Recently, a 16 year old boy in Chicago was beaten to death. Two rival gangs were fighting, and he got caught in the crosshairs (he was not a part of either gang). He got hit on the head with a railroad tie, and once he went down he was kicked and punched until he died.
I saw this on Glenn Beck's show (some of the video was blotted out because it was too violent for public TV), because somebody couldn't put down his video camera and at least try to help the kid out. All he could say was "Damn," and zoom in on the "action."
There were plenty of people who could have stopped the brutal murder, but what were they doing? Just giving the scene a cursory glance before walking right on by. There was one girl screaming for someone to call for help, but that was it. Everyone else was either joining in the beating, or videotaping it.
I don't know how I sat through and watched the entire video, but I did. Later, I wept. How can people be so cruel to each other? How does mankind get so depraved? I honestly don't know. All I know is that a boy died needlessly, and nobody cared.
God help us.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dry Tears
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I've had a busy week, what with music lessons, putting on a harp concert at the Christian bookstore, and several tests and quizzes coming at me at once. I'll try to blog more tomorrow, but right now I just want to share a website with my readers. http://drytears.org/ In order to understand what the site is all about, you should watch the full video. It touched my heart. I'll be purchasing some of their merchandise as soon as I'm able!
Monday, September 14, 2009
My Thoughts on I Corinthians 13
I Corinthians 13, most commonly referred to as the Love Chapter, is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I read it today in my devotions, and I decided to blog about it. I'll be using the KJV for this blog post because of how beautiful this passage is in that particular version.
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
So, no matter how good and selfless and smart and wide I am, if I don't love, then I am nothing? Then what is love?
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Suffereth long? Now that's where I know I'm in trouble! I love my brother so much, but more often than not, I find myself wanting to strangle him (which would be difficult, since my hands are no bigger than a second grader's). Of course, this is only the beginning of what love is.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Many people have the misconception that romantic relationships are all about selfish gain. "What can he do for me?" But this verse clearly states that that kind of thinking is wrong. Love "seeketh not her own."
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isn't that comforting? Even though man's wisdom and knowledge will fail or fade away, "charity never faileth."
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known.
Being human and finite, we can only understand things "in part." Thinking about God and eternity just about makes my head explode!
13. And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I hope this was a help and an encouragement to somebody. God bless you all who are reading this!
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
So, no matter how good and selfless and smart and wide I am, if I don't love, then I am nothing? Then what is love?
4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Suffereth long? Now that's where I know I'm in trouble! I love my brother so much, but more often than not, I find myself wanting to strangle him (which would be difficult, since my hands are no bigger than a second grader's). Of course, this is only the beginning of what love is.
5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Many people have the misconception that romantic relationships are all about selfish gain. "What can he do for me?" But this verse clearly states that that kind of thinking is wrong. Love "seeketh not her own."
6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Isn't that comforting? Even though man's wisdom and knowledge will fail or fade away, "charity never faileth."
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known.
Being human and finite, we can only understand things "in part." Thinking about God and eternity just about makes my head explode!
13. And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I hope this was a help and an encouragement to somebody. God bless you all who are reading this!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9-11
Eight years ago today, we Americans were still reeling from the devastating attacks that had occured the day before. We were scared and confused. Are more attacks coming? How many are dead? How could this have happened to America? Those were things I remember thinking.
Even though I was only nine years old, the morning of 9-11 is one of my clearest childhood memories. My mom woke me up that morning, as she normally did. She was crying, and I thought that maybe a relative had died. I think I remember her telling me that I needed to see what was on TV. When I got to the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw on the screen. One of the Twin Towers was burning. A plane had crashed into it, the newscasters were saying. I asked my mom if it was an accident, and she didn't know. The people on the news didn't seem to know either. We got a call from Aunt Carol, and I got to talk to her. She told us we needed to turn on the TV right now. I told her we were already watching it, and asked her if she thought it was an accident. That was about the time the second plane crashed into the second tower. That's when we knew that it was no accident.
I remember spending that whole morning transfixed by what was happening on that TV, tears running down my face; and horrified when the first, then the second tower collapsed. It was only later that day that I found out that people had been jumping out of windows in order to escape the fire.
Even today, just thinking about that morning brings tears to my eyes. So many people died that day, and so many others lost their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and friends. I still pray for those families. I also pray that we will never forget that day, which started as a beautiful Tuesday morning, but ended up changing America as we knew it.
