Not room Enough to Receive It

Malachi 3:8-12

8. Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

12. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Tithing is not just a temporal law. It is about acknowledging that God is the source of all we have. By giving back to the Lord, we recognize that it is by his grace that we enjoy his blessings. So often now, because tithing is usually paid in money, we equate it with money or paying a bill. However, tithing historically was paid in kind. As people were blessed, they would give part of it back for the building up of the Lord's church and work.

The blessings of paying tithing are many. The main blessing is that God will rebuke the devourer. What a wonderful blessing that is for us. He will not just rebuke the devourer of our temporal goods, but our spiritual lives. Often this is the greater blessing. For man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Our temporal goods are not taken with us when we leave this life, but our spirituality is. God will rebuke the devourer of our spiritual growth and allow to grow closer to him.

We will see an increase of the spirit such that there is no room to receive it. Our mortal souls will not be able to proclaim the joy that shall fill our hearts. Such that our joy will be evident to all. They will see the full, happy and meaningful lives that we lead and we shall stand as a testament of the Lord's grace and power.

Daily Grind - I know better than to.........

So I made the cardinal mistake of moving into a new ward. (We actually moved in a while ago, but I managed to hold them off until now.) I played my cello with the choir. At least they haven't figured out that I play the piano. (They did figure out Sandy does.) It actually is moderately fun to play with the choir. Asher was pretty good. Sandy just took him up with her when she sang. We figured that he would cry if he wasn't with one of us. Besides, he likes the attention. He was pretty good and only tried to get down once and didn't cry at all.

He then decided that he wanted to be with us rather than in nursery. Thank goodness he fell asleep in priesthood. I was able to just hold him rather than chase him. That was our adventures today.

Daily Grind - "I got sad"

It was the cutest thing tonight. We got home and had a lot of stuff to bring in from the car. I walked down to the mailbox while Asher and Sandy went to the house. Asher was standing at the door waiting for me to come in. I stopped as the car to grab the last of the stuff and Asher couldn't see me because I was behind the neighbors Suburban. He started yelling, "Dad! Dad! Dad!" It took me a minute to get everything and he was starting to cry a bit. I yelled back that I was coming, but that didn't calm him any. Once I got the car locked up and walked back out where he could see me, he calmed down. I told him I was coming and he smiled and said, "I got sad." It was so cute. He was sad that he couldn't see dad and he told me about it. He has been starting to talk more and more. I'm afraid that he's going to be a little chatterbox when he actually learns to talk. That will be fun.

Daily Grind - I got no sleep, but I did it to myself

Last night, I stayed up until just after 1:00 am. I was posting on my other blog and lost track of time. It doesn't help that my alarm goes off at 4:45 am. I am so tired. But not as tired as Sandy. She is worried about this next Spanish test, so she studies at night. She got done studying about 10 minutes before my alarm went off. Bubs went to sleep much earlier than that. The sad thing is, we both know better than to do that. Oh well, at least it's the weekend.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:28-34

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

How often do we worry about where our next meal is coming from or how the bills will get paid? Everyday we have worries about everything but 'How will we grow closer to God?' Living the commandments taught in this scripture takes a great deal of faith.

If we will put first the idea of seeking God, he will provide for us. We may not live in a mansion and have a wealth of worldly possessions, but we will have a roof over our head and food on our table. The most important thing is that we won't care. When you seek the kingdom of God first, you learn to find what matters most in life.....the things you can take with you.

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson (1726 - 1790)

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love. 2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit, Till released from flesh and sin, Yet from what I do inherit, Here Thy praises I'll begin; Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. 3. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood;

How His kindness yet pursues me Mortal tongue can never tell, Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me I cannot proclaim it well. 4. O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. 5. O that day when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face; Clothed then in blood washed linen How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace; Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, Take my ransomed soul away; Send thine angels now to carry Me to realms of endless day.

So often we underestimate the importance of grace in our lives. We forget that it is by the grace of God that we live and breath. It is by His grace that we have an earth to live upon. It is by his grace that we have challenges to grow from. It is by his grace and mercy that we are forgiven of our sins. That is what true faith is. Believing that God can do what he says he can do.

