So the end of the school year is fast approaching, and I guess now is the best time to reflect. Generally, I didn't feel like there was much different about this year from last year. I felt a little older sitting on the benches in chapel, and observing the younger grades with the sense of "when I was your age..." but nothing really changed. People were still the same, for the most part. Personalities barely shifted, friendships didn't really change a whole lot, and I still spent more time observing than is probably good for me. Hopefully next year will be different in a better way...
My favorite memories were made in the little moments. The inside jokes, the strengthened friendships, the brief times spent with my friends doing fun stuff when we were supposed to be doing something else. Most recently, sitting on the edge of a lake with my two best friends, hiding from everyone else, just being ourselves. It doesn't happen much anymore, but those are the best moments in life.
The challenging parts of the year happen mostly because of myself. I sit back, isolate myself from people, and become more lonely watching them. I find myself in moments where I don't feel like I have friends at all, or questioning my worth to my friends, and I am unable to communicate that to them in a way that they understand. Other challenges I had were dealing with people on a daily basis that I don't want to talk to at all. It is hard for me to be patient with people when my fuse is already so shortened with them. My bias from years past affected how I saw people, and most likely how they saw me.
I am so thankful for the friends that I know I have; the people I plan on being friends with for my whole life, who I trust with anything, and who I am comfortable being myself around. I am thankful for a family that takes a genuine interest in me and how I feel, and for them being there to understand what I was going through (to a limited point) this year. I am thankful for finding people I can talk to, and knowing that there are people I can't talk to. I am thankful as well for a God who loves and cherishes me no matter what, and understands me more than my tight-knit family does.
The most significant things I learned were not actual subjects, though I did enjoy most of my classes. I learned more about my friends, my teachers (who I hope I can consider friends), the people around me, God, and myself. I've learned more about God's unconditional love this year, from peers, parents, and surroundings than I've learned in my whole school career up to this point. I've learned that trust is a HUGE thing to give someone, and it can't be given as freely as I wish it could. However, I've also learned how to choose people as friends that I can trust, which is a very important life skill. I've learned that my friends and (immediate)family members are the best people in the world, and without a few good ones, life would be infinitely boring. I feel as though I am just now starting to grow in my faith as the year is coming to an end. My focus is shifting back to God, and it feels good to know so much about Him now, and to know that I will never stop learning.
I am prepared for middle school to end, but I'm not totally sure if I really am prepared for high school. I am scared of going to a bigger school, even though it won't even be full time. I am scared of my friends leaving, which will be hard because I'm not super outgoing for the most part with people. I am afraid of losing them as friends, and losing that connection, but I am determined to maintain those relationships. I am excited to try new classes and teachers and a new schedule and setup, which will all hopefully stay as confusion-free as possible. I am hoping for a great time next year, and to meet some new people at Thurber who will share some common interests and be just as amazing as the friends I already have. I am excited for the new experiences and new faces.
This summer, I need to spend a little more time doing things I want to do. Often times, I don't have time for my 'novels' (which are really just abandoned beginnings, because I can't get to the end ever) or my art, so this summer I'm going to spend lots of time being creative and making things that I am proud of. I want to make a painting for our living room, because we have no art up on the walls, and it's so bare. I want to do some sewing projects, and make fun things to wear. I want to finish at least one of my novels to rough draft stage, and maybe get it totally completed. I want to have fun with my friends, and spend as much time with them as I can before we get caught up in the high school experience. I want to make time for them, and for myself. I want to get closer to God, so my faith in high school is stronger. He calls us to have answers, to have unshakable faith, and that's what I intend to discover for myself. This summer, and the coming years, will be a time of discovery. Discovery of myself, my friends, and my faith in the ever-faithful God who is guiding our way through it all.
This year, like many of my school years previous, could have been better. But that doesn't mean it didn't have great moments throughout. I am happy to have been a part of my class this year, and to lots of wonderful people here and abroad. We should all be proud to have been part of this shared experience, and I hope and pray for the best in all of our years to come.
