Anyway, its a nicely written blog and the dude who writes it, JP is a curious man.  He’s worked in the film business and been involved in the health movement for 20 years - sort of a strange combination, but it works.

If you’re into the whole grain, organic, pro-veggie movement, it’s a blog you might want to follow.

My dad and I had a discussion about the nature of God in which we disagreed fairly respectfully. I think it is an important point - to know God is Eternal Life - and having a false view of the nature and character of God sets us up for multiple foibles. The issue at hand is this - Is God capable of doing wrong? Not that he would, but is he ABLE to do something ungodly? As Alma points out, if he did something bad he would cease to be God.

My dad argues that attempting to limit the power of God - or more properly, define him as less - is a sure path to heresy. He vigorously pointed out that God has all power; if he couldn’t do something, if he didn’t have agency, then he wouldn’t be all powerful. Accordingly, God continually chooses to do right but has the option of doing wrong. Besides, isn’t it moot? The result is the same, God continues to be God and love us.

MMMmmmm…. no. There is a big difference that will be clear later on.

I argue that just because God cannot do something doesn’t mean he is all powerful. He still has all the power that exists in the universe. The power to create/declare law, to live forever, to move mountains, etc. In the collection of all of these powers, however, there is no power that exists that allows the owner to do the impossible. That which is impossible is impossible. God cannot lie. He cannot stop loving his children. He cannot cease to be God. He is perfect. Everything God does, by definition, is godly and right. What he does defines godliness. He isn’t God because he does a bunch of godly things.

In this stage of his life he is God because he is perfect, he has all power. Light proceeds from him and fills the immensity of space, giving law and life to everything. God is infallible. Furthermore, a God who perpetually walks on a razors edge - one small misstep and he’d crumble and cease to be - doesn’t inspire faith.

BUT … Here’s the deal - it doesn’t matter what either of us think - the scriptures say - pretty decisively - that there are things God cannot do. It’s not that God simply chooses to not do them, he is simply INCAPABLE of doing them. It is impossible for HIM.

Although there are some strange ways to interpret scripture, there are several scriptures that are almost unmistakable.

Behold, I, the Lord, have brought you together that the promise might be fulfilled, that the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together in the land of Missouri. I, the Lord, promise the faithful and cannot lie.

D&C 62:6

That’s the Lord, talking about himself, saying clearly that he CANNOT lie.

And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

Ether 12:3

The brother of Jared, stating the CANNOT version and not the WILL not.

And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.

D&C 84:39-40

Christ speaking of the Father and the oath and covenant of the priesthood. In the chapter it mentions that we, as men, can break this covenant but God cannot. It reminds me of D&C 82:10 - “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say…”.

Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim.

Mosiah 15:27

Abinadi, describing those that know the commandments and refuse to obey them - viz. do not repent and use the atonement of Christ - states that the Lord doesn’t save them, not because he chooses to or doesn’t want to, but more specifically he cannot. Alma 11:37 says a similar thing (In fact, the argument between Zeezrom and Amulek is similar to the one my father and I had). Ditto for Moroni 10:26.

If you’d like to see more scriptures, you could just go to:

TOPICAL GUIDE

God, Perfection of

http://scriptures.lds.org/tg/g/75

The net result of this was that I went home and searched the scriptures and found out some comforting things. I also learned some new things about the light of Christ, Eternal Life, your calling and election being made sure, falling from grace, and the God being the author of law. I also learned that I was being petty, wanting to be right so badly. My brother also pointed out that it looked like I was seeking approval and acceptance from my father - it wasn’t just a doctrinal discussion, but the same struggle I’ve had all my life with my dad. I really should get over it. Secretly on the inside, I know my dad loves me and is proud of me despite his constant efforts to thwart me from teaching him something.

On the advice of my brother and my friend John, I have decided to let it go … and not try to correct my father. It won’t help to email him my thoughts and a laundry list of scriptures that directly support the doctrine of God’s perfection. I’m reminded of a story from the book Joseph’s Smiths Teachings, p 157:

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I will endeavor to instruct you in relation to the meaning of the beasts and figures spoken of. I should not have called up the subject had it not been for this circumstance: Elder Pelatiah Brown, one of the wisest old heads we have among us, and whom I now see before me, has been preaching concerning the beast which was full of eyes before and behind; and for this he was hauled up for trial before the High council.

