before you wreck yourself.
I just got into studio after a rousing class in History of Christianity. I felt compelled to share and this is a reminder that the following are mainly my personal opinions so take them with a grain of salt ;)
Somehow during our lecture today about the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval time period (700 AD-ish) my professor who is an Anglican Bishop asked the following "Class raise your hand if you believe that women should be ministers in the modern church." Around four to five hands slowly emerged into the air. As soon as he uttered the question I immediately took the position that it was a trick because the answer would depend upon the definition of the word "minister". The simple word "minister" has the possibility to encompass many avenues of church involvement from preaching to serving in the toddler worship.
After the awkward silence that quickly followed a guy in the front row spoke up. For my purposes we shall give him the title "Baptist Boy" because all I know is that he's Baptist and that he's a boy.
Baptist Boy quickly remarked "Well in 1 corinthians 14:34-35 it states: 'women should remain silent' and that's how it would be in my church".
Granted I cannot convey the tone in which that was stated, but it felt condscending from where I was sitting. Growing up with my church background this particular scripture has always left a sour taste in my mouth. For years I have watched that and other verses be used out of context to make women feel inferior or even useless in the work of the church. As I sat there I wondered if Baptist Boy even considered the audience to which Paul was addressing when he made that statement or if he forgot that women were involved in the ministry of Christ even before the roots of the modern church began to sprout.
I personally believe that Paul's tone here is not one of a modern "shut up woman!" connotation. He is also addressing a specific issue that the Corinthian church was facing. In the synagogue the women sat separately from the men and had the habit of calling out questions to their husbands during the service which was distracting for the congregation. If you take a panoramic view of the Bible and more specifically the life of Jesus it is evident that He uses both men and women for His glory.
I personally believe that men are meant to be the head of the church and are designed by God to lead. Our role as women are to respect those men but it is a challenge. In the garden of Eden God annouces the curse of Eve stating: "And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you". By control I believe it means our desire as women not to control the men in our lives like robots but our struggle with affirming our men and enstilling in them the confidence to lead. As women of Christ in our "silence" we have the choice to step back and build up the men in our churches which is a respectable position to be placed into, not one of inferiority. I believe that the differences between a woman's role and a man's role in the body of Christ should be celebrated - not suffocated.
Also I have heard many arguments in congregations along these lines of "women's roles in the church" and I feel that along the way many of us (including myself) have lost sight of our original purpose. Our purpose both individually and as the body of Christ is to KNOW God. That's why we are here and it is my hope that our churches will seek that more than the differences between men and women.
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section! I'd love to hear them!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Too Good Not To Share
For the past few months I have become a great fan of the blog Stuff Christians Like.
Basically a guy writes about all of the hilarious absurdity that Christian sub-culture tends to generate. If you have any sense of humor check out his site that I've linked here:
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com
And this was just too good not to share:
Jesus Is My Friend
On a more serious note he has another blog that contemplates spiritual matters - but this is my favorite entry that he's written to date because it addresses some things that I've been working through as well:
Trying To Find A Cause
Hope you enjoy the links! As always, thanks for stopping by and remember - Jesus is your friend - ZAP!
Basically a guy writes about all of the hilarious absurdity that Christian sub-culture tends to generate. If you have any sense of humor check out his site that I've linked here:
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com
And this was just too good not to share:
Jesus Is My Friend
On a more serious note he has another blog that contemplates spiritual matters - but this is my favorite entry that he's written to date because it addresses some things that I've been working through as well:
Trying To Find A Cause
Hope you enjoy the links! As always, thanks for stopping by and remember - Jesus is your friend - ZAP!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Updates and Confessions
Hey everyone!
Well obviously by the presence of this post I did indeed survive my mid-semester review. Overall it went well and I received plenty of great feedback which is going to make my project even stronger than I originally conceived that it could be. I had every aspect of my project worked up to a color comp and I felt very prepared for the entire endeavor. I have not received my grade or official letter of feedback, but God continues to prove His faithfulness day in and day out!
