tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.comments2023-07-19T05:10:59.402-07:00Graduate GrumblingsBrianGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comBlogger685125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-46006384493700480972022-11-20T15:07:34.286-08:002022-11-20T15:07:34.286-08:00Hello, Brian,
I'm of the opinion that the cos...Hello, Brian,<br /><br />I'm of the opinion that the cosmos is much larger than what we see (or imagine) through the instrumentality of science. In fact, I'd say that the known universe is only a sliver of the larger sacred cosmos. I'm also of the opinion that there are many divisions and gradations within the vast network of God's creations. And so what we have is something like the known universe multiplied countless numbers of times--in order to get a sense of the magnitude of the whole thing.<br /><br />And if that weren't enough, the whole thing is brought about and managed by Christ (and his volunteers) much as a gardener--constantly in the process of nurturing and increasing his<br />crop. And so, if we apply this analogy to the cosmos what we have is a Creator in which all things hold together. A glorified man with a mind as wide as eternity. <br /><br />That said, what I picture -- as it relates to your diagrams -- is something that intersects with all of them at some point--though perhaps with a twist. Instead of the "universe as God" it would be more like the "universe as a manifestation of God" because he dwells in it. And the same for the world. But when we bring people into the picture things become a little more complex because of their potential to increase in light and knowledge.<br /><br />And so, beginning right here and now, God provides a way for his children to begin their ascent through the various divisions of the sacred cosmos--as far as they're willing to go. He desires to hold no one back--and he will strengthen and mentor them in their efforts to ascend as they following Christ -- who is their guide -- onward and upward.<br /><br />Jack<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-28622563922675938822022-11-02T15:18:56.033-07:002022-11-02T15:18:56.033-07:00I love your comparison of your current journey to ...I love your comparison of your current journey to leaving the garden of Eden, so you can enter the world and join the rest of the people. I’m so much happier out here, though I do have to learn how not to be bitter.<br /><br />Hooray for zen diagrams, all the way down! Absolutely. Also, I think it’s freeing to embrace the idea that we don’t really know most things, and that’s okay. We can still live our lives according to what we feel is best, and it can change over time, and that’s just fine. It’s wonderful not to have someone telling me what to believe all the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-84433592028526609322022-09-13T10:18:36.036-07:002022-09-13T10:18:36.036-07:00Thanks for posting, Brian. I have missed your won...Thanks for posting, Brian. I have missed your wonderful family and your story is a very familiar one to me. I am so glad you linked this to facebook and I saw it today. Young Adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828868342055057640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-744468040544653322022-09-11T08:42:49.151-07:002022-09-11T08:42:49.151-07:00I’m so sorry to hear this, Brian. I feel exactly t...I’m so sorry to hear this, Brian. I feel exactly the opposite as you. Everything you listed—plural marriage, patriarchy, the Book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, etc.—testifies to me of the truth of both the gospel and the Church, and it saddens me when others seem to miss the beauty and perfection that I see. But please know that I still consider you a brother and a friend, and I hope we can remain that way despite your change in beliefs. 😊Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00447390975580816050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-67694028829297997512022-09-08T11:33:18.931-07:002022-09-08T11:33:18.931-07:00Thanks for the comments and support. I appreciate...Thanks for the comments and support. I appreciate everyone's positive comments. I debated how much to write - kids say it is cringey to talk about on social media and probably that is my biggest worry. BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-30621750079499359892022-09-07T17:54:15.636-07:002022-09-07T17:54:15.636-07:00You described my own journey so well. When I final...You described my own journey so well. When I finally realized that for me to be authentic, I needed to separate completely from the church I'd grown up in, it was a huge change but a very small change, all at the same time. I'm sad at how judgmental I was, but I'm happy to continue my journey the best way I know how.Rhamniteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648401637446497580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-19034783047859445572022-09-07T14:16:07.953-07:002022-09-07T14:16:07.953-07:00So interesting. You wrote so objectively and posit...So interesting. You wrote so objectively and positively, and it's so thoughtful and fair. Thanks for writing it. I'm glad to know what happened. It definitely gives ME a sense of closure! It makes me sad that your faith didn't survive, but it makes me happy that you are feeling good about your life direction. Love to your family, we miss you guys!!Christine Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08358201671820415077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-30807306145063361352022-09-07T12:54:42.356-07:002022-09-07T12:54:42.356-07:00Thanks for the insightful and "well illustrat...Thanks for the insightful and "well illustrated" reflections. <br />We love the devoted husband and father and friend you are!Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10141716861207496538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-59445409422294716102021-05-08T09:28:23.478-07:002021-05-08T09:28:23.478-07:00Did you move?Did you move?BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-72486908538438538242021-04-19T11:57:48.897-07:002021-04-19T11:57:48.897-07:00I realize you wrote this a while ago and only came...I realize you wrote this a while ago and only came here because of a comment on a FB thread where you linked to it (perhaps the only reason I am still on FB is to find nuggets like this). <br />Anyhow, I really enjoyed this and it made me remember those some of those same teachers. The ones that I'll never forget, even if I wasn't the best student - academically or behaviorally. <br /><br />Agreed that teachers should be measured by what they do - teach. They do not need to be held up to a standard of whether they would make a good I-banker or some other industry. Also, using the SAT as an indicator of cognitive ability....? That could be a whole 'nother discussion.<br />J-Pnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-28428102770396161812021-02-24T09:27:25.725-08:002021-02-24T09:27:25.725-08:00Mason City is great, not sure it is as pretty as M...Mason City is great, not sure it is as pretty as Maine. . . BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-26505051163773312322021-02-22T17:32:33.587-08:002021-02-22T17:32:33.587-08:00I’m equally guilty of flakey correspondences, but ...I’m equally guilty of flakey correspondences, but I had to visit your blog to check in on you and remind myself where my friend Brian lives. We’re moving to Mason City, Iowa this spring. Maybe we should be friends again? Sorry Scotland didn’t happen as planned!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03116164724699918900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-61438084021971612492021-01-22T15:00:53.190-08:002021-01-22T15:00:53.190-08:00Brian, I so appreciate your level of concern and y...Brian, I so appreciate your level of concern and your example of being part of solutions. It feels futile at times, but I believe every small choice can be impactful, and I love this message of hope: from you, from that guy at Bayer, and from Amanda Gorman.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439893063153790598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-1709082824994579912020-12-24T19:16:26.649-08:002020-12-24T19:16:26.649-08:00Thanks Kate. I hope you guys are doing well in Iow...Thanks Kate. I hope you guys are doing well in Iowa. Just got cold enough here to remind me of Iowa winters. BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-74266000301285510332020-12-24T07:18:29.497-08:002020-12-24T07:18:29.497-08:00<3 I enjoyed reading your thoughts, Brian.<3 I enjoyed reading your thoughts, Brian.Kate Challishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12635514280917316353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-64384699049855935092020-12-22T18:39:10.825-08:002020-12-22T18:39:10.825-08:00I think there are waaaayyyy more things that we...I think there are waaaayyyy more things that we're wrong about than we're right about, in general, in our views of the world and God. We're like 3 year olds trying to understand the family budget. We can't even understand it, so God just gives us a something that will make sense for us, and he'll explain it all when we're older. And actually, that helps me make sense of some of the weird stuff in the past - I think God works with people where they are, in their culture and level of understanding, and sometimes some of the things he said back then were just for them in their time, and not really general truths.