Sweetness Craft

leaders vs managers

2010-07-16T07:23:00.001-07:00

About a year ago, I was intoduced to the scholar Hugh Nibley. Hugh Nibley gave a talk entitled Leaders and Managers, and I still think about that talk on a weekly basis because it had such an important effect on my life, especially the work/professional part of my life. When I think about all of supervisors, leads and managers throughout the 14 years I've worked in my life, I've seen tons of manager personalities: the selfish, cowardly, power seeking types who sub consciously encourage people to dislike them. And I've seen leader types, too. Mature people with leadership qualities who really care most about the end result of their work, helping other people on their team, and those who all the lower people in the organization respect too. Obviously when the real leaders are at the top, everyone flourishes. If you go http://speeches.byu.edu , you should be able to check it out for free.

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what its all about

2010-05-30T09:41:00.001-07:00

this is the real Sweetness craft

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2010-04-15T17:37:00.001-07:00

I've come to the discovery that there is a new breed of programmers who are not so much concerned with actually finishing a project. They aren't concerned with goals like supporting their customer base. Or at least they don't seem to be. They are either too caught up in the style of their coding, or worried that someone else might critique their code, that they forget the bottom line. The bottom line being this: your goal as a programmer is to serve others. You have a job to provide others with a better way of doing things. And if you can deliver it to them quickly, you are a hero. Programmers who forget this customer centric theology are bound to fail in the workplace, unless you are good at fooling others. Take heed to these words: if the boss (your customer) is happy, you will most likely stay employed.

2010-02-03T16:47:00.001-08:00

I think the vain really do have trouble with the spiritual. The worldly people of the world are ok with hoping for salvation but don't necessarily want to sacrifice to get it.

2009-12-23T07:41:00.001-08:00

It amazes me how some people are so quick to dismiss a God they cannot see but easily accept concepts from their god-like scientists who make them believe in man-made global warming despite having some of the coldest winters in history. It seems those with the 'blind faith' aren't the ones in the pews but the ones who can look at a blizzard and somehow blame that climate change on an 'evil' corporation.

2009-12-08T06:24:00.001-08:00

In today's manifesto I would like to speak purely from opinion as I always do. My views represent only myself. Personally I believe family, and raising a righteous family, is priority number one. Preparing to do that is goal number one for this life, and includes, along the way, things like self reliance, a proper education and job, finding a person who shares your similar goals and beliefs (and having the guts to ask them to marry you), and the knowledge of right and wrong. In terms of people's priorities, there have been people I sustain as revelators who have told me and many others that church responsibilities must be balanced with temporal responsibilities and thus someone does themselves no good by putting off pursuing their education or dating in order to serve in their church or the temple on a weekly basis. In other words, we have temporal responsibilities to fulfill which are equally as important. Overemphasizing one thing and neglecting another does no good. Furthermore, wasting time dating someone who sucks up time and money who is not seeking to get married, or who you are not seeking to marry, is a waste of time too. Project or pity dating wastes not only your time and money, but the time of the person on the date as well. In conclusion, misplaced priorities causes wasted time which can lead to a wasted life. Overemphasizing the wrong things can cause this.

2009-11-13T23:10:00.001-08:00

The cool part about life perspectives is that you can always look at things and think how great things are despite the same things might potentially depress others. Its simple but true. A positive perspective is generally better and brings a better outcome than a negative, depressing perspective / outlook on life

Audioslave

2009-09-16T22:09:00.001-07:00

This song is awesome. It came out a while ago. But still. I'm just saying.

World worship

2009-08-31T17:06:00.000-07:00

The world is an amazing place. Don't get me wrong.

However, I think the worship of other cultures and countries is a little absurd. What I mean by that is how people in the United States idolize Europe. They think Europe is so much more advanced (which in my opinion mostly due to a lack of morality on Europe's part). They think their health care system is better than ours.

These same people don't like our cowboy perception in the world because they think they are so much civilized than the rest of us. They don't like the strong religious aspect of our country. The funny thing is that our country was founded on religion and the free practice of it.

A lot of these people are narcissistic, from what I can gather.

Other people idolize Africa. Apparently they're OK with the fact that rape is a social norm with a lot of the natives, and sometimes even the rape of children. Or maybe they like how Muslims are spreading throughout Africa, Europe and other places by force. No, not like you say "hey I'd like to be baptized into your church" but more like someone tells you to practice that religion, leave the country, or die. You get three choices.

Funny thing is that these same people also don't really like America, Americans, or the Caucasian race in general. They really enjoy feeling like citizens of the world, whereas people like me are still really proud of the United States.

I believe in our country. I believe it is still the greatest country in the world, and I believe it was divinely set on that path. This country was based on freedom, an unalienable characteristic given to us from our divine creator... our God.

Yeah we have problems in the United States. But there is no better country in the world to model ourselves after. And so I consider myself a proud citizen of the United States. I am part of the world, but I am certainly not part of the downward moral trend the world is headed towards. And because of that I do not consider myself a world citizen as much as a proud citizen of my country.

Leading two lives

2009-08-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

There are people in this world who lead two lives. A spiritual life, and a non-spiritual life. Yet the two should be deeply intertwined. There should not be a distinction.

"It is not always easy to live in the world and not be a part of it. We cannot live entirely with our own or unto ourselves, nor would we wish to. We must mingle with others. In so doing, we can be gracious. We can be inoffensive. We can avoid any spirit or attitude of self-righteousness. But we can maintain our standards. The natural tendency will be otherwise, and many have succumbed to it." - Gordon B Hinckley.

John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

Inspiration for the day

2009-08-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Privacy

2009-08-22T01:50:00.001-07:00

Regarding my blog, I've been thinking a lot about how much and what I post on here.

Maybe it's a being married and a kid on the way thing. Maybe it's just me being paranoid. Maybe I just don't care as much about all the potential attention I can get because I'm married. Don't get me wrong, I love attention, I just want more control on who can view all that stuff.

But I'm going to be scaling back on my blog posts on here (you can ignore this if you are reading this as a re-post on facebook). But if you really want to keep in touch, see all my photos, read my funny comments, and view stuff I consider somewhat more private, hit me up on facebook. If I know you, I can add you and you can have full reign to it all.

Facebook pretty much has the best privacy controls out there I think. And even though people can add me and then show it to someone else who I don't want seeing it, it's better than no control at all.

And in the meantime, you can read my less privacy invasive stuff on here. I'll probably still talk about chimps, politics, religion, and more. But if you want the real dirty, hit me up over there.

