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Put the X back in Xmas!

wboyack

love this!

mitchteemley's avatarMitch Teemley

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People often assume that the term “Xmas”is an attempt to take “Christ” out of Christmas. But did you know that:

  • The term Xmasdates all the way back to the Middle Ages.

  • X is an abbreviation for Christ (it’s the first letter of Christos, Χριστόςin the Greek).

  • X is a traditional symbol of the cross.

  • By using Xmasinstead of Christmas, theologians were reminding us not just that God’s son came to earth, but why.

  • Hence the term reviled by so many for taking Christ out of Christmas was originally intended to keep him init!

P.S. Ministers were historically referred to as churchmen, or simply Xmen!(No, they don’t have superpowers. But God does. I mean, like, there was this one time when… Oh, just read the book.)

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Free Will!

wboyack

Great food for thought.

mitchteemley's avatarMitch Teemley

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“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” ~William Shakespeare

Are we free? Or is the ability to choose an illusion? Why is our understanding of this subject so dim? It seems clear that we are programmable creatures, as famously demonstrated by Pavlov and Skinner. But we also have a higher consciousness or spirit that enables us to take charge of our programming (to become our own programmers), or at least the most important aspect of life: our moral choices.

The Bible teaches both. This is called an antinomy: two apparent contradictions that are both true, nevertheless. I sometimes think of it this way: God determined my fate (predetermination) at the moment of creation, knowing the choices I would make (free will). But this argument has its flaws, and in the end is merely an attempt to apprehend what I can only partially grasp.

It’s…

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Menu Monday

Some weeks you win… some you don’t

wboyack

This week was crazy busy.  I had a concert every single night.  I had a hard time getting health food for myself every day.  I have to admit, I didn't make the right choice every time.  Now, don't go thinking I fell off the wagon and dove into sugar and a carnivorous lifestyle.  I didn't… Continue reading Some weeks you win… some you don’t

bethelight

#bethelight – Day 48

wboyack

Yesterday was a good day of worship and family.  My son spoke in 2 wards.  We had a fun family dinner.  It was a good day. Today I will work on Christmas cards, cleaning up around the house, and having a forgiving heart. Jesus taught: "Forgive men their trespasses."  —Matthew 6:14 Allowing anger or resentment to fester… Continue reading #bethelight – Day 48

Scripture Sunday

Symbolism

wboyack

So much to think about today! Today I taught a lesson in Sunday School about symbolism.  We had a great discussion.  The kids were very engaged.  I will talk about what we talked about in another blog on a different date.  But I do want to address symbolism. I have been fascinated with symbolism for much of my adult life. Symbols… Continue reading Symbolism

bethelight

#bethelight – Day 47

wboyack

I cleaned out a few things yesterday.  I helped people where I could.  Today... https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days/day-17 Today I celebrated the Savior and the blessing He showers upon me and upon my family in church services. Jesus taught:  "Ye shall meet together oft."  —3 Nephi 18:22 The Lord commanded that His followers should meet together often to strengthen one another.… Continue reading #bethelight – Day 47

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When Enough is Enough

wboyack

I will be practicing my attitude of gratitude today. I will seek a silent moment or two. I will eat will. I will create something beautiful. I will blog to my hearts content. I will spend time with my kids. I will find life satisfying.

wboyack's avatarResigning as the General Manager of the Universe

When is enough enough?

1dafa10

I am overwhelmed by all the crazy messages of “buy this, own that, travel here, live there, look this way… you’ll be happy.”

Really?

Seriously… it’s hard to imaging a day when you feel you have arrived; you have enough.  Enough money.  Enough stuff.  Enough sleep.  Enough time.  Sometimes it’s hard to sleep!  I’ve given up comparing my house, clothes, stuff, etc. to others, but the people in my life are still working on the quest of “enough.”

I finally gave it up when I realized a life of comparing myself to others led to feelings of embarrassment, inferiority, and sometime, anger.  That constant pursuit of more was not helping me be happy nor satisfied.

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Running Through the Christmas Season

wboyack

“Christmas time is here…. chill is in the air… family has been busy. There are days I run around so fast I wonder how I am keeping up!

wboyack's avatarResigning as the General Manager of the Universe

Snap! What a couple of crazy weeks we have had!  Busy! Busy! Busy!

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As soon as we got home from picking up Chad from the airport, it was time to set out the shoes for St. Nicolas Day.  St. Nick was good to all and brought a couple silly things and Harry Potter shirts and socks for all.

Lillian spent the day in Portland with all of the Freshmen.  The English teachers arranged a field trip to Powell’s Book store, VooDoo Donuts, and the downtown area of Portland.  She had fun and bought herself 3 cool books.  She would have stayed in the book store if that were an option.  She may have even moved in!  I love that my kids love books!

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The First Read Through Rehearsal – Unlocking Potential

wboyack

I love the beginning of new projects!

wboyack's avatarResigning as the General Manager of the Universe

I’ve been crazy busy.  In the past 8 days I have attended 2 first read through rehearsals for 2 different productions: Lion King Jr (our next after school production) and Noises Off (our next class production).  Sometimes the first read through of a script is called a table read.  This rehearsal is the foundation for the rest of the rehearsal process.

At the first read through, the cast and crew gather with the directing team and read through the script out loud.  Pretty simple.  However, don’t underestimate the power of a first read through.

The first read is the first time everyone gets together to hear the words leap off the page and begin to take on a life of their own.  This rehearsal helps everyone understand the flow of the script, and to begin to understand the weaknesses and strengths of the script.

I like to make a first…

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A Warrior Gets Back UP

wboyack

When I was a kid I learned a song about “pull up your boot straps.” Moving forward requires getting back up and pulling up your boot straps.

wboyack's avatarResigning as the General Manager of the Universe

Wouldn’t it be nice if life was a straight line?  No ups.  No downs.  Just straight.  Right?

Life has ups and downs. When you are down you notice it most.  When you are down you tend to think you are the problem, that you did something wrong, and “karma” is swinging for you.

What if every down was actually giving you the energy to get back up?

A Warrior gets back up.

when-life-brings-you-down-get-back-up-and-start-again-get-up-quote

Sometimes, when we are knocked down we lay there waiting for someone to save us. We feel so sad about what is happening that we stop living.  Stop!

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