I did not like the old man being called up for erring in doctrine. It looks too much like the Methodist, and not like the Latter-day Saints. Methodists have creeds which a man must believe or be asked out of their church. I want the liberty of thinking and believing as I please. It feels so good not to be trammelled. It does not prove that a man is not a good man because he errs in doctrine.

The year of living biblically is a memoir of AJ’s attempt to live the Bible as literally as possible. It starts off quirky, warm and light when it comes to the Bible stuff. Like another another book by AJ Jacobs, Know it all, you get to know his sense of humor and mild neuroticism - plus he get’s all factoidal with Bible trivia. What’s not to like about an easy read like this?

One of my favorite anecdotes is AJ’s dealings with shatnez tester, Mr Berkowitz. A shatnez tester by the way, is an orthodox Jewish man who inspects clothing to make sure you aren’t breaking a bible commandment by wearing clothing made from mixed fibers.

AJ further meets with Christian creationists, the Amish, and Samaritans. It’s a fun, popcorn travel of Bible believing religions.

My only gripes is that for a man who tries to live as Bible literally for an entire year, he remains remarkable unaffected by the whole ordeal. On the volume knob of conversion, he ends up one and a half degrees past agnostic. Maybe this just reflect his tepid New York spirituality, but it’s kind of depressing that he just became a marginally better person. It just goes to show - AJ was out to make an entertaining book (which he did) and not true religious adventure. It’s like the slow moving teacup ride at Disneyland vs Space Mountain.

Again, not really a soul searching book, but an enjoyable read if you like the subject matter.

Mount

Open Guard

Passing Guard

Preparing for a double leg take down

Take down defense / Sprawl

Attacking the turtle position

Muay Thai clinch

Back control

Arm drag to gain back mount

Mata Leo / Rear Naked Choke (ten finger variation)

Side control

Choke from side mount

Performing side control escape / cradle side mount

North South

Attacking a downed opponent

My brother and I discussed what, if any, opportunity exists for the enterprising to make money from cell towers. After some research, my opinion is that there is very little opportunity - in terms of buying/building a cell tower.

Here’s why. Cell companies already know where they need have a cell site. You don’t. If that’s lands open to buy, they can buy without you. If you happen to own it, they’ll contact you to work something out. IF you’ve already been contacted (or own a cell tower and your cell tenants are seeking a re-negotiation) you need professional advice. I’d suggest www.steelintheair.com.

If you own a cell tower, maybe you can go to cell carriers and try to get them to put up an antennae. This is not a walk in the park.

Becoming a cell tower owner is also not so easy. People who have towers up with leases may sell out of the leases early for a lump sum, if you’ve got the capital you could go that route. Still, you’ve got to find someone who wants out. Not that likely. Due to the prohibitive cost of building a cell tower ($100,000 - $150,000), it’s not an easy “investment” to try on faith and hopes. The “if you build it, they will come” maxim doesn’t work here. The demand has to be there.

However - here’s an angle you can try. If you are in charge of university buildings, construction of high rises, etc … you may have a potential cell cite. Contact corporate cell provider’s unit that is in charge of that sort of thing and see.

Just thought you should know.

Resources:

http://www.privateline.com/Cellbasics/leasinginfo.htm

http://www.privateline.com/Cellbasics/cellsiteleaseprocess.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/build-a-cell-tower

Today I was helped by a very old lady from Tibet.  She doesn’t speak any english - only the word Tibet. Without laboring the details, I was touched by her service. I am very grateful, as I should probably be helping her. If you have time, look into saving Tibet.