We are often disheartened by challenges in our lives and can't see the way out. We must remember that Christ stands at the door and knocks(Revelations 3:20). He simple say to ask and we shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you(D&C 4:7). How simple this is, but we are often distracted by the easiness of the way (Alma 37:46). It really is that easy, look to God for direction, and he will guide that paths.

Be still and know that I am God.

Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God (D&C 101:16).

We are busy people. We run to and fro doing this and saying that. Always an errand or job. We never seem to have enough time to do anything of importance. When things go wrong, we panic or worse get depressed. All flesh is in God's hand. And why shouldn't it be. He created it! He loves us more than we could imagine and He has the power to help us, whatever the problem may be.

Always take a minute to be still. Before reacting, take a moment to meditate and ask for his help. Then move forward in faith trusting that he will see you through. It is hard to do, but we will be better off for having done so.

Daily Grind - Great Big Hugs

I am sure every parent experiences it often. I left for work today and bubs was already awake in his bed. I went in and picked him up so he could go in and lay in bed with mom. It was so cute, he turned, pointed and said "pillow". Except it came out more like "prirrowr". So we grabed his pillow and laid him in bed. When he saw I was leaving, he started to cry. I asked if he wanted another hug. He said "Da," his version of yes. He gave me the biggest hug and wouldn't let go. It was so sweet. I didn't want to leave this morning. He does a similar thing when mommy goes to work.

He wants both of us there all the time. Who ever said that a child didn't need both a mom and a dad. Mine sure does. I love him!!!.....and his mommy!!!

Read my lips.... NO NEW TAXES!!!

Sorry for the increasingly political mood of this blog, but that is what I feel like ranting about lately. Have you seen the latest:

WASHINGTON - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said Thursday that paying more in taxes is the patriotic thing to do for wealthier Americans. In a new TV ad that repeats widely debunked claims about the Democratic tax plan, the Republican campaign calls Obama's tax increases "painful."

Since when was it patriotic to have a Robin Hood mentality. Steal from the rich to feed the poor. No matter how you spin it, Robin Hood was still a criminal. It doesn't matter how much good it does, it is still wrong. Anyone that is capable of criminal acts, is not to be trusted.

Now for the really diabolical part. At least Obama, Biden both would have to pay more taxes under their plan. Do you really think that will happen. The rich know there are tax loop holes that will keep them from paying the increase. I cannot believe for a moment that Obama is so magnanomous that he will take a tax hit for America. This is a man that will say anything to get elected. He hasn't every really done anything, except for speak out for infant cruelty (See here). That is how he has risen to power, he knows what to say, how to say it and whom to say it to.

No the real situation will be that it will look like the rich pay more taxes, and they will complain about it and find a way around it just like Obama and Biden. And quite frankly, higher taxes on businesses and the rich never helped the poor. If you employer has to pay more taxes, there goes your raise and your Christmas bonus just got cut in half. And that executive may decide not to get that new Lexus this year. There is a large comission a struggling salesman doesn't get. Tax hikes for the rich only hurt the poor.

I am a Libertarian!!!

I am neither a Republican or Democrat. I have to start out saying that. Early on in this election, I was not sure who I would vote for because I wasn't sure I liked either of them. I was voting for Romney, but it turns out a lot of people didn't like him. I really wanted a candidate that I could trust and believe in. I had seen what Romney had done with the Olympics and other things that he had touched and thought that he could really do some good.

However, we got stuck with McCain. I was only going to vote for him because Obama scares me. I like some Democrats, like Jim Matheson. I look at Matheson's voting record and he really tries to represent his constituency well. He doesn't just vote Democrat because he is one, he acts as a voice for the people he represents. But, Obama is scary.

Then comes Palin. I don't know what it is about her. She is so likeable and a firecracker. And yes, there is the whole naughty librarian thing. Most of all, you listen to her and know she has had to worry about the same things you have to. It is an absolutely amazing story. She's who I'm voting for.

Daily Grind - You can lead a horse to water (or the bed in this case).......

So the ongoing saga of the bed. I wish I had my camera when I went in to check on bubs this morning. He slept in it again, but he refuses to sleep normally. He was all the way down at the bottom of the bed sleeping sideways and was shivering because he was cold. He won't sleep with the covers on. So I put a blanket over him and he seems to warm up a bit. I try not to move or touch him because I don't want him to wake up. He doesn't like daddy to go to work in the mornings, and I leave before him and Sandy get up.

