Sunday, April 26, 2009
This is how I feel about the Lord Jesus Christ...
Sorry that the embed is a little off center. If you want to see the original You Tube video, go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc&feature=related
If you want the full video of the entire message, go here:
http://broadcast.lds.org/genconf/2009/04/40/GC_2009_04_409_HollandJR___eng_.mp4
If you want the text of the message, go here:
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-27,00.html
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Mormon myths...
Hey friends,
I found this video on www.mormon.org. I've often tried to overcome the misconceptions about my faith. Maybe this video might help. It takes a minute or two to load, and runs about 10 minutes. Enjoy! Copy and paste the link, then click on the video with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young as the narrator.
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/membership-in-christ-s-church/membership-in-christ-s-church#d
I found this video on www.mormon.org. I've often tried to overcome the misconceptions about my faith. Maybe this video might help. It takes a minute or two to load, and runs about 10 minutes. Enjoy! Copy and paste the link, then click on the video with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young as the narrator.
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/membership-in-christ-s-church/membership-in-christ-s-church#d
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My thoughts on the election...
I supported Mitt Romney for President. With my money, with my time, with my blogging, with my prayers, and with my oft-voiced opinions. I did not feel McCain to be a bad person, and felt that any of the Republican nominees would have been leaps and bounds ahead of the liberal policies of Barack Obama. I understand that there are heartfelt, and intelligent arguments made on behalf of liberal policies, I simply, and respectfully disagree as I consider such policies to be ineffective, and potentially disastrous. Trickle-down economics was not, is not, and will not EVER be the reason for the financial disaster we are now in. Trickle-up poverty in the form of higher taxes, more entitlements, more regulation, and corruption, corruption, corruption will be our undoing.
In my opinion, here are the top five domestic issues that threaten us from within:
1) Corruption: A fundamental lack of integrity, and corruption from both sides of the aisle in greedy and self-interested pursuits of power and position(which is akin to seeking a cabin on a higher deck...of the Titanic).
2) Illegal immigration: The costs attendant to our "de facto colonization" problem are currently estimated at FOUR TIMES the annual cost of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars...combined! We will bankrupt our own budget all the while subsidizing our own takeover.
3) Spending: You work, you get paid. You don't work, you don't get paid. You cannot BORROW your way out of debt. Entitlements, entitlements, entitlements (social security, medicaid, medicare, food stamps, HUD, FHA, ad nauseam) AND more specifically, the countless fraudulent claims on such from otherwise able-bodied citizens...and, of course, non-citizens are spiraling OUT...OF...CONTROL.
4) Energy: Energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy. YES to all of the above: wind, natural gas, solar, tide, nuclear, alternative fuels, hybrid vehicles, and even bikes! NO to ethanol. It's cost-even and contributes to inflation across a spectrum of other goods and services. NOW is the time. NOW. RIGHT NOW.
5) Education and national patriotism: Loss of an interest in, understanding of, or appreciation for American heritage and the dumbing-down of the electorate ("Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand") is an ever-growing problem. How can we "preserve, protect, [or] defend" (ahem, The Constitution) that which we have not read, cannot understand, and do not appreciate?
Our "leaders" are like the parent standing in the grocery aisle watching the pathetic tantrum of a 3-year old child and suddenly cowering before it. "I want it! I want it! I want it!" MUST BE MET with "It is NOT in the budget. We CANNOT afford it. I'm sorry. Cry all you want." This requires courage, a clear sense of purpose, and a spine. Since when can everybody have everything they want? Much less without consequence or price? We DO have to grow up as a nation, and take ownership of our own success and failure. We are FREE precisely to PURSUE our own happiness, under the protection of a government DESIGNED to guarantee our LIBERTY. In the wake of this recent election, facing the nationalized, bureaucratic, and YES--socialist-- proposals of the incoming administration, the immortal words of Ronald Reagan come to mind: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price." Spread the wealth anyone?
