I recently had a couple of epiphany's. I was just going on living my life when these random thoughts and timely reading hit me.
The first one was that I am and was a very good athlete. I have always considered myself to be a decent athlete, but maybe average. Now you may ask why is a 35 year old worrying about what kind of an athlete he is and or was. Well I was asking myself that question as well. You see I have a cousin who is playing pro basketball in Italy (Trent Whiting) I also have other cousins who could and should have played at least collegiality, they were first team all state in numerous sports. And most of my friends played collegiate level sports. I have always had self-esteem issues and sports in my family are extremely important. So when ever I played a game of pick up basket ball or whatever sport when I was young people would never pick me because of my Tourette's. I was always the last one picked. And after so many years of this you start to doubt yourself.
So at the ripe young age of 35 I had this epiphany, I am a good athlete even a collegiate level athlete. What set this whole thing off was I was golfing with some friends who golf weekly and shoot in the low 80's and I shot 100 not too good right. Wrong, I had not hit a golf ball in about a year and was still just barely losing to these every week golfers. I even had some shots that were really good. Now here is the epiphany: If I golf once a year and shoot 100 I know that if I golfed once a quarter I would be able to knock off about 5 to 10 points. If I golfed monthly I believe I would drop another 15 to 20. I have enough confidence that if I played weekly I would at least shoot in the low 80's or even the high 70's.
Now this may seem very cocky of me but I believe it to be true and my cousin Len can attest to what a good golfer I have been as we used to golf all of the time when we were single and we were shooting in the high to mid 80's. I guess what I am saying is that I was comparing my athletic ability to Pro athletes. And not to those of my same demographic. I know I am no Lawrence Taylor. But I thoroughly believe that I could have been a collegiate football player if not for my own personal doubt. I never believed in myself. I believe that I would have been a good collegiate athlete. Would I have been as good as my cousin Trent? no, but who is?
The second epiphany was rather more of a validation. I had a rough mission and a not so wonderful Mission President. I will not go into details on here but if you are interested you can ask and I will email or call you with a response. I believed and never doubted that I was a very good missionary but it is hard when your Mission President does not like you to feel too hot about your work. Then I read in the http://www.ldschurchnews.com/ that President Monson gave the following counsel to the new Mission Presidents:
President Monson spoke of the importance of building "mission spirit." Let each missionary, he said, know that he or she "has been called to the greatest mission in all the Earth."
He said he liked the philosophy of a teacher he once read about. She said, "No one fails in my class. It is my responsibility to help each one succeed."
He said that for years he carried in his wallet a photograph of one of his missionaries, Heber Barzee. President Monson held up an enlarged copy of the photo, and said, "Elder Barzee gave me the picture, and on the back he wrote, 'Dear President Monson, I am happy.' When I would look at that smile, I would say to myself, 'It is my job to motivate and demonstrate and to show every missionary in my mission how to be successful. It isn't my job to scold; it isn't my job to berate or to pressure. My assignment is to show each missionary how to be successful so that he's as happy as Elder Barzee.'
I felt so validated.
Jerry
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
If only this could actually happen.
I received this in my email, Enjoy:
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress doe s not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq This action will be complete within 30 days.
It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.THEN EVERY YEAR THERE AFTER IT'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home .
On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , Germany , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades.
We are retiring from NATO as well. Bonnechance, meza mies. I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York
A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2 its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra thousand tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security. Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now. We are tired of the one-way highway.
Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska- which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America It is time to eliminate homelessness in America .
To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic. God bless America . Thank you and good night.' If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.
I wonder what would happen if this actually came true.
Jerry
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraq regime has been completed. Since congress doe s not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete. This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq This action will be complete within 30 days.
It is now time to begin the reckoning. Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraq conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases immediately and indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war.THEN EVERY YEAR THERE AFTER IT'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption. Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home .
On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth. Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France , Germany , and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades.
We are retiring from NATO as well. Bonnechance, meza mies. I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York
A special note to our neighbors. Canada is on List 2. Since we are likely to be seeing a lot more of each other, you folks might want to try not pissing us off for a change. Mexico is also on List 2 its president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple extra thousand tanks and infantry divisions sitting around. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security. Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now. We are tired of the one-way highway.
Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska- which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there. It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America It is time to eliminate homelessness in America .
To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget. To the nations on List 2, a final thought: You might want to learn to speak Arabic. God bless America . Thank you and good night.' If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.
I wonder what would happen if this actually came true.
Jerry
Friday, June 20, 2008
Barrack Obama
Barrack Obama has announced that he is not going to be taking the public funding for his Presidential campaign. This after earlier and repeatedly saying he was going to do so. I am not naive enough to believe politicians don't lie all of the time, but I do find it disconcerting that a politician espousing change is reverting to one of the things which he so vocally accuse of our current President: LYING.
