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.
Look up - 23 January 2010
When my mind is tired and weary
From the labors of this life
And my eyes are burned and bleary
From the stresses and strife,
I’ve focused only on the things
That man has built for me
With loneliness my heart then rings
God’s hand I cannot see.
My eyes are on the sidewalk
Or on the road ahead.
I hear the ticking of the clock
That drives me from my bed.
Yet, if I lift my eyes
To find God’s love for me.
I can gaze upon the skies
And see eternity.
I can see the lovely mountains
The cathedrals of the land.
Yes, I drink from these pure fountains
And I clearly see God’s hand.
I feast on milk and honey
That free and yummy food
Jesus gives us without money
And my soul is then renewed.
The eternal nature of friendship 27 January 2010
Seasons change in ordered measure
Clouds assemble and disperse
Fall leaves come to give us pleasure
Snowflakes can inspire verse.
A tiny plant takes life, then dies
Animals through life-cycles go
And people form strong social ties
Which forever continue as long as they grow.
Conan O'Brien and Max Wienberg's slanderous song about Mormons
I saw this a couple months ago, but I couldn't control my rage until now. What are Conan and Max thinking? Writing a song about Mormons that propagates stereotypes (namely the blatant ignorance by Americans with regard to Mormon beliefs) and mocks the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (with a toe-tapping robe-wearing Mormon Tapper-nacle Choir who sang not with their voices, but with their tippity-tapping tap shoes)?
I admit it, I am joking about my rage and my delay in writing was more a function of time than anger. I found the whole presentation quite hilarious. You see Orrin Hatch has written songs for many groups and people, including Senator Ted Kennedy and now included his latest tribute to the Jewish people. I did find it funny that Conan picked the portion of the video where Orrin looked the most out of his element. Orrin wrote the lyrics to the song and lyrics were written by Madeline Stone. The piece was supported by Tablet Magazine a Jewish publication.
To conclude I quote from the article written about the stories:
And so it was a very American day in a recording studio on West 54th Street in Manhattan when we gathered to hear Rasheeda sing. In one small room were Bliss; Madeline Stone, a Jewish songwriter who writes contemporary Christian music in Nashville; a crew of downtown Jews from Tablet Magazine; Hatch's chief of staff, Jace Johnson, who didn't seem to know exactly what he was doing there, but was very nice about the whole episode; and Hatch himself, who sang background vocals and even showed us the mezuzah he wears under his shirt. Hatch, like many Mormons, is something of a philo-Semite, and though he is under no illusions about Jewish political leanings in America--he told me that though he likes Barbra Streisand very much, he's fairly sure she doesn't like him--he possesses a heartfelt desire to reach out to Jews.
Hatch said he hoped his song would be understood not only as a gift to the Jewish people but that it would help bring secular Jews to a better understanding of their own holiday. "I know a lot of Jewish people that don't know what Hanukkah means," he said. Jewish people, he said, should "take a look at it and realize the miracle that's being commemorated here. It's more than a miracle; it's the solidification of the Jewish people."
He's right. Without Judah Maccabee's militant intervention in 167 BCE, the Syrian program of forced Hellenization might have brought about a premature end to the Jewish story. But, for such a pivotal figure, Judah Maccabee is one of the more misunderstood leaders in Jewish history. He was not, for one thing, a paragon of tolerance. One of contradictions of Hanukkah--an unexplored contradiction in our culture's anodyne understanding of the holiday--is that the Maccabee brothers were fighting not for the principle of religious freedom but only for their own particular religion's freedom. Their understanding of liberty did not extend even--or especially--to the Hellenized Jews of Israel's coastal plains. The Maccabees were rough Jews from the hill country of Judea. They would be amused, if they were capable of amusement, to learn that their revolt would one day be remembered as a struggle for a universal civil right.
