So I think that after every book that I complete this Summer, I'm going to post a blog about it. Basically giving details of what the book was about as well as what I thought about it. I think this will be a good idea as far as helping me retain what I read, and also some of the books I actually have to write a brief essay about, so writing as I go will definitely help me.
The first book that I completed was the Hunger Games.
I decided to read this one first because for one, everyone was telling me that I should read it.. and two, I wanted to give my brain a chance to relax. Nothing school related. Well anyways, I read the Hunger Games in four days. I must say, that was the quickest that I have read a book of that size (400 pgs) in a LONG time. I really got lost in the book. I never even heard about the Hunger Games until the movie came out a couple of months ago. It came out of nowhere. People were talking about it and I was like... the Hunger Games? Does this have something to do with food? Ha. So after asking around, I've found out that the Hunger Games is pretty much about 24 children from the ages of 12-18, being randomly selected for a format of a deathly (roman-style I would assume) games. It's basically like the survival of the fittest of the children of 12 districts. One boy and one girl from each district. The 24 children are basically placed into an arena and they have to kill each other. The last man standing wins.
The concept in itself is just a tad weird. "A story about children killing each other". But for some reason, I really enjoy story lines that has something to do with murder, mysteries, etc. I have to say, honestly, I was a little skeptical about the children thing. But then I was like, hey I can just pretend that they aren't kids or something. ha. But when you actually read the book, you do somehow forget that they are kids. It is in first person (which I like). The character, Katniss definitely had the maturity of an adult. At 16, Katniss had a numerous amount of adult responsibilities which made it a lot easier for me to have the perception that she was an Adult. The measure of her care about things was great.
The book did pull me in emotionally, however. It was crazy. Especially because I had so many people give me so many details about the book. I knew that Katniss was going to win. Then my sister, Janay, told me that the other boy from her district, Peeta was able to become a "winner" too. The Gamemakers of the Hunger Games changed the rules so that there could be two winners. Although I knew that stuff, I was still able to be shocked and surprised of the events of the book. How it happened, and when they happened. The book never got boring.
The thing about the book which I greatly admired is the fact that it kept me wanting to know more. The story didn't just end. It ended with me having some many unanswered questions that I can only find the answer to by reading the other books in the series. Like Katniss' and Peeta's relationship. Where does it go? During the Hunger Games, Katniss believed that her and Peeta were supposed to have a "staged" love story as a form of rebellion to owners of the Districts, (The Capitol). Katniss was told by her advisors to continue this on. She believed that Peeta's emotional act was staged too. The only thing was that, Peeta's acts were genuine for her. The misunderstanding didn't surface until the very end of the book. I got so hooked that I currently feel as though I NEED to get my hands on the other books. The library has them on hold. There are 146 holds on those books. It's CRAZY. Ha but it's SO good that I understand why so many people would want to read them.
I feel as though the details that I could give of the book would require me literally writing a blog post so long that no one would even think about reading it. But I was so into this book and excited about it that I can't even imagine how upset I would be when I finish reading the series. Hopefully I can get my hands on them this Summer.
-Quayla
Monday, May 14, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Two years.. Graduate school... MBA???
I feel as though after I have gone through the excitement of having so many of my friends/associates/classmates graduate today, it makes me really reflect that two years from now, it will be me. There was a time when two years simply seemed like forever, but it actually isn't. I actually thought about how it was two years ago that I graduated from High School. It happened SO fast.
I mean, I have juggled back and forth with the idea of graduating next year. Which is possible, however, I opted to just add another major and a minor. I mean, I can possibly drop the minor if it gets too hectic, but in the meantime, I'm going to graduate in 2014 with the class that I came to Liberty with. It should be very interesting, I must say. Well, I have always thought about what I'm going to do for grad school. It's been pretty tough, because I went for the longest time saying that I was not going to be at Liberty for grad school. But looking at what they have to offer and the position that I am in, there is no reason why I shouldn't consider it. They don't require a GRE (which is weird...) But I'm 100% POSITIVE that I will get in. Someone threw the idea out to me that as having a Communications Undergrad, it's probably better to get an MBA. I didn't think about that much at all, but I do know that Liberty has an exceptional MBA program. So I looked through it and saw that they offer something specific, a MBA in Public Relations. I feel as though as I'm getting more into my classes, although I absolutely LOVE Broadcasting, I feel more of a pull to the benefits of Public Relations. It's SO weird. But I think I may actually consider it. I am definitely going to look around some more. So far, VCU and Syracuse have been options. But for some reason, I have not really found that place where I really feel peace about.
