theSQUIDSTER

I've decided that when I die I'm donating my body to science fiction.

The real killer is mortality. Nobody who's tasted of it ever gets out alive. Still, it beats the alternative.. Just ask Legion.

Maureen, I know you're speaking from the perspective of a Protestant and not as an LDS member who is under covenant with God to abstain. For many not under a covenant with God on this, moderation is usually the most reasonable course. It was also what was preached in the time of Jesus and Paul. For potential alcoholics, however, moderation is extremely difficult if not impossible. For such, complete abstinence may be the only realistic option in order to live a healthy and happy life. Sadly, they often only reach this conclusion after learning by sad experience how powerfully destructive alcohol can be on many different aspects of life. My great grandfather, my grandfather and all of his brothers learned this way... by sad experience. A number of them viewed their lives and health in a shambles after the ravages of alcohol and a few of them died of cirrhosis of the liver... not a fun way to go. As one coming from a family history of alcohol abuse on my mother's side of the family, I count myself as one of those "weakest of Saints" whom the Lord has warned and been able to bless for never having tried alcohol myself. It's never been a problem for me because I never was raised with the idea that I might socially drink... which, given my family history, such might not have been possible for me, even if that had been my intention going in. Again, though, the thing for us LDS which trumps everything is a promise to God not to partake of such things at all. What kind of children would we be to our Father if we didn't keep our promises? ... Or even try our best to...

Amen.

Wow, Carb.. It's like I'm seeing you for the first time.. Is it ok if I blame you for my addiction to cheap processed foods? I'm really looking for an out on this one... Hey, if you ever start to grow tentacles you can blame me...

All this talk about carbs and obesity and sin and intellectual laziness is depressing me. I think I'm going to go watch Jerry Springer reruns for a bit while I eat a large double-batch of chocolate chip cookies and then take a nap. yikes! I just caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Is it a sin to be ugly? More specifically, are warts a physical manifestation of sin? What about cavities? what about being snarky? .... wow... Looking back on everything I'm beginning to realize I'm doomed. Pray for me people!

Ok, so back to the OP speaking mostly about "filthy lucre." I think a lot of great comments have already been made about some of the meanings of this expression. I'd like to once again throw in the "render unto Ceasar" quote from our Lord. I think our Lord was a revolutionary in the things He preached. The problem Is He was preaching of a revolution of the heart and liberating the spirit rather than the socio-political revolution so many we're looking for in a messianic figure. I believe the "render unto Ceasar" expression had broader meaning than just money. Part of our mortal experience involves learning about submitting to the Father in all things. Perhaps, somewhat paradoxically, submitting to earthly governments is a part of that experience. And lest we should wonder too quickly why the Father and our Lord ask us to experience such hard and unfair things, it's important to remember that the inequities and injustices of life were not things our Lord was spared from during His mortal sojourn... Not in the least degree! We aren't asked to experience anything that He hasn't already gone through. What could be more poignant and charitable and just than that? Who has a perfect right, in all respects, to ask such things of us if not He who descended beneath all? That being said, if there ever comes a time when He inspires our spiritual leaders to run across the Whitehouse lawn with guns drawn and raise a Title of Liberty up the flag pole, then I hope I'm here to see it and be a part of it in whatever way that I might be asked to be.

You bring up a good point about modesty. It's also a very difficult and potentially divisive one because cultural sensibilities vary greatly on what is appropriate and what isn't. If you or I had both been raised in a predominantly Islamic culture, the whole discussion might be about whether it's immodest for a woman to appear in public without a hijab or a veil... Sooooo.... Cultural context matters as well as adds to the differences in perception. I don't know what the cultural norms will be in heaven, but I personally doubt it's going to be a nudist colony. I think Royal robes probably have a place in heaven. For me, it has more to do with what is sacred. I don't know if nudity is sacred or if it's more about the feelings expressed between a married man and a woman... For me THAT is the sacred part.. Those feelings to me are the "sacrament" of marriage.. Meant only to be explored and expressed for the legally and lawfully wedded. Anything that debases, distorts and/or corrupts those feelings or makes them into common entertainment is abomination and is an enemy to the sacred beauty of chastity and fidelity.

