Victims, Villains and Heroes :

James Shelley:

The great bash to our human pride here is that true heroism comes not in our rushing to the aid of a victim in their plight, but rather in joining in common unity with them. The most effective way to keep a needy person needy is to treat them like a needy [...]

Dense Isolation

James Shelley:

The question stares us in the face: is the cost of fostering this culture of rabid individualism really worth it? What do we honestly think we gain by choosing to not interact with strangers?

via Talking to Strangers : James Shelley.

This is an astounding post of perfect length. Go give it [...]

When people know you love them

Tevya Washburn at Mormon Lifehacker put up an awesome post: Share the Joy of Successes to Strengthen Relationships.

Tevya discussed just how important it is to care. It got me thinking.

Obligatory Mission Story:

One day a beloved Assistant tot he President called and asked if he could take me out on exchanges; he’d been [...]

Living Every Day as Missionaries

Following the resurrection, Christ gave His Apostles a commission to teach all nations and baptize them into the fold of God¹. Latter-day Saints take this commission with the utmost seriousness, sending tens of thousands of missionaries into the world to preach the gospel. Then, as everyday members, we hear the number of new converts each year and are pleased with the success. To many of us, the commission of Christ has become a well-oiled and successful system. If that were the case, then these words would never have been uttered from President Hinckley:

“It is wonderful. But it is not enough. I am not being unrealistic when I say that with concerted effort, with recognition of the duty which falls upon each of us as members of the Church, and with sincere prayer to the Lord for help, we could double that number.” ²

Missionary work is not a program; it’s a lifestyle. It is gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned. It is living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Continue reading Living Every Day as Missionaries →

Avoiding Cotton Candy Advice

There’s something we might all be addicted to, of which few of us are aware. Like any other addiction, we use it to fill a hole in our psyche. But, just as a structure built of too much spackle and plaster becomes weak and vulnerable, so our confidence and courage may become crushed [...]