I complain about the price of gas
When I am part of 8% of the world
That owns a vehicle
When I say I am starving
It means I missed one of my three daily meals
I actually don’t know what it feels like to be hungry
Water pressure and temperature is a must
When showering or washing dishes
But how much of the world has clean water?
The water I use to water my plants
Is cleaner than the water
That a lot of the world drinks
I complain about waking up for class
How many people are able to go to school
Especially past high school
I am a girl
Yet I have my own dreams
And chose my own future
Church and religion is routine
However, there are millions all over the world
Killed because they believe the same things I do
Why was I born in America?
How can I not misuse what I have?
How can I learn to share what I have been given?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Over My Head
I thought I could take on the ocean
I thought I could swim
Why did I think I could jump
and stay a float
The water is too deep
I'm in over my head
It feels like I'm drowning
I'm struggling to breathe
If I called would you hear me?
If I called would you rescue me?
Do I want you to see my weakness?
Do I want you to save me?
I'm too proud to call out for help
Even though there are many waiting on shore
I will stay here in over my head
And hope I learn how to swim
I thought I could swim
Why did I think I could jump
and stay a float
The water is too deep
I'm in over my head
It feels like I'm drowning
I'm struggling to breathe
If I called would you hear me?
If I called would you rescue me?
Do I want you to see my weakness?
Do I want you to save me?
I'm too proud to call out for help
Even though there are many waiting on shore
I will stay here in over my head
And hope I learn how to swim
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Response to audio clip of Tony Campolo
* I am posting this as a request from someone. It is one of my papers from the class I am taking this interterm (Science and Christianity)
______________________________________________________________
I am over half way done with my undergrad education. With graduation coming closer and closer, I am in the process of figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life. My passion is learning about and working with the environment. I had the opportunity to work for the US Fish and Wildlife service during the summer of 2009. Since that job, I have had a drive to excel in my studies, to attend graduate school after undergrad, and then to possibly work for the US Fish and Wildlife service.
Last spring/summer I became very sick and because of that, I spent many hours thinking about my life and what I had accomplished and what I wanted to accomplish. I realized how caught up I had become in my career goals and how my faith had been pushed aside when it was not convenient. After returning to Greenville College for the fall semester, I took the class New Testament Survey taught by Ruth Huston. During this class, I was reminded of who Jesus was in the New Testament. Jesus was a radical individual. Tony Campolo said that Jesus is counter-cultural. Jesus called those around him to live differently than what was expected of them. As a Christian, I am called to be like Jesus. Unfortunately, in this society, Christianity isn’t very radical.
Tony Campolo talked about how we can make a difference, how we can change the world, and how we should be radical agents for the transformation of the world. What does that look like though? How does it apply to someone who wants to be a wildlife biologist? Can I make a difference in the world for Christ using the occupation I am pursuing? What does it look like to “Live the impossible dream for Jesus Christ”? Right now, I am pursuing the American dream. I am working towards getting a good education so I can get a good job, so I can make money. How do I break out of this cycle?
During global impact week during the fall, I talked with a couple who works for Interserve. Interserve is a mission’s organization that works in places where typical missionaries are not allowed to go. They use people’s occupations to place them in closed locations. The couple informed me that there is a need for people with environmental backgrounds. There are many underdeveloped nations that need help learning about clean water, raising crops for food, and education in taking care of the environment around them. Am I willing to give up my comfortable life to go serve others? I am being educated in areas that could help. The expectation for me is to excel in what I do and to be successful in whatever job I may someday have. Is it a waste of my education to go into missions? It is easier to talk about missions and support missionaries then to commit to giving up what you have here and trusting God to take care of you wherever you may go. William Carey said, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” What will happen if I attempt great things for God and expect great things for him? Does it mean that I may end up living in another country someday?
The thought that Tony Campolo closed his talk on was the idea of working toward gaining titles or testimonies. No matter where I am and what I am doing. I want my faith to be a part of my daily life. I want to be a radical Christian, but I do not know what that looks like. I think that we as Christians need to stop being apathetic because we feel like we cannot change everything in the world. We need to start doing small things and see what happens. As Tony Campolo mentioned, “Christianity has come of age.” We have well educated people in the world and we have the ability to train the next generation. I think part of that is Christians taking time to have a mentor and be a mentor. Maybe it is just something simple like investing time in someone else. If we don’t share our faith, who will? If Christians do not talk about the topics that are avoided, how will the next generations know both sides of the topics? Christian colleges have an opportunity to make a big impact. I made the decision to come here and I know for a fact that my experience here has changed me for the better.
______________________________________________________________
I am over half way done with my undergrad education. With graduation coming closer and closer, I am in the process of figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life. My passion is learning about and working with the environment. I had the opportunity to work for the US Fish and Wildlife service during the summer of 2009. Since that job, I have had a drive to excel in my studies, to attend graduate school after undergrad, and then to possibly work for the US Fish and Wildlife service.
