kebstuff sabbatical
Hello my readers (all 3 of you)
I have many irons in the fire and it has come time for me to take a few of the less significant ones out. I have a new project I am working on. I will be updating and writing there quite regularly, so if you like my writing or just want to keep tabs on what I am up to, visit The Giving Bliss Blog
I will no longer be actively adding to this blog, but you are welcome to browse the archives.
An Idea
I’m working on an idea to encourage all of us to return to the good old practice of taking care of ourselves. I’m tired of some waiting for the government to take care of their problems.
It’s time to go out and take care of our neighborhoods.
Right now I’ve come up with the equation: iii = we
Interest, Initiative, Independence.
First, we take an active interest in each other and our surroundings. We have interest in watch those around us succeed.
Second, we take the initiative. We don’t wait for someone to tell us what to do. We just do it. We see a need and we do something about it, we don’t wait for the powers that be to organize or finance. We take care of this as families, and neighborhoods. We don’t need anything official. Just willingness to serve and a little time and donated resources.
Third, we need to realize that this is in our hands. We don’t need government to tell us where and how to serve. We are in charge of our destiny and our surroundings. If all of us decided just to take 4 hours of our 40 work week and spend it doing community service, helping our neighbors businesses, or our children’s school (etc, etc) we could save the local government MILLIONS.
Stay tuned. In the meantime: http://the912project.com/
Choice
I have come to the realization about how much our choice will influence the outcome of our lives. God can help us at any time, and is capable of doing what we need, but it comes down to if we will choose to accept His help. This ability to choose is such a precious gift that God has given us, even if it means some of us choose not to reach out to Him and turn away.
I am grateful that I have that freedom to choose. It makes all the difference.
Heaven on Earth
In my faith, we sing a Hymn called “Home Can be a Heaven on Earth”
Tonight was such a night. The kids cooperated in cleaning the kitchen and the front room, we ate some cookies mom and the kids made, then we all played in the front room together. No fighting, bickering or nagging. We laughed and laughed, they took turns, they were kind. The kids are all in Rachel’s room tonight, having a sibling slumber party to kick off Spring Break which starts tomorrow.
As far as I can tell, this was a perfect night. My cup runneth over.
Why I Don’t
When Dancing With the Stars first started, it was something we enjoyed watching. We don’t watch it anymore.
Some of you may have a different opinion, but I think it is risqué.
It used to be more about dance, now it’s more about how little clothing the women can wear, how many suggestive dances they can do and how sensual their dancing is.
It’s too bad really, but alas, I’m not missing much by not watching it.
The Best
There is nothing better than hugs and kisses from your kids.
Watching
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately; some watching too. The commotion in the world today is hard to describe. All sorts of events are happening. Some subtle, some not so much. Each isolated event by itself seems like nothing substantial, but when I step back and try to see the whole picture I cannot help but feel that things are brewing.
I believe in the last days. I believe in the return of the Savior. The great and terrible day of the Lord will come. It may be soon and it may be a while yet. Many who would read these words would think I am some lunatic, that I am a doomsdayer or that I am holding on to ancient traditions and that I am foolish. They can think that if they would like. The day when He returns will be great for some, and terrible for others. I want to be ready when that time comes.
Some things that I find interesting:
- All these commercials getting people to send their old gold jewelry for cash. Why are these companies so interested in Gold? I’ve seen two companies spring up in the last few months. ( Cash for Gold )
- Many people springing up with false idealism - deceiving many to desire riches, leaving large wakes as they go, fooling even the elect - and ruining people financially.
- Environmentalism being used as a false morality. Taking a true principle of stewardship and twisting it to give those who have no moral compass, something to flock to. (favoring abortion but yet not wanting to cut down trees - )
- Humanity withdrawing from each other, interacting more with machines than other people. Self absorption to a point of apathy to those around them.
- People delighting in darkness. Violence and shock value having to push the limits. Decency left behind long ago. A return to a more brutal age of gladiator type conflict for entertainment.
- Children being exposed to pornography early robbing them of their innocence, and some doing despicable things, and then broadcasting it for the world to see.
- Middle east tension rising even more; all arab nations with their eyes fixed on Israel
- The return of communistic ideals to the Russian Federation
- Socialistic/Totalitarianism expanding in South America (Venezuela)
- The debts of the world exceeding the wealth that it contains
- Frigid temperatures and record lows across the world
- Those in high places seeking to make a more global governing body
- Religious denominations splintering over homosexuality issues
- An outright assault on the family
- Single-sided tolerance
- Government dependence
- Definitions of words being purposely changed to forward agendas
- Traditional values labeled as old fashioned and prudish
- Some societies outright abandoning the concept of marriage
- Couples choosing more and more to have less and less children
- Government surveillance increasing (promises to have cameras on every street corner)
- Masculinity and Femininity incrementally being diluted to the point where there is little difference
- Secret combinations seeking power in diverse corners of the world
- The rise of alarmingly violent Islamists
- More blatant attempts at shutting down opposing views
- The rise of modern piracy off the coasts of Africa
- The upcoming generation having to be entertained at all times
- The era of political correctness (”we can’t offend anyone - well unless they are Christians”)
- Awarding mediocrity
These are just a few of what I’ve been wondering about and observing. Most of these are negative in scope, there are also a lot of positive things. There is a polarization of those who seeks to follow the Lord, and those who ironically enough are making irreligion a religion.
Shout of Joy
Here is a quick lesson. “Yay” and “Yeah” are not the same thing. When you are happy about something and you are cheering “Yay” (pronounced with a long “a”) that is the correct usage.
“Yeah” is what you say when answering affirmative.
I suspect the confusion comes from the word “Yea” which is pronounced “yay.”
So next time you are excited about something and are meaning to say “yay” (with the long “a”) don’t use “yeah.” I think it looks silly.