Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time.
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is not only based on one of the greatest books of all time it is also one of the greatest films of all time.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions about other people and let our pride stand in the way of us getting to know them fully and as a result we never give them a chance. There is, at the same time, value in waiting to find the right person to marry. Caution is wise, because deception is possible at the hands of a perfidious lover.
Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful book written by Jane Austen. This new film version of the novel, directed by Joe Wright, is breathtakingly beautiful. The film tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a comparatively poor young woman who is searching for love. She meets a man named Mr. Darcy who she misjudges and decides to hate. Later in the movie she must revise her earlier judgments and ends up marrying this wealthy and wonderful man.
This film could be considered a "period film" because it does show the English clothing and countryside at the turn of the 19th century in a very convincing and authentic way. The Production Designer, Sarah Greenwood, does a superb job along with the Costume Designer, Jacqueline Durran of producing and authentic Mis en scene for the film. In one of the final scenes of the film as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett agree to spend their lives together they do not kiss, they only put their heads close together as the morning light shines between them. What a great job of filming by the director of Photography, Roman Osin. Only after they are married do we see them kiss in the film and this fits in to the rules of society for that time period.
The lighting is very effective in the scene where Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Collins are discussing the possibility of his marrying one of the daughters. In the background we see the shady lighting with all of the daughters in the background like they are being auctioned off like cattle; Shady lighting for shady dealings.
I love the fade that goes from Elizabeth Bennett as she is blowing on a feather in her hand, to the fire at the party – with the sound of flaring flames as an audible connector which unifies the transition.
The editor also achieved a wonderful transition by cutting on action in order to remove the people from the dance scene between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. The Editor, Paul Tothill, shows such skill and good judgment in the job he did editing of this film. This scene effectively shows how intently Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett have focused their thoughts, emotions, and attention upon one another in an attempt to figure out what the other person is thinking.
The Music by Dario Marianelli infuses this film with a profound emotional impact. The music that plays, matches the dialogue perfectly, when Elizabeth goes to visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Kent. The non-melodic, aimless music in this scene is very well suited to show the boring passage of time that has occurred up until Elizabeth went to Kent.
When Mr. Darcy comes abruptly to visit Elizabeth at the cottage, at the beginning of the scene Elizabeth is seated and Mr. Darcy is standing but then Elizabeth stands up and the camera angle is on eye level. This suggests to us effectively that Elizabeth Bennett is in every way Mr. Darcy's equal.
This film is also the product of an excellent Screenplay by Debora Moggach. The background dialogue in the text delivered by Mr. Collins as he is preaching is the perfect precursor to the realization that Elizabeth has as she learns of the role that Mr. Darcy played in separating her sister Jane, from Mr. Bingley. The change in focus of the camera upon Mr. Darcy and then back to Elizabeth when Mr. Darcy looks at her and she gasps and looks forward again, is a brilliant and effective way to show how her outward curiosity changes to inward horror and rage.
This film has a abundance of excellent camera work. One of the most classic is the scene where Mr. Wickam speaks to Elisabeth Bennett to justify his situation by lying to Elizabeth about the past actions of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickam is standing and Elizabeth is seated. This high/low camera angle during the scene between Mr. Wickam and Elizabeth Bennett shows the way that Mr. Wickam is dominating her emotions through his deceptive words.
The dark and rainy weather in the conflict scene, as Mr. Darcy proposes and is rejected, reflects the bad mood of Elizabeth. After he is rejected, Mr. Darcy also experiences a shift to being in a bad mood as well. The thunder rumbles in perfect timing orchestrated by the sound designer, just after Mr. Darcy makes an insulting assessment of her family. This sound of thunder signals the moment that Elizabeth looses her temper. It is one of the best and most emotionally riveting scenes I have ever seen.
The Casting by Jina Jay is so well done Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyn are supremely convincing as they portray this relationship that grows and changes so much
during this film. Each character in the film is a perfect match to those in the story. Elizabeth’s mother even manages to be neurotic without being annoying or unbelievable. The actor’s portrayal of Mr. Collins is also absolutely priceless! This is a team effort and it is a masterpiece.
Most people end up marrying someone who is like them in intelligence and values. Wickam and Lydia, the first couple in the Bennett household to marry, seem to suggest to us that they deserve each other because of their lack of character and that they will no doubt be miserable together. When Mr. Bingley and Jane marry, we may feel that love can conquer all. When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy marry we can feel that there is the possibility for happy endings and true love that lasts forever.
Whom we marry is of the utmost importance to our happiness and this movie gives us the best marriage partner selection advice – True and enduring love must be based on more than the physical attraction which Elizabeth first felt for Mr. Wickam. True love is the product of careful and patient study and action which sometimes requires revision and forgiveness along the way.
Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time because of the culminating efforts of many talented people. This beautiful film was only possible through the efforts of an excellent cast, talented crew, and an amazing director. This film skillfully portrays a timeless message that is true and ever so important in this world that we share together.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Joe Wright’s adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” is not only based on one of the greatest books of all time it is also one of the greatest films of all time.
Sometimes we jump to conclusions about other people and let our pride stand in the way of us getting to know them fully and as a result we never give them a chance. There is, at the same time, value in waiting to find the right person to marry. Caution is wise, because deception is possible at the hands of a perfidious lover.
Pride and Prejudice is a wonderful book written by Jane Austen. This new film version of the novel, directed by Joe Wright, is breathtakingly beautiful. The film tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a comparatively poor young woman who is searching for love. She meets a man named Mr. Darcy who she misjudges and decides to hate. Later in the movie she must revise her earlier judgments and ends up marrying this wealthy and wonderful man.
This film could be considered a "period film" because it does show the English clothing and countryside at the turn of the 19th century in a very convincing and authentic way. The Production Designer, Sarah Greenwood, does a superb job along with the Costume Designer, Jacqueline Durran of producing and authentic Mis en scene for the film. In one of the final scenes of the film as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett agree to spend their lives together they do not kiss, they only put their heads close together as the morning light shines between them. What a great job of filming by the director of Photography, Roman Osin. Only after they are married do we see them kiss in the film and this fits in to the rules of society for that time period.
The lighting is very effective in the scene where Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Collins are discussing the possibility of his marrying one of the daughters. In the background we see the shady lighting with all of the daughters in the background like they are being auctioned off like cattle; Shady lighting for shady dealings.
I love the fade that goes from Elizabeth Bennett as she is blowing on a feather in her hand, to the fire at the party – with the sound of flaring flames as an audible connector which unifies the transition.
The editor also achieved a wonderful transition by cutting on action in order to remove the people from the dance scene between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett. The Editor, Paul Tothill, shows such skill and good judgment in the job he did editing of this film. This scene effectively shows how intently Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett have focused their thoughts, emotions, and attention upon one another in an attempt to figure out what the other person is thinking.
The Music by Dario Marianelli infuses this film with a profound emotional impact. The music that plays, matches the dialogue perfectly, when Elizabeth goes to visit Mr. and Mrs. Collins at Kent. The non-melodic, aimless music in this scene is very well suited to show the boring passage of time that has occurred up until Elizabeth went to Kent.
When Mr. Darcy comes abruptly to visit Elizabeth at the cottage, at the beginning of the scene Elizabeth is seated and Mr. Darcy is standing but then Elizabeth stands up and the camera angle is on eye level. This suggests to us effectively that Elizabeth Bennett is in every way Mr. Darcy's equal.
This film is also the product of an excellent Screenplay by Debora Moggach. The background dialogue in the text delivered by Mr. Collins as he is preaching is the perfect precursor to the realization that Elizabeth has as she learns of the role that Mr. Darcy played in separating her sister Jane, from Mr. Bingley. The change in focus of the camera upon Mr. Darcy and then back to Elizabeth when Mr. Darcy looks at her and she gasps and looks forward again, is a brilliant and effective way to show how her outward curiosity changes to inward horror and rage.
This film has a abundance of excellent camera work. One of the most classic is the scene where Mr. Wickam speaks to Elisabeth Bennett to justify his situation by lying to Elizabeth about the past actions of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickam is standing and Elizabeth is seated. This high/low camera angle during the scene between Mr. Wickam and Elizabeth Bennett shows the way that Mr. Wickam is dominating her emotions through his deceptive words.
The dark and rainy weather in the conflict scene, as Mr. Darcy proposes and is rejected, reflects the bad mood of Elizabeth. After he is rejected, Mr. Darcy also experiences a shift to being in a bad mood as well. The thunder rumbles in perfect timing orchestrated by the sound designer, just after Mr. Darcy makes an insulting assessment of her family. This sound of thunder signals the moment that Elizabeth looses her temper. It is one of the best and most emotionally riveting scenes I have ever seen.
The Casting by Jina Jay is so well done Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyn are supremely convincing as they portray this relationship that grows and changes so much
during this film. Each character in the film is a perfect match to those in the story. Elizabeth’s mother even manages to be neurotic without being annoying or unbelievable. The actor’s portrayal of Mr. Collins is also absolutely priceless! This is a team effort and it is a masterpiece.
Most people end up marrying someone who is like them in intelligence and values. Wickam and Lydia, the first couple in the Bennett household to marry, seem to suggest to us that they deserve each other because of their lack of character and that they will no doubt be miserable together. When Mr. Bingley and Jane marry, we may feel that love can conquer all. When Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy marry we can feel that there is the possibility for happy endings and true love that lasts forever.
Whom we marry is of the utmost importance to our happiness and this movie gives us the best marriage partner selection advice – True and enduring love must be based on more than the physical attraction which Elizabeth first felt for Mr. Wickam. True love is the product of careful and patient study and action which sometimes requires revision and forgiveness along the way.
Joe Wright’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of the greatest films of all time because of the culminating efforts of many talented people. This beautiful film was only possible through the efforts of an excellent cast, talented crew, and an amazing director. This film skillfully portrays a timeless message that is true and ever so important in this world that we share together.
--------------------------------
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You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Perception controls emotion – if you can’t change your circumstances to find peace and happiness, change your perceptions instead.
By Appreciable Goodfaithepoet
As an example, one morning as my son was preparing to go to elementary school as he was zipping up his school backpack his hand slipped and he hit himself in the face, knocking out one of his teeth.
The other part of this story, the part that changes our perception of the events and thus our emotions, is that the tooth which he knocked out had been very loose for several weeks and each time we tried to pull it out it hurt very much. Because of these experiences my son would no longer allow anyone to touch his tooth. In other words we were all so happy that his tooth had been knocked out and nobody was happier than my son.
When we view things from an eternal perspective, we see things that same way that God sees them and we then can feel the same way that God feels about them. In the Book of Mormon we see evidence of this when Alma the elder rejoices in the immobilization of his son Alma the younger. Another example is when Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, witnesses thieves steeling the sheep that he is supposed to be guarding, he rejoices as well because he sees this as an opportunity to advance his missionary efforts.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
As an example, one morning as my son was preparing to go to elementary school as he was zipping up his school backpack his hand slipped and he hit himself in the face, knocking out one of his teeth.
The other part of this story, the part that changes our perception of the events and thus our emotions, is that the tooth which he knocked out had been very loose for several weeks and each time we tried to pull it out it hurt very much. Because of these experiences my son would no longer allow anyone to touch his tooth. In other words we were all so happy that his tooth had been knocked out and nobody was happier than my son.
When we view things from an eternal perspective, we see things that same way that God sees them and we then can feel the same way that God feels about them. In the Book of Mormon we see evidence of this when Alma the elder rejoices in the immobilization of his son Alma the younger. Another example is when Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, witnesses thieves steeling the sheep that he is supposed to be guarding, he rejoices as well because he sees this as an opportunity to advance his missionary efforts.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Become as a Little Child
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My six-year-old son and I were recently headed to his very first basketball practise. He was very excited to get to the practise. I did not know the way to the Elementary school. The address was tricky because the street name and number were correct and I was also in the wrong city. The mainstreet I needed was about eight blocks west of where I was. These two neighboring cities had both grown until they met each other at their common border. As we wandered, looking for the school, I became lost in the curving roads of subdivisions. We left home early to go to the practise so that we would have time to find the unfamiliar Elementary School. We wandered until we had only seven minutes until the practise would begin. As I stopped at a stop sign my son said, "Dad, I think we should say a prayer." I was about to turn right but there was no one behind me and so I cancelled the signal and said that a prayer would be a good idea. I asked my son to offer the prayer. The prayer he offered was simple and sincere, he prayed, "Dear Heavenly Father please help us find the School and make it there without being late." After my son finished his prayer I felt an impression that I should ask someone for directions instead of trying to wander around to find the school. I decided therefore, to turn left instead of right. About five houses down there was a van parked in a driveway with a woman standing near it and talking with the driver. I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down my window and asked if she knew where this Elementary School was located. Even though it was in another city she said that she did know where it was because she went there as a child. She then gave me excellent instructions of how to get from where we were to where we needed to be. We arrived on time. As we neared the school I said to my son, "We're going to be on time." my son clasped his hands together and said in triumph and exhileration, "I believed that God would answer my prayer."
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My six-year-old son and I were recently headed to his very first basketball practise. He was very excited to get to the practise. I did not know the way to the Elementary school. The address was tricky because the street name and number were correct and I was also in the wrong city. The mainstreet I needed was about eight blocks west of where I was. These two neighboring cities had both grown until they met each other at their common border. As we wandered, looking for the school, I became lost in the curving roads of subdivisions. We left home early to go to the practise so that we would have time to find the unfamiliar Elementary School. We wandered until we had only seven minutes until the practise would begin. As I stopped at a stop sign my son said, "Dad, I think we should say a prayer." I was about to turn right but there was no one behind me and so I cancelled the signal and said that a prayer would be a good idea. I asked my son to offer the prayer. The prayer he offered was simple and sincere, he prayed, "Dear Heavenly Father please help us find the School and make it there without being late." After my son finished his prayer I felt an impression that I should ask someone for directions instead of trying to wander around to find the school. I decided therefore, to turn left instead of right. About five houses down there was a van parked in a driveway with a woman standing near it and talking with the driver. I pulled over to the side of the road, rolled down my window and asked if she knew where this Elementary School was located. Even though it was in another city she said that she did know where it was because she went there as a child. She then gave me excellent instructions of how to get from where we were to where we needed to be. We arrived on time. As we neared the school I said to my son, "We're going to be on time." my son clasped his hands together and said in triumph and exhileration, "I believed that God would answer my prayer."
--------------------------------
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You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Blind Eyes, Empowered by Faith to See: an Explication of John Milton's “[When I consider how my light is spent]”
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
[When I consider how my light is spent]
By John Milton
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”
I fondly ask; but patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yolk, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly, Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Through the words of his poem “[When I consider how my light is spent,]” John Milton turns the hearts and minds of suffering individuals to God and blesses them with comfort and understanding. Milton wants the words in this poem to continue to accomplish the work of God in the hearts and minds of his future readers. He demonstrates through his poetry and his own life that individuals can achieve strength during times of adversity through a connection with the Lord.
This Sonnet is written in the Italian form in iambic pentameter, following the pattern abba abba cde cde. Milton begins with an octave that raises questions and expresses his concerns. During his life, Milton had a great deal of success. Milton was a wealthy and influential person until a political change caused him to lose all of his property and to be shut up in prison. Milton also slowly lost his eyesight because of a degenerative disease.
Milton begins his poem by saying, “When I consider how my light is spent,” (Line 1) Here Milton alludes to one of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus Christ said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light unto all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” (NKJV). Milton is concerned about his personal ability to share his “light.” Milton departs from the iambic rhythm on the word “consider.” This disruption emphasizes that the things which he is considering, produce pain and disruption in his life.
