Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
Provoking Thoughts
Lately, I've found myself reading so many articles. So many. They have, for the most part, been very thought-provoking and theological, and I've felt challenged and inspired by them. These articles were written from different points of view, by people of all different backgrounds. I think that when approached with discernment, we can learn a lot from them about ourselves and the world we live in.
It's time to re-evaluate the "War on Christmas". There are much more serious threats to Christmas than our Atheist neighbors saying, "Happy Holidays!" Focusing on this has only served to widen the gap between Christians and those that we are supposed to be living alongside and loving. God has not called us to war, He has called us to be radical peacemakers. Besides, did you know that the term, "Xmas" is actually an ancient Christian tradition? The X stands for the Greek word for Christ. I had no idea! This whole "War on Christmas" deal is not Christ-like at all. How are we supposed to keep Christ in Christmas when we are adopting mindsets that are opposite to His? We should be more worried about the fact that while Christmas is meant to be a time set aside for God, many of us are too busy worrying about Christmas cards, decorations and buying gifts to remember that. I know I struggle with this a lot. I want to keep God as the center of my life, yet I keep letting the twinkling lights and presents cloud my view of what is really important.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marcusborg/2013/12/the-real-war-on-christmas/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/keeping-the-x-in-xmas/
These articles made a really good point. There is no such thing as Christian movies or Christian music. There is music that is good for our minds and hearts, and music that isn't, but Christian media does not necessarily present solid theology. At the same time, there are music and films that aren't pegged as "Christian", yet they teach us a lot about God and ourselves. Benjamin Corey makes a good point when he says, "I want my child to know that a critical mind is something you never turn off, and that you can’t simply compartmentalize art as “Christian” or “not”. I want her to know that all truth is God’s truth, and all beauty is God’s beauty, and that you can find every bit as much truth and beauty from 8 Mile as you can from a Kendricks brothers flick. I want her searching for beauty everywhere she looks- I don’t want her thinking that good stuff exists “here” but you won’t find God “there”, wherever “there” is. I want her to know she can find God everywhere." Everything we do should be for the glory of God, whether we be a janitor, film producer, painter, carpenter, teacher or musician.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/christian-movies/
http://ctkblog.com/2013/12/05/why-switchfoot-wont-sing-christian-songs/
Adoption has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. So whenever I see an article about it, I jump on it right away. I feel that God could quite possibly be calling me to adopt locally, later on in life, so I like to stay well informed. This article is written by a man who has adopted, and he lists several bits of advice and caution. I agree that it seems like adoption is becoming a real fad. I'm glad that it is such a beneficial fad, unlike so many that are floating around these days, but I think it makes it easy for people to make light of the decision to adopt. This article really made me think about my motivation behind adopting. I would want to make very sure that I wasn't adopting a child just to support my own need for love or gratification. I would want to make sure I was in it for the long haul, putting the needs of the child above my own. Even when it wasn't convenient.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/love-isnt-enough/
With all these controversial ideas, sometimes I can feel pretty overwhelmed. It's hard to know what's real and true in a world that is trying to pull me in a thousand directions all at once. I definitely need to spend more time with God through all these questions, because I know that though this world is unstable and constantly shifting, He is solid and strong. I can trust that He knows the answers and has a much bigger perspective than me, even when I'm stumbling around down here.