I also went to Birmingham today for my first adult interview with the organization called Student Life. This event also went smoothly and I enjoyed spending some time to get to know two of their staff members, one of which is an Auburn Alumni so we had plenty to talk about! I'm not sure if this is exactly where the Lord intends for my path to go, but as I've always said I am trying to be as open as I can to whatever direction He's tugging.
Speaking of that tugging, I have a confession to make.
For the past couple of months I have honestly been struggling with what kind of direction my life will be headed after I get that lovely piece of paper from Auburn University. After my experiences in Brasil, Memphis, and Ghana my heart really hasn't been the same. During my search for an internship I stumbled upon the organization called Adventures In Missions. (This is the same group that I am designing my senior project around too.) I met with Ericka Bennett who works for AIM and we hit it off instantly. Before our meeting while I was delving into the web site I found out about The World Race. The basic idea is as follows: You and three other young adults travel to 10-11 different countries over the span of a year. You and your team mates spend a month in each country participating in various ministry efforts with the missionaries in that particular region. I like to call it the nomadic missionary trek - but you get the idea.
As I was reading the site sometime ago a few things stuck out to me that I wanted to share:
"An entire generation that has a sneaky suspicion that maybe they're on a path that is too easy. Maybe they've been tempted to sell out to a career track and a lifestyle that doesn't or shouldn't define them. Maybe the versions of themselves that the world is starting to see is not the best one.Not just a few wild eyed adventurers are looking at this and thinking, "That's it, that's what I need to do!" Thousands resonate with the idea, maybe dismissing it as impractical, but secretly wishing they could say goodbye to society's expectations for a year and go on a pilgrimage."
"this generation will respond in numbers that overwhelm us. We owe it to them to gear up and do it right. We owe them not just this experience, but the opportunity it represents to tap their deepest yearning to not sell out, at least not before they've given a wild alternative their best shot." - Founder, Seth Barnes
"World racers abandon everything, depend completely on God, give as they go, live with the poor while building a community and a deep sense of family"
So after reading that I thought - wow that's powerful, but isn't that unrealistic? I mean how does someone just up and go be a missionary for a year? How do you know if your want to do something as insane as that isn't motivated by a selfish desire for adventure and not for the glory of God? Does God simply hop on His trusty heaven PA system to say "Hey - GO! Yea I'm talking to you. GO!"? Am I crazy for even considering such a journey?
I sat on those questions for a while, and I am still sitting on most if not all of them as I type this. Then I read a blog by a girl named Amanda that is just finishing her 10th month on the World Race. Click here to read it - and you should. Seriously.
I say all of this as a form of confessing to you that I don't have my future figured out, but I do know that I want to learn the same lessons that Amanda is learning. I admit that I need wisdom by the tons because I know that things like ministry or missions are HARD. It's not just about the sweet postcards! So I invite you to plop down beside me as I sit here sorting through my dreams and desires to discern really where God is leading me for the next chapter of my short blip here on this blue dot.
Thanks for reading the epic post - and if you have any comments leave them! I'd love to hear from you :)
As always, thanks for stopping by.
Well obviously by the presence of this post I did indeed survive my mid-semester review. Overall it went well and I received plenty of great feedback which is going to make my project even stronger than I originally conceived that it could be. I had every aspect of my project worked up to a color comp and I felt very prepared for the entire endeavor. I have not received my grade or official letter of feedback, but God continues to prove His faithfulness day in and day out!
I also went to Birmingham today for my first adult interview with the organization called Student Life. This event also went smoothly and I enjoyed spending some time to get to know two of their staff members, one of which is an Auburn Alumni so we had plenty to talk about! I'm not sure if this is exactly where the Lord intends for my path to go, but as I've always said I am trying to be as open as I can to whatever direction He's tugging.
Speaking of that tugging, I have a confession to make.
