Taking A Stand

I've been pondering on the meaning of taking a stand. How does one do that? What does it look like to other people? What is required? I share with you a couple of brief thoughts on the matter, and would as always love other's comments and such.

Firstly I think that in order to take a stand you need to be armed with the essential tool of truth. I'm not one who thinks that truth is relative. I think truth is truth. There are a couple of ways that I want to discuss of taking a stand with truth. One of these is we must know what is true about ourselves. One of the areas I often work with clients is in identifying core beliefs. They usually boil down to 3 areas 1) I'm Intelligent 2)I'm Loveable 3)I'm Good Enough. I know it sounds like Stuart Smalley, by the way how in the world did that guy end up in the Senate? But, anyway those are healthy core beliefs. Often, I'd say far too often people develop a false core belief, of thinking the opposite of those areas is true. These beliefs form fairly young and can be affected by a traumatic event. These core beliefs act as filters, and we start experiencing things as evidence that what we believe about ourselves is true. The more evidence we have (based in reality or otherwise) the more entrenched the belief. Negative core beliefs can be changed, granted it takes effort. My point in bringing this up is that taking a stand is exceedingly easier when you believe what is true about you. Each one of us is intelligent, loveable and good enough just by virtue of the fact that we are children of God. Can you imagine the power if individuals stood up in this nation armed just with this truth alone? Courage and boldness would abound.

The other point on truth I would like to make is that it is imperative that we seek out knowledge about history and current events, and future possibilities. I recommend not relying too much on the Mainstream Media (big surprise :) As I learned in my history studies seek out primary sources when available. Find trustworthy places to go and even question those sources. A secure knowledge base makes for firm ground to stand on.

Also know why you believe what you believe. Belief can be confirmed and become knowledge through proper channels. Spiritual matters are confirmed spiritually, physical ones physically, and so on.

Secondly, in taking a stand it is important to do so with boldness, conviction and never minding what the consequences might be. People who stand for what is right are often subject to ridicule by others. We've certainly seen examples of that lately. Regardless of the surface reasons for ridicule and persecution at its core it is done out of fear masked by anger or self-importance. We have to be willing to face it, if not for our own selves at least for the benefit of the next generation. As Albus Dumbledore says in Goblet of Fire we are choosing between what is right and what is easy.

With this in mind I make a particular request to those who are struggling with apathy and/or indifference with our current situations. God knows you. As He told the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5), 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you'. He did not send you here at this time because He knew you were a fence sitter. I ask you to cast off any shackles of apathy and indifference and to be who you truly are, who God knew and knows you to be. Refer back to my previous point of knowing the truth about yourself and than stand up with that knowledge. I'm not asking you to join me in marching, unless you're in the area:) Rather, I ask you to stand in whichever way suits you best. Be who you are.

Thirdly, and this is about how standing up should look to others, stand with open arms. Seek to be filled with the never failing virtue of charity. That term has been altered over the years, but its definition is unconditional love and kindness, positive regard, in short it is the love that Christ has for us. We demonstrate this with open arms. We love others even as we are despised and ridiculed and attacked.

We do this in part for the welfare of our own souls, to not be filled with hate or anger which only serves to darken the best parts of you. We also do this so that others may know there is a safe haven for when they come to a knowledge of truth themselves. Welcome with open arms all who long for morality, freedom and redemption in their lives. Each of us knows that feeling of redemption, because we have all needed it in our lives. We thus should be more than willing, we should be grateful, to offer hope and safety for others. We ought to follow the example of Dr. King. Let peace be our armor and let it be a motive. Peace is power far greater than force in helping change hearts.

Lastly (at least for this post) take a stand by following the example of General George Washington


Sometimes the most important way of taking a stand is falling to your knees, in prayer. There is remarkable symbolism in this act. Symbolism is a physical representation of a spiritual reality. The reality here is humility. Interestingly enough humility is strengthening, because you are turning to our all powerful Creator. Pride on the other hand, in all its forms from elitism to mockery to anger to tyranny etc., leaves men and women alone to their own weak selves.

We need God as much as ever, if not more so now. He so wishes to bless us, but those blessing are contingent upon our putting ourselves in the position to receive those blessings. In God we trust so to God we turn.

Take a stand be true to who you truly know you are, be true to truth, trusting in God with charity to all.

God bless in our righteous endeavors.

Ask

Alright, I know that I've expressed some dismay at the Disney Channel for their whole "Friends for Change" deal. By the way congrats to the amazing Tinker Bell for being named an honorary ambassador of green, http://tiny.cc/Gyu8z check it out! Anyway I confess I still watch the DC, it makes me laugh, and I fast forward through all the ridiculousness. The latest episode of Hannah Montana had a wonderfully hilarious line that as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to somehow relate it to something on my blog. So, maybe it's a stretch, but it at least should give some a chortle.



