Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Information Literacy
Definition: According to the Association of College and Research Libraries, information literacy can be defined as the ability to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." In simpler terms, it is knowing what data is appropriate and the right to time to apply it.
What does information literacy mean to me? In a nutshell, I consider information literacy a necessity for any functioning human being. It is not simply applicable to the scholarly sort, but is used in all forms of speech, thought, and writing. For example, if you picked up a marvelous fact about polar bears while watching Animal Planet, your mind subconsciously understands that it is appropriate to bring it up during a conversation about Alaska. However, if you were to start babbling about polar bears while your friends were talking about the chronological history of Henry the VIII, you might want to consider completing "Rutger's Riot". Even now as I write this, information literacy is, for the most part, keeping my writing on task and in focus. Without the use of information literacy, many aspects of our lives be entirely different.
Work Cited
"Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education." ACRL. American Library Association, 18 Jan. 2000. Web. 6 Dec. 2012.
Information Literacy Chart. Digital image. To Teach Is To Share. N.p., 7 July 2010. Web. 5 Dec. 2012.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Revenge
The concept of revenge has always been speckled with confusion. On one hand, we see that revenge is futile as any "justice" will ultimately be fulfilled by God. Proverbs 29:26 says, "Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice comes from the Lord." On the other, many biblical sins are heavily punished, not by God, but by the community, and what separates one man's righteous justice from revenge?
As a race, our fascination with revenge is an undying theme. Our media and literature are fraught with it, and often, revenge is not only condoned but exalted. Every time the Count furthers his plan for revenge, we applaud his brilliance and disparage the wicked Danglars. However, what gives the Count the right of divine judgment? We may feel that he has every right to take away the happiness of Danglars, but justice comes from the hand of the Lord.
However, in modern society, justice is often placed in the hands of a Judge, and what gives one man the right to condemn the soul of another? Posing a hypothetical, if a man witnesses a horrific crime, but lacks the proof to condemn the culprit, would seeking revenge for the victim be a sin? The Count considers himself to be the manifestation of divine justice, and the men whose lives he chooses to exact his revenge upon are truly wicked. It may be that the Count was God's chosen weapon of justice, or he may be practicing his revenge at the expense of his soul. As a man who created an extensive alter ego for the simple purpose of revenge, the latter is not out of the question.
As someone who's always had a very fleeting streak of anger, it's difficult to imagine an injustice so grievous that my life would be committed to avenging it. However, if the crime hit close enough to home, it's not a difficult thought to imagine taking my own revenge. Although some crimes are so horrendous that the heart will never truly forgive, I feel that holding onto old wounds creates scars that will never heal.
In essence, revenge is a double-bladed sword. It reaches into the moral grey of the human psyche and takes over. Everything that was once important is replaced with a single, driving thought: vengeance. Before you take your revenge, stranger, ask yourself this, "Am I truly a more worthy judge than the one who waits in heaven?"
As a race, our fascination with revenge is an undying theme. Our media and literature are fraught with it, and often, revenge is not only condoned but exalted. Every time the Count furthers his plan for revenge, we applaud his brilliance and disparage the wicked Danglars. However, what gives the Count the right of divine judgment? We may feel that he has every right to take away the happiness of Danglars, but justice comes from the hand of the Lord.
However, in modern society, justice is often placed in the hands of a Judge, and what gives one man the right to condemn the soul of another? Posing a hypothetical, if a man witnesses a horrific crime, but lacks the proof to condemn the culprit, would seeking revenge for the victim be a sin? The Count considers himself to be the manifestation of divine justice, and the men whose lives he chooses to exact his revenge upon are truly wicked. It may be that the Count was God's chosen weapon of justice, or he may be practicing his revenge at the expense of his soul. As a man who created an extensive alter ego for the simple purpose of revenge, the latter is not out of the question.
As someone who's always had a very fleeting streak of anger, it's difficult to imagine an injustice so grievous that my life would be committed to avenging it. However, if the crime hit close enough to home, it's not a difficult thought to imagine taking my own revenge. Although some crimes are so horrendous that the heart will never truly forgive, I feel that holding onto old wounds creates scars that will never heal.
