Special Post

For this special post, I have chosen to analyze the Book of Joel. There are many reasons why I selected this text to interpret, but the main reason is that I feel there is an urgent call to the world to wake up and realize God’s hand working not only in the past but also now in the present. Joel is a book written to Jewish people as a desperate call for them to repent before death and destruction fall upon the land. If repentance is not found, a horrible judgment was about to come. Joel was a prophet sent by God to tell the Jewish people that if they did repent God would find pity on them. This is not just an imminent call to the Jewish people but also to the present day people and nations. The plagues of the locust were the main source of destruction will come from is exactly what I will be interpreting. The locusts represent not only the source for the horrible things to come. But the locusts also represent the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord refers to the eminent help of God in Israel at that time, if the people were to repent, but it also refers to the returning of the Lord in our time. As Joel was urging the Jewish people to turn from their sins before death was to come, God is urging His people now to repent and come to God, before the destruction of the world. The locusts scream of the final judgment, but at first read you assume the locusts only pertain to Israel’s current condition. God says that his people will never be put to shame in Joel. Before Christ came his people extended only to the Jewish so at first read you assume the God has come to protect the Jews from any shame. Joel wants them to repent not only to be saved from the destruction, but also so that the enemy could not mock their God. But this whole concept of God not letting His people be put to shame applies to all of his children as soon as Jesus steps into the picture. Jesus came to save not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. When Jesus came to save the world, His people became everyone who accepted Him as their savior. So this original statement from God that He will never let His people be put to shame is pertinent to those Christians in the present day. God doesn’t leave our backs, ever because of that very fact He will never let his people step into places were they are doomed for failure. Getting back to the locusts, they refer to the final judgment in our time. That is why this passage is so crucial, yes there was a judgment back than, but the more important judgment is the one that hasn’t come yet. For all the people in the world now, God is calling out to each and every one of us to turn away from sin and repent. Just like the Jewish people, there is an eminent death upon our backs. There are locusts so close to us getting ready to swarm. So I guess there are two important things that this interpretation is trying to point out. The first is that the call for people to repent pertains to us. Joel was not only referring to the Jews, but to everyone. This is why we need to heed to this call and turn from our sins. If we turn from our sins, when the day of the Lord comes to pass, His children will not be put to shame. When this final judgment falls upon the world all the Christians who have been saved through Christ will be saved. And when we are saved, the world will not be able to mock our God, and His people will never be put to shame. The second point refers to the judgment of all nations in the final judgment. In Joel 3: 1-2 it says, "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.” God is not warning His children and people of the world to repent, but also the nations. I believe that this refers to the final judgment that is to come upon nations and rulers of nations in the end times. God has always provided for Israel and the people of Israel. But I feel that this passage of Scripture is a warning to the nations that seek out to harm Israel, they will be more susceptive to destruction if they attempt to destroy Israel. For example, the United States helped Israel gain their independence and has been a big brother figure to Gods nation. But in recent days the United States has drawn away from Israel letting them fend for themselves in order to maintain peace with various other nations. I wonder if this passage seeks to warn nations like the United States who have begun to let go of their ties with Israel if God is going to look harsher upon the US in the end times. Maybe this is a reason for the recent decline and problems that have been going on in the United States, since we have forgotten about our little brother Israel in the past ten years. Either way, Joel is extremely important for everyone, not just the Jews. All people need to turn to God, repent, and seek the Lord with all their heart. If we do this, God will save us from the judgment to come all people and nations, that don’t belong to Him.

Post 25

Christianity is founded on the principle of love; that love conquers all no matter. I think sometimes in the Christian community we forget to let love conquer are preconceived notions or unfamiliar things. What I mean by this is that, as Christians we get shocked when we see people who are different that, whether it be a homosexual, a tattooed person, a gothic person, or even a disabled person. Paul says that we cannot expect those who are in the world, to act like those who are in the faith. The problem is that people forget to separate the differences and conquer them with love. This is what Steven Fettke addresses in his article The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters which talks about the issues he has seen personally in the church and world, when dealing with a disabled son. Fettke has a 23 year-old son who has autism, who happens to attend AFI which I talked about in the previous post. As his son grew up in the church, him and his family experienced condemnation by the Christian community. Fettke found that people tended to accuse his son and his family of not having enough faith for a miracle, or it even looked as if his son has demonic activity just because of his illness. All these views that “Christians” placed on the family doesn’t come out of a spirit of love. Im not accusing these Christians of not being true Christians, because some hold these views unintentionally, but what I am saying is that maybe we should all reevaluate ourselves. If love is a primary element of our Christian walk, it show view through all of our life, even when handled the diabled. Mentally handicapped and disabled are people too, there not another form of human, or separate from God’s likeness. God instills specific purpose into each life. It is not our job as Christ followers to deny or push away that someone couldn’t have such purpose just because we can’t see it.