Thanks for a great year, blessings to you, and good luck in what next year brings. Happy Summer!!
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Thursday, 24 May 2012
So Prove It...
a-pol-o-get-ics (n.): 1. The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines 2. Formal argumentation in defense of something, such as a position or system
(Source: Answers.com)
We as Christians come across many difficulties when we try to prove our religion to the world, and the curious (or furious) outsiders who constantly ask us why we believe in 'fairytales.' The difficult part is that, even though other religions do agree that Jesus existed, there is no hard evidence that he was the Son of God. At least for them. The basis of Christianity is that you, as an individual, take a leap of faith and believe that Jesus was the Son of God, died and rose for our sins, and is waiting until the day when he returns to bring us to Heaven to spend eternity with him. To be honest, I can see how people would consider us crazy. We haven't seen this Jesus character with our own two eyes, the only proof we have of his importance is an ancient book written in by tons of people, and we still believe these things to be fact. They ask the question: "How can any logical person believe in the existence of God?"
But the real question to me is: "How can any logical person not believe in God?" Without God, there would be no Earth. There would be no morals. There would be nothing. Just blackness. I mean, come on. The 'Big Bang?' Do you honestly believe that, in space, the perfect combination (one in six trillion, prolly) of particles came together, and formed some huge, evolving universe in a split second? And it was perfect. Just because some particles magically appeared in the exact right place in the exact right time. That sounds like just as much of a fairytale if I ever saw one. And scientists can't prove that it happened either, because nobody on earth is that old to have been there and seen what happened.
Hard evidence can be measured, observed without fail, defined. Hard evidence can be proven. Like gravity. You can drop something, anything, and it will fall toward the ground. It is unfailing. Jump from a ledge, you move down. Drop an apple, it moves down. It will never, ever fail to happen.
Soft evidence, however, is just evidence gained through observation and study. It is not 100% accurate, nor will it be easily proven. Soft evidence required faith. There is not any way to predict without fail the best location to drill for oil. There is not any way to predict without fail where and how bad a natural disaster will hit. This is how Christianity works in the science world. Christianity is based on soft evidence, observations, and faith.
Yet, God calls us to have answers to those questions that people ask. He wants us to have a reason behind why we believe in Him, and be able to state that clearly to others. An "I don't know" is not a sufficient answer in those situations, because in that, we show weakness. We tell that world that Christianity is a fairytale. We give them permission to bash us, because we don't know why we believe what we believe.
The best proof you can find is in the bible. Read it, study it, remember those verses that are the most important, and have your answers ready. It is one of the most important jobs you have to do.
(Source: Answers.com)
We as Christians come across many difficulties when we try to prove our religion to the world, and the curious (or furious) outsiders who constantly ask us why we believe in 'fairytales.' The difficult part is that, even though other religions do agree that Jesus existed, there is no hard evidence that he was the Son of God. At least for them. The basis of Christianity is that you, as an individual, take a leap of faith and believe that Jesus was the Son of God, died and rose for our sins, and is waiting until the day when he returns to bring us to Heaven to spend eternity with him. To be honest, I can see how people would consider us crazy. We haven't seen this Jesus character with our own two eyes, the only proof we have of his importance is an ancient book written in by tons of people, and we still believe these things to be fact. They ask the question: "How can any logical person believe in the existence of God?"
But the real question to me is: "How can any logical person not believe in God?" Without God, there would be no Earth. There would be no morals. There would be nothing. Just blackness. I mean, come on. The 'Big Bang?' Do you honestly believe that, in space, the perfect combination (one in six trillion, prolly) of particles came together, and formed some huge, evolving universe in a split second? And it was perfect. Just because some particles magically appeared in the exact right place in the exact right time. That sounds like just as much of a fairytale if I ever saw one. And scientists can't prove that it happened either, because nobody on earth is that old to have been there and seen what happened.
Hard evidence can be measured, observed without fail, defined. Hard evidence can be proven. Like gravity. You can drop something, anything, and it will fall toward the ground. It is unfailing. Jump from a ledge, you move down. Drop an apple, it moves down. It will never, ever fail to happen.