We gave him chocolate milk for the first time last night. I diluted it with a little regular milk so the poor boy wouldn't go into sugar shock. He loved it. He savored it and didn't drink it too fast, but the cup never left his hands. I also introduced Sandy to The Pie. Well, she had had it once before, but never a really good one. She loved it and the garlic cheese bread. I dare you to eat more than one slice of that pizza. It fills you up.

Daily Grind - We got sleep!!!!

He slept most of the night in his new bed and was there when I left for work this morning. YEAH!!!! I swear I am getting busier. My lesson studio has doubled in the last 2 months. I think over have my students have been taking from me less than 6 months. It is wild. I am so grateful.

I am also making headway with work. It was in such a mess when I got to my new position. I think we are getting things organized now. I do like my new position, the people are great and it has been a great working environment.

Yesterday, Asher and I had some time to rest in the afternoon. He wanted to play for much of it, but he slept as well. When he woke up from his nap, he gave me a little smile. Then he looked like he was about to cry. I asked him if he wanted some love and he said, "Ya." He then crawled over to me and wanted me to hold him for the next hour. So I did. I have been trying to make sure he comes first. Sometimes that is so hard when you have so much to do, but that is the way it is suposed to be.

Daily Grind - Do Parent's Ever Get Sleep?

We got Asher's room all organized yesterday. He has a reading couch and of course his brand new big boy bed.  He likes his bed and likes to play on it, but doesn't like sleeping on it. He was up all night being cranky and kicking Mom in the back. I put him in bed and 2 hours later he was up crying and in our room. Mom and I had very little sleep last night.

What was even funnier was to see him in his footie pajamas. It is starting to get cold at night, so we put him in his brand new footie pajamas and he was freaked out. He kept looking at his feet wondering where they were. When we changed his diaper before bed, he tried to take the pajamas completely. So we helped him and found some other ones for him to wear. He had the right idea about taking them off, but could quite manage it himself. I am not looking forward to the pull off my clothes in front of everyone just to show them that I can do it stage.

Daily Grind - When did he get so big?

If you haven't figured it out by now, this blog is mostly about my son. I am terrible about writing in a Journal, but I'm on the computer almost all day. So, I thought that I would preserve for posterity the journey of watching my son grow up.

Today, he needs a lot of hugs and he ate his cereal all by himself. I love how he tries to tell us exactly what he wants.

Today we are going to finish putting together his room with his new beds. This also means packing up some of his stuff that he has out grown. It is sad, but at the same time, I love to see him grow and learn.

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

How Firm a Foundation
Attr. to Robert Keen, ca. 1787

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health, In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth, At home or abroad, on the land or the sea— As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. 3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 6. E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn, Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne. 7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

While pondering what I could write today. I turned on Music and the Spoken Word. Lloyd D. Newell was talking about the Hymn, How Firm a Foundation. The choir then sang a rather inspiring version of that hymn. It's message is that in spite of all opposition, and in the face of sin and life's great challenges, God will always be our help and our guide.

I have decided that we must always sing the last verse. The strength of singing that verse together re-invigorates the soul. " I will not, I cannot desert to his foes." Then the final chant of, "I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" When you sing these words of power it shakes the very foundation of hell and all of the heavens shout for joy.

Our God will never forsake us, why should we forsake him? Often when burdened by our sins that as Nephi said, "which do so easily beset me," we shrink (2 Nephi 4:18). We forget that Christ has suffered so that all of our sins can be forgiven. His work and glory is to bring eternal life (Moses 1:39), not to condemn. He gave us our weaknesses so that He might make us strong (Ether 12:27). He did not give them to us to condemn us. I ask again, why should we forsake? Our God's purpose is to raise us up and bring us hope. Men are that they might have joy (2Nephi 2:25).

Christ has always said his burden is light (Matt 11:30). If we trust in him first and seek his kingdom first then he will ease our burdens so that we cannot feel them upon our backs. Then we can stand as a witness that God does visit us in our afflictions (Mosiah 24:14).

That is why we should sing this hymn often and always the last verse, to remind us to never, never, no never forsake!!

Daily Grind - The adventure of the Bed

So I finally did it, I went to Price to pick up my bunk beds for my son. We had to leave before 6:00 am and get the truck from Grandpa and drop Asher off. Then started the drive that I do not like at all. I hate driving through Spanish Fork Canyon because I am just waiting to die in an accident. We go the bed from my sister and headed back to Salt Lake.  We found a mattress then went an dropped off everything off at the house.