Ha I have no idea what God wants me to do with my education fully yet... but I feel as though I'm somehow getting closer and closer as I go. But that is all I wanted to say at the moment...
Oh wait! I want to talk about something else... but I will put it into a blog post.
I mean, I have juggled back and forth with the idea of graduating next year. Which is possible, however, I opted to just add another major and a minor. I mean, I can possibly drop the minor if it gets too hectic, but in the meantime, I'm going to graduate in 2014 with the class that I came to Liberty with. It should be very interesting, I must say. Well, I have always thought about what I'm going to do for grad school. It's been pretty tough, because I went for the longest time saying that I was not going to be at Liberty for grad school. But looking at what they have to offer and the position that I am in, there is no reason why I shouldn't consider it. They don't require a GRE (which is weird...) But I'm 100% POSITIVE that I will get in. Someone threw the idea out to me that as having a Communications Undergrad, it's probably better to get an MBA. I didn't think about that much at all, but I do know that Liberty has an exceptional MBA program. So I looked through it and saw that they offer something specific, a MBA in Public Relations. I feel as though as I'm getting more into my classes, although I absolutely LOVE Broadcasting, I feel more of a pull to the benefits of Public Relations. It's SO weird. But I think I may actually consider it. I am definitely going to look around some more. So far, VCU and Syracuse have been options. But for some reason, I have not really found that place where I really feel peace about.
Ha I have no idea what God wants me to do with my education fully yet... but I feel as though I'm somehow getting closer and closer as I go. But that is all I wanted to say at the moment...
Oh wait! I want to talk about something else... but I will put it into a blog post.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Liberty University-School Pride
I came to Liberty University with the desire of being a Sports Journalist. After attending classes and the many workshops offered at Liberty, I have come to learn that I would love to one day do Public Relations for a sports company or even an individual athlete.
It was only through Liberty that I became informed of the transformation of the media. I came to learn that as I go to pursue a career in Public Relations, people will be more inclined to hire me if I utilize all the resources that are available to me. A company will be more attracted to me if I can not only write well or produce an excellent campaign. They will be more attracted to me if I can design a brochure, an identity package, and can successfully shoot and edit video that can represent their company well. If I did not attend Liberty, I would not have known that piece of valuable information. Because of this, I decided to double major in Public Relations and Broadcasting.
I have had the opportunity to be taught by professors who have gained years of valuable experience related to my majors. I am not being taught by someone who has "book knowledge" but someone who has actually gone out there and done well in the field that I'm pursuing. One professor has been a Broadcast Journalist for about 30 years and had the opportunity to cover a Super Bowl and the NBA Finals. He has interviewed athletes such as Dennis Rodman. As someone who is pursuing a career in sports, I find that very exciting. Another professor was actually part of the AD/PR team in the corporate of Steve Madden. What these professors are teaching me is valuable because they have seen and done everything that works and doesn't work.
Liberty University also requires us to gain hands-on experience in order for us to even graduate. This includes practicums and Internships. Because those are requirements, I have had the opportunity to gain journalism experience while writing for the Student Newspaper and learn about create Sweepers and News Packages for radio. I will be leaving Liberty University having completed Two Internships. I will know how to create and edit a short film and I will know how to create and design just about anything related to Brochures or Identity packages.
While Liberty University is a Christian Institution, we have moral standards. Through this, I have learned the value of leadership and have the opportunity to become a Resident Assistant. Being a RA at Liberty holds a lot more responsibility than almost any other school in the country. I know that once I complete my time as being an RA, I will have developed a great skill set that will compliment my career experience. This scholarship is sponsored by CenturyLinkQuote.com.
