But I messed up... AGAIN!

Bearrie Brothers!  

I brought you brothers here to start our own fraternity
Broke Flat Broke, we ain't got it.
Broke Flat Broke (we ain't got it)
No, we have no money 
We are sharin' jeans.
If I go outside, I got the only clothing on.
How many cars do we own? (None!)
How many cars do we own? (None, sir!)
Should we let our woman go and be with the cat in the car?
Yes, we will.
Why? Because we can't afford gas. Say it with me!
(We can't afford no gas!)
Say it!
(We can't afford no gas!)
So we ain't drivin'!

Let us take a moment and acknowledge our Brother Kanye for helping us be thankful (appropriate on this Thanksgiving holiday) that fortunately we do have enough for us to afford a few pairs of pants each... and that we don't have to have our women go and be with the cat in the car.

The topic of my Bearrie Devo today is NOT on thanks.  However, I hope that we all had some good reflection this Thanksgiving holiday... 

I have included the ASL version of Alma 42:30.  As you watch the video pay particular attention to the woman signing as she aids our understanding of the verse with her facial expressions.  ASL is pretty stinking cool... I just wish I could understand more of it.

I have included the English version for those who aren't as confident in their sign language as they would like to be:

 30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

For some reason, this verse got spouted off in our old testament Sunday School lesson.  I am embarrassed to report that I really don't know WHAT sparked this scripture... I couldn't connect the dots for you.  BUT, no matter why it was brought up, I am glad that they did.  Because without this little chime in, I wouldn't have been able to discover how cool this scripture really is.

So far we have had the verse in a couple of languages... ASL and English... I want to break it down in a little Ceesanese:

30 Oh son, if only you could remember that God is just; here is the deal, you need to quit using the cop-out of "I've blown it ONE too many times - I'm toast - I may as well give up" excuse; instead you need to have faith in the fact that God, 100 percent fair, yes, BUT, at the same time, He is merciful!  Remember that one!  But don't get cocky, kid!  Be grateful for the help with which Heavenly Father hooks it up!

So as I broke down what I thought this verse said, I kind of re thought some of what I was thinking originally... if that makes sense.  Maybe my analysis isn't spot on, and the author had different intentions, but this is what the Spirit was whispering to me in that Sunday school lesson.

I think I do that a lot.  I will use that - "well, I didn't get my goal, may as well give up now" excuse.  Which is one of satan's oldest tricks around.  Just because we mess up our goal DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD GIVE UP!!!  The atonement works NO matter how many times we have messed up.  We need to focus on that word - INFINITE.  There is no end.  We can drink freely at the well as often as we need... and just because we were at the well five minutes ago for the same thing... doesn't mean that He won't be there welcoming us back with open arms.  I promise He will be even more pleased that we came back so quickly.

The moral of the story - we should try and try again... You know, like ol' Abraham Lincoln.  

Anyways, I was inspired by the verse that was shared... I guess it just goes to show, if you bail out early after sacrament meeting, thinking you are spiritually filled, you can miss some gems.

Hopefully all is well and that we can dive back into school with some serious strength gained from turkey time.