Hello all!

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My heart is full. I only wish that I could convey my deep sense of optimism to all who read this.

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The air is cold and dry. Last night a few flakes of snow drifted down from a crisp grey sky, but that was all of the snowfall we were supposed to get. Here and there the trees are turning pale yellow or dusky red. I like sweater weather.

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I got up this morning, waking naturally after a good night’s sleep. Tamie bought a huge bushel of pears that are just now coming to perfect ripeness. I had one of those with some oatmeal (and raisins) this morning. And some orange juice. I watched a few episodes of Stargate Atlantis, and played with the kids, some frisbee in the yard.

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Then it was off to church, which went very well; a missionary farewell of sorts. Here are a few quotes that I found interesting:

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I believe that if God revealed himself fully to an individual, that it can compromise their freedom of choice. How many people really and truly are ready to take on themselves the burden that would entail? Imagine the change in lifestyle it would require, the enormous responsibility. I think it would be a cursing of sorts.

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Rather, how much better to do it gradually, step by step. A little bit of light first, then when that has been honored and acted on, a little bit more light. Knowledge of the eternal world bears tremendous responsibility. I suggest further, that if the heavens were open for even five minutes that it would make this life an unbearable wretch, and that the person who saw it would from that moment long for death. This of course frustrates the grand design of Mortality, which is to be tried, tested, and to discover the true nature of one’s own soul. It’s a closed book test.

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Going back to that idea of step by step, it occured to me that while a full knowledge of everything might not be all that it’s cracked up to be, some “light” is good. I can know enough to get me through the current challenges.

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As usual, these are just musings. I don’t mean to be preachy, but just to crack open the door of my mind for you to see what’s in there. I have faults like anyone. Don’t be surprised when you learn something bad about me.

Here’s my take on the “economic crisis” so called: I think that it is engineered. I believe that ultimately it will have a positive effect– like a fever. The root of it all is the idea of interest-bearing transactions. IE getting something for nothing.

I had a “credit crisis” in my business. The solution is to live within my means, pay for things as I go. Quite simple, really. I haven’t always lived it, no, but I see more and more the wisdom of it. Live within my means, stay out of debt.

The fact is that there are people who actually produce goods and services, then there are people who have figured out how to take those things without actually doing work.

Eventually, the producers figure out how to protect the fruits of their labors from the looters and moochers.

The best that the common man can do is to stay out of debt, pay down debts, and elect people at all levels of government who respect the property, life (ie income), and liberty. This requires a little bit of study and attention.

I could go on and on. I’m not a happy camper with the government right now. I am seeing more clearly what the real relationship is now.

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Having said all that, there is an Almighty God who holds the world like a marble in His omnipotent hand. The bounds of the adversary are set. We’re to have trials, that is to be sure, to know the good from the bad, and to learn wisdom for ourselves. This is true. But there is another side, to trust in God and live by faith. And I don’t mean wuss faith, but the real stuff. Faith combined with action.