Also, it belies another character trait of Senator Oboma: POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY. He hid his Pastor of over 20 years, whom he had said was a father figure and like an uncle, when he announced his presidency. Then later when some of Reverend Wright's more inflammatory sermons were shown to the public Sen. Obama conveniently could not recall them. Then adding insult to injury after the good Senator defended his Pastor, he shortly there after thru his minister away after the minister did not deny the sermons but stuck to them. But wait there's more after his church of 20 years continued to have inflammatory sermons given, which by the way were all positive to the Sen. on a personal note but not politically correct he leaves said church.
And wait there's more: "You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothings replaced them…And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Barack Obama Speech in San Francisco April 6th.
Sen. Obama is a very eloquent speaker yet his actions contradict many of the things which he espouses from the pulpit. He speaks of CHANGE yet he himself is participating in many of the practices in Washington of which he so vehemently decries. He claims to be for the average American, yet he seems to have no idea of what the average American goes thru. I am afraid that America may have an academic President, who doesn't have any clue of how the real world functions.
Jerry
Also, it belies another character trait of Senator Oboma: POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY. He hid his Pastor of over 20 years, whom he had said was a father figure and like an uncle, when he announced his presidency. Then later when some of Reverend Wright's more inflammatory sermons were shown to the public Sen. Obama conveniently could not recall them. Then adding insult to injury after the good Senator defended his Pastor, he shortly there after thru his minister away after the minister did not deny the sermons but stuck to them. But wait there's more after his church of 20 years continued to have inflammatory sermons given, which by the way were all positive to the Sen. on a personal note but not politically correct he leaves said church.
And wait there's more: "You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothings replaced them…And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Barack Obama Speech in San Francisco April 6th.
Sen. Obama is a very eloquent speaker yet his actions contradict many of the things which he espouses from the pulpit. He speaks of CHANGE yet he himself is participating in many of the practices in Washington of which he so vehemently decries. He claims to be for the average American, yet he seems to have no idea of what the average American goes thru. I am afraid that America may have an academic President, who doesn't have any clue of how the real world functions.
Jerry
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mormons
I was forwarded this by my sister in law (thanks Janine) and I found it very refreshing to read someone Else's perspective on my own faith.
MICROSOFT FOUNDER, NFL OWNER, PAUL ALLEN, SPEAKS OUT ON MORMONS
Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the ones who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl a few years ago. He is also
the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-
partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft.He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper:
I have heard and seen enough!I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them.They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law.I'm talking about the Mormons.They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has. They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in.The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known. I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself.What a surprise!What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.
They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life.They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that inmost cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their' Book of Mormon' I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find.
Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded tome like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them. At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder.I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America.According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon.What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country? They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes.You never see them on TV begging for money. What cult do you knowthat instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class? They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month.They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are Trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service -those who protect the President.They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion,just like many of us. The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths.(Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised.When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita, Calif. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right.
I know Mormon's aren't perfect but it is very refreshing when someone besides ourselves defends us. I love my faith, I am proud to be a Mormon. I am also one of the first to say that I am so far from where I need to be in my spiritual life. I curse (alot) for example. But I am honest in dealings with my fellow men. I pay my tithing. I try to do what is expected of me. I guess what I am saying is that we as Mormon's need to live up to Paul Allen's expectations. We are a very watched people, our light truly is on a hill and we need to make sure that we are shining examples not just examples, for if we are not shining than what kind of example are we really. Remember by their fruits ye shall know them. What kind of fruit are you planting?
Jerry
MICROSOFT FOUNDER, NFL OWNER, PAUL ALLEN, SPEAKS OUT ON MORMONS
Paul Allen is the owner of the Seattle Seahawks, the ones who played the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl a few years ago. He is also
the owner of the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team and is co-
partner with Bill Gates in Microsoft.He wrote this editorial in the Santa Clarita, California newspaper:
I have heard and seen enough!I have lived in the West all my life. I have worked around them.They have worked for me and I for them. When I was young, I dated their daughters. When I got married they came to my wedding. Now that I have daughters of my own, some of their boys have dated my daughters. I would be privileged if one of them were to be my son-in-law.I'm talking about the Mormons.They are some of the most honest, hardworking people I have ever known. They are spiritual, probably more than most other so-called religious people I have encountered. They study the Bible and teach from it as much as any Christian church ever has. They serve their religion without pay in every conceivable capacity. Not one of their leaders, teachers, counselors, Bishops or music directors receive one dime for the hours of labor they put in.The Mormons have a non-paid ministry - a fact that is not generally known. I have heard many times from the pulpits of others how evil and non-Christian they are and that they will not go to heaven. I decided recently to attend one of their services near my home to see for myself.What a surprise!What I heard and saw was just the opposite from what the religious ministers of the day were telling me. I found a very simple service with no fanfare. I found a people with a great sense of humor and a well-balanced spiritual side. There was no loud music. Just a simple service, with the members themselves giving the several short sermons.