It was only through Liberty that I became informed of the transformation of the media. I came to learn that as I go to pursue a career in Public Relations, people will be more inclined to hire me if I utilize all the resources that are available to me. A company will be more attracted to me if I can not only write well or produce an excellent campaign. They will be more attracted to me if I can design a brochure, an identity package, and can successfully shoot and edit video that can represent their company well. If I did not attend Liberty, I would not have known that piece of valuable information. Because of this, I decided to double major in Public Relations and Broadcasting.
I have had the opportunity to be taught by professors who have gained years of valuable experience related to my majors. I am not being taught by someone who has "book knowledge" but someone who has actually gone out there and done well in the field that I'm pursuing. One professor has been a Broadcast Journalist for about 30 years and had the opportunity to cover a Super Bowl and the NBA Finals. He has interviewed athletes such as Dennis Rodman. As someone who is pursuing a career in sports, I find that very exciting. Another professor was actually part of the AD/PR team in the corporate of Steve Madden. What these professors are teaching me is valuable because they have seen and done everything that works and doesn't work.
Liberty University also requires us to gain hands-on experience in order for us to even graduate. This includes practicums and Internships. Because those are requirements, I have had the opportunity to gain journalism experience while writing for the Student Newspaper and learn about create Sweepers and News Packages for radio. I will be leaving Liberty University having completed Two Internships. I will know how to create and edit a short film and I will know how to create and design just about anything related to Brochures or Identity packages.
While Liberty University is a Christian Institution, we have moral standards. Through this, I have learned the value of leadership and have the opportunity to become a Resident Assistant. Being a RA at Liberty holds a lot more responsibility than almost any other school in the country. I know that once I complete my time as being an RA, I will have developed a great skill set that will compliment my career experience. This scholarship is sponsored by CenturyLinkQuote.com.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Summer is here! Developing Habits
I've been trying to write a blog since I got home... but I didn't get home until about 10:30 last night, plus I just didn't feel like doing much of anything... then I was rather exhausted and went to bed early.
It's crazy at how your body just crashes from exhaustion. Like, I've been able to keep up with everything for the most part all semester. Going to bed at 2:30 or so almost every night. And then waking up at around 7:30-8 every morning during the week. It was definitely an interesting thing to factor out. But I know that next semester I will have to maintain a better sleeping schedule. Luckily, I won't have any morning classes, so I will be able to get at least 8 hours of sleep on most nights. (hopefully haha).
I'm rather excited about next year! I really want to enjoy my summer, but I am really looking forward to coming back and taking on the responsibility of being an RA. However, I am going to make the most of my summer by developing habits that I need to carry on into not only the next year, but the rest of my life.
#1. Making a DETAILED and CONSISTENT schedule of my life. I was able to do pretty well with it in the Fall semester and during Freshman year. I slacked off during the Spring Semester. But I think sometime within the next week or so, I am going to start plugging in the schedule that I know for sure. So then when I get more stuff, I can just add it in. I also need a habit of making a schedule every single week.
#2. Have a decent sleeping schedule. Like I mentioned earlier.. as much as I would want to, I can't go to bed at 2:30 every single night. I know with doing curfew checks that there will be times where I will be up late, but I think that at least going to bed by 1, 1:30 should be a doable option.
#3. Reading. As of now, my reading list for the Summer is compiled of 5 books. Three are required for me. And two I want to read for pleasure. I will alternate from requirements. So right now, I started out reading the Hunger Games, which is a pleasure book. After I finish that, I will go to Not a Fan, which is a required book for me (I need to finish it as soon to before we assign our leadership team to read it). Then I'll go to my pleasure book, Blood Covenant, which is about a man who was a leader of a mob and suddenly left the mob lifestyle). Then I'll go and read the Way of the Shepherd. If I don't have time to read another pleasure book, then I'll go into reading Called to Lead. But I do want to make it a habit of reading SO much more than what I have been. If I recreate the love for reading, I feel as though I will have so much more of a mental stability that what I have been. Ha
#4. Internet. I spend SO much of my free time on the Internet. I mean, it is a good avenue of relaxation, but I do know that next semester, I will not have the time to do every single leisure thing. I feel as though I waste the most time on the Internet, so that will be one of the first things that I will have to cut. I feel that since I will be spending a lot of time reading this Summer, the habit of being on the Internet either playing a video game or random browsing, etc. will have the become minimal.
