Thoughts on Socialism and God

,

I just received this message from someone who believes socialism is of God….

“@Eric: I will say something that you and your people will think is evil. And you can practice battling the devil. But it will be me battling the devil…

“The Reason the Jews crucified Jesus Christ, because they were capitalist. They made money capitalizing off the sins of the world….

His socialism ended their Capitalism. Man created money to claim ownership on Gods resources, socialism fixes that mistake.”

Tim Spagnola Jr.

——————————–

Brother Tim,

I hope you don’t think you’re battling the devil when we join in discussion. I don’t believe you are the devil either. That’s actually what the devil would want us to believe. However, with those comments I do believe many of your thoughts are greatly deceived regarding this issue of free agency.

There is nothing more that God wants than for us to love one another and share with each-other. But Tim, He won’t force us. That’s the difference. The reason why love, donations, tithing, and generosity do work, is because it’s free-will and not forced-will. Love invites love and resentment invites resentment. And when a human being is forced, they will resent.

The reason why the Jews crucified Jesus is because He was teaching who the Father was, who He was, and who they (the Jews) were really born to be. Which is to become like God in pure love. (See John 10:34) Further, He was teaching them the true order of heaven; which is free-will in love.

What Jesus wasn’t doing: He wasn’t teaching them forced-will. He wasn’t forcing anyone to do anything. In other words, God isn’t going to force anyone to share; and He definitely isn’t going to force anyone to heaven. Those are “demmandments”, not commandments. “Come unto me” He says. It’s our choice; not His force.

I invite you to study history, Tim. Because we learn from history that we don’t learn from history. Every rise and fall of an empire was because of too much power The People gave the government. Just look at every dictator in the world and what they did. They took the power in the people and ironically destroyed them. That is forced-will vs. free-will. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” John Acton

You cannot decide what to do with other people’s money unless you are committed to use force (a gun) to take that money from them. All socialist programs are mandatory. Heaven is not. That’s the difference. Jesus commanded us not to steal. Even if it’s “Legal”, done through a corrupt government system. It’s still theft.

I hope this brings to light why people all over this country will fight to keep their freedom and liberty. It truly can be lost in one generation. I will not allow it to be mine.

Ezra Taft Benson once said,

“Another notable counterfeit system to the Lord’s plan is collectivized socialism. Socialism derives its philosophy from the founders of communism, Marx and Engels. Communism in practice is socialism. Its purpose is world socialism, which the communists seek to achieve by revolution, and which the socialists seek to achieve by evolution. Both communism and socialism have the same effect upon the individual—a loss of personal liberty.”

Howard W. Hunter also said,

“If man will not recognize the inequalities around him and voluntarily, through the gospel plan, come to the aid of his brother, he will find that through “a democratic process” he will be forced to come to the aid of his brother. The government will take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots.” Both have lost their freedom. Those who “have,” lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. Those who “have not,” lost their freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got “something for nothing,” and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the gift.”

So let us all do better. Let us recognize. But let us all do better with our choice to do better.

With all the free-willish Love I have to muster,

Eric Moutsos

 

 

/by

Letter to my Brother, Dan Reynolds

,

This is part of what I posted about a few days ago with regard to youth suicide and the onslaught that church leaders and members are about to take nationwide from some in the LGBTQA community; and clearly, famous rock star church members who have a better vision than their spiritual leaders. Meaning, blaming someone’s suicide on commandments.

The lead singer of Imagine Dragons now
“hopes “to teach a lesson to church leaders (LDS President Nelson in this case) that preaching age-old universal doctrines about sexuality need to now change. I guess being a rock star now gives that person moral arbiter God-like authority.

From the article:

“Rock star Dan Reynolds was once a Mormon missionary…to urge leaders of his faith to stop shaming their LGBT members.”

“If you’re telling them their innate sense of love, which is unchangeable, is wrong, you’re going to have this problem.”

“As long as those policies are still intact,” Reynolds said, “our LGBT youth still have high percentages of depression, anxiety and suicide.”

To Dan,

I love your music. It will probably remain on my workout playlist for a very very long time, regardless of what you do or say socially or politically. Keep producing good music. I’ll buy it.

With that said, and what I won’t buy, is what you are doing teaching your fans on this particular issue. You are actually driving the LGBTQA youth into further confusion with “hopes” that God’s word is going to stop being consistent with how He’s always taught His children with regards to homosexuality and gender identity. It’s not “shaming” when God, or his prophets, talk about the real effects of sin. It’s actually the other way around; I’ll explain.

In your interview, you say the prophet needs to “have real change…Because speaking in platitudes of love will not create that change.” What exactly is the real change you are hoping for? What “policies” are you hoping to change? Ignoring universal laws of morality and true identity?

Speaking the truth with love is actually the purest possible loving thing church leaders from any denomination can do. In fact, there’s no church on the planet that shows more love to the LGBTQA community, than the LDS church does. They have an entire webpage dedicated to this issue. Disagreement in love is God’s language to most of us. We all sin somewhere. And guess what, God disagrees with our sin. That’s why He continues to teach us. And won’t stop teaching us until we ALL overcome ALL of our sins. Nobody is perfect.

If you really want irony, placating with false platitudes, like you’re doing, is more dangerous for the upcoming generation that worships people like you, more than they worship God. You’ve now become the very wedge you’re preaching against. Especially regarding issues with chastity and sexuality. God created male and female to be with one another and multiply and replenish the earth. That’s the highest order of heaven, Dan. That’s the truth. And if you’re saying that my words (or anyone who thinks/talks like me) now can be tied to the “shaming” culture and blamed for someone’s suicide, you have truly lived up to your bands cover name. There is shaming Dan, but you must look inwardly on where the shaming is coming from.