In essence, revenge is a double-bladed sword. It reaches into the moral grey of the human psyche and takes over. Everything that was once important is replaced with a single, driving thought: vengeance. Before you take your revenge, stranger, ask yourself this, "Am I truly a more worthy judge than the one who waits in heaven?"
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Good Earth Trailer
A book trailer project for the Honors Literature Class at Hanalani Schools, based on the award-winning novel by Pearl S. Buck. Please watch in 720p for the best quality.
Actors, in order of appearance:
Christopher T. as Wang Lung
Mr. Arellano as the first son
Paul A. as the second son
Hannah J. as the Great Lady
Laurie C. as O-lan
Kacie H. as Lotus
Citation:
Buck, Pearl S. The Good Earth. New York, NY: Pocket, 2005. Print.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Modeling Dumas
"A beautiful, fair-haired girl with eyes of velvet floating in a pool of mother-o'-pearl." - 27
- "Her hair was a silver veil illuminated with the glow of the moon's radiance."
- "His hands were the tarnished leather of a well-worn pair of boots.
- "His eyes were a supernova; a mosaic of shattered copper illuminated by a halo of the warmest gold."
"Good fortune is like the palaces of the enchanted isles, the gates of which were guarded by dragons." -21
- "Optimism is like a pane of rose-colored glass, the change is only in your perception."
- "Acquiring wisdom is like the plight of the god-cursed Tantalus, whose prize was always just out of reach."
- "Pride is like a political candidate, who parades his virtue to the opposite party."
- "Her hair was a silver veil illuminated with the glow of the moon's radiance."
- "His hands were the tarnished leather of a well-worn pair of boots.
- "His eyes were a supernova; a mosaic of shattered copper illuminated by a halo of the warmest gold."
"Good fortune is like the palaces of the enchanted isles, the gates of which were guarded by dragons." -21
- "Optimism is like a pane of rose-colored glass, the change is only in your perception."
- "Acquiring wisdom is like the plight of the god-cursed Tantalus, whose prize was always just out of reach."
- "Pride is like a political candidate, who parades his virtue to the opposite party."
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Good Earth Book Review
The Good Earth, a historical (fiction) tale by Pearl S. Buck, follows the life of Wang Lung, a dedicated Chinese farmer of little means. Wang Lung's father, an elderly man, approaches the Hwang House, a powerful, landed family, and beseeches them to sell him a bride for his son. In return he receives O-lan, a woman whose strength and determination seem to possess no boundaries. Throughout famine and flood, the couple struggles on in a world filled with adversity; raising a family on the land that they esteem above all else.
I enjoyed The Good Earth even more than I had anticipated and would give it a 4/5 rating. Buck presents a very realistic view into rural Chinese culture. I particularly found their outlooks on women and family fascinating; especially in stark contrast to the values of modern day Americans. It possessed none of the romantic tone that many fictional books choose to incorporate but instead displayed both the flaws and strengths of mortal man. Perhaps because of this, the reader is drawn even closer to characters. They do not appear to be fictitious men and women in a storybook but real individuals struggling to make something of their lives. The reader feels their pain, triumph, pride, and fear as though it is his own. For what man hasn't felt the shame of betrayal or the pride in owning something that is truly his own? However, Buck's writing also has its flaws. Often, I found that the plot was highly predictable and seemed to plod on rather than take the reader on a journey. All in all though, reading The Good Earth was a highly satisfying experience, and I would read it again if presented with the choice.