<br /><br />Good luck - I have great confidence that you'll arrive at a place of comfort with your religious beliefs eventually. As you know, I am pretty confident that the Church of Jesus Christ is for reals the church of Jesus Christ. But I know that faith and confidence doesn't come easy to everyone, and I acknowledge your hard work over the years to find true faith, and not hide from things that bother you. I think the answers will come for you. Good luck!Christine Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08358201671820415077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-50366905717451919362020-12-22T18:29:07.877-08:002020-12-22T18:29:07.877-08:00Hey, you've been writing lots of stuff on your...Hey, you've been writing lots of stuff on your blog! I should have kept reading after the Christmas card! :) I totally agree with you about the weirdness of the election challenges. Somehow, Trump won a lot of support from many religious people by his tightened restrictions on abortion. I'm totally not for abortion, and I'd love to see it disappear. But I'm not willing to tank the whole country over it. But I guess a lot of my friends really feel like that's the single most important issue in our country today, and will vote for anyone who supports that. And who knows, maybe I'm wrong - saving lives is important. (Yeah, cough, cough, covid response...) ANYWAY, I'm glad the supreme court threw it out.Christine Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08358201671820415077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-59012955071409386162020-12-22T16:13:54.765-08:002020-12-22T16:13:54.765-08:00What a great summary! Love it! I sure wish I had t...What a great summary! Love it! I sure wish I had the organizational skills to put something like this together. Great job, and thanks!Rhamniteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648401637446497580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-51645945641982653472020-12-22T16:12:59.084-08:002020-12-22T16:12:59.084-08:00Wonderful summary! I've found it a great relie...Wonderful summary! I've found it a great relief to allow myself to believe what I feel I really do believe. It was hard, though.<br />Rhamniteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08648401637446497580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-62112522465601223302020-12-22T07:37:53.487-08:002020-12-22T07:37:53.487-08:00I love how thoughtful you are, Brian. And I love ...I love how thoughtful you are, Brian. And I love the personal examples you give of your need to be a know-it-all :). Thanks for being brave enough to share your faith journey--there are surely some low valleys on the way--and sometimes the flat plain of "letting go" is such a relief. Maybe I should not be trying so hard with this metaphor :). <br /><br />I agree that a blog is a more intimate forum. Because it is! This is the perfect place to share something so personally meaningful. I so appreciate your honesty and "realness." Love you guys! Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439893063153790598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-38458863273583779812020-12-21T15:48:20.317-08:002020-12-21T15:48:20.317-08:00To write the Kraft Bros. Kratt Brothers Co., P.O. ...To write the Kraft Bros. Kratt Brothers Co., P.O. box 475, Stowe, Vermont 05672 USA"BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-53536379904905105942020-12-21T15:34:15.591-08:002020-12-21T15:34:15.591-08:00Re: faith. I wrote about where I am actually but d...Re: faith. I wrote about where I am actually but didn’t link it on Facebook because I was talking a break from Facebook and it felt almost too personal for that forum. Which is funny because this blog is totally public but it feels more intimate. http://graduategrumblings.blogspot.com/2020/09/not-knowing-it-all.html?m=1BrianGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11883278789876067947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-59364311357569880172020-12-21T14:13:15.252-08:002020-12-21T14:13:15.252-08:00First off, we want to know how to write a letter t...First off, we want to know how to write a letter to the Kratt brothers, too!! Sorry the year was a downer for you guys in general - not moving to Scotland is sad! And sorry you're struggling with faith. I hope you keep on trying and don't give up on it. I have a friend who went 9 years feeling like God was ignoring him before he finally got an answer. Hope 2021 is a little kinder to you all, in general. Christine Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08358201671820415077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-51845001270106211572020-12-21T13:58:20.614-08:002020-12-21T13:58:20.614-08:00Oh, I love this post so much! It is so great to s...Oh, I love this post so much! It is so great to see your kids and Leila and hear how you Gardunias are doing. We really miss you. Election stress was definitely my worst part of this year, too! Baking bread and reading and biking to cope are similar strategies we shared. I am excited to check out "The Left Hand of Darkness." I feel for your depression and religious struggles. Life really gets hard. Life really IS hard. I'm so glad you have your good girls surrounding you! Love you guys!Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439893063153790598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9739005.post-77007825758292411692020-09-22T09:13:03.074-07:002020-09-22T09:13:03.074-07:00Letting go of the need to have all the answers or ...Letting go of the need to have all the answers or have everything figured out is freeing. Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02278196056982048370noreply@blogger.com