May God bless America...through US. Patriots. Informed, involved, and concerned citizens of the most blessed land the world has ever known.
In my opinion, here are the top five domestic issues that threaten us from within:
1) Corruption: A fundamental lack of integrity, and corruption from both sides of the aisle in greedy and self-interested pursuits of power and position(which is akin to seeking a cabin on a higher deck...of the Titanic).
2) Illegal immigration: The costs attendant to our "de facto colonization" problem are currently estimated at FOUR TIMES the annual cost of the Iraq & Afghanistan wars...combined! We will bankrupt our own budget all the while subsidizing our own takeover.
3) Spending: You work, you get paid. You don't work, you don't get paid. You cannot BORROW your way out of debt. Entitlements, entitlements, entitlements (social security, medicaid, medicare, food stamps, HUD, FHA, ad nauseam) AND more specifically, the countless fraudulent claims on such from otherwise able-bodied citizens...and, of course, non-citizens are spiraling OUT...OF...CONTROL.
4) Energy: Energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy, energy. YES to all of the above: wind, natural gas, solar, tide, nuclear, alternative fuels, hybrid vehicles, and even bikes! NO to ethanol. It's cost-even and contributes to inflation across a spectrum of other goods and services. NOW is the time. NOW. RIGHT NOW.
5) Education and national patriotism: Loss of an interest in, understanding of, or appreciation for American heritage and the dumbing-down of the electorate ("Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand") is an ever-growing problem. How can we "preserve, protect, [or] defend" (ahem, The Constitution) that which we have not read, cannot understand, and do not appreciate?
Our "leaders" are like the parent standing in the grocery aisle watching the pathetic tantrum of a 3-year old child and suddenly cowering before it. "I want it! I want it! I want it!" MUST BE MET with "It is NOT in the budget. We CANNOT afford it. I'm sorry. Cry all you want." This requires courage, a clear sense of purpose, and a spine. Since when can everybody have everything they want? Much less without consequence or price? We DO have to grow up as a nation, and take ownership of our own success and failure. We are FREE precisely to PURSUE our own happiness, under the protection of a government DESIGNED to guarantee our LIBERTY. In the wake of this recent election, facing the nationalized, bureaucratic, and YES--socialist-- proposals of the incoming administration, the immortal words of Ronald Reagan come to mind: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. From time to time we've been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? All of us together, in and out of government, must bear the burden. The solutions we seek must be equitable, with no one group singled out to pay a higher price." Spread the wealth anyone?
May God bless America...through US. Patriots. Informed, involved, and concerned citizens of the most blessed land the world has ever known.
Friday, September 26, 2008
This is what I believe...
I had a conversation today that has just spurred in me a desire to say what I think, and express what I believe. Nobody may care what I believe, but I care. So, forget political correctness and the scoffing of the masses.
I believe...
...in GOD, my Heavenly Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
...GOD hears and answers my prayers. Direct, personal revelation is real.
...in following spiritual impressions.
...in miracles.
...you can love someone so much that you are inspired to change for the better.
...my family loves me beyond my capacity to understand, or their ability to express.
...that it is VITAL to tell the truth.
...that there are vile men and women in this world, who seek no good thing, and a spade must be called a spade.
...many are in the habit of calling evil good, and good evil. Political correctness invites evil by attempting to "soften" it.
...profanity is "a crutch for the linguistically-crippled," and "the attempt of a weak mind to express itself forcefully."
...that Google doesn't have the answer to every question and that the seeking out and doing of God's will...IS his will.
...that TRUE and LASTING peace, contentment, and happiness come from serving others, and choosing the right. And, a clear conscience is one of life's most treasured possessions.
...hope is not pointless, it is paramount!
...light dispels darkness. Always.
...doing the right, even when it's difficult, and nobody even EXPECTS you to, brings its own rewards.
...that this country was founded upon Christian principles, and will not survive without them.
More to come...
I believe...
...in GOD, my Heavenly Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
...GOD hears and answers my prayers. Direct, personal revelation is real.
