One Eternal Song Of Praise

How can I not go on in so great a cause?

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” - Psalm 121

Dear Heavenly Father,

I, your willing, humble servant, truly stand amazed at the love that you offer me.

How can I say thanks for the things you have done and continue to do for me? So many of the blessings that you have bounteously bestowed upon me are so undeserving, yet you continually give to prove your unconditional love for me. It is wonderful for me to know that I am your child, and that you are always there walking right beside me, leading me, and guiding me in the way that I should follow. Even at times when I may have veered from the straight and narrow path, you lovingly and patiently, allowed me to endure certain trials, heartaches, and disappointments to help teach me important lessons that were necessary for my continual spiritual growth, and to gently guide my footsteps back onto the road that leads towards home and back into your loving arms. The voices of tens of thousands of angels could never adequately express the gratitude and the love that I have in my heart for you. You are my ALL! You are my EVERYTHING!

How can I arise from my slumbers of the night - sweet rest which only you can give - and not give thanks unto thee for bringing me to the beginning of a brand new day? You do not have to allow me to arise each morning, fully clothed in my right mind, and with the full use of my faculties, but you do. Therefore, I will rejoice and be glad in each day that thou hast given me. Teach me to humbly number those days that I may continually apply my heart unto wisdom. Let me not spend any hour of any day selfishly, but give me a servant’s heart that is filled with love and compassion for others. Gently remind me that because I have been given much, I too must give. For it is because of thy great bounty each day I live and have my being.

How dare I become boastful or proud of the things that I may be able to achieve in this life? May I ever be mindful that every good and perfect gift comes from above, and that it is you who allows me to do the things that I do, and to achieve any success in life. Teach me, dear Father, to let any accolades and praises that I may receive, come from the lips of another and not mine own. Let me not live my life focused on self, but let me live my life pleasing to thee with an eye single to your glory. For you alone are worthy to be praised.

How can I live my life from day to day and not know that I cannot make it on my own? In the morning when I rise, I need thee. In the noon day hour, I need thee. In the quietness of the night, I need thee. When the sun is shining or when the winds of adversity are blowing and the storm winds are raging, I need thee. Whether atop the highest mountain, or down in the lowest of valleys, I need thee. I need thee every hour. How thankful I am that you are always just a prayer away and you have promised never to leave me nor forsake me. Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff , they comfort me. Therefore, I am blessed with the calm assurance that I am never alone, no never alone.

There is none like you. My heart is full and rejoices as it sings out, “How great thou art!” You are my Lord, my Savior, my Master, and my King. You are my Daystar and my Song in the night. Within my soul will forever be a song of praise for thee - one eternal song of praise!

With all my love and devotion,

Your son.

Keith

Jan

An Open Message to the Youth of the World

I do not mean to come across as being callous, cruel, or mean-spirited, but the older I get, the more discouraged and dishearten I become as I watch some of our young people - the future of our world, place themselves in a proverbial box called defeatism.

A New Day Dawning

Where has the time gone? It is hard to believe that in just a few short hours another year will have come and gone and will have taken its place among the annals of history.

Where is He?

Wise men of old came from afar asking the timeless question, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). Following the star that they had seen in the east, they were led to where the Christ Child was.

The Special Gift That Was Given

The tiny babe who in Bethlehem’s manger lay was no ordinary child. Some people called Him the son of David. Others called Him the son of Joseph. The scriptures call Him the son of David, the son of Mary, the son of man, the Son of God.

The Last Full Measure of Devotion

Every year, 11 November is set aside as the day that we celebrate Veterans Day.

To The Unknown God

The Apostle Paul Preaching At the Areopagus (Mars Hill)

While on his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul visited the city of Troas on the Mediterranean coast. While in Troas, a vision appeared to Paul in the night.

Why do good things happen to bad people?

I know that someone is going to read the title of this article and their first thought is going to be, "Keith, I think that you might have that a little backwards.

In the Service of Our God

The word “service” can be defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. “Service” can also be defined as someone’s contribution to the welfare of others.

September Morning - Lest We Forget

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

Entrance to the Kingdom of God

This talk was given on Saturday, September 03, 2011, on the occasion of the baptism of Andrew Jerry Calabrese.

