Sunday Thoughts

Lazy Sunday?

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Hey Kids,

What should’ve been a lazy Sunday turned out to a little busy.

We slept in a little following a late night on Saturday, but we were still up and going by 10.

Hit Walmart to get groceries and supplies for today and looking towards the upcoming week.

Changed the brakes on the 4Runner. One side was enough to make me have to repent for my language; the other side so easy, I felt embarrassed for the difficulty of the first side.

Super Blood Moon

Super Blood Moon

I split for a Birthday dinner for my niece. Good times and saw most of my sister’s family and a number of their kids. I find it hard to believe that I’m the old great uncle already.

Headed over to the other birthday activity for my sweetie’s oldest son. It was a party/craft night to prepare decorations for his upcoming wedding.

Oh, and the lunar eclipse happened tonight too. I remember the last one back in 1982 but this one, minus the annoying intruding clouds, seemed a little more spectacular. I have no camera that could capture it properly so I’ll default to an internet image. 

And now all focus will shift to our own wedding in just 6 days. This will be a busy week.

 

Day 216

My Religion

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Hey Kids,

I’m not a preachy man and I keep my opinions pretty much to myself.

That’s not to say I don’t have my religious beliefs and hold them dear.

And that’s also not to say that I don’t suck at being a good rule keeper.Monty-Python-monks

I adore the concept of forgiveness and redemption. I need the concept of forgiveness and redemption.

I don’t believe, however, that religion is all about rules, sin, and avoiding Hell. It has to be more than that. I have enough things that scare and worry me, I don’t need a God out to get me.

In the text of the Old Testament, the blood and guts part, eye for an eye, hell fire and brimstone, the scary prequel to the New Testament; lies one of my favorite passages.

Moses is instructed to tell the Priests to bless the people in this manner:

May the LORD bless you and keep you.

May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

I’ll take that religion and that blessing.

For me, it reminds me to Be Cool and stop worrying about so much stuff; it’s all good.

I believe that.

 

Day 163

Think. Then Help

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Hey Kids,

I attended a fantastic church service today. It’s amazing when inspiration for thought is produced.

1) When God’s Law and Man’s law are in conflict, one must choose for himself how to follow. It’s not as clear cut as one might think. The speaker explained how each individual must decide, case by case. Does the law of the land really put you against God’s law? Are you compelled to actually break God’s Law. Man is an agent for himself. Choose wisely, prayerfully, and be mindful of all of the subjects of the law, not just how it pertains to you.

2) Reading scriptures is not enough. One must do what they teach to actually understand them. Underlying need is to serve others. Don’t worry so much what you must teach them, but instead ask what you can do to help them, to make their life, their burden, easier.fruit

These two talks and subjects have been on my mind all day and I believe they extend past Sunday lessons.

1) Do what is right despite what others may say is right and wrong. Hold yourself accountable.

2) Quit worrying so much about what you have and a little bit more what others need.

Maybe it pays to go to church every once in awhile.

Maybe.

And once in a while.

 

Day 139

LDS vs. The World

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Hey Kids,

I heard today someone say “I don’t do LDS people.” Meaning, I don’t associate or attempt to communicate or be friendly with Mormons.

I’ve met people recently who are shocked I am Mormon, because “You don’t seem Mormon.”

How so?

I’m normal. I talk to non-Mormons as if they are human beings. Real people. I even like a bunch of them.

I don’t care if you drink beer, whiskey, coffee. Or if you smoke. Or if you swear. Or you don’t go to church every, or any, Sunday. I don’t care if you’re Christian or not, or if you even believe in God. As a person, these things are irrelevant to me as it pertains to whether you are interesting, a good neighbor, a fishing buddy, a friend, a boss, an employee, or deserving of common courtesy and friendliness. I also don’t assume that since you don’t believe the same as me, you must be lacking until I share with you what it is I believe and you agree.1016515_404587326321060_1411328951_n

Apparently, this is different from the majority of my doctrinal brothers and sisters. I apologize. Just know that there are plenty who don’t feel the need to judge and indoctrinate.

If you’re LDS and reading this, know that you’re also being judged. And the only reason you don’t know that is because your judges have stopped talking to you.

Be cool. Give the others the chance to be themselves. It’s OK to associate with people with different beliefs. In fact, hearing others opinions and beliefs might help you in understanding your own.

“Judge not, lest you be judged.” The saying is still as smart as advice as the day it was given.

I have found, however, that as much as I like someone, or dislike someone; it can all change on what football team they follow.

 

Day 104

Finding Faith in Cosmos

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Hey Kids,

I tried watching the show Cosmos today. I tried, but I didn’t make it very far.Cosmos_spacetime_odyssey_titlecard

I like space and science shows but found this show a bit dramatic, trying too hard to impress me. I believe the universe is impressive in and of itself; no gilding of the Lilly is needed. But I did learn something.

The incredibly impressive cartoon (sarcasm) that occupied the better part of the small part I watched, told of some dude named “Bruno”. Bruno became caught up in the idea that the world was not the middle of the universe but just a planet going around a sun which was really just a star like all the other stars. This new insight landed him in religious jail and eventually death.

I haven’t really thought much about Bruno’s plight since changing the channel but the thought of the Religious Thought Police did get me thinking.

I do not believe religion and free thinking need to be mutually exclusive. Religion and Science do not need to be at odds. I love the idea that the Universe is as infinite and limitless as the God that created it. I find it hard to believe that we or any stated doctrine can fully comprehend God without thinking, pondering, studying, testing, praying, and challenging what we currently believe to be the truth of things. Think, test, accept or reject, adapt, challenge, re-test, etc., etc., etc. A belief system where questions cannot be openly asked is not much of a belief system.

Is there room for doubt within faith? Of course. What is faith without doubt? Doubt fuels faith. It create ways to grow faith. It allows faith to escape blind following. It makes it alive. I also believe science is just as valuable for faith as scripture. Keep in mind, I don’t think challenging means challenging authority. You might be wrong.

Cosmos may not have been as enlightening as I hoped it would have been. But it gave me some good reflection for this Sunday afternoon. And if for noting more, it reminded me how fortunate and lucky I am that I don’t live in an age where I can be burned at the stake for my different thinking.

Day 62

Sunday Thought- Psalms 1: 1-3

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Hey Kids,

Don’t cave to peer pressure you know is wrong but do what is right, and it’ll work out for you in the end.

Psalms 1: 1-3:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

tree%202-%2025

The photo was taken of my favorite tree, growing outside of Battle Mountain, Nevada on one of our family trips to Carson City. I hiked from the frontage road, through the sage brush to get the right shot. I had this scripture in mind when I took it. I picked the stickers out of my socks for the rest of the long drive that day. This picture has brought me joy ever since.

Day 34