So if you're not already my friend on facebook, I'll see you over there soon.

I'm over it

2009-08-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

I'm over the over Auto-Tuning stuff. People have killed that kind of music for me by over-doing it. Let's move on to something new.

This is awesome

2009-08-15T00:30:00.001-07:00

Don't Sell Out The Deaf

2009-08-01T00:57:00.001-07:00

Taking yourself too seriously

2009-07-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

What's up with people taking themselves all seriously? Especially in situations where it's not necessary.

And what's up with people trying to impress people with their ridiculous vocabulary? Are you speaking in code? I shouldn't need to write a program to translate what you are saying so that 65% of the population can understand you. It's cool if you know a word and use it once to be clever in a joke... but come on. You're not impressing anyone. The funny thing is that it's usually someone trying to use a big vocabulary to compensate for something the feel insecure about, too.

In fact, trying to impress people is overrated altogether. Materialism is overrated. Frugality is underrated. I'm more impressed with someone who lives frugally than someone who is wealthy and blows all their money with nothing long-term to show for it. I'm impressed with people who can raise kids on one income, yet still manage to dress their kids decently, keep them clean, and raise them to not be idiots. I like nice stuff. Don't get me wrong. I just like other things more.

I have a headache. I feel like the back of my head is going to explode. So I think I'm done with this for now.

And in the end...

2009-06-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Matthew 24:5-12

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Does isolationism work or not?

2009-06-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

For a long period of time, the United States and many other countries had a policy of isolating themselves and staying away from "entangling alliances". But then in the 1930s and 1940s things changed.

This guy emerged named Adolph Hitler who decided to conquer Europe. Following this, Japan jumped on board with him and bombed Pearl Harbor (in Hawaii). Thus, the United States entered World War II. And of course, we turned the tide and we won the war.

However, the debate continues today, and people with varying degrees of knowledge speculate as to whether or not there are still people like Hitler out there. Many people in the United States try to ignore religion altogether or blame it for most of the wars, however antisemitism (the hatred of Jews, the same thing that fueled Hitler) still runs strong, and coupled with it now is the hatred of Christianity. And although those of us who chose to not associate with religion in this country may not like it, the United States is still a nation dominated statistically by Christians.

With that in mind, just recently the US intelligence notified India to not allow a North Korean plane into it's airspace, as it was planning on traveling through to deliver parts for ballistic missiles. (source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/19/military-set-intercept-north-korean-ship-suspected-proliferatin-missiles-nukes/) Thus, although everyone made fun of him for saying it, the Bush Axis of Evil may already be under way (a supposed alliance between Iran, North Korea and Iraq).

Based on our limited understanding, it's a valid concern for all of us to consider whether or not the United States should remain isolationist and ignore these concerns and risk the threat of another Hitler rising to power (although Hitler never had nuclear weapons), or if we should remain full involved and preemptively attack these countries if they continue to arm themselves.

Scholasticism and "proving" God

2009-06-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

Stay with me on this one...

From wikipedia:

Scholasticism is derived from the Latin word scholasticus (Greek: σχολαστικός)[1], which means "that [which] belongs to the school", and was a method of learning taught by the academics (or school people) of medieval universities circa 1100–1500. Scholasticism originally started to reconcile the philosophy of the ancient classical philosophers with medieval Christian theology. Scholasticism is not a philosophy or theology in itself but a tool and method for learning which places emphasis on dialectical reasoning. The primary purpose of scholasticism is to find the answer to a question or to resolve a contradiction. It is most well-known for its application in medieval theology, but was eventually applied to classical philosophy and many other fields of study.

Scolasticism gets its start with late ancient figures like (early church fathers) St.Ambrose and St. Augustine who attempt to use Philosophy and Philosophical reason to help explain the doctrine and mysteries of the church. Ambrose and Augustine were among the first Church fathers to marry Christian sensabilities to Greek philosophy. The synthesis of Greek Philosophy and Christian Doctrine is the heart of scholasticism. (see also Christian Apologetics)

The main figures of scholasticism were Peter Abelard, Albertus Magnus, Duns Scotus, William of Ockham, Bonaventure and, above all, Thomas Aquinas, whose Summa Theologica is an ambitious synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine. Echoing the increasing influence of Aristotle above Plato in the 13th century, the deductive and a priori aspects of scholastic reasoning were to some extent displaced by the inductive reasoning of modern science.

So it goes down like this. In the early days of the church, and seemingly throughout time, Christianity has been trying to prove itself to the world, rather than teaching as if it is the one who has the authority. From the early church days, certain leaders have been trying to prove just exactly how things like the physical resurrection of the body can occur. And how the soul can exist eternally (not be created at birth, but before birth... see Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."... how did God know someone before they were created physically if this isn't so?)

However, when you take the stand of trying to prove faith and religion to someone through science, and you try to limit God based only on the limits of the human mind, you will never win. If the resurrection is truly going to happen, there is no way any of our minds can really comprehend how we will die, and then our souls will become reunited with our physical bodies.

Anyways the point I'm trying to make here is that man does need science to prove religion and faith to him, and it never will. Nor will science ever disprove faith and religion, no matter how hard it continues to try.

The true church teaches having authority given from God, and doesn't need the approval of the world because the faithful will follow it regardless of what the world may say. That is something Jesus Christ did as well. He didn't see approval from the world. He taught as one having authority.

Rebelling is the new "being a follower"

2009-06-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

Back in the high school days and early college days I remember a lot of kids trying to find themselves and discover their identities and be different stand out and all that business. And I remember saying to myself that rebelling was the new "being a follower". I said it because all the kids who were trying to stand out all just looked and acted the same to me. The same as all the other kids who were rebelling in the same way, that is.

The nose piercings, the belly button piercings, the tattoos, the gothic kids, etc.

They weren't all necessarily trying to forge an identity for themselves... but following someone else into their so-called rebellion just made them another group of followers.

For me, I know I am a follower of those who I choose to emulate to a certain extent in my life. Some, more than others. My role models are my parents, my in laws, religious leaders, and Jesus Christ. I'm OK with being a follower in that regard.

Those who chose to think they are rebelling against a system or an establishment should realize they are becoming an establish of their own making. They are followers just as much as the rest of us. So choose who you look up to and follow wisely.