Post 24

Post 24

The Boys Next Door is a play written by Tom Griffin. It has four main characters who are mentally handicapped and live in a group home. Throughout they play there are small vignettes depicting their everyday interaction. Griffin unfolds each characters personality through the relationship they have with other characters. The peak of the story was when Barry’s father comes for a visit and Jack leaves the group home. The play even in its simplicity has a lot of underlying meaning. I think Griffin choose to write the play in a simple manner, because the point you come out with is simplicity. It is the simple things in life that we take for granted. As people, that are mentally disabled like the characters in the play were, we seem to overlook just a simple friendship that’s always been there, or not struggling to read like Lucien did. This play puts a focus on living life to fullest and not missing out of any of life’s small pleasures. These ideas were reaffirmed in my heart when a group of us went to Alliance For Independence. Which is a school/ facilitation that helps mentally disabled people learn how to become independent. My trip to AFI was not my first time there; it was actually my second time. I actually enjoyed going the second time more, because I got an even better understanding of the need of these people. I work with mentally handicapped children, and going to AFI showed me where they could be going in their future. These people are not stupid or dumb, but simply normal having a harder time to function in society as normal. I really learned that in my job I not only am helping children, but I am preparing them to be independent. Because I think in the end everyone deserves that freedom. Independence gives someone a sense of accomplishment and purpose it gives them life. And I think this is what Griffin play was trying to show that everyone needs to enjoy their life and not take for granted the little things, that some people aren’t even fortunate enough to have.

Post 23

"I went to the Polk Museum of Art for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes.”

Art is defined by Webster as “The quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” This is exactly what I re-learned when I went to the Museum. I absolutely love art, and I always have. I personally, sketch, paint and graffiti; I was even going to go to Art School and do graphic design. But God has called me to do something different in my life, and art has been pushed to the side since coming to Southeastern. This trip really reminded me of how much I miss and appreciate art for what it truly is; beauty that pushes the mind, heart and soul. Webstar said that art is more than ordinary significance and that is exactly what I believe. In W.H. Auden’s, Musee des Beaux Arts he explored the meaning behind a painting through his literature. His poem is an example of how art doesn’t only pertain to an artistic mind, but a logical or scientific mind even. The piece of artwork that I stayed examing for 6 minutes at the museum was a sketch called Attempt to Speak Clearly, by Ummarid “Tony” Eitharong. The picture is off a man, with a blurred face and clentched hands, with a separate set of hands on either side. I really loved this piece because I feel that it pushes or describes a message through his artwork. I think more art needs to portray a message rather than so much of this “modern art” we see recently. I mean I love modern art, but usually art with a message encourages thinking and can even help someone to learn something new. As I studied the picture, I felt that it portrayed a man going through an internal struggle to be heard. He’s frustrated and wants to express himself any way he can, yet he is silenced by the world.

Their trapped, their concealed

Their hidden by the world, choked by people

Society tries to claim my thoughts, my mind

My heart, but I won’t be silenced.

To the world my face looks blurred

They hear my words, as thoughtless mumbles

They watch my mouth, and turn their heads

When will they see that my life matters?

I won’t be silenced

When will they see my voice matters?

I will not be silenced

It’s more than a crime

Silence, kills my soul

Speech-less by force

Their words are not worth more than mine

Society wants to speak for all

But even in my death, I will scream

My scream speaks clearly

I will never lose my voice

I will never die

Because a true soul, finds away to be heard

When all else says be quiet

A true soul attempts to speak clearly

Post 22

Luci Shaw in her essay Beauty and the Creative Impulse explains that beauty in our world and lives is often overlooked. Beauty that can be seen throughout creation even in a mere conversation between friends can be forgotten. Shaw points out that through perversion and emptiness we have forsaken the importance of beauty. What exactly is this beauty that we are forgetting than? Beauty is essentially truth. Truth usually slaps us in the face, when we first hear it. But always when someones accepts truth, it clarifies areas that previously had been gray. A main component of God is truth, therefore making beauty and truth join as one. There is a special interconnecting relationship between truth and beauty that is so profound. I don’t think anyone can ever fully know the extent of this connection, until eternity. But I guess its my job to explore what this relationship means to me. Truth awakens my soul. Most people tend to not be receptive to correction or truth, and push its usefulness away. But as for me God has softened my heart to Him through the very “truths” I originally pushed away. Before I was saved I wanted to live life for me, and keep God on the sidelines. I had a wall up to those who tried to correct my ways. But I remember it began with a sunset one morning, something incredibly beautiful to get me to realize that God is something not to play with. And that day I began to learn that these truths I was ignored, were not meant to be played with. I think this is what beauty is realizing that all truth is Gods truth, and is this fact is true beauty. I feel that if us as a fallen people could realize all truth is Gods, they would find beauty in their situations, and lives. They would know that even in difficult times, God is true to what He says He is. They would see the beauty in even a negative situation. Our world would fall on its face before the Lord in recognition of His truth, glory and beauty.