Here are a few things to help shield you from the storm:

• Have a 72-hour kit, or a bug-out bag. 
• Slowly aquire a 3 months food storage. Stock it with things you eat on a regular basis and diversify it. It’s better to have a week’s worth of full meals (protien, starch, and vegitable) than a full months supply of only green beens.
• Invest globally and diversify your portfolio. Protect yourself by not putting all your eggs in one basket.
• Get rid of  your guilty consciense. Mental and spiritual preperation for a (natural) disaster or the apocolypse is just as important as the physical. Repent, obsolve the problem with your neighbor, whatever. 
• Speaking of your neighbors, develop your relationships with them. If crap goes down, these are the people who you are going to rebuild society with in the post- nuclear-winter future. Be good to them. Plus, it will expand your social network. You’d be suprised at how often a friend will know someone who can get you a job, give wholesale pricing, or help solve a problem.
• Get out of debt.When things get worse, things will get extra worse for you.
• Increase your frugality.
• Become more self reliant. Start a garden, get a solar powered water-heater, make your own laundry soap.
• Don’t freak out. Things might, indeed, be shiz-crazy like Mad Max from Thunderdome. But freaking out never helped. Keep a cool head, think logically and make the best decisions you can with the information you have at the time.
• Prepare for the future at a steady pace. You should always be putting away 10% of your current income for retirement and buying two extra cans for your food storage with each shopping trip. Slow and steady. Don’t run faster than you have strength.

It is interesting to note that many church leaders (notably both leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Pope) have recently given messages concerning the ominous uncertainites ahead. From the recent LDS semi-annual general confrence, church members were urged to stand together and be unified, and to lift where they stand. The Pope mentioned how life is deeper than money.

Personally, I don’t think tough times are “bad”. Difficult times are an opportunity to gain the strength only offered by adversity. Be open-minded enough to experience what Napolean Hill said - “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.”

Fortune favors the bold. - Virgil

I’ve been pondering the fleeting nature of opportunities. Here today and gone tommorow. Somethings just won’t be the same if you wait. Take donuts, for instance. Fresh from the bakery, they’ll make you salivate. Wait a week and you’ve got a dozen new doorstops.

Lately, I’ve mused over some specific opportunities relating to two of my favorite subjects: women and money.

At a social event, a stunningly beautiful woman walks into the room. Time is of the essense - you may never see her again or given an hour or so, she’ll have 5-11 drooling dudes orbiting around her, creating an almost impenetrable sheild of suck-ups. Plus, instead of being the first guy to introduce yourself and ask her name, you’ll be the 54th of a possible 213 men she’ll see tonight.

Now I’m not trying to promote rash, dangerous and impulsive behavior here. I’m just illustrating the following:

The difference between pimpalicious and wussbag might only be a few minutes. So don’t be a wussbag - get some courage and go say hi!

With certain matters finacial, also note:

Obviously, only a certain subset of opportunites are subject to this effect. The key is to recognize what kind of idea it is and how far it’s moved on it’s life-cycle.

Hot stock picks are a good example. Some company grows explosively and clever traders make a ton a cash. By the time Money magazine and the like spout off on how great the stocks is, it’s probably only a mediocre buy.  It’s too late. Green apples ripen, red apples rot.

After you know an opportunity is legit, take a risk and try it!  When I heard of CashCrate, I was skeptical and held off for a while.  When I finially did get into it, I noticed some shortcuts and exploits and made some decent money, but waiting cost me some easy money. Tricks, hacks and exploits are typically short lived, so it’s best to jump on board asap. As long as it’s ethical, I think you should take advantage of things and milk them for all their worth!

I remember making $35 bucks for 15 minitues of work as an impromptu baggage carrier at a hotel. A bus of asian folks pulled up to the hotel I was at and most wanted their luggage ported. Amidst the choas, I quickly walked up to the tour group directer when he stepped off the bus and said, “I can take some of their baggage.” He nodded and I hauled luggage. At the end of the deal, the tour group leader even tipped me.

Which brings me to my point.

Don’t be a wussbag.

All of us have flashes of insight and intuition, just don’t let your inner demons talk you out of it. You already know it’s a good idea to talk to the girl in your yoga class,  put away money in your IRA, or call your great aunt Flow. Time is precious, when you get an impression  - and if following it through won’t kill you - just do it. You probably have several ideas that are still viable, even though their old. If you’re not a risk taker, get your feet wet with those. Get around to the “I really should” list and move on to “seizing the moment” style opportunites.

When you’ve got a stomache for it, I think you’ll like it.

NOTE:

Post semi-inspired by the book, Blue Ocean Strategy.

So… a casual friend of mine said he’s training in WFG - the World Financial Group - and asked if he could come over. From our brief conversation, I pretty much guessed it to be the sales pitch. However, since I’m in the market for good salesmen, I told him to come over.