It's time to re-evaluate the "War on Christmas". There are much more serious threats to Christmas than our Atheist neighbors saying, "Happy Holidays!" Focusing on this has only served to widen the gap between Christians and those that we are supposed to be living alongside and loving. God has not called us to war, He has called us to be radical peacemakers. Besides, did you know that the term, "Xmas" is actually an ancient Christian tradition? The X stands for the Greek word for Christ. I had no idea! This whole "War on Christmas" deal is not Christ-like at all. How are we supposed to keep Christ in Christmas when we are adopting mindsets that are opposite to His? We should be more worried about the fact that while Christmas is meant to be a time set aside for God, many of us are too busy worrying about Christmas cards, decorations and buying gifts to remember that. I know I struggle with this a lot. I want to keep God as the center of my life, yet I keep letting the twinkling lights and presents cloud my view of what is really important.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/marcusborg/2013/12/the-real-war-on-christmas/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/keeping-the-x-in-xmas/
These articles made a really good point. There is no such thing as Christian movies or Christian music. There is music that is good for our minds and hearts, and music that isn't, but Christian media does not necessarily present solid theology. At the same time, there are music and films that aren't pegged as "Christian", yet they teach us a lot about God and ourselves. Benjamin Corey makes a good point when he says, "I want my child to know that a critical mind is something you never turn off, and that you can’t simply compartmentalize art as “Christian” or “not”. I want her to know that all truth is God’s truth, and all beauty is God’s beauty, and that you can find every bit as much truth and beauty from 8 Mile as you can from a Kendricks brothers flick. I want her searching for beauty everywhere she looks- I don’t want her thinking that good stuff exists “here” but you won’t find God “there”, wherever “there” is. I want her to know she can find God everywhere." Everything we do should be for the glory of God, whether we be a janitor, film producer, painter, carpenter, teacher or musician.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/christian-movies/
http://ctkblog.com/2013/12/05/why-switchfoot-wont-sing-christian-songs/
Adoption has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. So whenever I see an article about it, I jump on it right away. I feel that God could quite possibly be calling me to adopt locally, later on in life, so I like to stay well informed. This article is written by a man who has adopted, and he lists several bits of advice and caution. I agree that it seems like adoption is becoming a real fad. I'm glad that it is such a beneficial fad, unlike so many that are floating around these days, but I think it makes it easy for people to make light of the decision to adopt. This article really made me think about my motivation behind adopting. I would want to make very sure that I wasn't adopting a child just to support my own need for love or gratification. I would want to make sure I was in it for the long haul, putting the needs of the child above my own. Even when it wasn't convenient.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/love-isnt-enough/
With all these controversial ideas, sometimes I can feel pretty overwhelmed. It's hard to know what's real and true in a world that is trying to pull me in a thousand directions all at once. I definitely need to spend more time with God through all these questions, because I know that though this world is unstable and constantly shifting, He is solid and strong. I can trust that He knows the answers and has a much bigger perspective than me, even when I'm stumbling around down here.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Spoken Word Poetry
A while back, I wrote an article about Slam Poetry, because it's fantastic. I just love the way it allows you to express yourself in a meaningful way, without being confined to the usual poetry rules of rhyme and rhythm. It sounds so neat!
Spoken Word Poetry is Slam Poetry, but none competitive. Slam Poetry only applies to poetry performed in a Poetry Slam. I don't know if I realized that when I wrote the other post. Oh well, live and learn. :)
Since I wrote the other post on Spoken Word Poetry, I've discovered so many more amazing authors and poems! The world has opened up and chucked poem after poem after poem in my face, in rapid succession. I have had no choice but to notice and love at least a few; And what gems they are!
These are a few of the best, in my eyes. Let me know what you think! Also, if you know of any poems, spoken word or not, that you really enjoy, tell me. I'm always super excited for recommendations! :)
Spoken Word Poetry is Slam Poetry, but none competitive. Slam Poetry only applies to poetry performed in a Poetry Slam. I don't know if I realized that when I wrote the other post. Oh well, live and learn. :)Since I wrote the other post on Spoken Word Poetry, I've discovered so many more amazing authors and poems! The world has opened up and chucked poem after poem after poem in my face, in rapid succession. I have had no choice but to notice and love at least a few; And what gems they are!
These are a few of the best, in my eyes. Let me know what you think! Also, if you know of any poems, spoken word or not, that you really enjoy, tell me. I'm always super excited for recommendations! :)
"I Love You More"
"If Only"
"I Will Wait for You"
by Janette...iks
"Sincerely Freedom"
by Nick Vitellaro
"A Man's Promise"
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