Friday, March 21, 2008
Seriously
I need some feedback from everyone. I weighed in today at 250.2. It was early in the morning and I was totally naked, on an empty stomach, thinking thin thoughts. Do I need to lose weight? I know I look fat, but is it that bad? What should I weigh? Please let me know. Really.
Watermelon
Hey Guys,
Sorry I haven tbeen posting in a while. I have been out of the country for the last few weeks and now I am trying to get my house packed up and ready to move out. Deidra and I will be heading up to Washington on the 1st of April to look for a place to live and then to Utah for about a week. Whoever is in town, we should all plan out a time to get together.
Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying the book after you get past the authors huge head. Its just nice to keep current on what the world state is. Unfortunatly, my work keeps my envolved more then I would sometimes like.
Sorry I haven tbeen posting in a while. I have been out of the country for the last few weeks and now I am trying to get my house packed up and ready to move out. Deidra and I will be heading up to Washington on the 1st of April to look for a place to live and then to Utah for about a week. Whoever is in town, we should all plan out a time to get together.
Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying the book after you get past the authors huge head. Its just nice to keep current on what the world state is. Unfortunatly, my work keeps my envolved more then I would sometimes like.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Mess-o-potamia (title brazenly stolen from 'The Daily Show' without permission)
I thought about replying individually to all the great comments about the book but I think my thoughts became too long so I posted separately.
First, I will join all of you in the opinion that most of the first part of the book is puffery. In my head the first few chapters translated to "Since everyone agrees that I'm a clairevoyant, genius or something, here's what all of you are practically begging me to say and by the way you're right in thinking my opinions are candy-coated, gold bullion daisies." In a way, he needs to do this to supplement the gaps in his reasoning.
Frank, religion has always been enough to fight over, especially over THAT particular piece of crappy land. Remeber the story where Abraham is told to sacrifice his son then God says, "just kidding, I just wanted to see if you'd do it?" Abraham takes his son Isaac whose mother was Sarah, right? Well, most Muslims believe that Ibrahim takes his other son Ismail whose mother was Hagar. Ismail was born first but his mom was their servant. On the other hand Isaac was the younger brother but his mother was proper first wife. Jewish tradition holds that Isaac was the true heir, and regard Ismail as sort of wicked but repentant son. Muslims hold Ismail as a great prophet and among his descendants are Mohammed the prophet. At some point, Sarah became jealous and couldn't have Ismail and Hagar around so she talked Abrahim/Ibrahim into kicking them out into the desert (granted Abraham had a vision that they'd be not only OK but would start a great nation-Arabs).
While religion could be enough, it's supplemented by a political nightmare. After being persecuted in Russia, Germany, etc, Jew's wanted to go home to the land they were promised. Often referred to as the Zionist movement which started about 1900 or so, Jews began to buy up land in the area from the Ottoman empire (pre WWI) and the British (who controlled the area after WWI) and begin to re-settle the promised land. This pissed off the Arabs who were living there at the time, violence erupticed, and escalated to the point where the British were being targeted as well. After WWII, The Brits wanted out of that mess so they turned the thing over the UN who carved out separate states, one Arab and one Jewish and called them Israel and Palestine. The Jews thought it was a great idea and declared independance. The Arab Palestinians somehow didn't want to accept that their land could be sold out from under them and then have it ratified by the UN. So, enter the line that your dad quoted, "They've always been fighting and they always will."
So, in Israel, you have the land promised to the jews through Abraham (if you are jewish/christian and believe that the birthright went through Isaac and Jacob aka 'Israel'), the land actually possessed by Arab Palestinians, and the site revered by Christians as the site of Christ's execution (recall the Crusades) along with all the other holy sites that each faction doesn't want under the control of the others.
Nick, I agree with you that Rosenberg writes with unwarrantable boldness when he claims there is "no doubt" Ezekiel was referring to "what we know as Russia. (p32) I have more to say on this subject but I'm going to save that for after I talk to my brother in law about it. If you guys didn't know Emily married a Russian. He was fascinating stories about growing up in the Union, but that's stuff for another post.
First, I will join all of you in the opinion that most of the first part of the book is puffery. In my head the first few chapters translated to "Since everyone agrees that I'm a clairevoyant, genius or something, here's what all of you are practically begging me to say and by the way you're right in thinking my opinions are candy-coated, gold bullion daisies." In a way, he needs to do this to supplement the gaps in his reasoning.
