December 31, 2017
It's been a good year
Will continue to post maybe not as much - thank you all for visiting my site - Happy New Year's - chuck
"The Gift of Repentance" Home Teaching January 2018
The Gift of
Repentance
“Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to
competence, from failure to achievement,” President Thomas S.
Monson has taught. “Our task is to become our best selves. One
of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever
need be final.”1
We often associate the advent of a new
year with resolutions and goals. We resolve to improve, to change, to try
again. Perhaps the most important way we can try again is by embracing what
President Monson has called “the gift of repentance.”2
In the following excerpts from his teachings since he
became President of the Church, President Monson counsels us to “apply the
atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of
our sins, and our hearts may be purified.”3
The
Miracle of Forgiveness “We have
all made incorrect choices. If we have not already corrected such choices, I
assure you that there is a way to do so. The process is called repentance. I
plead with you to correct your mistakes. Our Savior died to provide you and me
that blessed gift. Although the path is not easy, the promise is real: ‘Though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow’ [Isaiah 1:18]. ‘And I, the Lord, remember them no more’ [D&C 58:42]. Don’t
put your eternal life at risk. If you have sinned, the sooner you begin to make
your way back, the sooner you will find the sweet peace and joy that come with
the miracle of forgiveness.”4
Return
to the Path “Although it is imperative that we choose wisely, there
are times when we will make foolish choices. The gift of repentance, provided by
our Savior, enables us to correct our course settings, that we might return to
the path which will lead us to that celestial glory we seek.”5
The
Way Back “If any of you has stumbled in his journey, I assure you
that there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Although the path
is difficult, your eternal salvation depends on it. What could be more worthy
of your efforts? I plead with you to determine right here and now to take the
steps necessary to fully repent. The sooner you do so, the sooner you will be
able to experience the peace and the quietness and the assurance spoken of by
Isaiah [see Isaiah 1:18].”6
People
Can Change “We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can
put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. They can bear
the priesthood worthily. And they can serve the Lord diligently.”7
Become
Clean Again “Should there be anything amiss in your life, there is
open to you a way out. Cease any unrighteousness. Talk with your bishop.
Whatever the problem, it can be worked out through proper repentance. You can
become clean once again.”8
The
Savior’s Essential Role “Essential to the plan [of salvation] is our
Savior, Jesus Christ.
Without His atoning sacrifice, all would be lost. It is not enough, however,
merely to believe in Him and His mission. We need to work and learn, search and
pray, repent and improve. We need to know God’s laws and live them. We need to
receive His saving ordinances. Only by so doing will we obtain true, eternal
happiness.”9
Teaching
from This Message
All of us are
imperfect—only through the gift of repentance made possible by the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ can we be cleansed from sin and improve our lives. Consider
discussing with those you teach how we “correct our course settings” through
repentance. How have they felt nearer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
through positive changes they have made in their lives? You could invite those
you teach to write spiritual resolutions for the new year and to be accountable
to a friend, spouse, or other family member for their progress.
Show References
“To
Forgive”
(we must
forget)
cji
1/1/18
Too
often we tangled feet
trying to
walk in one direction
while
actually going in the other
mixed signals
causing nothing
one can
ask for forgiveness
but not
willing to forgive another
leads to
nothing but wastedness
repentance
requires many things
all of
them difficult worthwhile
to walk
in the same direction
forgiving
and forgetting both!
Copyright © 2018 – cji
Visiting Teaching Message January 2018
Keep In
Touch with Her Anytime, Anywhere, Any Way
Visiting teaching is about ministering. Jesus ministered anytime
and anywhere. We can do the same.
To “minister” is to give service, care, or aid that contributes
to the comfort or happiness of another. Visiting teaching is about discovering
ways to minister to those we visit. Jesus
Christ ministered to all—anytime and anywhere. He fed the
5,000, comforted Mary and Martha at the death of their brother, and taught His
gospel to the woman at the well. He did it because of His sincere love.
Following His example, as visiting
teachers we can come to know and love each sister we visit, remembering that
love is the foundation of all we do. When we pray for inspiration to know how
to serve her and help her strengthen her faith, “the angels cannot be
restrained from being [our] associates.”1
From
the organization of Relief Society in 1842 to today, the ministering of women
has blessed lives. For example, Joan Johnson, an 82-year-old widow, and her visiting
teaching companion visit teach their neighbor who is 89 and has pneumonia. They
could see that their neighbor didn’t just need them once a month, so they began
checking in on her every week in person or by phone.
