Autofocus on Christ

09/03/2026

08/23/2026

https://autofocusonchrist.wordpress.com/2024/07/02/the-true-vine/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT3XpJjbGNrBPdeH3Bkb2YBZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeh9wy608YYh1BbvfMo9tgu4IEMKRde0br7AsBu1UYuwiyDnSn1TvoUi_7biM_aem_dzACVv9_Zqo6fovqhrRAKg

Have you ever watched a blackberry vine grow? The new vines grow all summer without producing fruit. Their fruit is produced the following summer when branches sprout out from the vine. Jesus gives…

08/21/2026

The phrase “hill of the Lord” (Psalm 24:3) could refer to the temple or to the presence of God. “Who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).
I'm so grateful for the gifts of repentance and our Savior's grace and forgiveness and healing! Without those gifts I would not be able to approach Him in His holy place either on earth or in heaven. It feels like attending the temple provides us with the earthly experience of keeping ourselves clean, our hearts pure, letting go of pride, etc and seeking repentance when we fail. As we repeat the cycle of doing our best to act as Jesus Christ would, failing, surrendering our heart to Him, and allowing Him to repair and uplift us, we are drawn closer to Him and more in step with His (Psalm 27:14).
As we choose to be yoked with Him, we learn the cadence of His steps. Serving and ministering to others is what the Savior spent His earthly life doing. His suffering for our sins, death, and resurrection were His crowning acts of love for us. And He is still in the details of our lives. He gives peace and healing as we have faith in and seek Him. “Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth” (Psalm 26:8). “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1).

08/04/2026

“who knoweth whether thou art come to [this place] for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
Finding our purpose in life isn't always clear. Most of us don't have a purpose that affects an entire nation. But we do affect an entire family.
Our purpose, God's purpose for us, will always be discovered as we seek the Lord. He'll lead you through whatever He led you to. Stay focused on Him and keep going!

06/08/2026

The Lord sees past our labels, our physical appearance, our insecurities. He looks, instead, “on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). And even when our heart isn't quite right, if we're willing, He will give us “another heart” (1 Samuel 10:9). (Come, Follow Me home study manual)
What's holding you back? Can you let it go? Can you see yourself as God sees you? If you haven't asked Him how He sees you, I challenge you to. He will tell you what He loves about you.

Photo: Foxglove flower with blackberry vine weighing it down.

06/05/2026

A new life takes my breath away!

“As the world speaks less of Jesus Christ, let us speak more of Him” (Elder Neil L Andersen).

Thinking about Him prepares us to hear Him and to eventually see Him. When we seek Him, He becomes more a part of our lives.

3 Nephi 11:2 And they were...conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death.
3 And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.
8 ...they saw a Man descending out of heaven; ...and stood in the midst of them...
9 ...he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/11?lang=eng

What takes your breath away? How do you seek Him?
Photo: first elk calf of the season

04/29/2026

Was being in a good place at the right time a happy accident, or was it intentional?

Of course the Lord is holy. He wants us to be holy. If I want what He desires, I want to be holy too. In Leviticus 19, He tells us how to be holy: basically, keep the commandments. If we give sacrifices, do it “at your own will” (v5).

“God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing” (Moroni 7:6).

What does “real intent” mean to you? How can we serve the Lord intentionally and of our own free will?

04/07/2026

We don't go to Sacrament meetings to be entertained. We go to worship the Lord.