It’s a piece of parenting advice I’ve been leaning into recently.

I’ve proved it time and time again.

One of my kids kept doing something they shouldn’t do over and over, and any correction I was giving was clearly going in one ear and out the other.

“What you focus on, grows.”

I wanted to keep correcting, but I decided to ignore the behavior and instead start asking him questions about a fun play date he had recently.

He got so excited and started talking all about it.

I was able to build positive interactions and compliment him.

The bad behavior stopped, and it ended up being a fun little connection moment with him.

“What you focus on, grows.”

I’ve found it to be so true in my life, too.

When I keep complaining, my problems seem bigger and worse.

When I keep showing gratitude, my blessings seem bigger and better.

When I try to find more opportunities to serve, I serve more.

When I judge someone, I start finding more and more things to judge about them.

“Let God be magnified.” (Psalm 70:4)

I want God to become more and more magnified in my life.

I want to continue to focus on Him day after day.

I want to think of Him, speak of Him and love Him.

I want to make more space for Him in my mind and in my schedule.

Because what I focus on, grows.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post What you focus on grows first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

This writing included some of my thoughts on various gospel topics.

There were a lot of things that I was really impressed that I had written, and I was very proud of past-Cali!

But there were other things that I thought and wrote that made me literally cringe.

Some judgmental things, superficial things, things that I clearly had not really thought through but was just repeating what I had heard…

It was honestly a little weird to read some things.

And the reason it seemed so weird to me is because I have changed and grown so much on a spiritual level!

My soul has been stretched and refined and my testimony has gained more depth and love.

And looking at my words I had written years ago, I had this solid proof of just how far my spiritual maturity has come.

When I read the words of Psalm 66:16, I can’t help but add my testimony to it:

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”

How has God changed you from who you were 10 years ago? 5 years ago? 1 year ago? Last week?

What has He forgiven you of?

What understanding has He given you?

What refining has He done?

What questions has He answered?

What love has He put into your heart?

What has God done for your soul?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post God has changed my soul first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It was a unique life experience where I knew something really difficult was about to happen.

There wasn’t much I could do to prepare other than plead for heavenly assistance.

I joined my voice with David when he said:

“Draw nigh unto my soul”. (Psalms 69:18)

I quite literally said in prayer, “I’m going to need Your strength a lot more. I need You closer to me.”

I put the responsibility on the Lord.

He needed to come closer to me to help support me through this tough time, right?

The Spirit often speaks to me by putting whole sentences or phrases right in my mind.

The response I immediately got was:

“I’m already here. You know what you need to do to draw more of My power into your life.”

It was exactly the message that I needed to hear.

How do we get Jesus to draw closer to us?

We draw closer to Him.

Since that moment, I’ve tried to make the Savior an even higher priority in my life.

I’ve tried to make more time for Him, I’ve tried to speak with Him more, and I’ve tried to speak about Him more.

I’ve drawn closer to Him, even though it’s seemed like He has drawn closer to me.

And other times, I’ve forgotten.

I’ve thought, “Where is He? Why do I feel so out of touch?”

And then I remember.

Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are certainly not out of touch with me.

As a caveat, I do fully believe that the Lord can send extra measures of His Spirit when we are in need, and I don’t believe that we can force spiritual experiences by our actions.

God is divine and can do according to His desires.

But I needed the gentle but firm reminder that day that when I’m hoping that God will come closer to me, there’s usually only one of us who is actually being distant.

It’s on me, with righteous and pure intent, to seek Him out.

To stretch out my hand to accept His help that’s been there all along.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post How to get the Lord to draw nearer  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Between kids’ activities, church callings, work, and millions of other things on my to-do list, I honestly feel overwhelmed pretty often.

My mind usually starts to freak out a bit.

How am I ever supposed to get anything done?!

It’s impossible. This is all too much.

No solution in sight.

David gave a beautiful, heartfelt cry in Psalm 61 that surprised me because he was also talking about his overwhelmed heart:

“When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)

I love that.

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher that I.

Who is that rock who is higher than we are?

My Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the person I can turn to when my mind is racing and I don’t think there’s a way to get it all done.

He makes my priority list more clear.

He sends promptings to help me eliminate some items on that list.

He helps me feel pleased with what I have been able to do instead of overwhelmed with what I haven’t.

He helps me accomplish what is essential.

Jesus is that sure rock.

He is higher than I am in perspective, in wisdom, in clarity, in light, and in love.

And so I join my prayer with David’s.

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post  An overwhelmed heart 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.