For other visiting teachers, sending a
text or email giving encouragement might be the best thing to do for a sister
that month. Making personal connections and listening with an attitude of love
is the essence of visiting teaching. Modern technology and time-honored
face-to-face visits help us do it anytime, anywhere, and in many ways.2 That is ministering as
Jesus did.
Faith, Family, Relief
Ministering
Rather than provide a specific message, each month this page
will feature a different principle to help us minister more effectively to each
other. As you pray and seek inspiration, you will know the spiritual message
and service each sister needs.
Consider This How
do we stop worrying about “what counts” for visiting teaching and instead focus
on what each sister needs from her visiting teachers?
Show References
“Keep in
Touch”
cji
1/1/18
Ever
feel really-really alone
unable
to reach out to anyone
then
thinking not of self-more
but who
needs you to reach
who can
you help right now
reaching
another you reach you
keep in
touch so many need
and like
you they feel no-one
so you
be the one to reach
so you
be the one to reach!
Copyright © 2018 – cji
"Simple Stuff" (14 steps to goal setting)
The fourteen steps of Goal Setting; (I’ll list them now and then discuss them over the
next week). Chuck
1. Self evaluation
2. Lists – Dreams –
Wants –
Wishes –
Needs –
Maybes
3. Categorize – 6 areas of life – the total person
4. Prioritize – by most desired and ease of accomplishment
5. List rewards – what will I have when I achieve
these/individualize
6. Re-evaluate – am I willing to pay the price to achieve this
goal now?
7. Write out Goal(s) completely – be very specific!
8. List obstacles and roadblocks – what stands between you the goal.
9. Write out solutions to the obstacles
and roadblocks.
10. Commit – are you willing to pay the price!
11. Target date for completion of goal.
12. Write out affirmations.
13. Get or make visualizations.
14. Keep updating – go back to #1.
Then have the belief in Serendipity – the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things
not sought for; and unplanned bonus – more than you expected.
Chuck
“Simple Stuff”
cji
12/31/17
Getting started correctly
blank paper and pencils
(pencils have erasers)
pens don’t smile briefly
without thinking pausing
write one item lines
everything you want to do
you want to become like
you want to think like
internally and externally
lots of paper and pencils
when you run out of things
stop put in groups/subjects
and then and then and
work with them as above
really very simple stuff!
Copyright ©
2018 – cji
"Last Day or Next to the 1st"
“Last Day or Next to the 1st” cji
12/31/17
Often thought how difficult to solve the growth
of government. Like an opening of Pandora’s box letting loose a silent hidden
storm in layers of mischief founded nepotism. Each new birthing bringing more
and more confusion – contention – and always more and more internal growth. It
would seem like with each new layer the overriding command was to create an
empire make it big strong and seemingly important.
Once I worked for an organization which
required strict adherence to rules and to access (it still does today).
However, it too in places became layered – not in empires but by individuals who
sought to make themselves non-expendable. They would do work which required
detailed documentation – wiring – schematics – blueprints – and while seemingly
always complying he didn’t do this. Instead he would present his work and when
each project was completed he filed them away. He didn’t keep the standards for
behavior off the work site and lost his clearances. When they came to his
office area and told him he could no longer be employed – he challenged them by
saying well only he knew the wiring and all of the other intricacies of his
work. He then indicated it was all in his head. However they did fire him
escorting him off of the work spaces – out the main gate.
At that time there was an energy crunch going
on and this company was told to find ways to save energy by any means possible.
The building this man had been responsible for was one of the heavy energy
users. An engineer and myself (a non-engineer) were assigned to clean up the
mess and make it workable and we didn’t have much time to do it in.
Complications and solutions are one of my specialties and the engineer and I
were good friends. Question was where to start – at the tree or in the
branches. Suggested after some prayer and analysis was lets built a new tree
over the top of the first. All brain saved work requires a key of entry – there
were two possible ideal locations. We separated and within an hour we the
portal entry. Needless to say we took several years of work and condensed it
down to three days and had a new system up and working. Oh the engineer then
had update and create the new documents but the building worked and we helped
them save thousands of hours of energy. The man was expendable!
In government which I worked in also – I
learned very quickly each office I was in could cut at least 50% and some as
much as 75% and still be functional. Why? Because empires aren’t needed –
workers who know what they’re supposed to do are. The computer and other modern
inventions have caused millions of hours to be saved. But somehow the jobs
continue to filled no longer needed. This is a drain on the economy – and a
self-fulfilling ruling mandate of the government which President Trump took
over in January 2017. His background is ideal for cleaning out the rat holes of
layered redundancy in government. Sadly in business you go in and clean house
with a specific plan that you don’t need to wait for the ‘protectors’ to
approve of first. In this case the protectors are the House and Senate. Then
the courts – and then the gators and snakes who hid behind the laws. Should the
Senate/House choose to shut the government down – then he could really clean
house. But most likely not the scenario to be followed.