Post 21

When people wander around in the darkness of life everything usually comes into perspective. I feel that these dark or troubling times, are the very moments where we begin to shape who we are in the good ones. But you cannot learn how to live life in the good times, if you haven't first learned from the bad. I believe life requires us to choose our person hood, by the experiences it throws at us. The way we respond to these situations creates our character. The Bible says in Romans, that in our suffering, we produce endurance, character, hope and finally love. The thread that is unseen, yet holds all these elements together is faith. Faith asks you to trust in and hope for, “One can never understand what hope is really about unless one wrestles with despair”. In Prof. Corrigans essay, he quotes this from Cornel West, I think this statement sums up faith. Faith is something that is driven out from the heart, its a hope to believe that something outside of your self will save you. The only way to experience faith is when your given an opportunity to suffer. When people ask where is God ion the hard times, God is challenging, or in one sense inspiring His children to have faith. Sufferings spark the opportune moment to have and act up[on faith. And these times where we either fall or have faith is when we grow and learn the most about ourselves and life. Our questions always become more important than the answers in this time. When we ask questions like where is our God, it gives us the perfect time to explore what exactly were asking. Why and what can I learn just from going through this, maybe just pondering on that thought is the reason somethings happens. Maybe just wondering or thinking about things, are the reasons God chooses to let these troubles come. Maybe answers aren't always needed, or maybe there is multiple answers to one question. Either way God knows what He's doing, it's just our time to have faith in the question.

Post 20

I went to Lake Bonny Park for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes

I had a great experience at Lake Bonny and loved having the opportunity to do it. Walking around and being able to slow life down just a bit, made me realize all the beauty that is around me. As I walked around, I realized how much I take nature for granted. I have never actually taken the time to examine all the details and wonders that are just right outside my door. Just in the grass alone, I realized that there are so many different patterns and shapes and colors of blades of grass. And I just saw again the details of the grass point to a creator. I think that was the overall message I got from my time at the park, that truly there is a creator. And those who cannot see the world and notice its maker, there eyes have been blinded. I think all the poems we have been reading, especially the ones by Mary Oliver, that have a Christian undertone show his existence. Nature, with all of its details shows a complex world that has to have a designer who could create complex things. These were the things I was thinking about when I sat in silence. That time of stillness I feel brought me before the throne of God. And in those moments I saw the awe and wonder of his hand. When I looked around not only did I see this world, but a world that glorifies God’s magnificent hand from the very dirt or the ground, to the blue of the sky. In Mary Oliver’s poem The Messenger she says her work is loving the world. I believe that loving the world, starts when we acknowledge God. Since God is the creator, the only way to truly love the world, is through God first. Loving the world doesn’t just involve nature but also the people who live there.

For as free as the wind blows

My eyes will look up to the sky

With wild abandon, my heart cries

To the God, who buried all darkness

With one swift move of his hand

There was a light that came,

and nature was brought forth

So who am I to look away?

I sit still in the moment

Forcing my self to slow my spirit

To be in tune with His spirit

The spirit that runs rampade

It crosses oceans and lakes

And as it intertwines in the vines of flowers

It intercedes for our souls

So I will live my life with a stillness,

To see the world in this new light

To live, is to see, to see, is to stop

I will stop, so I may be unveiled from the darkness

Just as the world was, in order to see the light

Post 19

The beauty in the flowers and the smell of the air is what drives some people into writing about nature in poetry. For others it is what nature represents to them and their life that is inspiring. For me, nature is everything that represents life and death. Nature, rather plants in specific go through a cycle of emitting oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide. Plants live on the what we die upon, and we live on what they die upon. I think this cycle represents literature. People write about the things that have brought them pain or a death in some form and to the readers in gives them encouragement or life. Or the writer can talk about things that give them life, and it turn it shows the reader how to conquer death. The last poem assigned for Friday was called the Uses of my Sorrow. I think the authors simplicity exemplifies the simpleness of this cycle. And although the process has two steps, and her poem was very short, it represents something much more. And it makes me wonder if maybe the most complex things that humans could ever learn, are hidden in the smallest of ways. That maybe in this great Universe of ours the secrets of life and death are hidden away by one Creator, one simple solution. We read a poem by Robert Hass who wrote about nature and the truths of evolution. Maybe if Mr. Hass could see the truth in his own literature, he would see the fallacy of evolution. If only he could realize that a simple answer always solves a complex question. He would realize a Creator is the answer to the very nature he was writing about. I think what all these poems point to is the beauty that God has placed in front of us, and even though we see all the complexity in nature it points to the simplicity of one answer, one God.

