The Reset Button of Video Games and Repentance

Anyone who has ever played video games before knows that there are times in the game when you have to complete a level or a task. As we try to conquer a villain or beat the other team in a game we quickly realize that we're getting beat and that our player is about to die or our team is about to lose. This almost always leads to frustration and anger to the point of yelling at the TV or maybe even throwing the controller across the room (Don't deny it gamers, this really does happen). As this anger builds up we start to spiral down the path to GAME OVER! but No! We won't let that happen! As we realize that maybe those awesome video game skills aren't so awesome we get prideful. Before we could ever accept that we lost we take the cheap way out....we hit the reset button.

I'll admit it I've done it before. Playing my favorite game, NCAA Football, there was no way I was going to let my BYU Cougars lose a game! Now that I've matured and so have my virtual football playing skills I'm less likely to take the cheap way out and reset a game. But when I get down early or am about to lose late in the game that temptation is always there to hit the reset button.
      Some would say unfortunately we are not living in a video game world. This is the real deal. There is no reset button in life that takes us back to birth to try again before our game over. As we travel through this level we will encounter many obstacles. Some will be easy to overcome, others will be very difficult. As we continue on though we can't let ourselves get caught up or bogged down in life. We can't get angry or upset with the difficulties of this level to the point where we want a restart because there is no restart to life like there is in a video game. However Christ has provided a type of restart.

        Alma 34:32-33 says that this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witness, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end" If we want a restart to life we need to take part in the atonement of Jesus Christ by repenting. Through repentance we can become clean. Our minds, bodies, and spirits become clear of all anger, sorrow, guilt, and pain. We are given a clean slate thanks to Christ and a new start of life. As we go about preparing to meet God we will continue to learn and grow and improve our skills. We will be able to defeat this level and return to live with God where there are no Game Overs because of the reset Christ offers and not that of a video game.
             To learn more about the "Reset Button" of life Click Here

The Gospel of Baseball Part 2: First to Second through Repentance

The first to Second principle of the Gospel of Baseball is Repentance. The Bible dictionary states that repentance is a change of mind, a fresh view about God, oneself, and the world. As a baseball player now that we've had sufficient faith to get on base through our faith and our works, hitting the ball, we need to refocus and have a change of mind. Our primary goal is no longer to just get to first base but to make it home and score. We now have a fresh view on the importance of getting to second base. Luke 12:3 says "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." In other words if we don't shift our focus to now getting to second base we will surly perish and get tagged out.
   Likewise in our lives once we've gained faith in our Heavenly Father it will cause us to have a desire to make a change in our lives. We will have the desire to repent of our wrong doings and, like the baseball player, get onto Gods base path to our heavenly home. And when we do this we feel freed from our mistakes and we are ready to rededicate ourselves to following our Heavenly Father.

  But this repentance, to make it to second base and eventually home,  can only be accomplished with the help of a team mate, Jesus Christ. In order for us to make it to second base he lays down a sacrifice bunt of himself to move us over as he gets thrown out at first base. Without our Savior, Jesus Christ, and this sacrifice bunt of the atonement we would have no way to overcome our mistakes and make move onto second base. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus Christ, for me. It allows me to have a change of heart and mind, rededicate myself through repentance, and return home someday.

Greater Love Hath No Man

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
      Our older brother, Jesus Christ, showed the ultimate act of love by becoming our Savior. He laid His life down for us so that we can all return to live again with our Father in Heaven. From His sacrifice of performing the atonement where He bled from every pore for us, to giving His life up upon the cross, to breaking the bands of death and being resurrected the third day we will never know or comprehend all that He went through and did for us. And why, because He loves us.
      So on this Valentine's Day when we remember and show our love to our family and friends let us not forget to show our love and appreciation to our Lord, Redeemer, Brother, and Friend, Jesus Christ. And to show Him our love let us stand as a witness of Him at all times, and in all things, and in all places because that's what He has done for us.