Holocaust Shooter was darwin-loving; hates Bible, Christians

2009-06-12T08:20:00.001-07:00

It's funny when people say all religions are the same, and all of them have terrorists. But fefore anyone can say the guy who shot up the Holocaust Mueseum "was a crazy, right-winged gun toting Christian", read this. Because he wasn't.

Darwin-loving museum shooter hates Bible, Christians
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100882

Terrorists now have rights... thanks Obama

2009-06-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Although the media hasn't really covered it, Obama is now allowing forcing law enforcement to read "their" Miranda rights (funny how illegal aliens and foreign fighters get American rights).

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/06/miranda_rights_for_terrorists.asp

Flashback to election time, Obama laughed it off and said he'd never do it.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/06/flashback_obama_said_terrorist_1.asp

I guess this just all goes along with the agenda of living as if we're afraid of terrorism and trying to appease the terrorists rather than fighting it. Thanks for your votes, America.

311 (over the years)

2009-06-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

(full post: http://sweetnesscraft.blogspot.com/2009/06/311-over-years.html)

Down

All Mixed Up

Don't Stay Home

Beautiful Disaster

Come Original

Creatures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pf6AI_jQlI

I'll Be Here A While

Amber

Don't Tread On Me

Love Song (originally by The Cure)

Hey You

42 Evidences of the True Church

2009-06-08T16:13:00.001-07:00

This isn't meant to offend anyone. But it does explain how to find the true and living church here on the Earth today based upon scriptures in the Bible. It's an interesting read if you haven't seen it before, whether or not you agree with it or not. (FULL LINK: http://sweetnesscraft.blogspot.com/2009/06/42-evidences-of-true-church.html)

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42 Evidences of the True Church (with references in the Bible)

The Godhead (aka: The Trinity, as some people know it) consists of three separate and distinct beings - God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
Genesis 1:26-27;3:22
Matthew 3:17; 28:19
Luke 3:22
Acts 7:55
1 John 5:7

God the Father, as well as his Son Jesus Christ, who is a resurrected personage, both have bodies of flesh and bone and spirit.
Genesis 32:30
Exodus 33:23
Luke 24:39, 41-43
John 20:17; 21:13-14
Acts 7:55-56
1 John 3:2

Jesus is the Christ, the literal Son of God, the Messiah, and the only perfect person upon the earth - and not simply a great teacher.
Luke 9:35
John 17:4-5
Hebrews 1:6-7

Jesus Christ, as revealed in the New Testament, is Jehovah, God of the Old Testament.
Exodus 3:14
John 8:58
Isaiah 43:11
Hosea 13:4

The Holy Ghost is a distinct personage of spirit and is the third member of the Godhead.
Matthew 3:15-18
John 14:26; 16:13-14; 20:21-22
Ephesians 1:17

The Holy Bible is the word of the Lord insofar as it is translated correctly. It is the record of the Jews and will be joined with another record in the last days to relate God's word to his people. This second record will come from a descendant of Joseph.
Ezekiel 37:15-17
Isaiah 29:18
Revelation 20:12-14

Jesus Christ is recognized as the head of his Church, with other officers named, beginning with a foundation of apostles and prophets, and including teachers, saints, elders, evangelists, bishops, deacons, priests and high priests.
John 15:16
Mark 3:14-15
Ephesians 2:19-20; 4:11-14

Officers in Christ's church will be "called of God." They will receive their authority through the "laying of hands." One cannot call himself to the ministry,
a. College degree or license insufficient.
b. Royal priesthood will be known as such.
c. Bishops and leaders are to marry and to have children.

Acts 19:25
Hebrews 5:4, 10
Timothy 3:2; 4:2-3
1 Peter 2:9

Members of Christ's church will be "workers," and will be called "saints." In addition, women will be included in activities and leadership.
Proverbs 12:4
Romans 1:7
Ephesians 4:12
1 Corinthians 11:7
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

There will exist within the church separate entities for each of the groups of members. Adult and youth organizations will exist. This point stands to reason, if Christ is concerned with helping each individual from that person's own level of understanding.
Ephesians 4:11-14

Christ's church will believe in the "virgin birth" of Jesus Christ but will not believe in the "immaculate conception" of Mary (Immaculate Conception meaning Mary was born without original sin, not to be confused with the conception of Jesus Christ).
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:19-20, 23
Luke 1:26-31, 42

Christ's church will believe in immortality or eternal life, and in a heaven and hell. After the resurrection, we will be assigned to different places according to the judgement. The first resurrection will be for the righteous and will commence 1,000 years before the second resurrection.
John 3:16-17; 5:28-29; 14:2
1 Corinthians 15:20-22; 40-42
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The Savior's church will honor Sunday as the Sabbath, with the understanding that the resurrection transpired Sunday morning, the first day of the week - and thus replaced Saturday as the Sabbath.
Hosea 2:11
Matthew 28:1
John 5:18
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 16:2

Officers as well as members of Christ's church will receive continuous revelation from God.
Amos 3:7
Matthew 16:13. 16-19
Ephesians 1:17

Members of the Lord's church will be payers of tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8, 11
Luke 11:42
Hebrews 7:4-5

Members of the church will regularly partake of the Lord's supper. This sacrament represents the flesh and blood of Christ and is partaken of in remembrance of him.
Matthew 26:26-28
Acts 20:7
1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Members of the Lord's church will experience miracles, such as visions, tongues and prophesies. In addition, the church will practice divine healing. When members of the church are sick, elders of the church will anoint them with oil and heal them.
Matthew 9:18
Mark 6: 5; 16:17-18
Acts 5:12, 16
James 5:14-15

Church leaders will teach that the resurrected Jesus Christ will come again to the earth in the last days. This "second coming" will be greatly anticipated.
Job 19:25-26
Matthew 24:30
Acts 1:11; 3:19-21

Members of the Lord's church will be persecuted for their beliefs.
Matthew 5:10-12; 24:9
Luke 6:22-23
Acts 8:1-3; 28:22
Hebrews 11:36-38

The church as a whole, as well as its members, will be recognized for their "fruits" - as well as the prophets who lead them. The church will esteem honesty, virtue, and wholesome activity.
Proverbs 15:4
Luke 6:43-44
2 Corinthians 9:10
Philippians 4:17
Hebrews 13:18

The church must provide salvation for all of God's children, not just those who receive the gospel while living on the earth. It will practice baptism for the dead.
Mark 16:16
John 3:1-8
1 Corinthians 15:29