Post 18

State of the Planet is a short poem written by Robert Hass. Upon the first time reading this I noticed that their were a lot of clues that led to a deeper meaning. Words that are not used in daily vocabulary were pulled out of the closet and used in order to show further illustration. It says that the occasion in which this poem was written for the fifth anniversary of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. So I am going out on a limb to assume that Hass was at least initially writing to a scientific audience. Which gave him the time and place (as well as audience) to understand his abstract use of vocabulary. In his poem he frequently refers to Lucretius who happens to be a Roman Poet. Lucretius was not just any regular poet, he wrote on the mysteries of the Universe; much like Hass in State of the Planet. Lucretius happened to believe that the spirit and mind couldn’t survive without the body. He also believed that that there was no God and explained creation through science. And I just can’t help but to think that this poem was a response to Lucretius challenging him on his views. For example, “People have been arguing for centuries, about whether or not you thought of Venus as a metaphor. Because of the rational man they take you for.” I am not quite sure whether Hass agreed with Lucretius ideas or if he was almost mocking them; but either way it was a response. In the ending stanza, Hass talks about the earth needing a restoration. With audience in mind, maybe Hass was talking about our earth and a physical restoration. A restoration of the planet in every sense. I think this restoration included not only cleaning and protecting the earth, but a renewal of the way we think of the earth. To actual step back and reevaluate the way we look at life, and re-find the reasons we have to explain this earth that we actually live on. Maybe this poem was a call to the science world to restore their mind with reevaluation of what they hold to be true? Or than again maybe this is just me, trying to find what I hope he was talking about. =p

Post 17

This Blessed House was written by Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a short novel about two characters named Sanjeev and Twinkle. Sanjeev and Twinkle had just gotten married after only knowing each other for four short months. The character development in this novel comes from the personality clashes between both characters. Sanjeev is the very organized and detail oriented person, while Twinkle is a free spirit who cares very little about a “scheduled life”. Twinkle finds herself noticing all the differences between the two of them first when her religious relics are placed on the mantel. Although the many details described by Lahiri is important, the details set the stage for the bigger picture. This story has many points and themes that run wild throughout the novel. The two main ones that I see are about control and accepting flaws. I think control can come in many forms. People like Sanjeev try to control their life through organization. But Twinkles form of control was to actually let go, and let happen. I am not exactly sure which is right, but than again maybe there is no right. Maybe people are suppose to be able to find their form of control and interpret it how they may. I guess this is where the difference in personalities comes into play. If two people come together with two different ways of “controlling” their life, there is unavoidably going to be conflict. I think the moral Lahiri was trying to say is that maybe there is not a right or wrong way to be, but the right or thing is how you handle a clash of personalities. If we as people love the people that we are interacting with, we should be able to control the way we control in order to accept their flaw.