#5. Evaluations. I'm going to spend the next week or so writing down the things in my life that I really need to get in order before I even think about taking this step into a higher leadership position. While I am doing that, I will be taking the time to read more about leaders. Not only leaders mentioned in the Bible, but also leaders that were impactful to the modern world but were adamant in their relationship with God.
#6. Quiet Times. No one can never really be satisfied with their current relationship with Christ. You have to always have that desire to want to grow more and more. Simply because there is SO much more that a person can learn about Christ. I feel as though I have a pretty consistent quiet time schedule. This year, I have usually done them before I went to bed. I felt more attentive that way, and then everyone was usually in bed far longer than I was. I felt as though I wasn't really disturbed much. I don't think people really grasp ed the idea that I was having quiet times (when I was clearly reading my bible) when I did my quiet times earlier. But I really want to get into the habit of having my quiet times in the morning when I get up as well as before I go to bed at night.
Those are six of the things that I know I definitely need to work on this summer to create a habit. I know I've been given until June to actually start working on planning for next year. That will give me about three weeks of a leisure break. I need to actually begin applying for some jobs soon. Hopefully tomorrow or Thursday, but we shall see.
Through it all, I am really excited about the things that God has in store. It's just amazing of how far He is taking me. I am truly blessed, humbled, and honored to be able to be used as a vessel to minister to others, to help bring them closer to Christ! =)
-Quayla
It's crazy at how your body just crashes from exhaustion. Like, I've been able to keep up with everything for the most part all semester. Going to bed at 2:30 or so almost every night. And then waking up at around 7:30-8 every morning during the week. It was definitely an interesting thing to factor out. But I know that next semester I will have to maintain a better sleeping schedule. Luckily, I won't have any morning classes, so I will be able to get at least 8 hours of sleep on most nights. (hopefully haha).
I'm rather excited about next year! I really want to enjoy my summer, but I am really looking forward to coming back and taking on the responsibility of being an RA. However, I am going to make the most of my summer by developing habits that I need to carry on into not only the next year, but the rest of my life.
#1. Making a DETAILED and CONSISTENT schedule of my life. I was able to do pretty well with it in the Fall semester and during Freshman year. I slacked off during the Spring Semester. But I think sometime within the next week or so, I am going to start plugging in the schedule that I know for sure. So then when I get more stuff, I can just add it in. I also need a habit of making a schedule every single week.
#2. Have a decent sleeping schedule. Like I mentioned earlier.. as much as I would want to, I can't go to bed at 2:30 every single night. I know with doing curfew checks that there will be times where I will be up late, but I think that at least going to bed by 1, 1:30 should be a doable option.
#3. Reading. As of now, my reading list for the Summer is compiled of 5 books. Three are required for me. And two I want to read for pleasure. I will alternate from requirements. So right now, I started out reading the Hunger Games, which is a pleasure book. After I finish that, I will go to Not a Fan, which is a required book for me (I need to finish it as soon to before we assign our leadership team to read it). Then I'll go to my pleasure book, Blood Covenant, which is about a man who was a leader of a mob and suddenly left the mob lifestyle). Then I'll go and read the Way of the Shepherd. If I don't have time to read another pleasure book, then I'll go into reading Called to Lead. But I do want to make it a habit of reading SO much more than what I have been. If I recreate the love for reading, I feel as though I will have so much more of a mental stability that what I have been. Ha
#4. Internet. I spend SO much of my free time on the Internet. I mean, it is a good avenue of relaxation, but I do know that next semester, I will not have the time to do every single leisure thing. I feel as though I waste the most time on the Internet, so that will be one of the first things that I will have to cut. I feel that since I will be spending a lot of time reading this Summer, the habit of being on the Internet either playing a video game or random browsing, etc. will have the become minimal.
#5. Evaluations. I'm going to spend the next week or so writing down the things in my life that I really need to get in order before I even think about taking this step into a higher leadership position. While I am doing that, I will be taking the time to read more about leaders. Not only leaders mentioned in the Bible, but also leaders that were impactful to the modern world but were adamant in their relationship with God.
