So I'm home today after church and Julie is at the church in a meeting... Weston and Spencer are home being kids and in my attempt to occupy their time Spencer starts walking ON HIS OWN ... so Julie walks in right after his first 2 steps and I show her his new found talent. After dinner (and a nap for the little guy) we attempt to get him on camera.... this is what happened.....
Aparently Weston on the ground was a distraction and going from Dad to Mom was more comfortable? .. here is some more ....
OK last we learn to fall and then STAND back up and keep going... it's a long(er) one as he tries to walk to Weston first but it's showing such improvement!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
They sing it perfect but in the spotlight...
looks like the kids are getting it. And I'm sure they'll be less embarassed in front of the camera as they growing older, I suppose. Good kids :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
First Steps!! ...
ok the first ones weren't captured on the cam, but I got it up and we got some of his 3rd or 4th steps...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
LDS church supporters post Prop 8
Anti-Defamation League Condemns Criminal Activity Targeting Religious Institutions That Supported Proposition 8
"Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution's First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us."
Dallas Morning News Editorial: Protest and Civility in a Democracy
“But a vicious minority is not satisfied with that. Some gay rights protesters have voiced sentiments about Mormons, whose church was active in advocating Prop 8's passage, that if said about gays would be condemned as hate speech. Vandals have struck a number of Mormon temples. Bash Back, a pro-gay group in Olympia, Wash., trashed a Mormon temple there, then issued a statement saying, ‘Let this be a warning to the Mormon church: Dissolve completely or be destroyed.’
“Gay rights extremists should ask themselves the same question. A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility.”
Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University
“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”
The First Amendment Center — Charles Haynes: When the Marriage Debate Turns Ugly, No One Wins
“Mormons are taking the biggest hit from the opposition. But as protests, boycotts and blacklists targeting Mormons proliferate, it’s worth pausing to think about where this collision is headed. … Before this clash escalates further, both sides should exercise caution and reconsider their battle plans going forward.”
The Christian Post — Chuck Colson: So Much for Tolerance
“Two days after the election, 2,000 homosexual protesters surrounded a Mormon temple in Los Angeles chanting ‘Mormon scum.’ Protesters picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, holding signs reading ‘Purpose-Driven Hate.’ Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills was spray painted. Church members’ cars have been vandalized, and at least two Christians were assaulted. Protesters even hurled racial epithets at African-Americans because African-Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of traditional marriage. What hypocrisy from those who spend all of their time preaching tolerance to the rest of us!”
Beliefnet.com — Rod Dreher: Stand By the Mormons
“Now is the time for traditional Christians — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox — to come to the aid of our Mormon friends. They put themselves on the front line of the traditional marriage battle like no other church group. And now individual Mormons are paying a terrible price for standing up for something we all believe in. I don't know how we can stand with them from afar, but at least we can thank them, and speak out when we see them being abused. We might also think again about how we view them. … I have deep disagreements with Mormon theology. But they are our friends and allies and fellow citizens, and they deserve our thanks and support.”
John Mark Reynolds, Philosophy Professor at Biola University – California and Thank-a-Mormon Day
“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree. A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do. Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”
The Volokh Conspiracy — Dale Carpenter: An Alternative to Anti-Mormon Protests
“Here's my advice to righteously furious gay-marriage supporters: Stop the focus on the Mormon Church. Stop it now. We just lost a ballot fight in which we were falsely but effectively portrayed as attacking religion. So now some of us attack a religion? People were warned that churches would lose their tax-exempt status, which was untrue. So now we have (frivolous) calls for the Mormon Church to lose its tax-exempt status? It's rather selective indignation, anyway, since lots of demographic groups gave us Prop 8 in different ways — some with money and others with votes. I understand the frustration, but this particular expression of it is wrong and counter-productive.”
"Although we strongly opposed Proposition 8, its passage does not justify the defacement and destruction of property. We urge Californians to channel their frustration and disappointment in productive and responsible ways to work towards full equality for all Americans. To place anyone in fear of threat to their houses of worship or their personal security because they have expressed deeply held religious views is contrary to everything this nation represents. Our Constitution's First Amendment protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion for all of us."
Dallas Morning News Editorial: Protest and Civility in a Democracy
“But a vicious minority is not satisfied with that. Some gay rights protesters have voiced sentiments about Mormons, whose church was active in advocating Prop 8's passage, that if said about gays would be condemned as hate speech. Vandals have struck a number of Mormon temples. Bash Back, a pro-gay group in Olympia, Wash., trashed a Mormon temple there, then issued a statement saying, ‘Let this be a warning to the Mormon church: Dissolve completely or be destroyed.’
“Gay rights extremists should ask themselves the same question. A cause, no matter how just, can only be harmed by thuggish tactics. Our pluralist democracy depends on a citizenry committed to working out differences with civility.”
Michael Barber, Professor of Theology, Scripture & Christian Thought at John Paul the Great Catholic University
“… we found it appalling that in the final days of the campaign, opponents of Proposition 8 ran an ad in which Mormon missionaries were presented as barging into a same-sex couple’s home, gleefully rummaging through their personal possessions and violating their rights. The ad attempted to ridicule people of the Mormon faith, even implying that it was wrong that they contributed money to the election. As a Catholic school, we stand beside our friends in the Mormon Church and of people of faith who work tirelessly to preserve the freedom of religion in America. We also strongly oppose any attempt to ridicule another person’s faith, even faiths with which we have strong historical and theological disagreements.”
The First Amendment Center — Charles Haynes: When the Marriage Debate Turns Ugly, No One Wins
“Mormons are taking the biggest hit from the opposition. But as protests, boycotts and blacklists targeting Mormons proliferate, it’s worth pausing to think about where this collision is headed. … Before this clash escalates further, both sides should exercise caution and reconsider their battle plans going forward.”
The Christian Post — Chuck Colson: So Much for Tolerance
“Two days after the election, 2,000 homosexual protesters surrounded a Mormon temple in Los Angeles chanting ‘Mormon scum.’ Protesters picketed Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, holding signs reading ‘Purpose-Driven Hate.’ Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills was spray painted. Church members’ cars have been vandalized, and at least two Christians were assaulted. Protesters even hurled racial epithets at African-Americans because African-Americans voted overwhelmingly in favor of traditional marriage. What hypocrisy from those who spend all of their time preaching tolerance to the rest of us!”