Special Post

Captain Jack Michael Laurent is the name I here everyday, the phrase that begins the definition of my life. What are names, anyway? Who really cares what someone’s half drugged mother decided to name her child after the bloody thing came out. No matter what were called in this useless life, in the end were all the same damn thing, dead. Oh my God! I swear one more of these days where people continue to herd right in front of the gate I need to get to, I am going to go crazy. You would think that after 15 years in the Air force, the government would be able to give me some sort of pension other than a good job medal. Anything of value would be better than that, just so I wouldn’t have been forced to fly planes all day and night to pay the bills. Maybe if I wasn’t so busy flying around these self righteous people who think they deserve the best just cause they paid $200 to see their family; I would have been able to spend more time with Molly, before she decided to go out and find another guy to – ATTENTION: Gate A2 is boarding. Now excuse me folks, I have a plane to catch, Hope you have a wonderful experience flying Delta! God If it was up to me I would just push them out of my way, but – Excuse me Captain Laurent may I see your itinerary information before you begin for boarding preparation. Really, a Jew is flying on my plane, curls and all; wow glad to know that’s what “God” does for you buddy. Captain? Oh sorry, yes ma’m here you are. Thank you, Have a great flight! Ugh finally past all those people, now I can look forward to coasting for 3 hrs in what is a 5 by 5 cubicle with my homosexual co-pilot Ricardo talking about his recent love interests. Great, just what I was looking forward to. ALL SYSTEMS GO: Flight 3367 is ready for take off. As a kid the thought of being a pilot seemed so exciting and intriguing, but this is not what I expected. I hate sitting on the runway waiting for the 6 other planes ahead of me to go, just because one stupid pilot took his dandy little time in landing holding up all the planes on the strip. It reminds me of the times when I would get home from a two or three day flight, so excited to see Molly. Just to find out that she left a not happening to schedule a hair appointment, or jut had to go to the super market right when I told her I was to be home. I can’t believe it has been three years since I found out about it, and I still can’t stop thinking about her. I mean, I guess I deserv- Captain Laurent you ready? We can move now, don’t be scared. Yeah. Does he think he’s funny or something? Honestly I wish he would just shut up already. You know Captain Jack your looking frustrated can I help in anyway? God, these gay people what was in the governments head when they decided to let them into the work force, it’s almost as bad not having anything to show for pissing away 15 years of my life with them. No Ricardo, you can’t do anything. At least we are in the air now; it’s better than sitting in a random hotel room waiting for my next flight. Why does my life always feel like I am in slow motion? Everything I seem to do is about waiting, waiting to get out of the air force, waiting for Molly to come home, waiting for people to move in the terminal, waiting on the strip, waiting to die. It feels like every day my life is filled with moments to think, yet there is never anything worth thinking about. Why are my thoughts always filled with struggles and pain and views that I formed from past experiences? Why is it that I can’t love? Even when I had love, I never knew how to love? I wish I knew what love is? Captain Jack? Yes, Ricardo? The auxiliary light is blinking, what do you think is wrong? I’m not sure probably just a miscommunication between engines, not a big deal it will fix itself. Wait the second light just flashed on that means… the engine is failing. Ok no need to panic; we still have one more engine Ricardo. Should we inform the passengers Jack? Nah lets just see what happens. Ok I guess I’ll keep an eye on the engine lights to make sure nothing else goes on. Great just what I needed to add to my list, waiting on the engine, it will probably fail me too just like my wife. Umm Jack the third light is on. And pressure is dropping fast. Are you serious? Is there anything else we can do? No. It’s over; we have to tell the crew and passengers. God is this like a joke or something? Are you punishing me for calling them self-righteous? Or maybe this is just my punishment, maybe my wait is over? ATTENTION: This is you pilot speaking Captain Jack Laurent we are experiencing engine failure and the plane we will begin to lose altitude shortly. Am I really saying this right now? Please put your air masks on and prepare for impact? I regret to inform you that there is nothing else we can do. You might want to say your last prayers. God is this really it, this is not what I wanted to wait for. Are you there? What do I do? That Jewish guy he knew you, he did everything for you down to his clothes and hair. Is that what you want my appearance? God you must be real, I can’t even think right now? The plane is going to crash and I am going to die. What am I saying there is nothing left, no God, nothing. What if I am wrong, what if God is real? God show me who you are? I am sorry.

CONTROL CENTER: ARE YOU THERE? CAPTAIN LAURENT?

FLIGHT 3367: --------------------------------------------------

Post 14

In class on Monday, we learned about a practice called lectio divina. This process of spiritual meditation and reading dates backs to the earliest of Christian monks. The idea behind lectio divina was to repeat portions of scripture in order that one may be able to understand more deeply God’s Word. This process involves reading than re-reading, reflecting, and listening for anything new that can come to mind through this method. The purpose of lectio divina is to slow down the intake of Scripture. I had tried lectio divina one time before in one of my first team meeting, but this time in class was a lot different. I think the main thing that influenced this difference was that it was not scripture. The story Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin discusses racial issues as well as the power of music. The story I thought was very moving and applied to my life a lot. I think that music is extremely powerful and has helped me to feel as though there are people in the world that can relate to me in some way. It almost gives feeling of community, like there is a bigger picture out there. The portion of text we choose to read by lectio divina I felt really helped to show the importance of music; or at least that’s what I got out of it. Music is powerful. Music I feel actually has the power to heal. Music and lyrics can touch ones soul in ways that mere words alone could never do. I believe that through music that world can be changed. Music brings down defenses and allows the message to resentant deep within our hearts. This effect directly corresponds to the effects of lectio divina. Both involve the opening of your mind in order to receive whatever the message is that your trying to find or need to hear. I guess that maybe we should all consider lectio divina in every area of our life. When our world seems to flood our lives with the chaos of humanity, maybe it would help to slow things down to open our hearts and minds for things hidden that we were to busy to see.

Post 13

*I attended Southeastern's production of The Imaginary Invalid and watched the entire play.