All Hands On Deck!

With Hurricane Irene now behind us, I would like to use the analogy of a ship caught in a raging storm at sea to share my personal reflections and thoughts on how we as a family and as a Church should care for and protect one another during a time of crisis.

Lessons My Father Taught Me

My father, the late John Wallace Brown, began working as a short-order cook during his High School years and continued working in that profession up until the time of his death on 20 November 2006, at 71 years of age. He would be promoted during his career to Kitchen Manager.

Where do you go from here?

This is an open address to the students of today and the future teachers and leaders of tomorrow to give them some food for thought as they begin a brand new school year.

Good morning. I would like to begin my remarks today by asking each of you a question.

The Parable of the Street Sweeper

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the clarion voice of the American Civil Rights Movement, was assassinated on the evening of Thursday, 4 April 1968, at the young age of 39 years, while standing on the balcony of his room (room 306) at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee.

Scammers, Scallywags, Vagabonds, and Thieves

I am but a young man of 52 years. However, within my short life time I have slowly watched the world spin out of control on a downward spiral. Many of the nonsensical things that are occurring in our day and time would have never been thought of or heard of when I was a young lad growing up.

The Deadly Poison Of Hearsay

All of us are probably guilty at one time or another of participating in idle gossip and hearsay. How many times have we been a part of a conversation that begins something like the following: “I don’t know if it is true or not, but I heard that ____”? And we can each fill in the blank.

Jul

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and thy neighbor as thyself

In the twenty-second chapter of Matthew, beginning at verse 34, we read of a Pharisee, who was a lawyer by trade, who asks the Savior a question by saying, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" The Savior answers him by saying, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and

Just Stay Focused!

My father, the late John Wallace Brown, was a hard working man. As a young boy growing up it was not uncommon for my father to work two or three jobs just to pay the bills, keep food on the table, and a roof over his little family’s head.

Peace in the Midst of A Storm

This talk was given on the occasion of the baptism of Josephine Mae Hunter on 11 June 2011 in Annapolis Maryland.

“God does not send thunder if a still, small voice is enough” (Ensign, November 1976, p.14) - Neal A. Maxwell

President Howard W.

Excuses, Excuses!

Someone once said, "The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse." Some people seem to have a knack for always having an excuse as to why they cannot do something, no matter how simple or difficult the task at hand may be.

I Am Sorry

I am sorry - three little words - eight letters - and yet one of the most difficult things for some people to say. Perhaps it is the word “sorry” that some people seem to have so much trouble with, for as Sir Elton John, the singer/songwriter says in his song, sorry seems to be the hardest word.

And Be Ye Thankful

Alma 26:8 - "Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work righteousness forever."

Traditionally, every third Thursday in November is set aside for the celebration of Thanksgiving Day.

Faded Photographs - Precious Memories

I have always enjoyed listening to the music of the late James Joseph Croce, better known to the world simply as Jim Croce. His was a very unique style of music, especially the ballads that he wrote and sang. Two of my favorite songs by Jim are “Time In A Bottle” and “Photographs and Memories”.

The Family Table

Growing up as a boy on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in what was at that time known as the little town of Salisbury; I can recall the good times that we had as a family gathered around the family table.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

The Qualities Of A Good Leader

Leadership is all about people. It is not about organizations. It is not about plans. It is not about strategies. It is all about people--motivating people to get the job done.

My Sister, My Friend

On Friday, 10 May 1963, a baby girl was born to John Wallace and Frances Mae Harmon Brown. The parents named her Sharon Christine Brown. She would be their third child. At the time of her birth I was only four years of age.

Choosing the Right

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.

Decisions, Decisions

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. - 1 Kings 18:21

Pythagoras is attributed as saying, "Choices are the hinges of destiny".

Those Were the Days!

As I take a look around my small, but humble apartment, I am absolutely amazed at how pampered and spoiled I really am. In my apartment I have all sorts of electronic gadgets that are used on a daily basis to help make my life easier.

The Blessings Of Giving

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Do Unto Others

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Mar

God Is Not Mocked

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

The Law of the Harvest

If the Foundations Be Destroyed

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

The central core of the foundation of any society is the home. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us, “Actually, a home is much more than a house.