I enjoyed The Good Earth even more than I had anticipated and would give it a 4/5 rating. Buck presents a very realistic view into rural Chinese culture. I particularly found their outlooks on women and family fascinating; especially in stark contrast to the values of modern day Americans. It possessed none of the romantic tone that many fictional books choose to incorporate but instead displayed both the flaws and strengths of mortal man. Perhaps because of this, the reader is drawn even closer to characters. They do not appear to be fictitious men and women in a storybook but real individuals struggling to make something of their lives. The reader feels their pain, triumph, pride, and fear as though it is his own. For what man hasn't felt the shame of betrayal or the pride in owning something that is truly his own? However, Buck's writing also has its flaws. Often, I found that the plot was highly predictable and seemed to plod on rather than take the reader on a journey. All in all though, reading The Good Earth was a highly satisfying experience, and I would read it again if presented with the choice.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Screwtape Analysis
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis offers a singularly unique point of view as he approaches the Christian walk from the perspective of a senior demon advising his inexperienced nephew in the ways of deceit. C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to evidence the subtle failings that many Christians are unable to see in their own walks. Many Christian authors tackles the difficulties of spiritual life from the perspective of a fellow Christian, which is, of course, a wholly effective method. However, Lewis approaches this topic from a perspective that is rarely seen in Christian writing, offering a new take on the issue of everyday spiritual struggles.
In Chapter 6, Lewis directs his focus towards the confusion that many Christians feel toward the statement "love your enemies." Christians are told countless times from childhood to love their enemies, but just who is an enemy? If asked, many Christians would quickly reply with a text-book perfect answer, but often their understanding is hazy at best. C.S. Lewis states that many Christians focus their attention on fictional enemies far outside their real circle of influence instead of loving the people that they encounter daily.
Through Screwtape, Lewis gives his opinions on the law of Undulation. In essence, the law of Undulation is the continuous highs and lows that every Christian experiences in his spiritual life. Screwtape states that the troughs in a man's life are often more useful than the peaks. When a man is at his lowest, that is when he finally realizes that need in his life that can only be filled by God's grace.
In Chapter 14, Lewis remarks on the popularly misconstrued nature of the word humble. Screwtape states that humility is often believed to be thought of as "pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools." Such a belief will only lead to utter folly. True humility is acknowledging that all of man's earthly gifts and talents are given to him by God, and rejoicing in the fact that he is able to serve God with them.
C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to demonstrate the Christian walk from a perspective that is purely observational. Although Lewis' demons have a very intimate impact on humans, their relationships with their 'patients' remain impersonal, and they consider humans only as pawns in their war against God. This allows C.S. Lewis to tackle the folly of the human race from a harsher angle than most Christian writers would ordinarily utilize.
Throughout the book, Screwtape continuously advises Wormwood, a novice tempter, on ways to efficiently tempt his patient toward wickedness. He regards humans very lowly, but understand that a knowledge of their innermost thoughts is pivotal in their line of work. While teaching Wormwood, he delves deep into the minds of man, giving both general mistakes and sub-conscious errors that all Christians are prone to make in their spiritual walks.
Screwtape often mocks Wormwood's limited knowledge of the human mind. Lewis uses this largely as a segue to transition into his next point. However, it also establishes a better look into the hierarchy of demon society and efficiently establishes the characters. Although very little of this background information is Biblically-based, it does provide the reader with an interesting insight into the cruelty of the demon mind.
C.S. Lewis uses a unique point of view to demonstrate God's redeeming powers and unconditional love in our lives. Although his point of view is from the perspective of a demon, Screwtape still demonstrates great surprise at the degree of God's love toward man. Lewis does not let the demonic twist of his The Screwtape Letters prevent him from proclaiming the love of God to his audience.
Screwtape looks in disgust upon God's love for mankind. He notes that God's love is 'the most repellent and inexplicable trait in our Enemy; He really loves the hairless bipeds He has created and always gives back to them with His right hand what He takes away with His left." Screwtape seems continuously unable to understand God's love for humans. Lewis uses this to demonstrate just how far beneath God's love mankind is. Christians are told so frequently that God loves them that most take the wondrous fact for granted.
Throughout the book, Screwtape cannot comprehend God's relationship with mankind. He finds it baffling that such a God would offer man a choice of whether to follow him instead of simply creating a creature without will. His wish is for mankind "to be one with Him, but yet themselves; merely to cancel them, or assimilate them, will not serve.