Even though I was only nine years old, the morning of 9-11 is one of my clearest childhood memories. My mom woke me up that morning, as she normally did. She was crying, and I thought that maybe a relative had died. I think I remember her telling me that I needed to see what was on TV. When I got to the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw on the screen. One of the Twin Towers was burning. A plane had crashed into it, the newscasters were saying. I asked my mom if it was an accident, and she didn't know. The people on the news didn't seem to know either. We got a call from Aunt Carol, and I got to talk to her. She told us we needed to turn on the TV right now. I told her we were already watching it, and asked her if she thought it was an accident. That was about the time the second plane crashed into the second tower. That's when we knew that it was no accident.
I remember spending that whole morning transfixed by what was happening on that TV, tears running down my face; and horrified when the first, then the second tower collapsed. It was only later that day that I found out that people had been jumping out of windows in order to escape the fire.
Even today, just thinking about that morning brings tears to my eyes. So many people died that day, and so many others lost their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and friends. I still pray for those families. I also pray that we will never forget that day, which started as a beautiful Tuesday morning, but ended up changing America as we knew it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Dating in the Teen Years--One of Last Year's English Assignments
I wrote this last year for an English assignment, so the writing's not as good as my more recent writings.
In modern times, the idea of being complete without a boyfriend or girlfriend is a foreign concept. This way of thinking has especially affected the teenagers, where multiple dating relationships are considered the norm. From a godly perspective, dating in the teen years is foolish and most of the time will lead to heartache.
One problem with dating is the fact that teenaged couples often spend too much time alone together. As a result, friendships fall by the wayside and feelings are hurt. All of this time alone can also lead to physical temptation and sexual sin, which could result in an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Time spent alone with the person’s boyfriend or girlfriend would also replace their time spent alone with God, and giving in to the physical temptation would weaken their Christian relationship with God even further.
Another problem is the vast majority of teens are too immature to handle a relationship. The real problem starts when they convince themselves that they are in love. After a while, that cannot continue their façade of love and they break off the relationship with nothing to show for it but bitterness and heartbreak.
Worrying about getting into a relationship and finding the perfect mate while still a teenager is shortsighted. Due to modern medicines and longer lifespans, people have plenty of time to enjoy being single. It is also a matter of God’s timing. If it is in His will for someone to get married, then He will do so according to His own plan. In the meantime, the best thing for a single person to do is to strengthen their relationship with God, and also to remember that Paul said it is better to remain single.
Dating in the Teen Years
In modern times, the idea of being complete without a boyfriend or girlfriend is a foreign concept. This way of thinking has especially affected the teenagers, where multiple dating relationships are considered the norm. From a godly perspective, dating in the teen years is foolish and most of the time will lead to heartache.
One problem with dating is the fact that teenaged couples often spend too much time alone together. As a result, friendships fall by the wayside and feelings are hurt. All of this time alone can also lead to physical temptation and sexual sin, which could result in an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Time spent alone with the person’s boyfriend or girlfriend would also replace their time spent alone with God, and giving in to the physical temptation would weaken their Christian relationship with God even further.
Another problem is the vast majority of teens are too immature to handle a relationship. The real problem starts when they convince themselves that they are in love. After a while, that cannot continue their façade of love and they break off the relationship with nothing to show for it but bitterness and heartbreak.
Worrying about getting into a relationship and finding the perfect mate while still a teenager is shortsighted. Due to modern medicines and longer lifespans, people have plenty of time to enjoy being single. It is also a matter of God’s timing. If it is in His will for someone to get married, then He will do so according to His own plan. In the meantime, the best thing for a single person to do is to strengthen their relationship with God, and also to remember that Paul said it is better to remain single.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Word Maiden?
I had planned to give this blog a longer title, but "Adventures of a Green-Eyed, Dragon-Riding, Harp-Playing, Enya-Loving Word Maiden" didn't fit in the title bar. As a result I had to go with the shorter, prettier-sounding "Musings of a Word Maiden."
Word maiden. Kind of looks like sword maiden, doesn't it? Sadly, I am no good at swordplay. I much prefer curling up and reading a good book and writing down random stories or poems than doing anything active. Words are my weapon of choice. Just as the swordmaster polishes and sharpens his swords, just as he practices forms and tecniques for hours on end, so do I with my words.
This blog is for my thoughts, my writings, my musings. I hope it's as fun for y'all to read it as it is for me to write. :)
Word maiden. Kind of looks like sword maiden, doesn't it? Sadly, I am no good at swordplay. I much prefer curling up and reading a good book and writing down random stories or poems than doing anything active. Words are my weapon of choice. Just as the swordmaster polishes and sharpens his swords, just as he practices forms and tecniques for hours on end, so do I with my words.
This blog is for my thoughts, my writings, my musings. I hope it's as fun for y'all to read it as it is for me to write. :)
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