Sorry. This was a quick post and I chose some of my words poorly. I hope nobody is ragging on Jojo in their hearts. I hope nobody is ragging on ANYBODY in their hearts.. But the natural man is quite strong in most of us, and I think it's easy to slip into that mode without even realizing we're doing it... Or at least it is for me. Gator, I love your style and your unabashed opinions. Of course we don't have to always agree on every nuance to nevertheless recognize and acknowledge the profound truth that we are indeed spiritual siblings! And shouldn't that pretty much trump just about everything else? Neuro, I loved your story. You weren't ragging on Jojo. Again, poor choice of words on my part. I think your story is a great example of the gradual spiritual evolution/growth that can overcome the natural man. I think it's a journey we're all in the process of making... None of us have reached the end of it yet, but your comments give me hope.

Let's not rag on Jojo too much. He's confided in us and told us some of his history. I believe that for him the choices he's making are right because of the toxicity of his past and the things that were forced upon him at a very young age. I believe he is very wise to steer clear of everything that he can for now... It's not surprising that he views the world this way, very VERY carefully... It's how he stays healthy spiritually. Jojo, sorry to put you on the spot. Thanks for the things you've shared with us. When it really comes right down to it, porn, filth and abomination are in the eye of the beholder. I don't say this to make excuses for anyone or give allowances necessarily. When Jesus spelled it out, it was " “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” It wasn't about how much clothing she was or wasn't wearing or what style, etc... It was all about the person looking and WHY they were looking. That to me says that the things we do, how we look at others matters. The responsibility to not look at porn may not have anything to do with clothing, dance moves, posture, etc... no matter how potentially suggestive or seemingly not... if we're looking at someone to lust after them (i.e we're looking that way at anyone who's not our spouse) then we're committing sin if we linger. True, sometimes feelings or thoughts will come inadvertently... but that's when we should choose to flee as Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife... flee in whatever way that we can.. That can be a difficult thing for some of us because we'd rather have it spelled out. This is appropriate... this is not... It's not that easy. For me, if I see an attractive woman and I find my self "checking her out" ... that's my cue to look away, no matter what she's wearing. Or, if I need to interact with her it can also be my cue to say a quick little silent prayer to the Father for help to view her as a sister and not as a potential mate or conquest. This is an ongoing thing for me ... it's the reality of the natural man. My rules are my rules and I know them and the Father knows them. I know when I'm breaking them and when I need to repent. I guess what I'm saying is it's a personal thing... Examine your heart and your feelings. Where are they... and if you're looking at someone or even something (picture, mannequin, statue, drawing, whatever...) a certain way that you feel is inappropriate... THAT is abomination ... THAT is porn and you should do all you can to avoid it.

It seems to me that much of what we have from Satan are his own claims about himself. Sure Satan has SAID he wears emblems of his power and priesthoods ... But what the actual extent of those powers are...? I still maintain that because the Lord has often called him the "father of lies" that THAT is his biggest power. That makes him sound like we should be able to easily overcome him. We just don't believe him, right? But if you think about the power of a lie to cause havoc and confusion, especially when people hold fast to lies and then (re)act accordingly, would such a thing not be a sort of antithesis to truth and true faith? Satan, whatever powers he's allowed to use, should not be underestimated in his power to LIE convincingly.

I'm with Eowyn ... I think having a perfect body and living forever with our loved ones and friends are overrated. (May the Lord smite me and all of you with perfect health, give us everything and even more than we presently know we want, and may we never recover...)

Yes, but would JESUS draw lines in the sand... Oh wait, maybe He would!

I'm sorry.. But it feels like we're drawing lines in the sand. If I've contributed to that then I'm sorry but that wasn't my intent. I'm actually agreeing with mostly things that both Vort, TFP said, but I agree with Gator's sentiment perhaps more than his specifics. I've gotten good take-away from all of you. Let me see I can expand a little on what I'm thinking... It is NOT presumptuous to do all we can to know the mind and will of the Lord. It is a commandment. My point was: which of us KEEPS that commandment 100% of the time? Also, sometimes the Lord's answers to specific things are surprising to me. For example, why did Nephi have to kill Laban and be deceitful to Zoram in order to get the plates? Why couldn't Nephi have just found Laban dead from a heart attack with the plates already on his person? Didn't the Lord give commandments not to kill and not to lie? Why would He, the giver of the law, command someone to break those laws? Was Nephi really being told by the Spirit to do that, or was he acting on his own? ... I believe Nephi was indeed prompted by the Lord to kill Laban. Because he did so he was blessed. BUT.. it still surprises me that the Lord required this of him. Ok.. So how does this all shake down to whether to sell alcohol or not in your business.. Whether to allow guests to smoke and drink in your home.. Or maybe just let them drink coffee in the morning to wake up...? The simple answer is: I don't know. But I do know that the Lord knows. What about what constitutes clean vs. dirty money and if Jojo should give up his job because he's moving liquor around a warehouse and that's tainting his income...? I don't know what the right answer to that is either.. But I do know the Lord knows. Yes, I do have personal opinions on that.. Jojo, I think you may be looking beyond the mark. I don't think you're earning filthy lucre just because your job requires you to move booze around for your employer. But can I know the mind of the Lord on this question? Maybe I could if I were you or your bishop ... But I'm not. Also, the individual answers on that type of question are not a one-size-fits-all answer. For one person the right answer may well be to quit the job. For another it may be just the opposite. .. Again.. The Lord knows. Anybody He chooses to tell, He will. I'm just saying, sometimes we may be surprised by the answer. If not, what would really be the point of receiving revelation.. If we already knew what would Jesus have US do... One last thing... What would Jesus do? Simple answer: probably all sorts of amazing things we are not yet ready or even ABLE to do.. because we're still just trying to become LIKE him... So perhaps LP is right when she redirects us to ---> what would Jesus have ME do.