Screwtape continuously warns Wormwood not to underestimate the will of God and his influence in the lives of man, and cautions him to always be on guard again the counter-attacks of the "enemy". Although truly, the battle against God is no real battle, but instead is the conscious choice of every man. Ultimately the decision of where they will spend the rest of their eternity resides with the individual, and no amount of influence, righteous or deceitful, can make the decision.
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis effectively conveys his message using a unique perspective.
Work Cited
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. New York: Harper Collins, 2001. Print
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Screwtape 26-28
Chapter 26
'She's the sort of woman who lives for others - you can always tell the others by their hunted expressions.'
Chapter 27
If the thing he prays for doesn't happen, then that is one more proof that petitionary prayers don't work;
if it does happen, he will, of course, be able to see some of the physical causes which led up to it, and
'therefore it would have happened anyway'.
Chapter 28
Prosperity knits a man to the World. He feels that he is 'finding his place in it', while really it is finding its place
him.
Note: All written material is taken directly from C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters
Monday, September 10, 2012
Screwtape 22-25
Chapter 22:
Everything has to be twisted before it's any use to us. We fight under cruel disadvantages. Nothing is naturally
on our side.
Chapter 23:
Only today have I found a passage in a Christian writer where he recommends his own version of Christianity on the ground that 'only such a faith can outlast the death of old cultures and the birth of a new civilizations'. You see the little rift? 'Believe this, not because it is true, but for some other reason.' That's the game.
Chapter 25:
We have trained them to think of the Future as a promised land which favoured heroes attain - not as something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
Chapter 24:
He has no notion how much in him is forgiven because they are charitable and made the best of because he is now one of the family. He does not dream how much of his conversation, hom many of his opinions, are recognised by them all as mere echoes of their own. Still less does he suspect how much of the delight he takes in these people is due to the erotic enhancement which the girl, for him, spreads over all her surroundings.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Chapters XVI-XVIII Questions
Church brings “...people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.” Why is this such a problem for Screwtape?
When people are united solely in faith, it creates a congregation that is focused inward towards its relationship with God. Ultimately, a church should be a place where every person who claims the one true God as their own is welcomed to praise and increase their knowledge of Him. When we are united in faith, we are able to support and aid each other. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states that, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken".
Why would God want “complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy” for us?
God's rule of "complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy" is certainly not a groundless principle. When two individuals enter into a God-focused marriage, they are bound as partners for the rest of their lives. They will be responsible for keeping their significant other accountable to God. Also, this principle guards us from the sins of sexual impurity and preserves our body as a temple of God.
“...insatiable demand for the exact, and almost impossible, palatal pleasures which she imagines she remembers from the past.” Gone are the days “...when her sense were more easily pleased and she had pleasures of other kinds which made her less dependent on those of the table.” What does this mean?
She seeks the pleasures and joys of the past, a time where she was believes she was happier, by demanding certain culinary delights. She recalls these dishes from her past as particularly pleasing even though they were very likely no different then the ones she consumes at present. In reality, she is not truly searching for a certain dish but instead chasing after an ideal that manifests itself in her gluttony.
When people are united solely in faith, it creates a congregation that is focused inward towards its relationship with God. Ultimately, a church should be a place where every person who claims the one true God as their own is welcomed to praise and increase their knowledge of Him. When we are united in faith, we are able to support and aid each other. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states that, "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken".
Why would God want “complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy” for us?
God's rule of "complete abstinence or unmitigated monogamy" is certainly not a groundless principle. When two individuals enter into a God-focused marriage, they are bound as partners for the rest of their lives. They will be responsible for keeping their significant other accountable to God. Also, this principle guards us from the sins of sexual impurity and preserves our body as a temple of God.
“...insatiable demand for the exact, and almost impossible, palatal pleasures which she imagines she remembers from the past.” Gone are the days “...when her sense were more easily pleased and she had pleasures of other kinds which made her less dependent on those of the table.” What does this mean?