...in following spiritual impressions.
...in miracles.
...you can love someone so much that you are inspired to change for the better.
...my family loves me beyond my capacity to understand, or their ability to express.
...that it is VITAL to tell the truth.
...that there are vile men and women in this world, who seek no good thing, and a spade must be called a spade.
...many are in the habit of calling evil good, and good evil. Political correctness invites evil by attempting to "soften" it.
...profanity is "a crutch for the linguistically-crippled," and "the attempt of a weak mind to express itself forcefully."
...that Google doesn't have the answer to every question and that the seeking out and doing of God's will...IS his will.
...that TRUE and LASTING peace, contentment, and happiness come from serving others, and choosing the right. And, a clear conscience is one of life's most treasured possessions.
...hope is not pointless, it is paramount!
...light dispels darkness. Always.
...doing the right, even when it's difficult, and nobody even EXPECTS you to, brings its own rewards.
...that this country was founded upon Christian principles, and will not survive without them.
More to come...
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Birthday in Washington!
OK, so, I'm working backwards in my blog. In mid-April, prompted by some recent experiences, I decided to go up to Washington to spend time with my family who now seem to be dotting the state. Joanna & Andy and their kids (Brooke, Jessica, and Austin) are in the Puyallup area, and Mom & Dad, Marty, Curry (and NOW Diana and the kids), and Uncle Bob are all in Port Angeles. Mom says it's cold, rainy, and miserable. She wants SUN, SUN, SUN! Dad, Marty, and Curry all love it. Though, if you're solar-powered, Washington in April is probably not the best vacation spot. All in all, I had an AWESOME trip!
Curry, me, and Marty on a 6-mile hike to Sol Duc Falls north of Crescent Lake on the Olympic Peninsula.
Sol Duc Falls...pictures do NOT do it justice.
Austin and Uncle Jack "driving a submarine" at the Undersea Warfare Museum.
The "crew" after a long tour at sea.
Curry, me, and Marty on a 6-mile hike to Sol Duc Falls north of Crescent Lake on the Olympic Peninsula.
Sol Duc Falls...pictures do NOT do it justice.
Austin and Uncle Jack "driving a submarine" at the Undersea Warfare Museum.
The "crew" after a long tour at sea.
Angie, David, & Titan: Together Forever
It was a busy week in late-May as we all traveled to Rexburg, Idaho to participate in the sealing of Titan Lundquist to his parents, David and Angie Lundquist. The new Rexburg Temple is beautiful, and, the memories of college life in Idaho came flooding back. I don't hardly recognize Rexburg anymore! We were all glad to be there, and had a lot of laughs catching up.
David, Angie, & Titan. Hey Titan...wake up little buddy!
Titan with a memento of the day.
Dan & Bethany...awwwww shucks.
Dad, surveying the Rexburg landscape and being "amazed at all the progress!"
The gang's all here...uh, except Ruth...and Craig...and Andy...and Dallin...and Diana...oh, and the rest of the little mutants! Let's go eat at Craigos! We did, by the way.
David, Angie, & Titan. Hey Titan...wake up little buddy!
Titan with a memento of the day.
Dan & Bethany...awwwww shucks.
Dad, surveying the Rexburg landscape and being "amazed at all the progress!"
The gang's all here...uh, except Ruth...and Craig...and Andy...and Dallin...and Diana...oh, and the rest of the little mutants! Let's go eat at Craigos! We did, by the way.
Happy Re-Birthday Timmy!
A couple of weeks ago, Curry & Diana and the munchkins (Katie, William, Timothy, Lauren, and Emily) stopped for a few days in Utah--en route to Port Angeles, Washington--for Timothy Clifford Andrews' baptism. Wow...Timothy is already 8 years old!
It was great to see family there.
Everybody was excited to get to meet cousins for the first time...
and Uncle Jack soaked up all the love.
It was great to see family there.
Everybody was excited to get to meet cousins for the first time...
and Uncle Jack soaked up all the love.
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