The point dear friends is this, never ever assume that what's in the bag is something great just because it comes from a friendly face. Or how about this: Do not assume that our politicians are handing us some nutritious treat in the paper bag. The reality is they are abbreviating the contents of massive bills trying to make them sound all yummy, when the reality is they could and frankly probably do contain all sorts of nasty. What we think might be a Blueberry Muffin from a friend very well could be a stinking pile of well dog mess handed to us by a charlatan masquerading as a friend. We must demand to know the truth. What is in the bag?!

My apologies to Thomas Paine for including some of his noble words in this slightly silly post but here goes anyway, "Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."

So, there you have it, the muffin or the other kind of bm is just begging to be revealed, and our only job is to demand that it be so. I repeat what is in the bag?! No more fear of thinking, and questioning, the government is supposed to fear the people. So, we ask them to fulfill their promises of transparency. Knowledge and truth are key components of freedom. That is what we ask.

Our Moral Obligation? Look Up

Do other people argue with the television and/or radio? Please tell me I’m not the only one. I was driving to work the other day having one of these arguments with the radio, the discussion was getting a little heated. Then all the sudden this bird lands a little ahead of my car and just started strolling down the road instead of flying away. Mid-argument I yelled out “get out of the way bird!” It immediately brought me back to reality and I busted up laughing at myself. Here I am yelling at this bird who won’t take any personal responsibility for its own life and health. I said a quick prayer to bless all animals as my penance. I also realized I need more of a social life (555…).

So, why am I telling this story? Well, there is something cathartic about writing it out. It doesn’t mean I’m not losing my mind, but acknowledging the fact somehow makes it feel better. But, really it was to discuss the reason I was yelling at the radio in the first place. I’m sick and tired of hearing that we have to pass health care reform because it is our moral responsibility or obligation or however people put it in order to guilt us into passing a trillion dollar deficit adding no problem solving piece of pork laden health care bill.

Moral obligation? Could anybody give me any good reason why we should listen to the government on any matters of moral obligation? You know what is immoral? Passing on trillions of dollars of debt onto the next generation, excuse me I mean the next generations (plural). It’s bad enough that millions than billions were passed on to my generation, but to just keep piling it on is completely immoral. So, yeah let’s add a trillion dollars onto that so we can have a public option that is going to be as awesome as the post office.

This kind of self-important faulty argument comes from the Progressive “enlightened” elite. And I don’t know if you get this from me, but I’m pretty fed up with Progressive enlightenment.

If people really want to preach morality they should be asking us to refer back to our founding fathers. They knew that in order for the nation to remain free they would have to be a moral people. Thus, one of the most important freedoms that was protected in the bill of rights is religious freedom. The answer for us to be moral is for this nation of individuals to individually turn back to God, to look up. I know I know that answer is just too easy, it can’t be enlightened because it isn’t new. Oh and we have to make sure we don’t offend somebody by referring to the God we proclaim to trust, the horror!

I think part of the problem with the Progressive mindset is that they must find the answer for all the worlds’ problems within their own amazing intellect. The idea of accepting God’s instructions on the matter is just mind boggling.

It reminds me of the story of Moses when the people were bitten by these poisonous snakes. The Lord instructed Moses to put a brass serpent on a staff and if the people would simply look up to the staff they would be healed. How, many people did not look up, because it was too easy? Surely, there had to be a more complicated answer to such a dire problem. There wasn’t, the answer was simply look up. And so it is today. If we want to be moral, God needs to be the center.

Elder Todd D. Christofferson in a recent address talked about the subject of moral discipline he stated:

-- By “moral discipline,” I mean self-discipline based on moral standards. Moral discipline is the consistent exercise of agency to choose the right because it is right, even when it is hard. It rejects the self-absorbed life in favor of developing character worthy of respect and true greatness through Christlike service (see Mark 10:42–45). The root of the word discipline is shared by the word disciple, suggesting to the mind the fact that conformity to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ is the ideal discipline that, coupled with His grace, forms a virtuous and morally excellent person.
Jesus’s own moral discipline was rooted in His discipleship to the Father. To His disciples He explained, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). By this same pattern, our moral discipline is rooted in loyalty and devotion to the Father and the Son. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that provides the moral certainty upon which moral discipline rests.
The societies in which many of us live have for more than a generation failed to foster moral discipline. They have taught that truth is relative and that everyone decides for himself or herself what is right. Concepts such as sin and wrong have been condemned as “value judgments.” As the Lord describes it, “Every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god” (D&C 1:16).
As a consequence, self-discipline has eroded and societies are left to try to maintain order and civility by compulsion. The lack of internal control by individuals breeds external control by governments. –


This is what has happened in our country. We are now relying on the government to set the moral standard, instead of taking responsibility for ourselves. Remember that the government is setting a very very bad example of morality (debt ridden and passing it on). Why in the world are we relying on them? The answer is quite simply to look up. The answer is easy, although the application may be difficult. It may mean ending reliance on entitlements. But, I submit that any sacrifice we make now will be worth it, if our children can be more free.