In government they’ve this seniority thing –
like what happens to a military without any wars – and the paper pushers
replace the fighters. We’ve also to remember it’s not been a peoples government
since the 1913 changes to the Constitution to the 1930’s – Social Security and
everything in between. Requirements to fill jobs has little or nothing to do
skills – but more on political correctness. One of my extended family members
was assigned to work with/under a man who on the very first day was told I’ll
be here long after you’re gone – because I’m (name a color or culture). The
least comment out of line of PC can get one fired and another a promotion.
Understand there is no excuse of any sexual harassment but without a dress code
one can come looking like a gigolo or a street walker – or worse. Then file a
complaint because they feel someone looked at them wrongly.
When a Chamber of Commerce for a small town
mid-70’s (70K population) we found we’d have persons going on job interviews –
claiming sexual harassment and collecting out of court upwards of $100,000 a
year. We suggested to business owners with legal advice to do on-the-job
interviews. They would employ the person (part time) for two-three hours – give
them a desk and what tools they needed – if a secretary letters to type – if a
mechanic then a machine to operate – start-up to finish. At the end thank them
for their time – cut them a pay-check properly and tell them they’d be called
back. Quickly solved the problem – virtually no communications not seen by all
in the office or shop and you could easily evaluate their work. The workers in
the various work spaces could report their interactions and thought on the
person performance. Nothing’s perfect but sure cut down the false lawsuits.
Indeed afterwards working with the appropriate offices we tracked down those
who’d been hustling the business with false claims.
Government to be discerned from a business
produces no products – it only provides a service. Government as a Service
industry is the most top heavy – while self-owned and operated service
businesses are just the opposite. Why? One feeds off of taxes while the other
needs to earn income for services given. Their protectors in the Government
will provide the taxes – one way or another – hidden in bills which they pass
daily – and or by saying tit for tat. A privately run business with any self-respect
can’t do that.
Let me give you an example: I was presented a
contract to award – one bidder – technical rep had signed off on the proposal –
was an 8(A) beltway corporation. Seemingly a cut and dry – get the ink on the
paper. However, I questioned the pricing. Reviewing the specifications and the
award amount didn’t add up. Now this is what I reconstructed – as soon as I
asked the first question the Contracting Officer got a call and was asked who’d
been assigned the Contract for Award – he told the caller me. They asked him to
change it to anyone but me. Why? Said he couldn’t do it as I’d already
submitted in writing my questions and concerns. Found out the caller was from
the State Senators office. With just a routine checking of the pricing I found
most items double billed and some 3x’s or more. Simple question asked for a
DCAA audit and for a resume’ of facilities. The first was begun – but the
second – they had no idea what a resume’ of facilities was and for sure didn’t
have one. I re-asked the question tell me what equipment you have on hand in
your facility to do this work. They had none. Therefore we were going to buy
all of the equipment – hire all their personnel and pay them over $3,000,000
dollars to accomplish this not knowing if could even build the product. Let me
end here quickly after wasting the Government time – seven months later was
awarded a contractor with a state of the art shop – for under $500,000 and a
product delivered to the field in six weeks. Included was a value added which
saved the Government an additional $40,000 dollars. The 8(A) in this case was
never heard of again in our office. This was one small contract among thousands
annually assigned to a contracting office – told to award and who to award to
and rubber stamped. Say 1,000 of these were the same – over priced by $2.5M – that’s
$2,500,000,000 over spent without any questions asked. Oh by the way I was to
be happy I had a job!
This is our Federal Government at work –
business as usual which wasn’t business at all but highway theft – approved and
encouraged by our Senators and Congresspersons knowingly and willingly engaged.
When I first called the Senator’s office I was told the proposed contractor was
citizen of their state – I answered and said I am too and I vote.
In the State Department the ingrowth is so bad
one could fire 53% of the workers there and none would be missed – however, you’ve
to make sure you get the right 53%. The saying in DC is who cares who the
Secretary of State is – we control what happens and what doesn’t – warning the
Secretary – don’t make waves. How many others are so corrupt – in 2017 we’ve
seen just the surface – of course they want to impeach President Trump –
otherwise their sugar daddy’s gone or will be gone.