Milton next writes, “Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, / And that one talent which is death to hide” (Lines 2 and 3) As we bear in mind that this man was blind, we see the reason he would refer to this as a dark world. Milton seems to be asking himself in this poem how well he is doing in his effort to accomplish the direction of Jesus Christ to let his light shine. When Milton refers to “that one talent which is death to hide,” he references Matthew 25:25-30. A summary of this Bible passage is as follows: A man was afraid because he was a broker and had been entrusted by a rich and powerful investor to use some of the investor’s money to produce a return on the investment. The man was so afraid of losing this money through poor decisions, that he buried the money in the ground until the investor returned. The investor was very angry and pointed out that if he had known that the broker was going to hide the money in the ground he could have given this money instead to a banker and at least received a modest amount of interest instead of nothing. The angry and powerful investor then ordered the broker to be cast into outer darkness, where there would be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Once again Milton departs from iambic pentameter on the word “one.” This emphasizes his lament about his current state of poverty, blindness, and imprisonment.
Milton continues, “Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent / To serve therewith my Maker, and present / My true account, lest he returning chide; / ‘Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?’” (Lines 4-7) On the word “lodged” Milton again departs from the iambic rhythm and we again feel an indication of feelings of frustration with his isolation and limited ability to share his influence. Milton indicates that he wants to use his resources to serve his maker; however, he says that because of his physical limitation, it is “lodged with him useless.” Milton wants a chance to present his case so that his righteous desires will be taken into account. He succeeds in his effort through this very poem. Milton wants to let his light shine so that the returning investor, the Lord, will not reprove him by asking, “Do you really expect to be paid when you did not share your light?”
Milton then states, “I fondly ask; but patience to prevent” (Line 8) Milton prays for patience so that he can avoid a situation where he must be reproved and punished by God.
This opening octave is followed in the poem by a sestet, (which answers the concerns and questions expressed in the octave.)
Milton writes, “That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need / Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best / Bear his mild yolk, they serve him best. His state.” (Lines 9-11) The voice of the Holy Ghost then answers the murmured prayer of his heart and teaches him that God already has everything he needs to be happy. Those who endure cheerfully through their trials are His best followers. Milton is able to demonstrate, by writing this
poem that he is enduring cheerfully. Milton’s reference to a yoke is clearly referring to another scripture found in the Bible. This scripture is likely to be Matthew 11:28-30. In this passage Jesus Christ says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV). Milton again emphasizes the word “bear” by departing from the iambic rhythm. Milton shows on this word that it takes great effort to take that yoke upon us even though it is easy once we are coupled with God as a team.
Milton concludes by saying “Is kingly, Thousands at his bidding speed / And post o’er land and ocean without rest: / They also serve who only stand and wait.” (Lines 12-14) Milton indicates in these lines that the Lord is a King and there are thousands of servants who at the command of the Lord, will traverse the entire world and stand ready at their post. Those who patiently endure afflictions and look forward in faith to the second coming of the Lord, though unable to go on a spectacular voyage to a far away land, also serve him by being good examples to others who may suffer in the future. Milton’s message suggests that as we endure affliction without losing hope or faith in God, that we can still serve him, glorify him, and lead others to him as we patiently wait upon the Lord for healing and happiness in a future day.
Milton’s desires have been realized in the opportunity for students to write an explication of his poem after so many years have passed. John Milton continued to wait upon the Lord and thus was a good example and let his light shine. Through his poem, he presents the “true account” of the desires of his heart to serve God despite his limitations.
Milton’s poem is successful, not only in form and beauty, but also in the higher purpose intended by Milton. Through his words Milton turns the hearts and minds of suffering individuals to God and blesses them with comfort and understanding. By letting his light shine forth from out of a dark prison cell, Milton’s words comforted my heart when, two weeks ago, my Father had a massive stroke leaving him paralyzed on his left side. Because Milton was able to see with an eye of faith and share his vision with us, I’ve had the strength to comfort my Father, Who up until two weeks ago was serving as a Christian Bishop. I’ve comforted my father with the beautiful words of Milton, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” We wait upon the Lord and also glorify God today because of the timeless poetic work of John Milton.
--------------------------------
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You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
[When I consider how my light is spent]
By John Milton
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide;
“Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”
I fondly ask; but patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yolk, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly, Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Through the words of his poem “[When I consider how my light is spent,]” John Milton turns the hearts and minds of suffering individuals to God and blesses them with comfort and understanding. Milton wants the words in this poem to continue to accomplish the work of God in the hearts and minds of his future readers. He demonstrates through his poetry and his own life that individuals can achieve strength during times of adversity through a connection with the Lord.
This Sonnet is written in the Italian form in iambic pentameter, following the pattern abba abba cde cde. Milton begins with an octave that raises questions and expresses his concerns. During his life, Milton had a great deal of success. Milton was a wealthy and influential person until a political change caused him to lose all of his property and to be shut up in prison. Milton also slowly lost his eyesight because of a degenerative disease.
Milton begins his poem by saying, “When I consider how my light is spent,” (Line 1) Here Milton alludes to one of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus Christ said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light unto all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” (NKJV). Milton is concerned about his personal ability to share his “light.” Milton departs from the iambic rhythm on the word “consider.” This disruption emphasizes that the things which he is considering, produce pain and disruption in his life.
Milton next writes, “Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, / And that one talent which is death to hide” (Lines 2 and 3) As we bear in mind that this man was blind, we see the reason he would refer to this as a dark world. Milton seems to be asking himself in this poem how well he is doing in his effort to accomplish the direction of Jesus Christ to let his light shine. When Milton refers to “that one talent which is death to hide,” he references Matthew 25:25-30. A summary of this Bible passage is as follows: A man was afraid because he was a broker and had been entrusted by a rich and powerful investor to use some of the investor’s money to produce a return on the investment. The man was so afraid of losing this money through poor decisions, that he buried the money in the ground until the investor returned. The investor was very angry and pointed out that if he had known that the broker was going to hide the money in the ground he could have given this money instead to a banker and at least received a modest amount of interest instead of nothing. The angry and powerful investor then ordered the broker to be cast into outer darkness, where there would be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Once again Milton departs from iambic pentameter on the word “one.” This emphasizes his lament about his current state of poverty, blindness, and imprisonment.
Milton continues, “Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent / To serve therewith my Maker, and present / My true account, lest he returning chide; / ‘Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?’” (Lines 4-7) On the word “lodged” Milton again departs from the iambic rhythm and we again feel an indication of feelings of frustration with his isolation and limited ability to share his influence. Milton indicates that he wants to use his resources to serve his maker; however, he says that because of his physical limitation, it is “lodged with him useless.” Milton wants a chance to present his case so that his righteous desires will be taken into account. He succeeds in his effort through this very poem. Milton wants to let his light shine so that the returning investor, the Lord, will not reprove him by asking, “Do you really expect to be paid when you did not share your light?”
Milton then states, “I fondly ask; but patience to prevent” (Line 8) Milton prays for patience so that he can avoid a situation where he must be reproved and punished by God.
This opening octave is followed in the poem by a sestet, (which answers the concerns and questions expressed in the octave.)
Milton writes, “That murmur, soon replies, ‘God doth not need / Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best / Bear his mild yolk, they serve him best. His state.” (Lines 9-11) The voice of the Holy Ghost then answers the murmured prayer of his heart and teaches him that God already has everything he needs to be happy. Those who endure cheerfully through their trials are His best followers. Milton is able to demonstrate, by writing this
poem that he is enduring cheerfully. Milton’s reference to a yoke is clearly referring to another scripture found in the Bible. This scripture is likely to be Matthew 11:28-30. In this passage Jesus Christ says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV). Milton again emphasizes the word “bear” by departing from the iambic rhythm. Milton shows on this word that it takes great effort to take that yoke upon us even though it is easy once we are coupled with God as a team.
Milton concludes by saying “Is kingly, Thousands at his bidding speed / And post o’er land and ocean without rest: / They also serve who only stand and wait.” (Lines 12-14) Milton indicates in these lines that the Lord is a King and there are thousands of servants who at the command of the Lord, will traverse the entire world and stand ready at their post. Those who patiently endure afflictions and look forward in faith to the second coming of the Lord, though unable to go on a spectacular voyage to a far away land, also serve him by being good examples to others who may suffer in the future. Milton’s message suggests that as we endure affliction without losing hope or faith in God, that we can still serve him, glorify him, and lead others to him as we patiently wait upon the Lord for healing and happiness in a future day.
Milton’s desires have been realized in the opportunity for students to write an explication of his poem after so many years have passed. John Milton continued to wait upon the Lord and thus was a good example and let his light shine. Through his poem, he presents the “true account” of the desires of his heart to serve God despite his limitations.
Milton’s poem is successful, not only in form and beauty, but also in the higher purpose intended by Milton. Through his words Milton turns the hearts and minds of suffering individuals to God and blesses them with comfort and understanding. By letting his light shine forth from out of a dark prison cell, Milton’s words comforted my heart when, two weeks ago, my Father had a massive stroke leaving him paralyzed on his left side. Because Milton was able to see with an eye of faith and share his vision with us, I’ve had the strength to comfort my Father, Who up until two weeks ago was serving as a Christian Bishop. I’ve comforted my father with the beautiful words of Milton, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” We wait upon the Lord and also glorify God today because of the timeless poetic work of John Milton.
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Where is Heaven?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
There is a religious shift in this world away from “traditional authoritarian religion.” Adherents of these new “conglomerate religions” pick and choose from every religion and accept and practice their own customized form of worship. However, this practice can never work for the doctrines or truths concerning the life following this one.
If believers could create their own customized heaven or existence after this life, it could never be truly granted for each member of these conglomerate religions unless the future heaven imagined by one believer did not include those friends and family who had created an entirely different kind of heaven (though their customized beliefs) for themselves. After all, which heaven would be granted and how would God decide which believers would be forced to forever endure a particular heaven so as to complete the expectation that family and friends would be present to provide good company to the individual.
The empty heaven that this system would require would be no heaven at all. The truth about the future heavens that the children of God will inherit, as well as the requirements for those who desire to reach the highest heaven must be consistent and emanate from our universal Father in Heaven. Our live after this one has a definite appointed destination, which is determined by what we do here on this earth. Therefore, it is very important that we find the truth about God and his plan and embrace it fully. It is understandable that Conglomerate religions can indeed be appealing, after all, you can pick and choose which commandments of God you will be required to follow. It is very convenient to leave out the ones that cause you any challenge or difficulty in following. After all, you still have your personal assurance that you will still arrive in your idea of heaven after this life.
Being a member of a specific denomination does not, in and of itself, guarantee that we are not really a member of a conglomerate religious practice. If we incorporate only some of the commandments of God in our lives and then spend the rest of our time worshiping the idols of consumerism and evil pleasure, we are no better off than those who claim no denomination. The key is to find the truth about God and the truth about the way things will be after this life and then to do all things that God has commanded us through the divine help that God can give us in following his ways.
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There is a religious shift in this world away from “traditional authoritarian religion.” Adherents of these new “conglomerate religions” pick and choose from every religion and accept and practice their own customized form of worship. However, this practice can never work for the doctrines or truths concerning the life following this one.
If believers could create their own customized heaven or existence after this life, it could never be truly granted for each member of these conglomerate religions unless the future heaven imagined by one believer did not include those friends and family who had created an entirely different kind of heaven (though their customized beliefs) for themselves. After all, which heaven would be granted and how would God decide which believers would be forced to forever endure a particular heaven so as to complete the expectation that family and friends would be present to provide good company to the individual.
The empty heaven that this system would require would be no heaven at all. The truth about the future heavens that the children of God will inherit, as well as the requirements for those who desire to reach the highest heaven must be consistent and emanate from our universal Father in Heaven. Our live after this one has a definite appointed destination, which is determined by what we do here on this earth. Therefore, it is very important that we find the truth about God and his plan and embrace it fully. It is understandable that Conglomerate religions can indeed be appealing, after all, you can pick and choose which commandments of God you will be required to follow. It is very convenient to leave out the ones that cause you any challenge or difficulty in following. After all, you still have your personal assurance that you will still arrive in your idea of heaven after this life.
Being a member of a specific denomination does not, in and of itself, guarantee that we are not really a member of a conglomerate religious practice. If we incorporate only some of the commandments of God in our lives and then spend the rest of our time worshiping the idols of consumerism and evil pleasure, we are no better off than those who claim no denomination. The key is to find the truth about God and the truth about the way things will be after this life and then to do all things that God has commanded us through the divine help that God can give us in following his ways.
--------------------------------
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Regenrative Shaming
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Reintegrative Shaming has been a part of Mormonism almost from the beginning. I love when science eventually gets around to showing the gospel of Jesus Christ to be true!
“Reintegrative Shaming . . . works as follows. People central to the criminal’s immediate community – such as family members, employers and co-workers, and friends – are brought into court to state their condemnation of the offender’s behavior. At the same time, these people must accept responsibility for reintegrating the offender back into the community. The goal is to rebuild the social bonds of the individual to the community as a means of deterring future criminal conduct.
“. . . it is a familiar practice in other social institutions such as the family. Think of a child who misbehaves. The parent may express disapproval of the child’s behavior and try to make the child feel ashamed of her conduct, but the parent may also reassure the child that she is a loved member of the family.
“These social bonds could also be fostered to increase the power of shame and reintegrate offenders into local networks of community involvement.”
(Introduction to Sociology Sixth Edition by Anthony Giddens, et al. pp. 68)
I never stop being amazed at the wisdom of the Lord! I am also constantly impressed with the concise way that the Lord presents the truth (Such as in the law of tithing and the word of wisdom.) As we examine the words of the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith, delivered in 1839, in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Section 121 Verses 41 through 43. We find the Lords instruction to his church government for rehabilitating the offenders of his laws, as follows: “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile – Reproving betimes (or immediately) with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee as his enemy;” The disciplinary councils in the Church of Jesus Christ are very effective in this way and have been operating for many decades in this effective way. I do recognize the role of the government in situations where Reintegrative Shaming is not an option because of the lack of contrition, cooperation or willingness to change in the perpetrator of the crime. In these cases, the government is a necessary part of using the less effective and less ideal methods of incarceration and Stigmatizing shaming. Though necessary, these approaches often are the equivalent of sending the offender to “crime school” (Prison) and then trapping them in the cycle of the re-offender as he is unable to find employment because of his criminal record.
In the Church of Jesus Christ, Reintegrative Shaming is the Lord’s program and plan for reaching out in love to those who are accused of breaking the laws of God. Though this is the doctrine and the Ideal it is unfortunately not always realized in practice. Taken as a whole, however, there are many thousand of individuals who are confidentially (aside from their immediate family and closest church leaders) helped through the Lord’s process for becoming permanently free of guilt and shame.
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Reintegrative Shaming has been a part of Mormonism almost from the beginning. I love when science eventually gets around to showing the gospel of Jesus Christ to be true!
“Reintegrative Shaming . . . works as follows. People central to the criminal’s immediate community – such as family members, employers and co-workers, and friends – are brought into court to state their condemnation of the offender’s behavior. At the same time, these people must accept responsibility for reintegrating the offender back into the community. The goal is to rebuild the social bonds of the individual to the community as a means of deterring future criminal conduct.
“. . . it is a familiar practice in other social institutions such as the family. Think of a child who misbehaves. The parent may express disapproval of the child’s behavior and try to make the child feel ashamed of her conduct, but the parent may also reassure the child that she is a loved member of the family.
“These social bonds could also be fostered to increase the power of shame and reintegrate offenders into local networks of community involvement.”
(Introduction to Sociology Sixth Edition by Anthony Giddens, et al. pp. 68)
I never stop being amazed at the wisdom of the Lord! I am also constantly impressed with the concise way that the Lord presents the truth (Such as in the law of tithing and the word of wisdom.) As we examine the words of the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith, delivered in 1839, in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Section 121 Verses 41 through 43. We find the Lords instruction to his church government for rehabilitating the offenders of his laws, as follows: “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile – Reproving betimes (or immediately) with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee as his enemy;” The disciplinary councils in the Church of Jesus Christ are very effective in this way and have been operating for many decades in this effective way. I do recognize the role of the government in situations where Reintegrative Shaming is not an option because of the lack of contrition, cooperation or willingness to change in the perpetrator of the crime. In these cases, the government is a necessary part of using the less effective and less ideal methods of incarceration and Stigmatizing shaming. Though necessary, these approaches often are the equivalent of sending the offender to “crime school” (Prison) and then trapping them in the cycle of the re-offender as he is unable to find employment because of his criminal record.