#6. Quiet Times. No one can never really be satisfied with their current relationship with Christ. You have to always have that desire to want to grow more and more. Simply because there is SO much more that a person can learn about Christ. I feel as though I have a pretty consistent quiet time schedule. This year, I have usually done them before I went to bed. I felt more attentive that way, and then everyone was usually in bed far longer than I was. I felt as though I wasn't really disturbed much. I don't think people really grasp ed the idea that I was having quiet times (when I was clearly reading my bible) when I did my quiet times earlier. But I really want to get into the habit of having my quiet times in the morning when I get up as well as before I go to bed at night.
Those are six of the things that I know I definitely need to work on this summer to create a habit. I know I've been given until June to actually start working on planning for next year. That will give me about three weeks of a leisure break. I need to actually begin applying for some jobs soon. Hopefully tomorrow or Thursday, but we shall see.
Through it all, I am really excited about the things that God has in store. It's just amazing of how far He is taking me. I am truly blessed, humbled, and honored to be able to be used as a vessel to minister to others, to help bring them closer to Christ! =)
-Quayla
Saturday, May 5, 2012
I feel as though my blog topics are somehow becoming redundant... This one definitely won't be as long as the others... but my RA, (and future RA partner) Morgan read this to us a few weeks ago.
Although Hindu, Gandhi had a very close connection with Christianity and admired Jesus very much, often quoting from his favorite 'Sermon on the Mount" chapter in Matthew 5-7. When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?" Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." "If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today," he added.
That's wow. Because I know I fail at that. We all fail at that. But to think that people are pulled away from Christ because of the way Christians act really hits me hard. I want to always be reminded of the importance it is to be obedient to Christ and to act like Him. People really watch.
Although Hindu, Gandhi had a very close connection with Christianity and admired Jesus very much, often quoting from his favorite 'Sermon on the Mount" chapter in Matthew 5-7. When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?" Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ." "If Christians would really live according to the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today," he added.
That's wow. Because I know I fail at that. We all fail at that. But to think that people are pulled away from Christ because of the way Christians act really hits me hard. I want to always be reminded of the importance it is to be obedient to Christ and to act like Him. People really watch.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Next year
So I'm kind of in the mood to write an "update" blog today.
I'm somewhat ready for the school year to be over. I think I just want it to be next year. But this summer is definitely going to be a year of growth as a person... as a leader... as a Christian. It's always important to grow... but I do feel as though for me, this summer will be the most beneficial.
My goals:
Read... read read read....
I did pretty good last summer by reading 3 books. If I can do a book every two weeks this summer, that would be pretty amazing. So far, here is what is on my list (books for pleasure, and for growth, assigned).
I'm somewhat ready for the school year to be over. I think I just want it to be next year. But this summer is definitely going to be a year of growth as a person... as a leader... as a Christian. It's always important to grow... but I do feel as though for me, this summer will be the most beneficial.
My goals:
Read... read read read....
I did pretty good last summer by reading 3 books. If I can do a book every two weeks this summer, that would be pretty amazing. So far, here is what is on my list (books for pleasure, and for growth, assigned).
- Blood Covenant by Michael Franzese
- The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman
- Called to Lead by John MacArthur
- Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I know that I can definitely get those books completed. And I'm sure there will be more books that I will be assigned to read from OSL. I'll check. I'm definitely going do a summer reading plan. For some reason lately, I've been more drawn to reading through the Old Testament. I have been pinpointing the leadership styles in the Old Testament over the course of the year. So far, it has shown and helped me in my personal leadership style-> with the things that I could improve on and knowing about the things that I shouldn't do. I know that I can do it. So I will create a personal plan from the end of the school year up until August 2. That's 3 months.. I can definitely accomplish that.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to work this summer. My dad is probably going to get me something to do for his business. If not, then hopefully I will have a place to work. But if I can end the summer with about $1,500 (or something over $1,000). That would be really good. I'll have a little cushion for coming into the school year to get my books, etc. Put some money towards my camera and other things for my hall. Fun stuff =)
I went to RA training today. I'm actually looking forward to being able to listen to Danny Lamonte over the course of the next year. In just an hour and a half, I have learned a lot. I definitely gained a new perspective on what it takes to be an RA. I do know that today was only just a small percentage of learning. There will be 8 days worth of RA training when I come back in August.
