T-09 : PhilosoComediCartoonish Truths

There's a TaxAct commercial running on some of the podcasts I listen to currently that included the phrase, "...recite the wisdom of philosophers, late-night comedians, and cartoon characters at just the right moment...".  I think that describes who I aspire to be.  I believe that all truth is circumscribed in one whole.  I believe that philosophers, comedic writers, and cartoonists all have access to such truth.  I believe that we can ascertain these truths from philosophic, comedic, and/or cartoonish angles.  Last Sunday in Sacrament Meeting I bore testimony to the fact that, not only could we seek out of the best books words of wisdom - as prescribed in D&C 88:118 - but that we could seek this type of wisdom from other sources, too.  I believe that philosophy, comedy, and cartoons are just 3 more examples of types of places we can look for some of those little nuggets.

T-10 : Television Midstreaming

It seems like one of the hot buzzwords these days is "streaming", especially as it relates to video.  I realized tonight as I stumbled across a documentary about One World Trade Center on PBS that I am also a fan of what I'll call "midstreaming", or finding an interesting show after it's already started and watching it through to the end while trying to put the pieces together as to what you might have missed in the opening portion.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm not such an old dog that I don't also enjoy "rewinding" YouTube videos or NetFlix shows to catch what I missed.  There's something a bit nostalgic about the way it used to be, though, when we didn't have that luxury.  I like to think I'm at a point in my life where I can enjoy the ways of the past and the future.

T-11 : Condescension Conundrum

Today's devotional referenced the condescension of God as referenced in 1 Nephi 11.  It's a beautiful concept now that I'm beginning to understand it more.  In this context it's not the negative connotation that one tends to think of when referencing a dictionary:

Definition of condescension (n)

Bing Dictionary

• con·de·scen·sion
• [ kòndə sénshən ]

1. snobby and pretentiously kind manner: behavior that implies that somebody is graciously lowering himself or herself to the level of people less important or intelligent

...but rather the following meaning, in this case gleaned from MormonWiki.com:

Condescension the act of descending to a lower and less dignified state; of waiving the privileges of one’s rank and status; of bestowing honors and favors upon one of lesser stature or status. Thecondescension of God is the descent of Christ below all things. He came to earth to dwell as a man, and suffered more than any man who has ever lived in order to redeem the children of God, that they might inherit His kingdom.

 What do you think?

T-12 : Giving Taker

“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.” – Elizabeth Bibesco

Are you a giving taker?  I want to be.  I'll help you if you help me.  Seems like a good balance to seek for, doesn't it?

T-13 : Lava Hands

I've been getting cold at work lately.  It used to be just certain meeting rooms that weren't as warm as others.  I bought a sweater that I'd leave hanging in my office then carry it with me when I needed to attend a meeting, just in case.  More recently I've taken to wearing it all day long.  Maybe I'm cold blooded...but I'm no killer!  One trick I've found - especially for my mouse-wielding hand - is to use my lava lamp for a quick heater.  It does get pretty hot.  But a few seconds of my frigid hand wrapped around it do wonders.  How's your office?  Do you have any tricks for warming up or cooling off as the case may dictate?

T-14 : Bishopric Beginnings

Bishopric, Broncos, Seahawks, Downton, Sherlock...it's been a full day!

Friday night we got a phone call from the Stake Executive Secretary asking us to meet with the Stake President at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning. Of course we gladly agreed. The next day and a half was a mental fight not to speculate on what he might want to visit with us about; a calling for me, a calling for Tara, missions for the boys? We tried to fill our time as much as possible with regular activities and let Sunday morning roll around in its due time.

Sunday morning we arrived at the stake offices around 8:45.  If you're early, you're on time; if you're on time, you're late...right? We sat there and waited while we listened to the nice orchestral hymns playing softly through the overhead speakers. 9:00 came and went. But what better place to sit and ponder and practice patience than in a church building listening to inspirational music. Not long after 9:00 the entire stake presidency walked in the door to the offices from outside. Only later would we learn where they'd been. We stood up to greet them and shake their hands. We were then promptly invited into the stake president's office. Both counselors surprisingly followed. That was our first clue that it was something of import. When the stake president asked his counselor to tell us why were there - then the counselor immediately turned and began addressing Tara - I began to suspect that she was going to get a stake calling. When he went on to explain that there were going to be changes in our ward my mind shifted. When he said that our bishopric was being reorganized and that the new bishop had requested me as a counselor I got emotional.

The rest of the day was filled with gradual goodness. I felt warm and welcomed. I'm excited for the new opportunity to serve, learn and grow. In matters of less-eternal import, my Broncos and my Seahawks both won their conference championship games. This means that the Super Bowl I've dreamed of since the Seahawks moved from the AFC West to the NFC West is finally going to happen. Then, after the championship games, I was able to watch two of my favorite shows with my family: Downton Abbey and Sherlock.

All in all it was a good and memorable day. I pray that I can continue faithful and true in my quest to bring myself, my family, and now - even more than before - the members of my ward closer to Christ. I hope that you'll do your part in your sphere, too.

T-15 : Seating Silliness

Last night Tara and I went to the temple.  I pondered on the seating arrangements.  For those who don't know, the closer you sit to the front during an endowment session the quicker you get done.  It probably doesn't have any deeper meaning.  But, I thought this was an interesting juxtaposition to how we usually sit in the chapel, in Sunday School, or in a regular school setting.  In those settings it seems that most folks feel more comfortable sitting in the back.  A few will migrate to the front if they're extra-motivated or if they come in late and can't find a seat elsewhere.  I suppose the front row is preferable at ball games, though not always at movies.  I just notice things like that sometimes and wonder if they have any larger part of the great whole of knowledge.  It probably also doesn't mean anything that there actually is a locker number 666 in the temple, right?