Beliefnet.com — Rod Dreher: Stand By the Mormons
“Now is the time for traditional Christians — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox — to come to the aid of our Mormon friends. They put themselves on the front line of the traditional marriage battle like no other church group. And now individual Mormons are paying a terrible price for standing up for something we all believe in. I don't know how we can stand with them from afar, but at least we can thank them, and speak out when we see them being abused. We might also think again about how we view them. … I have deep disagreements with Mormon theology. But they are our friends and allies and fellow citizens, and they deserve our thanks and support.”
John Mark Reynolds, Philosophy Professor at Biola University – California and Thank-a-Mormon Day
“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree. A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do. Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”
The Volokh Conspiracy — Dale Carpenter: An Alternative to Anti-Mormon Protests
“Here's my advice to righteously furious gay-marriage supporters: Stop the focus on the Mormon Church. Stop it now. We just lost a ballot fight in which we were falsely but effectively portrayed as attacking religion. So now some of us attack a religion? People were warned that churches would lose their tax-exempt status, which was untrue. So now we have (frivolous) calls for the Mormon Church to lose its tax-exempt status? It's rather selective indignation, anyway, since lots of demographic groups gave us Prop 8 in different ways — some with money and others with votes. I understand the frustration, but this particular expression of it is wrong and counter-productive.”
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"I'M ON THE PC!!!!!!!"
Weston finally gets some alone time with the camera and he can see himself ON the computer screen... let's watch and see how this effects him....
OK since Weston was either jumping out of focus or to shy to hold still FOR the camera. Here is a picture of him so you can see that he's a good looking boy, and not a blurrr.
OK since Weston was either jumping out of focus or to shy to hold still FOR the camera. Here is a picture of him so you can see that he's a good looking boy, and not a blurrr.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The sounds of Spencer
He gargles, he tongue clicks, he blah, lah, lah's, he is silly eating with his overly-hyper brother Weston on the Web-cam ... with SOUND!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
I've Heard It All Before
by Cherie Call
June 30, 2008
I went visiting teaching this week, and I was really inspired by the June message. How amazing it is to know that we lived before we came here! And how even more amazing it is to know a little about what happened in the premortal life. We all know that we chose to be here, because, well, we're here. But here's how it happened.
Now, Satan probably phrased it better than this, otherwise he wouldn't have had so many followers. But here's the jist of his argument:
"These people are not strong enough, and they're mostly too stupid to be able to handle earth life if they have challenges. It's too risky! Let me just make it easy, take away the choices, and take all the credit."
On the other hand, God REALLY believed in us and knew we could do this. And we ALL believed enough in Jesus that we knew he'd help us on the times when we might actually be weak and stupid. Not so risky when you think about it that way.
So here we are. Sometimes I get little thoughts in my head that say, "You might not be able to handle this. You're not good enough." It really helps me to remember who the author of that idea is. Come on Satan, haven't you come up with anything new?
I try hard to listen more carefully for a different voice. "I believe in you. You're smart, you're strong, and you're MINE. You can't fail with that combination."
I get a warm feeling inside and I smile when I realize, I've heard all of that before, and here I am.
© 2007 Deseret Book Company
June 30, 2008
I went visiting teaching this week, and I was really inspired by the June message. How amazing it is to know that we lived before we came here! And how even more amazing it is to know a little about what happened in the premortal life. We all know that we chose to be here, because, well, we're here. But here's how it happened.
Now, Satan probably phrased it better than this, otherwise he wouldn't have had so many followers. But here's the jist of his argument:
"These people are not strong enough, and they're mostly too stupid to be able to handle earth life if they have challenges. It's too risky! Let me just make it easy, take away the choices, and take all the credit."
On the other hand, God REALLY believed in us and knew we could do this. And we ALL believed enough in Jesus that we knew he'd help us on the times when we might actually be weak and stupid. Not so risky when you think about it that way.
So here we are. Sometimes I get little thoughts in my head that say, "You might not be able to handle this. You're not good enough." It really helps me to remember who the author of that idea is. Come on Satan, haven't you come up with anything new?
I try hard to listen more carefully for a different voice. "I believe in you. You're smart, you're strong, and you're MINE. You can't fail with that combination."
I get a warm feeling inside and I smile when I realize, I've heard all of that before, and here I am.
© 2007 Deseret Book Company
I'm voting Democrat!
Yep I'm doing it because well Senator Obama has such a nice smile.....
OK the movie is a little silly, but it makes the GREAT point at the end. Let's figure out WHO we're voting for and maybe learn where they actually stands BEFORE we vote? Oh you might also want to look into what exactly IS the electorial college, and how they play into the vote. Because you may vote for someone, but if the majority of those who live in your state vote for the other guy the other guy gets the vote.
Because in the end if your not with the majority in your state then your vote is like a small drop of snot in a big bucket of water. mmmmm anyone thirsty now?
Thanks also to Verticalblu.com for the movie, designtoscano.com for the gargoyles, timeinc.net for the superhero presidents to be, and Zazzle.com for the giant finger cartoon telling you who to vote for.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Gay Marriage debate full of holes and unrealities
Taken from "The Daily Universe" BYU University's campus newspaper Oct. 27, 2008
""A heated debate about same-sex marriage at Utah Valley University attracted so many students Thursday that some had to leave the UVU Ragan Theater for fear of violating the 400-person fire code.
Instead of the normal concert or theater production, students crowded in to watch the discussion sponsored by the Utah Valley University Student Association, UVUSA.
Former Massachusetts senator and former president of the Human Rights Campaign, Cheryl Jaques, favors same sex marriage and told the audience they are living in the middle of a civil rights battle.
“We are literally writing the next chapter in the book of civil rights,” Jaques said.
Jaques compared the legalization of same-sex marriage to past civil rights movements concerning women and blacks.
“We’ve been here before,” she said. Dr. A. Scott Loveless, executive director
of World Family Policy Center, led opposing arguments and said those in favor
of same-sex marriage are “riding the coattails of the civil rights movement.”
“Homosexuality is a choice of behavior or activity rather than something in which you have no control,” Loveless said.
John Ure, a UVU business management major, supported Loveless’s arguments and said gays cannot “demand rights without proving their benefits to society.”
Jaques counter-argued with statistics of 8,000 same-sex couples in Massachusetts along with one of the lowest divorce rates in the country.
She labeled Massachusetts as the “role model for the institution of marriage.”
The focus then shifted to the definitions same-sex couples fit in those definitions.
Loveless said the United States was founded on natural law that imposes obligations on its citizens. The legalization of same-sex marriage would move the U.S. away from natural law to an “idea that rights come first rather than duties,” he said.
Eric Porter, president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at UVU, favors redefining marriage and
said, “Marriage is a tradition that, while good, can be expanded to include same-sex couples.”