In the Church of Jesus Christ, Reintegrative Shaming is the Lord’s program and plan for reaching out in love to those who are accused of breaking the laws of God. Though this is the doctrine and the Ideal it is unfortunately not always realized in practice. Taken as a whole, however, there are many thousand of individuals who are confidentially (aside from their immediate family and closest church leaders) helped through the Lord’s process for becoming permanently free of guilt and shame.
--------------------------------
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Doing the Right Thing
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
In order to have integrity we must be willing to die for it. To do what is right we must overcome the fear of death, pain and rejection. If I am determined not to steal, will my resolve include even stealing food if I am dying of starvation? In the case of starvation I would need to be more determined to endure pain from starvation even to the point of death if I am to follow through on my moral convictions. As I ponder my decision to refrain from stealing I may ponder the social constraints that stop me from committing this crime. I may reason that society will not think ill of me for my crime because I am also saving a life at the same time.
Imagine that you are the driver in a race and you loose control and spin out on the race track. If you were to regain control one second before impact and were limited to the following three choices, which would you choose? Choice number one would be to turn right and hit the concrete wall and thus destroy your car and die in the process. Choice number two would be to continue straight ahead and hit the end of a metal guard-rail and thus save your own life while destroying your car. Choice number three would be to steer the vehicle left and into the crown of spectators who have gathered to watch the event, thus saving your own life and your car and yet killing six or seven of the fans. What would you decide in the small amount of time that you would have?
Many decisions do not come with adequate time to ponder and reflect on the ethical merits of the decisions. In situations like war, one of the biggest tendencies is to just go through with the directions that you have been given with the excuse that there was not time to think about things because if you did you could have been killed yourself. In times of war indecision can be fatal; yet, is that fact an adequate reason for choosing choice number three from the race car driver example?
When we examine the life of Socrates we see a man who was willing, without question, to die for what he believed in. Socrates did have the luxury of sitting in his jail cell for some time, and then after a night of peaceful sleep to discuss his impending execution and the possibility of escape in a rational way with his friend. However, there were moral principles, values and beliefs at play in the heart of Socrates that had been refined for decades. These moments in life do not build the character of the participants so much as they reveal the character of the participants. This process is described very well in the following poem by Edgar A. Guest:
COURAGE
By Edgar A. Guest
Courage Isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It Isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring;
It Isn't a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it's something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.
Courage Isn't the last resort
In the work of life or the game of sport;
It Isn't a thing that man can call
At some future time when he's apt to fall;
If he hasn't it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot;
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.
Brutal behavior during war as well as courageous action, demonstrate that the time of preparation in exercising sound and good moral judgment, must be cultivated long before the time of need arises. May God strengthen me in my willingness to die rather than to do evil. I hope that in the future, I will not feel the pressure of time constraints or fall into error because of the terror of experiencing death.
--------------------------------
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In order to have integrity we must be willing to die for it. To do what is right we must overcome the fear of death, pain and rejection. If I am determined not to steal, will my resolve include even stealing food if I am dying of starvation? In the case of starvation I would need to be more determined to endure pain from starvation even to the point of death if I am to follow through on my moral convictions. As I ponder my decision to refrain from stealing I may ponder the social constraints that stop me from committing this crime. I may reason that society will not think ill of me for my crime because I am also saving a life at the same time.
Imagine that you are the driver in a race and you loose control and spin out on the race track. If you were to regain control one second before impact and were limited to the following three choices, which would you choose? Choice number one would be to turn right and hit the concrete wall and thus destroy your car and die in the process. Choice number two would be to continue straight ahead and hit the end of a metal guard-rail and thus save your own life while destroying your car. Choice number three would be to steer the vehicle left and into the crown of spectators who have gathered to watch the event, thus saving your own life and your car and yet killing six or seven of the fans. What would you decide in the small amount of time that you would have?
Many decisions do not come with adequate time to ponder and reflect on the ethical merits of the decisions. In situations like war, one of the biggest tendencies is to just go through with the directions that you have been given with the excuse that there was not time to think about things because if you did you could have been killed yourself. In times of war indecision can be fatal; yet, is that fact an adequate reason for choosing choice number three from the race car driver example?
When we examine the life of Socrates we see a man who was willing, without question, to die for what he believed in. Socrates did have the luxury of sitting in his jail cell for some time, and then after a night of peaceful sleep to discuss his impending execution and the possibility of escape in a rational way with his friend. However, there were moral principles, values and beliefs at play in the heart of Socrates that had been refined for decades. These moments in life do not build the character of the participants so much as they reveal the character of the participants. This process is described very well in the following poem by Edgar A. Guest:
COURAGE
By Edgar A. Guest
Courage Isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It Isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring;
It Isn't a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it's something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.
Courage Isn't the last resort
In the work of life or the game of sport;
It Isn't a thing that man can call
At some future time when he's apt to fall;
If he hasn't it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot;
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.
Brutal behavior during war as well as courageous action, demonstrate that the time of preparation in exercising sound and good moral judgment, must be cultivated long before the time of need arises. May God strengthen me in my willingness to die rather than to do evil. I hope that in the future, I will not feel the pressure of time constraints or fall into error because of the terror of experiencing death.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Think Fast
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
During scripture study the other night I said, "See my ring? It is made of gold, and gold is worth a lot of money. What were the Plates made out of that the angel Moroni gave to Joseph Smith?" "Gold!" said my Daughter. "That's right", I said, "And if they were made of Gold they would be worth a lot of money. Do you think people would want to get them? Yes, that is why the Angel Moroni told Joseph Smith to keep them safe."
My Daughter then said, "Jesus could tell him to put them up really, really high so no one could get them."
I said, "That is a good idea. You are very smart."
My Daughter then replied, "That is because I think so fast."
--------------------------------
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During scripture study the other night I said, "See my ring? It is made of gold, and gold is worth a lot of money. What were the Plates made out of that the angel Moroni gave to Joseph Smith?" "Gold!" said my Daughter. "That's right", I said, "And if they were made of Gold they would be worth a lot of money. Do you think people would want to get them? Yes, that is why the Angel Moroni told Joseph Smith to keep them safe."
My Daughter then said, "Jesus could tell him to put them up really, really high so no one could get them."
I said, "That is a good idea. You are very smart."
My Daughter then replied, "That is because I think so fast."
--------------------------------
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The Exotic Clothing Rituals of the Snomrom
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Uniformity seems to play a large role in their cultural traditions. Harmonious interaction is the goal that leads to their code of traditional worship-day dress. The most interesting manifestation of these rituals is to be found in the powerful cultural and social trends which influence the male practitioners. Social norms require each male to purchase an elaborate and expensive costume made of natural fibers which are dyed to a very dark color. A bib-necklace is also worn over the top of this costume or uniform. Some of the most powerful men in the community are the cleansing doctors who are the only ones capable of cleaning these uniforms in the prescribed way. If a male wears a different costume to these religious ceremonies he is noticed and extended special warmth and kindness. However, if this male continues wearing non-traditional garb to the religious services, arrangements are made for a used costume of worship-day finery to be provided at no cost to the visitor.
If these gifts are not accepted, the visitor will be treated with suspicion by the frustrated local leadership of the snomrom. This leadership may consider requesting a meeting with the discordant individual about his choice of apparel. The instructions given to these adherents in their sacred books are that no one should be excluded from attending these ceremonies regardless of the composition of their clothing fibers. However, no man, young or old, is encouraged to participate directly in the work of these rituals unless clothed in the appropriate costume, complete with the colorful bib-necklace.
Who are the American Snomrom and where do they live? To answer this question, simply spell Snomrom backward. That is correct! The culture of which I speak, exists among those who are American Mormons like me. Wearing a suit and tie to church on Sundays, (Clothing that must be dry-cleaned), is a strange tradition from the perspective of many of those who live in different parts of the world. (In the above section, I borrowed heavily from the Ideas of Horace Miner as found in Introduction to Sociology Sixth Edition by Anthony Giddens, et al. pp. 68)
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Uniformity seems to play a large role in their cultural traditions. Harmonious interaction is the goal that leads to their code of traditional worship-day dress. The most interesting manifestation of these rituals is to be found in the powerful cultural and social trends which influence the male practitioners. Social norms require each male to purchase an elaborate and expensive costume made of natural fibers which are dyed to a very dark color. A bib-necklace is also worn over the top of this costume or uniform. Some of the most powerful men in the community are the cleansing doctors who are the only ones capable of cleaning these uniforms in the prescribed way. If a male wears a different costume to these religious ceremonies he is noticed and extended special warmth and kindness. However, if this male continues wearing non-traditional garb to the religious services, arrangements are made for a used costume of worship-day finery to be provided at no cost to the visitor.
If these gifts are not accepted, the visitor will be treated with suspicion by the frustrated local leadership of the snomrom. This leadership may consider requesting a meeting with the discordant individual about his choice of apparel. The instructions given to these adherents in their sacred books are that no one should be excluded from attending these ceremonies regardless of the composition of their clothing fibers. However, no man, young or old, is encouraged to participate directly in the work of these rituals unless clothed in the appropriate costume, complete with the colorful bib-necklace.
Who are the American Snomrom and where do they live? To answer this question, simply spell Snomrom backward. That is correct! The culture of which I speak, exists among those who are American Mormons like me. Wearing a suit and tie to church on Sundays, (Clothing that must be dry-cleaned), is a strange tradition from the perspective of many of those who live in different parts of the world. (In the above section, I borrowed heavily from the Ideas of Horace Miner as found in Introduction to Sociology Sixth Edition by Anthony Giddens, et al. pp. 68)
--------------------------------
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Children Smoking, How Common is it?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
One day my wife and I were talking and my oldest Daughter came and
joined us. My Daughter told us about the drug awareness program at her
school (She is in kindergarten) I said, "Daddy doesn't smoke or use
drugs." My wife added, "And Mommy doesn't smoke or use drugs." To
which my Daughter replied, "Well, I smoke sometimes." My wife and I
froze and just looked at our daughter (Who is only 5) not knowing what
to say. After a few seconds my Daughter added that she smoked on cold
mornings when she could see her breath. My wife and I were greatly
relieved to hear these additional details.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
One day my wife and I were talking and my oldest Daughter came and
joined us. My Daughter told us about the drug awareness program at her
school (She is in kindergarten) I said, "Daddy doesn't smoke or use
drugs." My wife added, "And Mommy doesn't smoke or use drugs." To
which my Daughter replied, "Well, I smoke sometimes." My wife and I
froze and just looked at our daughter (Who is only 5) not knowing what
to say. After a few seconds my Daughter added that she smoked on cold
mornings when she could see her breath. My wife and I were greatly
relieved to hear these additional details.
--------------------------------
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Christmas Caroling in the Neighborhood
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I took my children Christmas caroling in our neighborhood. At one door, as we sang about peace on earth, my two youngest children started boxing with each other. (I judged the bout in favor of my son. Thankfully the winner was not decided by knock out.) The person for whom we were singing thought it was quite funny and ironic as well. We just smiled even wider to cover our embarrassment and continued singing. Peace on earth can be hard to find. We must start with peace in our own heart and then do our very best to help others to have peace and love in their hearts as well.
--------------------------------
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I took my children Christmas caroling in our neighborhood. At one door, as we sang about peace on earth, my two youngest children started boxing with each other. (I judged the bout in favor of my son. Thankfully the winner was not decided by knock out.) The person for whom we were singing thought it was quite funny and ironic as well. We just smiled even wider to cover our embarrassment and continued singing. Peace on earth can be hard to find. We must start with peace in our own heart and then do our very best to help others to have peace and love in their hearts as well.
--------------------------------
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Should Health Care be Nationalized in the United States of America?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The Health Care system should not be nationalized in the United States of America. In other words, the US government should not set the price that doctors can charge for specific procedures or set the price of prescription drugs or the cost of medical insurance.
Poul Anderson spoke the truth when he said, “I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.” (Sylvan Barnet, Bedau Hugo. Current Issues and Enduring Questions pp. 257)
It is true that we live in a complicated world. The Body Works Health Database teaches that "The processes of life are wondrous, indeed. Though much has been learned about the technical intricacies of pregnancy and childbirth, for example, the concept of the existence of life itself, is still overwhelming. On our planet, over five billion people are engaged in the day-to-day occupations of life, from conception to death. In spite of this dramatically large number of people, each person is unique, a notion which, in itself, is cause for reflection." (CD-ROM Body Works 5.0 for windows from Softkey)
The health care system in the United States is a delicate and complicated system. Dianne Hales identifies some of the options available to a family using the current system.
“Many individuals with insurance are covered under an employer-based plan (options offered and partially funded by their employer). Individual health insurance coverage, though more costly, can be obtained through some companies. Uninsured persons depend on their own ability to pay, their qualifying for government insurance, or the care that physicians and institutions donate to those unable to pay." (Hales, Dianne. An invitation to Health 2009-2010 Edition.)
Hales also identifies some of the problems that exist in the Health Care System of the United States, “People with family incomes of $75,000 or more are twice as likely as those with family incomes less than $20,000 to be in excellent health” (12).
Hales continues by saying that, “. . . Race itself isn’t the primary reason for the health problems faced by minorities in the United States. Poverty is. Without adequate insurance or the ability to pay, many cannot afford the tests and treatments that could prevent illness or overcome it at the earliest possible stages. One in three Hispanics under age 65 has no health insurance. According to public health experts, low income may account for one-third of the racial differences in death rates for middle-aged African American adults” (13) Hales also notes that, “Women are more likely than men to lack health insurance, and the lower a woman’s income and education, the less her likelihood of getting important preventative services…” (500).
I ‘m a U.S. citizen and I’ve also lived in Canada for several years. I ‘ve been a patient in the heath care systems of both Countries. While living in Canada I experienced some chest pains one morning while hiking and over exerting myself. I went to the Hospital and immediately was given an EKG test. The results suggested that I had not had a heart attack and that I had just pushed myself too hard until I was at the point of exhaustion. I was never sent a bill for this examination.
While living in the United States, I ruptured a disk in my back. I was self-employed and had no medical insurance. I was unable to sit or stand without experiencing extreme agony. Because I had no medical insurance, I did not have access to medical care. I was no longer able to work for myself and I found it necessary to go to work for someone else. The nature of my injury caused me to experience extreme pain in the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the left leg. I went to work for a company in which I had the responsibility of working at a computer all day. This required me to be seated and I was in agony the entire time. I worked in this way so that I could eventually qualify for medical insurance with this employer.
After receiving medical insurance I went to the doctor and had an MRI which confirmed my suspicion that I had ruptured a disk. Surgery was performed on my back and the disk was removed. Because of the time that had gone by, the nerve in my left leg had died and I am not able to flex the calf muscle in my left leg. This muscle has atrophied to almost nothing and I will be crippled and walk with a limp for the rest of my life.
After reading the story of my injury, it may seem that my essay would urge the Government of the United States to change current system of health care and Nationalize the health care system. This is not the argument that I am making. I recognize the impact that nationalization would have on the many people in this Country who are currently employed by HMOs and other medical insurance companies.
Income taxes in the United States are similar in this way because, a flat tax would be much more efficient and provide the most equitable taxation of the people. However, if the United States were to make a sudden change to a simple flat tax, the current structure of tax servicing would be devastated and the IRS itself would find it necessary to terminating the employment of a large percentage of its workers.
A sudden and drastic change in U.S. policy and law in the areas of the health care system and income tax code; would cause devastating effects on the economy by causing a sharp increase in unemployment. Changes to the tax code and health care system must come gradually if at all. Otherwise there will be devastating consequences to the wellbeing of every citizen in this country.
The health care system today is similar to a very high quality public transpiration system. We have a system that is like a high speed train from New York to LA. We have the fastest and best high speed train in the world. There is a large problem with this train however, it has a very limited number of cars and only one engine to pull it. There are simply not enough seats, daily trips, or stations to accommodate the needs of the entire Country. There is no possibility of offering a greater number of stops, additional trains, or more frequent service. This kind of train is simply too expensive. Some additional modes of transportation toward good health are needed.