Frank, religion has always been enough to fight over, especially over THAT particular piece of crappy land. Remeber the story where Abraham is told to sacrifice his son then God says, "just kidding, I just wanted to see if you'd do it?" Abraham takes his son Isaac whose mother was Sarah, right? Well, most Muslims believe that Ibrahim takes his other son Ismail whose mother was Hagar. Ismail was born first but his mom was their servant. On the other hand Isaac was the younger brother but his mother was proper first wife. Jewish tradition holds that Isaac was the true heir, and regard Ismail as sort of wicked but repentant son. Muslims hold Ismail as a great prophet and among his descendants are Mohammed the prophet. At some point, Sarah became jealous and couldn't have Ismail and Hagar around so she talked Abrahim/Ibrahim into kicking them out into the desert (granted Abraham had a vision that they'd be not only OK but would start a great nation-Arabs).
While religion could be enough, it's supplemented by a political nightmare. After being persecuted in Russia, Germany, etc, Jew's wanted to go home to the land they were promised. Often referred to as the Zionist movement which started about 1900 or so, Jews began to buy up land in the area from the Ottoman empire (pre WWI) and the British (who controlled the area after WWI) and begin to re-settle the promised land. This pissed off the Arabs who were living there at the time, violence erupticed, and escalated to the point where the British were being targeted as well. After WWII, The Brits wanted out of that mess so they turned the thing over the UN who carved out separate states, one Arab and one Jewish and called them Israel and Palestine. The Jews thought it was a great idea and declared independance. The Arab Palestinians somehow didn't want to accept that their land could be sold out from under them and then have it ratified by the UN. So, enter the line that your dad quoted, "They've always been fighting and they always will."
So, in Israel, you have the land promised to the jews through Abraham (if you are jewish/christian and believe that the birthright went through Isaac and Jacob aka 'Israel'), the land actually possessed by Arab Palestinians, and the site revered by Christians as the site of Christ's execution (recall the Crusades) along with all the other holy sites that each faction doesn't want under the control of the others.
Nick, I agree with you that Rosenberg writes with unwarrantable boldness when he claims there is "no doubt" Ezekiel was referring to "what we know as Russia. (p32) I have more to say on this subject but I'm going to save that for after I talk to my brother in law about it. If you guys didn't know Emily married a Russian. He was fascinating stories about growing up in the Union, but that's stuff for another post.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thoughts on Russia
I am not done reading the book, but I do have a couple of comments. First, let me preface with a quick synopsis of how I understand (and interpret) Ezekiel 38-39...
In the days of Ezekiel, Magog was a powerful gentile country, and Gog was their king. Therefore, the Battle of Gog and Magog does not necessarily point to ACTUAL names of people or places. They are symbolic. This is commonly seen in the scriptures. A classic example would the be the title "Elias". There is another battle of Gog and Magog, spoken of by John in Revelations that takes place AFTER the Millennium. But the great battle of Gog and Magog against Israel that Rosenberg speaks of in his book is a PRE-Millenial battle. This battle is spoken of in Doctrine & Covenants 45:68-69--"And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not tae his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another." Zion in this case is America. It is interesting to think of what sort of war could possibly involve the entire world, save America. But I think this "fleeing" into Zion / America is seen even today.
Okay, so those are just some quick thoughts on the great battle prophesied by Ezekiel. The major hole I find in Rosenberg's arguments is one HUGE assumption he makes. He ASSUMES that Gog will be a dictator out of Russia / Magog. Considering current world events and some of the decisions Putin has made recently, this is an easy assumption to make. But we really don't know at this time WHO that dictator is going to be. Admitting that would basically ruin the central predictions of Rosenberg's book, so he is not to blame. But it is important to understand that these are his THEORIES of possible future headlines. Historically, Russia has been plagued by bad government. As a people and a country, they are wonderful. The people there are kind, intelligent, and have a strong belief in Christ. But through the years, the leadership has been extremely selfish and imperialistic. I can't say much about Putin except that what he has done lately is very scary. He is EXTREMELY well-liked in Russia. His entire political campaign has centered on the youth of Russia and he has gone to great lengths to identify with that demographic. However, while I may not agree with some of his decisions, I do not believe he is a dictator on the rise. Nor do I believe that Russia will be the great Magog spoken of by Ezekiel.
Before I end, I'd like to add my own personal THEORETICAL future headline...