The Imaginary Invalid, by Moliere was an extremely dramatic, yet comedic play that deals with a variety of family situations and fights in order to finally find truth. The main character Argan is a hypochondriac who does not want to pay for medical care, so devises a plan for his daughter Angelique to marry off to a doctor, so he will get free healthcare. Angelique on the hand had different plans; she was already in love with a man named Cleante. Her father refused her plan to marry Cleante and pushed the idea of marrying the doctor’s son. In other news, Argans second wife Beline has a secret plot to take all of Argans fortune when he dies. The maid and Argans brother conspire to help show Argan his enemies and in the process allow Angelique to marry Clente. They come up with a plan for his wife and his daughter to walk on Argan pretending to be dead; and based off their reactions he will know the truth. First time through Beline walks in finding Argan dead, and shows no remorse and is happy she can finally have his money. Argan realizes she was untrue in her motives and wants nothing to do with her. He pretends to be dead again and Angelique walks in and immediately cries over his death and wishes he would come back to life and would even give up Cleante for Him. Argan realizes his daughter loves Him and consents the marriage. Argan is still obsessive over having his medical bills paid, so the maid advises Argan to get an immediate doctors license himself. That way he can attend to his own problems. And that’s the end! Overall I absolutely loved this play! I loved everything from the plot to the comedy to the dances and makeup. I like how at the end their were two main ironic twists that Argan consents to the marriage on the basis his wife never loved him and that he becomes a doctor in order to have a doctor. I thoroughly enjoyed this play and I hope going to other plays or artistic events are planned into the rest of this semester.

Post 12

Since this there is no prompt for this post, I figured I would revisit the story of the Joel. My previous post about the book of Joel focused on the idea of the Bible being read as literature. I think that literature is a place where thoughts and concepts are not limited and that art can be inspired by words. Or even vs. versa words and stories can be inspired by art. I feel that art, media, and literature all closely interconnect. Each are unique in their function, but all give off some form of expression. All three of these areas, I believe are also functions in which God chooses to use for furthering of His Kingdom. Throughout the Bible Jesus chooses to use parables as compared to plain concepts, or dramatic instances to reveal a point, rather than flat out saying it. I think this an example of God Himself using expression in order teach or explain a concept. The Bible says we should model Christ in everything that we do, it also says that we are created in His image. So than can’t we also to apply those ideas to the way that we express ourselves? I believe the book of Joel is one example that God uses in order to display how literature can glorify God. God has deposited within each of us many gifts and talents that can be creatively used for to unveil Christ to unbelievers. I believe the activity of painting in class from the book of Joel was much more than an exercise to further our understanding of the text, but in fact worship to God. When we glorify God with our creativity and talents that He is given to us, it is pleasing in his eyes. I truly believe that if we could glorify Christ with creativity in all the areas of our life, God would be able to use our expression in order not to just benefit ourselves, but others as well for His kingdom.

Post 11

The blogging project in Intro to Lit has revolutionized the way I think about and respond to literature. The idea of combining modern technology with poems and works that’s are maybe hundreds of years old I think is amazing. I feel that it also ours generation to utilize what is natural to us in society and use it for educational purposes. In the original blogging instructions Professor Corrigan assigns his student to think creatively and draw from the text in a new and unique way. Finding insight through the authors words and applying you own thoughts and experiences has been a must in order to succeed at the posts. Our in class assignments have really given me an example of how I am suppose to apply these techniques in my blogs. I really enjoyed the painting project regarding Joel. I felt that being able to explore Joel through paint and creativity helped me to understand the ideas better than just reading it did. I also loved being able to go outside and read Joel to nature. And truly get a feel for what was recorded in the book of Joel, by experiencing it all around me. Like Joel, many of the themes expressed in our reading have been about life or death. These two topics are unavoidable for any human. Life has many different meanings, and for some of us life feels as if it is death. Why if both life and death are opposites, how do they so closely interconnect? Throughout all the readings we have done this common theme is seen. Being able to blog has allowed me the place to further my reading and explore how I feel about any given text. I think I have been able to do this fairly well, I think that through blogging I have successfully dug into our reading and learned and critically thought about them as assigned.

* Cemetary Trip

I went to the Lakeview, Roselawn and Tiger Flowers cemetery complex for this fieldtrip, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes.

Post 10

“The night in silence under the stars,

The ocean shore and the husky whispering wave whose voice I know,

And the soul turning to thee O vast well-veil’d death,

And the body gratefully nestling close to thee.

Over the tree-tops I float thee a song,

Over the rising and sinking waves, over the myriad fields and the prairies wide,

Over the dense-pack’d cities all and the teeming wharves and ways,

I float this carol with joy, with joy to thee O death.”

This quote from When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d by Walt Witman describes the varying emotions you feel or you feel over someone else who has died or is about to die. Death is defined by Webster as a permanent cessation of all vital functions : the end of life. I believe Witman attempts in the poem to go through the process of the end of life with his readers. Not by any means is death easy, not for the one dying nor the one who is close with the one dying. Yet death is an inevitable part of life. I can’t help but think how ironic it is that from the earth God created us from and by the earth we are buried into. This poem reminds me of how we cannot avoid death, even if we are living. In this world people are dying all around every couple of seconds in fact yet we continue to live as if life has not left. As I quoted earlier Witman says, “The night in silence under the stars, The ocean shore and the husky whispering wave whose voice I know” I believe this statement has double meaning. I think Witman was suggesting that not only do we long for those who have left this world through death. But we on earth are waiting for death because it is inevitable. And that death is the voice that we know, whether were alive or already gone the voice of death is always familiar.