Can you imagine how awesome it would be for a politician to just flat out say, ‘stop looking to the government for answers, look to God’ I know I know separation of Church and state. To that I say, EXACTLY, now get out of the way government. Separate yourselves from telling us our moral obligation. That’s God’s job.

On another note I have to ask why in the world, if the government was going to now start dictating moral obligation would they start with health care. I mean how about if they started with something that would have even more impact like outlawing adultery or something? Why? Because it’s ridiculous. It’s not the governments business; neither is making sure our nation is moral by creating a more socialized healthcare system. But, maybe they could pass some bill outlawing birds from strolling in front of cars, it’s not good for their health, and they really don’t deserve to get yelled at.

I think it is imperative that this country turn back to God. We need to stand up for what is right. Sometimes the most effective way of standing up is falling to our knees. He is there, He so wants to help. We ought to trust in Him. A good life is not one that is absent of trial and pain. A good life is one in which we grow and learn and become truly Disciples of Christ, of His cause, of all that is good and holy and moral. So, look up, stand up, be moral and take your personal power and responsibility back. That is dare I say our moral obligation.
God Bless.

Modus Operandi Progresista (MOP)

Forgive me if this rant seems well, like a rant. I've been trying to formulate my thoughts on this for a while, and decided I just need to sit down and write it out and be satisfied with whatever spills forth from my keyboard.

I've described myself before as a Conservative Independent with some Libertarian leanings a healthy respect for Classical Liberalism and significantly less respect for Progressivism. That is an incredibly long title, and I already have some complaints about the length of my blogspot address. But, I wanted to address a couple parts of that description. Why do I have a healthy respect for Classical Liberalism? Well, quite frankly on some past issues I'm quite certain I would have been considered a Liberal. Take slavery for instance, or the whole civil rights movement. I confess that had I lived at the time I have a sneaking suspicion I might have supported Robert F. Kennedy for president. And I will now resist the urge to hit backspace repeatedly. See I believe that Liberalism is an important element in maintaining maximum freedom.

Now the Progressive part. What little respect I have for Progressivism is in the fact that in this country everyone has the right to their own opinion and the peaceful expression of that opinion. Not very long ago I grudgingly gave my respect to Progressives for one issue in particular, Women's Suffrage. My mind has now been set at ease in that particular regard. Why? Because one day not too long ago a light bulb went off just above my head. Which I have to say has its positives and negatives. For positives it gives me a new understanding, for negatives it sure makes my white hairs more visible. But, I digress.

Women's suffrage is not a Progressive ideal, it is in fact a Classical Liberalism ideal. But, Progressives stole it. Why? Because they wanted to use it for their own ends. Wait for it...Wait for it...Wai...Just kidding, the magic word is Prohibition. Progressives believed that they could use women to further their own agenda of controlling the population by outlawing alcohol. Now, I'm not a huge fan of alcohol, in fact I think it sucks, but taking away a freedom is not usually a good idea. It often backfires, as it did with Prohibition, here an amendment there and amendment and we are back to where we started, people getting drunk, but less crime:) The Progressives didn't let Prohibitions prohibition get them down though. In fact this became their M.O. Steal a Liberal idea, inculcate it into your own dream agenda (Hooray for the Garden of Eden, see a previous post), then use it to gain more control. Jerks, there I said it.

Women would have gotten the right to vote without Progressives, in fact states were quickly recognizing that right and it was only a matter of time before the federal government wised up to it. But, Progressives take credit for it, jerks (okay that one was gratuitous). The lefty Progressives wanted women, and have been working to keep them ever since. Hello, how in the world did Abortion = Women's rights, thank-you Progressives, and your Eugenics awesomeness. Make no mistake abortion has deep ties with eugenics.

Thus, we see this M.O. not just with women's rights, but also in other areas. Look at Civil Rights. This movement is one that I have long been fascinated by. Freedom was starting to ring for a long oppressed people, and then Progressives came and stole it, with their "Great Society." Welfare in the United States has become a soft tyranny and far too many Black Americans are trapped in it. Oh and back to the eugenics thing, please please watch the film "Maafa 21." That film is stunning in how obvious they make the eugenic tie of abortion with the blatant racism of so many of the Progressive leaders. It’s disgusting and immoral, and yet effective.