Children’s education became a central part of the debate, with each side describing the proper school curriculum of the future.
Porter compared same-sex marriage to the theory of evolution and said it does not have to be legal to be discussed in schools.
“We can’t determine a school’s curriculum based on the religious beliefs of the parents,” he said.
Ure said the legalization of same-sex marriage will “affect every facet of our society.”
Both sides agreed a solution to this issue is nowhere in sight.
“We’ll never see the end of this debate,” Jaques said, “because we’re not going to see the end of gay people.”"
The choice to be Gay should not be put into legislation and law simply do to the fact that is IS a choice. As stated in the above article people's opinions and beliefs shouldn't be the basis for law and regulations, as follows: "we cannot determine a school's curriculum based on ... religious beliefs" yet the Gay-Lesbian people are pushing for just that! Attempting to push their beliefs and make it into school curriculum, and they are not even the children who are going to school's parents!
If looking at this issue from a simple Biology and natural stand-point. Nature itself tells us that male and female are the only basis for, if nothing else, a continuation of a society and the needed continual perpetuation of a species. Man are women are physically created to BE together!
If we look to just the simple short term complications of Sam-sex marriage we see that the burden of the continuation of the human species is placed in danger as that role will be places solely on those who continue to support and sustain the basic Family unit. From that we could look at the long term effect of such arrangements and the complete perversion of Gay couples Giving the Sperm to Lesbian couples as the means for the species to continue.
This also takes away the human and natural effect of survival of the most beneficial gene in the continuation of the species, and this would effect also the long term survival of the whole human family.
The argument of "Gay is the same as Black" is in itself offensive to all races in general. Being born whatever skin color IS scientifically proven to be genetic there is no scientific proof that there is a "gay" gene. Those who push this stance are ignorant and haven't even taken a basic Biology class!
Being Gay is a choice a person makes over and over, denying the impulses inside them that it's not true, till they convince themselves that there is nothing they can do about it. This is simply a lie conceived and created in their own mind, which now the Gay-Lesbian community is attempting to force the issue of acceptance on the population at large. In an attempt to justify their incorrect choices and give themselves a feeling of a measure of peace they need acceptance. The problem is as long as they live that lifestyle, whether ratified in a law or not, they will not EVER feel that measure of peace because it's wrong. Wickedness never was happiness, and never, not even with all the laws in the world changed to you favor, will it be.
As looked upon through religious eyes the whole purpose of this life is to make it back to our Father in Heaven in order to qualify to do that we must be sealed to a person of another sex and merit exaltation. The practice of Gay and Lesbian relationships are an abomination in the sight of God so pretty much you're writing yourself, if you don't repent, a post-life ticket on a 'wonderful' vacation in Hell. Simply put by Jesus Himself, as recorded in 3 Nephi as follows -
11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.
12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.
""A heated debate about same-sex marriage at Utah Valley University attracted so many students Thursday that some had to leave the UVU Ragan Theater for fear of violating the 400-person fire code.
Instead of the normal concert or theater production, students crowded in to watch the discussion sponsored by the Utah Valley University Student Association, UVUSA.
Former Massachusetts senator and former president of the Human Rights Campaign, Cheryl Jaques, favors same sex marriage and told the audience they are living in the middle of a civil rights battle.
“We are literally writing the next chapter in the book of civil rights,” Jaques said.
Jaques compared the legalization of same-sex marriage to past civil rights movements concerning women and blacks.
“We’ve been here before,” she said. Dr. A. Scott Loveless, executive director
of World Family Policy Center, led opposing arguments and said those in favor
of same-sex marriage are “riding the coattails of the civil rights movement.”
“Homosexuality is a choice of behavior or activity rather than something in which you have no control,” Loveless said.
John Ure, a UVU business management major, supported Loveless’s arguments and said gays cannot “demand rights without proving their benefits to society.”
Jaques counter-argued with statistics of 8,000 same-sex couples in Massachusetts along with one of the lowest divorce rates in the country.
She labeled Massachusetts as the “role model for the institution of marriage.”
The focus then shifted to the definitions same-sex couples fit in those definitions.
Loveless said the United States was founded on natural law that imposes obligations on its citizens. The legalization of same-sex marriage would move the U.S. away from natural law to an “idea that rights come first rather than duties,” he said.
Eric Porter, president of the Gay-Straight Alliance at UVU, favors redefining marriage and
said, “Marriage is a tradition that, while good, can be expanded to include same-sex couples.”
Children’s education became a central part of the debate, with each side describing the proper school curriculum of the future.
Porter compared same-sex marriage to the theory of evolution and said it does not have to be legal to be discussed in schools.
“We can’t determine a school’s curriculum based on the religious beliefs of the parents,” he said.
Ure said the legalization of same-sex marriage will “affect every facet of our society.”
Both sides agreed a solution to this issue is nowhere in sight.
“We’ll never see the end of this debate,” Jaques said, “because we’re not going to see the end of gay people.”"
The choice to be Gay should not be put into legislation and law simply do to the fact that is IS a choice. As stated in the above article people's opinions and beliefs shouldn't be the basis for law and regulations, as follows: "we cannot determine a school's curriculum based on ... religious beliefs" yet the Gay-Lesbian people are pushing for just that! Attempting to push their beliefs and make it into school curriculum, and they are not even the children who are going to school's parents!
If looking at this issue from a simple Biology and natural stand-point. Nature itself tells us that male and female are the only basis for, if nothing else, a continuation of a society and the needed continual perpetuation of a species. Man are women are physically created to BE together!
If we look to just the simple short term complications of Sam-sex marriage we see that the burden of the continuation of the human species is placed in danger as that role will be places solely on those who continue to support and sustain the basic Family unit. From that we could look at the long term effect of such arrangements and the complete perversion of Gay couples Giving the Sperm to Lesbian couples as the means for the species to continue.
This also takes away the human and natural effect of survival of the most beneficial gene in the continuation of the species, and this would effect also the long term survival of the whole human family.
The argument of "Gay is the same as Black" is in itself offensive to all races in general. Being born whatever skin color IS scientifically proven to be genetic there is no scientific proof that there is a "gay" gene. Those who push this stance are ignorant and haven't even taken a basic Biology class!
Being Gay is a choice a person makes over and over, denying the impulses inside them that it's not true, till they convince themselves that there is nothing they can do about it. This is simply a lie conceived and created in their own mind, which now the Gay-Lesbian community is attempting to force the issue of acceptance on the population at large. In an attempt to justify their incorrect choices and give themselves a feeling of a measure of peace they need acceptance. The problem is as long as they live that lifestyle, whether ratified in a law or not, they will not EVER feel that measure of peace because it's wrong. Wickedness never was happiness, and never, not even with all the laws in the world changed to you favor, will it be.
