Almost every time that I get really frustrated with my kids, it’s because I’m trying to do something else at the same time.

I’m trying to make dinner, but they keep needing me to open and close colored markers every single second.

I’m trying to text back a friend, but they need help getting in and out of dress up clothes.

I’m trying to read an article I saw online, but they keep getting into an argument with each other.

When I’m completely focused on being with my kids and not trying to do anything else, everything is so much better.

I’m able to be in the moment with them.

I catch and stop the arguments before they even start.

I’m happy to help them because I see the needs that they have.

Now, the conclusion isn’t to just be 100% focused on my kids’ desires constantly, because that is not realistic in life!

But I have been intentional in trying to create more moments throughout the day where I am completely focused on them.

Not trying to do something else at the same time.

No multitasking.

Just focused on them.

As we finish our three week study of the Psalms, I can’t help but notice the spiritual connection, too.

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)

Praising the Lord requires putting away the to-do list.

Pushing back my mortal exhaustion and distraction.

Valuing connection over productivity.

So I’ve also been trying to make more one-on-one time with the Lord.

Completely focused on Him.

Feeling awe and reverence and respect.

Singing.

Creating.

Pondering.

With nothing else going on.

It’s difficult.

It’s not easy to choose to do something that will not get me any closer to a cleaner house, a more organized life, or a shorter to-do list.

But it’s always worth it. It’s beautiful. It’s connecting.

It’s divine to praise the Lord.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Praise over productivity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts”.

Of course, the Almighty God doesn’t need an invitation to know our hearts and our thoughts.

But still, isn’t that such a bold and confident invitation that David makes?

It can be uncomfortable when I realize that the Lord knows I’m making up excuses to not say my prayers again, or when I’m annoyed at someone I’m supposed to be serving, or when I’m just going through good motions without any good intent behind them.

But today, I want to do something a little different.

I invite you to reflect on the good things that the Lord would find if you invited Him to know your heart and to know your thoughts.

What good intentions would He find?

What love would He experience?

What hope and faith would He discover?

The Lord knows all the good things going on in your heart and in your mind.

I bet He is proud and happy and pleased with so much.

Knowing our hearts and our thoughts actually doesn’t seem so uncomfortable anymore.

It seems… merciful.

There is so much good within you.

Even when it seems like your good intentions aren’t visible to anyone, they are visible to Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Search my heart first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

For very good reason!

But can you remember the kids at your school who were always picked first?

The one that everyone always wanted for dodgeball because that meant you’d be less likely to get hit yourself?

Or maybe you were that kid.

On the other hand, I was the kid everyone wanted on their team for review games in math class.

I was pretty cool.

I also think about when I had my first baby.

I had some amazing baby showers with such kind and thoughtful gifts from the people that I love.

I felt the power of all the people who were on my side.

I also think of other times in my life where I’ve been struggling and it feels like no one notices.

It’s like no one was really on my team or taking care of me.

Well in the grand scheme of life, guess who you have on your team?

He’s the most coveted, most powerful, smartest, kindest, and friendliest person.

He’s the one that everyone wants.

He’s the one that’s going to guarantee that you win in the end, even if you may get hit a few times here and there.

“The Lord is on my side”. (Psalm 118:6)

He’s got you.

You can breath a sigh of relief now.

You’ve got the one you were hoping for.

The Lord is on your side!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Lord is on my side  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Too too many to count.

Sixth graders forget to write their names on everything from casual homework to formal tests!

The assignments I would get without a name on them would go in my “no name” folder, and zeros would go in the grade book.

When students realized their overall class grade was tanking from a missing assignment, they’d usually rush to the “no name” folder, find their nameless work, write their name on it, and turn it back in.

And their grade would go right back up.

No matter how many times they turned in late no-name work, their grade would go right back up.

Psalm 136 is pretty cool because every single verse ends with the same phrase:

“For his mercy endureth for ever.”

“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:26)

Forever.

Always extending mercy.

Every time we realize we forgot something important.

Every time we realize our spiritual progression has been halted.

Every time we know something is wrong.

He will extend His mercy. He will forgive.

Over and over and over.

We never have to worry that we’ve run out of opportunities.

We don’t have to worry that we’ve taken too many chances.

That grade can always go right back up.

All semester long. And next semester. And the next.

Because His mercy endures forever!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post  Enduring forever first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

TRY THIS: As you read through the Psalms this month in Come, Follow Me (August 2022), look to see which LDS hymns have been inspired by the Psalms! Read the Psalms first, and then read through the texts of the hymns. See if you can find the words, phrases, or ideas that inspired the modern hymns!