On the way back down to Lehi to get bubs, we stopped to pick up a set of sheets. Bubs was asleep when we got down to Great-Grandma Crabbs. Sandy's relatives were in from Denver so we visited for a bit. Then we got to go back home and set up the beds.

Asher was so excited. He knew the were for him. Once we got them all set up and put the mattress on the one he would be sleeping in, he jumped on it and tried to rub every part of the mattress. Once we got all of the bedding on he climbed in and said "night, night." It was so cute. We didn't get finished moving his room around and getting everything arranged. We laid down for a power nap and woke up 2 hours later. I put bubs into his bed and he looked so cute. He actually slept soundly for a bit.

He had been sleeping on an old futon mattress because he finally decided that he would not sleep in his crib. However, he thrashed around all night long. He is so excited to have bed, he climbs into and out of it over and over again. I am so glad we finally got his bed.

A Brilliant Hope

Jehovah Creates the Earth - Walter Rane

This world is quickly growing dark. People losing hope and love while falling deeper into despair. It is easy to grow jaded and forget that which brings us the most joy in life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a brilliant glowing fountain of hope that sheds light into even the darkest abyss.

Through his atonement for mankind, He experienced the darkest recesses of humanity. Not only has He provided a way back home, he knows exactly how to comfort us in our trials. He knows our pain and knows how to turn it into hope. He will make our burdens light so that we cannot feel them upon our back. He will gather us under his wing as a hen gathereth her chicks. He is the shinning brilliant hope that give light to the world.

In this turbulent world with all its comings and goings, there is one constant source of hope and peace. Remember, He created it and He is in control of it. As we meditate upon His words, our minds will fill with light and we will see clearly the path that lies before us. Join me on this journey through life's ups and down as I share the insights He has shared with me.

Less Travelled By

What do you do when decisions are hard to make? I have never been any good at the "pros & cons" method. Where you make a list of the "pros" or the reasons why a decision would be good, then you contrast that with the "cons" or why the decision will cause ultimate utter destruction. In theory it seems that it might work, but it never really does.

Really, any decision that is obviously good doesn't warrant the time it would take to ruminate over it. Just as the obviously bad decisions usually present themselves in a way that should send you running and screaming back to mommy. BUT, that is never the way it works. There is always something within the human mind that is always searching for the possibilities. It is something that makes us human.

It is a paradoxical quality that in one aspect is an instinct, but at the same time acts in direct opposition to how instinct should act. Animals run by instinct. It keeps them out of danger and drives them to find food. Not that animals haven't been known to get themselves in trouble or at very least eaten by something bigger. The only thing that comes close is the mothering instinct where the mommy animal defends her babies. But even most animals realize that if they die so to will their children. So the small animals will often hide their young rather than face the opposition.

No, humans have this inexplicable quality to defy the survival instinct. Where the little guy stands up to the big guy when he knows that he has no chance of winning. We seem to be drawn to make decisions that lead us into danger. Instincts are meant to protect us, yet this human instinct sets us apart. It says, "To boldly go where no one has gone before." That is why we have moved above the animals. It also helps us to cope in this rather disturbing world. The challenges we face should make us run and hide, but we keep going. Adding even more to this paradox, we succeed because of it. Though the risk may be great the reward can be greater. To quote the poet, Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the road less travelled by, and that had made all the difference."

What's up with the new facebook?

I don't like the new facebook. I logged on tonight only to find, I no longer had the choice of which version of facebook to use. I have been trying switching back every time they tried to switch me. All of my posts and videos aren't on the main page anymore. You have to use tabs.

So I started a new group entitled, "We want the old facebook back!" I am sure that it really won't make much of a difference, but it was worth a try.

Out of Rants for the Day

I have experienced something rather profoud. My entire reason for starting a blog, was to have a place to rant about whatever I wanted. Yet for the last two days, I have had nothing to rant about.

Okay, that's not exactly true. But I can't rant about everything at work. I would end up getting fired. Besides the fact that any one actually reading this would get bored hearing about the Medicaid problems in New York and Tennessee just to name a couple.