She seeks the pleasures and joys of the past, a time where she was believes she was happier, by demanding certain culinary delights. She recalls these dishes from her past as particularly pleasing even though they were very likely no different then the ones she consumes at present. In reality, she is not truly searching for a certain dish but instead chasing after an ideal that manifests itself in her gluttony.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Chapters XII-XV Questions
What is the “safest road to Hell”? Do you agree or disagree?
Screwtape states that the safest road to Hell "is the graduated one". I would agree wholeheartedly. A gradual fall away from God is barely perceivable to most individuals. They brush off their unease and make excuses for their spiritual decline. If your separation from God is a swift, disruptive attack on your faith, you'll be far more likely to take immediate action. If not, it's often just as easy to walk away.
“The man who truly and disinterestedly enjoys any one thing in the world, for its own sake, and without caring two-pence what other people say about it, is by that very fact forearmed against some of our subtlest modes of attack.” Why is this true? And what is one simple thing that you truly enjoy?
Often, simple pleasures in life can distract us from the less admirable diversions of the world. We'll be less likely to take advantage of a sinful temptation if we are already content in our relationship with God. Also, pleasure, if used within the boundaries of Scripture, is a gift from God and therefore brings glory to him. It is imperative to remember that pleasure is not a sin in itself, but is corrupted by sin. One simple thing that I enjoy is my job in early childhood after school care. It's one of the few times where I can kick back and act like a complete idiot with the children.
“The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able to ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.” Share a time in your life when this has been true.
During a difficult period in my life I found myself falling away from God. I had done something, a "small sin" in my mind, that had gradually weighed me down until my relationship with God was in shambles. I was convicted countless time, but I just couldn't bring myself to come back to Him. I felt that I had wandered too far away from him, and I just wasn't sure where to begin the process of reconciliation. The sin had become a part of my life On the outside I kept up my facade of Christianity, but on the inside I could feel myself slipping. Finally, I completely eradicated the sin from my life, and although it took awhile for me to find my way back to God, I can't explain the relief that I felt. I wasn't aware of how terrible the guilt had weighed on me until I was free of it.
“We want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow’s end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now....” What does this mean to you?
When we place all our focus on the future, it often makes it very difficult to keep God's plan as our priority. When people only think of the end and not the means it can create a mindset where the future has no importance. People will pay no attention to their current situations as long as their current goals for the future are completed. Especially as a high school student, it's easy to see how people can start making plans for the future without consulting God or anyone else. Often times, I find my plans concentrating on myself and what I want, and when my plans start to fail I start to blame myself and everyone around me. As a Christian, a mindset where God's priorities are not put first fails to meet what should be the ultimate goal of our lives.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Chapters IX-XI Questions
Why do our “trough periods” make us so vulnerable (43)? Is this applicable to you?Often times when we fall into a rough period of our lives, it's easy to feel like we will never be able to get back up. We can convince ourselves that after our past indiscretions God could never want us back again. Often it is hard to come back to God after we've pushed him so far out of lives. However, He's never really gone. He's simply waiting for us to call him back. This point was very applicable to me. I often get spiritually lukewarm very quickly. Often I haven't pushed God completely from my life, but neither am I raising him up to the forefront. As a Christian, The Screwtape Letters have challenged me to keep my focuses on God.
What are your thoughts regarding “parallel lives” (51)? What does this mean to you?It's very easy to fall into a pattern of "playing the part" of whatever social group you're in. In essence, we do the best to fit in with the people around us, or simply become so used to their mannerisms that we mimic them subconsciously. This chapter really spoke to me. I often find myself trying to "balance" my Christian testimony with my relationships to my friends. When I'm with certain friends, often the urge to fit in drowns out my moral obligations. I smother the guilt, and compare myself with others to ease my worries. In reality, this is a shameful habit. Besides the obvious facts of hypocrisy, this is simply making excuses for failing to meet God's standards. Our time on earth is fleeting, and it was never meant to be our true home. Therefore, Christians should keep themselves distinctly separate from the world.
