junipersky: (Default)
I'm reading a book by C.S. Lewis that I LOVE. It's called Mere Christianity and reaffirms my already strong position that I think he's a genius when it comes to religious speaking.

One of my favorite parts is when he talks about all the different Christian Sects. He said that with all the bickering we do about who is different form whom, we're more likely to chase someone away from Christianity all together rather than help them to understand it.

<3 <3 <3 <3

I mean, I think there's only been one thing in the book so far I couldn't agree with, and nothing that hasn't at least been logically thought out.

On a secondary note... Today went really well. REALLY well. I decided that I'm going to give the kids less freedom in Language Arts then I did last week. Maybe in a few weeks... or months, I'll let them choose for themselves again when it comes to what they're going to do during the day.

Then again. Maybe not. In general they got SO MUCH DONE today. Some even finished ALL of the Vocabulary Work. (I really only expected spelling and a start on the vocabulary work.)

Tomorrow we're going to Finish Vocabulary, work on our SS connection, and prewrite our blog posts. The lesson is going to be on "Words in Context".
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junipersky: (Default)
I read my scriptures (Book of Mormon right now) before I go to bed at night. Usually it's not as whole hearted as it should be but tonight I was having a hard time sleeping so I took my scriptures out to the couch to read more. I'm reading in Mosiah chapter 3 where King Benjamin is speaking to his people right before he died. He's prophesying about the coming of Christ and what his mission would be upon the earth and the reason for that mission. 11. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. 12. But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. As I read verse 11 it hit me that maybe this is why so many Christian religions believe that the only thing that matters is grace- not how you act in this life. Christ's atonement does several things- but two in particular that I was really thinking about. 1. Christ's atonement and death erases the fall of Adam. All men on Earth will be resurrected and given eternal perfect bodies. The fact that we are mortal is not our fault and Christ's sacrifice saves us from the things we didn't have agency to change in our lives. 2. Christ atones for the sins we commit by willfully disobeying SO LONG AS we repent (see verse 12.) Now, don't get me wrong, if we're not actually sorry about the things we did then the repentance is moot. We have to honest to goodness repent. There is no "Sin today repent tomorrow" clause. A lot of Christian faiths have the first one down pat. But they don't believe in Agency like those of us in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do. They don't believe that Heavenly Father would be willing to let us screw things up so badly that we couldn't live with him any more. We believe that our own actions do define our futures. We cannot save ourselves - but by living correctly we can qualify ourselves for Jesus Christ's atonement to cover what we are going to screw up by being human. God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but he does expect us to do our darndest every day to try to get as close as possible. If I'm right about this then it makes me understand other Christian beliefs about grace a little more palatable. They're not lazy they're just misunderstanding the layers of Grace. No, I'm not pointing at anyone in particular nor thinking of anyone in particular.
junipersky: (Default)
Alma 12:10-11
" 10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell."
On the creation of Anit-Mormons )n.

A reasoning for why faith without knowledge is completly baseless.  )
junipersky: (Default)
I fail to understand something.

Explanation- Let me quote an article of faith, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may."

In essence, I don't care what you believe or how you worship it. You are free to do so. This also goes for me, I am allowed to worship Heavenly Father how I choose.

So, in the Homosexual marriage debate, how is it that they say that they're allowed to have this because they believe it, but I'm not allowed to fight it even though THAT is my belief. I'm the evil person for standing up for what I believe.


It just leaves me confused.

Also, I'm in Norwood! I start work tomorrow!!! <3 <3 <3

(Also, my niece loves me! She usually takes a few days to warm up to someone, but she came and played in my room after not even an hour, and two hours later she was over asking me to pick her up and to play with her!! SQUEE!!!)
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junipersky: (Default)
Wow, talk about a whirlwind day. Today, Kyla Nicole New became Kyla Nicole Herbst. Yep, that's right. The first of my VERY good friends has tied the knot.

I'm happy for her. Dead jealous, yes, but very happy for her. I'll admit, I cried more then a few times, but never enough to smudge my make up too much. Mostly at very sappy times (When she first stepped out with her father, her first dance with Garret, her last dance with her father, cutting the cake, she 'n Garret leaving the reception), so I don't feel to bad about it.

One thing that will always stick in my mind is the prayers. I love Kyla, and almost ever witness I have ever met. But when they pray I almost cringe. I've been thinking about it and I think I have figured out why.

As a very hard and fast rule we avoid the name of deity. (And here I break my own rule, sorry). When we pray it is to "Heavenly Father", when the Witness' pray, it is to "God Jehovah". Both terms (God and Jehovah) are names of deity. And I am uncomfortable with their use in prayer. When I pray, I am praying to my divine father, the God of all the earth. But it is like I am speaking respectfully to him, as a child would to their father. I could no more call Heavenly Father by any of his First Names then I would call my father by his first name. To me, it is pure respect and endearment. I love my father in heaven and I respect him greatly.

I know the Witnesses do not mean any harm or have any other motive when they call upon deity as they do. In fact, I really believe that they are doing it for the same reasons that I do. But oh the difference it makes in the prayers.
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