We need a bus system that can help the common work-a-part-time-day people in this Country. The decision to add buses to the public transportation system does not require us to take the train out of service. We do not need to alter the daily life of those who have already been using the train with great satisfaction. We do, however, need to provide the rest of the people in the Country with a less expensive way to promote good health. Many of those who are stranded, in the backwaters of poor health, will not object to the idea of lowing slightly, the quality of service in order to increases the quantity of service.
Here is another way to think of the high speed train of US healthcare. Imagine that the train is running with many seats available at times because the fare is just too expensive. Therefore some people need to have the bus fare that is less expensive even thought the bus may take a longer time to get them to their destination. This needs to be an alternative so that we can, as a Country reach the destination of Good Health.
President Obama proposes some interesting and monumental changes to the health care system in order to accomplish the goal of providing more Americans with Health Insurance. The following is a summary of these proposals according to the world wide web site for Barack Obama 7 Apr. 2009 .
Some argue that we must either nationalize the health care system or keep it exactly the way it is. We propose to keep things the same for those who are happy with it, (While giving them a cost savings of 2,500 dollars per year.) For those who are not happy with the current system, we will tax the rich to pay for you to have better access to health care. If we get these taxes in place we will be able to: Require coverage of pre-existing conditions, Make health care coverage affordable for small business, control malpractice insurance premium prices, and set the prices of treatment for catastrophic illnesses.
President Obama’s current proposals are more grounded in getting elected for the next term and winning over public opinion, than they are in finding a strategy that will receive the needed congressional votes to become law. The following counter argument for government price control comes from the world wide web site for Fox News 10 Apr. 2009 .
I have summarized this article as follows:
There is obviously a problem with the Health Care System in the United States. The focus of any constructive debate should therefore, center on what to do to solve the problems in the Health Care System. It is not right to paint
current Health Care workers as bad people. It is dangerous to believe that the government will do a better job than the current system.
Government run Health Care Systems have failed in Countries around the World and even in individual States here is the USA. We currently have the greatest health care system in the world. If the healthcare system were to be Nationalized completely, there would be a crisis as Doctors refused to work under the conditions mandated by the Government. The savings that are being promised from using Technology to stream line the medical records are not really possible.
We must, as citizens, recognize what we are in danger of loosing. We need bold leaders to set a course away from Nationalizing the Health Care System in the USA.
Universal Health Insurance coverage is a goal that morally, we cannot afford to abandon. Dianne Hales points out that “Most colleges offer some type of health insurance plan, with the student health center acting as the primary care provider. Many schools require enrollment if the student is not covered under any other plan.” (505)
Following this example on a national level is a simple solution to the problem of the medically uninsured in America. The most effective solution to this problem is to pass laws that require everyone in the US to have medical insurance. The government can provide an insurance program that is far more expensive and far less beneficial that current medical insurance, the uninsured could then be required by law to enroll in this unattractive government program.
If this law were enacted, the citizens of the United States of America, as they began to protest this action and look for other options, would influence the collective price of medical insurance and the cost of medical insurance would be reduced drastically in this Country. This drop in price would occur naturally as the existing medical insurance companies tried to secure the business of the 45 million Americans that would suddenly be shopping for medical insurance. The citizen health insurance motto would no longer be, “We can’t afford to have medical insurance.” Instead the national, citizen medical insurance motto would change to, “We simply can’t afford not to have medical insurance.”
Regrettably, like President Obama’s proposals, such a law would never receive the public support necessary to demonstrate to elected officials the political will necessary to successfully move the bill through congress with the required votes. If we as a Nation had started out with Nationalized health care it would be a good idea to keep it running and reform it as needed; however, making such a drastic change now, would only bring chaos and injustice to an industry that has done a fine job of caring for those who can afford the ticket to ride on the high tech train of the US health care system. We must not, therefore, blow up the high tech train just because alternate modes of transportation are not being created fast enough.
--------------------------------
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You have my permission to share it.
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The Health Care system should not be nationalized in the United States of America. In other words, the US government should not set the price that doctors can charge for specific procedures or set the price of prescription drugs or the cost of medical insurance.
Poul Anderson spoke the truth when he said, “I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated.” (Sylvan Barnet, Bedau Hugo. Current Issues and Enduring Questions pp. 257)
It is true that we live in a complicated world. The Body Works Health Database teaches that "The processes of life are wondrous, indeed. Though much has been learned about the technical intricacies of pregnancy and childbirth, for example, the concept of the existence of life itself, is still overwhelming. On our planet, over five billion people are engaged in the day-to-day occupations of life, from conception to death. In spite of this dramatically large number of people, each person is unique, a notion which, in itself, is cause for reflection." (CD-ROM Body Works 5.0 for windows from Softkey)
The health care system in the United States is a delicate and complicated system. Dianne Hales identifies some of the options available to a family using the current system.
“Many individuals with insurance are covered under an employer-based plan (options offered and partially funded by their employer). Individual health insurance coverage, though more costly, can be obtained through some companies. Uninsured persons depend on their own ability to pay, their qualifying for government insurance, or the care that physicians and institutions donate to those unable to pay." (Hales, Dianne. An invitation to Health 2009-2010 Edition.)
Hales also identifies some of the problems that exist in the Health Care System of the United States, “People with family incomes of $75,000 or more are twice as likely as those with family incomes less than $20,000 to be in excellent health” (12).
Hales continues by saying that, “. . . Race itself isn’t the primary reason for the health problems faced by minorities in the United States. Poverty is. Without adequate insurance or the ability to pay, many cannot afford the tests and treatments that could prevent illness or overcome it at the earliest possible stages. One in three Hispanics under age 65 has no health insurance. According to public health experts, low income may account for one-third of the racial differences in death rates for middle-aged African American adults” (13) Hales also notes that, “Women are more likely than men to lack health insurance, and the lower a woman’s income and education, the less her likelihood of getting important preventative services…” (500).
I ‘m a U.S. citizen and I’ve also lived in Canada for several years. I ‘ve been a patient in the heath care systems of both Countries. While living in Canada I experienced some chest pains one morning while hiking and over exerting myself. I went to the Hospital and immediately was given an EKG test. The results suggested that I had not had a heart attack and that I had just pushed myself too hard until I was at the point of exhaustion. I was never sent a bill for this examination.
While living in the United States, I ruptured a disk in my back. I was self-employed and had no medical insurance. I was unable to sit or stand without experiencing extreme agony. Because I had no medical insurance, I did not have access to medical care. I was no longer able to work for myself and I found it necessary to go to work for someone else. The nature of my injury caused me to experience extreme pain in the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the left leg. I went to work for a company in which I had the responsibility of working at a computer all day. This required me to be seated and I was in agony the entire time. I worked in this way so that I could eventually qualify for medical insurance with this employer.
After receiving medical insurance I went to the doctor and had an MRI which confirmed my suspicion that I had ruptured a disk. Surgery was performed on my back and the disk was removed. Because of the time that had gone by, the nerve in my left leg had died and I am not able to flex the calf muscle in my left leg. This muscle has atrophied to almost nothing and I will be crippled and walk with a limp for the rest of my life.
After reading the story of my injury, it may seem that my essay would urge the Government of the United States to change current system of health care and Nationalize the health care system. This is not the argument that I am making. I recognize the impact that nationalization would have on the many people in this Country who are currently employed by HMOs and other medical insurance companies.
Income taxes in the United States are similar in this way because, a flat tax would be much more efficient and provide the most equitable taxation of the people. However, if the United States were to make a sudden change to a simple flat tax, the current structure of tax servicing would be devastated and the IRS itself would find it necessary to terminating the employment of a large percentage of its workers.
A sudden and drastic change in U.S. policy and law in the areas of the health care system and income tax code; would cause devastating effects on the economy by causing a sharp increase in unemployment. Changes to the tax code and health care system must come gradually if at all. Otherwise there will be devastating consequences to the wellbeing of every citizen in this country.
The health care system today is similar to a very high quality public transpiration system. We have a system that is like a high speed train from New York to LA. We have the fastest and best high speed train in the world. There is a large problem with this train however, it has a very limited number of cars and only one engine to pull it. There are simply not enough seats, daily trips, or stations to accommodate the needs of the entire Country. There is no possibility of offering a greater number of stops, additional trains, or more frequent service. This kind of train is simply too expensive. Some additional modes of transportation toward good health are needed.
We need a bus system that can help the common work-a-part-time-day people in this Country. The decision to add buses to the public transportation system does not require us to take the train out of service. We do not need to alter the daily life of those who have already been using the train with great satisfaction. We do, however, need to provide the rest of the people in the Country with a less expensive way to promote good health. Many of those who are stranded, in the backwaters of poor health, will not object to the idea of lowing slightly, the quality of service in order to increases the quantity of service.
Here is another way to think of the high speed train of US healthcare. Imagine that the train is running with many seats available at times because the fare is just too expensive. Therefore some people need to have the bus fare that is less expensive even thought the bus may take a longer time to get them to their destination. This needs to be an alternative so that we can, as a Country reach the destination of Good Health.
President Obama proposes some interesting and monumental changes to the health care system in order to accomplish the goal of providing more Americans with Health Insurance. The following is a summary of these proposals according to the world wide web site for Barack Obama 7 Apr. 2009 .
Some argue that we must either nationalize the health care system or keep it exactly the way it is. We propose to keep things the same for those who are happy with it, (While giving them a cost savings of 2,500 dollars per year.) For those who are not happy with the current system, we will tax the rich to pay for you to have better access to health care. If we get these taxes in place we will be able to: Require coverage of pre-existing conditions, Make health care coverage affordable for small business, control malpractice insurance premium prices, and set the prices of treatment for catastrophic illnesses.
President Obama’s current proposals are more grounded in getting elected for the next term and winning over public opinion, than they are in finding a strategy that will receive the needed congressional votes to become law. The following counter argument for government price control comes from the world wide web site for Fox News 10 Apr. 2009 .
I have summarized this article as follows:
There is obviously a problem with the Health Care System in the United States. The focus of any constructive debate should therefore, center on what to do to solve the problems in the Health Care System. It is not right to paint
current Health Care workers as bad people. It is dangerous to believe that the government will do a better job than the current system.
Government run Health Care Systems have failed in Countries around the World and even in individual States here is the USA. We currently have the greatest health care system in the world. If the healthcare system were to be Nationalized completely, there would be a crisis as Doctors refused to work under the conditions mandated by the Government. The savings that are being promised from using Technology to stream line the medical records are not really possible.
We must, as citizens, recognize what we are in danger of loosing. We need bold leaders to set a course away from Nationalizing the Health Care System in the USA.
Universal Health Insurance coverage is a goal that morally, we cannot afford to abandon. Dianne Hales points out that “Most colleges offer some type of health insurance plan, with the student health center acting as the primary care provider. Many schools require enrollment if the student is not covered under any other plan.” (505)
Following this example on a national level is a simple solution to the problem of the medically uninsured in America. The most effective solution to this problem is to pass laws that require everyone in the US to have medical insurance. The government can provide an insurance program that is far more expensive and far less beneficial that current medical insurance, the uninsured could then be required by law to enroll in this unattractive government program.
If this law were enacted, the citizens of the United States of America, as they began to protest this action and look for other options, would influence the collective price of medical insurance and the cost of medical insurance would be reduced drastically in this Country. This drop in price would occur naturally as the existing medical insurance companies tried to secure the business of the 45 million Americans that would suddenly be shopping for medical insurance. The citizen health insurance motto would no longer be, “We can’t afford to have medical insurance.” Instead the national, citizen medical insurance motto would change to, “We simply can’t afford not to have medical insurance.”
Regrettably, like President Obama’s proposals, such a law would never receive the public support necessary to demonstrate to elected officials the political will necessary to successfully move the bill through congress with the required votes. If we as a Nation had started out with Nationalized health care it would be a good idea to keep it running and reform it as needed; however, making such a drastic change now, would only bring chaos and injustice to an industry that has done a fine job of caring for those who can afford the ticket to ride on the high tech train of the US health care system. We must not, therefore, blow up the high tech train just because alternate modes of transportation are not being created fast enough.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Proposition 8 - Reactions - Civil Disobedience or just plain Disobedience?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
One of the most important issues in our world is that of Same-Gender attraction. The issues that are treated in California’s Proposition 8 have far reaching implications. In other Countries, where same-gender marriages receive legal recognition, there have been declining heterosexual marriage rates and sharp increases in illegitimacy rates. Yet, some people still don't see how allowing same-gender marriage takes away from the meaning of marriage. In the end they say, “same-gender marriage is a private contract between two people.” This view overlooks the real consequences on society that have already been realized in other Countries.
The gay community is, however, following the right steps to protest in a civil way. They have secured permits from Salt Lake City as they have marched in protest. Their demonstrations have been peaceful and they are exercising their right to freely express their views.
We do not know who sent the envelopes with the white powder to LDS Temples. We do not know who has sent around the fear-mongering email about having 200,000 people clogging downtown Salt Lake City in a month to protest the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These actions could have been taken by people who are not part of the Gay community at all. These actions, designed to bring about change through fear, could have been done by someone who supports proposition 8 and wished to make the Gay community look like they are terrorists.
While I respect those who disagree with my views on same gender marriage, I will oppose their agenda because it is not in harmony with the laws of God. In his essay “Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau said, “It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.” In his “letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. said, “How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.” Same-gender marriage is against the moral law and the law of God. Therefore, there can be no just law enacted which sanctions its practice. Consequently, there can be no “correct” protest (however civil) simply because people who support same-gender marriage are arguing for the wrong thing to occur. I do agree, however, that Same-gender couples should be entitled to the same basic legal rights as Heterosexual couples when it comes to hospital visitation and medical insurance rights.
Henry David Thoreau said, “I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also.” Thoreau was arguing in behalf of a group of oppressed people. I do not condone or encourage anarchy, and in fact the absence of government is to be feared even more than the presence of a corrupt government. We are duty bound to uphold any government that secures basic human rights. However, I would have a difficult time recognizing a political organization as my government which is a government sanctioning same-gender marriage. The argument that I am making, is not that slavery and same-gender marriage are similar. I am arguing, instead, that legal recognition of same-gender marriage is as equally reprehensible to some people as slavery was to Thoreau.
We need leaders with great wisdom, solid integrity and honesty to address these issues. I am a strong supporter of traditional marriage. I believe that the role of Government is to guarantee freedom, punishing those who are guilty of breaking the law,providing protection against foreign invasion, and finding solutions to the problems in our communities. We cannot ignore problems that prevent families from living in a community with a healthy environment. Leaders must be full of love for others if they desire to lead others in a cooperative and successful way.
The following quotations come from the third and final Debate Between Senator Kerry and President Bush in the 2004 Presidential Debates.(I bring this up because it really shows the two sides of an important issue that is still being discussed. I feel concerned about gender confusion in America and this was a pivotal issue in the 2004 campaign debates for me.) During one of the debates the moderator said to John Kerry and President George W. Bush, Quote:
SCHIEFFER: "Both of you are opposed to gay marriage. But to understand how you have come to that conclusion, I want to ask you a more basic question. Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?"
BUSH: "You know, Bob, I don't know. I just don't know. I do know that we have a choice to make in America and that is to treat people with tolerance and respect and dignity. It's important that we do that.
SCHIEFFER: "Senator Kerry?"
KERRY: "We're all God's children, Bob. And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as. I think if you talk to anybody, it's not choice. I've met people who struggled with this for years, people who were in a marriage because they were living a sort of convention, and they struggled with it. And I've met wives who are supportive of their husbands or vice versa when they finally sort of broke out and allowed themselves to live who they were, who they felt God had made them. I think we have to respect that." (End Quote)
While I know that I must show respect for individuals, I am not required to "have to respect" the actions of any married couple who "Breaks out" allowing themselves to live "Who they were" (While continuing to stay married I suppose.) This is the problem with the moral question here, I agree with the statement of George W. Bush that we must treat people with respect and I disagree with those supporting the Homosexual agenda which attempts to force me to pay respect to, or agree with, the sexual behavior of Same-Gender Couples. There is a difference.