What are your thoughts on music and joy after reading this chapter? I believe that, as with all things, both music and joy were created with the intention of bringing glory to God. Although (especially nowadays) music is often used in a perverse way, it is still a beautiful way to unite Christians in the worship of God.
What are your thoughts regarding “parallel lives” (51)? What does this mean to you?It's very easy to fall into a pattern of "playing the part" of whatever social group you're in. In essence, we do the best to fit in with the people around us, or simply become so used to their mannerisms that we mimic them subconsciously. This chapter really spoke to me. I often find myself trying to "balance" my Christian testimony with my relationships to my friends. When I'm with certain friends, often the urge to fit in drowns out my moral obligations. I smother the guilt, and compare myself with others to ease my worries. In reality, this is a shameful habit. Besides the obvious facts of hypocrisy, this is simply making excuses for failing to meet God's standards. Our time on earth is fleeting, and it was never meant to be our true home. Therefore, Christians should keep themselves distinctly separate from the world.
What are your thoughts on music and joy after reading this chapter? I believe that, as with all things, both music and joy were created with the intention of bringing glory to God. Although (especially nowadays) music is often used in a perverse way, it is still a beautiful way to unite Christians in the worship of God.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Chapters V-VIII Questions
What is Screwtape’s idea on the best way for humans to die? Why?
Screwtape wishes to let them die in a "costly nursing home amid doctors who lie, nurses who lie, and friends who lie." Regardless of the religious orientations of a patient, sympathizers often feel compelled to comfort them with empty promises. Often families and friends will be told that their loved one will "be in a better place soon", which gives them a false sense of comfort. They concern themselves more about "burdening" the patient in his final hours then with the fate of his eternity soul. Many individuals don't realize how fleeting the life we are given is.
How does “...malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary” (28)? How does this apply to your life?
Often when told to love our enemies, we're not quite sure how to apply it. We smile and nod in church, but when it comes to applying the lessons to the real people in our lives it doesn't connect in our minds. We're told to love our neighbor, but our neighbor remains an abstract concept. We don't apply it to the grumpy sales clerks who frown at us in the supermarket. Instead we mutter about him and quickly seek to rid him from our lives. We're quick to donate our spare change to charities, but when asked to volunteer our time we're far too busy.
How do you picture the devil? What does this chapter challenge you about regarding the spiritual warfare over your soul?
Regrettably, images of Satan first bring to mind a red man brandishing a pitch fork and glaring menacingly from a cartoon pit of fire. Years of subtle messages from the media have painted the devil as nothing but a harmless fictional figure. However, (sometimes subconsciously) every Christian knows that the devil is much more than a figure useful in threatening naughty children with. He is the ultimate epitome of evil and corruption. Often it is easy to consider him as a figurative threat, but the spiritual warfare that goes on in your heart is a very real thing.
What is the “law of Undulation” (37)? Give an example of this in your life.
A person goes through many ups and downs in their spiritual life. Although it's not desirable, we all face moments where God seems far away. I often find myself on a "spiritual high" after S.E.W., however, the feeling often begins to fade, and I find myself struggling to hold onto my feelings of spirituality. It's important to remember that our love for God is not only a feeling, but a relationship. It's not up to us to 'feel' spiritual, we have to maintain our relationship with God.
Screwtape wishes to let them die in a "costly nursing home amid doctors who lie, nurses who lie, and friends who lie." Regardless of the religious orientations of a patient, sympathizers often feel compelled to comfort them with empty promises. Often families and friends will be told that their loved one will "be in a better place soon", which gives them a false sense of comfort. They concern themselves more about "burdening" the patient in his final hours then with the fate of his eternity soul. Many individuals don't realize how fleeting the life we are given is.
How does “...malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary” (28)? How does this apply to your life?