For the past couple of months I have honestly been struggling with what kind of direction my life will be headed after I get that lovely piece of paper from Auburn University. After my experiences in Brasil, Memphis, and Ghana my heart really hasn't been the same. During my search for an internship I stumbled upon the organization called Adventures In Missions. (This is the same group that I am designing my senior project around too.) I met with Ericka Bennett who works for AIM and we hit it off instantly. Before our meeting while I was delving into the web site I found out about The World Race. The basic idea is as follows: You and three other young adults travel to 10-11 different countries over the span of a year. You and your team mates spend a month in each country participating in various ministry efforts with the missionaries in that particular region. I like to call it the nomadic missionary trek - but you get the idea.
As I was reading the site sometime ago a few things stuck out to me that I wanted to share:
"An entire generation that has a sneaky suspicion that maybe they're on a path that is too easy. Maybe they've been tempted to sell out to a career track and a lifestyle that doesn't or shouldn't define them. Maybe the versions of themselves that the world is starting to see is not the best one.Not just a few wild eyed adventurers are looking at this and thinking, "That's it, that's what I need to do!" Thousands resonate with the idea, maybe dismissing it as impractical, but secretly wishing they could say goodbye to society's expectations for a year and go on a pilgrimage."
"this generation will respond in numbers that overwhelm us. We owe it to them to gear up and do it right. We owe them not just this experience, but the opportunity it represents to tap their deepest yearning to not sell out, at least not before they've given a wild alternative their best shot." - Founder, Seth Barnes
"World racers abandon everything, depend completely on God, give as they go, live with the poor while building a community and a deep sense of family"
So after reading that I thought - wow that's powerful, but isn't that unrealistic? I mean how does someone just up and go be a missionary for a year? How do you know if your want to do something as insane as that isn't motivated by a selfish desire for adventure and not for the glory of God? Does God simply hop on His trusty heaven PA system to say "Hey - GO! Yea I'm talking to you. GO!"? Am I crazy for even considering such a journey?
I sat on those questions for a while, and I am still sitting on most if not all of them as I type this. Then I read a blog by a girl named Amanda that is just finishing her 10th month on the World Race. Click here to read it - and you should. Seriously.
I say all of this as a form of confessing to you that I don't have my future figured out, but I do know that I want to learn the same lessons that Amanda is learning. I admit that I need wisdom by the tons because I know that things like ministry or missions are HARD. It's not just about the sweet postcards! So I invite you to plop down beside me as I sit here sorting through my dreams and desires to discern really where God is leading me for the next chapter of my short blip here on this blue dot.
Thanks for reading the epic post - and if you have any comments leave them! I'd love to hear from you :)
As always, thanks for stopping by.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Bedoins and Biscuet
Hey everyone!
I am surviving senior project - although in the next 4 days sleep will be slim to none. Anyway that's not the reason of this post! The last time I talked with you I mentioned an organization named Bedoins International. I did a sad job of really projecting what they're all about so I wanted to link this video so you could check out exactly what they're doing and how they started it all.
http://vimeo.com/1783787?pg=embed&sec=1783787
The fellow on the left is a friend of mine, Jonathan (aka Biscuet) Smyth and of course Stephen Devries founder of Bedouins on the right. Jonathan is in China teaching English and sharing his journey of faith with the students there. He's an AMAZING guy and worked closely with Grace Campus Ministries. For more on his life and efforts in China check out his blog - it's worth the read!
http://www.biscuet.com/
So be praying for both of those ministries and my survival of mid-semester review on Thursday!
As always, thanks for stopping by.
I am surviving senior project - although in the next 4 days sleep will be slim to none. Anyway that's not the reason of this post! The last time I talked with you I mentioned an organization named Bedoins International. I did a sad job of really projecting what they're all about so I wanted to link this video so you could check out exactly what they're doing and how they started it all.
http://vimeo.com/1783787?pg=embed&sec=1783787
The fellow on the left is a friend of mine, Jonathan (aka Biscuet) Smyth and of course Stephen Devries founder of Bedouins on the right. Jonathan is in China teaching English and sharing his journey of faith with the students there. He's an AMAZING guy and worked closely with Grace Campus Ministries. For more on his life and efforts in China check out his blog - it's worth the read!
http://www.biscuet.com/
So be praying for both of those ministries and my survival of mid-semester review on Thursday!
