We're Winning the War!

We're winning the war! That's the line I use every time I see the price of gas drop. This last week gas fell below $2.00 for the first time in forever. I didn't know what to think. What's even more wonderful that since the 13th (when the above picture was taken) gas is now as low a $1.79 in my area. Can you friggin believe it? $1.79! We are winning that war baby! We are winning that war!

Keep the Faith and Come What May

On Sunday I was in Elder's Quorum (The third hour of our Sunday worship), the lesson came from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith" specifically "Chapter 21: The Second Coming and the Millennium". I recommend the lesson.

Our instructor began with the question, "When you think of the Millennium what are your thoughts?"

We had several comments and then I added

"To me the Millennium is so intangible, its like imagining Candyland. It's such a incredible idea. That prophets of old and Christ Himself will return, that the earth will return to a state of Pangaea, that Cubs will win the World Series. It seems unreal."

I got a good laugh about the Cubs.

In seriousness I don't doubt the Millennium, in fact I welcome it. I want to see what many see as impossible. It'll be an amazing time.

Now don't suppose that I'm some whack job that thinks that Adam rode on Dinosaurs. I am very practical in my belief in God and Heaven. I know that there is a God and I have 14 years of spiritual bruises to prove it.

What was interesting about our discussion was the immediacy of Joseph Smith in announcing the Second Coming. Our instructor felt that Joseph really believed it would happen in his, Joseph Smith's, lifetime.

This lead to a discussion about preparedness. Comments, strong comments were made about being ready for anything.

I've used it in the past and I used it on Sunday. I feel that whether we walk out of our home today and there it is Second Coming in all its glory or whether it's not there we need to be prepared. We could just as easily walk out of our home and be hit by a bus. Then where will be? Facing some sort of afterlife.

Our discussion moved a bit off center to why good things happen to bad people. Why when we are faithful we're rewarded but also when we're faithful we're tried.

That discussion brought me my blog post title "Keep the Faith and Come What May"

Good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people. Faithful God fearing people are rewarded for their faith, faithful people are also tried for their faith. And then there's things that just happen. A butterfly flaps its wings in Japan and your mom while holding your puppy gets hit by a boulder.

In all this I really feel the answer is keeping your faith.

If I know that I am doing my best to keep God's commandments, I can know why all these things happen.

I can know that a reward is a reward and not some lucky break. A trial is a trial and not some punishment. I can also reconcile the unexplained because ultimately there is such a larger part of our existence after this life. I know there is and it stretches eternally.

I really do know that the pains and hurts of this world are swallowed up in a reality of eternal life.

I know that there is so much happiness if we do what is right and let consequence follow. There is so much comfort in being a good person, doing good things. Saying sorry for our offenses and trying so hard to remain good.

I really enjoyed my lesson this week. I didn't become some doomsday fanatic. I just came a little closer to preparing myself.

And then there's this guy...

They Cleared the Path Now Pave the Way

I'd like to give a shout out to the men who have played our commander-in-chief on the silver screen.

Deep Impact: President Tom Beck



Our country faced it's biggest threat, a meteorite the size of your mom. Morgan Freeman as President of the United States, unfortunatley didn't have Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck to help rid the world of their impending destruction (they were busy facing another asteroid with the help of Aerosmith)

24: President David Palmer



David Palmer. What can I say about Dennis Haybert's role in 24. I love 24 and Haybert was the most confident and plausible character in the show. I all but forgot he played a Voo Doo chanting power slugger in "Major League" (Up your butt Jobu) Without a second thought I would have voted him to office.

His brother on the other hand had a very scandelous stay in the oval office.


So now as President elect Obama takes office Hollywood's Black presidents will no longer be fantasy. Hollywood will have a real person to build from.

In a moment of seriousness (If I can mingle the funny and serious in a single blog post) I am completely supporting my future president. I only wish our country was beyond the race issue enough to not make it about Obama's skin color. When I first heard the man speak, he was an inspiring orator. He's proven himself and his campaign. My hope is that his administration can now move forward and be measured by its accomplishments and not by his race.

And please oh please oh please oh please oh please, Chris Rock, stop it, don't make anymore movies, do yourself favor and just go away...

Here lies the Lazy Pants Movie Club...

A movie club that was too lazy to even get part time participation. I intended it to be a monthly movie watching opportunity for friends. Couldn't get people together. Then it became a venue to write about movies loved by people. Only one person really contributed. Now it's gone but hopefully not forgotten. I'll always love you Lazy Pants Movie Club, you didn't live as long as a pet store hamster, but you provided us a couple of laughs, some insights, and a hope for a better tommorow.