never had to apply in my life until very recently. It is amazing to me the power the Lord gives each of us to decide to have a positive attitude and to learn in every situation in which we are placed; it is not always easy, but it is always the path that will lead to the greatest good. I keep remembering what a Sister in my mission once said, she encouraged a congregation of people to “follow the peace.” I have come to learn that that does not mean I can always be in a peaceful situation, but that in every situation I have the opportunity to follow the Prince of Peace who I worship with all my heart.”

“The next important thing I thought I always knew and now have discovered I really do is that I have amazing friends. God has put some the best people in the world into my life and they will never understand the incredible, salvific influence they have had on my life. In this category I include my current roommates, my dear friends from the mission who have always inspired me to be the very best, my dear pre-mission friends from high school who have allowed me to grow with them, and of course the best family a person could ever have. In particular in this crazy circumstance I have gained an appreciation for my dear parents who have supported me in all of my dreams and pursuits and who continue to trust me to learn from all that I have been given. Chances are if you took the time to read this you are one of those people, so thank you!”

“The final and most important lesson I have learned from all of this is the incredible power forgiveness has to heal and lift. I have been painted as vile and evil (I also have fallen in love with palindromes) by people who meant a lot to me and it has been difficult for me to let that go, but as I have, I have found such a tremendous feeling of comfort and empowerment to move forward with faith in the love of Christ. I have preached the doctrine of forgiveness on countless occasion, and I’ve always wondered why I have been so drawn to that principle until this month when I have finally had a need to really apply it in my everyday living. I’m so glad that I have spent time studying opposition and forgiveness, without it I don’t know where I would be. The freedom and release that comes is real, I have experienced it and for that I will always be grateful!”

“Sorry this wasn’t very funny and I don’t blame anyone for not reading the whole thing, but it feels so good to write it all down.”

-Faithfully-

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Smoothly…

09 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Quotes

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challenges, Faith, Future, Life, Living, opposite, optimism, Peace, Smoothly

“Do not expect that all will go smoothly throughout your life, even those who are living as they should. Sometimes, we’ll find it just the opposite. It won’t go smoothly. Meet each of life’s challenges with the optimism and surety that you will have peace and faith to sustain you now and in the future. For those who do not yet have all the blessings you feel you want, if your life is empty in one reason or another, I firmly believe that no experience, no opportunity essential for redemption and salvation will be denied you who live faithfully.
Remain worthy. Be hopeful, patient and prayerful. Things have a way of working out. The gift of the Holy Ghost will guide you and direct your actions.”

– President Boyd K Packer

Found Here

A book of mormon story…

06 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Stories, Thoughts, Video

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Abraham, Bible, Bishop, Book of Mormon, Chris Cook, Christ, Death, Desire, God, God speaks, God's plan, Goliath, Heart, Holy Ghost, Jamaica, Jerimiah, Jesus Christ, Kind David, Lehi, Life, Mercy, Missionaries, Mormon, Moses, Pain, Peace, Samson, Scriptures, Sickness, Spirit, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, True

 
I really like this video! First of all, the movie is well done and I think there are not only some neat shots but also some great animation. I also like the content. Like Chris, I too know that the Book of Mormon is true. There is a promise at the end of the book that if you read it it, pray about it, and ask God, then you will get an answer from God that it is true. (Read the promise here) I have done this and I know without a doubt that God answers prayers. Really, He answers prayers! He not only answers them but He answers in a very personal way, leaving no doubt that He loves you and knows you. I have come to know God better by reading the Book of Mormon and that has made all the difference in my life.

One of my favorite versus from the Book of Mormon says that, “it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief” (Found here) I know that God is a God of miracles. Watch for His miracles daily in your life and you will see them. One way that I have built my faith to see God’s miracles is through reading this book. If you have a copy, read it! Let God show you He loves you by putting faith in Him! If you don’t have a copy of this book, click the picture below to get a free copy. It will change your life!