Note: Many of the current LDS hymns are inspired by Psalms that are NOT assigned in the Come, Follow Me readings. For reference, the Come, Follow Me 2022 Curriculum has us studying various Psalms between 1-46 the first week (Aug 8-14), Psalms 49-86 the second week (Aug 15-21), and Psalms 102-150 the third week (Aug 22-28). Of course, we can study any Psalms that we would like! So feel free to take inspiration from the list below and decide how you want to study!

Hey, would you prefer a list of the hymns inspired by Psalms in the order they are found in the hymn book? CLICK HERE!

LDS HYMNS INSPIRED BY PSALMS, in order of the Psalms

Psalm 5:3, 12

140 Did You Think to Pray?

Psalm 13:6

91 Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Raise

Psalm 16:9, 11

227 There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Psalm 18:1-2

68 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Psalm 23

108 The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23

109 The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare

Psalm 23:6

72 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Psalm 25:3

110 Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord

Psalm 26:8

247 We Love Thy House, O God

Psalm 27:1

89 The Lord Is My Light

Psalm 29:11

133 Father in Heaven

Psalm 30:4

71 With Songs of Praise

Psalm 31:23-24

163 Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing

Psalm 32:11

66 Rejoice, the Lord Is King!

Psalm 33:1-6

92 For the Beauty of the Earth

Psalm 33:12

78 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand

Psalm 33:12

341 God Save the King

Psalm 36:7

306 God’s Daily Care

Psalm 37:3-5

96 Dearest Children, God Is Near You

Psalm 37:3-9

124 Be Still, My Soul

Psalm 43:3

97 Lead, Kindly Light

Psalm 43:3

305 The Light Divine

Psalm 47:6-7

64 On This Day of Joy and Gladness

Psalm 48:14

31 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Psalm 48:14

101 Guide Me to Thee

Psalm 48:14

104 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Psalm 55:16-17

160 Softly Now the Light of Day

Psalm 55:16-17, 22

114 Come unto Him

Psalm 55:16-17, 22

142 Sweet Hour of Prayer

Psalm 55:22

110 Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord

Psalm 55:22

125 How Gentle God’s Commands

Psalm 62:1-2

258 O Thou Rock of Our Salvation

Psalm 62:1-2,7-8

102 Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Psalm 68:19

306 God’s Daily Care

Psalm 69:30

61 Raise Your Voices to the Lord

Psalm 73:23-26

121 I’m a Pilgrim, I’m a Stranger

Psalm 82:6

301 I Am a Child of God

Psalm 84:9-12

88 Great God, Attend While Zion Sings

Psalm 86:6, 11

222 Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord

Psalm 87:3

46 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Psalms 90:1-2; 91:1-2

31 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Psalm 92:1-5

147 Sweet Is the Work

Psalm 95:1-6

92 For the Beauty of the Earth

Psalm 95:6

202 Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Psalm 95:6

203 Angels We Have Heard on High

Psalm 95:1-7

35 For the Strength of the Hills

Psalms 97:1: 98:4-9

201 Joy to the World

Psalm 100

61 Raise Your Voices to the Lord

Psalm 100:1-2

90 From All That Dwell below the Skies

Psalm 100:2

230 Scatter Sunshine

Psalm 100:4-5

93 Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4-5

164 Great God, to Thee My Evening Song

Psalm 104:33

70 Sing Praise to Him

Psalm 104:33-34

136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Psalm 104:34

141 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Psalm 107:23-31

285 God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Psalm 117

73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice

Psalm 117

90 From All That Dwell below the Skies

Psalm 119:10

76 God of Our Fathers. We Come unto Thee

Psalm 119:33-35

153 Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part

Psalm 119:60

226 Improve the Shining Moments

Psalm 119:97-104

14 Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings

Psalm 119:103-105

158 Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head

Psalm 119:133-135

97 Lead, Kindly Light

Psalm 119:165

14 Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings

Psalm 121:2-4

70 Sing Praise to Him

Psalm 126:5-6

216 We Are Sowing

Psalm 138:1-8

79 With All the Power of Heart and Tongue

Psalm 143:1

98 I Need Thee Every Hour

Psalm 143:10

45 Lead Me into Life Eternal

Psalm 145:8-9,14-21

103 Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer

Psalm 145:10

63 Great King of Heaven

Psalm 145:18-20

99 Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee

Psalm 146

74 Praise Ye the Lord

Psalm 147:1

156 Sing We Now at Parting

Psalm 147:1, 5

77 Great Is the Lord

Psalm 148:1-2, 10-14

242 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Psalm 148

62 All Creatures of Our God and King

Psalm 148

69 All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Psalm 149:1-2

297 From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise

Psalm 150

72 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

What do you think? How has studying the Psalms and our current hymns together helped to strengthen your understanding of the Psalms? Let me know below!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post LDS Hymns Inspired by Psalms, in PSALM ORDER first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Try this: Open up your hymn book, or click on your “Sacred Music” app, and go through each of these hymns in the order that you see them in the hymn book! Read all the verses for each hymn, then look up the Psalm or Psalms that inspired them, and see if you can find where the words or ideas match up.