The plan of God, for the lives of his children, requires the righteous union of male and female, man and woman, husbandand wife. I believe that Homosexual behavior is a sin and that wicked behavior will never succeed in making people happy in the long run. I also believe in reaching out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender.However, Sexual intercourse should be experienced only between a man and a woman who are married.
When people see sin too often, and it gains too much validity and “respectability” in the eyes of society, people soon begin to embrace things that are not in harmony with Moral laws. There are appropriate ways to guard society from the negative effects of the powerful river of Lava that sex can become, in communities, if it is unchecked by “traditional” family values. One prominent Christian Leader, Al Sharpton, sees criticism of his attention getting tactics (Of superfluous litigation as a means of public protest) as a sign of his effectiveness. He said, "In many ways, what they consider criticism is complimenting my job. An activist’s job is to make public civil rights issues until there can be a climate for change. So when people get angry at me for raising these issues and making them public, well, that’s my job! That’s what I’m supposed to do. If I could not get the public’s attention on an issue, then I’m not a good activist.” This activist is, in my opinion, working effectively against the law of God to promote the legal recognition of same-gender marriage.
The route that we choose in trying to change the world is very important. We can choose to get the attention of the world through violent and flamboyant behavior, or we can choose to gain the attention of the world through, honest accomplishment and goodness.
Another prominent Christian Leader, James Dobson, with whom I share many common views, has attracted the attention (rather than demanding it) of the world, through his efforts as an activist in support of the traditional family. This activist is against the legal recognition and definition of marriage as including same-gender couples. He suggests that falling heterosexual marriage rates in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are due to the recognition of same-sex relationships by those countries during the 1990s. He points out that traditional marriage "is rapidly dying" in these countries as a result, with most young people cohabiting or choosing to remain single (living alone) and illegitimacy rates rising in some Norwegian counties up to 80%. James Dobson says that, "there is no issue today that is more significant to our culture than the defense of the family. Not even the war on terror eclipses it." I agree with this Christian leader on this important issue.
When the commandments of God conflict with the mainstream views of the mental health community, I choose to stick withs upporting what God has to say.
Some people don't see how allowing same-gender 'civil union' takes away from the meaning of marriage. They say, It's like believing that because your neighbor bought a green car, that makes your red car get worse gas mileage.
They believe that they are unrelated events. They say, “So what harm does it do to allow civil unions??” Claiming, that it is, “Muchado about nothing.” “It won't change my marriage in the least,” they say. In the end, a same-gender marriage is a private contract between two people. They argue that in legal terms, same-gender marriage, has an entirely separate from the meaning of a “church marriage” no matter what religion it is. They point out that common law marriages are already a part of the law. Common law marriages usually mean that two people can claim that they are legally married if they have lived togetherfor 7 or more years... and they point out that most states recognize this type of marriage... even the feds do, they say. They point out that even if laws are passed banning same-gender marriage, activist judges could overturn them on discrimination grounds. The argument seems to be, “Why fight the inevitable?”
I agree with those who assert that Governments should never force people to be good. Governments should mainly bein the business of punishing people when they do things that are wrong. Citizens should participate in politics as individuals,and not in affiliation with a religious group as a voting block. There is a need for the separation of the management of church and state. I now summarize an article entitled, “Political Teachings of the LDS Church” by Gary C. Bryner as follows:
"Women and men are both created in God's image, but each gender has roles that have been defined by God. Marriage is defined by God through the Bible as being between only a Man and a Woman.
"The duty of government is to protect freedom of conscience and religious belief. Laws are for the good and safety of society and to secure to each individual their own moral agency, the right to own and control property, and to protecting the life of the Citizens. The separation of church and state is essential. There should never be a Government mandated religion(Including itself) and Governments should not show favoritism to any one particular religion. Governments should not tell people how or when to worship. Governments should enforce the laws but not attempt to control the beliefs of the people." (End Summary)
We all have the ability to determine our values and we are accountable as individuals to God who allows us freedom of belief and conscience. The ideals of liberal democracy, which champion individual and minority rights, personal freedom, and religious pluralism are good and right.
Religious organizations must not infringe upon the domain of the state. We, as religious communities must not attempt to force our values upon others, or to control or dominate any of their affairs, individual or national. Yet, as individual citizens, we have a responsibility to seek solutions to the problems which beset our cities and communities.
We cannot ignore the many practical problems that require solution if our families are to live in an environment conducive to spirituality. As members of religious communities we must be must be anxiously engaged in good causes, using the principles,taught to us by God, as our constant guide.
I am commitment to a broad, collective effort in working toward a vision of a harmonious and prosperous community.
I am not calling for protests to stop. I am simply encouraging protestors to cry out in support of justice according to the laws of God. For, as Thoreau taught, “It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere.” One of these goodness absolutes is the correct role of Marriage according to the law of God.
While Thoreau said, “How can a man be satisfied to entertain and opinion merely, and enjoy it? …Action from principle,the perception and the performance of right, changes things and relations; it is essentially revolutionary... separating the diabolical in him from the divine.” If a man holds a belief which promotes evil, his actions in this direction, will simply bring the diabolical to the forefront and obscure the divine.
Henry David Thoreau also believed that “…the state never intentionally confronts a man's sense, intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength.” While I disagree with Thoreau about this point, (Because of the role of public education,) his basic idea is a strong argument for the importance of the role of the Church in American Society, to confront a man’s sense, and the feelings of his heart, with the honesty of God’s truth.
Thoreau also proclaimed that, “they who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up its stream no higher, stand,and wisely stand, by the Bible and the Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humanity; but they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage toward its fountainhead.”
The uppermost spring of truth on this earth is to be found in the revelation given to modern Prophets in our day. This guidance comes directly from the source of all truth. This message from God, given to his children through his Prophets in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is that any law allowing same-gender marriage, is not a just or moral law.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
One of the most important issues in our world is that of Same-Gender attraction. The issues that are treated in California’s Proposition 8 have far reaching implications. In other Countries, where same-gender marriages receive legal recognition, there have been declining heterosexual marriage rates and sharp increases in illegitimacy rates. Yet, some people still don't see how allowing same-gender marriage takes away from the meaning of marriage. In the end they say, “same-gender marriage is a private contract between two people.” This view overlooks the real consequences on society that have already been realized in other Countries.
The gay community is, however, following the right steps to protest in a civil way. They have secured permits from Salt Lake City as they have marched in protest. Their demonstrations have been peaceful and they are exercising their right to freely express their views.
We do not know who sent the envelopes with the white powder to LDS Temples. We do not know who has sent around the fear-mongering email about having 200,000 people clogging downtown Salt Lake City in a month to protest the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These actions could have been taken by people who are not part of the Gay community at all. These actions, designed to bring about change through fear, could have been done by someone who supports proposition 8 and wished to make the Gay community look like they are terrorists.
While I respect those who disagree with my views on same gender marriage, I will oppose their agenda because it is not in harmony with the laws of God. In his essay “Civil Disobedience,” Henry David Thoreau said, “It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.” In his “letter from Birmingham Jail,” Martin Luther King Jr. said, “How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God.” Same-gender marriage is against the moral law and the law of God. Therefore, there can be no just law enacted which sanctions its practice. Consequently, there can be no “correct” protest (however civil) simply because people who support same-gender marriage are arguing for the wrong thing to occur. I do agree, however, that Same-gender couples should be entitled to the same basic legal rights as Heterosexual couples when it comes to hospital visitation and medical insurance rights.
Henry David Thoreau said, “I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also.” Thoreau was arguing in behalf of a group of oppressed people. I do not condone or encourage anarchy, and in fact the absence of government is to be feared even more than the presence of a corrupt government. We are duty bound to uphold any government that secures basic human rights. However, I would have a difficult time recognizing a political organization as my government which is a government sanctioning same-gender marriage. The argument that I am making, is not that slavery and same-gender marriage are similar. I am arguing, instead, that legal recognition of same-gender marriage is as equally reprehensible to some people as slavery was to Thoreau.
We need leaders with great wisdom, solid integrity and honesty to address these issues. I am a strong supporter of traditional marriage. I believe that the role of Government is to guarantee freedom, punishing those who are guilty of breaking the law,providing protection against foreign invasion, and finding solutions to the problems in our communities. We cannot ignore problems that prevent families from living in a community with a healthy environment. Leaders must be full of love for others if they desire to lead others in a cooperative and successful way.
The following quotations come from the third and final Debate Between Senator Kerry and President Bush in the 2004 Presidential Debates.(I bring this up because it really shows the two sides of an important issue that is still being discussed. I feel concerned about gender confusion in America and this was a pivotal issue in the 2004 campaign debates for me.) During one of the debates the moderator said to John Kerry and President George W. Bush, Quote:
SCHIEFFER: "Both of you are opposed to gay marriage. But to understand how you have come to that conclusion, I want to ask you a more basic question. Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?"
BUSH: "You know, Bob, I don't know. I just don't know. I do know that we have a choice to make in America and that is to treat people with tolerance and respect and dignity. It's important that we do that.
SCHIEFFER: "Senator Kerry?"
KERRY: "We're all God's children, Bob. And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as. I think if you talk to anybody, it's not choice. I've met people who struggled with this for years, people who were in a marriage because they were living a sort of convention, and they struggled with it. And I've met wives who are supportive of their husbands or vice versa when they finally sort of broke out and allowed themselves to live who they were, who they felt God had made them. I think we have to respect that." (End Quote)
While I know that I must show respect for individuals, I am not required to "have to respect" the actions of any married couple who "Breaks out" allowing themselves to live "Who they were" (While continuing to stay married I suppose.) This is the problem with the moral question here, I agree with the statement of George W. Bush that we must treat people with respect and I disagree with those supporting the Homosexual agenda which attempts to force me to pay respect to, or agree with, the sexual behavior of Same-Gender Couples. There is a difference.
The plan of God, for the lives of his children, requires the righteous union of male and female, man and woman, husbandand wife. I believe that Homosexual behavior is a sin and that wicked behavior will never succeed in making people happy in the long run. I also believe in reaching out with understanding and respect to individuals who are attracted to those of the same gender.However, Sexual intercourse should be experienced only between a man and a woman who are married.
When people see sin too often, and it gains too much validity and “respectability” in the eyes of society, people soon begin to embrace things that are not in harmony with Moral laws. There are appropriate ways to guard society from the negative effects of the powerful river of Lava that sex can become, in communities, if it is unchecked by “traditional” family values. One prominent Christian Leader, Al Sharpton, sees criticism of his attention getting tactics (Of superfluous litigation as a means of public protest) as a sign of his effectiveness. He said, "In many ways, what they consider criticism is complimenting my job. An activist’s job is to make public civil rights issues until there can be a climate for change. So when people get angry at me for raising these issues and making them public, well, that’s my job! That’s what I’m supposed to do. If I could not get the public’s attention on an issue, then I’m not a good activist.” This activist is, in my opinion, working effectively against the law of God to promote the legal recognition of same-gender marriage.
The route that we choose in trying to change the world is very important. We can choose to get the attention of the world through violent and flamboyant behavior, or we can choose to gain the attention of the world through, honest accomplishment and goodness.
Another prominent Christian Leader, James Dobson, with whom I share many common views, has attracted the attention (rather than demanding it) of the world, through his efforts as an activist in support of the traditional family. This activist is against the legal recognition and definition of marriage as including same-gender couples. He suggests that falling heterosexual marriage rates in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are due to the recognition of same-sex relationships by those countries during the 1990s. He points out that traditional marriage "is rapidly dying" in these countries as a result, with most young people cohabiting or choosing to remain single (living alone) and illegitimacy rates rising in some Norwegian counties up to 80%. James Dobson says that, "there is no issue today that is more significant to our culture than the defense of the family. Not even the war on terror eclipses it." I agree with this Christian leader on this important issue.
When the commandments of God conflict with the mainstream views of the mental health community, I choose to stick withs upporting what God has to say.
Some people don't see how allowing same-gender 'civil union' takes away from the meaning of marriage. They say, It's like believing that because your neighbor bought a green car, that makes your red car get worse gas mileage.
They believe that they are unrelated events. They say, “So what harm does it do to allow civil unions??” Claiming, that it is, “Muchado about nothing.” “It won't change my marriage in the least,” they say. In the end, a same-gender marriage is a private contract between two people. They argue that in legal terms, same-gender marriage, has an entirely separate from the meaning of a “church marriage” no matter what religion it is. They point out that common law marriages are already a part of the law. Common law marriages usually mean that two people can claim that they are legally married if they have lived togetherfor 7 or more years... and they point out that most states recognize this type of marriage... even the feds do, they say. They point out that even if laws are passed banning same-gender marriage, activist judges could overturn them on discrimination grounds. The argument seems to be, “Why fight the inevitable?”
I agree with those who assert that Governments should never force people to be good. Governments should mainly bein the business of punishing people when they do things that are wrong. Citizens should participate in politics as individuals,and not in affiliation with a religious group as a voting block. There is a need for the separation of the management of church and state. I now summarize an article entitled, “Political Teachings of the LDS Church” by Gary C. Bryner as follows:
"Women and men are both created in God's image, but each gender has roles that have been defined by God. Marriage is defined by God through the Bible as being between only a Man and a Woman.
"The duty of government is to protect freedom of conscience and religious belief. Laws are for the good and safety of society and to secure to each individual their own moral agency, the right to own and control property, and to protecting the life of the Citizens. The separation of church and state is essential. There should never be a Government mandated religion(Including itself) and Governments should not show favoritism to any one particular religion. Governments should not tell people how or when to worship. Governments should enforce the laws but not attempt to control the beliefs of the people." (End Summary)
We all have the ability to determine our values and we are accountable as individuals to God who allows us freedom of belief and conscience. The ideals of liberal democracy, which champion individual and minority rights, personal freedom, and religious pluralism are good and right.
Religious organizations must not infringe upon the domain of the state. We, as religious communities must not attempt to force our values upon others, or to control or dominate any of their affairs, individual or national. Yet, as individual citizens, we have a responsibility to seek solutions to the problems which beset our cities and communities.
We cannot ignore the many practical problems that require solution if our families are to live in an environment conducive to spirituality. As members of religious communities we must be must be anxiously engaged in good causes, using the principles,taught to us by God, as our constant guide.
I am commitment to a broad, collective effort in working toward a vision of a harmonious and prosperous community.
I am not calling for protests to stop. I am simply encouraging protestors to cry out in support of justice according to the laws of God. For, as Thoreau taught, “It is not so important that many should be good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere.” One of these goodness absolutes is the correct role of Marriage according to the law of God.
While Thoreau said, “How can a man be satisfied to entertain and opinion merely, and enjoy it? …Action from principle,the perception and the performance of right, changes things and relations; it is essentially revolutionary... separating the diabolical in him from the divine.” If a man holds a belief which promotes evil, his actions in this direction, will simply bring the diabolical to the forefront and obscure the divine.
Henry David Thoreau also believed that “…the state never intentionally confronts a man's sense, intellectual or moral, but only his body, his senses. It is not armed with superior wit or honesty, but with superior physical strength.” While I disagree with Thoreau about this point, (Because of the role of public education,) his basic idea is a strong argument for the importance of the role of the Church in American Society, to confront a man’s sense, and the feelings of his heart, with the honesty of God’s truth.
Thoreau also proclaimed that, “they who know of no purer sources of truth, who have traced up its stream no higher, stand,and wisely stand, by the Bible and the Constitution, and drink at it there with reverence and humanity; but they who behold where it comes trickling into this lake or that pool, gird up their loins once more, and continue their pilgrimage toward its fountainhead.”
The uppermost spring of truth on this earth is to be found in the revelation given to modern Prophets in our day. This guidance comes directly from the source of all truth. This message from God, given to his children through his Prophets in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is that any law allowing same-gender marriage, is not a just or moral law.