As looked upon through religious eyes the whole purpose of this life is to make it back to our Father in Heaven in order to qualify to do that we must be sealed to a person of another sex and merit exaltation. The practice of Gay and Lesbian relationships are an abomination in the sight of God so pretty much you're writing yourself, if you don't repent, a post-life ticket on a 'wonderful' vacation in Hell. Simply put by Jesus Himself, as recorded in 3 Nephi as follows -
11 But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.
12 For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What is God in our lives?
So we recently had a stake Conference this last weekend and one speaker talked about the need to seek out True happiness or pleasure, and not to settle for imitations.
Today in my Biology class at school I was completely fascinated with the discussion on the way nature works on the molucute level. In the middle of the discussion I noticed how beautiful all this was and how perfect God had created all this earth and its balance. Then I suddenly felt a moment of sorrow, not for myself and the knowledge I was gaining, but rather for my teacher who has time and again gone out of his way to state how foolish the idea of God is and the creation.
Which is fine enough if he wants to believe like that, but the joy and excitement I was experiencing through the witness of the Holy Ghost and the truthfulness of our class and its concepts. My teacher, with his 'knowledgeable' blindness to the truth, I felt sorry for in that he was missing out on so much true joy, and the worst thing was he didn't even know that he was missing it!
I had another thought today on this matter, but the material is a little to personal to share online to the World. I will however note that I perceive the biggest difference in the REAL joy and excitement and the counterfeit excitement that fades away, dies, and usually leaves one feeling less, was God. It was the true knowledge that only comes through Him and the added insight to the different subjects that gave to me a sense of real awe and joy FOR my God and what He has given us. Beyond that He was there to guide me on this awakening journey to SEE.
So back to my subject line... "What is God in our lives?" .... I think He is the core of REAL joy and without Him we only get that counterfeit, fleeting falseness. Which is sometimes mistaken for joy because your heart is beating so fast and you gain a rush of excitement so it MUST be a good thing, right? ... only why do I not feel uplifted, refreshed, or edified afterword?
Today in my Biology class at school I was completely fascinated with the discussion on the way nature works on the molucute level. In the middle of the discussion I noticed how beautiful all this was and how perfect God had created all this earth and its balance. Then I suddenly felt a moment of sorrow, not for myself and the knowledge I was gaining, but rather for my teacher who has time and again gone out of his way to state how foolish the idea of God is and the creation.
Which is fine enough if he wants to believe like that, but the joy and excitement I was experiencing through the witness of the Holy Ghost and the truthfulness of our class and its concepts. My teacher, with his 'knowledgeable' blindness to the truth, I felt sorry for in that he was missing out on so much true joy, and the worst thing was he didn't even know that he was missing it!
I had another thought today on this matter, but the material is a little to personal to share online to the World. I will however note that I perceive the biggest difference in the REAL joy and excitement and the counterfeit excitement that fades away, dies, and usually leaves one feeling less, was God. It was the true knowledge that only comes through Him and the added insight to the different subjects that gave to me a sense of real awe and joy FOR my God and what He has given us. Beyond that He was there to guide me on this awakening journey to SEE.
So back to my subject line... "What is God in our lives?" .... I think He is the core of REAL joy and without Him we only get that counterfeit, fleeting falseness. Which is sometimes mistaken for joy because your heart is beating so fast and you gain a rush of excitement so it MUST be a good thing, right? ... only why do I not feel uplifted, refreshed, or edified afterword?
Friday, September 05, 2008
Boundaries and Shepherds
From Wikipdia online encyclopedia "A shepherd is a person who tends to, feeds, or guards sheep, especially in flocks. The word may also refer to one who provides religious guidance, as a pastor."
"The purpose of having boundaries is to protect and take care of ourselves."
I found these definition of a shepherds and boundaries to be perfect in fitting into my thoughts this morning which were as follows: Man has been given boundaries in every age of his existence, the boundaries are commonly known as commandments. The word commandment is usually thought of as restrictive and binding, but in fact commandments are simply the boundaries set to the path leasing to joy, happiness, safety and a sense of peace in one's life.
God our Father loves us all and wants ALL of us to return to Him. Yet we just can't go back to Him without increasing in our awareness, spirituality, and strength. If it were possible for each of us to simply get a body and then return to Him without any REAL mortal experiences, why wasn't Lucifer's plan of compulsion adopted, or another plan where we ALL just live long enough to get a body, or even be given bodies in the realm prior to this earth and simply live there? The answer has been given to prophets throughout time to inform the children of God the way to happiness.
Rules and boundaries are usually created for the meaning for protection and safety for those entering any given place. Rules of the road tell us to attempt to be courteous, stop for red lights and stop signs, and be aware of other people around us who are driving, riding a bike, or walking. What would happen if we chose to ignore those boundaries of the road? Well other then the pain and grief from hurting, maiming, and killing other human beings, dogs, or other animals. We would no doubt be hunted down, convicted, and spend a lot of time in prison and/or paying a lot in money and time to attempt to re-pay all the damage we did cause.
This principle is the same on how we should live our life. God GAVE commandments or boundaries already and He updates them today by means of Called and ordained Prophets and teachers as well as through The Holy Ghost which speaks to all those that seek Him. Interestingly enough the same punishments CAN occur if we choose to ignore the God's boundaries set for His children. We will be found out in full, convicted by our own guilty conscious, and possibly even spend a lot of time in prison paying for the wasted Blood of Jesus who freely gave it to give to God's children a chance not to suffer. (For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; ... D&C 19:6-7)
Granted after we pay the debt we own to Him we probably will be saved in a small manner, excluding of course those sons of perdition (D&C 76:31-34 Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power— They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—)
So bottom line here is not to look at commandments as restrictions but to see them as they are: boundaries set by God in order that we might repent, attempt to do better day by day, seek out, find and partake of all the Principles of The Restored Gospel, endure to the end and then (D&C 84:36-39 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.)
The way is prepared so let us all seek and find it. In His name Jesus Christ Amen
"The purpose of having boundaries is to protect and take care of ourselves."
I found these definition of a shepherds and boundaries to be perfect in fitting into my thoughts this morning which were as follows: Man has been given boundaries in every age of his existence, the boundaries are commonly known as commandments. The word commandment is usually thought of as restrictive and binding, but in fact commandments are simply the boundaries set to the path leasing to joy, happiness, safety and a sense of peace in one's life.