But Hanukkah doesn't belong simply to Judah Maccabee. Each generation finds new meanings in this holiday. The Zionist revolution, for instance, led to a revolution in the way the story of the Maccabees--previously a source of ambivalence in the Diaspora--was interpreted. And of course, the Hanukkah story doesn't belong merely to Jews. Judah Maccabee is a hero to many Christians: If there had been no Judah, Judaism might have disappeared; no Judah and no Judaism would have meant no Jesus.
And no Judah would have meant no Mormon senator in a studio with an Arab singer and a bunch of New York Jewish background vocalists recording a Hanukkah song of his own making. To my mind, at least, this counts as a minor American miracle.
Here is the entire episode:
Here is the complete article behind the song by Orrin Hatch:
Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.
My Savior loves me
My Savior loves me
By Liba Dilla
I know my Savior loves me,
He helps me every day.
The Holy Ghost inspires me,
at home and school and play.
I know my Savior loves me,
He is my bestest friend,
When I repent He forgives me,
And my mistakes begin to mend.
I know my Father loves me,
I thank Him every day,
For my shoes and for my shelter,
And the food I eat each day.
I thank my Heavenly Father.
For the Bible that I read,
And for the Book of Mormon,
‘Tis like to me a seed.
I always feel so grateful,
Toward my Heavenly Father indeed,
I thank him for my blessings,
He fills my every need.
By Liba Dilla
I know my Savior loves me,
He helps me every day.
The Holy Ghost inspires me,
at home and school and play.
I know my Savior loves me,
He is my bestest friend,
When I repent He forgives me,
And my mistakes begin to mend.
I know my Father loves me,
I thank Him every day,
For my shoes and for my shelter,
And the food I eat each day.
I thank my Heavenly Father.
For the Bible that I read,
And for the Book of Mormon,
‘Tis like to me a seed.
I always feel so grateful,
Toward my Heavenly Father indeed,
I thank him for my blessings,
He fills my every need.
Annual Fathers Conference - Not Priesthood Session of General Conference
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a general conference session for men* in conjunction with their Semiannual General Conference. At the request of a friend, I recently took the opportunity to attend an Annual Fathers Conference sponsored by a group that partners with dads. The Fathers Conference ran from 8:45 am to 3 pm (the men's session of conference runs for two hours). The Fathers Conference was quite a bit more liberal than the Mens Conference of the Mormon Church; however, I was surprised by the similarity of topics presented at both. Below I discuss the Mormon Mens Conference (also called the Priesthood Session of Conference, the most recent of which was October 2009 - the videos are available here) along with topics presented and then I review the Fathers Conference and conclude by describing one of the classes in detail while contrasting the Mormon world view with what was taught.
During the Mormon Mens Conference millions of Mormon men across the world gather at churches to listen to speakers from the Church's leadership. This group of men, ages 12 and up, receive a wide variety of advice. Including topics such as:
At the Tenth Annual Midwest Fathers Conference there were four Workshop Sessions with sixteen different classes (perhaps I should state here that this conference is not associated with any religious group). I estimate there were about 120 men in attendance. I will include the titles of the classes and in paranthesis a description, if needed:
I find it interesting that the topics are quite similar. Mormons don't claim to have a monopoly on truth as found in the article of faith that states "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". I attended four workshop sessions and enjoyed each. The most interesting of which was What Do I Say Now? taught by a sex education teacher from the local school district.
I knew I was in for a different experience when I entered the classroom with only 14 people in the room and a packet on the table titled, "SEX is not a dirty word: Talking to your children about sex directly impacts their decision-making about sexual activity". I took a deep breath and sat down. I was by far the youngest father in the group and from what I know I had the youngest children.
The teacher's approach was very direct. She quoted some studies that showed communization on this topic is still lacking. And that "kids who feel they can talk with their parents about sex are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors as teens than kids who do not feel they can talk with their parents about the subject." The teacher encouraged us as Fathers to explore our feelings about sex by writing a letter to your child. The title of the letter states:
I thought this was a sound idea. Why not figure out my own stand on these issues so that I am prepared to answer questions as my children have them?