Post 9

Used second Blog Pass

Post 8

The idea of Holy Scripture being read as literature, happens to be a topic that I have never really considered. Although I would presume that many Christians would think of reading the Word as a story is somewhat blasphemous. I tend to disagree. I feel that everything God has created around us is beautiful. Music, nature, even humans all share as part of God’s creation and have a common theme throughout them. This theme is beauty. In all of God’s creations there is always some aspect of design in which one is just simply left in awe. If God could make something like a sunset so pretty, how more thought has went into his divine Word? I believe God inspired the Bible to be more than just facts and information; but for that information to be written elegantly, creatively, and beautifully. Joel is an example of just that. The book of Joel is written as a poem, as a plead with the people to repent. God chooses to use descriptive terms and vivid imagery in order to illustrate His point even further. To the many Christians who believe that God is against looking at the Bible as literary artwork: don’t take the issue up with people who read it as litertaure, but rather take it up with a God who designed beauty and literature. God clearly doesn’t have a problem with another one of His creations being beautifully designed. So what than is our benefit from looking at the Bible from a literary aspect? I would say that most of all its to inspire. Sometimes I think God uses parables or in this case imagery and metaphors to display a picture for us that could not have been depicted otherwise. I believe God wants us to dig deeper, like going outside and reading to nature. Somehow trying to connect with scripture in ways that maybe are “out of the box.” But maybe afterall thinking and being out of the box is what God intended for Christianity to be anyway. Maybe being the light, means being unconventional and different; even when reading His Word.

Post 7

"We presume that the greatest works of art reward us because they express significant and lasting themes." Fridays assignesd reading was all about themes; and how themes assist the reader in understanding the author clearer. The most memorable works of literature always have a theme or multiple themes that are being presented. These themes are what I'd like to think of more as principles. A themes purpose is to communicate meaning. But a principle conveys meaning and brings a purpose behind the meaning. The stories we connect with most always have such principles. Ones that give us new insight or show the importance of character and morals. "If we bring a narrow sense of purpose to our reading we will fail to engage the work of art on its own terms." Principles prove the purpose of reading literature. The readers thewn have the ability to translate and interpret what they personally got out of work. Without any theme, why read? Along with tv or music, literature is an outlet for expression. Expression comes in many forms and is a way for people to expose who they are. It allows people to say how they feel in ways they normally wouldn't be able to. Literature happens to be a placew where both the author and reader can express. The beast part about reading is being able to place yourself in the authors head and decipher the meaning. It's almost as if trying to interpret the text is a personal challenge. And although no one can meet the challenge better than someone elses. Each meets the challenge unique to the next. Every person gets something different out of the story than another reader. Literature is the place where discussion starts. Disscussion, I believe is where people who have met the challenge, how they got to the finish line. But no one can even see the without a theme at the start.

Post 6

War and love are two things that have always closely interconnected throughout the ages. Wars are always to solve, defeat or build relationships. In the same sense love cause us to solve issues, defeat through problems and build up a relationship. I think the author of The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien tried to show just that. And as in war, you’re willing to fight till you win, even if you lose your life. With true love, one must leave all else behind to find and keep love in your life. Love is not based on emotions, but also the constant actions that back it, to keep love alive. I don’t think that love or war can ever be perfect, both always consist of the: would of, should of, and could of. Jimmy Cross says, “He should’ve carried her up the stairs to her room and tied her to the bed and touched that left knee all night”. Cross wrestled with this idea of being able to change the past and wish for the future. The same with war, the decisions made on the battlefield directly correlate to the outcome of your own life, and ultimately who wins. “But he wondered what her truest feelings were, exactly, and what she meant by separate-but-together,” Cross said. Cross could not help but be in love with Martha, even at the expense of hurting his own heart. War requires a commitment in which one is willing to give up everything for the cause. Commitment is the tying key between love and war. But not just commitment in itself. Both need a sacrificial commitment, a kind of commitment that supersedes promises or oaths. And this is what God expects of us, where we are willing to drop everything our flesh desires, and seek God’s face at all costs.

