Justifying the "natural" man, don't fall for it
Where do I even begin this week?
Father's Day! I would be overwhelmed with remorse if I did not make a great shout out to my Father. I was reminded of him this week as I read from a series of notable quotes that are sent to me.
"When you teach your son, you teach your son's son." I can only hope to live up to this multi-generational truth. In my opinion, I know that my Father has. I guess you will have to ask my sons what their opinions are. I love you Dad.
I had the most incredible honor of spending some awesome one on one time with the love of my life and my Queen this week. It was a week filled with many adventures and thought provoking conversation. Many of which fit so completely with my verses of pondering: D&C 76:28-31.
Early in the week, we found ourselves trying to relax after a very long day of driving. We were tired, but the walls were paper thin. The elevator, though it was several doors down the hall, was extremely loud and made some crazy scary noises as it stopped on each floor. Any who, we were taking advantage of being connected to the world of social media, something that we were disconnected a great deal from this week, and came across an interview of a fairly well known celebrity. The interview caught our eye because title insinuated that this individual was a "unique" member of our faith.
After watching the interview, I had a new understanding of "unique". I can easily say that the Pope is also a "unique" member of my faith, he just has make some changes in his life. Yep, the interview was completely misleading. Basically, this individual had a fairly good knowledge of our faith, but was choosy in how he chose to live the faith. He apparently only lives those principles that he fit his life style, not all of them.
He talked about being shamed for doing things that were "Natural" and "Beautiful". There was a great deal of finger pointing and blaming because of "Traditional Orthodox" beliefs in the world and that we should not let those things determine who we are. In the end, the interview basically stated that suicides in the state in which I reside are because people won't let go of these "Traditional Orthodox" beliefs and simply accept all that comes "Naturally" as part of human evolution. We should all be allowed to do what feels right for each of us.
As the interview ended, I could only shake my head. I was not sure what to think. I will admit there was a little flare of anger for how this person generalized and mislead others about the faith I believe in, the faith which I sustain and strive to live. Then I read my verses again.
Like Joseph and Sydney, I was able to see one "...who rebelled against God..." This individual stated how he had been raised and taught the beliefs of a God. Though he did not fully accept them and was "rebellious" in his youth, he did get accepted and attended the "School" that was owned by the church. Note he did not mention that before being accepted to attend said school, he signed an agreement about living certain standards. But he did make it clear that he was asked to leave said school (because he was not living up to this unmentioned agreement) for doing what was "natural" and "beautiful". And because he had to explain why he was asked to leave, he felt he was publicly shamed.
He was making "...war with the saints of God..."
He was doing his best to justify his league with the adversary. It was clear to me that he was one "...who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof..." Yet he "...suffered...through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power..."
There was so much finger pointing and justifying. All week I have been able to see in my mind's eye the war Lucifer wages, not for the benefit of those who follow him, but for his own purpose to "...take the kingdom of our God and his Christ..." Everything that the adversary does is for his own personal gain. Even with is knowledge of the plan, it is his hope that if he can get enough to follow him, he will be able to overthrow the kingdom of God by shear numbers alone. Not that it would be a better kingdom, as he leads his followers to believe (as they will be able to do what comes naturally to them and do those things that bring them pleasure), but a kingdom where they will all do only as he commands. There will be no agency, but only binding chains of submission.
Don't be a follower of the "natural" man. Don't be deceived by his misleading justifications.
Ok, enough rambling.
It has been a crazy week. The Queen and I went on an adventure. We saw deep blue skies and well as dark cloudy storm filled skies. We enjoy temperatures in the 90's and endured freezing snowy blitzes. We drove through sage covered plains on to thick forest covered hills. We crossed paths with everything from frogs to bears. It was wondrous, but I must say the scariest was when the Queen took me to an impoverish nation of starving mosquitoes.
In our adventures we passed through 6 states, 5 national forests, a couple state parks, and two national monuments. It was an adventure.
While we were gone, the Professor held down the fort. She had a week filled with conventions and meetings, with a little teaching and studying on the side.
We ran into Tall Man and Ehl-Bo when we got home. They have both auditioned with hopes of another chapter in life and we learned the Ehl-Bo has started mermaid training.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are doing their best to make it through Summer Semester. It sounds like they have a small break in the middle of session coming up. We will let you know how it goes.
