Neither the eye without the ear

Brothers,

I have been given the privilege of sending a message to both missionaries and a soldier. Truly, I am honored that both those who defend our borders and those who defend our faith enjoy my letters.

It is said that both eyes and ears are important, and this was discussed in Paul's letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This means that in your roles, it is important to realize that defending the faith and defending the country are of equal importance. I want you to know that doing good radiates and inspires others. You are trailblazers in your own right. 

Remember that Ammon served and defended his new country, and in doing so, was able to share the gospel. Just because your life course is different does not mean that you cannot share your faith in the Savior especially during the Christmas season.

During this season, please remember that Jesus' sacrifice to give us the Atonement must include his name. Do not divorce the Atonement from the Son of God who made it possible. Keep Christ in all things. His suffering, his resurrection, his ascension into heaven. All of these things were for you. Take some time to remember the simple beginnings of the Christ Child, how it moved the humble to see angels and the wealthy to seek him out. 

This is the part where I would give you a Christmas hymn but instead read this hymn...

Peace Be Still

1. Master, the tempest is raging!

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadow'd with blackness,

No shelter or help is nigh;

"Carest thou not that we perish?"

How canst thou lie asleep,

When each moment so madly is threat'ning,

A grave in the angry deep?

Chorus:

The winds and the waves shall obey my will,

Peace, be still!

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,

Or demons, or men, or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean, and earth and skies;

They all shall sweetly obey my will,

Peace, be still!

They all shall sweetly obey my will,

Peace, peace, be still!

2. Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today;

The depths of my sad heart are troubled,

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o’er my sinking soul;

And I perish! I perish, dear Master,

O, hasten, and take control. [Chorus]

3. Master, the terror is over,

The elements sweetly rest;

Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirror'd,

And heaven’s within my breast;

Linger, O blessed Redeemer,

Leave me alone no more;

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,

And rest on the blissful shore. [Chorus]


I want you to know, we would love to have you home with us to celebrate Christmas, but because of your sacrifice, the Lord's message is magnified, and the country is safe. 

Know that we love you and the Savior loves and is with you.

Nathan Bingham 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

repentance

Ah, Packer Town, home of the cheese heads. So many stories. It is difficult moving from field to field (or it was for me) but He does it for the benefit of His purposes. Might I recommend on a prep day trying the cheese and talking to the locals?  You are so far ahead spiritually than I was when I was your age. That said, I will share what I have learned this week from Psalms 51. When you teach repentance, teach the people, it is not feeling guilty, it is not the sad countenance, sackcloth, or ashes that pleases God. It is the intense work and desire to restore the relationship lost. Feeling sorry and apologizing is only part of the process. When we do wrong things and our parents punished us, it wasn't the punishment that showed repentance. When we strived, worked, and pleaded to restore the trust lost that our parents blessed us with trust. They knew that we wanted to be good. Heavenly Father is no different. Trust is a fragile thing and can be quickly lost. The Lord desires to t...
Read more

Aurora California

My dear cousin, It's in the plain and simple things (like bunnies) that joy and truth can and will be found. Look for those things in your mission. Being a primary teacher has taught me so much and has brought to light so much of my mission and what it means to me. The message that you are teaching will strengthen your testimony. Do not ever be afraid to open your mouth. Your Heavenly Father will teach you and lead you to hearts that are open and searching for Him and the Savior. Every experience will lead you to where you need to be.  I aim to write you regularly so as to encourage you, cousin. Thrust in your sickle with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Hold nothing back. You have our prayers.  Love the Binghams
Read more

Money I have none

Dear Cousin,  Your going about the Gospel rightly. When I was a young nineteen year old, my companion and I had a dry spell. Earnestly we worked and daily we were rejected. It was one such day that got a call and it was during lunch. I was eager to eat but my companion told me to hold that thought. He ordered me to get on our bikes and follow him. I thought it was so peculiar that we would forgo lunch for a phone call.  We arrived to a shack of a place that had a dead lawn and old paint and with eagerness knocked on the door. A man with a dirty undershirt and jeans greeted us with a loaded .38 at his side. The expression of joy escaped his face as he asked us to enter. He would explain that he had lost his job, kids and wife and was going to loose his home. The gun was for him to end it all if we had not shown. For the next two weeks his dirty and uneventful home gained color and his spirit brightened. Because he was a skilled CDL driver he was given a job his first Sunday and...
Read more