BUNNY

As I left for work this morning, this is what I found on the lawn. 

Released from captivity several years ago by one of
our neighbors, this white, fluffy beast
 has returned again and again to feast
on the greens we plant in our garden.

 This is, by no means, our first encounter.

And probably won't be the last.

While a cute little dude, he/she has done some damage in the past.  A love of fresh greens drives our little 'cottonball' to return each year and munch on our flowers.

There is part of me that wants to eat this furry fiend----- but I know I would pay a price when others found out.  So for now, I will endure the ignominious label of "Rabbit NOT-eater." 


And maybe someone can explain to me why the cats or dogs don't chase after this guy and eat him up?

O, wait, I know why!!


The ferocious nature of rabbits protects them from predators.

LONG STORIES

This past weekend, Teresa and I went to visit her folks so they don’t forget who she is.  Also because her mom is struggling with dementia and dad needs a break once in a while.

(Teresa’s brother and sister-in-law do a marvelous job taking care of things on a day-to-day basis but we like to butt-in now and then.)

Anyways, when we make these long treks, we like to pass the time listening to a good story.  It’s hard to find one that fits our standards but if we search hard we can usually get something interesting.  And if we can’t finish on that trip, we have been known to drive around the block or make a few extra trips to see the kids so we can get the ending.  We do enjoy the time together and most of the stories we choose.

Waiting on the second volume to this series.

Maybe one day we will try a Brandon Sanderson book and see how many weeks it takes to get through one of those.  He has a tendency to write a lot (though I really enjoy his stuff) so I don’t know how it would work as an audiobook.

If anyone has a good book that has come out on audio, let me know.  We are always looking for another victim to our listening.

CHRIST LIKE LOVE

Easter is the focus of the Christian world this week. 

The Atonement of Christ is the most important event to happen in the history of this earth. 

(See this video)

Not only is Jesus the Redeemer of all who have or will live in mortality, He was also the Creator of this world, under the direction of His Father. 

This is His world and He has proven His love by opening the doors to salvation for all mankind.

There is a lot of talk about ‘love’ of fellowman in the dialogue of our day.  Much of the time it is people (not speaking of any one group so please don’t project) who are inviting us to accept and ‘love’ them for who they are or want to be.  A common method to entice acceptance of their behaviors and/or desires is to cite the Savior’s love for all.

Jesus does love everyone and His love will reach through the eternities.  He will do all we will allow to redeem us and bring us back to our Heavenly Father.  But His love for us is not an excuse to accept actions, desires, or ideas that violate the sacredness of His commandments.  To quote a modern prophet:

Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet in part because righteousness was always supposed to accompany it. So if love is to be our watchword, as it must be, then by the word of Him who is love personified, we must forsake transgression and any hint of advocacy for it in others. Jesus clearly understood what many in our modern culture seem to forget: that there is a crucial difference between the commandment to forgive sin (which He had an infinite capacity to do) and the warning against condoning it (which He never ever did even once). (Jeffrey R. Holland)

It is perfectly appropriate to love the sinner, but hate the sin.  In fact, that is exactly what Jesus and our Father are doing when they challenge us to repent.

If we desire to love our fellowman, we will emulate the Savior and the way he treated those of His day. 

Question: What made the Savior so unpopular with the people of His day?

 Answer: Calling them to repentance for their sins.

I’m sure He hurt some feelings, but it was the best way to invite a fallen people (all of us, to one degree or another) to find the life-changing love of our God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Our love for The Master and any happiness we seek in life comes as we remember His message:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

To invite others to follow Christ and join us in learning to overcome sin is the greatest form of love we have to offer.

It’s as simple as that.

A GOOD CHOICE

Loud voices cry out to dissuade us from believing there is anything good in life.

Is this fair compared to how we live?

There are a multitude of reasons for doubt.

So much of living is hard and inconsistent.

Add caption

Evil broadcasts its presence through every venue available.

This little dude has done MUCH to harm the family.

Goodness is ridiculed and derided as “old-fashioned” and out-of-step.

Someone thought this was "funny"-- it isn't!

Suffering and torment are the lot of the majority who live on this planet.

Not today???

Often it seems easier to just give in and join the ranks of the hopeless.

But some get it and are not afraid to say it!!

Here is one.

Richard C. Edgley

Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice – a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all.  That choice is faith…. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism….

When logic, reason, or personal intellect come into conflict with sacred teachings and doctrine, or conflicting messages assault your beliefs…, choose to not cast the seed out your heart by unbelief (Alma 32:28).  Remember, we receive not a witness until after the trial of our faith (Ether 12:6).  (Bishop Richard C. Edgley, Ensign, Nov. 2010)

Finding hope is a dicey proposition some days.  Choosing faith and hope is not craziness – it is God’s way.  Hope in His Son is the ONLY way.

Rembrandt's version of The Christ

CHICKENS

I learned from my very intelligent grandson that CHICKENS are not birds.

They are food but they are not birds.

So much more to learn from these little guys.

On another subject.

I really miss WordPerfect.

MS Word just doesn't cut it for me ---- but that’s all I have so I’m stuck with it.

Till next time.