Last night was an historic night for my progress in the program – I finished step 4! I’m going to review it tonight and start step 5 tomorrow. Coincidentally (don’t believe there is such a thing), I’ve had two people ask if I could help them as a Support Person. I feel really humbled by this opportunity since I feel there is so much more for me to do. I told them I’d like to wait until I finish step 5. I talked to Jason about it and he gave me some ideas on how to get started. Here they are:
On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 9:36 PM, Jason wrote:
Hey Nate,It was good to hear from you earlier.
So basically I send an answer to one of the questions in an email to my sponsor in the morning. It just looks something like this:
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Hey Bryan,CH.8 forgiving and asking for forgiveness.
How is refusing to forgive yourself or someone else the equivalent of denying the savior’s atonement?
When I don’t forgive someone it is like I say that my suffering that has been caused by someone else is greater than the suffering that Christ felt in the atonement. That he didn’t suffer enough, that this sin against me is too great and is not covered by the atonement. I had not given much thought to refusing to forgive myself. But it’s true. When I condemn myself and say that I am just too far gone, that is basically denying the cleansing power of the atonement and saying that it is not good enough or powerful enough. This must be a really big tool that Satan tries to use against me. It seems very subtle and a little abstract, but when I really think about it and talk it out or write it out it is very obvious and clear what a lie this is.
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Keep it simple. It doen’t have to be anything fancy. Just an honest response. Then in the evening a list of things that you a grateful for. It can be anything really. Big things that you are reminded of or little things you never recognized before.
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I am thankful to have a Temple so close.
I am thankful to be worthy to go to the Temple.
I am thankful for Shandra and our sealing.
I am thankful for Shandra’s strong desire for righteousness.
I am thankful for her consistency and hard work.
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So thats it. Doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but it has helped me a lot.
Also if there are those days when it gets too late to call then just send me an update of feelings or temptations, what you’re working on in the program or questions you may have. This cannot replace talking on the phone but it does help to stay accountable on those days we are unable to talk.
Thanks for everything you are doing Nate. You will be a great support to those guys. Keep it up and stay humble.
Love ya man.
-Jason
I’m wondering if I should have the guys post things here as their report process. We’ll see I guess.
Nate
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