Often when told to love our enemies, we're not quite sure how to apply it. We smile and nod in church, but when it comes to applying the lessons to the real people in our lives it doesn't connect in our minds. We're told to love our neighbor, but our neighbor remains an abstract concept. We don't apply it to the grumpy sales clerks who frown at us in the supermarket. Instead we mutter about him and quickly seek to rid him from our lives. We're quick to donate our spare change to charities, but when asked to volunteer our time we're far too busy.
How do you picture the devil? What does this chapter challenge you about regarding the spiritual warfare over your soul?
Regrettably, images of Satan first bring to mind a red man brandishing a pitch fork and glaring menacingly from a cartoon pit of fire. Years of subtle messages from the media have painted the devil as nothing but a harmless fictional figure. However, (sometimes subconsciously) every Christian knows that the devil is much more than a figure useful in threatening naughty children with. He is the ultimate epitome of evil and corruption. Often it is easy to consider him as a figurative threat, but the spiritual warfare that goes on in your heart is a very real thing.
What is the “law of Undulation” (37)? Give an example of this in your life.
A person goes through many ups and downs in their spiritual life. Although it's not desirable, we all face moments where God seems far away. I often find myself on a "spiritual high" after S.E.W., however, the feeling often begins to fade, and I find myself struggling to hold onto my feelings of spirituality. It's important to remember that our love for God is not only a feeling, but a relationship. It's not up to us to 'feel' spiritual, we have to maintain our relationship with God.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Chapters I-IV Questions
Note the simple dedication. If you were to write a "spiritual" book, who would you dedicate it to? Why?
If I wrote a spiritual book, I would dedicate it to my parents. They've done a lot for me over the years. More than I could ever pay back, in truth. My parents helped me to accept God, stay strong in my walk, and encouraged me when I faltered, and there is no way that I would be the same person without them. I'm truly grateful to have both of them in my life.
What does Lewis mean by “real life” throughout the chapter?
After years and years of the same, monotonous schedules, it can be difficult to consider something outside the norm as part of our lives. It is comparable to viewing something on the television. We can watch shows about rich celebrities, but the daily grind of real life seems a far cry from their pampered schedules. For many Christians, it's difficult to picture God in their daily lives. When at work, school, or even lounging at home, it's easy to forget that God should be a part of our every moment. We can become accustomed to only calling on Him when it is expected of us. However, it is important to remember that our "real life" is only a temporary situation, and our eternity with God is our true future.
What are your thoughts on church? Is it something you “do” every week?
When we think of a church, images of Gothic cathedrals and solid, wooden pews are often summoned to mind. However, church is more than a building where we gather each week to worship. It is the entire body of Christ, every believer world wide who has called on the name of Jesus Christ and accepted him as their savior. There is no set requirement in the Bible to meet every week in a church to sing hymns and hear a message. Although there is no denying the usefulness of such a tradition, it is important to keep our focus on learning about God rather than falling into the "church trend". Every Christian has their spiritual highs and lows, and during my low points I sometimes feel that church is the last place I want to be. However, a little one-on-one time with God is often what I need to get me out of a low point, and I would never doubt the power of assembling with other believers.
What are your "daily pinpricks"?
Repetitive noises are a special peeve of mine. Whether it's someone mowing the yard, tapping a pencil, or a car alarm going off outside, they drive me up the wall. What makes the situation even more agitating is that once I'm settled, getting up to shut a window or turn off a phone is almost more than my fragile psyche can bear. Being crazy and lazy have proven to be a rough combination.
What kind of clarity do you think Hell provides?
Hell is a place more horrible than any individual could possibly imagine. To be thrust into a situation that you deemed purely fictitious, you would quickly realize the error of your ways. All the opportunities that were presented to accept God would flit through your mind, but no matter how you wished you could change your decisions, your eternal fate would be sealed.
If I wrote a spiritual book, I would dedicate it to my parents. They've done a lot for me over the years. More than I could ever pay back, in truth. My parents helped me to accept God, stay strong in my walk, and encouraged me when I faltered, and there is no way that I would be the same person without them. I'm truly grateful to have both of them in my life.
What does Lewis mean by “real life” throughout the chapter?