The church will build temples similar to the one Solomon built, which was destroyed and built again at the time of Christ. These temples will have unique purposes, including baptism and other ordinances. Temples will also be holy places, contain the Holy of Hollies, and be used by members as places of worship.
Isaiah 2:3
Malachi 3:1; 3:7

Christ's original church was organized by him and named after him, and his church today will also be named after him.
Acts 4:10-12
Ephesians 1:22; 4:11-14; 5:23-24

Specific authority to function in the administration of the church is called "priesthood." It is obtained through ordination by one having the power to so ordain.
1 Samuel 13:9-14
Mark 6:7
John 7:16; 20:21
Acts 19:2-5
Hebrews 5:4-6,(6?)8-20

A higher priesthood authority is required to bestow the Holy Ghost than to baptize.
Matthew 16:19
Mark 1:7-8
Acts 8:15-18; 19:2-6

The church that Christ originally organized did not baptize infants since the prerequisite for baptism had (1) a capacity for repentance of past personal sins, and (2) a personal belief in the divinity and teachings of Christ.
Mark 10:14-15; 16:16
Acts 2:38; 8:12

The church is to send out missionaries (in twos), to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mark 6:7
Luke 10:1

The church will have a welfare system to provide for the poor and the needy within the church. Members are to provide for themselves and their family first, and then receive help from the church
Deuteronomy 15:11
Psalm 9:18
Isaiah 14:30
Mark 10:21
Luke 18:22
Romans 15:26

The church will have a law of health. Alcoholic beverages will not be used by members of the church.
Ephesians 5:18
1 Corinthians 5:11
6:9-10

The church will be one that is restored to the earth. Christ's original church experienced a great apostasy or falling away, but his church will be returned or restored again in the last days.
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Acts 3:19-21
2 Thessalonians 2:1-13
Revelation 14:6-7

Christ's church will believe in being saved by the grace of Christ through exercising faith in him. In other words, it will teach that when we repent of our sins and forsake them, the atonement of Christ will cleanse us of our sins.
Matthew 7:21-29
Mark 16:15-16
Luke 6:46-49
1 Timothy 4:10
James 1:22-25; 2:14-26

The church will preach only the true gospel of Christ, with no variations. It will neither add to the meaning of Christ's teachings nor take away from them - even though current revelation will provide insight into them.
Matthew 5:19
Galatians 1:6-9
Ephesians 4:5
Hebrews 13:8-9

Christ's church will espouse a pre-earth life, or a preexistence, such as that taught by the Orthodox Jews. Included in this teaching will be the doctrine of foreordination and not predestination. God the Father will be recognized as having created the individual spirits of all people.
Genesis 1:26-31
Job 38:4-7
Ecclesiastes 12:7
John 17:5
Ephesians 1:4-5
Hebrews 12:9

The church will believe in the "original sin" of Adam. Nevertheless, it will teach that Christ atoned for Adam's sin and that we will be punished for our own sins, as Adams sin has already been atoned for.
John 1:29
Acts 24:14-15
Romans 5:6-19
1 Corinthians 15:21-23

Christ's church will teach that the gathering of Israel, in the last days, will be literal.
Isaiah 5:26-30; 11:12-13; 35
Jeremiah 3:14-18; 31:10

Members of the true church will respect the beliefs of others.
Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

The church will be subject to the laws of the land, regardless of the type of government in power in that land - thus rendering unto Caesar that which is his, and to God that which is his.
Matthew 22:21
Mark 12:17
Luke 20:25

It should be recognized that while perfection is to be sought by each member of Christ's church, the members will have human failings and will make mistakes, and that they will thus need to grow and learn - line upon line, precept upon precept.
Isaiah 28:10
Ephesians 4:11-14; 28,32

After repentance, baptism by immersion is essential, as is receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. A person performing these ordinances of baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost must be duly authorized to perform such ordinances.
Matthew 3:13-15
John 3:5
Acts 2:38,41; 22:16
Romans 6:5-6

The Savior's church will have an unpaid ministry. This unpaid ministry will be called "by revelation," even as the apostles called new members to their quorum following the resurrection of Christ.
Amos 3:7
Micah 3:11
John 10:13
Acts 1:22-26
1 Corinthians 9:18
1 Peter 5:2

Satan is a real spirit being and not a fragment of people's imagination.
Job 1:6
Matthew 4:10
Mark 1:13; 8:33
Luke 13:16; 22:3, 31
John 13:27
Acts 26:18

The Holy Ghost will bear witness to the truthfulness of the Savior's plan, when it is presented. This is the one sure way of knowing which, if any, of the churches belongs to the Savior.
John 16:13-14
1 Corinthians 12:4-12
Galatians 5:22-26
Ephesians 1:17

Hilarious videos

2009-06-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

In case you've never seen these on my facebook, we've got 1) Ditching Seminary and 2) Don't Sell Out the Deaf, back from 1997, featuring me, Brady Willard, Ryan Tripp, and Trent Tanner.

Spiritual things to ponder

2009-06-01T17:43:00.001-07:00

1) Do you believe there is one true church? And are you attending it?

2) If your church is true but has changed or made decisions on where it stands over time (aka: has established a "church opinion" on something), what has allowed it to change (IE: changes in belief on a certain subject, different ordinances, changes in belief on afterlife, etc)? Can a church change but still be "true" if it has changed by the decisions and logic of man? Or does it need to be changed through revelation and the power of God? In other words, do you need the authority of God to be the authority ruling over the church?

3) Assuming your church has changed and it has come through the power of God, would you regard your leader as someone who has the power and authority to speak and act for God? If your church has changed but you don't regard your church leadership as having this power, how do you justify that the church has changed? And is it the true church if it has changed without any authority from God?

Spiritual direction

2009-05-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

A couple of random notes:

To me it is an affirmation of the truthfulness of my religion that people are so bothered when you tell them that you don't drink. Especially by those who are so consumed and restricted because of their choices that they cannot "have a good time" with others without the influence of alcohol. When I tell someone near my age, who is strongly addicted to alcohol, that I don't drink, and why I don't drink, they wonder how I can exist in my life or have a good time at all without it. And it's not me who they should be laughing at for being "controlled" by my religion, which I freely choose. It is the alcohol that they need to sustain their emotional states of mind that controls them, and the person in the mirror is the one they should feel bad for. Not to mention my wallet is bigger without spending money on alcohol.

It's not that I think people who drink are bad. It's that I feel bad for those people and I have chosen to not let something entangle me so strongly.