Soft evidence, however, is just evidence gained through observation and study. It is not 100% accurate, nor will it be easily proven. Soft evidence required faith. There is not any way to predict without fail the best location to drill for oil. There is not any way to predict without fail where and how bad a natural disaster will hit. This is how Christianity works in the science world. Christianity is based on soft evidence, observations, and faith.
Yet, God calls us to have answers to those questions that people ask. He wants us to have a reason behind why we believe in Him, and be able to state that clearly to others. An "I don't know" is not a sufficient answer in those situations, because in that, we show weakness. We tell that world that Christianity is a fairytale. We give them permission to bash us, because we don't know why we believe what we believe.
The best proof you can find is in the bible. Read it, study it, remember those verses that are the most important, and have your answers ready. It is one of the most important jobs you have to do.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Apostle's Creed
What is an absolute? An absolute is a 100% truth; undebatable. In the Apostle's Creed, there are many things that are believed to be absolute truths, and the bible backs these up. To give you some background, here's the creed. I've highlighted the lines that I believe to be absolute truths.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth. (1)
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, (2)
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, (3)
born of the Virgin Mary, (4)
suffered under Pontius Pilate, (5)
was crucified, died, and was buried; (6)
he descended into hell. (7)
On the third day he rose again; (8)
he ascended into heaven, (9)
he is seated at the right hand of the Father, (10)
and he will come to judge the living and the dead. (11)
I believe in the Holy Spirit, (12)
the holy catholic Church, (13)
the communion of saints, (14)
the forgiveness of sins, (15)
the resurrection of the body, (16)
and the life everlasting. Amen. (17)
The use of the phrase 'holy catholic Church' in this creed doesn't mean you have to be catholic. It is supposed to mean one denomination, one body in Christ. So what does the Bible say about unity of the church?
John 17:21
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
God wants His followers to be unified, and to use that unity to reach out to the world. He wants all denominations to follow Him, set aside their arguments, and take back the world for God's glory, not for their denomination. The writer here is saying that all believers should be as though they were all family, that they are all family in Christ. But through that familial tie, they would show the entire world that they belong to Christ, and that they were sent by Him to recapture the world for Him. The Apostle's Creed is their unifying call, across all denominations.
So, what are those other religions?
We've seen and known what Christians believe, but what about those other guys? Are all religions the same? No. But what do we know about the others?
We'll start with the basics; Which religions believe in a literal Heaven?
Christianity, Mormanism, Islam, Judaism
Which don't?
Hinduism, Buddhism (they believe in reincarnation)
Which worship one God?
Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam
Which don't?
Buddhism (no god), Mormonism (Humans can become gods of their own world)
Which believe in one final judgement?
Christianity, Mormanism, Islam, Judaism
Which believe in reincarnation?
Hinduism, Buddhism
Which believe salvation comes from our own actions?
Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormanism (to some extent; women rely on their husbands to get to Heaven, and your works determine how well to do you are in heaven), Islam (good ar bad deeds determine where you go in the afterlife)
"So I am writing to you not because you don't know the truth, but because you know the difference between truth and falsehood. And who is the great liar? The one who says that Christ is not the Christ. Such people are antichrists, for they have denied the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:21-22)
This passage is from the bible, and it shows the basis of what Christians believe about our religion. That God is the One True God and there can be no other. That any others who say otherwise are antichrists and liars.
It is not possible for all of these religions to be true; there are too many contradicting beliefs. I believe that Christianity is the one true religion, but it is a difficult thing to try and explain. The truth comes from the Bible, where God's inspired word is written and recorded. God speaks into the lives of His people, and He wants the best for you. He has a plan for your life, and He will show you if you ask. Now, that doesn't mean a manual is going to fall from the sky, and you will be able to read it and know all that you need to do with your life. It will be unconventional.
We all encounter obstacles in our journey. For me, I think my biggest obstacle right now is not being able to explain my beliefs very well. I know what I believe, but I'm not sure how to answer the tough questions for myself and for others. Another obstacle for me is not knowing what I'm supposed to do with my life definitively. I know that God can show me, but I don't feel strong enough in my faith to know where He wants me to look.