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Watching my Children Grow Up
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My Son, who was apparently born two months old because of his size. (At least that's what his clothes said on the tags.) is growing bigger and bigger. My youngest daughter is very adorable, and has thankfully lost interest long ago in her old hobby of holding something in her hands and coming up to you with the sweetest little adorable look and then whacking you between the eyes with it. I think it may have developed out of not being the little baby anymore and wanting more attention. I am not sure but it was so cute (before she whacked you). I received two black eyes from that hobby of hers but I sure loved her and I still do. (I didn’t really have black eyes but after the blues clues motorized stuffed animal whack I was surprised that I didn’t.) The real funny part of it is that there was no warning whatsoever. "Oh, hello my little sweet girl. Is that blue..." WHACK!
My oldest daughter is sure growing up fast. The other day she noted, "Daddy you have whiskers coming out of your nose like Tigger." I guess I am getting closer to the age of longer nose hair at that.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My Son, who was apparently born two months old because of his size. (At least that's what his clothes said on the tags.) is growing bigger and bigger. My youngest daughter is very adorable, and has thankfully lost interest long ago in her old hobby of holding something in her hands and coming up to you with the sweetest little adorable look and then whacking you between the eyes with it. I think it may have developed out of not being the little baby anymore and wanting more attention. I am not sure but it was so cute (before she whacked you). I received two black eyes from that hobby of hers but I sure loved her and I still do. (I didn’t really have black eyes but after the blues clues motorized stuffed animal whack I was surprised that I didn’t.) The real funny part of it is that there was no warning whatsoever. "Oh, hello my little sweet girl. Is that blue..." WHACK!
My oldest daughter is sure growing up fast. The other day she noted, "Daddy you have whiskers coming out of your nose like Tigger." I guess I am getting closer to the age of longer nose hair at that.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Happiness Is A Feeling
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I believe that happiness is the feeling that you are doing good in life. I hope that all of us can be happy. I used to think that I would be happy in life based upon a shortage of difficulties. I have realized that I must be happy in life based upon how I react to difficulties. I believe that everything in life can be hard and difficult and at the same time we can be happy inside. Sometimes people are mean to us and we think it is the way they treat us that makes us unhappy. Sometimes it is the way we react to those situations because of pride and anger that really is the thing that makes us unhappy. Let’s all do our best to do good in life so that we can be happy. I hope that you feel good inside as much as possible. Have a good day if possible and know that I do care about you! I want all of you to succeed in the challenges of life and have a good feeling as much as possible. In other words I really do love you all very much!
Work
Author Unknown
Work for the night is coming, Work thru the morning hours.
Work while the dew is sparkling, Work mid the springing flowers.
Work while the day grows brighter, Under the glowing sun.
Work, for the night is coming, When man's work all is done.
Work, for the night is coming, Work thru the sunny noon.
Fill brightest hours with labor, Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute, Something to keep in store.
Work, for the night is coming, When all man's work is o'er.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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I believe that happiness is the feeling that you are doing good in life. I hope that all of us can be happy. I used to think that I would be happy in life based upon a shortage of difficulties. I have realized that I must be happy in life based upon how I react to difficulties. I believe that everything in life can be hard and difficult and at the same time we can be happy inside. Sometimes people are mean to us and we think it is the way they treat us that makes us unhappy. Sometimes it is the way we react to those situations because of pride and anger that really is the thing that makes us unhappy. Let’s all do our best to do good in life so that we can be happy. I hope that you feel good inside as much as possible. Have a good day if possible and know that I do care about you! I want all of you to succeed in the challenges of life and have a good feeling as much as possible. In other words I really do love you all very much!
Work
Author Unknown
Work for the night is coming, Work thru the morning hours.
Work while the dew is sparkling, Work mid the springing flowers.
Work while the day grows brighter, Under the glowing sun.
Work, for the night is coming, When man's work all is done.
Work, for the night is coming, Work thru the sunny noon.
Fill brightest hours with labor, Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute, Something to keep in store.
Work, for the night is coming, When all man's work is o'er.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Funny Stories
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My wife and I were talking together when I noticed that my oldest daughter was missing part of her left eyebrow. "How did that happen?" I asked my wife. "Someone came to visit today and their little boy cut part of her eyebrow off with a pair of scissors." "How in the world did he do that?" I asked. My daughter answered in a very serious tone, "Vewy Cawfuwy."
I think that it is funny that My wife’s Sister used to baby-sit my siblings and I. (One time she stayed at our house and took care of us for an entire week.) Everyone in my wife’s family loves to joke me whenever the subject arises that her sister used to change my diapers. (Her sister did say, however, that I was too old at the time.)
The other day we were all sitting around the dinning room table. I said to my wife, "You have such beautiful eyes." "Thank you very much." replied my wife. We smiled at each other and then when I looked at my oldest daughter she opened her eyes wider, smiled and cocked her head to one side. My wife and I immediately knew what she wanted and we both grinned as I said, "and you have beautiful eyes too."
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
My wife and I were talking together when I noticed that my oldest daughter was missing part of her left eyebrow. "How did that happen?" I asked my wife. "Someone came to visit today and their little boy cut part of her eyebrow off with a pair of scissors." "How in the world did he do that?" I asked. My daughter answered in a very serious tone, "Vewy Cawfuwy."
I think that it is funny that My wife’s Sister used to baby-sit my siblings and I. (One time she stayed at our house and took care of us for an entire week.) Everyone in my wife’s family loves to joke me whenever the subject arises that her sister used to change my diapers. (Her sister did say, however, that I was too old at the time.)
The other day we were all sitting around the dinning room table. I said to my wife, "You have such beautiful eyes." "Thank you very much." replied my wife. We smiled at each other and then when I looked at my oldest daughter she opened her eyes wider, smiled and cocked her head to one side. My wife and I immediately knew what she wanted and we both grinned as I said, "and you have beautiful eyes too."
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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My Reflection in the Mirror is a Time Machine
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was sitting in the family room one morning and one of my children came up to me and said, "Do you want to see yourself?" My child then held up a little hand-held mirror. The mirror was not aimed at me but rather at a picture of me on the wall behind me. This picture was taken a long time ago (a few months after the creation of the world when I was 20 lbs lighter) I smiled and said, "Wow, I look good!"
I'm glad that I was able to celebrate a birthday and I would not mind looking like I did in that picture when I was full of strength and energy.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was sitting in the family room one morning and one of my children came up to me and said, "Do you want to see yourself?" My child then held up a little hand-held mirror. The mirror was not aimed at me but rather at a picture of me on the wall behind me. This picture was taken a long time ago (a few months after the creation of the world when I was 20 lbs lighter) I smiled and said, "Wow, I look good!"
I'm glad that I was able to celebrate a birthday and I would not mind looking like I did in that picture when I was full of strength and energy.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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I Love My Wonderful Wife
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I decided to give track and field a try my senior year. I first met my future wife at a track meet. I tried to impress her with my jumping skills and she remembers not being very impressed. Both my sweetheart and I did the very best from our High School in the High Jump Event and my sweetheart almost broke a State record. I watched her jumping and was silently cheering her on long after all of her competitors and most of the people watching the event had left the field. (this was because the higher up she went after everyone else had finished, the more people didn't want to stay and watch my sweetheart jump so much higher than their daughter or teammates.) I was very, very impressed and watched her until after her final jump. Each time she was jumping toward the end my heart leaped as well. My sweetheart went on to do the high jump at a University and so she was both a College and a High School track star. I was always so intimidated by her! (I don't think I even had the confidence to go up to her after her final jump to congratulate her. I always thought that she was way out of my league.) I have always had a high opinion of my sweetheart and now my opinion of her is even higher after almost eight wonderful years of marriage. I really, really love my wonderful wife!
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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I decided to give track and field a try my senior year. I first met my future wife at a track meet. I tried to impress her with my jumping skills and she remembers not being very impressed. Both my sweetheart and I did the very best from our High School in the High Jump Event and my sweetheart almost broke a State record. I watched her jumping and was silently cheering her on long after all of her competitors and most of the people watching the event had left the field. (this was because the higher up she went after everyone else had finished, the more people didn't want to stay and watch my sweetheart jump so much higher than their daughter or teammates.) I was very, very impressed and watched her until after her final jump. Each time she was jumping toward the end my heart leaped as well. My sweetheart went on to do the high jump at a University and so she was both a College and a High School track star. I was always so intimidated by her! (I don't think I even had the confidence to go up to her after her final jump to congratulate her. I always thought that she was way out of my league.) I have always had a high opinion of my sweetheart and now my opinion of her is even higher after almost eight wonderful years of marriage. I really, really love my wonderful wife!
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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Thoughts On Joseph Smith
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I have contemplated the last days that Joseph Smith Jr. spent on this earth as well as the greatness of his life. I have examined my own life and feel that I lack so much in comparison to this faithful and shining example of a disciple of Christ. I have asked myself, "Why was Joseph so courageous and amazing, so brave and heroic? Is it possible for us to approach the great charitable acts and stature of this remarkable man?"
I believe that Joseph acted as he did naturally, out of a pure heart, because of the person he was deep down inside. He taught that, "Love grows out of virtue." I believe we can all succeed spiritually by having hope and faith in Christ and by asking our Heavenly Father to bless us with the gift of Charity daily. The gift of Charity will enable us, like the Prophet Joseph, to truly love our fellow man as Jesus would love them. Joseph was a great man, not because he tried to be great, but because he tried to serve others and follow the example of Jesus Christ humbly and sincerely. Joseph practiced the purest form of religion, which is, to love. Joseph loved the Lord and all men and because of this, great power flowed into his life. This spiritual power from our Father in Heaven helped him become the man that he is.
The following quotations are from the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.-
"I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation."
"I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it."
"A good man will endure all things to honor Christ."
"If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God."
"all things are concurring to bring about the completion of the fullness of the Gospel"
"I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world."
"Well will it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty operations of Jehovah."
"I am a lover of the cause of Christ"
"I will try to be contented with my lot, knowing that God is my friend. In him I shall find comfort. I have given my life into his hands. I am prepared to go at his call. I desire to be with Christ. I count not my life dear to me, only to do his will."
Joseph did so many loving things for his fellow man. I believe that the Savior truly would say to Joseph, "These deeds shall thy memorial be, fear not, thou dids't them unto me." I hope that at the conclusion of each of our lives the same can be said of us. I hope that we may all leave a legacy of love and righteousness that will stand as a testimony to those who know us, that Jesus is the Christ and that his gospel is true. I pray that we may desire to have that same hope, that same faith and that same charity at the very core of who we are.
There is a new website called JosephSmith.net that has been prepared in connection with the events commemorating the bicentennial of Joseph's birth and 175 years since the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend the content as it is uplifting, interesting and inspiring.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I have contemplated the last days that Joseph Smith Jr. spent on this earth as well as the greatness of his life. I have examined my own life and feel that I lack so much in comparison to this faithful and shining example of a disciple of Christ. I have asked myself, "Why was Joseph so courageous and amazing, so brave and heroic? Is it possible for us to approach the great charitable acts and stature of this remarkable man?"
I believe that Joseph acted as he did naturally, out of a pure heart, because of the person he was deep down inside. He taught that, "Love grows out of virtue." I believe we can all succeed spiritually by having hope and faith in Christ and by asking our Heavenly Father to bless us with the gift of Charity daily. The gift of Charity will enable us, like the Prophet Joseph, to truly love our fellow man as Jesus would love them. Joseph was a great man, not because he tried to be great, but because he tried to serve others and follow the example of Jesus Christ humbly and sincerely. Joseph practiced the purest form of religion, which is, to love. Joseph loved the Lord and all men and because of this, great power flowed into his life. This spiritual power from our Father in Heaven helped him become the man that he is.
The following quotations are from the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr.-
"I stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation."
"I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it."
"A good man will endure all things to honor Christ."
"If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God."
"all things are concurring to bring about the completion of the fullness of the Gospel"
"I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world."
"Well will it be for those who shall aid in carrying into effect the mighty operations of Jehovah."
"I am a lover of the cause of Christ"
"I will try to be contented with my lot, knowing that God is my friend. In him I shall find comfort. I have given my life into his hands. I am prepared to go at his call. I desire to be with Christ. I count not my life dear to me, only to do his will."
Joseph did so many loving things for his fellow man. I believe that the Savior truly would say to Joseph, "These deeds shall thy memorial be, fear not, thou dids't them unto me." I hope that at the conclusion of each of our lives the same can be said of us. I hope that we may all leave a legacy of love and righteousness that will stand as a testimony to those who know us, that Jesus is the Christ and that his gospel is true. I pray that we may desire to have that same hope, that same faith and that same charity at the very core of who we are.
There is a new website called JosephSmith.net that has been prepared in connection with the events commemorating the bicentennial of Joseph's birth and 175 years since the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend the content as it is uplifting, interesting and inspiring.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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Which One?
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was teaching my young children about the Law of Chastity and decided to just sum it up by saying that Heavenly Father wants us to dress modestly. My Daughter said, "What does modestly mean?" I said, "It means that we wear clothes that cover our bodies." My five-year-old Daughter then announced to her younger siblings, "When it is sunny we don't have to be modest but when it is raining then we have to be modest."
One Memorial Day we went to a Cemetery in Salt Lake City with Grandma and Grandpa and as we were standing by the graves Grandpa said to my Daughter, "This is where my Daddy is buried and this is where my Mommy is buried." "I only have one rose left" My Daughter said. "Go ahead and put it on one of their headstones" Said Grandpa. My five-year-old Daughter hesitated and then asked, "Which one of them did you like the best?" We all laughed heartily in response to her question.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
P.S. "Complete and constant integrity is a great law of human conduct. There need to be some absolutes in life." —President James E. Faust
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I was teaching my young children about the Law of Chastity and decided to just sum it up by saying that Heavenly Father wants us to dress modestly. My Daughter said, "What does modestly mean?" I said, "It means that we wear clothes that cover our bodies." My five-year-old Daughter then announced to her younger siblings, "When it is sunny we don't have to be modest but when it is raining then we have to be modest."
One Memorial Day we went to a Cemetery in Salt Lake City with Grandma and Grandpa and as we were standing by the graves Grandpa said to my Daughter, "This is where my Daddy is buried and this is where my Mommy is buried." "I only have one rose left" My Daughter said. "Go ahead and put it on one of their headstones" Said Grandpa. My five-year-old Daughter hesitated and then asked, "Which one of them did you like the best?" We all laughed heartily in response to her question.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
P.S. "Complete and constant integrity is a great law of human conduct. There need to be some absolutes in life." —President James E. Faust
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Humorous Singing
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I just wanted to share something with you that made me smile recently.
"Give, said the little stream" must be one of the most universally misunderstood songs in the world.
Instead of saying "Give said the little STREAM", one of my siblings believed for many years that this song said, "Give said the little STRING." This led to a lot of confusion about the correlation between giving, a string, and why the grass would grow greener still wherever this magical string went.
One day my Daughter was singing "Give, said the little stream", and I finally heard the way she was singing it, (Instead of "I'm small, I know but wherever I go the grass grows greener still") she used to sing "I smiled, I know, but wherever I go the grass grows green and still."
Even funnier still, my Son also sings "I am a child of God", creatively. He was singing this song recently and belted out, "I am a child of God and so my knees are gray."
I hope that you are having a wonderful day!
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I just wanted to share something with you that made me smile recently.
"Give, said the little stream" must be one of the most universally misunderstood songs in the world.
Instead of saying "Give said the little STREAM", one of my siblings believed for many years that this song said, "Give said the little STRING." This led to a lot of confusion about the correlation between giving, a string, and why the grass would grow greener still wherever this magical string went.
One day my Daughter was singing "Give, said the little stream", and I finally heard the way she was singing it, (Instead of "I'm small, I know but wherever I go the grass grows greener still") she used to sing "I smiled, I know, but wherever I go the grass grows green and still."
Even funnier still, my Son also sings "I am a child of God", creatively. He was singing this song recently and belted out, "I am a child of God and so my knees are gray."