God our Father loves us all and wants ALL of us to return to Him. Yet we just can't go back to Him without increasing in our awareness, spirituality, and strength. If it were possible for each of us to simply get a body and then return to Him without any REAL mortal experiences, why wasn't Lucifer's plan of compulsion adopted, or another plan where we ALL just live long enough to get a body, or even be given bodies in the realm prior to this earth and simply live there? The answer has been given to prophets throughout time to inform the children of God the way to happiness.
Rules and boundaries are usually created for the meaning for protection and safety for those entering any given place. Rules of the road tell us to attempt to be courteous, stop for red lights and stop signs, and be aware of other people around us who are driving, riding a bike, or walking. What would happen if we chose to ignore those boundaries of the road? Well other then the pain and grief from hurting, maiming, and killing other human beings, dogs, or other animals. We would no doubt be hunted down, convicted, and spend a lot of time in prison and/or paying a lot in money and time to attempt to re-pay all the damage we did cause.
This principle is the same on how we should live our life. God GAVE commandments or boundaries already and He updates them today by means of Called and ordained Prophets and teachers as well as through The Holy Ghost which speaks to all those that seek Him. Interestingly enough the same punishments CAN occur if we choose to ignore the God's boundaries set for His children. We will be found out in full, convicted by our own guilty conscious, and possibly even spend a lot of time in prison paying for the wasted Blood of Jesus who freely gave it to give to God's children a chance not to suffer. (For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; ... D&C 19:6-7)
Granted after we pay the debt we own to Him we probably will be saved in a small manner, excluding of course those sons of perdition (D&C 76:31-34 Thus saith the Lord concerning all those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power— They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—)
So bottom line here is not to look at commandments as restrictions but to see them as they are: boundaries set by God in order that we might repent, attempt to do better day by day, seek out, find and partake of all the Principles of The Restored Gospel, endure to the end and then (D&C 84:36-39 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.)
The way is prepared so let us all seek and find it. In His name Jesus Christ Amen
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Matt 22:1-14, Jesus the Christ Chapter 30 notes 4 and 6
1 AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
4. The Call to the Marriage Feast --The Calling of the guests who had been bidden aforetime is thus commented upon by Trench (Parables, pp. 175-6): "This summoning of those already bidden, was, and, as modern travellers attest, is still, quite in accordance with Eastern manners. Thus Esther invites Hamon to a banquet on the morrow (Esth. 5:8), and when the time has actually arrived, the chamberlain comes to usher him to the banquest (6:14). There is, therefore, no slightest reason why we should make 'them that were bidden' to mean them that were now to be bidden; such an interpretation not merely violating all laws of grammar, but the higher purpose with which the parable was spoken; for our Lord, assuming that the guests had been invited long ago, does thus remind His hearers that what He brought, if in one sense new, was in another a fulfilment of the old; that He claimed to be heard, not as one suddenly starting up, unconnected with aught which had gone before but as Himself 'the end of the law,' to which it had been ever tending, the birth with which the whole Jewish dispensation had been pregnant, and which alone should give a meaning to it all. In His words, 'them that were bidden,' is involved in the fact that there was nothing abrupt in the coming of His kingdom, that its rudiments had a long while before been laid, that all to which his adversaries clung as precious in their past history was prophetic of blessings now actually present to them in Him. The original invitation, which had now come to maturity reached back to the foundation of the Jewish commonwealth, was taken up and repeated by each succeeding prophet, as he prophesied of the crowning grace that should one day be brought to Israel (Luke 10:24; Pet. 1:12), and summoned the people to hold themselves in a spiritual readiness to welcome their Lord and their King."
6. The Called and the Chosen-- Edersheim's reflections upon this subject follow in part (Vol. 2, pp. 429, 430): "The King entered to see His guests and among them he descried one who had not on a wedding garment... As the guests had been travelers, and as the feast was in the King's palace, we cannot be mistaken in supposing that such garments were supplied in the palace to all who sought them. And with this agrees the circumstance, that the man so addressed 'was speechless.' His conduct argued utter insensibility as regarded that to which he had been called -- ignorance of what was due the King, and what became such a feast, For, although no previous state of preparedness was required of the invited guests, all being bidden, whether good to bad, yet the fact remained that, if they were to take part in the feast they must put on the garments suited to the occasion. All invited to the gospel feast; but they who will partake of it must put on the King's wedding garment of evangelical holiness. And whereas it is said in the parable that only one was descried without this garment, this intended to teach, that the King will not only generally view His guest, but that each will be separately examined, and that no one -- no, not a single individual -- will be able to escape discovery amidst the mass of guests, if he has not the wedding garment. In short, in that day of trial, it is not scrutiny of churches, but of individuals in the church... The call comes to all; but it may be outwardly accepted, and a man may sit down to feast, and yet he may not be chosen to partake of the feast, because he has not the wedding garment of converting, sanctifying grace. And so, one may be thrust even from the marriage board into the darkness without, with its sorrow and anguish. Thus, side by side, yet wide apart, are these two -- God's call and God's choice. The connecting link between them is the wedding garment, freely given in the Palace. Yet, we must seek it, ask it, put it on. And as here also, we have, side by side, God's gift and man's activity. And still, to all time, and to all men, alike in the warning, teaching, and blessing, is it true: Many are called, but few are chosen!" Many words of related meaning, both Hebrew and Greek, are translated "Garment" in our English Bible. The Greek original in the mention of the wedding garment is enduma; whit does not occur in other Bible passages as the original of "garment". The noun is related to the Greek verb enduein, "to put on, as a garment." Compare Luke 24:49, 'until ye be undued with power from on high."
I found these parables absolutely fascinating and I thought about how this is very similar to Christ's church missionary work today and our temple. The later-day missionaries have been out now for almost 200 years and some of those first missionaries were beaten and some even killed. And before the Restoration of Christ's church in our day there were a great many who were killed for their testimonies of Jesus. (Stephen and Abinadi are two that come right to mind) But the message that the martyrs died for and the message today will lead on a path, that if followed to its full possibilities, will in fact grant the said person a new set of garments of "evangelical holiness".
Granted my theory here would call for a specified moment of choice and a person's acceptance as to whether or not they would like to be participants at the wedding feast. I feel however I am justified in stating that the missionaries are, even now, asking that question time and again, while on their God-assigned missions, but I would also hope that to those that don't know, or are biased because of ignorance, would be given a second chance. (Because I do not know all things and this is only a theory) I will also include that on the other hand people may only get one chance. This statement is made as exampled by Christ's sending out His servants, and His direction "to shake off the dust of thy feet .. and wash thy feet, as a testimony" against those that did not receive the servants or their Message.