She continued by describing the following age appropriate discussion highlights:
Instructions: Preson A wants to have sex, Person B does not want to risk pregnancy or disease in any way and does not want to have sex. Work with your group to come up with an effective next line in this dialogue and then pass the sheet to the next group. Please write clearly so others can read your handwriting.
Person A: "Let's just do it and get it over with. If we're careful, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
In the end, I thought it was a pretty good experience. I have some new ideas about how to talk with my own children -especially the concept of practicing refusal skills. Anyway, I will be writing up a letter to think through this topic and to be prepared for when my children are ready to learn. Mr. Boyd Packer wrote:
A review of literature from the mid 1970s reveals that a large debate had occured about sex education - specifically if it should be presented in the home or at school? There are articles from Gordon B. Hinckley and many others about sex education and how parents should be responsible to teach their children. An article that was most helpful was written in July of 1975 by a Victor Brown, Jr. titled Two Views of Sexuality.
Most interestingly, both the sex education teacher and Brown agree that children should know the appropriate terms for both sexes, parents should model appropriate affection for each other, and to begin age appropriate discussions with your children at an early age. The Family Home Evening Manual includes some good instructions on what to teach (it even includes anatomically correct words, read it here. Also, LightPlanet has some great information here.
The Fathers Conference and the Priesthood Session in conference held quite a few similarities. If you are a parent with children, how have you organized the teaching of Chastity to your children?
* Please note their is a Womens conference a couple weeks before the general conference.
During the Mormon Mens Conference millions of Mormon men across the world gather at churches to listen to speakers from the Church's leadership. This group of men, ages 12 and up, receive a wide variety of advice. Including topics such as:
- Advice to strengthen the relationships between Fathers, Mothers, Sons and Daughters
- Helping children achieve their potential as competent adults
- Recommendations on how to be prepared for emergencies
- Advice on priorities and time management
- Principles of surviving in a tough economy
- Anger Management Principles
- Suggestions on how to use technology wisely in the home
- Direction on the signs of abuse
- Information about divorce
- Reminders on the standards of sexual purity
- Recommendations to aspire to as much education as possible (including technical training)
- and much more...
At the Tenth Annual Midwest Fathers Conference there were four Workshop Sessions with sixteen different classes (perhaps I should state here that this conference is not associated with any religious group). I estimate there were about 120 men in attendance. I will include the titles of the classes and in paranthesis a description, if needed:
- The Child is Father to Man: Fathers and Sons Together (Using the hero's journey as a guide to raising a son)
- Fathers Forum (a discussion group)
- Anatomy of a Divorce (Legal issues)
- Fantastic Father: The Seven Traits of a Great Dad
- Twenty-First Century Elders (Grandparent's involvement)
- Dads and Daughters
- Getting to Yes by Saying No
- Taming Technology in Your Home
- Stress and Emotional Management for Fathers (Including anger management)
- Fathers and Daughters: Building a Relationship for Life
- My Dad, My Teacher
- What Do I Say Now? (Answering questions about sexual development and reproduction)
- Navigating Divorce Without Losing Your Sanity
- Take the Kids to the Park or Mow the Lawn? Time Management for Dads
- Fathers Facing Challenges Together
I find it interesting that the topics are quite similar. Mormons don't claim to have a monopoly on truth as found in the article of faith that states "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". I attended four workshop sessions and enjoyed each. The most interesting of which was What Do I Say Now? taught by a sex education teacher from the local school district.
I knew I was in for a different experience when I entered the classroom with only 14 people in the room and a packet on the table titled, "SEX is not a dirty word: Talking to your children about sex directly impacts their decision-making about sexual activity". I took a deep breath and sat down. I was by far the youngest father in the group and from what I know I had the youngest children.