I hope that you are having a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
A Hike with my Daughter
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
We recently went to Marsh Lake in the Uinta Moutains for a family vacation. My daughter and I hiked around Marsh Lake. We discovered that the lake is about ten times as long as it is wide and takes a lot longer to walk around that one might think. As we walked, I showed my daughter some plants and told her the names of them. I taught her how to identify nine-barks and mountain-lover. I said, "See that green colored stuff growing on the rocks? It is called a liken." "Is that because people like it?" She asked. A little later I asked, "Do you like being in the forest?" "Yes," Replied my daughter, "I like being a kid and going on a hike for my first time. There is so much to see. I've seen a squirrel and a moose and it smells so nice." As we walked further around the lake the trail grew a little more challenging for tall people. My daughter asked, "Why are the trees all not in my way?" "I don't know" I replied. My daughter then commented, "Maybe it's because you're bigger and I'm smaller... I didn't hit that one like you did."
After we were almost half-way around the lake my daughter seemed to be getting a little bit tired, "How about if you walk in front." I suggested, adding, "Then you wouldn't be left behind." My daughter began walking in front of me and said, "But you will." She then began laughing and walking really fast. I called, "Sweetheart, wait up." "See." She said with a giggle. My daughter saw a pine tree that had died and fallen to the ground. The bare and bark-less roots stuck up in the air in a tangled mass. "That looks like a slobbery monster," said my daughter, and then added, "...I want to ride it." I told her it would be alright for her to do so. She climbed up on the trunk of the tree like she was riding a horse. "Go" She commanded.
As we hiked further around the lake my daughter said, "I've never seen such beauteeeful things in my life." Three-quarters of the way around the lake my daughter really did start to get tired, she stopped walking and said "I need to sit on something smooth." As we rested, She said, "If we are quiet we can hear lots of things... Let's listen." After we listened we both shared what we had heard. "I can't wait to camp for a week." She said. As we started walking again my daughter said, "Hey, I jumped off of a log and I didn't even hurt myself." She looked into the grass along the shore and said, "We might wake up the beavers... This looks like where they live." A little later my daughter said in a disappointed voice, "I thought we would see wild berries on the way...But, I guess not. This has turned into a real hike. Like a hike up the mountains."
The sun was setting by this time and it was starting to get dark. My daughter said, "It's getting harder to see, but, I can still see good. I can see better than you because I have more..." Her voice trailed off. "More what?" I said, perhaps a little defensively. My daughter must have thought better about her earlier comments because she tried to change the subject a little. "My teacher Mrs. Johnson is even older than you." She said consolingly. "She's 32 I think. And that's REALLY OLD." As we were on the final leg of the hike I said, "Come on, Sweetheart." She replied, "You're not waiting for me and that's why I'm getting left behind, because you have bigger steps and I have smaller and trippier steps and that's why I'm getting left behind in the wilderness."
A little while later She saw another small burrow next to the trail and stopped to examine it. "Come on, Sweetheart." I said. "Ooohhh" She lamented "I wanted to see some baby Chipmunks."
By the time we got back to camp my wife had said a few prayers for us and even cried. I told everyone that I was very sorry for not letting them know where we would be going on our "little" hike. I also said I was sorry for making everyone worry so much. It was a long hike for a little girl with small feet and a really old man (I'm 30 years old) and we were glad to be back safe in camp.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
We recently went to Marsh Lake in the Uinta Moutains for a family vacation. My daughter and I hiked around Marsh Lake. We discovered that the lake is about ten times as long as it is wide and takes a lot longer to walk around that one might think. As we walked, I showed my daughter some plants and told her the names of them. I taught her how to identify nine-barks and mountain-lover. I said, "See that green colored stuff growing on the rocks? It is called a liken." "Is that because people like it?" She asked. A little later I asked, "Do you like being in the forest?" "Yes," Replied my daughter, "I like being a kid and going on a hike for my first time. There is so much to see. I've seen a squirrel and a moose and it smells so nice." As we walked further around the lake the trail grew a little more challenging for tall people. My daughter asked, "Why are the trees all not in my way?" "I don't know" I replied. My daughter then commented, "Maybe it's because you're bigger and I'm smaller... I didn't hit that one like you did."
After we were almost half-way around the lake my daughter seemed to be getting a little bit tired, "How about if you walk in front." I suggested, adding, "Then you wouldn't be left behind." My daughter began walking in front of me and said, "But you will." She then began laughing and walking really fast. I called, "Sweetheart, wait up." "See." She said with a giggle. My daughter saw a pine tree that had died and fallen to the ground. The bare and bark-less roots stuck up in the air in a tangled mass. "That looks like a slobbery monster," said my daughter, and then added, "...I want to ride it." I told her it would be alright for her to do so. She climbed up on the trunk of the tree like she was riding a horse. "Go" She commanded.
As we hiked further around the lake my daughter said, "I've never seen such beauteeeful things in my life." Three-quarters of the way around the lake my daughter really did start to get tired, she stopped walking and said "I need to sit on something smooth." As we rested, She said, "If we are quiet we can hear lots of things... Let's listen." After we listened we both shared what we had heard. "I can't wait to camp for a week." She said. As we started walking again my daughter said, "Hey, I jumped off of a log and I didn't even hurt myself." She looked into the grass along the shore and said, "We might wake up the beavers... This looks like where they live." A little later my daughter said in a disappointed voice, "I thought we would see wild berries on the way...But, I guess not. This has turned into a real hike. Like a hike up the mountains."
The sun was setting by this time and it was starting to get dark. My daughter said, "It's getting harder to see, but, I can still see good. I can see better than you because I have more..." Her voice trailed off. "More what?" I said, perhaps a little defensively. My daughter must have thought better about her earlier comments because she tried to change the subject a little. "My teacher Mrs. Johnson is even older than you." She said consolingly. "She's 32 I think. And that's REALLY OLD." As we were on the final leg of the hike I said, "Come on, Sweetheart." She replied, "You're not waiting for me and that's why I'm getting left behind, because you have bigger steps and I have smaller and trippier steps and that's why I'm getting left behind in the wilderness."
A little while later She saw another small burrow next to the trail and stopped to examine it. "Come on, Sweetheart." I said. "Ooohhh" She lamented "I wanted to see some baby Chipmunks."
By the time we got back to camp my wife had said a few prayers for us and even cried. I told everyone that I was very sorry for not letting them know where we would be going on our "little" hike. I also said I was sorry for making everyone worry so much. It was a long hike for a little girl with small feet and a really old man (I'm 30 years old) and we were glad to be back safe in camp.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Things That I Have Learned From The Scriptures
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Many children know that the Gospel is true simply by growing up in a home filled with the light and love of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. They know the truth of the gospel by comparison, by being in their friends homes where there is an absence of truth, light and love.
If you think of yourself as wicked then the scriptures give hope and encouragement. If you think of yourself as righteous than the scriptures give warnings and caution.
It is important to smile at each other. It is especially important for husbands and wives to smile at each other. Smiling upon one another has an effect that we do not fully understand.
We receive love, joy, and peace by being kind and helping others.
The process of coming unto Christ is simple and beautiful. If we constantly pray to be filled with pure love and serve our brothers and sisters and Heavenly Father all our lives we will receive Eternal Life.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Many children know that the Gospel is true simply by growing up in a home filled with the light and love of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. They know the truth of the gospel by comparison, by being in their friends homes where there is an absence of truth, light and love.
If you think of yourself as wicked then the scriptures give hope and encouragement. If you think of yourself as righteous than the scriptures give warnings and caution.
It is important to smile at each other. It is especially important for husbands and wives to smile at each other. Smiling upon one another has an effect that we do not fully understand.
We receive love, joy, and peace by being kind and helping others.
The process of coming unto Christ is simple and beautiful. If we constantly pray to be filled with pure love and serve our brothers and sisters and Heavenly Father all our lives we will receive Eternal Life.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
FHE Memories
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I remember in the my parent’s home many years ago we had a little tradition after family home evenings that we all loved. After the rest of family home evening was over we all received one sheet of news paper which we rolled up the long way. (It was very light and couldn't hurt anyone) We would then have a news paper fight where we would hit each other with the rolled up newspaper. What you would end up with is all eight children ganging up on Dad and in the end we would win and we would all be laughing hysterically and there would be little shreds of news paper all over the living room. (The rolls of newspaper slowly fell apart until there was nothing left.) I loved those news paper fights! It was so fun to just go crazy and laugh our heads off! :-)
As far as I know no one ever got hurt during these fun battles.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I remember in the my parent’s home many years ago we had a little tradition after family home evenings that we all loved. After the rest of family home evening was over we all received one sheet of news paper which we rolled up the long way. (It was very light and couldn't hurt anyone) We would then have a news paper fight where we would hit each other with the rolled up newspaper. What you would end up with is all eight children ganging up on Dad and in the end we would win and we would all be laughing hysterically and there would be little shreds of news paper all over the living room. (The rolls of newspaper slowly fell apart until there was nothing left.) I loved those news paper fights! It was so fun to just go crazy and laugh our heads off! :-)
As far as I know no one ever got hurt during these fun battles.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The drawing wall
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
In my Father's childhood home, there was a wall in the house that the children were permitted to draw on. When my Dad told us about this wall, we decided that we wanted a wall like that in our house as well. I shared a room with two brothers and we were delighted when Permission was granted for the east wall in the bedroom to become "The drawing wall." One Christmas, I received a camera as a gift. I felt so grown up to have a camera with real film. After photographing my Christmas gifts and snapping pictures of my teenage sisters (who were still asleep in their beds and had not yet fixed their hair or applied make-up.) I was looking for another subject to capture on film, and decided to take a picture of the drawing wall. The wall was eventually torn down to make room for an expanded closet. I am so thankful for the picture I took that Christmas, after I received my first camera. That picture brings back so many wonderful memories. How funny, that at the time, I was just looking for something to shoot with my new camera. The picture of the drawing wall is now worth more to me than the camera itself. That picture reminds me of a time of innocence in my youth. This is a time that I love to return to, even if it is only in my memory. I am thankful for the photograph of the drawing wall because it makes it so easy to remember a time when I was certain that I was someone extraordinary. I believed at that time, that I was someone who was destined to become the greatest (And highest paid) artist that the world had ever known. In the eyes and mind of a child, there is so much wonder, excitement and optimism! These emotions are made visible to me once again as I look at the picture of the drawing wall.
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
In my Father's childhood home, there was a wall in the house that the children were permitted to draw on. When my Dad told us about this wall, we decided that we wanted a wall like that in our house as well. I shared a room with two brothers and we were delighted when Permission was granted for the east wall in the bedroom to become "The drawing wall." One Christmas, I received a camera as a gift. I felt so grown up to have a camera with real film. After photographing my Christmas gifts and snapping pictures of my teenage sisters (who were still asleep in their beds and had not yet fixed their hair or applied make-up.) I was looking for another subject to capture on film, and decided to take a picture of the drawing wall. The wall was eventually torn down to make room for an expanded closet. I am so thankful for the picture I took that Christmas, after I received my first camera. That picture brings back so many wonderful memories. How funny, that at the time, I was just looking for something to shoot with my new camera. The picture of the drawing wall is now worth more to me than the camera itself. That picture reminds me of a time of innocence in my youth. This is a time that I love to return to, even if it is only in my memory. I am thankful for the photograph of the drawing wall because it makes it so easy to remember a time when I was certain that I was someone extraordinary. I believed at that time, that I was someone who was destined to become the greatest (And highest paid) artist that the world had ever known. In the eyes and mind of a child, there is so much wonder, excitement and optimism! These emotions are made visible to me once again as I look at the picture of the drawing wall.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The Things That You Focus On - Expand
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Have you ever noticed that what you focus on expands until it fills your view? If I know someone and I focus on what is good about them I see more and more good things about them. If I focus on the bad things about a person soon all I can see are those things and they become intolerable. If we focus on good memories it gives us good feelings and if we focus on only bad memories soon we can remember nothing good about the past. I think that sometimes it is good to notice for a little while something bad about a person or to remember a bad memory. We do need to remember who we can trust and count on in our lives and we learn from our mistakes (the bad memories) and I think for the most part in life that it is good to try very hard to focus on the positive in the people we associate with and the good times stored in our memories. That is why it is so important to count our blessings every day. It really is true...
What you focus on, expands.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Have you ever noticed that what you focus on expands until it fills your view? If I know someone and I focus on what is good about them I see more and more good things about them. If I focus on the bad things about a person soon all I can see are those things and they become intolerable. If we focus on good memories it gives us good feelings and if we focus on only bad memories soon we can remember nothing good about the past. I think that sometimes it is good to notice for a little while something bad about a person or to remember a bad memory. We do need to remember who we can trust and count on in our lives and we learn from our mistakes (the bad memories) and I think for the most part in life that it is good to try very hard to focus on the positive in the people we associate with and the good times stored in our memories. That is why it is so important to count our blessings every day. It really is true...
What you focus on, expands.
I hope that you have a wonderful day!
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Reading and Writing – reflections from the past
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I began writing for my own enjoyment as a teenager and thought that I was a complete genius. (I hope that I don’t sound like I still feel this way.) As I grew older and re-read my earlier attempts to communicate clearly, I could see where I’d fallen short and could also track my improvement. I received satisfaction in the progress I had made and this inspired me to try even harder. I came to see the value of taking the time to truly write well. I’ve realized that quality and not quantity were the true hallmarks of success in writing. Clear communication is harder to misunderstand and dismiss. I'm sometimes driven to revise something 100 times before I am satisfied. I often write poetry, and the discipline I've learned from this effort, has enabled me to place each word and even each syllable in its "Correct" place. I’m sometimes able to communicate exactly what I mean using the written word. In the right circumstances, I can sometimes even accomplish the amazing task of being understood by my readers.
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I began writing for my own enjoyment as a teenager and thought that I was a complete genius. (I hope that I don’t sound like I still feel this way.) As I grew older and re-read my earlier attempts to communicate clearly, I could see where I’d fallen short and could also track my improvement. I received satisfaction in the progress I had made and this inspired me to try even harder. I came to see the value of taking the time to truly write well. I’ve realized that quality and not quantity were the true hallmarks of success in writing. Clear communication is harder to misunderstand and dismiss. I'm sometimes driven to revise something 100 times before I am satisfied. I often write poetry, and the discipline I've learned from this effort, has enabled me to place each word and even each syllable in its "Correct" place. I’m sometimes able to communicate exactly what I mean using the written word. In the right circumstances, I can sometimes even accomplish the amazing task of being understood by my readers.
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A Review of the Market Street Grill (in Salt Lake City, Utah)
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The Market Street Grill, one of the Gastronomy Restaurants, is an excellent dining experience. The wisteria vines growing on the trellis overhead in the outdoor dining area are beautiful. The white tile above the vent hood in the open kitchen sparkles in the sunlight flooding through the skylight. The suspension bridge crossing the river, flowing near the restaurant, is a great bonus in the overall experience. From the moment you arrive it becomes clear that you’re going to have a special dining experience. My wife and I recently visited this fabulous restaurant and enjoyed our experience very much. The first item we received was complimentary sour dough bread that has me salivating once again just to think of it. The bread was so good that we didn’t even mind not receiving butte, until after we had eaten almost all of it. We ordered onion rings as an appetizer and when they arrived we could not believe how large, sweet and delicious they were. The service was excellent and the waiter humored our provincial request for a bowl of mayonnaise that we could make some “fry sauce” for our onion rings, by adding ketchup. The rib-eye steak was delicious, and was cooked just right. It was very juicy and we enjoyed dipping each piece in the delicious juice on our plate, before savoring each bite. The four Cheese ravioli was spectacular, you could actually taste the four different cheeses in each bite and then the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, would leave a wonderful aftertaste. We ordered New York cheesecake for dessert. The Cheesecake was made fresh at the restaurant and because of this it was very yummy. The cheesecake at most restaurants has been frozen and so it does not taste as good.