Some frustrations I have right now are just people around me. I don't see a lot of Christianity in the Christians I know, for the most part, and I am annoyed by dishonesty, so this really bothers me. My hope for when we are done this unit is a better sense of how to answer the questions I and others have about my faith and what I am supposed to do with my life. I dream of heaven and all of the wonderful things there. I want to be happy, and have a perfect, eternal life with Jesus, like the Sunday school teachers all promise. I want to be everything that God wants for me, and please Him. I want others to learn and know about God, and to be able to go to Him in all of their times of need. I want the world to be Christians, in a meaningful way, and not just pretend. Christianity isn't about being accepted now, but it's about being accepted later. We will not be accepted now, and we have to accept that we will stand out. But my dream for the world is that Christianity will take over, and everyone will know and love my God. Not just one god in the world's 'many' options.
We'll start with the basics; Which religions believe in a literal Heaven?
Christianity, Mormanism, Islam, Judaism
Which don't?
Hinduism, Buddhism (they believe in reincarnation)
Which worship one God?
Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam
Which don't?
Buddhism (no god), Mormonism (Humans can become gods of their own world)
Which believe in one final judgement?
Christianity, Mormanism, Islam, Judaism
Which believe in reincarnation?
Hinduism, Buddhism
Which believe salvation comes from our own actions?
Hinduism, Buddhism, Mormanism (to some extent; women rely on their husbands to get to Heaven, and your works determine how well to do you are in heaven), Islam (good ar bad deeds determine where you go in the afterlife)
"So I am writing to you not because you don't know the truth, but because you know the difference between truth and falsehood. And who is the great liar? The one who says that Christ is not the Christ. Such people are antichrists, for they have denied the Father and the Son." (1 John 2:21-22)
This passage is from the bible, and it shows the basis of what Christians believe about our religion. That God is the One True God and there can be no other. That any others who say otherwise are antichrists and liars.
It is not possible for all of these religions to be true; there are too many contradicting beliefs. I believe that Christianity is the one true religion, but it is a difficult thing to try and explain. The truth comes from the Bible, where God's inspired word is written and recorded. God speaks into the lives of His people, and He wants the best for you. He has a plan for your life, and He will show you if you ask. Now, that doesn't mean a manual is going to fall from the sky, and you will be able to read it and know all that you need to do with your life. It will be unconventional.
We all encounter obstacles in our journey. For me, I think my biggest obstacle right now is not being able to explain my beliefs very well. I know what I believe, but I'm not sure how to answer the tough questions for myself and for others. Another obstacle for me is not knowing what I'm supposed to do with my life definitively. I know that God can show me, but I don't feel strong enough in my faith to know where He wants me to look.
Some frustrations I have right now are just people around me. I don't see a lot of Christianity in the Christians I know, for the most part, and I am annoyed by dishonesty, so this really bothers me. My hope for when we are done this unit is a better sense of how to answer the questions I and others have about my faith and what I am supposed to do with my life. I dream of heaven and all of the wonderful things there. I want to be happy, and have a perfect, eternal life with Jesus, like the Sunday school teachers all promise. I want to be everything that God wants for me, and please Him. I want others to learn and know about God, and to be able to go to Him in all of their times of need. I want the world to be Christians, in a meaningful way, and not just pretend. Christianity isn't about being accepted now, but it's about being accepted later. We will not be accepted now, and we have to accept that we will stand out. But my dream for the world is that Christianity will take over, and everyone will know and love my God. Not just one god in the world's 'many' options.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Top 5 Controversial Questions
Top 5 Controversial Questions for God
Our class texted in questions to Poll Everywhere that we wanted to ask God. Some of them were silly (Do you play games when I sleep?) and some of them were philosophically curious (What should I be doing with my life?) but there were a few that really stood out. These are my Top 5 Most Controversial Questions for God.