Second random thought... People who are most successful in life are those who are not offended easily. Taking criticism well, and bettering yourself from it, is essential for progression in this life. The best advice I have taken in the past 5 years have come from great men who told me things that were rough for them to say, and rough for me to hear. This talk was given within the past couple years. And this advice has helped me a lot. Read it for yourself, if you haven't yet.And Nothing Shall Offend Them. Or don't. I don't want to control you.

Lastly, I want to talk about spiritual direction, and how to recognize problems in your life, and how to correct them. When tough times come in our lives, we don't know why. But sometimes they are self-inflicted. For me, I can point to bad things going on in my life which appear directly related to disobedience to God's commandments (obedience is another word people HATE to hear. Although they're willing to be led into their own obedience through their addictions). And sometimes I can't always see the answer. And so if I can't attribute my bad situation to anything, I suffer through it and try to figure it out later. Anyways, my point is, I usually always look for ways to change me life and spiritual direction when these signs are placed right before me.

And that's how I roll.

Blink 182 - Not Now

2009-05-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Blink 182 - Not Now.

In case you've never heard of these guys.

Bay area glorifies rapist and murder on account of racism

2009-05-05T09:55:00.001-07:00

He killed four cops. He is now suspected to have raped a 12 year old. Some even say he was a serial rapist. Yet now under the guise of supposed racism, it's apparently OK to kill 4 cops and rape a 12 year old. It makes you a hero. And it's not even a hate crime. Unless of course it was a white guy who killed four black cops.

This is one of the reasons why I don't live in the bay area and I hope I never even have to visit.

Get yourself out of crappy situations

2009-04-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

"The daily dramas she made from nothing
So nothing ever made them right
She liked to push me and talk me back down
Until I believed I was the crazy one,
and in a way
I guess I was..."

-Ben Folds, Landed

McCain Defends Napolitano (and Obama)

2009-04-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/azdc/51711

I can't wait til McCain is voted out. He blew the presidential election by being a "nice guy" like this.

And if you're smart you'll vote him out in the Republican Primary just like I'm planning on, when he runs against Chris Simcox.

Try to carjack someone, and you get shot

2009-04-23T14:41:00.001-07:00

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/290020.php

How justice is served: Try to carjack someone, and you get shot.

(Although I'm sure the wonderful liberal Tucson judges and city attorneys will somehow allow this lady to try to sue the guy who shot her.)

Burning 9000 gallons of fuel on Earth Day : FAIL

2009-04-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.cbsnews.com/track/rss/blogs/2009/04/22/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4962384.shtml?CMP=OTC-RSSFeed&source=RSS&attr=PoliticalHotsheet_4962384

You LOSE. Good day sir.

PS: My favorite comment on this story (see below the story)... "No word on how much methane he emitted while giving his speeches I guess?"

Coldplay Vs U2

2009-04-21T23:54:00.000-07:00

For some of you, this may be like comparing a cat terd to a dog terd. However, I will continue forth with my comparison.

People sometimes say Coldplay are U2 copies. However, if you look at the last two albums, I offer up this opinion.

In terms of CDs:

Coldplay's Viva La Vida (2008) > U2's No Line on the Horizon(2009)
Coldplay's X & Y (2005) > U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

(Although I will say "All That You Can't Leave Behind"(2000) by U2 is an awesome CD)

And U2 still charges more for tickets even though I think Coldplay puts on a better show.

The winner for the past 5 years has been Coldplay. And if Coldplay is just another U2 copy, the student is schooling the teacher.

Plus this song is awesome.

And this one.

How is it volunteer work if you're getting money?

2009-04-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090421/D97N3IB86.html

Doesn't the fact people are getting money for college wipe out the idea of it being "volunteer"? Volunteer work for college money just seems like an oxymoronic sentence.

And yes I just invented the term "oxymoronic".

80% of jobs lost- Men

2009-04-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

If things were reversed, and 80% of jobs lost were women, there'd be rallies and congressional hearings. But because it's only men, there's just a small news story on the internet covering it.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d28c79d6-2d11-11de-8710-00144feabdc0.html

No Jesus for Obama

2009-04-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

When speaking at a prominent Catholic university, Georgetown, Obama asked that the image of Jesus be covered up. I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed in Obama for claiming to be a Christian and doing this, or Georgetown University for claiming to be a Catholic university and allowing it to happen.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Jesus-Missing-From-Obamas-Georgetown-Speech.html

Your tax dollars hard at work

2009-04-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/288780.php

I'm sure you already knew this, but you pay to educate illegal aliens. 1 out of 7 students in a public school here in Arizona (perhaps even high in Tucson) is an illegal alien.

No wonder TUSD is broke and had to lay people off.

2009-04-14T17:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZhN9xBdqcQ
Hilarious.

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/12227/
Also this one makes me proud to be from Texas.

RIGHT WING TERRORISTS!!

2009-04-14T09:30:00.001-07:00

Funny how when Democrats take power the fear of right-wing terrorists suddenly appears again.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right/

I guess the real terrorists needed a break from us being protected against them.

Pirates, guns and the such

2009-04-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

I think the solution to the whole pirate situation over by Somalia is simple. You do exactly what the Navy Seals did to them. You shoot and kill them.

Furthermore, when you have unarmed ships in dangerous (or safe) waters, especially near the coast of Somalia, you are asking for trouble. The men on this ship were already trained in firearms, and should have already been armed. That way, they could have shot and killed the pirates themselves. But they weren't. And they weren't armed because some ports in the world will not allow people on these boats to be armed. But if an international port doesn't want our trade boats armed, we can just skip past them and go to a country who will allow our "boaters" to defend themselves.

And this all comes back to a pretty simple principal. As long as there are guns in the world, the good people of the world will need guns to protect themselves against the bad people of the world. And because we probably will never eradicate guns, most of the good people in the world should be armed. I'd be all about gun control if there was a 100% sure way to do get rid of them. But there isn't.

Morale of the story? Shoot pirates if they try to capture your boat or take you hostage.

Why don't they call it the gloom tracker?

2009-04-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.forbes.com/2008/11/17/layoff-tracker-unemployement-lead-cx_kk_1118tracker.html?partner=yahootix

The recession sucks and all that, but I don't really think it's wise to put up a layoff tracker, especially because it doesn't account for how many of these people were laid off but then found other jobs (maybe higher paying ones?), or were laid off and now retired, etc.