“J” my friend, and his trainer Brad show up to my apartment, both dressed nicely in blue collared shirts and charcoal pants.

After a brief hello, Brad whips out his clipboard with a form on it. The pitch has already started.

“What’s you’re name again? I’ve got a bad memory and I want to remember it.”

“Bart. Like Bart Simpson,” I say.

“Let me write that down … “, Brad writes my name down on the paper. “And your last name?”

I spell it out for him. At this point, my sales radar is fully alert. I used similar tactics while selling cars - you take the lead of the interaction and record information. If you flow well, full name, address and phone number come out of the potential buyer pretty easy. You build on successes and it seems natural to continue giving the sales guy the info. Brad asks for my wife’s name and what we do for a living.

I don’t have any particular problem with it, and go along.

Brad asks casually about my hobbies and then open the scope of the question and asks what kind of life goals I have. Travel, writing a novel, climbing Everest - that sort thing. He records my answers.

About halfway down the page, he introduces WFG. Basically, Brad regurgitates -

” World Financial Group is a megahuge company that helps people financially. The thing is that the big investment companies, Merill Lynch, ING, etc, don’t really deal with you unless you have a ton of money. But WFG helps you and me, the little guys, achieve our wildest dreams and goals, just like the ones you have previosly mentioned.”

At this point, I’ve gone to sales resistance DEFCON level 4.

“WFG has recently been bought by AEGON, an ultra-megahuge company. It allows us to have access to all sorts of products and services. When you work with, Vanguard, for instance, they only sell their Vanguard stuff. Fidelity only sells their funds, etc.  But, heck, we’re humintarians - WFG works help middle class guys like you and me to move from dream to doing.

Anyway, AEGON has a large network and allows us to find things that are right for you. In fact, AEGON is a 36 billion dollar company. That’s more than Nike, Marriot, McDonalds and Starbucks combined. They’ve been around for about 100 years, so it’s nice to know that the people who help you with your money have been around a long time and aren’t going anywhere. Now, I don’t say that to impress you, but its good to be able to trust a company with so much strength.”

Secretly, I already know this is mind-warping sales spewdum, and I could care less. Just because a company is big or old doesn’t mean it’s good. IN FACT, AEGON is primarily an insurance company. I personally think that insurances are necessary evils and that insurance companies kinda screw you. I used to sell life and health insurance, so I’ve kind of looked into it.

Brad continues,

“Do you know what the rule of 72 is?”

“Yes.”

Brad, incredulous, asks “Well what is it?”

I don’t use it on a day to day basis, but I remember the basics.

“Basically its a way to calculate how money compounds and how long it takes for money to double.”

Brad plows through.

“Apples to apples, lets compare how much money someone would have if they put their money in the bank, versus a better investment. Banks give you maybe 2% in a savings account- and you know what they do? They turn around and loan out that money to others. Over the life of your loan the bank will make over a million dollars on your money - plus you spent  THREE TIMES more to buy your home. ”

Brad then gives me a 20 minute lecture that boils down to, “Invest money at higher rates.” Brad does however, sprinkle in a few gold nuggets from WFG. If you’ve never seen the magic of compound interest it’s pretty exciting.

• Informs me that rich people aren’t any different than us folk, it’s just that they’ve been taught about money. “This is how rich people become wealthy.”
• Claims that WFG has some investment products that guarantee 7%, but also get to benefit from bull market upswings that sometimes raise that percentage.
• Tells me about my future home being “a dead equity bucket” due to the fact that my house isn’t making me any money. The only thing it’s doing for me is letting me live there.
• Shows me that if I do a specialty loan, which WFG can provide because they’re all hooked up with bazillions of people,  I can do a (basically) interest only loan for smaller payments and invest the rest with WFG. After a short time, I can pay off my house early and have $450,000 accumulated. (Based on his elusive investments and an origional $1300 house payment).

Now my question at this point is, “That’s all swell and good, but what’s your investment vehicle. What’s getting you the 7 percent? Spell it out for me. I still don’t totally see what WFG does?”

That’s when they say, “Oh Bart, we’ve got to run. You need to come to our meeting on Tuesday and the master plan will be laid out there.”

J tries to commit me with, “Bart, will you be there at 7:00?”

