Music Can Teach

I love music. It has the power to lift you up and fill you with light. I've found that even in good music, however, we can find incorrect or non-productive ideas expressed in the lyrics. Last night I heard one of Usher's songs and one line in the chorus says, "So dance like it's the last night of your life."

I thought about this and I just don't agree. Through the Gospel plan we understand that death doesn't exist, there's only life. When our mortal bodies pass into immortality, we're not dying but becoming more alive than we've ever been.

I understand the thought that if you only had x-amount of time to live, you'd most likely do the things which seemed either the most important, or most enjoyable for you. But, I also feel that if we truly understand the everlasting nature of existence, we will not only be unafraid of death, but we will live more fulfilling lives. This fulfillment will then come from our love and understanding of live, rather than from our fear of not having another chance to do this or that and acting on the fearful impulse of doing it now.

Frustration

Tonight I found myself getting frustrated at a bunch of things that weren't working out the way I'd wanted them to. Then I did the next logical thing you do when you're frustrated...start criticizing the Chinese government. In the mean time Samy just listened to me, then gave me some reassuring words about everything being ok.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. My older sister was this close |--| to being diagnosed with cancer and I'm complaining about having to pay extra fees to get my visa extended for our trip to Taiwan this summer. I gotta get my head on straight cuz my perception of the cards life has dealt me seems to somewhat blurred. I've been blessed with a royal flush and i'm acting like all I've got is a pair of threes.

People, we see what we want to see. Choose to see the good.



-Joe G.

Of Contracts & Covenants

Today Samy and I met with the guy who's gonna sublease our apartment during the summer. While I was drafting up a contract, I found it interesting that we use this form of agreement even if none of us are lawyers or in the least bit familiar with contractual law. I feel the purpose of a contract is to establish a relationship. It establishes the terms upon which the relationship lays, and puts the relationship under obligation, or in other words the contract makes the relationship a real thing.

I think this is an interesting way to look at our covenants with God. I don't think we have covenants to meet some universal prerequisite for blessings, and I don't think God uses covenants so we're obligated to Him. I believe we have covenants for the pure and simple reason to have a clearly defined relationship with Him. Our covenants give us the terms by which we might improve and increase that relationship. Our covenants also line out potential results of our actions.

The basis of earthly contracts are essentially economic. I think it important that we don't translate these economic incentives of keeping our contracts unto the realm of how we keep our eternal covenants.


-Joe G.

Line Upon Line

Today I was in the library working on one of my research papers when I realized the eternal principle of 'line upon line, precept upon precept.'. Whether it's spiritual principles, love for someone else, financial success or a research paper, it would be wise to learn the heavenly virtue of patient-diligence. The combination of these two powerful principles help us to have lasting joy in our journey as we make our way from one line to another line, from one precept to the next. We live in a world of convenience and often desire quick solutions to complex questions. Let us remember that the Lord will show us from A to B first, then lead us line upon line to Z.



-Joe G.

A New Goal-A New Me

I've just decided to make a goal to record at least one piece of spiritual guidance or understanding until the next General Conference

Instead of making a 'to do' list, try making a 'to be' list instead. There is no check mark than can be used to adequately show the true becoming of one thing or another, but it is through our desires to become something that we can find the right things to do. We must have a destination clearly in mind before planning our pit stops along the way.


-Joe G.

There's Prophets in the Land!

Today Samy and I got to watch General Conference today and it was just a great experience. I feel like I've received guidance from God about how I can be a better husband, a better man, a better brother, and a better priesthood man.

God, Little Children & Salvation

I had the opportunity to read these meaning sections today

Moroni 8:15, 17
15 For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism.
17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation.

I read this verse today and was grateful for God's great plan of happiness, and how He has provided a way for all of His little children to enter back into His presence. Think of all the billions of God's little children who died during birth, or died in their early years from disease or starvation. He truly is merciful and full of love.