(see Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; D&C 60:15,75:20)
Let us all hear, seek, and/or knock so we may have opened to us the door to the Kingdom on earth so we may be fitted for our own wedding-feast, garment and sit down to eat with our Savior when he comes again is my prayer, in His name Jesus Christ, Amen.
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
4. The Call to the Marriage Feast --The Calling of the guests who had been bidden aforetime is thus commented upon by Trench (Parables, pp. 175-6): "This summoning of those already bidden, was, and, as modern travellers attest, is still, quite in accordance with Eastern manners. Thus Esther invites Hamon to a banquet on the morrow (Esth. 5:8), and when the time has actually arrived, the chamberlain comes to usher him to the banquest (6:14). There is, therefore, no slightest reason why we should make 'them that were bidden' to mean them that were now to be bidden; such an interpretation not merely violating all laws of grammar, but the higher purpose with which the parable was spoken; for our Lord, assuming that the guests had been invited long ago, does thus remind His hearers that what He brought, if in one sense new, was in another a fulfilment of the old; that He claimed to be heard, not as one suddenly starting up, unconnected with aught which had gone before but as Himself 'the end of the law,' to which it had been ever tending, the birth with which the whole Jewish dispensation had been pregnant, and which alone should give a meaning to it all. In His words, 'them that were bidden,' is involved in the fact that there was nothing abrupt in the coming of His kingdom, that its rudiments had a long while before been laid, that all to which his adversaries clung as precious in their past history was prophetic of blessings now actually present to them in Him. The original invitation, which had now come to maturity reached back to the foundation of the Jewish commonwealth, was taken up and repeated by each succeeding prophet, as he prophesied of the crowning grace that should one day be brought to Israel (Luke 10:24; Pet. 1:12), and summoned the people to hold themselves in a spiritual readiness to welcome their Lord and their King."
6. The Called and the Chosen-- Edersheim's reflections upon this subject follow in part (Vol. 2, pp. 429, 430): "The King entered to see His guests and among them he descried one who had not on a wedding garment... As the guests had been travelers, and as the feast was in the King's palace, we cannot be mistaken in supposing that such garments were supplied in the palace to all who sought them. And with this agrees the circumstance, that the man so addressed 'was speechless.' His conduct argued utter insensibility as regarded that to which he had been called -- ignorance of what was due the King, and what became such a feast, For, although no previous state of preparedness was required of the invited guests, all being bidden, whether good to bad, yet the fact remained that, if they were to take part in the feast they must put on the garments suited to the occasion. All invited to the gospel feast; but they who will partake of it must put on the King's wedding garment of evangelical holiness. And whereas it is said in the parable that only one was descried without this garment, this intended to teach, that the King will not only generally view His guest, but that each will be separately examined, and that no one -- no, not a single individual -- will be able to escape discovery amidst the mass of guests, if he has not the wedding garment. In short, in that day of trial, it is not scrutiny of churches, but of individuals in the church... The call comes to all; but it may be outwardly accepted, and a man may sit down to feast, and yet he may not be chosen to partake of the feast, because he has not the wedding garment of converting, sanctifying grace. And so, one may be thrust even from the marriage board into the darkness without, with its sorrow and anguish. Thus, side by side, yet wide apart, are these two -- God's call and God's choice. The connecting link between them is the wedding garment, freely given in the Palace. Yet, we must seek it, ask it, put it on. And as here also, we have, side by side, God's gift and man's activity. And still, to all time, and to all men, alike in the warning, teaching, and blessing, is it true: Many are called, but few are chosen!" Many words of related meaning, both Hebrew and Greek, are translated "Garment" in our English Bible. The Greek original in the mention of the wedding garment is enduma; whit does not occur in other Bible passages as the original of "garment". The noun is related to the Greek verb enduein, "to put on, as a garment." Compare Luke 24:49, 'until ye be undued with power from on high."
I found these parables absolutely fascinating and I thought about how this is very similar to Christ's church missionary work today and our temple. The later-day missionaries have been out now for almost 200 years and some of those first missionaries were beaten and some even killed. And before the Restoration of Christ's church in our day there were a great many who were killed for their testimonies of Jesus. (Stephen and Abinadi are two that come right to mind) But the message that the martyrs died for and the message today will lead on a path, that if followed to its full possibilities, will in fact grant the said person a new set of garments of "evangelical holiness".
Granted my theory here would call for a specified moment of choice and a person's acceptance as to whether or not they would like to be participants at the wedding feast. I feel however I am justified in stating that the missionaries are, even now, asking that question time and again, while on their God-assigned missions, but I would also hope that to those that don't know, or are biased because of ignorance, would be given a second chance. (Because I do not know all things and this is only a theory) I will also include that on the other hand people may only get one chance. This statement is made as exampled by Christ's sending out His servants, and His direction "to shake off the dust of thy feet .. and wash thy feet, as a testimony" against those that did not receive the servants or their Message.
(see Mark 6:11; Luke 9:5; D&C 60:15,75:20)
Let us all hear, seek, and/or knock so we may have opened to us the door to the Kingdom on earth so we may be fitted for our own wedding-feast, garment and sit down to eat with our Savior when he comes again is my prayer, in His name Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Power Developed by Prayer and Fasting
2. Power Developed by Prayer and Fasting -- The Savior's statement concerning the evil spirit that the apostles were unable to subdue – “Howbeit this kind goeth not our but by prayer and fasting”—indicated gradation in the malignity and evil power of demons, and gradation also in the results of varying degrees of faith. The apostles who failed on the occasion referred to had been able to cast out demons at other times. Fasting, when practiced in prudence, and genuine prayer are conducive to the development of faith with its accompanying power for good. Individual application of this principle may be made with profit. Have you some besetting weakness, some sinful indulgence that you have vainly tried to overcome? Like the malignant demon that Christ rebuked in the boy, your sin may be of a kind that goeth out only through prayer and fasting. (“Jesus the Christ” Chapter 24, Note 2 by James E Talmage)
Friday, August 08, 2008
Faith a Gift of God
--"Though within the reach of all who diligently strive to gain it, faith is nevertheless a divine gift, and can be obtained ONLY from God (see Matt. 16:17; John 6:64,65; Eph. 2:8; 1 Cor. 12:9; Rom. 12:3; Moro. 10:11). As fitting for so priceless a pearl, it is given to those only who show by their sincerity that they are worthy of it, and who give promise (to try their best) of abiding by its dictates. Although faith is called the first principle of the Gospel of Christ, though it be the foundation of all religion, yet even faith is PRECEDED by Sincerity of disposition and humility of soul, whereby the word of God may make an impression upon the heart (see Rom. 10:17). No compulsion is used in bringing men to a knowledge of God; yet, as fast as we open our hearts to the influences of righteousness, the faith that leads to life eternal will be given us of our Father." -- Articles of Faith, p. 107 by James Talmage.
