July 22, 2010
July 16, 2010
New videos of Lucas!
The first video was on our way to Texas in the Hotel. Lucas is about 7 months old. The second one is today where he is about 9 months old. He crawls really well now and is still as big as ever... just look at the difference in these 2 months even!
July 10, 2010
What Would Jesus Do?
Members of the LDS church and Christianity in general have an interesting relationship. We Mormons claim to be Christian since we do, after all, believe Christ to be our Lord and Savior, but we don't share any of the same symbols, history, social structures, even our vocabulary differs greatly in reference to the same things. Since we LDS folk don't use crosses and other symbology to express our faith, we tend to forgo all other sayings as well. I, on the other hand, have a "W.W.J.D." fabric bracelet that was given to me years ago by a friend that I have worn since. Normally LDS people would not wear this. Why? Simply because we have our own culture apart from Christianity and the WWJD craze never became a part of it. To me, it is still a valid message and therefore, I choose to wear it.
Currently, I'm in Texas on an internship and I met another intern native to the southern states (who kinda looks like Martin Keamy on Lost) and we got to talking. He said, ..."so you go to BYU, that explains why you are married and have a son." I laughed and agreed. Then he said, "But you're not Mormon." I replied, "What makes you think that I'm not?" At which point he pointed to my WWJD bracelet and I said "So?" He then replied, "I like you, you are a good guy."
This led me to the conclusion that this other intern didn't believe that LDS think of Christ as our Savior. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I think we as LDS don't wear Christ on our sleeves enough. We live good works and brotherly kindness pretty well, we also have no problem wearing the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith on our sleeves... but Jesus? We don't preach it much.
Maybe it is because we know others understand it already, they already have a Faith in Christ and we want to focus on what makes us unique, but then we are missing the point.
For the two or three of you that actually will possibly read this, what do you think?
Currently, I'm in Texas on an internship and I met another intern native to the southern states (who kinda looks like Martin Keamy on Lost) and we got to talking. He said, ..."so you go to BYU, that explains why you are married and have a son." I laughed and agreed. Then he said, "But you're not Mormon." I replied, "What makes you think that I'm not?" At which point he pointed to my WWJD bracelet and I said "So?" He then replied, "I like you, you are a good guy."
This led me to the conclusion that this other intern didn't believe that LDS think of Christ as our Savior. Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I think we as LDS don't wear Christ on our sleeves enough. We live good works and brotherly kindness pretty well, we also have no problem wearing the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith on our sleeves... but Jesus? We don't preach it much.
Maybe it is because we know others understand it already, they already have a Faith in Christ and we want to focus on what makes us unique, but then we are missing the point.
For the two or three of you that actually will possibly read this, what do you think?
June 28, 2010
June 8, 2010
June 5, 2010
RSA Animate - The Secret Powers of Time
Here's an interesting video.
While I mainly agree with what is being said, there are a few things that I think that aren't quite 100% accurate. I think many people have the ability to see the world in many time perspectives rather than just one. While the world is indeed becoming more and more present based, I'd argue that it depends on what we are doing. We work hard for a better future. We take time for our families. We remember the words of our fathers. And we take time to enjoy ourselves. These are not conflicting ideas. They need to be added together into one great whole.
While I mainly agree with what is being said, there are a few things that I think that aren't quite 100% accurate. I think many people have the ability to see the world in many time perspectives rather than just one. While the world is indeed becoming more and more present based, I'd argue that it depends on what we are doing. We work hard for a better future. We take time for our families. We remember the words of our fathers. And we take time to enjoy ourselves. These are not conflicting ideas. They need to be added together into one great whole.
June 4, 2010
May 24, 2010
April 18, 2010
Bobby McFerrin hacks your Brain
Music has such a profound influence on our lives. It is built in. Don't believe it? Watch this...
April 16, 2010
An end...
As I mentioned at the beginning, there are no beginnings or endings... but this is an end; the end of a semester. I originally created this blog for a class in school, but now it has been released from the shackles of the university prescribed posts to the creativity of my mind on whatever I feel fit to post about. So be prepared one and all... it begins.
April 7, 2010
Choose ye this day whom you will serve.
Selfishness causes all sin. Integrity brings all happiness.
These two ideas are diametrically opposed to each other. One insinuates doing whatever it takes to get what you want, despite the consequences; the other is about doing the right thing all the time, even when nobody will know what your actions are. Adultery, thievery, lust, violence, lying, vanity, and every other bad, awful action that you can think of holds roots in the desire to make one's own status better or to satiate personal desires. Honesty, love, charity, faith, kindness, gentleness, diligence, generosity, and bravery, on the other hand, come from forgetting yourself in the desire to help and care for other people, no matter the time or the place. These choices have eternal consequences and every one must choose one or the other. As for me and my house? We will serve the Lord.
These two ideas are diametrically opposed to each other. One insinuates doing whatever it takes to get what you want, despite the consequences; the other is about doing the right thing all the time, even when nobody will know what your actions are. Adultery, thievery, lust, violence, lying, vanity, and every other bad, awful action that you can think of holds roots in the desire to make one's own status better or to satiate personal desires. Honesty, love, charity, faith, kindness, gentleness, diligence, generosity, and bravery, on the other hand, come from forgetting yourself in the desire to help and care for other people, no matter the time or the place. These choices have eternal consequences and every one must choose one or the other. As for me and my house? We will serve the Lord.
March 30, 2010
March 23, 2010
The Lord's Will
All of the wonderful and innovative technologies we have today were brought about by the Lord's will. Every piece of technology can be used to help push the will of the Lord forward. From the Internet to Smartphones, they all carry God's word. The make researching and understanding his will so much easier. Sharing the gospel is done online and people have access to nearly unlimited resources to learn His way. Unfortunately, like any of God's gifts, these tools can be used for horrendous evils that plague our society. The trick is to use them for good and not evil. We have agency to do what is right or what is wrong, and if we choose to do what is wrong, whether through our actions or the perversion of good technology, we ultimately are the ones responsible for the consequences. Have integrity and choose to use these things for good; choose to use them to strengthen the Kingdom of God!
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