Post 5

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis is an in depth journal of mourning for his wife whom recently died. Lewis paints a picture of internal doubts, hardships, questions of life and God with complete honesty. Lewis allows himself to be vulnerable before his readers. Even though originally his journal was published under a pseudonym, you can still understand his anguish over her death. His Christian perspective is clear and vivid even without knowing it is Lewis writing. I find it amazing to be able to get insight from a man with so much knowledge to give, even is his times of grief. In referring to his faith, Lewis writes, “Because the things I am believing are only a dream, or because I only dream that I believe them?” This statement just blows me away. Here Lewis allows himself to question what he has staked his entire life around. How much hurt and pain does he feel, to compare his faith to a dream. In a sense, if dreams are just wisps of our imagination, than what role has his faith played in his life, if it can just be swept away. The image he paints of a house of cards in comparison to his faith is just as profound. This concept that her death has caused him to feel like his stability in God has fallen down. I think this shows us that it is ok to grieve and that at the same token its important in the process of mourning. It’s hard to feel peace in a situation without wrestling through it first. I think the church in general wants the body to praise ones death if they’re a Christian, because they’re in a “better place”. But is that really healthy? To cover a wound, with a false smile. I mean maybe for some people that’s an option. But I feel the reality here is most people fake can lot of things in life, but grief isn’t one of those things.

Opps!

I forgot to do Post 4 by midnight on Tues.

Sorry =/

Post 3

The happily ever after is what everyone is taught to search for since childhood. The idea that romance and love is perfect and will always have that “Happy Ending” that everyone strives for. But the reality is in my opinion there is no true happy ending, maybe you could have a successful ending but it wont always be happy. Life is about working through the difficulties in order to find happiness and success. Happiness is not something that magically happens like in fairy tales. Love is something that needs to constantly worked at in order to last. And pure love alone cannot sustain a relationship without all the other things that need to back it. I think that this short story more than ever showed me that these other things that need to be in a relationship is a solid foundation of morality and standards. Even though the author portrayed John and Mary’s story almost in a sarcastic manner, all of those options happen to real people, in real relationships everyday. These options are what has become normal in our society because people don’t have a standard of morality to have their relationships rely upon when the stress of the world takes a toll on their relationship. As Christians, I feel like we need to be examples to the world of what healthy relationships look like. I think that in general we are not doing our part, to show unbelievers that love doesn’t have to involve options that hurt. “Crying is bad for your face, everyone knows that and so does Mary but she can’t stop.” Mary knew her relationship was unhealthy and I can’t help but think if she had some form of support to rely upon other than John she would not have to hurt like she was throughout the options. That maybe she would know that although love isn’t always that perfect happy ending, it can be successful with a foundation in something that never changes; God.

Post 2

“What do any of us really know about love?” Mel said. “It seems to me we’re just beginners at love.” I think this quote in specific is especially relevant to what Professor Corrigan said the first day of classes that all things tend to deal with either love or death. All people have to encounter love in whether a romantic way or just plain kindness and to the same extent we all will face death. Whatever the case is, humans have this in common: that neither love nor death can be known. Uncertainty is a key factor in what makes life, life. Another statement was said in the text that one character believes that love is an absolute. And I would have to agree, although love involves mystery to find it, it guarantees that in some shape you will find it. Uncertainty and the ability to explore love and find is something that I think a lot of people take for granted. People don’t realize how much love can impact their life positively or negatively. I think people are given the capacity at birth to give love and inherently a place to receive it. And that in order to have a true and complete love their must be a give and take relationship. Although Mel says we are beginners at love, I think the important thing is not to strive to become an expert. But rather strive to give love and not to focus on how you will receive this love. This requires sacrifice of your own wants and needs to be able fulfill someone else’s. Even though putting yourself out there isn’t always the easiest thing or certain for success, it’s worth the risk. This uncertainty is what makes love an absolute. Because if you can give of yourself knowing you might not give a response, maybe there won’t be a love that you receive back. But there will be a love that you can be absolutely sure that you gave out. In the end you became stronger, which in turn is success.

Literary Profile (Post 1)

Literature has always been an important part of my life. I think literary texts and works spark the opportunity for children and adults alike to explore and imagine their version of the authors words. When I was a child, I remember my mother reading to me Dr. Seuss books every night. Reading his books allowed me even at a young age, to understand thats its ok to be silly and creative in your writing. And when I think about it its probably than when I deceided to get into the arts. The arts have always intrigued me writing, reading, painting, music dance. Although some people dont necessarily see the connection between these things, I would like to venture out and say I do. All of these things that might seem trivial as to other aspects of life to people, actual hold great value. The arts give people the chance not to be scared to express themselves however they feel in whatever form they want. Therefore inspiring creativity and a uniqueness that can only be showed when they have the place to. Literary works in specific probably have one the most profound yet sublte impact on the current generation. Students and young adults now a days feel that reading is overrated and for lack of better words old school. Yet those who do take the time to read find it to change their lives in a way other forms of communication cannot. Probably the most substantial piece of literary text that I have read was Charles Dickens Great Expectations. I thought this piece really brought the problems of a current society into a new in fresh way, through a detailed account of one’s life. Although this wasn’t my favorite thing to have read I can appreciate his way of working through issues and displaying his views on them through fictional means.

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