What if they had a layoff tracker starting from the 2001 recession going all the way until the 2009 recession? It would probably list millions of people having been laid off, when in fact probably only 400,000 of them don't actually have jobs.

Why the country is in shambles...

2009-04-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

A nation's ideals usually define it as a whole. And when only 53% of the country can admit that free market capitalism (the kind that the United States has been a part of, the kind that helped produce more economic freedom and prosperity for ALL of it's citizens, more than any other form of economics) is better than socialism (the kind that is associated the deaths of around 10 million people via communism (see: Stalin)), you know we're in deep crap.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/just_53_say_capitalism_better_than_socialism

Deception

2009-04-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

This video is long. Really long. But it's interesting.

Facebook users go here: http://sweetnesscraft.blogspot.com/2009/04/deception.html

Motorcyles + drinking = Claims another life

2009-04-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

I had a friend die earlier in the year from losing control on a motorcycle. He was only 18. Here's another one.

http://www.azstarnet.com/altds/pastframe/metro/287401

Just like a lot of other things, motorcycles are extremely dangerous, especially if you drink. I prefer to do neither... ride motorcycles, nor drink. Perhaps others should try what I do. Just saying.

CS Lewis on Selfishness

2009-04-07T00:13:00.000-07:00

"The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting your self first. Wanting to be the center; wanting to be God in fact. That was the sin of Satan and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake. What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could be like gods; could set up on their own as if they had created themselves; be their own masters; invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God; apart from God; and out of that hopeless attempt has come the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make them happy."

-CS Lewis

Serve others.

Kobe Bryant

2009-04-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

"Bryant has stated that had he decided to go to college after high school, he would have attended Duke University."

I like Kobe more and more everyday.

Science at a loss

2009-04-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

"I would more easily believe that [a] Yankee professor would lie than that stones would fall from heaven." - Thomas Jefferson on meteorites (back in the day when there was no explanation for them from the scientific community)

Philosophers and scientists cannot logically explain everything in the world. Many times they do not see possibilities in what is unknown to them (IE: faith, God, spirituality).

And sometimes, looking into and trusting in the unknown and unseen is what moves humanity forth in the first place. Not purely science. Someone who had hopes and dreams and in something unknown invented the automobile, the television, and probably just about every other invention out there.

Just a deep thought for all of you out there in web land.

The Grey Album

2009-04-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

It came out a while ago, for those of you who remember the White Album by The Beatles, and for some of you who remember the Black Album by Jay-Z, if you combine the two together, you get Danger Mouse's Gray Album.

It's the Beatles mashed up with Jay Z and it's kinda cool. You should check it out.

Who's corrupt?

2009-03-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's home district includes San Francisco.

Star-Kist Tuna's headquarters are in San Francisco, Pelosi's home district.

Star-Kist is owned by Del Monte Foods and is a major contributor to Pelosi.

Star-Kist is the major employer in American Samoa employing 75% of the Samoan work force.

Paul Pelosi, Nancy's husband, owns $17 million dollars of Star-Kist stock.

In January, 2007 when the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $7.25, Pelosi had American Samoa exempted from the increase so Del Monte would not have to pay the higher wage. This would make Del Monte products less expensive than their competition's.

Last week when the huge bailout bill was passed, Pelosi added an earmark to the final bill adding $33 million dollars for an 'economic development credit in American Samoa'.

So who is corrupt? Pelosi or the Bush Administration?

mouth opens, stock prices drop

2009-03-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when Obama opens his mouth, stock prices fall? I know most of you who voted for him hate stocks, big companies, capitalism, and economic growth (unless it involves cars that run on soy beans and water), but you have to see the correlation here.

Just today he said some stuff about the auto industry and gave a grim outlook, and the Dow fell 250 points in just an hour or so.

But I guess if you're trying to pass big spending bills, the only way to get them passed is to continue letting the market fail so that people are so entirely scared for their lives, they pass anything you tell them to.

Bottom line is to not buy into the fear hype.

Laettner and Pitino

2009-03-29T15:31:00.001-07:00

(if you forgot who Christian Laettner is, watch this)

dreamers, downers, and the do-ers

2009-03-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

We're all a little of each sometimes, and hopefully most of the time we are dreamers and do-ers. watch out for downers. They sap energy. And stay near the dreamers and do-ers. They inspire energy.

That's all.

This isn't racist at all

2009-03-27T15:09:00.001-07:00

Brazil’s leader blames white people for crisis
By Jonathan Wheatley in São Paulo and agencies

Published: March 27 2009 00:27 | Last updated: March 27 2009 00:27

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday blamed the global economic crisis on “white people with blue eyes” and said it was wrong that black and indigenous people should pay for white people’s mistakes.

Full story:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae4957e8-1a5f-11de-9f91-0000779fd2ac.html

Imagine if George Bush had said this about blacks or latinos.

I always put human beings in plastic bags if I think they aren't viable, too!

2009-03-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/285965.php

“She never, ever meant to hurt that baby,” Laura Udall said Wednesday outside Pima County Superior Court, following Sarah Tatum’s arraignment on attempted first-degree murder and child abuse charges. “She didn’t think it was viable.”

Does anyone have a plastic bag to put this lawyer in, too (in the same manner this girl killed her baby)? Because I'm pretty sure she just lost her viability, in my opinion.

Daniel Hannan needs to give a speech here too...

2009-03-25T09:24:00.001-07:00

"You can't spend your way out of a recession"

"Ignoramus"

2009-03-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

Even the Republicans don't call Obama names like this...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE52L19G20090322

Facebook users read the full article here: http://sweetnesscraft.blogspot.com/2009/03/ignoramus.html

ACORN to help with the 2010 Census

2009-03-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

If you know anything about the U.S. Census, you know that they can help determine a lot of things. Like the outcomes of elections. They could potentially help re-district an area, or give one state more representation by providing them with false numbers to give them more votes in the House of Rep. or Senate.

With that in mind, I present you with the latest and greatest idea from our President and his administration.

"Remember ACORN? If you watched any coverage of the 2008 election, you surely heard of the group. If you saw Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck voting at a polling location near you, they were probably registered by an ACORN volunteer.

This corrupt organization has faced lawsuit after lawsuit claiming the group is responsible for massive voter fraud. What did the group do after that? They moved on to "help" people break the law by breaking into locked-down, foreclosed homes and encouraging the evicted home owners to continue living in the homes, even though they could not pay the bills. Now, this group will be helping with the 2010 census."