They urge their youth to be morally clean and live a good life.They teach the gospel of Christ, as they understand it. The name of their church is 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.Does that sound like a non-Christian church to you? I asked them many questions about what they teach and why. I got answers that inmost cases were from the New Testament. Their ideas and doctrines did not seem too far fetched for my understanding. When I read their' Book of Mormon' I was also very surprised to find just the opposite from what I had been told I would find.
Then I went to another church's pastor to ask him some of the same questions about doctrine. To my surprise, when he found out that I was in some way investigating the Mormons, he became hostile. He referred to them as a non-Christian cult. I received what sounded tome like evil propaganda against those people. He stated bluntly that they were not Christian and that they did not fit into the Christian mold. He also told me that they don't really believe the Bible. He gave me a pile of anti-Mormon literature. He began to rant that the Mormons were not telling me the truth about what they stand for. He didn't want to hear anything good about them. At first I was surprised and then again, I wasn't. I began to wonder.I have never known of a cult that supports the Boy Scouts of America.According to the Boy Scouts, over a third of all the Boy Scout troops in the United States are Mormon.What cult do you know of that has a welfare system second to none in this country? They have farms, canneries and cattle ranches to help take care of the unfortunate ones who might be down and out and in need of a little help. The Mormon Church has donated millions to welfare causes around the world without a word of credit. They have donated thousands to help rebuild Baptist churches that were burned a few years ago. They have donated tons of medical supplies to countries ravaged by earthquakes.You never see them on TV begging for money. What cult do you knowthat instills in its members to obey the law, pay their taxes, serve in the military if asked and be a good Christian by living high moral standards? Did you know that hundreds of thousands of Mormon youth get up before high school starts in the morning to attend a religious training class? They have basketball and softball leagues and supervised youth dances every month.They are recruited by the FBI, the State Department and every police department in the country, because they are Trustworthy. They are taught not to drink nor take drugs. They are in the Secret Service -those who protect the President.They serve in high leadership positions from both parties in Congress and in the US Senate, and have been governors of several states other than Utah. They serve with distinction and honor.If you have Mormons living near, you will probably find them to be your best friends and neighbors. They are Christians who try to live what they preach. They are not perfect and they are the first to admit this. I have known some of them who could not live their religion,just like many of us. The rhetoric which is spread around against them is nothing more than evil propaganda founded in untruths.(Others) had successfully demonized them to the point that the general public has no idea what they actually believe and teach. If you really want to know the truth, go see for yourself. You also will be surprised.When I first moved here some 25 years ago there were five Mormon wards in Santa Clarita, Calif. Now there are 15. They must be doing something right.
I know Mormon's aren't perfect but it is very refreshing when someone besides ourselves defends us. I love my faith, I am proud to be a Mormon. I am also one of the first to say that I am so far from where I need to be in my spiritual life. I curse (alot) for example. But I am honest in dealings with my fellow men. I pay my tithing. I try to do what is expected of me. I guess what I am saying is that we as Mormon's need to live up to Paul Allen's expectations. We are a very watched people, our light truly is on a hill and we need to make sure that we are shining examples not just examples, for if we are not shining than what kind of example are we really. Remember by their fruits ye shall know them. What kind of fruit are you planting?
Jerry
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Video's
OK, my first day and I have already technical difficulties. I wanted to show the CNN 33 second clip of President Bush addressing America after the September 11th attacks. But I ended up posting a video bloc. Some of which I do not agree with. I'm still learning here.
However I see it as an opportunity (pointed out to me by Jared) in which we can discuss how different people view events. I personally found it repugnant that such a short time after the attack of 9/11 we had protesters. I mean WE WERE JUST ATTACKED PEOPLE!!!!!! I found it insulting and sad.
On the other hand it was a tribute to what a great country we live in that these people had the right to do so. I am glad that they had this right no matter how much I disagree with them.
Jerry
However I see it as an opportunity (pointed out to me by Jared) in which we can discuss how different people view events. I personally found it repugnant that such a short time after the attack of 9/11 we had protesters. I mean WE WERE JUST ATTACKED PEOPLE!!!!!! I found it insulting and sad.
On the other hand it was a tribute to what a great country we live in that these people had the right to do so. I am glad that they had this right no matter how much I disagree with them.
Jerry
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Why I chose to Blog
I have been debating whether or not to start a Blog for sometime now. I debated if I wanted to say or rather blog about personal issues, religious issues or anything that would be considered controversial. I chose not to keep a journal on my mission because I had a lot of hardships on my mission and I wanted to remember the good times, not the sad or despairing times. I also am very private about some issues. Which I know many of you will find hard to believe. So I guess I just have too many opinions to keep to myself and even my circle of friends and family. That said I will now inundate the World Wide Web with my opinions and whatever else I feel like adding. Please respond. Please debate (if you are going to debate me you had better be well informed and make a logical argument, if you just say *&^^ you, you will be blocked and in all reality you look very stupid). And most importantly I hope you will enjoy yourselves.
Jerry
Jerry
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
