391: THE SUPERMOON, THE SON OF MAN, and GOD'S STRANGE ACT

A took a photo a few days ago of the "supermoon" from my backyard as it was rising above the Wasatch Mountains. A supermoon occurs when the moon becomes full on the same day as its perigee which is the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to Earth. During this time, the moon generally appears to be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons. However, this past weekend the moon was called an "extra-super moon" because the moon appeared larger and brighter than at any point in the last 68 years, We won't see another supermoon like this until 2034. 

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Sidenotes:

As a way to show my support for two of my friends, I post the following. This is not related in any way to the Supermoon but I post it now because I wanted to keep my word to them that I would mention something on this blog.

Many years ago I became friends with  Kenneth Cope. I remember listening to his music back when I was a missionary. Probably the most impactful songs that I remember listening to are "Come to Jesus" and "Face to Face."  

Seventeen years ago, Kenneth began working on the dramatic musical for the stage about the life of Jesus Christ, titled: Son of Man.   

While the music as all been written and is at last complete, the recording is far from it. As far as costs go, to record a project this large in length and with this vast arsenal of musicians is almost like recording four solo albums…nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes of music, with full orchestra, a large 100+ voice choir, group vocals (curious townspeople, courageous apostles, contentious Pharisees, believing multitudes, hostile crowds, etc.), along with some ethnic wind instruments indigenous to the Middle East region, and more than thirty vocal soloists. It is a massive undertaking! 

Funding for the project is needed, and Kenneth has asked me to post this on my blog in case there are some who might like to help him raise the necessary funds to finish the production and the recording.  Here is the link: KICKSTARTER website 

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Last but not least, I want to bring to attention two books that my friends John and Jennifer Orton have written. One has been recently released: Strange Things Among Us and the other will be released shortly entitled "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ"

This is the back cover for Strange Things Among Us: 

The Lord revealed that in the last days He would “proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act, and perform my work, my strange work” among men. What is His strange work and strange act? How does it differ from His work and His act? And can both coexist? A thorough and careful examination of scripture demonstrates that the great deceptions and trials of our time are purposed as a test—and a gift—from God “that men may discern between the righteous and the wicked” (D&C 101:95).   Beginning with the “strange” great and spacious building Lehi saw in dream, this introductory volume explores the many intricate workings that offer us a choice between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness, truth and error, and God’s way versus the cunning, careful, and deceptive ways of evil. Examining doctrines, rituals, politics, attitudes, beliefs, and traditions in light of what is “strange” paints a shocking picture that hopefully will awaken us to reality and increase our spiritual discernment.    In a surprising and at times difficult irony, we find that men’s workings are strange to God, and God’s workings are strange to men. In His wisdom, mortality provides us the opportunity to choose whether to be a stranger to the world and a friend to God, or to remain estranged from Him.

Here is the link to the book on Amazon:
Strange Things Among Us by John and Jennifer Orten

https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Things-Among-Us

390: MOURNING FOR MY COUNTRY

"Blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted". 

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While I am going to the polls tomorrow to vote, I think it is going to feel more like going to a funeral. The deceased loved one isn't a friend or relative, but it is my country. I believe our country has been terminally sick for a long time, but tomorrow the decision will be made which in my opinion is similiar to decide on whether or not to pull the plug on the life support on someone you love. 

The country is divided between choosing one who is the epitome of building babylon for gain or the conglomerate mess of everything corrupt and evil. While there are only two candidates that have the potential to win tomorrow, it is important to consider your vote in light of who would pick the next best Supreme Court judge.  

That being said, President Ezra Taft Benson once said,  “Men who are wise, good, and honest, who will uphold the Constitution of the United States in the tradition of the Founding Fathers, must be sought for diligently.  This is our hope to restore government to its rightful role." 

I think it is still possible to vote for good men. Good and honest men who will take the oath of office seriously, to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution. Men who are married and have raised a family. In his acceptance speech, Darrell Castle said the following, 

"The Constitution is the charter of liberty for the American Republic. It is much more than just a piece of paper or just a legal document. It is evidence of the grand design the founders left us and it secures the rights that God granted to us. In the Declaration of Independence Mr. Jefferson told us that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights and to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men. That is the purpose of government and the reason why the Constitution was and is necessary. Adherence to the Constitution brings liberty and ignoring and denigrating it brings tyranny. That’s why my political party is the Constitution Party. It is not perfect but it is the best there is.

“Today I want to speak to you in defense of liberty and against tyranny. I speak for the republic and against the fascism that seems to be enveloping us. The general government was created by the sovereign states for a specific purpose; that purpose was to protect our God-given rights. Anything that runs afoul of that purpose is therefore illegal and unconstitutional. And since virtually everything this government does runs afoul of that purpose, virtually everything it does is illegal and unconstitutional.”(Darrell Castle, Acceptance Speech, Salt Lake City, 16 April 2016)

Everyone needs to vote their conscience. I think we all believe that there is truly only one that will be able to mend our country. My prayers are that He comes soon.

With that said, I end this blogpost with a video that a friend asked me to help him create many years ago. I don't think I have posted it on this blog yet. I think on the eve of the Presidential Election that it might be the best time to do so.   

May we all continue in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have hope for a better world .. 

and pray for charity. 

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