The Judgment Seat

"The gospel of Christ is about love and tolerance and respect for all. We are not a people to cast judgment and place conditions on our friendships. We are one who should love and enjoy the differences in life, while celebrating the many opportunities to love and serve our friends and neighbors." -Tawnya Gibson, "The True Meaning of Friendship", MormonChic.com

I wanted to bold the part that jumped out to me the most, so I ended up just bolding the entire thing. Well said, Tawnya, well said.

How many of us look down in judgment on those around us, whether it be that unwashed heathen down the street who doesn't believe in God, the sister we go to church with who gets pregnant outside of marriage, or the homeless person on the streets selling newspapers? What exactly makes us any better? When we look down in judgment, we set ourselves up as being on the same level as God, and that my friends, is dangerous ground to tread on.

Where the green grass grows

As I was driving to Killeen, I drove through an area that had 5 charred spots from recent grass fires along the highway. Naturally, these spots were all charred and blackened; the flames had killed all the vegetation. All that was left was dead dirt, rocks, ash, dead weeds, and tire tracks from the trucks that put out the fires.

A few days later, as I drove back to Austin, I drove through the same stretch of road and noticed something: in those same places that had been killed by fires, there were signs of new growth. Green shoots were coming up, grass was beginning to grow again.

I was struck by the parallel to spiritual life and Christianity. Sin could be likened to a fire, it kills and scars, leaving death and destruction in it's wake. The glorious reality, though, is that the destruction doesn't have to be permanent. Thanks to the Atonement, through Christ's death and resurrection, my heart can be renewed, my spirit brought back to life. Out of death can come new life, out of pain can come healing. Thanks be to God!

I Will Praise You In This Storm

I recently went through a very rough time. It seemed like everything was piling up on my head and I felt like I was going to crack. This song was a wonderful reminder that my Heavenly Father is with me not just in the good times and that even in the hard times, when nothing seems to be going right, it is AT LEAST as important to praise God as it is when things are going well.

I Will Praise You In This Storm, by Casting Crowns 

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away,

 stepped in and saved the day. 

But once again, I say amen and it's still raining

 as the thunder rolls 

I barely hear You whisper through the rain, 

"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands

and praise the God who gives and takes away. 

Chorus: And I'll praise you in this storm 

and I will lift my hands 

for You are who You are no matter where I am 

and every tear I've cried 

You hold in your hand 

You never left my side 

and though my heart is torn 

I will praise You in this storm 

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You

and raised me up again 

my strength is almost gone

how can I carry on 

if I can't find You 

and as the thunder rolls 

I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands

and praise the God who gives and takes away 

Chorus 

I lift my eyes onto the hills 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth 

I lift my eyes onto the hills 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth 

Chorus 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw