Backroads

I have no problem with people expressing their particular payment system for tithing, or the logic/emotions used to reach said conclusions. But I do find myself bothered by a need to find and declare rules, even admittedly unofficial rules. @Just_A_Guy mentioned a certain increase of blessings that come from truly following the Lord. I certainly won't argue with that (and your post and thoughts were lovely). The principle is what is and is presently defined as it is. I think those willingly trying to build the kingdom will receive blessings as JAG described. But I don't think "tithing based on X financial calculations" will receive more/less blessings based on such calculations alone.

Ran into a tithing discussion on Facebook, and to my surprise a repeated comment rubbed me the wrong way. The question began with just what income/increase/services/returns/social security/investments are we supposed to pay tithing on? (Cue Backroads: finances are soooo booorrrrrring). Now, because of the bore that is finances, I would never judge another's interpretation of tithing. However, every other person was chiming in with the cutesey chant of "do you want gross blessings or net blessings?" And for some reason, it drove me bonkers. It made it sound tithing was not a commandment but a... Blessing grab. As I currently understand it, there is no official accountant-approved calculation for determining one's 10% increase tithe, just a 10% determined between one and the Lord. I do not doubt the miracles and blessings associated with tithing, but I don't know if I'm comfortable with the notion of "net/gross blessings".

Watched "The Aeronauts" last night on Amazon. Fairly simple plot, but satisfyingly thrilling.

Never, sir. Never too young.

I gotta say, and this may reveal personal issues in my own adulting, but I actually haven't read the articles. I tried to be responsible enough to read summaries and such but in truth... Boring. Ah, man. Finances. So... Boring... I watch my family budget and our investments and try to be responsible enough but I really hate it and don't understand why we can't just go live off the land and sell the zucchini we grow or something because I hate finances. And I just don't understand why I need to care about any of us this. If the cold dispassionate tax folks do their fair thing I will heed whatever punishment or lack thereof they give the Church. But why must I get up in arms because I don't want to!

Well, darn it, how can I get some of this soap?

That's so pretty!

While I respect anatess' privacy, I'm disappointed. I have a weird obsession with soap.

I suppose part of me buys into the rather sci-fi notion that perhaps one day when automation becomes an even far greater system something akin to universal basic income might be the natural evolution. Another part of me figures this is a better idea than many current welfare systems. A bit more honest, we are just going to flat out admit we're handing out money. And then another part of me gets the creepy crawlies.

I feel there's a snappy Christmas tune in there somewhere...

I dabble. I own a small box of them. I think they smell good. I may have used some on general aromatherapy advice. Do they work? Sure, I'll accept the anecdotes here and there. I like the idea of them working. Funnily enough, the more out there and "woo" the claim (i.e., this will open this meridian to new experiences) the more at peace I am with the claim ("well, I wouldn't know where to begin the science on that, so okay") It's the more medical claims I get iffy over (are you sure this will effectively treat a UTI?) I don't buy from oil MLMs, largely because of the price, a bit because some MLM folks be crazy, and also because I know a few people who actually fill the bottles at Young Living and doTerra and the intense purity claim doesn't exist. I'll order good oils elsewhere for a fraction of the price, thanks. So, they have no power in making big medical claims for their companies, it seems most trained aromatherapists lack strong preferences for companies and would be the ones to consult medically anyway. It you want to sell for a hobby, that's fine, but it usually takes intense work and intense luck to make significant money in such companies. I also wouldn't buy from MLM companies if price is a concern, you can get fine oils for much cheaper at your local health food store.

I ran into a person on another forum who flat-out said he would allow someone to take him to court for not hiring or firing a Mormon. He saw it as standing for what was right and he felt that society should not in good consciousness allow Mormons. A relative yesterday at dinner mentioned a manager up at some office at Utah State University told them they were not allowed to hire white LDS males. Said relative smartly said sure, as long as the instruction was give in writing. Sure, the law really does protect against this sort of thing, as it should, and I know of a few cases where the law won out. But that does not change the fact there are quite a few people who will attempt to push anyway.

I don't think the person who made the file made so specific of macros. It really is a lot of manual sorting. I also don't think I know enough about Excel to even begin to approach identifying my problems. Sigh.

If you're unaware, I teach. My school has this very precise system of reading and skill small group time where 130 students flood the various classrooms of the school in order that their specific reading needs might be met. Because of the 130 student names involved on an Excel file, it was decided teachers would pair up and rotate in organizing the sheet each time we took new data. Myself and Mrs. X were in the first rotation. We were supposed to take time to create groups together last week but did not have the desired data. We want to start new groups upon return from Thanksgiving break. Therefore, I'm attempting to do this by myself* (sending the file to Mrs. X to look over and perfect when finished) I'm terrible with this fancy-schmancy Excel file someone else created. There's a lot of data and stuff involved. I started to type it, but then decided "a lot of stuff" will suffice. Just trust me it's very complex. Did I mention I am terrible with Excel? I will now add more information. My daughter was very recently invited to participate in a medical study out of state. This goes from this coming Monday through Wednesday, keeping me out of the classroom until Thursday. This means I will not be there for any last-minute scramble to perfect these reading groups. I also hate to back out of this study now because about $5000 has already been spent on us to make this trip. Folks, I don't know what I'm doing. I honestly don't know how to create these groups on my own (have never received proper training on how the file works, I suppose). I also hate to drop it all on my partner, who also has a very busy weekend, or leave the school without reading groups come next week.

A case of two originally separate memes where combined are greater than the sum of the two.