j.wride

I finished 3 tests, turned in my scholarship essays, finished my federal financial aid application, got my car fixed and renewed the registration, my faucet is fixed and water back on (THANKS to my dad, Alexander and my neighbor Andy!), my electric back on after being off for almost 12 hours since I thought it was a blackout from the storm, but it was just my main electric thingy on my house and I didn't know how to flip it or whatever (I am learning slllloooowly how to do a few things around the house). I did laundry and house cleaning. I still have 3 quizzes and 4 assignments this week, but I am still taking a couple of minutes to post again.

I am afraid that people will think that my pondering blog has turned into a music blog after some of my latest posts and now this, but I've always had lots of stuff besides my attempts at pondering (and attempts at putting my ponderings into words someone would understand). I've had Utah Local info, recipes galore, family photos, and whatever random thing caught my attention online.

After my divorce, I went to a therapist a few times and he advised me to start a few new hobbies. I was thrown into a whole new world and have full-time school so I couldn't imagine how I'd have time for a hobby. Well, I found something that isn't exactly a hobby, but it makes me happy and doesn't take much time---listening to music, finding new music I like, and even going to local (cheap) concerts. Did ya' notice? So I have this big, new collection of artists I love and wanna share them...so I'm gonna. I probably will usually just add a song to the end of a post or maybe just the songs themselves without any commentary from me when I don't have time. I know everybody has different taste in music so it's okay if none of my readers like them. I like a strange mixture of different kinds of music, so be prepared.

I like Pandora and Slacker, but I especially like Reverbnation. Okay, I LLLLOOOOVVVE it! You can browse different kinds of music and my favorite thing is that they have local and indie artists on there. You would not believe how much great talent there is floating around out there in Utah and probably wherever you live too if you aren't here.

Here is one group from Pleasant Grove (a city in Utah County, not too far from BYU for those readers not from Utah) that I have on my favorites-- j.wride. They only have three full songs here (with previews of others on their CD), but I listen to all three of them lots. "Lifeboat" is my favorite. They'll be playing at Kilby Court on March 17th in SLC for anyone interested and local.

They just released a CD, although I don't see where you can buy it anywhere except on their release tour right now, but it will be on iTunes the beginning of April. Happy listening. I'm listening to it right now...

The Accuser

I really miss getting to post more than once a week (or twice if I’m really lucky). I’ve had so many things to share, but no time to write them. Today I am sharing just a little bit of a topic that I was studying last Sunday. I have a file on my computer where I write topics or quotes that I have heard or thought of and want to study more in depth in the future. Sunday I chose from the file one of the topics which I heard in a talk I listened to online. The talk is called The Most Important Three Things in the World  by Brett Scharffs. The talk was about faith, hope and charity, but I chose one scripture he shared to study.


First he was talking about the Savior as our advocate. I have often thought about that role, like in this past POST. Then he talked about Satan’s opposing role.

“Perhaps less familiar is the description of Satan, who is not our advocate but is rather our accuser. Revelations 12:10 says:
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Isn’t this description of Satan interesting? He accuses us before God both night and day. Lucifer is relentless in his desire to accuse and convict us before God.

 In our own lives we often hear voices that tell us that we are not good enough and that we are unworthy or even unredeemable. Sometimes, and most dangerously, these voices come from within our own heads and hearts. I believe that these voices, external and internal, are often tools and messages of the adversary. If he can convince us that we are failures, or if he can persuade us that we are good for noth¬ing, unloved, or unlovable, then he is succeed¬ing in accomplishing his work and his glory, to bring to pass the death and eternal damnation of mankind.”

I have thought of Satan as a tempter, liar, and adversary, but hadn’t noticed this title of accuser in the scriptures. First he lies to us, trying to convince us that a sin is not a big thing. He tries to get us to justify our wrong actions to ourselves, that it isn’t a big thing or even to believe that Heavenly Father will understand why we “had” to transgress the law of God.


“One of the major techniques of the devil is to cause human beings to think they are following God’s ways, when in reality they are deceived by the devil to follow other paths.” LDS Bible Dictionary-Devil 

Then after he convinces us that it isn’t a bad thing to sin, he immediately tries to convince us that it is a horrible, unforgivable thing we have done. He really is the father of all lies, trying to keep us from the Spirit and unworthy of living in our Father’s presence again one day. Not only does he “accuse [us] before our God day and night”, he also tempts us to accuse ourselves of sin and mistakes to make us feel guilty and beyond redemption. Our Heavenly Father wants us to see our mistakes too, but in order to feel Godly sorrow, repent and change. Satan accuses. The Savior can give us the strength to resist temptations, but also rescues, comforts, supports, pleads and advocates for us. There really is opposition in all things. While there will always be an accuser who wants us to be miserable, I am grateful for my Savior or wants us to have joy by coming unto him.