as of late

You know it’s a good one when it moves you.

Last weekend, Kaylynn, Colb and I went and saw the famed--from Kristen--film, Taken. Despite the borderline excessive violence, upheaval, and unlikely conquering, I walked away deep in hindsight, grateful. Grateful, wholeheartedly, for the chance to have lived in Europe free from any legitimate problems or traumatic experiences. If you have seen the movie, how did you feel about it? I think it is good for us to be aware of the dangers out there, so we can have increased caution—and, likewise, gratitude for our safety. Our group in Wien was blessed with that safety; surely we were watched over, and were able to have a full, whole, perfect experience traveling across the vast European lands. Best time of my life!

Just a few randoms--a piece of some understanding, truth, and enlightenment that has surfaced to educate, inspire, and still me as of late--

“Christians have often disputed as to whether what leads the Christian home is good actions, or Faith in Christ.  I have no right really to speak on such a difficult question, but it does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 115.)

“Any man may enter the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom when his actions have been such that he can feel at home there.” (James E. Talmage)  

“How much do you pray, my friends?  How often?  How earnestly?  If you have errors in your life, have you really wrestled before the Lord?  Have you yet found your deep forest of solitude?  How much has your soul hungered?  How deeply have your needs impressed your heart? When did you kneel before your Maker in total quiet?  For what did you pray--your own soul? . . .  And when the shadows fell, did you still raise your voice in mighty prayer, or did you satisfy yourself with some hackneyed word or phrase?” (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, 211.)