It is not the Lord's way to His plan to take away our hardships and difficulties. It is these challenges that give us the opportunity to grow in faith, character, and understanding. And if we won't give up, He will be at our side to help us see them through.
One of the greatest gifts that God gives to each of us is the love we share with our family, friends, and fellow men. It is this divine gift of love that enriches us, gives meaning and purpose to life, and makes it all worth living. Everything else in life is secondary. Everything. And when our time here on Earth is over, our lives will not be measured by the riches we accumulate, the honors we receive, the degrees we acquire, or the professional success we achieve, but by our capacity to love and be loved.
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Train To Potevka
Today I read "A Train To Potevka" by Mike Ramsdell, the true story of an LDS American spy in Russia during the time the Soviet Union fell and the hardships and joys he endured while serving. My friend Kristynn sent it to me and I really enjoyed reading it. I remember meeting Mike Ramsdell when he came and spoke one night at a church get-together many years ago. These two passages come from the book.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Empire
I just finished reading Empire by Orson Scott Card. It's a fiction thriller about the United States and a what if scenario that the government was overthrown based on very real possibilities. One of the characters points out that Rome wasn't great and was plagued by civil wars until Julius Caesar took control changing the republic of Rome into an empire. He says that the US can't reach its potential until after we move out of our current republic phase and become an empire. It's decently written although in some of the fast moving action sequences it feels like things start jumping ahead too fast, as if the words couldn't be printed fast enough to keep up with the story.
This is one of my favorite passages dealing with an Army Ranger Special Ops guy assaulting the rebels that have high tech body armor and weapons. I thought it was funny.
"Cole reached up and detached the M-24 sniper rifle from his pack. It fired a heavier round than the pistol -- that's why he brought it. Testing had shown that at fairly close range, it penetrated the rebel's body armor at certain key points. Like the faceplate."
Maybe you won't find it quite as amusing, but it made me laugh. :-)
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