But one thing that I was really reminded about today was how we have to take ownership of our hall. It's our ministry. I think that when we take ownership of something in that nature, we are able to have an emotional connection. Which I feel is why I really had to learn how to emphasize over the course of this year. For the girls on my hall... they're going to be mine... If they hurt, I need to hurt.. if they're struggling, I struggle... if they're happy, I'm happy. I think I'm definitely going to be focusing on that the most next year. In Romans 12, it talks about where we need to emphasize.. and I want to continue on with that. It will definitely be a way that I can connect and be used as a vessel to minister to them.
I wouldn't say that I'm scared about being an RA next year, but I must admit that there is a form of uncertainty. Like, sometimes I want to premediate and prepare for the challenges that I'm going to face. I know coming into this school year, I never knew that I would have aced the challenges that I've faced. But honestly, I have to say that those challenges have better prepared me for this position. I think also, what I'm trying to figure out is balance. Will I burn out? I sit around making sure that I'm planning my class schedules in the right way so that I'll be able to handle everything. Making sure that I won't be stupid. I will need to have a detailed schedule. I'm sure that I'll have room for flexibility, but I do know that there will be time that I won't have to be flexible. I will need to definitely pinpoint the areas in my life that I will need to sacrifice next year. It's going to be pressure, but then at the same time, I'm confident in knowing that God is going to use me for something great. Which makes me excited!
I think that being in a new position always excites me! I'm definitely looking forward to the awesome things that God is going to do!
-Quayla
Friday, April 6, 2012
Forgiveness.... and then controversy...
I really feel as though this has been an eye opening school year for me. Both on the spiritual and natural standpoint. It is really something at how much God works in my life and the lives a those around me. I do really thank Him every day for the things that He is doing in my life and those around me.
But I have had the time to really realize exactly how objective I am. Then at the same time of how important being objective really is. I strongly believe that it is a great attribute as a Christian to be objective (not saying that I'm this great person because I am), especially because we have flaws.
This post may be a bit long...
But first of all, I've come to learn of how it feels to genuinely live a life of forgiveness.. and how quickly it can happen when you trust God through it all. This year, I have definitely dealt with things that by "man's" standard, I have every right to not forgive. Like, it took me about a day to gather myself, but I was able to first and foremost, keep the discussion to a minimum and move on. I mean, I do have to take caution, but at the same time, I have been able to get past that. The thing about it, is that I become excited about the advancements that this individual makes/achieves. Which is awesome because there are times when people can just look at people in spite because of their promotions, or decisions, or things that God is doing in their life.
I really had to learn how to forgive myself to. I didn't really grasp that aspect until last semester. It was something that I personally fought for years, which in turn has set me back so far. It has definitely been a change after I learned how to do that. I just really felt like sharing that. The power of forgiveness is really amazing.
And now for the biggest part of my blog.....
This is definitely something that could potentially be a controversial topic. But I've been thinking a lot about it lately and I really wanted to have it written down somewhere..
But the thing that hit me a lot lately were the fights against homosexuality and abortion. No way by any means am I a supporter of the two. However, I feel as though the message that we give by putting up a fight against these issues are fairly hypocritical. Christians tend to say that there is no level of sin. That all sin is an automatic sentence to Hell, but by the grace of God, we can be saved. But regardless, as flawed human beings, we still have sin that we deal with every day.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says "these six things the Lord hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."
What I want to pinpoint is the fact that we have no right, absolutely NO right, to put a fight against these issues. When we do this, it is as though we are justifying our own sin because it is not as "bad" as killing an unborn baby or being attracted to someone of the same sex. I feel as though if there is a fight for this, there should be just as much of a fight for laws against lying, against spreading rumors, against causing strife among others, against even "thinking" about doing something bad to someone. All those times when people are saying, "Gosh I just want to hit her/him" is JUST as bad as if someone were to perform abortion. I mean, God doesn't decide to banish us or treat us bad for these things, so why should we do that to others?