Here's a cool video to give you an idea of what ACORN is all about:

FULL STORY

Obama's Department of Justice Out to Help Illegals

2009-03-12T10:08:00.001-07:00

Sheriff Joe puts people in jail when they do illegal things. Even illegal immigrants. Then he deports them back to Mexico. The Attorney General (part of Obama's cabinet), Eric Holder, heads up the Department of Justice. And apparently these illegal immigrants deserve better.

http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=44899

Personally I think Eric Holder should focus on closing up the borders and making security tighter, not worrying about the "civil rights" of illegal immigrants (an oxymoron in itself).

Thanks again, hope and changers!

Utah, Hawaii, Wyoming top 'happiness' poll

2009-03-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Any correlation?

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96RQ6I00&show_article=1

TOP LDS POPULATED STATES

State	Number of congregations	Number of members	Percent of state population
Utah	2,924	1,236,242	71.76%
Idaho	662	268,060	26.63
Wyoming	128	45,793	10.10
Nevada	198	89,033	7.41
Arizona	469	199,761	5.45
Montana	106	28,620	3.58
Hawaii	109	38,303	3.46
Oregon	228	89,601	3.15
Washington	371	150,634	3.10
Alaska	58	15,751	2.86

(from http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_lds.html)

Furniture

2009-03-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

Apparently when you buy a house you're supposed to get furniture. If it were up to me, I'd keep my 50 dollar used futon, sleep on it, sit on it, watch tv on it, and continue about my life.

However my wife insists we get furniture, and I've decided I like this:

Of course, I'm not going to buy something like this new. That's for suckers. But I do like the little end thing when it's like a recliner, but it's just straight up lay down time, 100% of the time. That's where it's at. That's where I go. Oh and the little ottoman thing is nice, too.

And that is the extent of how much I care about furniture for now in my life.

Avoiding Temptation

2009-03-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

I feel this guy's pain. But seriously, whatever addiction or problem you have, don't present yourself with it and try to overcome it. Just don't walk into the situation in the first place.

Great Advice

2009-03-06T15:36:00.000-08:00

CHAVEZ CALLS ON OBAMA TO FOLLOW PATH OF SOCIALISM
Fri Mar 06 2009 17:13:48 ET

Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday called upon US President Barack Obama to follow the path to socialism, which he termed as the "only" way out of the global recession. "Come with us, align yourself, come with us on the road to socialism. This is the only path. Imagine a socialist revolution in the United States," Chavez told a group of workers in the southern Venezuelan state of Bolivar.

The controversial Venezuelan leader, who taunted the United States as a source of capitalistic evil under former president George W Bush, added that the United States needs a leader who can take it to a "higher" destiny and bring it out of "the sad role that it has been given, as a murderous, attacking power that is hated all around the world."

Chavez said that people are calling Obama a "socialist" for the measures of state intervention he is taking to counter the crisis, so it would not be too far-fetched to suggest that he might join the project of "21st century socialism" that the Venezuelan leader is heading.

"Nothing is impossible. Who would have thought in the 1980s that the Soviet Union would disappear? No one," he said.

"That murderous, genocidal empire has to end, and some day there has to come a leader ... who interprets the best of a people who also include human beings who suffer, endure, weep and laugh," the outspoken Chavez said.

http://drudgereport.com/flashco.htm

(We'll get right on that, Chavez)

Stand Up For Freedom

2009-03-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

Some excerpts from this talk include:

"We have moved a long way – and are now moving further and more rapidly down the soul-destroying road of socialism. The evidence is clear – shockingly clear for all to see."

"No American is worthy of citizenship in this great land who refuses to take an active interest in these important matters."

"...many liberals have claimed to see virtues in socialism and communism which I, for one, have not been able to find. To promote their ideas, American liberals have become a highly organized, hard-core establishment in the United States and they have been excusing their appeasement and coddling of communism on the ground that they were being “tolerant,” “broadminded,” and “working for peace.”

"I believe one of the most serious mistakes a President could make would be to weaken the Constitution."

"To Moses God said: “….proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” (Lev. 25:10) Why? For God knows full well that the gospel – His plan for the blessing of His children can prosper only in an atmosphere of freedom. "

"To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom no matter what the cost. It can help to save your soul – and maybe your country."

I would put the whole thing up here cause it's so good, but instead you can read it for yourself. Here's link to it.

http://www.latterdayconservative.com/ezra-taft-benson/stand-up-for-freedom.html

Don't worry about where 1.9 trillion of your tax dollars are going

2009-03-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

Bear with me here. This post is not slanted towards the right or the left. It is neither conservative nor liberal in nature.

Picture that we're back in the late 1700s. The British Government is really pissing us off because they're taxing us like crazy, and then not representing us, or even telling us where the money is going.

They're giving the money away to big banks, auto corporations (yes, just pretend there were cars back then), and other people who can't manage their money.

Do you think the people back then would stand for that (see: Boston Tea Party)? No. Neither do I. Then why do we stand for this?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=aG0_2ZIA96TI

PS: It's time to shut down the Federal Reserve. And I know most of you don't know who runs the Federal Reserve, but I'll give you a hint. It's not the federal government. Or any elected government at all. It's a bunch of private banks.

Abortion clinic owner delivers baby then throws the infant away

2009-03-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-bn-0304miami-doctor,0,900628.story

Not much different than a regular abortion. Just a matter of how he disposed of it. But hey, keep voting for change.

Obama Releases First Terrorist From Guantanamo

2009-02-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

Gear up for the next big terrorist attack...

Source Document Center: Obama Releases First Terrorist From Guantanamo Prison

On February 23, 2009, the Obama Administration released its first unlawful enemy combatant back into society as former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed landed in Great Britain on Monday morning. This disastrous move by the Obama Administration comes just three days before the 16th anniversary of the first bombing of the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993—a terrorist attack that killed six people and wounded 1,000 others.

When the news broke, ABC News reported that members of the group Military Families United made thousands of calls to the White House to express their outrage and opposition to the release.

According to Military Families United: “Mohamed was captured in Pakistan in April, 2002, and has admitted to training at various Al-Qaeda training camps, where he specialized in firearms and explosives. He is accused of plotting a series of attacks on the United States with Jose Padilla and Khalid Sheik
Mohammed. According to a British news source, Mohamed will only be required to live
at an agreed address and to check in regularly with police.”

By releasing this man from custody, it appearsthat President Obama is more interested in pleasing the ACLU than keeping Americans safe.