The Paradox of Children

How in heaven's name are children both the greatest creation on the face of the earth and your worst nightmare. Don't get me wrong, I love my son. He is adorably cute and sweet. He give big hugs and kisses without warning and usually apologizes for the things he does wrong. But he is a little devil child too, and he's not even 2 yet.

He hasn't figured out that he's little and can't do everything he wants to yet. A huge part of me doesn't want to teach him that either. I don't want him to ever think that he has to limit himself, but in his ever-expanding quest to conquer the world, he breaks things.

At the moment, he is practicing opening the front door, over and over again. Then he runs over and hugs me. Now he is trying to eat something off the floor that could have been there for days and then off to playing in the curtains. All of this within about 2 minutes. That's how it is day after day. I finally just clear most of the stuff he could hurt himself on out of the way and hope he doesn't break a bone or something of mine. He's poopy right now too, but who could get him to calm down long enough to change him.

But at the end of the day, you love them. Why is that? They drain every ounce of energy you have and then some, but you love them unconditionally and would give everything for them. You spend your day at work wishing you could be home with them. I haven't figured out what it is all about. Maybe, serving them as you do makes you love them more. What a great thought. The more you serve someone, the more you love them.

Corporate Government Healthcare

For work, I bill Medicaids nationwide. It is rather interesting the amount of corporate red tape that a provider has to go through to get paid through a government health care program. No wonder the less fortunate among us don't have proper health care. No decent provider wants to go through all of the hassle to get paid by Medicaid. So the participants in these programs receive less than stellar care.

You want to make a case for universal health care, first take a look at the government sponsored health care we already have. What makes anyone think that universal health care is a good idea. The government can't manage to run Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and other such programs. Even when they contract with a commercial insurance group to administer their program, the commercial groups are so over-regulated that they can't possible help the patient either.

The answer is not to get government more entrenched in health care, but to get them out of it. I am for regulation, because there is always someone out there trying to take advantage. But some of our health care is so regulated that it raises the cost of doing business. Thus, you have spiraling health care costs that makes it unaffordable to many.

Second, we live in such a litigious society that we will sue for just about anything. The one place I am in favor of regulation is the malpractice end of things. You still have to be careful to not to regulate malpractice lawsuits so much that people can't get the compensation they deserve for damaged cause by poor medical care.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

So I've been having fun with this whole new blogging and facebook thing. I have now determined to learn HTML. I have always felt somewhat cheated in school when it came to computer classes. We learned how to program fireworks in basic on the old apple computers. Now kids learn HTML. The internet was actually around when I was in Junior High, but I don't think anyone thought we should have to learn it as it was this fad that would go no where. So much for our public school system.

They insist on being 20 years(exaggeration, but not by much) behind in everything. We can't pay the good teachers enough and a lot of people that would make good teachers stay out of the profession. Surprisingly, not always because of the money. Rather, the politics. Teachers are not free to teach anymore. Our curriculum are governed by special interest groups that are simply trying to maintain control. They also govern how teachers can treat student, which has erupted into such horrid behavior problems that many teachers leave when they find out they are powerless to discipline their classes.

When was the last time you saw a business class taught in school that actually taught kids how to handle their money. Simple things like managing an investment portfolio or IRA (Individual Retirement Annuity). All kids should have a working knowledge of these things. Companies don't have pension plans anymore, you have to fund them with payroll with-holdings. I finally was able to get onto the website to manage my 401k plan, and I lost $130 bucks since the beginning of the year. I was able to move my money to more conservative investments.

No one knows how to do this now. And it is increasingly more important as most people don't stay with one job their entire lives. They have to know how to move around their investments. And that's only one part of business that they don't teach kids.

They don't really teach how to manage money. That is why so much of this country is in debt. What you end up with is a whole bunch of people in bondage to credit agencies and ultimately the government. I'm not a conspiracy theorist and don't believe everyone in the government is out to get us. But I am not a liberal democrat for one very good reason and one reason only. When the government is handing out your money and bailing you out, they are in control. Just look at any socialist state in the world. It all started with people relying on the government in hard times as a "savior" and sacrificing personal liberties so the government can help them, then realizing down the line that they had lost their personal liberties. Sorry Barrak and Hillary, I don't need my wealth redistributed; I earned it myself.