Lifting burdens…

18 Tuesday Oct 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Thoughts, Video

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Tags

Atonement, Becoming, Born again, Burdens, Christ, Cleansed, Doctrine, Eternity, Faith, Forever, Fruit, Glorious Beings, God, Grace, Grief, Guilt, Healing, Heavenly Father, Invite, Jesus Christ, Joy, Mercy, Nature, Peace, Power, Purified, Racked, Reality, Redeemer, Refining, Savior, Settle, Sin, Spirit, Steadfast, Today, Tormented, Transformation, Truth, Understanding, Unyielding, Whole, Yesterday

Please watch! My cousin showed me this beautiful clip the other night. I’m inspired…

General Conference…

02 Sunday Oct 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Stories, Thoughts, Video

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Announcement, Apostle, Captured By Dash, Comfort, Conference Center, Direction, Friends, General Conference, God, Guidance, Inspired words, Jesus Christ, LDS, love, Mormon, New Provo Temple, Peace, Photographer, Prayers, Prophet, Provo, Revelation, Temple

Yesterday I had the unique opportunity of attending the Saturday morning session of General Conference. For those of you who may not know or understand what I mean when I say “General Conference,” please let me explain. In the LDS faith, every 6 months members of the church gather from all across the world to listen to God’s living prophet and apostles. We believe that the words they speak are the exact words that God would like us to hear. Their words give us guidance, direction, peace, comfort, knowledge, and help us to know how to change and be better people. They teach about a variety of topics but are centrally focused on the teachings of Jesus Christ. These conferences are the highlights of my year. They have 2 general sessions on Saturday and 2 general sessions on Sunday. Two days of pure goodness! I find that as I listen to the inspired words, I allow God to communicate with me directly. Often it’s not in the words that are spoken but the feelings that I feel that I find answers to my prayers. God loves each and every one of us! That means YOU! He wants to be a part of your life. Do we listen? Conference is your chance to listen. It’s about creating the environment where God can talk to you. I love my savior Jesus Christ and I’m excited for another full day of conference.

I had the unique experience yesterday of going with some good friends to the actual conference center in Salt Lake City.

Although this beautiful edifice above has a capacity of 21,333, there is no way that all 14 million members of the church can attend this event live. We have members all throughout the world. That is why we broadcast it! If you have some time today or anytime go here to see what the prophet and apostles have to say!
LDS General Conference October 2011

They made some pretty exciting announcements yesterday. I’m especially excited about the new temple to be built in Provo, Utah! You probably know that the Provo Tabernacle burned down last year. They are going to rebuild it as the Second Temple in Provo! Here is a picture that my best friend took just a couple of days after the event.

If you’re looking for a good photographer, he does a great job for any event! Here is a link to his website.
Captured By Dash Photography

Here is what the new temple is projected to look like! Isn’t it beautiful!?

I’m very excited for this little tidbit of news. Enjoy conference!

the Little boy and the old man

30 Friday Sep 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Poetry, Stories, Thoughts

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Advice, Age, Childhood, Confidence, Elderly, Grandma, Grandpa, Openness, Peace

I just returned home from a special evening with my Grandpa Merrill. I haven’t taken the opportunity to go and visit him as much as I should. We had a great time! I learned so much from him and his insight. Tonight was the first time that I have approached him ready to leave the fear of vulnerability behind and open up. He shared with me experiences about my wonderful deceased grandmother and their courtship. I enjoyed his advice, I enjoyed his openness with me, I appreciated his confidence in me. I want to visit him more often. I feel peace in my life right now. Thank you grandpa, thank you grandma, thank you Heavenly Father!

Here is a poem that I’ve wanted to post for some time. It speaks for itself…

“A man growing old becomes a child again.”
-Sophocles

Moments that matter most…

15 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by shawnmerrill in Thoughts, Video

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Divine, Eternity, Jesus Christ, Life, Light, Maria Schell, Mormon, Peace, Savior

One of my favorite messages…

“Peace is when time doesn’t matter as it passes by.”
-Maria Schell

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