Last spring/summer I became very sick and because of that, I spent many hours thinking about my life and what I had accomplished and what I wanted to accomplish. I realized how caught up I had become in my career goals and how my faith had been pushed aside when it was not convenient. After returning to Greenville College for the fall semester, I took the class New Testament Survey taught by Ruth Huston. During this class, I was reminded of who Jesus was in the New Testament. Jesus was a radical individual. Tony Campolo said that Jesus is counter-cultural. Jesus called those around him to live differently than what was expected of them. As a Christian, I am called to be like Jesus. Unfortunately, in this society, Christianity isn’t very radical.
Tony Campolo talked about how we can make a difference, how we can change the world, and how we should be radical agents for the transformation of the world. What does that look like though? How does it apply to someone who wants to be a wildlife biologist? Can I make a difference in the world for Christ using the occupation I am pursuing? What does it look like to “Live the impossible dream for Jesus Christ”? Right now, I am pursuing the American dream. I am working towards getting a good education so I can get a good job, so I can make money. How do I break out of this cycle?
During global impact week during the fall, I talked with a couple who works for Interserve. Interserve is a mission’s organization that works in places where typical missionaries are not allowed to go. They use people’s occupations to place them in closed locations. The couple informed me that there is a need for people with environmental backgrounds. There are many underdeveloped nations that need help learning about clean water, raising crops for food, and education in taking care of the environment around them. Am I willing to give up my comfortable life to go serve others? I am being educated in areas that could help. The expectation for me is to excel in what I do and to be successful in whatever job I may someday have. Is it a waste of my education to go into missions? It is easier to talk about missions and support missionaries then to commit to giving up what you have here and trusting God to take care of you wherever you may go. William Carey said, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” What will happen if I attempt great things for God and expect great things for him? Does it mean that I may end up living in another country someday?
The thought that Tony Campolo closed his talk on was the idea of working toward gaining titles or testimonies. No matter where I am and what I am doing. I want my faith to be a part of my daily life. I want to be a radical Christian, but I do not know what that looks like. I think that we as Christians need to stop being apathetic because we feel like we cannot change everything in the world. We need to start doing small things and see what happens. As Tony Campolo mentioned, “Christianity has come of age.” We have well educated people in the world and we have the ability to train the next generation. I think part of that is Christians taking time to have a mentor and be a mentor. Maybe it is just something simple like investing time in someone else. If we don’t share our faith, who will? If Christians do not talk about the topics that are avoided, how will the next generations know both sides of the topics? Christian colleges have an opportunity to make a big impact. I made the decision to come here and I know for a fact that my experience here has changed me for the better.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Beginning of Life
When does life begin?
When does a bunch of cells
Become a human being?
Is it at the blastocyte stage?
Before the cells start dividing
When there is a complete set of DNA?
Is something as small as a period life?
Is it worth protecting?
Does it count as a human?
Do we need to be able to see the child
Count its fingers and watch it move
In order for it to be life?
Or do we need to be able to
Hold it, touch it
And give it a name before it has life?
Someone once told me
That it’s not when life beings
But it is hoping that life has begun
Conception, fertilization, or even after birth
Do I need to figure out when life begins?
Why do I need to form an opinion?
Because what I think
Will influence the way I vote
About embryo stem cell research
Is a blastocyte a life?
Is embryo stem cell research ending a life?
When does life begin
*Thank you COR 302 (Science and Christianity) for making me think about issues like this one.
When does a bunch of cells
Become a human being?
Is it at the blastocyte stage?
Before the cells start dividing
When there is a complete set of DNA?
Is something as small as a period life?
Is it worth protecting?
Does it count as a human?
Do we need to be able to see the child
Count its fingers and watch it move
In order for it to be life?
Or do we need to be able to
Hold it, touch it
And give it a name before it has life?
Someone once told me
That it’s not when life beings
But it is hoping that life has begun
Conception, fertilization, or even after birth
Do I need to figure out when life begins?
Why do I need to form an opinion?
Because what I think
Will influence the way I vote
About embryo stem cell research
Is a blastocyte a life?
Is embryo stem cell research ending a life?
When does life begin
*Thank you COR 302 (Science and Christianity) for making me think about issues like this one.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Church
A political place
Filled with hate
Instead of love
The size of building
Signifies wealth
Instead of changed lives
The elders and leaders
Are dirty old
Men
People come here
Once a week
To pay their dues
The deep offering plate goes by
And people give
Out of guilt and obligation
Not a place of worship
But of unapproved looks
And judgment
Welcome
This is the American church
Won’t you join us?
*based on a conversation with a good friend over break
Filled with hate
Instead of love
The size of building
Signifies wealth
Instead of changed lives
The elders and leaders
Are dirty old
Men
People come here
Once a week
To pay their dues
The deep offering plate goes by
And people give
Out of guilt and obligation
Not a place of worship
But of unapproved looks
And judgment
Welcome
This is the American church
Won’t you join us?
*based on a conversation with a good friend over break
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Ordinary Objects
Somedays I feel like a Styrofoam plate
Useful
Until my purpose has been fulfilled
Then discarded
Thrown away
Not needed anymore
Somedays I feel more like a mug
Waiting
In the back of a cupboard
Sometimes chosen to be used
But usually just there
Because there are many others just like me
Then there are the days I feel like a sock
Ordinary
Not the favorite socks
The last resort
The pair that you only wear
When you have no others clean
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)