Why I love Duke

2009-02-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

And the best one...

Facebook users go here: http://sweetnesscraft.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-i-love-duke.html

Imagine Life

2009-02-25T07:36:00.001-08:00

Probably the best video you will see all week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85c

Funniest things ever

2009-02-23T22:14:00.000-08:00

You all know how I hate to self-promote, but back in 2004 my friend Vito and I (along with the help of Ryan and another Matt) made some of the funniest flash animations ever. We call them the Ghetto Flash Compendium of Benjimations. Mostly because we had no real animation or drawing skills at the time. Well at least I didn't. Enjoy.

<http://www.selfactualized.com/british.html

Latest mug shot fashion trend

2009-02-23T14:49:00.001-08:00

Does anyone notice a trend? Facebook users click here to see the original post.

Imagine

2009-02-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

I don't like the song Imagine, by John Lennon, and I think it's stupid people are so in love with that song who claim to follow a religion.

The opening part of the song is takes a very anti-religious tone, and is blaming religion for all the big problems of the world today. Do you hear what the guy is saying? I've attached the youtube of the lyrics.

On top of it all, he's saying "I hope one day you'll join us and the world will live as one". So he's basically saying, join up with us and we'll all live in peace and harmony.

Well sorry John, turns out we can't all live in peace, until the end, when Jesus comes back.

Matthew 10:21-22

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

And I'm not saying that war and violence is OK, but don't blame it all on religion. Blame it on stupid human nature. Besides, the last people who tried to blame religion as the root of all of the Earth's problems ending killing more people than any religion did (see: Joseph Stalin and communism... "Historians estimate--though we will never truly know--that somewhere around 20 million human beings were murdered under Stalin's orders by the NKVD/KGB.").

I like the Beatles but I'm just not a big fan of John Lennon's solo career.

Chimps are dangerous

2009-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

Alright, so... I don't really care too much about animal rights or anything, mostly because we've got to save the people first before we save the animals. When we quit killing babies, maybe I'll stand outside of KFC and protest the slaughter of chickens. Anyways... if you are going to get a chimpanzee, you better have a pretty big place for it to run around in, and it better not be able to break out and wreak havoc on people.

Just this week, a chimp went crazy and basically destroyed a lady. And it wasn't even her chimp. If you need more info, read about it here:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,495326,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29227429/

The guy pictured above was just attacked by a chimp 4 years ago (in 2005). You can read about him here -> http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1364810.ece The chimps who attacked him ripped off his nose, chewed his foot off and chewed his genitals off.

I feel bad for all involved. I feel bad for the chimp for getting shot. I feel bad for the people who got attacked, especially since they didn't really provoke the animals. But mostly I blame the people who contain these animals. It's stupid. God didn't make chimps to be put in houses, or cages. I remember pissing this gorilla off in the San Diego Zoo one time. And I was a little kid back then. He could have killed me in about 5 seconds, I think. They are wild animals. So next time you see a chimp or a big monkey in the zoo, don't mess with them. And especially don't keep one in your house.

News that rocked my world

2009-02-08T22:15:00.000-08:00

I didn't think a lot of news could shock me, or make me excited, or make me motivated to want to do something awesome, but this restored my faith in all that today.

MTV Shows

And to top it all off, the band with the best rock cd of the year (of mainstream rock) actually won the Grammy, surprisingly.

Obama doesn't care about white people

2009-02-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Does anyone remember when Kanye West got on TV with Mike Myers and said "George Bush doesn't care about black people?" during Hurricane Katrina when a lot of african-americans were displaced from their homes, and didn't receive any assistance from the federal government (FEMA)? I sure do. If not, look it up on youtube.com. He said it.

Now that we have an african-american president, I can safely say that Obama doesn't care about white people, especially the ones who are in the Mid-West (and are dying in winter storms) and didn't vote for him. And the liberal media could care less either, because it distracts from talks about global warming (especially when it's an ice storm we're talking about).

Maybe Obama should stop worrying less about government bailouts, creating "green" jobs and starting trying to save people's lives, and help give them electricity back so that they can heat their homes.

Need more evidence? Read on.

National death toll hits 55 in ice storm, 24 in KY
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090202/ap_on_re_us/winter_storm

Over 200,000 still without power in the Midwest
http://uk.reuters.com/article/usTopNews/idUKTRE5115AQ20090203

One of the funniest movies ever

2009-01-23T00:18:00.002-08:00

Hot Rod. I recommend watching this movie with 1 or more people who appreciate good random humor. Hilarious movie.

Caring people

2009-01-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder just how "caring" a person is, and what defines a caring person.

For example, am I a caring person just because I talk a lot about how great other people are all the time, and empathize with others, but I don't actually help them with their problems (other than listening)?

What about a friend who is very blunt, and perhaps even brutally honest with another friend, but does it in a caring way to help someone? Is that person caring?

Is caring just about the attitude in which you do it in? Does a caring friend need to worry about hurting the feelings of someone else, if their goal is to help the other person?

I've seen all kinds of different forms of people. In all honesty, I appreciate the people who are always there as a friend, and are brutally honest. And at times, I also appreciate the listening ear as well. The people who have helped me most in life have been the ones who "rattled my cage" occasionally from time to time, but I still care for them and welcome them as my friends despite any previous anger I've had with them.

A caring person is someone who sticks it out and does things which although may sting immediately, have long lasting effect and help you on a more long term basis in your life.

Hilarious 90s Nostalgia

2009-01-18T22:54:00.000-08:00

Jimmy The Cab Driver from MTV. This guy cracked me up.

Is everyone getting poorer? Or are we just living outside of our means?

2009-01-10T01:13:00.001-08:00

I give up

2009-01-05T23:37:00.001-08:00

For about 6 months now I was trying to reinvent the wheel and make my own software to publish my own web site and blog, but for now I've given up. I'm back up on blogspot for now.

And so I begin into my random thoughts for today.

Mark 8:36 - "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

What does it profit a man to gain worldy riches if he loses his own soul? Nothing. He loses everything. And so to myself and to the rest of the faithful out there, I offer up the advice to be true to yourself and to your faith.

Secondly, I've seen some people burned recently in the dating scene by people who make hasty decisions due to their own insecurities. Indecisiveness kills relationships, but so does insecurity and lack of trust. Just chill out, my friends. Relax. Don't go off rushing into marrying someone you met at BYU (after 2 weeks) and living in 12 degree weather for 3-6 months out of the year for the rest of your life.