Come on...

You know what I can't stand? It's when a teacher makes you write an opinion paper on something that is not your opinion. For instance, I am forced to agree with classic feminists on the subject of the torture of the Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. "In what ways has gendered violence been justified by perpetrators in Abu Ghraib and by Islamic and Christian Funamentalists?"
Suddenly, Christian Fundamantalists are responsible for the justification of the torture of the Abu Ghraib prisoners? Thats a bunch of crap. Suddenly, I am supposed to give reasons as to why Christian Fundamentalists are responsible for the justification of these crimes, when that's really not what I believe at all. It's like they assume that just because I am taking a feminist class, I am a feminist and that I agree with everything that is written in my book and am prepared to write about it. I know that I can BS all of it, but it is still is not right that I am forced to write on something with which I do not agree on. I guess that's the definition of a liberal college.

21 candles

It has been 21 years since I was born. I can't say that I have a wealth of knowledge to impart on those that are younger than me, mainly because I have yet to experience enough to be worthy to give advice. This year, I entered a university, said goodbye to a few friends, welcomed a few new ones, was considered a drama teacher, finally found out that God really DOES have a better plan that I do, lost 5 pounds, gained back 10, read the entire bible, and most of all I found out that my identity is not found in the thoughts and opinions of others, but in how Christ sees me...which ultimately means that I am beautiful.

I hesitate to say that these are words of wisdom:

1. Make sure you give at least 45 minutes when travelling to FAU in the morning
2. Don't be shy
3. People generally are open to what you have to say
4. Learn to stand up for yourself and have your own voice
5. Never be afraid to try something new (as long as it's safe)
6. People are not nice
7. Politics are important, whether you choose to believe that or not
8. Even if you may not believe it, they ARE watching you
9. When all else fails...sing
10. People will ALWAYS surprise you
11. Radio is out there for more than playing music
12. Facebook is a great way to connect with people
13. Someone is always listening
14. Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow
15. If you smile, things go over better
16. Empire waist is one of the most flattering styles for anyone
17. You haven't lived until you've had a Bemis omelet
18. Let people help you
19. Broaden your comfort zone
20. Challenge yourself CONSTANTLY
21. Just be

Neutering Christianity?

I've noticed in increasing popularity, the growing trend of "neutering" the Christian faith. Yea, I said neuter.

I lead the middle school drama team at my church. Each week, I challenge the girls to take what their reading and dig deeper. I feel like it falls on deaf ears even though Christ says that His word never falls on deaf ears. I ask them about their devotions and what Christ has taught them about it. Each week, I get the same response, "Yea, I read it but like, I don't see how it like applies to me" or the ever increasing "Yea, and, it told me like how we should like, love God more and like talk more about it." I hang my head.

How do you teach middle school girls to make Christianity their own faith when they are always being taught the "safe" side of Christianity? I feel like I fight against those Christians who teach the Joel Osteen "name it and claim it" and "life is great if you just believe" mentality. Didn't Christ say that we must suffer for him? How can anyone possibly suffer for Christ when they can't hear God speaking to them through His word because they don't know how to listen?

These thoughts come to the front of my mind because at our meeting on Monday, I spoke about palm sunday and read Matthew 21 which talks of Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem. I also read Luke 19:40 "But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” They had no idea what this meant! "I don't get it! I mean, how can rocks cry out?" Again...I hang my head in defeat. Why is it necessary to spell out every part of the bible for these girls? Is it because they havent made their religion their own yet or is it because they are always spoon fed the word of God and not made responsible for reading and intepreting and applying His word in their OWN life?

Why is there this increasing popularity of watering down and spoon feeding Christianity?

These are a few of my favorite things

Here is my list of Top 10 favorite things in the world. They're in no particular order.

1. Sunday afternoon naps when I get home from church
2. The bargain section of Barnes and Noble where I can get a novel for $5. It's particularly exciting when I can find a new author to read. If I were to piggyback on this one, I would have to say trying a new author is one of my favorite things.
3. Perfume in all the right places
4. Unwrapping a new cd or dvd
5. Writing for the fun of it
6. The perfect pair of jeans that make you look just right
7. Isaiah 41:10
8. Wearing my grandmothers jewelry, particularly her pearls
9. The smell of fresh laundry
10. My mom's cooking
11. *here's an extra: Black and White photography and Coldplay

"Slavery Still Exists" Local Action Project Collage

The joy of the Lord is my strength

If I said that this week has been interesting, would I sound too cliche? Well then, I guess it would be better to say that this week has been thought provoking. Do you ever get so consumed with life and your schedule that you forget to really live and breath? Happens to me all the time, perhaps too much.
Last week was rough on me because I had found that I had not spent a consistent amount of time in the throne-room of my Jesus. Hebrews 12:29 says that God is our consuming fire. He is our everything. If I don't talk to him in a week, its like being brought away from his love, which is something that I don't think I could really handle. I was really run-down and tired. I was on Spring Break, and yet I didn't feel very relaxed. My heart wasn't fixed on the Lord.
What I found odd is that this week, I went back to school, went back to the mundane, and yet, it was anything but mundane. It was like the Lord kept saying to me, "Here I am."
He was so sweet to me, after I had spent such a long time pushing away from him. God kept showing me little things that would make me happy. For instance, I went to Walmart and had some pictures printed out to put in some frames in the Boca High School room. The guy was very nice to me and helped me however he could (which in and of itself is something to be said). Anyway, he handed me the envelope with the pictures and the minute I looked at them, I got the biggest grin on my face, and he said to me that he must have done a good job if I was smiling that big.
I had seen those pictures so many times, but it was like, by seeing them on actual paper, it's like they came to life and the personalities and lives of the kids I loved so much were captured by a picture that I took. It brought me so much joy.
There were countless things that happened this week that reminded me of how excited I used to get in the little things in life (like someone paying for my dinner, or seeing the look in a high schooler's eyes when I told them that I had went to their play and they were marvelous).
I want that feeling all the time. I want to remember to be content in the little things as much as in the big things.

hey God.....thanks.....

Passions?

I like taking pictures. I don't consider myself a photographer. I don't ever want to accept money for taking pictures for people. Because for me, it's not a job, it's a hobby. I'm not that good, but if somebody is blessed by a picture that I took, knowing that they are blessed by it is enough for me.

I was at the gym yesterday and after the class, my mom and I did some weight stuff. The instructor for the class was talking to a lady and her (presumably) husband. Well since they were right behind me, I decided to do some slight eavesdropping. They were talking of their jobs and I overheard something that made me sad. The husband is a photographer. Naturally, my ears perked. However, he revealed that he no longer likes taking pictures, that it's just a job to him and he doesn't enjoy his work anymore. I got so sad for him. If you are making money while taking pictures of beautiful (and sometimes quite the contrary) things, then why wouldn't you be happy with your job? If you are a photographer but no longer enjoy taking pictures of things, then you should no longer be a photographer.

I was recently turned onto an AMAZING photographer by the name of Jessica Claire (thanks Jess!). Anyway, through reading her blogs, I realized that this woman was born to take pictures for people. Every time she posts pictures from an event or a wedding, she gets so excited. She comments on all her pictures and talks about each and every couple in such an exuberant way. When she takes engagement pictures for people, she always comments that she cannot wait for their wedding day when she gets to shoot for their wedding.

That woman is passionate about her work. Try and be passionate about your work, your school, anything you do. Deuteronomy 30:9 says "The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers."

I have to constantly remember that any work that I do, I should do fully for the Lord, no matter how meager or low that work may be.