This is a great way to see how inspirational and useful these Psalms are! You’ve sung phrases in them already as you’ve attended church over the years. Which ones stand out to you now?

Hey! Prefer to see a list of the hymn inspired by Psalms in PSALM order? CLICK HERE!

LDS HYMNS INSPIRED BY PSALMS, in order of appearance in the hymn book

14 Sweet is the Peace the Gospel Brings

Psalm 119:165; Psalm 119:97-104

31 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Psalms 90:1-2; 91:1-2; Psalm 48:14

35 For the Strength of the Hills

Psalm 95:1-7

45 Lead Me into Life Eternal

Psalm 143:10

46 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Psalm 87:3

61 Raise Your Voices to the Lord

Psalm 69:30; Psalm 100

62 All Creatures of Our God and King

Psalm 148

63 Great King of Heaven

Psalm 145:10

64 On This Day of Joy and Gladness

Psalm 47:6-7

66 Rejoice, the Lord Is King!

Psalm 32:11

68 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Psalm 18:1-2

69 All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Psalm 148

70 Sing Praise to Him

Psalm 104:33; Psalm 121:2-4

71 With Songs of Praise

Psalm 30:4

72 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Psalm 150; Psalm 23:6

73 Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice

Psalm 117

74 Praise Ye the Lord

Psalm 146

76 God of Our Fathers. We Come unto Thee

Psalm 119:10

77 Great Is the Lord

Psalm 147:1, 5

78 God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand

Psalm 33:12

79 With All the Power of Heart and Tongue

Psalm 138:1-8

88 Great God, Attend While Zion Sings

Psalm 84:9-12

89 The Lord Is My Light

Psalm 27:1

90 From All That Dwell below the Skies

Psalm 100:1-2; Psalm 117

91 Father, Thy Children to Thee Now Raise

Psalm 13:6

92 For the Beauty of the Earth

Psalm 95:1-6; Psalm 33:1-6

93 Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4-5

96 Dearest Children, God Is Near You

Psalm 37:3-5

97 Lead, Kindly Light

Psalm 43:3; Psalm 119:133-135

98 I Need Thee Every Hour

Psalm 143:1

99 Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee

Psalm 145:18-20

101 Guide Me to Thee

Psalm 48:14

102 Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Psalm 62:1-2,7-8

103 Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer

Psalm 145:8-9,14-21

104 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Psalm 48:14

108 The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23

109 The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare

Psalm 23

110 Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord

Psalm 55:22; Psalm 25:3

114 Come unto Him

Psalm 55:16-17, 22

121 I’m a Pilgrim, I’m a Stranger

Psalm 73:23-26

124 Be Still, My Soul

Psalm 37:3-9

125 How Gentle God’s Commands

Psalm 55:22

133 Father in Heaven

Psalm 29:11

136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Psalm 104:33-34

140 Did You Think to Pray?

Psalm 5:3, 12

141 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Psalm 104:34

142 Sweet Hour of Prayer

Psalm 55:16-17, 22

147 Sweet Is the Work

Psalm 92:1-5

153 Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part

Psalm 119:33-35

156 Sing We Now at Parting

Psalm 147:1

158 Before Thee, Lord, I Bow My Head

Psalm 119:103-105

160 Softly Now the Light of Day

Psalm 55:16-17

163 Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing

Psalm 31:23-24

164 Great God, to Thee My Evening Song

Psalm 100:4-5

201 Joy to the World

Psalms 97:1: 98:4-9

202 Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful

Psalm 95:6

203 Angels We Have Heard on High

Psalm 95:6

216 We Are Sowing

Psalm 126:5-6

222 Hear Thou Our Hymn, O Lord

Psalm 86:6, 11

226 Improve the Shining Moments

Psalm 119:60

227 There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Psalm 16:9, 11

230 Scatter Sunshine

Psalm 100:2

242 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow

Psalm 148:1-2, 10-14

247 We Love Thy House, O God

Psalm 26:8

258 O Thou Rock of Our Salvation

Psalm 62:1-2

285 God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Psalm 107:23-31

297 From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise

Psalm 149:1-2

301 I Am a Child of God

Psalm 82:6

305 The Light Divine

Psalm 43:3

306 God’s Daily Care

Psalm 68:19; Psalm 36:7

341 God Save the King

Psalm 33:12

(Hymns 315, 316, and 317 are Women Only arrangements of hymns that have already been included in this list.)

What did you think? What have you learned from studying these hymns and the ancient Psalms that inspired them? Let me know below!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post LDS Hymns Inspired by Psalms, in HYMN ORDER first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.