And it's only the first 30 pages... !!

Today I started reading Choosing Against War by John D. Roth. I picked up the book a few months ago, but didn't actually get to reading much beyond the introduction. However, today I found myself making note after note after note. I'm certainly not far into the book, but I have a lot of appreciation for what Roth writes and how he writes it.

Here are snip-its that resonated . . .


"Chapter Four expands on one specific theme of the nonviolent power of the cross: humility. Far from encouraging a passive retreat from the world, humility seeks to embody the vulnerability of the cross in everyday human relations...In the end, Christian pacifism is not an argument to be won, or a tool for reaching ideal political outcomes, or even an airtight ethical system. It is simply a commitment to follow Jesus sincerely and completely, even if that path should lead to the cross."


Roth quoting from In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon:
"A mysterious stranger, a tramp dressed in rags, disturbs the neatly ordered life of the parishoners of First Church by interrupting their singing one Sunday morning with a request for help. When the well-heeled members reject his plea, the tramp exclaims to the congregation, 'It seems to me there's an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn't exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out.'"


"God's love for the world, expressed most fully in Christ, is genuinely good news, defying all human comprehension. God's love is unmerited, given without condition and without demand that it be reciprocated. It is vulnerable, expressed in the form of a human being who renounced his own status, assumed the role of a servant, and willingly suffered humiliation, pain and death. It is irrational, granted as freely to enemies as it is to friends. It is empowering, enabling all those who experience it to also, in turn, share it fully with others. It is persistent, extended patiently and stubbornly to those who choose to reject it. "

Me thinks.

You know, when there isn't any homework to do, it's amazing how much "extra" time a day holds . . . I spend a lot of that time thinking. Just pondering what has been, what is and what will be: typical of anyone's ponderings I suppose, since that's really all there is. Reading interesting books, listening to music. Organizing or de-organizing. : ) Thinking, wondering. Reaching in, reaching out. Working, relaxing. Missing, enjoying.

It always proves to be interesting, this thing called life.

and it always seems to need this thing I'm learning called patience. I'm trying to be patient. I wonder where it will take me?

Facebook Status

I am reading, rebuilding CNA muscles, and wishing I didn't feel like I'm getting sick . . .

but, not quite punk enough to take meds yet.

Finally.

Finally a day off after 7 straight days of work. I know; it's a taste of the real world . . . but I have also realized how much I appreciate at least one day for rest, and I also find my patience shows wear after awhile. I'm glad for the change of pace from schoolwork to "regular" work, but it's still tiring, just a different kind of tiring.

My Thoughts to You

My thoughts from tonight's drive while listening to this song . . . Remember that you're being watched... you're a role model for them, even though they're only a few years old. And, even though life might not be so easy right now, even though it might not make much sense, they're still watching you, watching how you walk through life. So you don't know what's coming next, what to do, where to go . . . continue to show them that the important thing is faithfulness in following Jesus wherever you are at in the moment, even if the place or the job doesn't look to be "long-term."

Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath
His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now now where did you learn to talk like that

[Chorus one]

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's Scooby Doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

[Chorus two]

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

[Bridge]

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

[Chorus three]

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
By then I'll be as strong as superman
We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad
When I can do everything you do
Cause I've been watching you

~ Rodney Atkins


They admire you, and I do too.

After One Week

One week of summer down. And, probably my favorite week because most college students are just finishing their finals and high schoolers aren't free yet either, thus I feel privileged to be on vacation already. : )

What to do this summer? Well, it will be a different summer, that's for sure (see my other blog for more of that), but hopefully some fun-ness too! I'm planning on reading a lot and my list of books keeps growing. Here's a few of the sought-after titles:

• Irresistible Revolution (finished!)
  
• The Myth of a Christian Nation (working on it...)
  
• Choosing Against War
  
• Jesus for President
  
• Secret Message of Jesus
  
• Velvet Elvis
  
• Sex God
  
• Signs for the Journey
• Blue Like Jazz
  
• some other random books...

Of course, there's other things to do too, like:

- working on compiling more recipes in my album-of-family-favorites, i.e. my own cookbook instead of using mom's all the time.
- learning how to cook
- reaching out
- working through and moving on
- organization
- decoration plans (for next year's (hopefully) bigger dorm room)
- learning more about and growing in patience, grace
- maybe making cards

I'm sure other things will pop up too, but this is good for starters, good for filling in those gaps not occupied by work. Oh, and extra sleep is always lovely as well.

Familiarity

After an 8+ hour roadtrip . . .


Familiar sounds.

Home-cooked food.

Family.

Friends.

My bed.


I am excited and anxious, not knowing what this summer will hold . . . I'm sure it will be a good break, though---a good break before the exciting, but intense "storm" of two years of clinicals! Wow . . .

Extra Credit

In the last 2 days I got 32 points of extra credit in Stats . . . Not to mention the 1-3 extra credit points on each homework assignment up until that time!

That should help, shouldn't it?!! : )

Countdown Update!

• 8 days of Cedarville life left

• 4 days of finals left

• 2 days of classes left

Follow Up

Here are links to the articles I mentioned in my last blog post. I wanted to include them with that post, but they were not available on the internet at that time. If, for some reason, the links do not work, you can go to the homepage of Cedars (our university newspaper) at http://www.readcedars.com/

The articles should be included under the "Viewpoints" section of issue 10.