Brad jumps in, “Oh, and come business dress.”

I respond, ” No. I don’t see a reason. What does WFG do? I’ve done 11% in my portfolio, but I’m always interest in legit opportunities. I have no idea what the WFG opportunity is. Why should I come?

Frustrated, Brad says, “If we told you everything, you wouldn’t have to come!”.

Opps, Brad slipped up on that one.

I finish up by saying, “Listen, here’s my email. Tell me CLEARLY why I should go. You haven’t really taught me anything. I don’t see the WFG “opportunity”. And if I do show up, I’ll show up to the meeting however I damn well please.”

J comments, “Well … they might not let you in and stuff…”

Summary

I was insulted by the whole pitch.  I have been educated about money. I know how the rich become and stay rich (one of the biggest factors other than inheriting money is to have high income jobs or businesses). The short real-estate examples the two reps shared with me clearly demonstrated their lack of knowledge.  After a bit of grilling, it became obvious that I had a much larger net worth than they did combined. I’m not rich mind you, but I stick to the plan’s laid out in books like “The millionaire next door” and “The wealthy barber”.

After snooping on the net for a while, it seems that WFG sells variable annuities, variable universal life, etc - basically life insurance with an investment wrapper. Also, if you don’t have cash to buy their products they bring you on as an associate, who then can recruit people, get licensed and sell their products. Apparently there is a multi-level marketing thing going on where you get percentages of your downline - people who sign up beneath you.

On the net, WFG gets a bad rap. Maybe it’s deserved, maybe it’s not. Just google “WFG” and 4 of the first 5 links are like, “WFG: don’t mess - scam”. It doesn’t bode well for them, but just because you read it on the internet doesn’t mean its true.

Typically, people will defend and attack WFG with specious arguments and horrible spelling. There are a few place where fairly educated people discuss the pro’s and con’s of the investments that WFG guys typically sell, like this discussion on variable annuities. However, most of the “discussion” is like this:

First of all,WFG is not a scam! Let me ask a question. Do you think that Aegon which owns WFG, is woth over 400 billion dollars from collecting $100 backround check fees from potential associates? Let me ask another question. Do you think working to make another man or company richer is a scam?

AEGON makes most of it’s money from insurance, not background checks. I agree there. But just because something is big and rich doesn’t make it good. Cough, cough. ENRON. Cough, Cough. I could go on, but it isn’t woth it.

World Financial Group is a scam, its the multi- pyramid system which invite people to spend their money and offer alot but none of those are truth. They just get you started for only 100 dollars and then kind of dissapear…

Dont make any mistakes !!!!!!!!

Oh yes, the dreaded multi-pyramid system. I hate it when my scheme only has one pyramid system.

I know that MLM is generally not well liked, but it doesn’t make it a “scam” per say. WFG sells products and services that you can judge on their quality. You want to buy mutal funds through them? Cool. You want to be recruited and trained to sell them? Alright. Do you want to make money by recruiting others? Okay. So what? Sounds like work to me, but I better be careful never make any mistakes.

That goes for you, too. For the rest of your life, don’t ever not be perfect.

Ask questions and ask them to show you how they made there money and to be honest, they tell you that you will be rescued from the government and you can quit your job, that would be a mistake, it’s a pyramid and they want you to be there fool and they get all the money in the end. They tell you that your doing a good job, they train you to lie.

I’m not altogether sure what this dude is saying, but I like it.

Did WFG force u to join the company. Wfg gives u the opportunity nohing taking from u.If u cant make ur decision in this age i m sorry to say u.U cant do anyhing in ur life before blaming anyone just think about urself

Hmph.

It appears that WFG typically only pushes the Life/Health producers license (I think) because it allows you to sell their insurances and get commissions.  Personally, I prefer taking financial advice from people who do fee only financial planning - ie: they charge a fixed amount for their advice (they have the series 7 securities license) no matter what you buy. It seems that in this situation, it’s in the advisors best interest is to help you buy the best investments, not just ones that generate a commissions for him.

Anyway, WFG is a direct marketer and churn and burns recruits (many recruits, many fallouts). Your “job” from WFG is selling and recruiting with a hybrid MLM structure.

A rather negative article from the respectable BloomBerg can be found here.

Anyway, that’s how the pitch goes.