The teacher's approach was very direct. She quoted some studies that showed communization on this topic is still lacking. And that "kids who feel they can talk with their parents about sex are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors as teens than kids who do not feel they can talk with their parents about the subject." The teacher encouraged us as Fathers to explore our feelings about sex by writing a letter to your child. The title of the letter states:
Think about your values, thoughts, and experiences regarding sex. Write a letter
to your child about sexual curiosity, self-respect, healthy decision making, and
physical and emotional consequences. Reflect on the idea that your child is a
miracle, of infinite worth, unique, and entitled to respect.
I thought this was a sound idea. Why not figure out my own stand on these issues so that I am prepared to answer questions as my children have them?
She continued by describing the following age appropriate discussion highlights:
When your child is young, talk about love and relationships. Talk about
respecting other people and respecting yourself.
When your son or daughter becomes a pre-teen, you should talk about puberty,
your values on dating, and honor their interest or disinterest in human
sexuality.
When your son or daughter is a teenager, the conversation continues. And youTo conclude she had the group work on Pressure Lines and Refusal Skills. Her premise was that if we don't give our children the skills to refuse then it will be more difficult to do so. I include the instructions from the excercise.
should keep talking as he or she gets older about sex, relationships, and making
healthy choices. Feelings about sex, discuss responsiblities and consequences
that come from being sexually active, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted
infections.
Instructions: Preson A wants to have sex, Person B does not want to risk pregnancy or disease in any way and does not want to have sex. Work with your group to come up with an effective next line in this dialogue and then pass the sheet to the next group. Please write clearly so others can read your handwriting.
Person A: "Let's just do it and get it over with. If we're careful, we shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
Person A:
Person B:
In the end, I thought it was a pretty good experience. I have some new ideas about how to talk with my own children -especially the concept of practicing refusal skills. Anyway, I will be writing up a letter to think through this topic and to be prepared for when my children are ready to learn. Mr. Boyd Packer wrote:
One of the major difficulties, and one of the monumental dangers, of sexAt the conclusion of the What Do I Say Next? class, the question that went unanswered was how much to tell the child and when. Fortunately, as parents if we prepare ourselves and nurture our children we should be available to answer any questions our children have.
education courses in public schools is that they disregard this significant
principle of teaching. They tell all before the youngster is ready, and in so
doing, they often wreak havoc with the spiritual, emotional, and moral stability
of the students. They open them to great jeopardy. Things should be done in the
season thereof, and there is a time for all things. A wise teacher and a wise
parent will be alert to that fact.
A review of literature from the mid 1970s reveals that a large debate had occured about sex education - specifically if it should be presented in the home or at school? There are articles from Gordon B. Hinckley and many others about sex education and how parents should be responsible to teach their children. An article that was most helpful was written in July of 1975 by a Victor Brown, Jr. titled Two Views of Sexuality.
Most interestingly, both the sex education teacher and Brown agree that children should know the appropriate terms for both sexes, parents should model appropriate affection for each other, and to begin age appropriate discussions with your children at an early age. The Family Home Evening Manual includes some good instructions on what to teach (it even includes anatomically correct words, read it here. Also, LightPlanet has some great information here.
The Fathers Conference and the Priesthood Session in conference held quite a few similarities. If you are a parent with children, how have you organized the teaching of Chastity to your children?
* Please note their is a Womens conference a couple weeks before the general conference.
Are Prophets Perfect? My Friends of Other Faiths Think So
Some of my friends of other faiths seem to think that prophets are perfect, or rather, that Mormon prophets should be perfect. They use an impossible standard to measure the prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against. Mormons claim that only one individual has ever been perfect on the earth and that individual was Jesus Christ. In this all Christian based faiths tend to agree:
American Catholic site calls Jesus "the perfect human".
The Oakwood United Methodist Church write on their missionary page "There is no one perfect here except the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Over at All About Jesus they describe Jesus as "the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life..."
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary had this in its original charter, "Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law"
Mormon Apostles have all testified to the perfection of Jesus including Spencer W. Kimball and as written in The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Perfect has the following among its definitions:
1. conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type
2. excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement
3. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings
4. accurate, exact, or correct in every detail
Mormons have never claimed their prophets or leaders are perfect. I suspect; however, that most Christian denominations believe that God only communicates with perfect individuals; you know, like Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, and Jonah. Then again, I think an examination of these prophets will reveal their flaws, defects, and shortcomings.
