Glenn Beck Conversion Story
posted by Alienated Wannabe @ 12:10 AM
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"And upon these I write the things of my soul...For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them..." (2 Nephi 4:15)
"And I was about to write more, but I am forbidden; but great and marvelous were the prophecies of Ether; but they esteemed him as naught, and cast him out; and he hid himself in the cavity of a rock by day, and by night he went forth viewing the things which should come upon the people." (Ether 13:13)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Do It Anyway - The Paradoxical Commandments
"Do It Anyway"
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Written by Mother Teresa
Note: This version of the poem was found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta. It is widely attributed to her, but it appears to be a more spiritualized version of an original work composed by Kent M. Keith. His version is provided below for comparison. (See Prayer Foundation)
"The Paradoxical Commandments "
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
Written by Kent M. Keith
Note: "The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Dr. Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders. Copyright © 1968, 2001 by Kent M. Keith.
posted by Alienated Wannabe @ 10:34 PM
2 comments
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Rocky Anderson & Neil A. Maxwell
I think Salt Lake City Mayor, Rocky Anderson, has had a polarizing effect upon many of us Mormons. But, one thing that softens my heart toward him is the account I heard him share of his meeting with the late Elder Neil A. Maxwell.
This righteous disciple of Jesus, one of the great heroes of my life, showed compassion and brotherhood toward the mayor. He treated him as a friend and brother instead of "the enemy." Elder Maxwell even told him that his name was still on the records of the Church--that he still belonged!
But, the part of the story that always catches me in the throat whenever I am reminded of it is how the mayor finished his account by saying, “I love Elder Maxwell.”
Even after his death, Elder Maxwell continues to teach me how to properly treat God’s children. It makes me lament all the unkind things I have said or written about the mayor or any other child of God.
Simple acts of love and kindness are far more powerful than stinging criticism in producing positive change in this world. But, which approach do we bloggers typically take?
The answer is sobering, isn’t it? But, I want to repent and do better. Please pray for me. And, if you are one of my victims, please forgive me.
posted by Alienated Wannabe @ 10:31 PM
2 comments
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Choose Not to be Offended
Like many other people who watched the most recent World General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the address given by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles made a lasting impression upon me.
One of the concepts touched upon in his talk was the idea that we actually choose whether or not to be offended by another person. No one can offend us against our will.
I find this notion to be extremely empowering. Each of us is free. We can choose to love, choose to forgive, choose NOT to be offended. My hope is that we will take this principle to heart, apply it to our lives, and find sustained spiritual growth over time.
posted by Alienated Wannabe @ 12:10 PM
2 comments
About Me
- Name: Alienated Wannabe
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
I am a very imperfect person. Despite this glaring reality, during my life I have tended to be rather opinionated—editorializing as if I had all the answers. (Typical blogger!) I hope, however, that I am growing in humility.
I say this because the more I have learned, the more clearly I have been able to see how little I actually know. Plus, a lifetime of personal blunders has had a way of nicely undermining my pride beyond all repair.
I now find myself having very little confidence in either my own, or anyone else’s, wisdom. There is one notable exception. I have come to have a much stronger belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and his wisdom. For me, his ways and teachings have consistently proven themselves over time to be true. He is the only one I ultimately trust—my only hope.
In my weakness, I seek to serve him, my family, and my fellow man. I also want to have some fun if possible. In that spirit, I write what I do.
To the few folks who actually read my blog, I apologize for my imperfections. I am doing the best that I can. I hope you find value in what I have to offer. God bless you.