And because there are some out there that wonder, "Then what happens to all the less fortunate?" We take care of them. We help them and encourage them. It is a basic tenet of humanity to love your neighbor. As much as the lack of personal liberty is inhuman, so is the act of neglecting ones fellow man. And that is the thought of the day.

One Final Post for the Evening

Salvador Dali - Corpus Hypercubis

Casting out Satan

Carl Bloch - Gethsemane

This moved me to tears the first time I saw it. I now own a print of it. I don't know that there's much more to say.

Carl Bloch - Casting out Satan

I also own this one, but big. We had it framed and it is the first thing you see when you enter our house. So much power in this painting. Yet it is not worldly power. I love how Satan looks like he is in the midst of a billowing sea. It brings to mind the story of Christ calming the sea. Then Satan is painted to show physical strength or the strength of men. I love how the light shines through Christ's sleeve and you can see that his strength is not the strength of men, yet he commands all. I find myself meditating on this painting often. There is so much to learn from it.

Mormon Bids Farewell to a Once Great Nation

Arnold Friberg's, Mormon Bids Farewell to a Once Great Nation

So I'm on an art kick today. I was inspired by posting my new favorite painting, so I want to post a few more. I actually only saw the original of this one a few weeks ago. I never knew he had painted all of the dead bodies. It some how seemed more complete. That part of the Book of Mormon has always affected me deeply, to imagine the utter destruction of a nation. Something I cannot begin to comprehend.

Walter Rane - Christ Visits the New World

I did like Arnold Friberg's version that I grew up with, but I love this one. Christ straining to reach for his people. I am glad I finally found a copy of this to post.

Jehovah Creates the Earth

So this is one of my new favorite paintings. It is called "Jehovah Creates the Earth" by Walter Rane. I am not a creationist by any means and figure that those intelligent design folks stole the term right out from under us people who knew what it really meant. Intelligent design did not start out life as creationism. Rather some of us out there figured that we liked the idea of evolution, but had a belief that God used it as a tool of creation. So some well meaning, but rather un-educated creationist needed a new term for their same old story and stole it lock stock and barrel.

But the painting is one of power. I have not seen art like this coming from modern artists. The raw power and movement. It just reaches out and grabs you. I love the one of the paintings he has hanging in the Conference Center at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. It is one of Christ descending to the Nephits. I can't find a copy of it online. But Christ is reaching for the people. It is utterly moving.

Waxing Platitudinous

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Waxing Platitudinous!! What does it mean? My brother once had a blog that was called Rumenation Junket, so it runs in the family. However, Rumination Junket means something completely different from Waxing Platitudinous.

wax -intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English weaxan; akin to Old High German wahsan to increase, Greek auxanein, Latin augēre
1 a: to increase in size, numbers, strength, prosperity, or intensity b: to grow in volume or duration c: to grow toward full development
2: to increase in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets
3: to assume a (specified) characteristic, quality, or state: become, wax indignant, wax poetic

platitudinous-adjective
Etymology: platitude + -inous (as in multitudinous)
1. having the characteristics of a platitude: full of platitudes, platitudinous remarks

and just for those of you that don't know what platitudes are (from wikipedia):

platitudes-a trite, meaningless, biased or prosaic statement that is presented as if it were significant and original. The word derives from plat, the French word for "flat". Whether any given statement is considered to have meaning or not is highly subjective, so platitude is often, but not always, used as a pejorative term to describe seemingly profound statements that a certain person views as unoriginal or shallow. The statements most commonly described as "platitudes" are short proverbs and aphorisms which are intended to motivate or encourage another person, but which are in reality overly-simplistic or cliché (clee-shay, say it out loud and you’ll recognize it.)

Why would one want to title a blog with such a title? Basically, I get to vent about everything. I actually got the idea from a letter my father once wrote to me. I was in England and having a rather difficult time and he wrote me a letter full of counsel. His final line was an apology that he was beginning to wax platitudinous. You must know my father. When he wrote in my mother’s high school yearbook, the opening line was, “Pulchritudinous Salutations!” I had no chance in life, I was doomed to be a nerd even before my parent were married. But I’m okay with that.

So to start out on this journey of mindless rants, ravings, soliloquies and other rather remarkable prose.

Pulchritudinous Salutations to those that will entertain my waxing platitudes!!!

P.S. - Rumenation Junket – means eating food
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