"China extends stronghold, shifts focus to Israel"
...Revelations 9:16 speaks of the army of Gog and Magog, specifically when they march upon Israel. John actually numbers this army of "horsemen"-- 200,000,000! China canNOT be ignored in relation to the prophesies of Ezekiel. They have had the same imperialist and socialist history as Russia, and what's more, they have the manpower to assemble such an army against Israel. I believe it is equally likely that the great dictator Gog will come out of China as he will Russia.
Looking forward to others' thoughts as well as to "The World is Flat". I've heard great things, but I still haven't read it.
In the days of Ezekiel, Magog was a powerful gentile country, and Gog was their king. Therefore, the Battle of Gog and Magog does not necessarily point to ACTUAL names of people or places. They are symbolic. This is commonly seen in the scriptures. A classic example would the be the title "Elias". There is another battle of Gog and Magog, spoken of by John in Revelations that takes place AFTER the Millennium. But the great battle of Gog and Magog against Israel that Rosenberg speaks of in his book is a PRE-Millenial battle. This battle is spoken of in Doctrine & Covenants 45:68-69--"And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not tae his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another." Zion in this case is America. It is interesting to think of what sort of war could possibly involve the entire world, save America. But I think this "fleeing" into Zion / America is seen even today.
Okay, so those are just some quick thoughts on the great battle prophesied by Ezekiel. The major hole I find in Rosenberg's arguments is one HUGE assumption he makes. He ASSUMES that Gog will be a dictator out of Russia / Magog. Considering current world events and some of the decisions Putin has made recently, this is an easy assumption to make. But we really don't know at this time WHO that dictator is going to be. Admitting that would basically ruin the central predictions of Rosenberg's book, so he is not to blame. But it is important to understand that these are his THEORIES of possible future headlines. Historically, Russia has been plagued by bad government. As a people and a country, they are wonderful. The people there are kind, intelligent, and have a strong belief in Christ. But through the years, the leadership has been extremely selfish and imperialistic. I can't say much about Putin except that what he has done lately is very scary. He is EXTREMELY well-liked in Russia. His entire political campaign has centered on the youth of Russia and he has gone to great lengths to identify with that demographic. However, while I may not agree with some of his decisions, I do not believe he is a dictator on the rise. Nor do I believe that Russia will be the great Magog spoken of by Ezekiel.
Before I end, I'd like to add my own personal THEORETICAL future headline...
"China extends stronghold, shifts focus to Israel"
...Revelations 9:16 speaks of the army of Gog and Magog, specifically when they march upon Israel. John actually numbers this army of "horsemen"-- 200,000,000! China canNOT be ignored in relation to the prophesies of Ezekiel. They have had the same imperialist and socialist history as Russia, and what's more, they have the manpower to assemble such an army against Israel. I believe it is equally likely that the great dictator Gog will come out of China as he will Russia.
Looking forward to others' thoughts as well as to "The World is Flat". I've heard great things, but I still haven't read it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
This months book and next months
So I am over 1/2 way done with the book now and I have several thoughts so far. 1.I liked what Hatch said because this guy is sounding his own horn quite a bit. It isn't too annoying but I am glad it has ended for now. 2. I want Nick to get on here and post some stuff because it is talking a lot about Russia and I want to get his input on Putin. 3. Smurf, why specifically did you pick this book and since you did I really want to hear your perspective on it? 4. I do feel like I have caught up on the two years that I haven't been watching the news. Both a good and bad thing.
Frank, I am not totally sure but I know that Jerusalem is seen as the holy land for both religions for some reason and that is why it is such a fight over religion. It has to do with that territory. It is holy to both the arabs and the Jews but for totally different reasons. Someone that knows more on this please chime in?
Lastly, I would like to choose the next book. I think it will be a perfect book because it involves the economy and it applies to all of us. It is called, "The World is Flat" and I am sure you have all heard of it. I think we should all read it. Is everyone o.k. with this?
Frank, I am not totally sure but I know that Jerusalem is seen as the holy land for both religions for some reason and that is why it is such a fight over religion. It has to do with that territory. It is holy to both the arabs and the Jews but for totally different reasons. Someone that knows more on this please chime in?
Lastly, I would like to choose the next book. I think it will be a perfect book because it involves the economy and it applies to all of us. It is called, "The World is Flat" and I am sure you have all heard of it. I think we should all read it. Is everyone o.k. with this?
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