As always, thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
There Are Bigger Things Than You and I
Hey everyone.
So to say the least the past few days have been a whirl wind. Senior project is giving me a good run for my money with our mid-semester review coming up next Thursday. Ah, but this is not why I'm writing this post.
While I have been working continuously on school, through a few books that I've been reading I've been getting this resounding message: we are very, very small. Our world and our lives - microscopic. I have found myself getting so caught up in running between classes and studio that I forget anything even exists outside of my zip code. Well God decided that I needed a wake up call.
One of my good friends that I went to high school and some of college with named Stephen Devries started up his own non-profit organization entitled Bedouins International. Basically they provide media and design for groups that need to get their message out there but might not have the finacial means to do so. It's an AMAZING thing they've got going and God has been blessing it left and right. They're also featured in Relevant's latest issue too! Presently the Bedouins staff (Paul, Roger, Jessi, and Stephen) are in Haiti filming and photographing the condition of life there. To really know what's going on please check out Stephen's blog and the Bedoins blog. It will literally blow your mind away, so if you have a few minutes check it out.
On top of that as you know I have been doing my senior project on a campaign called the Sound of Hope. For the past week I have been spending a lot of time editing and going through photos from the 3 orphanages. Through this process I was slowly forgetting why I was really doing this project. With all of my professors and meetings they kept focusing on the actual design, which is what they are meant to do, but really the reason I'm doing this is for kids like Jyoti. I was reading a blog from the Founder of the Sound of Hope, Ericka, and it turns out that Jyoti is in ICU. I was heart broken. This beautiful little girl that caught my eye with her sweet smile is in the hospital in critical condition due to a seizure. To read more see Ericka's blog here.
I say all of that as a reminder to myself that there are bigger things out there than myself. The comforting part of it all is that God is even bigger and the simple truth that He has everything in His hands is the best comfort of all. So, please pray for the people in Haiti as well as Jyoti, and my friend Maribeth who is in India as well.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
So to say the least the past few days have been a whirl wind. Senior project is giving me a good run for my money with our mid-semester review coming up next Thursday. Ah, but this is not why I'm writing this post.
While I have been working continuously on school, through a few books that I've been reading I've been getting this resounding message: we are very, very small. Our world and our lives - microscopic. I have found myself getting so caught up in running between classes and studio that I forget anything even exists outside of my zip code. Well God decided that I needed a wake up call.
One of my good friends that I went to high school and some of college with named Stephen Devries started up his own non-profit organization entitled Bedouins International. Basically they provide media and design for groups that need to get their message out there but might not have the finacial means to do so. It's an AMAZING thing they've got going and God has been blessing it left and right. They're also featured in Relevant's latest issue too! Presently the Bedouins staff (Paul, Roger, Jessi, and Stephen) are in Haiti filming and photographing the condition of life there. To really know what's going on please check out Stephen's blog and the Bedoins blog. It will literally blow your mind away, so if you have a few minutes check it out.
On top of that as you know I have been doing my senior project on a campaign called the Sound of Hope. For the past week I have been spending a lot of time editing and going through photos from the 3 orphanages. Through this process I was slowly forgetting why I was really doing this project. With all of my professors and meetings they kept focusing on the actual design, which is what they are meant to do, but really the reason I'm doing this is for kids like Jyoti. I was reading a blog from the Founder of the Sound of Hope, Ericka, and it turns out that Jyoti is in ICU. I was heart broken. This beautiful little girl that caught my eye with her sweet smile is in the hospital in critical condition due to a seizure. To read more see Ericka's blog here.
I say all of that as a reminder to myself that there are bigger things out there than myself. The comforting part of it all is that God is even bigger and the simple truth that He has everything in His hands is the best comfort of all. So, please pray for the people in Haiti as well as Jyoti, and my friend Maribeth who is in India as well.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Can Festival and Progress
Hey everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that I haven't curled up in a ball under my studio desk refusing to come out - yet. Ha, really things are going well. My project has been approved and all of my faculty are on board with what I will be doing. I've had 2 meetings and 1 peer review with 6 more meetings next week AND two tests.