I think I get some of what Gator is trying to say about us being presumptuous in feeling like we know what Jesus would do in every circumstance. That being said, I still think it's our duty to try our best at what we honestly believe He would do. But we will be wrong sometimes. Consider this: Matt. 22:17-21 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God's. What does it mean to render unto Ceasar the things that are his? I see a multiplicity of meanings in this, that could apply to many of the things we're discussing.

Bruce Lee. After all.... Who beat Chuck in "Game of Death?" Who wailed on Kareem Abdul Jabbar even though he was more than twice his size? .. therfore.. If Chuck can take the Bat.. Bruce can take them chucks and wail on the bat..

In the days before Facebook, this was the official way to "unfriend" somebody.

What kind of a friend are you to him if you let him continue in self-destructive behavior? Does it matter to you that he's damaging his life? Are you and/or your roommate close enough to him to talk with him about it seriously? If you don't feel like you are, maybe you need to let someone close to him know so that they can confront him. I don't know if the first person who needs to know about it is the bishop, but *someone* needs to talk with him... preferably someone he cares about and who he will be more likely to listen to than just a casual friend or acquaintance. As for "ratting him out" .. This isn't grade school and he's not just some little boy on the playground who stuck his tongue out at you. So how does your telling someone who loves and cares about him make you a rat? If he were my son, I'd want to know. And I would thank you for telling me.

Hoppy Burfdee n'stuff :)

new year the person I hurt the most still my best friend

To th OP.. Seems like you can probably dump cable unless you're a big sports junky. A gagillion useless channels for what? Sister Squidster and I have gotten by for over 23 years without a cable subscription. For years we just watched local Tv .. mostly PBS.. Then about 4 - 5 years ago we got a Roku and get by with streaming content almost exclusively. To the other aspects of discussion I admire those who are doing what they feel they must to make wise decisions of what media to allow in their homes. For the Squidster family the biggest challenge is not so much what's appropriate vs. what isn't .. but HOW MUCH TIME is spent! We're binge watchers and love to blow through entire series/seasons .. That eats up a ton of time that could be better spent ..

Apparently mine is pleading the Fifth... Or maybe it's just giving me the silent treatment. I've tried reconciling with it on multiple occasions but, since it refuses to speak to me, I have no way of being certain what I did to offend it in the first place. If it happens to be saying anything about me at all, I can't imagine it would be anything good... I don't suppose any of you might be on speaking terms with it...?

Merry Birthday and Happy Christmas!

Traditions in this vein from the Squidster family have evolved in a similar fashion as Eowyn's and Vort's .. Typically now the verse addons tend to be mostly random nonsequiturs ... like a cumquat, like cho Momma, like a moose muppet... and occasionally addons will accidentally turn out to be something off-center but somewhat clever.. you would even say it glows (like Chernobyl), you'll go down in history (like Anonymous) .. BTW that Anonymous lady sure was a renaissance woman! So talented in so many different creative disciplines.. Too bad she had to use a pseudonym to disguise her gender because of the times she lived in...

Why does it have to be a pig and/or a kitten? I think it kinda looks like a two-horned, cyclops squid with a cat-faced goiter ... ... ... My wife thinks, "Pa Squidster, yer such a self-absorbed megalomaniacal old coot, yer always seein' yer own face in everything. I think it's high time we got you to the Doc and get that second head'a yers removeulated so's you can stop scarein all the Primary .. "