Weighing the Wages of War: Passing on Pacifism

Weighing the Wages of War: Rethinking the ROTC

The Defenses We Build

Yesterday, the school newspaper included two opinion-articles contrasting two views on war: pacifism and "passing on pacifism." Personally, I thought both sides, both articles were well written; however, one (I bet you can guess which one) gave way to an uprise of extreme offense on part of the ROTC members. To clarify, the article for pacifism basically (and bluntly) said that we need to get rid of the ROTC program for its role in allowing and promoting "just war." While I agreed with the author, and was glad to read such an article at this school, I could understand why the ROTC memebrs took such great offense, because the author was highly critical of the military and all recruitment programs. It is true that he showed absolutely no support for the people in those programs.

However, as I listened to ROTC students talk, in absolute outrage, about this article, I realized a completely ironic situation. Those of us supporting pacifism are criticized for verbalizing our opinions when we don't support the military; yet, the ROTC members absolutely tore the author's opinion to pieces saying that he had no idea what he was talking about, he was biased. It's cliche, but we are told to appreciate military servicemen and servicewomen because they purchase our right to speak freely . . . then can you let me voice my opinion? Can you listen while I share my thoughts, while the author of this article explains his perspective?

Hmmmm . . . they seemd to take offense that the author had not "done his research" properly, and yet, have they honestly talked to, honestly listened to someone who supports a pacifist position? Have they done their research?

Perhaps I'm biased too. . . Perhaps I am too relieved to see an article in support of what I believe in to look at the article from middle ground. However, it frustrates me that I barely breathe the words "peace" or "pacifism" before people jump down my throat and block out anything I have to say... even if it's something they've never heard before. This morning I watched an ROTC member angrily pass several copies of the article to her friends, telling them to read the poorly written, biased, offensive article (on pacifism) and then read the well-written, well-researched, non-biased article (justifying war). Did she forget this is an opinions page. . . ?

I do not deny that it is difficult for me to answer the difficult questions of what to do when widows and orphans are the victims of an injust government, what the government's role is in the world, and the ever popular what would have happened in WWII, if we hadn't invaded . . .

But, just war is a complete oxymoron. I have been baffled by the fact that recently several people in support of military action have stated this . . . yet, they still cling to and place their hope and trust in military service.

Don't get me wrong: I'm still processing, still thinking, still pondering the reasonings and justifications of different positions. But, it just seems that so many times people supporting peace are told to get their facts straight and listen to the other side . . . can you honestly listen to my side this time, without building your defense?

Warning: Random

I've decided that Ohio has bipolar weather. And, I do not like it.

The forecast for tomorrow is chilly and rainy, which conveniently impacts "Junior Jam" where the University invites little kids to come and run around outside under the supervision of college students. . . and hopefully learn a thing or two about God's love. I'm glad I'm just helping with lunch (which is inside and of short duration/easy workload).

However, it is favorably warm right now, which is wonderful.

I'm enjoying checking the stats counter I installed on my blog . . . the number listed is unique visitors, and I have access to the number of hits. It's pretty neat!

I still have this annoying cold. cough. gross throat feeling. It doesn't seem bad enough to take "Multi-Cold Symptom: Severe" medicine. I don't want to be knocked out for a week. And, no, I do not look like the picture I posted yesterday(?); it just made me laugh. Treatment equals lotsa liquids, lotsa hand sanitizer and lotsa sleep!

I guess I better watch out...

"Gummy Bears May Have Sidelined Rose"


Today a news article on AOL's homepage reports that a basketball player ate too many gummy bears and got a tummy ache . . . sounds like me with that 5 lb. bag of gummies at the beginning of the school year! : )

"Someone Using Your Room and Car"

I laughed for a while at this, so I thought I'd share it . . . My dad emailed me this evening:

"Someone asked if they could stay here and we said they could, and we also said if they needed a car for anything they could use yours. We sent some pictures of the person using them. Hope it was okay."


uhhhhh, sure... but who in the world????

The story:
I adopted the bear from a family member . . .
and it apparently is now renting my room and my car, until I get home.

PTL!

PTL for moderate motivation and good productivity!
: )



p.s. I agree . . . 23 days doesn't sound as long as six weeks!

p.p.s I don't know why the picture of a piano. I just liked it. Sweet memories of plunking away at Grandma's house. and wishing I had more time for photography right now. Hmph.

Say what?

Guess what??!



. . . 38 days left . . .

. . . 28 days of school . . .

. . . only 24 days of classes . . .

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare

This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

{Chorus}
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are
Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your handwhen you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way then you slide back down look up
and see who's around then

This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

{Chorus}

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

{Chorus}

You find out who your friends are
(yeah, yeah)
You find out who your friends are
Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)

Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah.


Find Out Who Your Friends Are, Tracy Lawrence


This song seemed entirely appropriate and applicable in my life right now. During the last month and a half several friends continue to check in and reach out, even though they could have just returned to their normal routines. Thank you!

I Can Trust

Yes, I know that You have paved a path for me
Yes, I know that You see what I do and don't need
But when it comes to the deepest things
I have a hard time relinquishing control, letting go

God it hurts to give You what I must lay down
But when I let go freedom's found
God it hurts to give You what I've held so dear
Because of Your love it's clear

I can trust You with this
I can trust You with me
I can trust You

Lord I know that You are worthy of my trust
And You have shown me time and time again
You're faithful and yet
I'm so scared of letting go of this
Afraid of what You might do with it
How could I forget who you are like this?

Me forsaking, heart is breaking
I let go of what I've held so tight
Freedom's mine now, for the taking
I move in faith, and not by sight
Let Your will be done


~ Rebecca St. James

Blessings overflowing . . .

An extra day at home due to a big 'ol blizzard!

The snow is already melting---I can see the ground! (I'm tired of snow...ready for spring!)

unexpected, GOOD grades on all tests this semester!

worship music=lovely!

Only 10 days. . . till free ice at Ritas!

. . . oh, and only 10 days till another break! : )

home sweet home

home sweet home.




only such a thing could help at certain times in life.