Father's Day! I would be overwhelmed with remorse if I did not make a great shout out to my Father. I was reminded of him this week as I read from a series of notable quotes that are sent to me.
"When you teach your son, you teach your son's son." I can only hope to live up to this multi-generational truth. In my opinion, I know that my Father has. I guess you will have to ask my sons what their opinions are. I love you Dad.
I had the most incredible honor of spending some awesome one on one time with the love of my life and my Queen this week. It was a week filled with many adventures and thought provoking conversation. Many of which fit so completely with my verses of pondering: D&C 76:28-31.
Early in the week, we found ourselves trying to relax after a very long day of driving. We were tired, but the walls were paper thin. The elevator, though it was several doors down the hall, was extremely loud and made some crazy scary noises as it stopped on each floor. Any who, we were taking advantage of being connected to the world of social media, something that we were disconnected a great deal from this week, and came across an interview of a fairly well known celebrity. The interview caught our eye because title insinuated that this individual was a "unique" member of our faith.
After watching the interview, I had a new understanding of "unique". I can easily say that the Pope is also a "unique" member of my faith, he just has make some changes in his life. Yep, the interview was completely misleading. Basically, this individual had a fairly good knowledge of our faith, but was choosy in how he chose to live the faith. He apparently only lives those principles that he fit his life style, not all of them.
He talked about being shamed for doing things that were "Natural" and "Beautiful". There was a great deal of finger pointing and blaming because of "Traditional Orthodox" beliefs in the world and that we should not let those things determine who we are. In the end, the interview basically stated that suicides in the state in which I reside are because people won't let go of these "Traditional Orthodox" beliefs and simply accept all that comes "Naturally" as part of human evolution. We should all be allowed to do what feels right for each of us.
As the interview ended, I could only shake my head. I was not sure what to think. I will admit there was a little flare of anger for how this person generalized and mislead others about the faith I believe in, the faith which I sustain and strive to live. Then I read my verses again.
Like Joseph and Sydney, I was able to see one "...who rebelled against God..." This individual stated how he had been raised and taught the beliefs of a God. Though he did not fully accept them and was "rebellious" in his youth, he did get accepted and attended the "School" that was owned by the church. Note he did not mention that before being accepted to attend said school, he signed an agreement about living certain standards. But he did make it clear that he was asked to leave said school (because he was not living up to this unmentioned agreement) for doing what was "natural" and "beautiful". And because he had to explain why he was asked to leave, he felt he was publicly shamed.
He was making "...war with the saints of God..."
He was doing his best to justify his league with the adversary. It was clear to me that he was one "...who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof..." Yet he "...suffered...through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power..."
There was so much finger pointing and justifying. All week I have been able to see in my mind's eye the war Lucifer wages, not for the benefit of those who follow him, but for his own purpose to "...take the kingdom of our God and his Christ..." Everything that the adversary does is for his own personal gain. Even with is knowledge of the plan, it is his hope that if he can get enough to follow him, he will be able to overthrow the kingdom of God by shear numbers alone. Not that it would be a better kingdom, as he leads his followers to believe (as they will be able to do what comes naturally to them and do those things that bring them pleasure), but a kingdom where they will all do only as he commands. There will be no agency, but only binding chains of submission.
Don't be a follower of the "natural" man. Don't be deceived by his misleading justifications.
Ok, enough rambling.
It has been a crazy week. The Queen and I went on an adventure. We saw deep blue skies and well as dark cloudy storm filled skies. We enjoy temperatures in the 90's and endured freezing snowy blitzes. We drove through sage covered plains on to thick forest covered hills. We crossed paths with everything from frogs to bears. It was wondrous, but I must say the scariest was when the Queen took me to an impoverish nation of starving mosquitoes.
In our adventures we passed through 6 states, 5 national forests, a couple state parks, and two national monuments. It was an adventure.
While we were gone, the Professor held down the fort. She had a week filled with conventions and meetings, with a little teaching and studying on the side.
We ran into Tall Man and Ehl-Bo when we got home. They have both auditioned with hopes of another chapter in life and we learned the Ehl-Bo has started mermaid training.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are doing their best to make it through Summer Semester. It sounds like they have a small break in the middle of session coming up. We will let you know how it goes.
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