A Mr. Neal Maxwell writes an interesting article titled "Out of Obscurity". In it he writes "Only Jesus was perfect in all things, including love and meekness. Even the greatest of mortal prophets fall short of Christ’s high and perfect standards." Mormons don't believe prophets are perfect.
Maxwell goes on "Throughout scriptural history, we see recurring efforts to demean prophets in order to dismiss them—to label them in order to diminish them. Mostly, however, they are simply ignored by their contemporaries and by secular history." Mr. Jeff Lindsey writes an interesting article titled "Rejecting Living Apostles and Prophets: A Deceptively Easy Path to Righteousness"
To conclude, Mormons have never claimed their prophets (whether from the Bible, Book of Mormon or living) are perfect. To quote Maxwell again, "At the perfect day, we will see that we have been a part of things too wonderful for us. Part of the marvel and the wonder of God’s "marvelous work and a wonder" will be how perfect Divinity mercifully used us - imperfect humanity." Man is free and imperfect man cannot frustrate the work of God.
American Catholic site calls Jesus "the perfect human".
The Oakwood United Methodist Church write on their missionary page "There is no one perfect here except the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Over at All About Jesus they describe Jesus as "the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life..."
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary had this in its original charter, "Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the Law"
Mormon Apostles have all testified to the perfection of Jesus including Spencer W. Kimball and as written in The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Perfect has the following among its definitions:
1. conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type
2. excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement
3. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings
4. accurate, exact, or correct in every detail
Mormons have never claimed their prophets or leaders are perfect. I suspect; however, that most Christian denominations believe that God only communicates with perfect individuals; you know, like Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, and Jonah. Then again, I think an examination of these prophets will reveal their flaws, defects, and shortcomings.
A Mr. Neal Maxwell writes an interesting article titled "Out of Obscurity". In it he writes "Only Jesus was perfect in all things, including love and meekness. Even the greatest of mortal prophets fall short of Christ’s high and perfect standards." Mormons don't believe prophets are perfect.
Maxwell goes on "Throughout scriptural history, we see recurring efforts to demean prophets in order to dismiss them—to label them in order to diminish them. Mostly, however, they are simply ignored by their contemporaries and by secular history." Mr. Jeff Lindsey writes an interesting article titled "Rejecting Living Apostles and Prophets: A Deceptively Easy Path to Righteousness"
To conclude, Mormons have never claimed their prophets (whether from the Bible, Book of Mormon or living) are perfect. To quote Maxwell again, "At the perfect day, we will see that we have been a part of things too wonderful for us. Part of the marvel and the wonder of God’s "marvelous work and a wonder" will be how perfect Divinity mercifully used us - imperfect humanity." Man is free and imperfect man cannot frustrate the work of God.
It's Best to Know and Do
It's Best to Know and Do
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I drink all of it quickly down,
I cannot get enough.
It seems to me a golden crown,
The best of worldly stuff.
I learn all knowledge that I can,
I’ll take as much as I can get,
I am learning’s greatest fan,
And so right here I’ll sit.
Though many tasks now call to me,
I can’t tear myself away.
I have too many books to see,
I must learn the things they say.
Yet, is it right to learn and not apply?
To build up, and knowledge merely store?
While suffering persons pass us by,
As we leave closed our door?
Knowledge sometimes puffs us up,
Until compassion dies.
While love will fill the beggar’s cup,
Yes, Charity edifies.
It’s different with a Scripture feast,
They have a great message that’s true,
They help the selfish hand release,
To know, and also do.
--------------------------------
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
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
I drink all of it quickly down,
I cannot get enough.
It seems to me a golden crown,
The best of worldly stuff.
I learn all knowledge that I can,
I’ll take as much as I can get,
I am learning’s greatest fan,
And so right here I’ll sit.