Even with all of the work, and lack of sleep, I'm making progress. I've worked up a logo which I'm making changes to. Through my research I decided to make some stencils and spray paint them. I think have found my next artistic obsession. Graffiti art. Basically it's like a poor man's version of Print Making which I took a class in last semester.
Through this realization I came across what is called the "Can Festival" in London. Basically they let loose tons of urban artists and they go to town on an underground tunnel. It's absolutely stunning. Pictured above was my favorite piece from the show, especially the fact that it provides some social commentary. Good stuff.
Well I better get back to work! I hope everyone is having a great week!
Just wanted to let you know that I haven't curled up in a ball under my studio desk refusing to come out - yet. Ha, really things are going well. My project has been approved and all of my faculty are on board with what I will be doing. I've had 2 meetings and 1 peer review with 6 more meetings next week AND two tests.
Even with all of the work, and lack of sleep, I'm making progress. I've worked up a logo which I'm making changes to. Through my research I decided to make some stencils and spray paint them. I think have found my next artistic obsession. Graffiti art. Basically it's like a poor man's version of Print Making which I took a class in last semester.
Through this realization I came across what is called the "Can Festival" in London. Basically they let loose tons of urban artists and they go to town on an underground tunnel. It's absolutely stunning. Pictured above was my favorite piece from the show, especially the fact that it provides some social commentary. Good stuff.
Well I better get back to work! I hope everyone is having a great week!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September - Don't Panic.
Happy September!
So just by looking at my calendar here in studio the next 29-30 days are going to be simply insane.
Here's a little run down:
My letters with all of their signatures are due Thursday at 10am.
I'm meeting with my Korean reader again on Wednesday at 4pm.
I'm leading an interest meeting for our drama group at the Student Center tonight.
My book report on Saint Augustine's Confessions is due on the 12th.
My first History of Christianity Exam is the 15th.
My first World History II Exam is the 16th.
(I HATE it when exams are back to back like that...)
LSU vs AU is the 20th and if it is possible I want to go to the game.
My 8-12 page research paper proposal is due on the 22nd.
The ever dreaded and highly intense mid-semester review for my senior project is the 25th.
I'm going to Atlanta to see Les Miserables with my mom on the 26th.
I have an interview in Birmingham on the 29th at 10:45.
All during this time I have to be designing like a crazy person for my senior project. I fear that this simple month may cause me to relapse back into my caffeine addiction. I don't think I can survive the madness without my little happy coffee buzz.
Regardless, if I can make it through mid-semester and have at least a B after that it will be GREAT! Ah wish me luck. In the meanwhile I have more meetings to get the signatures that I need as well as that little task of going to class.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
So just by looking at my calendar here in studio the next 29-30 days are going to be simply insane.
Here's a little run down:
My letters with all of their signatures are due Thursday at 10am.
I'm meeting with my Korean reader again on Wednesday at 4pm.
I'm leading an interest meeting for our drama group at the Student Center tonight.
My book report on Saint Augustine's Confessions is due on the 12th.
My first History of Christianity Exam is the 15th.
My first World History II Exam is the 16th.
(I HATE it when exams are back to back like that...)
LSU vs AU is the 20th and if it is possible I want to go to the game.
My 8-12 page research paper proposal is due on the 22nd.
The ever dreaded and highly intense mid-semester review for my senior project is the 25th.
I'm going to Atlanta to see Les Miserables with my mom on the 26th.
I have an interview in Birmingham on the 29th at 10:45.
All during this time I have to be designing like a crazy person for my senior project. I fear that this simple month may cause me to relapse back into my caffeine addiction. I don't think I can survive the madness without my little happy coffee buzz.
Regardless, if I can make it through mid-semester and have at least a B after that it will be GREAT! Ah wish me luck. In the meanwhile I have more meetings to get the signatures that I need as well as that little task of going to class.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
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