This is PERFECT!!! Do you feel the absolute truth of the matter, and it's correlation to other revealed later-day scripture!? We find in Alma 32:25 - 27... "for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.
26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
As it is with Elder Talmage's words above-- have no more then a desire or want to believe, learn to be humble and soft of heart so you will be open to the Word of God, and then let that desire work in you until you can find yourself asking The Father, in the name of His Beloved: Christ, for the required Faith and a testimony, and then the gate will start to open for you to again be WITH God and His beloved in Their Kingdom! (of course on condition of your continuing to seek and nourish your new found faith as counseled by Alma in Alma Chapter 32!)
This is PERFECT!!! Do you feel the absolute truth of the matter, and it's correlation to other revealed later-day scripture!? We find in Alma 32:25 - 27... "for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.
26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.
27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
As it is with Elder Talmage's words above-- have no more then a desire or want to believe, learn to be humble and soft of heart so you will be open to the Word of God, and then let that desire work in you until you can find yourself asking The Father, in the name of His Beloved: Christ, for the required Faith and a testimony, and then the gate will start to open for you to again be WITH God and His beloved in Their Kingdom! (of course on condition of your continuing to seek and nourish your new found faith as counseled by Alma in Alma Chapter 32!)
Monday, August 04, 2008
We're probably doing better then we think we are doing.
I just finished watching the KSL Channel 5 (Utah) video Biography of our late Prophet Gordon B Hinckley and the title of this blog was a quote Sheri Dew said Gordon was fond of expressing.
I thought about this quote and then about a testimony and thought that I had come into my mind last Sunday. In sharing some thoughts to my ward I was impressed to say something to the effect of 'there is a dark cloud over all the earth right now, it is of evil and it is expressed in thoughts and feelings of a dampening nature. This to bring us down and make us feel more miserable. We however have a choice and I have made it when I have these feelings and thoughts I recognize them as evil and not my own and say to the thought, "I am an agent unto myself and I choose not to believe that thought" and then seek out and create other thoughts more pleasant and uplifting.'
This train of thought led me to realize that in much of my own life I have had thoughts that are very subtle and negative and now I question "are those thoughts mine?"
I feel and believe that I need to start asking myself that question more often when my mind starts down the road of bitter or less then kind thinking toward myself as well as other people that I may run across in this life.
Because I believe that it, the LDS church, is true, and thus its scriptures are true, and one scripture in particular reads "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and... my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants (Prophets), it is the same." So this tells me that the Prophet Gordon Hinckley's words of "We're probably doing better then we think..." would fit perfectly into a God given truth that the devils are still fighting a war with His children on this side of the veil, and satan has learned and is practicing a true art of subtle deception that we need to be aware of and combat it one self-controlled thought and realization at a time.
We are agents unto ourselves and we need to simply be aware, fight a good fight, and come off (with Christ's help) conquerors in the end.
I thought about this quote and then about a testimony and thought that I had come into my mind last Sunday. In sharing some thoughts to my ward I was impressed to say something to the effect of 'there is a dark cloud over all the earth right now, it is of evil and it is expressed in thoughts and feelings of a dampening nature. This to bring us down and make us feel more miserable. We however have a choice and I have made it when I have these feelings and thoughts I recognize them as evil and not my own and say to the thought, "I am an agent unto myself and I choose not to believe that thought" and then seek out and create other thoughts more pleasant and uplifting.'
This train of thought led me to realize that in much of my own life I have had thoughts that are very subtle and negative and now I question "are those thoughts mine?"
I feel and believe that I need to start asking myself that question more often when my mind starts down the road of bitter or less then kind thinking toward myself as well as other people that I may run across in this life.
Because I believe that it, the LDS church, is true, and thus its scriptures are true, and one scripture in particular reads "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and... my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants (Prophets), it is the same." So this tells me that the Prophet Gordon Hinckley's words of "We're probably doing better then we think..." would fit perfectly into a God given truth that the devils are still fighting a war with His children on this side of the veil, and satan has learned and is practicing a true art of subtle deception that we need to be aware of and combat it one self-controlled thought and realization at a time.
We are agents unto ourselves and we need to simply be aware, fight a good fight, and come off (with Christ's help) conquerors in the end.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"Thou art the Christ" - Knowlede Does Not insure Salvation.
From James E. Talmage's "Jesus the Christ"
(Note 6 to Chapter 13)
"6. Knowlede Does Not Insure Salvation. -- James of old chided his bretheren for certain empty professions (James 2:19). Said he in effect: you take pride and satisfaction in declaring your belief in God; you boast of being distinguished from the idolaters and the heathen because you accept one God; you do well to profess, and to believe; but, remember others do likewise; even the devils believe; and, we may add, so firmly that they tremble at the thought of the fate whith that belief makes sure. Those confessions of the devils, that Christ was the Son of God, were founded on knowledge; yet their knowledge of the great truth did not change their evil natures.
How different was their acknowledgement of the Savior from that of Peter, who, to the Master's question "Whom Say ye that I am?" replied in practically the words used by the unclean spirits before cited, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:15-16; See also Mark 8:29; Like 9:20). Peter's faith had already shown its vital power; it had caused him to forsake much that had been dear, to follow his Lord through persecution and suffering, and to put away worldliness with all its fascination, the sacraficing godliness which his faith made so desirable. His knowledge of God as the Father, and the Son as the Redeemer, was perhaps no greater than that of the unclean spirits; but while to them that knowledge was but an added cause of condemnation, to him it was a means of salvation. -- Abridged from Articles of Faith, pp. 97-98.
An interesting and alarming point by Brother Talmage one that has caused me, and should cause all, to ponder as to where and how we declare our testimony of The Christ and its center....
(Note 6 to Chapter 13)
"6. Knowlede Does Not Insure Salvation. -- James of old chided his bretheren for certain empty professions (James 2:19). Said he in effect: you take pride and satisfaction in declaring your belief in God; you boast of being distinguished from the idolaters and the heathen because you accept one God; you do well to profess, and to believe; but, remember others do likewise; even the devils believe; and, we may add, so firmly that they tremble at the thought of the fate whith that belief makes sure. Those confessions of the devils, that Christ was the Son of God, were founded on knowledge; yet their knowledge of the great truth did not change their evil natures.