We’ve so many levels in DC that the states no longer can
control their budgets due to the drive down your throats legislation which for
the most part looks good in its new suit or dress but is the same slop
delivered over and over with no lasting result. Think of the wasted dollars in our
Government Departments: (here’s some not including BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND
COMMITTEES or Smithsonian:
Executive Agencies:
Department
of Agriculture (USDA)
Department of Commerce (DOC)
Department of Defense (DOD)
§
Army
§
Marines
§
Navy
Department
of Education
Department
of Energy (DOE)
Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department
of Homeland Security (DHS)
Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Department
of the Interior (DOI)
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Department
of Labor (DOL)
Department
of State (DOS)
Department
of Transportation (DOT)
Department of the Treasury
Department
of Veterans Affairs
INDEPENDENT
AGENCIES
What have any of these produced at the Federal
level which could not have been done better and more efficiently at the state
and local level. These agencies are forcing those who know how to get things
done to pay for the waste and abuse of those who just don’t care. Why? Because
for those who are really wondering the president in early 1900’s decided to
reinterpret the Constitution to say: “Whatever things not directly given to the
Federal Government – are the responsibilities of the States!” to say, “Whatever
things not directed to the State Governments – are the responsibility of the
Federal Government.” Remember in 1880 the meetings at the Golden Isles? Most
don’t as much was never reported – but the wealthiest men/women in America got
together and decided they could do a better job than the people. In 1881 President
Garfield was shot and killed – anyone remember he was a firm supporter of the
Gold Standard – his replacement was Chester A. Arthur who had been involved
with the political party machine – he got the job and the message to play with
us (the Golden Isle’s boys/girls). Next in line to be murdered was William McKinley
– who was also a strong Gold Standard and Protectionist mind set. He was
replaced by Theodore Roosevelt who changed the Constitutional intent of States
Rights to Federal Rights. In deed he gave us the public schools – sent both
parents back to work – created money out of thin air on a bank note from J.P.
Morgan (Golden Isles club) and did away with the 4th Party System.
Unhappy with the progress while it had been great considering the time table –
the Golden Isles boys/girls club found the perfect ‘fool’ Woodward Wilson a
writer, Professor and with a wide open view of government needing a big brother
to oversee its operations. Thus went out the window the Gold Standard –
lowering tariffs – raising taxes and as one can say the rest is history. We
invited in the age of Oligarchy to the US which actually had its impregnation
since the age of Jefferson. He reintroduced the Federal Income Tax – and other
such laws – one of the best was Federal Farm Act – and all those farms which
went bankrupt in the Depression can thank him for the banks (Golden Isle’s boys
and girls club) for now owning them. It gets worse – We got the New Deal then
the United Nations – then almost going back on the Gold Standard another
President had to die – JFK. And with his death we got a contemporary of Andrew
Jackson – in the form of LBJ! We now had the Great Society with the Oligarchy
in full control at the throttles. What FDR gave as the addiction called welfare
– LBJ added whatever was missing in abusive drugs to the government. He
stripped mineral rights from the Indian reservations and that was only the
beginning. This is only scratching the surface – but enough to understand what
President Trump and any other non-swamp creatures are up against. In two
elections since the General election we’ve seen election fraud acknowledge in
public with no media coverage or concern – i.e. the Oligarchy at work.
Now you ask is this the last day or the 1st?
President Trump is not a member of the Skull and Bones which most of the
Presidents since the 1880’s were or had to be. Reagan was told if he wanted to
be elected he had to take George Bush as his VP. Indeed did not someone try to
shoot him while in office? They own the media – all venues – and they have
printed less than 5% decent news on President Trump since he chose to run for
the office of president. Thus within the layers of the storms of Pandora’s Box –
we’ve so much to strip away and none willing to do their homework – the American
People have a voice but only holding their breath to see if President Trump can
endure – he’s got a big target on his back/side/front and some say the contract
is out their waiting – some have even bragged about it. What happens if he
dies? The Oligarchy has names – dates and addresses – even a socialist dictator
couldn’t ask for more –and the previous administration is leading the charge.
This is the Federal Government neither for the people
or by the people with the sole exception of President Trump and VP Pence! The
Senate and House; the Media; the Departments are owned by the oligarchy our
friends from the Golden Isles boys/girls club – with the addition of George
Soros and a couple others trying to buy their in – actors, athletes, entertainers
and others who are here illegally or just out and out criminals.
If it only were as simple as sending in an
engineer and a problem solver – to solve the problem – make it work right and
take three days to do. If only – c/ork
“Last
Day – or 1st”
cji
12/31/17
We’ve a
choice America
we can
make this the 1st
or
accept is as the last
we take
back America
one step
– one precept
or we go
hog into defeat
how many
are willing
to
endure through the fight
last day
or the 1st each
the
Oligarchy won’t quit
too much
invested within
too many
purchased souls
this is
a fight to the end
who’ll
endure to the end?
Copyright © 2018 – cji
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