Though many tasks now call to me,
I can’t tear myself away.
I have too many books to see,
I must learn the things they say.
Yet, is it right to learn and not apply?
To build up, and knowledge merely store?
While suffering persons pass us by,
As we leave closed our door?
Knowledge sometimes puffs us up,
Until compassion dies.
While love will fill the beggar’s cup,
Yes, Charity edifies.
It’s different with a Scripture feast,
They have a great message that’s true,
They help the selfish hand release,
To know, and also do.
--------------------------------
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
Loving God Far More than Life
Loving God Far More than Life
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
It is uncommon for people to think,
Of their upcoming death.
Our spirits are troubled and start to sink,
For, time will stop all breath.
I must think about all this,
For, I’m condemned to die.
It is my family that I’ll miss,
They’re the reason that I cry.
And I will die an innocent man,
For, I’m wrongfully accused.
And so I pray and wait and plan,
For God’s love to be infused.
While I have no bitterness today,
And my heart is free of hate.
There are some things I want to say,
Before it is too late.
When a person faces death with hope,
Faith grows and comfort comes.
Even if a noose is made with rope,
As the ticking clock still drums.
Faith and love both conquer fear.
A clear conscience, great peace brings.
Yes, even as my death draws near,
My heart, with joy still sings.
I wish that I were able to live,
And raise my children up.
There’s so much that I could give,
To overflow, with joy their cup.
I know the Lord is truly pleased,
When his children wish to stay.
I know our sorrows can be eased,
Though skies are cold and grey.
We all should LIVE upon this earth,
As long as life can last.
For, from the moment of our birth,
The time runs out so fast.
I will not die in a prison yard,
For a crime that I’ve confessed.
But this death, for me is just as hard
For, my cancer has progressed.
The death that soon will come to me,
Isn’t something I desire.
Yet, even so, I clearly see,
God’s love must cleanse like fire.
Though death is absolutely frightening,
I know that God will take me home.
The word of God is so enlightening,
As through this valley I roam.
Yes, while I wish that I could stay,
Spending time with my sweet wife,
I’ll trust the things the scriptures say,
And love God, far more than life.
--------------------------------
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
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
It is uncommon for people to think,
Of their upcoming death.
Our spirits are troubled and start to sink,
For, time will stop all breath.
I must think about all this,
For, I’m condemned to die.
It is my family that I’ll miss,
They’re the reason that I cry.
And I will die an innocent man,
For, I’m wrongfully accused.
And so I pray and wait and plan,
For God’s love to be infused.
While I have no bitterness today,
And my heart is free of hate.
There are some things I want to say,
Before it is too late.
When a person faces death with hope,
Faith grows and comfort comes.
Even if a noose is made with rope,
As the ticking clock still drums.
Faith and love both conquer fear.
A clear conscience, great peace brings.
Yes, even as my death draws near,
My heart, with joy still sings.
I wish that I were able to live,
And raise my children up.
There’s so much that I could give,
To overflow, with joy their cup.
I know the Lord is truly pleased,
When his children wish to stay.
I know our sorrows can be eased,
Though skies are cold and grey.
We all should LIVE upon this earth,
As long as life can last.
For, from the moment of our birth,
The time runs out so fast.
I will not die in a prison yard,
For a crime that I’ve confessed.
But this death, for me is just as hard
For, my cancer has progressed.
The death that soon will come to me,
Isn’t something I desire.
Yet, even so, I clearly see,
God’s love must cleanse like fire.
Though death is absolutely frightening,
I know that God will take me home.
The word of God is so enlightening,
As through this valley I roam.
Yes, while I wish that I could stay,
Spending time with my sweet wife,
I’ll trust the things the scriptures say,
And love God, far more than life.
--------------------------------
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."
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."
Faith and Trust
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
A reliable eye witness
Is always needed,
To validate the fitness
of words that we have heeded.
A scientific approach
Seems to earn the peoples trust
While faith brings sure reproach
Which humbles to the dust.