How different was their acknowledgement of the Savior from that of Peter, who, to the Master's question "Whom Say ye that I am?" replied in practically the words used by the unclean spirits before cited, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:15-16; See also Mark 8:29; Like 9:20). Peter's faith had already shown its vital power; it had caused him to forsake much that had been dear, to follow his Lord through persecution and suffering, and to put away worldliness with all its fascination, the sacraficing godliness which his faith made so desirable. His knowledge of God as the Father, and the Son as the Redeemer, was perhaps no greater than that of the unclean spirits; but while to them that knowledge was but an added cause of condemnation, to him it was a means of salvation. -- Abridged from Articles of Faith, pp. 97-98.
An interesting and alarming point by Brother Talmage one that has caused me, and should cause all, to ponder as to where and how we declare our testimony of The Christ and its center....
Friday, July 18, 2008
Another post on my all to growing son, Spencer
Kids are wonderful! A little loud and not wanting to nap, when they desperatly (according to the parents) need to, but they are FUN to watch and discover in the process of childhood. Here are pictures of Spencer discovering light
And pondering the depths of his relationship in the cosmos to this puddle of light on the floor and also what that might meen to him 37 years from now...
And now going to tell mom what great insite he has discovered in his pondering
And what did he learn from his pondering? Well He seems to have learned that he can actually stand up in his crib without help from a parent...
Well next step, I guess, is learning to climb :D
And pondering the depths of his relationship in the cosmos to this puddle of light on the floor and also what that might meen to him 37 years from now...
And now going to tell mom what great insite he has discovered in his pondering
And what did he learn from his pondering? Well He seems to have learned that he can actually stand up in his crib without help from a parent...
Well next step, I guess, is learning to climb :D
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Come Come ye saints
HERE
I have been, in the back of my mind, singing this song a lot of late... and it occurred to me how much this song is true to life. I have noted below a few of the thoughts that I've had while singing it.
Come, come, ye Saints, (the invitation to all persons that claim to be 'saints of God' to come to Him.)
no toil nor labor fear; (why fear when Jesus has already WON the fight all we need to do is be on His team, or side, or His corporation, or whatever you want to liken being with Him?)
But with joy wend your way. (again, why not be happy? We obviously made a correct choice somewhere as we're here in mortality learning to get back to Heaven and our God... why not be happy?)
Though hard to you this journey may appear, (Life always seems harder when we are in the middle of a test, or put on the spot, but in actuality if we see life as a whole we're already at least one step closer and Jesus will be there to help, with His Grace, as long as we are trying and we ASK Him.)
Grace shall be as your day. (see above)
’Tis better far for us to strive (life is soooo much easier and simpler when you are working on something good, especially for another being.)
Our useless cares from us to drive; (really what small and simple cares/mole-hills do we make into mountains?)
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell— All is well! All is well! (A BIG key to lasting happiness.)
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ’Tis not so; all is right. (We came down here to be tested so why are we upset, sad, or angry when we actually have a trial that will make us stronger? I watch my baby get SO mad and frustrated while attempting to crawl, but I see that I can't do it for him, HE needs to grow the muscle, coordination, and brain capacity TO crawl. In the end it will be worth it.)
Why should we think to earn a great reward If we now shun the fight? (Same as above... why do we think to walk without having learned how? How do we expect to be exalted without learning how? Granted no one can make it by themselves, but we still need to at least work at it.)
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; (self explanatory. He'll always be there if we call out to Him.
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell— All is well! All is well! (What a happy song)
We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the Saints will be blessed.
We’ll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we’ll tell— All is well! All is well! (This whole verse was accomplished and in looking at the Salt Lake Area All is Well and still continues to be well where most other places in the U.S., if not the world, aren't quite as blessed.)
And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell! (Ahhhh... to die in the Lord. In His service to be taken into His presence to dwell there forever. It's a vacation from this life at times.)
But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell— All is well! All is well! (And we will forget ourselves and get to work and be happy more.)
Sorry for poor lighting
I have been, in the back of my mind, singing this song a lot of late... and it occurred to me how much this song is true to life. I have noted below a few of the thoughts that I've had while singing it.
Come, come, ye Saints, (the invitation to all persons that claim to be 'saints of God' to come to Him.)
no toil nor labor fear; (why fear when Jesus has already WON the fight all we need to do is be on His team, or side, or His corporation, or whatever you want to liken being with Him?)
But with joy wend your way. (again, why not be happy? We obviously made a correct choice somewhere as we're here in mortality learning to get back to Heaven and our God... why not be happy?)
Though hard to you this journey may appear, (Life always seems harder when we are in the middle of a test, or put on the spot, but in actuality if we see life as a whole we're already at least one step closer and Jesus will be there to help, with His Grace, as long as we are trying and we ASK Him.)
Grace shall be as your day. (see above)
’Tis better far for us to strive (life is soooo much easier and simpler when you are working on something good, especially for another being.)
Our useless cares from us to drive; (really what small and simple cares/mole-hills do we make into mountains?)
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell— All is well! All is well! (A BIG key to lasting happiness.)
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? ’Tis not so; all is right. (We came down here to be tested so why are we upset, sad, or angry when we actually have a trial that will make us stronger? I watch my baby get SO mad and frustrated while attempting to crawl, but I see that I can't do it for him, HE needs to grow the muscle, coordination, and brain capacity TO crawl. In the end it will be worth it.)
Why should we think to earn a great reward If we now shun the fight? (Same as above... why do we think to walk without having learned how? How do we expect to be exalted without learning how? Granted no one can make it by themselves, but we still need to at least work at it.)
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake; (self explanatory. He'll always be there if we call out to Him.
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell— All is well! All is well! (What a happy song)
We’ll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;
There the Saints will be blessed.
We’ll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we’ll tell— All is well! All is well! (This whole verse was accomplished and in looking at the Salt Lake Area All is Well and still continues to be well where most other places in the U.S., if not the world, aren't quite as blessed.)
And should we die before our journey’s through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;
With the just we shall dwell! (Ahhhh... to die in the Lord. In His service to be taken into His presence to dwell there forever. It's a vacation from this life at times.)
But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, Oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell— All is well! All is well! (And we will forget ourselves and get to work and be happy more.)
Sorry for poor lighting
Thursday, June 26, 2008
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