Pages

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

DOMA and THE SUPREMES



Most of you who read my blog will probably agree with many of my political and societal views.  I consider myself pretty conservative – with a little bit of Libertarian-ism mixed in.  While I do have a few socially conscious ideas I try not to let those out too much J.

The Supreme Court is currently considering the legality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), created during the Clinton years to protect the sanctity of marriage.  The law says that the Federal government can only recognize a marriage between one man and one woman as a legal marriage. 

Certain factions in our society are clamoring for a change in the status of those who practice relationships that have, from the beginning of the history of mankind, been considered abhorrent and aberrations in behavior.  At present, most of the pushback comes from the homosexual and lesbian groups that want to have the same rights as married heterosexual folk. But we are also seeing a swaying of opinion from former opponents to these changes.

When God ordained marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman, He set the standard for how such relationships should be considered.  Of course, if one does not believe in God or His word, there will be a problem with keeping His standards.  Does that mean we all need to lower our own way of living?  No, in fact, it means that it is even more essential that we keep the standards of the law and society on a higher level so that we do not corrupt the coming generations.

To take it to an extreme example: 

If a vocal group decided that it was necessary for the government to control the size of families and any family that had more than three children must kill the excess, millions would rise up in rebellion.

How does that relate?

Many have forgotten that GOD gave the rules for how life is to be taken AND how it is to be given!!!  When we violate any of HIS laws concerning life, we are stepping into areas where we have no authority.  That includes the laws of morality and chastity – those that deal with creating life.

God has said, through His prophets, that marriage is to be between a man and a woman, legally and lawfully married and no other way.  Husband and wife are to work together to raise and train children to be sons and daughters of God and prepare to bring more children into this world.   

Any other type of ‘marriage’ is just a sham and is against the commandments of our Heavenly Father.  If people want to live a homosexual lifestyle (and they are free to do so because of the gift of agency) they need to understand that there are certain components of their lives that will be missing.  Marriage is one – even if they are successful in passing laws that appear to change the rules.  God will never recognize the joining of two individuals of the same gender in marriage.  It is not in His plan and will not have eternal standing. 

Finally, I fear many have not considered the “unintended consequences” of changing the way marriage is defined.  Any adjustment in existing marriage laws will open the door for unlimited variations on “marriage” and will continue to corrupt the social and moral behavior of our world. 

BUT hey, maybe that will accelerate the coming of the end?  We’ll see.

added: Check out this article for more info .. 

OLD FOLKS


Over the years I have collected many friends and acquaintances in the various places we have lived.  And because the years continue to pass along, some of them have aged to the point that they might be considered elderly (though I probably would never say that to their face)
Still having fun over 70

As a younger man I was often uncomfortable with “people of age” but since life has added sufficient to my own years, much of the struggles have disappeared.  In fact, it seems to me that I have found a certain amount of compassion for those approaching the twilight of their mortal existence.

Josh and I went to visit one of our stricken friends last night to offer her a priesthood blessing.  She has been in a care center for about a year and has gradually drifted from reality to the land of fractured memories.  We love this little lady and have made efforts to help her as she gets closer to the end of her natural life.  But I feel extremely sad because she has few family members around and seems to never get any attention from those who are still with us.  People who live good lives should always have someone there to help them out at the end of their experiences on earth. 

Maybe that’s why Teresa and I feel such a need to keep in touch with our little friend.

Life is a grand adventure that ends only when we have finished all God expects to do.  The more people we can invite to join us on the journey, the more joy we will have in the trip. 

Great face of age.

I REALLY NEED TO GET MORE PEOPLE ON MY BOAT!!!

Friday, March 22, 2013

FREEDOMS


Take a look at these two articles and see if you can tell which of our freedoms, protected by the Bill of Rights, has the most to fear from our current government.
I hope this is an aberration but I fear it is becoming the norm.

Watch out!!!



Thanks to Dan Peterson for pointing these out.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

PIANO GUYS


Everybody should know who these guys are but just in case, here is my endorsement.  Ask Teresa, she thinks I’m obsessed with them (I’m not but I do enjoy their music).



These guys are wonderful artists – with a wry sense of humor.  Anyone who needs a little uplifting should drop by their YouTube channel and check them out. (Sorry I can't link-- I'm at work and we don't have access to YouTube).

BTW, my favorite is their rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  Have fun.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

SELFLESSNESS


Last Sunday I had a chance to address the Priesthood members in our stake in an early morning meeting.  My topic was “The Power of the Priesthood in the Family” and was taken from a Worldwide Training video with Elder Oaks and two other general authorities.

Dallin H. Oaks
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

One of the truths I discovered (or rediscovered) was the power Father’s have in helping their families as they use the Priesthood for righteous purposes.  God’s power, given to men, is for the purpose of practice – preparing for a day when they will do what God does.  He is willing to share this authority with any who will covenant to use it wisely for the benefit of others.  Any other purpose is a violation of the trust He offers when the priesthood is bestowed.

So much of what we are encouraged to do by the world is selfish in nature.  All the concern for how we look and how we smell and how much we earn drives us to think too much about our own lives. (I’m not advocating dressing in rags or smelling like horses or living in poverty, but you know what I mean.)

When the focus is internal, the priesthood has very little power.  As our eyes look beyond the scope of our own existence we begin to see what God sees and open our souls to the wisdom He would have us use. 

The Priesthood of God is given to men on the earth that they might learn to serve as God and Christ serve – with their whole being.  Nothing the Father does is for His own benefit.  And all that the Savior works to do is for the betterment of His family.  Our work must be the same if we are to be like them.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

DROUGHT


Not the kind you are thinking of but the kind when I have been neglectful in keeping up with my little history.  Every time I think of writing, something happens to distract me (SQUIRREL) …..



Where was I?  Oh, right, the drought.

We have been getting a lot of snow the past month or so and I believe it will be enough to keep us from having a terrible summer.  At least I hope so as I want to do some fishing.

Good time for the boys a couple of summers
ago.  Need to do more!!


Hold on, I was talking about another kind of drought.  My brain sure likes to get sidetracked from what I really want to do.  Too much ODC, or ACD, or CIA or something like that.

Hey, maybe my problem is that the CIA has been running some kind of drug test on me and I’m not aware of it.  That would explain the gaps in my memory and the way my wife looks at when she asks me questions.

I suppose some of my issues could be explained by the advancing years that continue to advance with relentless advancement.  Speaking of which, I need to check and see if the Scouts are advancing like they should.

And that’s another thing.  Are we going to have Scouts in the Church in a few years?  Looks to me like they are trying really hard to alienate some of their biggest supporters.


I love how direct he can be.

Lastly, I was interested in Pres. Uchtdorf’s words as he met with Pres. Obama last week.  The Church’s stance on alienating illegal aliens has been confounding to me. .. so much so that I’m not really sure where I stand and where  they stand.

Gotta run but I promise I will be better with the next entry. 

Or at least a little better. 

Maybe not better but different. 

Different in a sameness sort of way. 

WHATEVER!!!

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that today is Kevin's B-day.  Happy day Kev!!!