Yet both testimonies come from eye witnesses
That we accept on faith
Their words are the litmoses
and become our "Thus saith..."
Unless we repeat all experiments
To verify the data
We must trust to be conviced
in a scientific matter.
The scienists have changed
The things they say are true
Pluto's now been rearranged
It's no more a planet than are you.
The words of God's true prophets
Have remained the same
They draw strength from ancient roots
To speak in Jesus' name
If I have a choice
Between trusting God or man
I will heed the prophets voice
And with Jesus take my stand.
A reliable eye witness
Is always needed,
To validate the fitness
of words that we have heeded.
A scientific approach
Seems to earn the peoples trust
While faith brings sure reproach
Which humbles to the dust.
Yet both testimonies come from eye witnesses
That we accept on faith
Their words are the litmoses
and become our "Thus saith..."
Unless we repeat all experiments
To verify the data
We must trust to be conviced
in a scientific matter.
The scienists have changed
The things they say are true
Pluto's now been rearranged
It's no more a planet than are you.
The words of God's true prophets
Have remained the same
They draw strength from ancient roots
To speak in Jesus' name
If I have a choice
Between trusting God or man
I will heed the prophets voice
And with Jesus take my stand.
Christ our King
By Angel White
I believe that anything can happen with Christ our Lord and King!
I know he stood on this earth, had birth!
Believe! Believe, I will believe.
Today I will do what Jesus would want us to do.
I love him. I’ll serve him.
Believe! Believe, I will believe!
I believe that anything can happen with Christ our Lord and King!
I know he stood on this earth, had birth!
Believe! Believe, I will believe.
Today I will do what Jesus would want us to do.
I love him. I’ll serve him.
Believe! Believe, I will believe!
The Individual in the Group
The Individual in the Group
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
If good individuals work with others,
They can share and help and lift.
As a sister or a brother,
Yes, from God they are a gift.
Good groups know more together,
Than individuals ever could,
This brings blessings forever,
As they magnify the good.
There always is a leader
In every group that forms.
They are the silent meter
That validates the norms.
If a good leader is rejected,
Then by another they’ll be led.
Individual minds are then affected,
By the motives in that head.
Some leaders sow corruption.
Like a disease, it then can spread,
Bringing angers’ black eruption,
That fills with hate the head.
So in this situation,
Involving groups of any kind.
We must find some inspiration,
And use the power of our mind.
To guard freedom, born of trust,
And preserve our liberty,
We must find the one who’ll lead us,
To the place we need to be.
We should be a willing servant,
When we’re called upon to lead.
Being watchful and observant,
Helping others in their need.
Individuals can decide,
To stay pure and free of sin.
When the atonement is applied,
God’s household we’ll be in.
Yes, even if you feel alone,
And the group despises you.
Walk the path the Lord has shown,
And form the group, of God and you.
--------------------------------
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
By Appreciable Goodfaithpoet
If good individuals work with others,
They can share and help and lift.
As a sister or a brother,
Yes, from God they are a gift.
Good groups know more together,
Than individuals ever could,
This brings blessings forever,
As they magnify the good.
There always is a leader
In every group that forms.
They are the silent meter
That validates the norms.
If a good leader is rejected,
Then by another they’ll be led.
Individual minds are then affected,
By the motives in that head.
Some leaders sow corruption.
Like a disease, it then can spread,
Bringing angers’ black eruption,
That fills with hate the head.
So in this situation,
Involving groups of any kind.
We must find some inspiration,
And use the power of our mind.
To guard freedom, born of trust,
And preserve our liberty,
We must find the one who’ll lead us,
To the place we need to be.
We should be a willing servant,
When we’re called upon to lead.
Being watchful and observant,
Helping others in their need.
Individuals can decide,
To stay pure and free of sin.
When the atonement is applied,
God’s household we’ll be in.
Yes, even if you feel alone,
And the group despises you.
Walk the path the Lord has shown,
And form the group, of God and you.
--------------------------------
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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