God’s word won’t change with this issue, not ever. He’s unchangeable. It’s ok disagree with homosexuality. We can do that in love. God does that in love with ALL of our poor choices we make as His Children. Having same sex attraction is not wrong in the sight of God; however, acting on same sex attraction is wrong. It’s called sin. Just like many other things that are considered sin that we do.

It’s not bigoted to teach that marriage is only between a man and a woman and ordained of God and that it will always be. Because Dan, God isn’t going to be taught a lesson on this issue. Neither are his prophets. The word “sin” is not going to be replaced because it hurts our feelings. God loves us more than that to lie to us. The manifestation of His love is His commandments.

Dan, God and His prophets have in fact “seen the faces and heard the voices of these youth”, that’s the very reason why He teaches these same youth how to come unto Him, in really simple and sobering terms. God knows better, He is better. In your language, He is the Lightning before any Thunder.

I’ll catch you tomorrow on my iPod,

Eric Moutsos

 

/by

Thoughts and Prayers?

, , ,

If someone tells you your thoughts or prayers don’t matter- which is usually someone who has never actually prayed- don’t listen to them. Your prayers do matter. Even if it’s across the world or country for someone else’s community or family. Because God is listening, and blessing, everyday; especially when we ask.

Continue to pray your sincere prayers; even if you have little faith in prayer, pray anyway. Even if it’s in public or on social media and you feel prompted to share your prayer, share it. The only opinion that ultimately matters, is God’s.

Prayer is the ultimate forms of power that bridges the gap between heaven and earth. Prayer softens hearts and opens minds. Prayer helps bring power and peace to individuals and families whether they know it or can recognize it.

Anytime I am having a really hard time in life, I pray. Anytime everything is going almost too smoothly in life, I pray. When I see someone’s life turn upside down, whether I know them or not, I try to remember to say a prayer for them.

I believe in prayer and know it works. I don’t know where I would be in my life without prayer. I thank God for prayer. I think we could use a lot more of it in the world. We need it.

/by

State Audit on Religious Liberty in Salt Lake City Police

,

Fox 13 contacted me today after the Utah state audit was released regarding my case.

They must have uncovered all the emails and finally pieced together what happened. I’m thankful the state did this. It’s a big deal for religious freedom.

The audit says in part, “when questioned when certain SLCPD management expressed the opinion that a request for excusal from assignment based on a religious need for accommodation was no different from any other request for excusal.”

“The audit sided with (Moutsos) and says that some SLCPD management do not appear to understand the requirements of title VII of the Civil Rights Act.”

The good news is that it will protect people. Remember to stand up for what you believe, no matter what. Even if you lose your job in a world where people and organizations can be intolerant of who you are. It really will all work out in the end. It always does.

http://fox13now.com/2018/04/17/slc-officer-who-asked-not-to-cover-pride-parade-speaks-after-department-audit/

/by

Not Worth It, I Promise.

,

I’ve just heard of yet another marital affair with someone I know well. This last one really upset me. Is it just me or does anyone else notice more of a trend in this lately?

A few quick questions if you are having an affair or are planning to have one… and I say this with love…

Do you really think you will get away with it?

If the answer is yes, you’re mistaken and lying to yourself. You will get caught. Sooner than later.

And let’s say you somehow get away with it for a year or two, how long until your conscience will catch up to you?

The answer is very quickly once the emotions die down and reality sets in. You can run but you can’t hide. Especially from God, in this life or the next.

And last, do you understand the mental, physical, and spiritual destruction you will or are causing in the lives of people that love you?

There is nothing worse. I would rather see someone I love die physically, than die spiritually. Nothing worse.

I hope this didn’t offend anyone who is working through anything like this in their marriage, it’s not my intent. Families can overcome this devastation. Many do and become stronger. But many many don’t. The consequences are tremendous.

I just want you to know that the few fake seconds of the physical lust you feel isn’t worth ruining your life, or the lives of those around you. Even the long term emotional attachments to one that is not you’re spouse, not worth it. The devil is out full force right now. And nobody is immune. It can happen to anyone.

Love your spouse and be faithful. Even in the hardest and darkest times. The light and love will shine again if you’re both willing.

The good news is God can fix it if we let Him. I know He can. We can never sink lower than His light can reach. It will be a battle, but it’s possible.

 

/by

Christ, Sin, and Hope

,

A few thoughts about Christ, sin, and hope.

Did you know that Christ not only suffered for our specific sins, but also suffered the full Eternal sentence and punishment of each of our sins, for what we have done and what we haven’t done?

Many times we think of sin as only the things we’ve done wrong (sins of commission) But we sometimes fail to notice many of the sins we commit are because we fail to do the best we know how in each decision (sins of omission). Especially for those of us that know the truth. We forget about that. I think that’s where the devil wins more than we realize. By slowly taking the light out of our souls. The great things we don’t end up doing throughout the day is his game. Small things we fail to act on.

I don’t think we understand the great things we could accomplish if we partnered with God more than we do. We get so caught up in the ways of the world and we can spiritually plateau so quickly. Then that plateau turns downhill faster than we know. Because we fail to climb any higher. The ways of the world inevitably take our sight and mind off of God and we stop moving in toward Him.

The good news is that through faith in Christ, repentance, commitment, and change of behavior, we can be fully forgiven and born again each day and allowed that spiritual light back into our lives. But everyday we have to want and ask for it. It’s not automatic. Sin is automatic and we are all guilty. Love and light are action words and take work each day.

Remember, Christ loves us not because we are good, but because He is good. It’s His light that fills us if we allow. I’m so thankful I know this truth. But without effort on our end we grow dim. He suffered and died for us because He loves us enough to do it. We just need to accept His great gift and start moving in goodness. There’s a lot of hope in that. It’s the only thing that keeps me going.

/by