We just put these levels to sins and it's not right at all. We have the nerve to even think that it's okay. It's definitely a big part of the reason why people put themselves away from Christianity because we tend to justify our own sin and say that the world is messed up. WE ALL ARE MESSED UP. But that is why Christ died for us. So we can just give Him our mess no matter what it is. I think that if we all fully understood that concept and gave the impression that without Him, we are all flawed individuals, no one would be hesitant to have the desire to understand what it really is like to live in His will.
Like, I don't believe that we should stand in the back burner and not speaking up about what we believe. However, I do believe that it is important to establish the fact that because I am a flawed individual, I deserve every bit to go to Hell, no more or no less than the person right next to me.
We are more equal than you think. We all deserve to go to Hell. We deserve nothing BUT Hell. But by the GRACE of God, we ALL have the opportunity to experience His kingdom, His glory, His power. Regardless of what we have done, or said, or thought.
That is pretty much what I wanted to share. Of course it may be a controversial thing, but hey, it is what it is. =)
-Quayla
But I have had the time to really realize exactly how objective I am. Then at the same time of how important being objective really is. I strongly believe that it is a great attribute as a Christian to be objective (not saying that I'm this great person because I am), especially because we have flaws.
This post may be a bit long...
But first of all, I've come to learn of how it feels to genuinely live a life of forgiveness.. and how quickly it can happen when you trust God through it all. This year, I have definitely dealt with things that by "man's" standard, I have every right to not forgive. Like, it took me about a day to gather myself, but I was able to first and foremost, keep the discussion to a minimum and move on. I mean, I do have to take caution, but at the same time, I have been able to get past that. The thing about it, is that I become excited about the advancements that this individual makes/achieves. Which is awesome because there are times when people can just look at people in spite because of their promotions, or decisions, or things that God is doing in their life.
I really had to learn how to forgive myself to. I didn't really grasp that aspect until last semester. It was something that I personally fought for years, which in turn has set me back so far. It has definitely been a change after I learned how to do that. I just really felt like sharing that. The power of forgiveness is really amazing.
And now for the biggest part of my blog.....
This is definitely something that could potentially be a controversial topic. But I've been thinking a lot about it lately and I really wanted to have it written down somewhere..
But the thing that hit me a lot lately were the fights against homosexuality and abortion. No way by any means am I a supporter of the two. However, I feel as though the message that we give by putting up a fight against these issues are fairly hypocritical. Christians tend to say that there is no level of sin. That all sin is an automatic sentence to Hell, but by the grace of God, we can be saved. But regardless, as flawed human beings, we still have sin that we deal with every day.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says "these six things the Lord hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."
What I want to pinpoint is the fact that we have no right, absolutely NO right, to put a fight against these issues. When we do this, it is as though we are justifying our own sin because it is not as "bad" as killing an unborn baby or being attracted to someone of the same sex. I feel as though if there is a fight for this, there should be just as much of a fight for laws against lying, against spreading rumors, against causing strife among others, against even "thinking" about doing something bad to someone. All those times when people are saying, "Gosh I just want to hit her/him" is JUST as bad as if someone were to perform abortion. I mean, God doesn't decide to banish us or treat us bad for these things, so why should we do that to others?
We just put these levels to sins and it's not right at all. We have the nerve to even think that it's okay. It's definitely a big part of the reason why people put themselves away from Christianity because we tend to justify our own sin and say that the world is messed up. WE ALL ARE MESSED UP. But that is why Christ died for us. So we can just give Him our mess no matter what it is. I think that if we all fully understood that concept and gave the impression that without Him, we are all flawed individuals, no one would be hesitant to have the desire to understand what it really is like to live in His will.
Like, I don't believe that we should stand in the back burner and not speaking up about what we believe. However, I do believe that it is important to establish the fact that because I am a flawed individual, I deserve every bit to go to Hell, no more or no less than the person right next to me.
We are more equal than you think. We all deserve to go to Hell. We deserve nothing BUT Hell. But by the GRACE of God, we ALL have the opportunity to experience His kingdom, His glory, His power. Regardless of what we have done, or said, or thought.
That is pretty much what I wanted to share. Of course it may be a controversial thing, but hey, it is what it is. =)
-Quayla
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