The sound of the stream near the outdoor dining area was a nice touch. Because this was a restaurant that serves a lot of fish it did smell of fish on the inside, by dining outside my pregnant wife was able to escape this problem. The outdoor patio was wonderful for us as well. The outdoor patio didn’t smell of fish as it did on the inside, and it seemed less busy and hurried than inside. There was a nice gentle breeze blowing outside which was good, because my wife cannot stand the smell of fish. When we go again to the Market Street Grill my wife plans to order the rib-eye steak again because it was so good. One of the most exciting parts of the dining experience was watching the waiters carry large platters of food down the stone stairs in the outdoor dining area. My wife wondered aloud, if they had been tested, by having them carry the food up and down those stairs a few times prior to being hired. There was one casualty during the evening, when a bowl fell from one of the platters and shattered against the brick pavement of the outdoor dining area. For me, this accident only added to the excitement and made me feel as if the waiters were working really hard to get all of us our food quickly. There is a synergy of excitement that occurs at a busy restaurant. While dining at Disney land this can rise to an uncomfortable level, where people get to the point that they have a fist fight over who gets to sit at one of the tables next. The excitement level at the Market Street Grill was at the perfect level. Not stressful enough to cause indigestion, but thrilling enough to let you know you were eating somewhere special.
--------------------------------
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-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
The Market Street Grill, one of the Gastronomy Restaurants, is an excellent dining experience. The wisteria vines growing on the trellis overhead in the outdoor dining area are beautiful. The white tile above the vent hood in the open kitchen sparkles in the sunlight flooding through the skylight. The suspension bridge crossing the river, flowing near the restaurant, is a great bonus in the overall experience. From the moment you arrive it becomes clear that you’re going to have a special dining experience. My wife and I recently visited this fabulous restaurant and enjoyed our experience very much. The first item we received was complimentary sour dough bread that has me salivating once again just to think of it. The bread was so good that we didn’t even mind not receiving butte, until after we had eaten almost all of it. We ordered onion rings as an appetizer and when they arrived we could not believe how large, sweet and delicious they were. The service was excellent and the waiter humored our provincial request for a bowl of mayonnaise that we could make some “fry sauce” for our onion rings, by adding ketchup. The rib-eye steak was delicious, and was cooked just right. It was very juicy and we enjoyed dipping each piece in the delicious juice on our plate, before savoring each bite. The four Cheese ravioli was spectacular, you could actually taste the four different cheeses in each bite and then the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, would leave a wonderful aftertaste. We ordered New York cheesecake for dessert. The Cheesecake was made fresh at the restaurant and because of this it was very yummy. The cheesecake at most restaurants has been frozen and so it does not taste as good.
The sound of the stream near the outdoor dining area was a nice touch. Because this was a restaurant that serves a lot of fish it did smell of fish on the inside, by dining outside my pregnant wife was able to escape this problem. The outdoor patio was wonderful for us as well. The outdoor patio didn’t smell of fish as it did on the inside, and it seemed less busy and hurried than inside. There was a nice gentle breeze blowing outside which was good, because my wife cannot stand the smell of fish. When we go again to the Market Street Grill my wife plans to order the rib-eye steak again because it was so good. One of the most exciting parts of the dining experience was watching the waiters carry large platters of food down the stone stairs in the outdoor dining area. My wife wondered aloud, if they had been tested, by having them carry the food up and down those stairs a few times prior to being hired. There was one casualty during the evening, when a bowl fell from one of the platters and shattered against the brick pavement of the outdoor dining area. For me, this accident only added to the excitement and made me feel as if the waiters were working really hard to get all of us our food quickly. There is a synergy of excitement that occurs at a busy restaurant. While dining at Disney land this can rise to an uncomfortable level, where people get to the point that they have a fist fight over who gets to sit at one of the tables next. The excitement level at the Market Street Grill was at the perfect level. Not stressful enough to cause indigestion, but thrilling enough to let you know you were eating somewhere special.
--------------------------------
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Has the United States of America saved enough for this rainy day? (A Proposal.)
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
Thinking ahead isn’t something that comes easily to human beings. We don’t enjoy thinking about the possibility that our health may decline and that we may not have enough money to finance retirement. Many of us may spend our golden years short on money, bedridden, and in a state-run-no-frills nursing home. This is a possibility for many of us, and it’s not very pleasant to think about. No one looks forward to a situation that wipes out the assets they have worked so hard to acquire. When I think about these issues, I get a knot in my stomach that’s hard to untie.
Our Country is currently struggling with the prospect of keeping the Social Security promises that were made to the retiring baby boomer generation. This is a looming problem on the horizon for all Americans. The baby boomer generation is nearing retirement and this juncture in history is a potential problem because of the shear number of retirees that are slated to draw upon the Governmental retirement plan called Social Security.
Many people accuse the Republican Party of turning a blind eye to Civic Charity. However, the policies and platform of the Republican Party may actually do well in removing the larger portion of responsibility to care for the poor out of the hands of an ineffective and wasteful Federal Government. Removing this funding can lower taxes and thus put more money into the generous hands of all Americans who then can freely give their surplus into the hands of effective charitable organizations and denominations. Religious organizations and non-profit charities are the most effective in caring for the poor. These charitable organizations are so much better at solving the problems and inequities of society at the grass roots level. Will we remember the lessons of the New Orleans Hurricane Victims? What a contrast it was to see the slow, wasteful, and ineffective response of the Federal Government compared with the effective and financially streamlined response of the Religious community, who arrived first on the scene in many cases. It is the Non-profit and Religious organizations that are still working to improve and build those communities today. I do not mean to imply that Religious and Non-Profit Organizations can solve all of the problems faced in the disaster that is this Nations current economic setting, However, I do believe that non-governmental Organizations, in general, are a far more effective place for us to put our money as we look for ways to help the poor.
In our capitalist economy, perhaps one of the reasons that the weary human cogs in the industrial machine often get overlooked, is that philanthropy has become institutional and bureaucratic. The idea that government should be a modern day Robin Hood is not, in my opinion, the answer to poverty. Churches and private charities are the way to go. Non-profit organizations are in a better position to separate the truly needy from those persons with values adversely affected by government programs that solve problems by doling out money in a blind and bureaucratic way.
I think more money would be donated to charities if the federal income tax allowed a true exemption for such donations instead of tying them in with the standard deduction. If you donate $5350.00 to church or charity you get exactly the same tax exemption as the person who donates nothing. In all fairness charitable donations should be exempt in addition to the standard deduction or the latter should be done away with. This would increase charitable giving dramatically and the money would be used more efficiently to help more people. The inadequacy of the Social Security system is the best argument against trusting the Government to solve our financial problems. The Government as a whole, sometimes acts like a political candidate on the campaign trail, promising what ever it takes to win favor and then never following through on those promises. Leave it up to the government to give us a special, mandated retirement program in which we pay more and get less.
The best plan for families as they plan for retirement is to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and live within their means. I know this is not possible for everyone and that is one of the reasons that, on top of what the government takes from my paychecks to help the poor, I donate an additional portion of the money I make each month to help those who are struggling with poor health, poverty, and starvation.
If you were born during the mid-seventies, you may have been raised by the baby boomer generation. The children of this generation had been raised by parents who’d survived the great depression and thus, had learned and passed on the virtue of being thrifty. Living modestly and avoiding debt were basic principles that many of this generation learned from their parents. The parents of the baby boomer generation had been exposed to the horrors of World War II and thus had come to value the peace and prosperity that they had so dearly purchased. They came home from the war and focused on bringing children into their homes and it worked very well. The increased birth rate at that time is known as the baby boom generation.
In “ ’The Solution to the Retirement Income Challenge,’ by Alicia H. Munnell and Steven A. Sass (Brookings Institution Press). Ms. Munnell and Mr. Sass define succinctly the problem faced by baby boomers, and for that matter, by all Americans who aspire to retire now or in the near future. They note that the nation’s retirement system, as embodied by Social Security and Medicare in the public sector and I.R.A.’s and 401(k) plans in the private sector, is contracting in its ability to replace workers’ lost income — even as life expectancy is increasing.
“ ‘About 19 percent of men and 33 percent of women who survive to age 65 will live to age 90 or older and have to support themselves for almost 30 years,’ the authors report, adding matter-of-factly, ‘The arithmetic does not work.’
Citing a plethora of actuarial studies, Ms. Munnell and Mr. Sass estimate that people who retire at age 65 today can expect Social Security to provide the equivalent of only 39 percent of their incomes after deductions for basic Medicare contributions. Those who plan to retire in 2030 can expect net benefits, similarly calculated, of only 30 percent of their incomes.” (“Who Wants to Retire Later?” Harry Hurt III, N.Y. Times, July 20, 2008.)
In proposing a solution to the insolvency of Social Security, I want to stress that there are many changes that need to take place in our Government. The Government must find a way to fulfill the promises it has made to its people. This can be accomplished only by allowing philanthropy to be more voluntary, this is the only way to cut costs and get federal spending under control. I believe that the next step must be to increase the retirement age from 62 to 66 years old. In order to “save” Social Security we must give the baby boomer generation the option of cashing out their Social Security benefits early at reduced rates and re-investing in Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Annuities, and Precious Metals. Following this plan would give retirees a choice between privatizing or continuing to rely on the future Social Security benefits they’ve already been promised. I propose that workers who are at least 56 years old, be given the option of privatizing their Social Security portfolio. The appeal of privatization is that workers who choose this route would no longer have money taken from their paychecks to fund Social Security. The monetary compensation for privatizing would need to be less than the current forecasted social security payments. However, with a lump sum investment from their Social Security portfolio and an aggressive investment program funded by the additional money in each paycheck, they could invest for the remaining ten years of their career and potentially receive a much higher return than the promised Social Security benefits.
This plan would give the government the ability to invest up front and save a great deal of money down the road. Retirees with the courage to privatize would also gain the ability to retire as soon as they are in a position to do so. Those of us who are younger than 56 years old will need to continue on with the federally mandated ball-and-chain of Social Security taxes automatically taken from our paychecks. Our parents have supported us in the past and we must fulfill our duty and help the Government keep its promise to support the baby boomer generation during their golden years.
--------------------------------
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Thinking ahead isn’t something that comes easily to human beings. We don’t enjoy thinking about the possibility that our health may decline and that we may not have enough money to finance retirement. Many of us may spend our golden years short on money, bedridden, and in a state-run-no-frills nursing home. This is a possibility for many of us, and it’s not very pleasant to think about. No one looks forward to a situation that wipes out the assets they have worked so hard to acquire. When I think about these issues, I get a knot in my stomach that’s hard to untie.
Our Country is currently struggling with the prospect of keeping the Social Security promises that were made to the retiring baby boomer generation. This is a looming problem on the horizon for all Americans. The baby boomer generation is nearing retirement and this juncture in history is a potential problem because of the shear number of retirees that are slated to draw upon the Governmental retirement plan called Social Security.
Many people accuse the Republican Party of turning a blind eye to Civic Charity. However, the policies and platform of the Republican Party may actually do well in removing the larger portion of responsibility to care for the poor out of the hands of an ineffective and wasteful Federal Government. Removing this funding can lower taxes and thus put more money into the generous hands of all Americans who then can freely give their surplus into the hands of effective charitable organizations and denominations. Religious organizations and non-profit charities are the most effective in caring for the poor. These charitable organizations are so much better at solving the problems and inequities of society at the grass roots level. Will we remember the lessons of the New Orleans Hurricane Victims? What a contrast it was to see the slow, wasteful, and ineffective response of the Federal Government compared with the effective and financially streamlined response of the Religious community, who arrived first on the scene in many cases. It is the Non-profit and Religious organizations that are still working to improve and build those communities today. I do not mean to imply that Religious and Non-Profit Organizations can solve all of the problems faced in the disaster that is this Nations current economic setting, However, I do believe that non-governmental Organizations, in general, are a far more effective place for us to put our money as we look for ways to help the poor.
In our capitalist economy, perhaps one of the reasons that the weary human cogs in the industrial machine often get overlooked, is that philanthropy has become institutional and bureaucratic. The idea that government should be a modern day Robin Hood is not, in my opinion, the answer to poverty. Churches and private charities are the way to go. Non-profit organizations are in a better position to separate the truly needy from those persons with values adversely affected by government programs that solve problems by doling out money in a blind and bureaucratic way.
I think more money would be donated to charities if the federal income tax allowed a true exemption for such donations instead of tying them in with the standard deduction. If you donate $5350.00 to church or charity you get exactly the same tax exemption as the person who donates nothing. In all fairness charitable donations should be exempt in addition to the standard deduction or the latter should be done away with. This would increase charitable giving dramatically and the money would be used more efficiently to help more people. The inadequacy of the Social Security system is the best argument against trusting the Government to solve our financial problems. The Government as a whole, sometimes acts like a political candidate on the campaign trail, promising what ever it takes to win favor and then never following through on those promises. Leave it up to the government to give us a special, mandated retirement program in which we pay more and get less.
The best plan for families as they plan for retirement is to get out of debt, stay out of debt, and live within their means. I know this is not possible for everyone and that is one of the reasons that, on top of what the government takes from my paychecks to help the poor, I donate an additional portion of the money I make each month to help those who are struggling with poor health, poverty, and starvation.
If you were born during the mid-seventies, you may have been raised by the baby boomer generation. The children of this generation had been raised by parents who’d survived the great depression and thus, had learned and passed on the virtue of being thrifty. Living modestly and avoiding debt were basic principles that many of this generation learned from their parents. The parents of the baby boomer generation had been exposed to the horrors of World War II and thus had come to value the peace and prosperity that they had so dearly purchased. They came home from the war and focused on bringing children into their homes and it worked very well. The increased birth rate at that time is known as the baby boom generation.
In “ ’The Solution to the Retirement Income Challenge,’ by Alicia H. Munnell and Steven A. Sass (Brookings Institution Press). Ms. Munnell and Mr. Sass define succinctly the problem faced by baby boomers, and for that matter, by all Americans who aspire to retire now or in the near future. They note that the nation’s retirement system, as embodied by Social Security and Medicare in the public sector and I.R.A.’s and 401(k) plans in the private sector, is contracting in its ability to replace workers’ lost income — even as life expectancy is increasing.
“ ‘About 19 percent of men and 33 percent of women who survive to age 65 will live to age 90 or older and have to support themselves for almost 30 years,’ the authors report, adding matter-of-factly, ‘The arithmetic does not work.’
Citing a plethora of actuarial studies, Ms. Munnell and Mr. Sass estimate that people who retire at age 65 today can expect Social Security to provide the equivalent of only 39 percent of their incomes after deductions for basic Medicare contributions. Those who plan to retire in 2030 can expect net benefits, similarly calculated, of only 30 percent of their incomes.” (“Who Wants to Retire Later?” Harry Hurt III, N.Y. Times, July 20, 2008.)
In proposing a solution to the insolvency of Social Security, I want to stress that there are many changes that need to take place in our Government. The Government must find a way to fulfill the promises it has made to its people. This can be accomplished only by allowing philanthropy to be more voluntary, this is the only way to cut costs and get federal spending under control. I believe that the next step must be to increase the retirement age from 62 to 66 years old. In order to “save” Social Security we must give the baby boomer generation the option of cashing out their Social Security benefits early at reduced rates and re-investing in Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Annuities, and Precious Metals. Following this plan would give retirees a choice between privatizing or continuing to rely on the future Social Security benefits they’ve already been promised. I propose that workers who are at least 56 years old, be given the option of privatizing their Social Security portfolio. The appeal of privatization is that workers who choose this route would no longer have money taken from their paychecks to fund Social Security. The monetary compensation for privatizing would need to be less than the current forecasted social security payments. However, with a lump sum investment from their Social Security portfolio and an aggressive investment program funded by the additional money in each paycheck, they could invest for the remaining ten years of their career and potentially receive a much higher return than the promised Social Security benefits.
This plan would give the government the ability to invest up front and save a great deal of money down the road. Retirees with the courage to privatize would also gain the ability to retire as soon as they are in a position to do so. Those of us who are younger than 56 years old will need to continue on with the federally mandated ball-and-chain of Social Security taxes automatically taken from our paychecks. Our parents have supported us in the past and we must fulfill our duty and help the Government keep its promise to support the baby boomer generation during their golden years.
--------------------------------
Please feel free to copy and paste this message.
You have my permission to share it.
You can send this message to anyone that you want.
Sincerely,
-Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
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