Parable Of The Sower - Part 3: Seeds in Stony Places

I am really learning a lot about the Parable of the Sower with this in-depth study. It is so exciting! Today I studied about the seed that fell into stony ground.

Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 13: 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

STONY= Inflexible; cruel; unrelenting; pitiless; obdurate; perverse; cold; morally hard; appearing as if petrified; as, a stony heart; a stony gaze; (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary). Parched, no depth, rocky land which a thin layer of soil is spread.

I also found that Zechariah 7:11-13 added to my understanding: 

Parable Of The Sower - Part 2: The Seed By The Wayside

Matthew 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5

Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Way side = path, trench, traveled road, hard ground that has been traveled much.

Devoured = (compare to how Satan is) leaving nothing, greedy, aggressive, grasping, unquenchable, gluttonous, massive, (NOTE: Satan is never pacified nor satisfied).

Parable Of The Sower - Part 1: Introduction

 

I've decided to do an in-depth study comparing:

1. Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:1-23 (see also Mark 4:1-9, Luke 8:4-15)
2. Lehi's Vision - Nephi 8, 11
3. Zenos's allegory of the tame and wild olive trees - Jacob 5

Mother's Day Depression

A SPECIAL NOTE to Mother's who find Mother's Day DEPRESSING:

When my children were young, I loved Mother's Day. My kids adored me and they told me often that I was the best Mom ever. But, as my children grew into teenagers, things changed. Mostly I was reminded of how my skills as a mother and even as a person were sorely lacking. Mothers Day became a sad day for me.

On Mother's Day we hear story after story of the 'perfect mom' being praised by their husbands and children. At the same time, our own failings and weaknesses glare back at us. Deep in our heart we know our children are constant reminders of our deficiencies. It has taken me many depressing Mother's Day's to finally get back to enjoying them.

This is what I have learned: Peace comes to me from knowing that I did my best with the knowledge I had. I'm sure you all agree that if you had known then what you know now, you would have done things differently and would not have made the mistakes you made....it is nonsense to judge our past mistakes with our present knowledge...so it's time to stop doing it.

I also gain joy and peace realizing that my successes really do exceed my oopies. This Mother Heart of mine has always been filled with a desire to do Gods will - This Mother Heart of  mine has always loved my children.

Raising my children has brought me closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I understand more fully, but not completely, Christ's Atonement, patience, long suffering, repentance, and forgiveness and unconditional love - the pure love of Christ.These choice experiences have prepared me to be a more humble disciple of HIM.

I AM engaged in HIS work and HIS glory. So if you are still in the middle of hating Mother's Day, I hope you will search deep into your heart, and ask God to help you feel His love for you.

....and a special hug from me to all you Moms.

 With love and gratitude,
  

Each of us lead a life filled with miracles, we just need to pause and see them! What's new and good with you?

What Really Happens To Little Children When They Die?

Many people are confused or even feel lost, anger, and inconsolable grief, when it comes to understanding what happens to little children when they die - especially if they have not been baptized yet.