5. If we were made in God's image, why is there so much hate between each other?
4. Why do You let people die so young? Is this Your will?
3. Why would you create humans and give them the power of choice if you knew that they would screw it up?
2. What/Where is Heaven?
1. Can gay people go to heaven?
Our class texted in questions to Poll Everywhere that we wanted to ask God. Some of them were silly (Do you play games when I sleep?) and some of them were philosophically curious (What should I be doing with my life?) but there were a few that really stood out. These are my Top 5 Most Controversial Questions for God.
5. If we were made in God's image, why is there so much hate between each other?
4. Why do You let people die so young? Is this Your will?
3. Why would you create humans and give them the power of choice if you knew that they would screw it up?
2. What/Where is Heaven?
1. Can gay people go to heaven?
5 Questions
What 5 Questions would I ask God if I could see Him face to face? It's hard to narrow it down to just five. If I could spend a lifetime picking God's brain, I still wouldn't be satisfied. But I guess for now I'll figure out five that stick out right now.
My first would be, Why did I have to live in Kansas, and not somewhere nice?
Kansas was kind of a really awful place to grow up, and mostly because I lived so far away from any of my childhood friends, and couldn't spend time with them. Also, I was one of the only ones in my school who had a stable family, and grew up in the church. It was hard for me to relate to people when my life was so sheltered in comparison to theirs, and that made making friends harder.
What purpose did you have for my family moving to Canada?
I really struggled with coming to terms with our move to Canada. I still don't really like it here, and my family isn't really fond of living here either. I know that we moved because Dad was getting a better job, and I know it was important for him to be with his family, but why are we still here if his mom has passed away and there's really nothing holding us here? At the same time, I am thankful that I didn't have to stay in one place forever, and I'm glad for the experience. I have really good friends, and my family is still just as supportive. I just want to know what made God place us here in the first place.
Why did you make people if you knew that they were going to screw things up?
It is fact that God hates sin. So I really want to know why He bothered creating creatures that He knew were going to mess up the perfection that His creation was in the beginning.
What am I supposed to do with my life?
I really want to know God's plan for me. I need him to just tell me exactly what I'm supposed to do, so that I don't waste my time wandering around without a purpose.
Do gay people go to Heaven?
I know that God loves people who are gay; He loves everyone. But it's hard for me to believe that just because a guy who thinks guys are beautiful and the way that he's supposed to think girls are beautiful, he won't go to Heaven.
I suppose that's just the beginning of what I would ask God, but I could spend the rest of my life asking questions, and learning from the Creator of the World.
My first would be, Why did I have to live in Kansas, and not somewhere nice?
Kansas was kind of a really awful place to grow up, and mostly because I lived so far away from any of my childhood friends, and couldn't spend time with them. Also, I was one of the only ones in my school who had a stable family, and grew up in the church. It was hard for me to relate to people when my life was so sheltered in comparison to theirs, and that made making friends harder.
What purpose did you have for my family moving to Canada?
I really struggled with coming to terms with our move to Canada. I still don't really like it here, and my family isn't really fond of living here either. I know that we moved because Dad was getting a better job, and I know it was important for him to be with his family, but why are we still here if his mom has passed away and there's really nothing holding us here? At the same time, I am thankful that I didn't have to stay in one place forever, and I'm glad for the experience. I have really good friends, and my family is still just as supportive. I just want to know what made God place us here in the first place.
Why did you make people if you knew that they were going to screw things up?
It is fact that God hates sin. So I really want to know why He bothered creating creatures that He knew were going to mess up the perfection that His creation was in the beginning.
What am I supposed to do with my life?
I really want to know God's plan for me. I need him to just tell me exactly what I'm supposed to do, so that I don't waste my time wandering around without a purpose.
Do gay people go to Heaven?
I know that God loves people who are gay; He loves everyone. But it's hard for me to believe that just because a guy who thinks guys are beautiful and the way that he's supposed to think girls are beautiful, he won't go to Heaven.
I suppose that's just the beginning of what I would ask God, but I could spend the rest of my life asking questions, and learning from the Creator of the World.
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