After years and years of the same, monotonous schedules, it can be difficult to consider something outside the norm as part of our lives. It is comparable to viewing something on the television. We can watch shows about rich celebrities, but the daily grind of real life seems a far cry from their pampered schedules. For many Christians, it's difficult to picture God in their daily lives. When at work, school, or even lounging at home, it's easy to forget that God should be a part of our every moment. We can become accustomed to only calling on Him when it is expected of us. However, it is important to remember that our "real life" is only a temporary situation, and our eternity with God is our true future.
What are your thoughts on church? Is it something you “do” every week?
When we think of a church, images of Gothic cathedrals and solid, wooden pews are often summoned to mind. However, church is more than a building where we gather each week to worship. It is the entire body of Christ, every believer world wide who has called on the name of Jesus Christ and accepted him as their savior. There is no set requirement in the Bible to meet every week in a church to sing hymns and hear a message. Although there is no denying the usefulness of such a tradition, it is important to keep our focus on learning about God rather than falling into the "church trend". Every Christian has their spiritual highs and lows, and during my low points I sometimes feel that church is the last place I want to be. However, a little one-on-one time with God is often what I need to get me out of a low point, and I would never doubt the power of assembling with other believers.
What are your "daily pinpricks"?
Repetitive noises are a special peeve of mine. Whether it's someone mowing the yard, tapping a pencil, or a car alarm going off outside, they drive me up the wall. What makes the situation even more agitating is that once I'm settled, getting up to shut a window or turn off a phone is almost more than my fragile psyche can bear. Being crazy and lazy have proven to be a rough combination.
What kind of clarity do you think Hell provides?
Hell is a place more horrible than any individual could possibly imagine. To be thrust into a situation that you deemed purely fictitious, you would quickly realize the error of your ways. All the opportunities that were presented to accept God would flit through your mind, but no matter how you wished you could change your decisions, your eternal fate would be sealed.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
A. To me, writing was always a way to bring my fantasies to life. When you look for books, you're often searching for something different, a way to escape the mundane. Although you may find a book that you deem perfect, it will always be another person's ideal. However, when you are writing, you get to choose everything from the main character to the smallest details of your story. You can create a beautiful world full of magic and wonder or delve into the deepest pits of your soul. The choice is yours and no one else's.
B. As a kid, my dad read to me every night. I had gone through every book in the Children and Young Adult's Fiction Sections by the time I was in middle school. My favorite books by far are the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. I've kept up with Game of Thrones for the past few years, and have spent the last week avidly reading the last installment of the series, A Dance with Dragons. I'm also interested in historical fiction, political, current events, and fantasy.
C. If technology was a family member, it would be an estranged uncle or a third cousin. Although I was once an avid gamer, I try to avoid computers when I can and prefer to do most of my work and studying offline.
D. I like to read over the material and then have discussions or group analyses. I'm really looking forward to being introduced to so many new books, and I believe that is where I'll gain the greatest knowledge. However, I also like quizzes and tests as I feel that they really make you analyze the most important details in whatever you're studying.
E. I plan to major in English, and I'm hoping that this course will give me a greater knowledge and understanding of the subject.
B. As a kid, my dad read to me every night. I had gone through every book in the Children and Young Adult's Fiction Sections by the time I was in middle school. My favorite books by far are the Game of Thrones series by George R.R. Martin. I've kept up with Game of Thrones for the past few years, and have spent the last week avidly reading the last installment of the series, A Dance with Dragons. I'm also interested in historical fiction, political, current events, and fantasy.
C. If technology was a family member, it would be an estranged uncle or a third cousin. Although I was once an avid gamer, I try to avoid computers when I can and prefer to do most of my work and studying offline.
D. I like to read over the material and then have discussions or group analyses. I'm really looking forward to being introduced to so many new books, and I believe that is where I'll gain the greatest knowledge. However, I also like quizzes and tests as I feel that they really make you analyze the most important details in whatever you're studying.
E. I plan to major in English, and I'm hoping that this course will give me a greater knowledge and understanding of the subject.
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