What about environmentalist? People believe we have an obligation to be good stewards of the planet. I'm one of them. But, Progressives have come along and whipped the movement into a frenzy. Is it because they honestly believe that the earth has to be saved from climate change (which by the way has been occurring since long before humans walked the earth)? Maybe some do, but at its heart it’s about control. Environmentalists have allowed themselves to be bought by a larger agenda of more government control.

So, there it is the Modus Operandi Progresista. See a Classical Liberal agenda, steal it and make it your own. Turn it into more government control. Convince people it’s for their own good, (thank heaven for those few enlightened brilliant leaders who can walk us back into Eden), and away we go. What a mess. Someone needs to mop up this M.O.P.

She-Power

A little over a week ago, my mother, sisters, and I participated in a women's fitness celebration in Boise Idaho. It boasts itself as the largest women's 5k run/walk in the nation. And yep there were a lot of women there, tens of thousands. It was a ton of fun and inspiring. My older sister made a comment that really has stuck with me about how powerful women really are, and if they only knew that, how much of a change we could make. Well, I second that notion and would like to discuss a few things.

First off sisterhood. Do we really have any idea how magnificent a calling it is to be a sister. Years ago I heard a story about sisters that really touched me and I think it goes to the heart of what sisterhood is really all about. In Oct. 1995 twin girls Kyrie and Brielle Jackson were born 12 weeks prematurely. Both required significant medical care. However, Kyrie was the healthier of the 2 and responded well to treatment. Her sister Brielle was smaller and had some heart and lung problems. Her condition began to deteriorate, as her heart rate soared and she began gasping for breath. The nurse working with the family tried several things to bring Brielle's breathing and heart under control, but nothing seemed to be working. She decided to try an unusual technique. She actually placed Kyrie in the incubator with her sister. The picture shows what happened.



Kyrie put her arm around her sister. Brielle began to calm and eventually her heart and breathing rates normalized. Both girls thrived.

This is the great key of the power of sisters. We have one another. We are a veritable army. The best use of those arms is around each other in support and caring, united in the causes we know to be correct.

Now, about those mothers. I'm not one, (though I'd like to be someday, first I have to be a wife so if there are any handsome 30 something upstanding single guys out there, my number is 555-)but I know a lot moms. Is there a more powerful force out there for good than mothers? Well, besides God. . .? Here's the thing, mothers are powerful! I refer back to a recent previous post on power. You may recall (and if you don't go back and check it out, there was a great He-Man video) that one of the subjects I talked about was sacrifice. Mothers sacrifice from the get go (I'm talking puberty on up, sorry to any squeamish fellows :)They carry their child with them for 9 months straight, and that is just the beginning. A mother's role is sacred, sacrificing and powerful beyond belief. It's no wonder that the adversary (you remember him right, the loser jerk dweeb) is working overtime to try to convince mother's that they are weak and insignificant. The guy lies, and this is one of his biggest. Mother's because you sacrifice so much you hold within a power to influence for good.

Remember some important points. It is absolutely essential that you are imperfect. That's because your children will be imperfect and they have to know that they are still a good person and can overcome. Please don't beat yourself up for not being perfect. You are the example your kids need. Trust that truth. Remember that especially in the first years of life your children are learning tons and tons of things. The thing they learn the most about is relationship. As you spend time with them, holding them, laughing with them, crying with them, dancing with them, whatever, they will learn that they are good enough, smart enough and loveable enough for you, and that will be key to building their self-esteem. Moms are a force to be reckoned with. You are the builders. The foundation of society is the family. Moms hold the whole structure up. Don’t let anyone ever lead you to believe that you are anything less than central to our society and our nation’s success.

If you see things going wrong, take a stand, say it out loud. I guarantee you are not the only one. More and more moms these days are finding their voice and finding others who feel the same. You are in the trenches of the fight for good. Take courage God is always with the mothers who seek His help. Trust Him, and believe Him when He tells you how amazing you are.

I need to make sure I mention some people in particular. I have been blessed to have friends who are like family, and family who I consider friends. First off I'm grateful for the friends I have in my life. I have marvelous examples of strong and faithful women as friends, and I have learned much, thank-you. I am one of the truly blessed people when it comes to my family; the siblings have all married incredibly well. To my sisters in law, I consider you sisters in fact. You 3 are miracle workers. I regard my brothers highly, but you miraculously made them even better men than they already were. Thanks for being who you are. To my dear sisters. How could I ever truly begin to say what I feel for you? The love of my sisters has quite literally been a life saver. We laugh we cry, we put our arms around each other. From the deepest part of my heart, thank-you. And of course to my own mother. Talk about sacrifice. You have put up with me for one thing. You have held me from infant on up, comforting me in need, giving me light in my darkest moments, and giving me gifts of joy. Words fail. Thank-you.

So, dear women out there, stand up. Let the power loose. Throw open those arms. There is so much good in the world, and your role is key, and don’t you forget it. God bless.