Facebook Sabbtical

So it's not technically a sabbatical because I'm not being paid... But I have decided to give someone else my Facebook password so that I have no access to it for a short period of time. As of now, I plan to reactivate it sometime around Spring break.

I've been thinking about this for a little while now. There are a couple of reasons... 1) I only check Facebook because it's there, not because it particularly interests me. Don't get me wrong; I love hearing from people and catching up with old friends, but there are other ways for people to contact me (such as this blog, e-mail, phone, etc). 2) I've allowed Facebook to be something that makes me feel better or worse about myself based on how I compare to others. It's a direct link to the activities, fashion, emotions of others and if I don't think I'm measuring up, I sometimes become insecure or I seek ways to change myself. On the other hand, it sometimes makes me feel better about myself because I begin to think that parts of my life are better than someone else's. These feelings and the way I've let it control me are wrong and unhealthy. 3) Finals are coming up. One less distraction in my life will be greatly beneficial.

Will I miss it? Maybe. Will I want to change my mind in January? Maybe. But I feel like this is a good choice and I intend to stick it out regardless of the outcome. Hopefully I will learn something about myself or about how I live my life. I plan to continue my blog, so you can keep up with me here or feel free to text/call/email me!

Tuesday Thanksgivings

I had decided on today's blog topic a few days ago... Little did I know that I would need the attitude adjustment today! It hasn't been a bad day. It's actually been a very good day! But during the past couple of hours, I have found myself to be hostile and anxious. I hope that writing out a few things that I'm thankful for will help adjust my attitude...

* My fiance' ...

* Computers ...

* Heating / Air-conditioning ...

* Ouachita ...

* Journaling ...

* Final Exam study guides ...

* Laughter with my Family ...

* theknot.com ...

* Work ...

* Christmas break ...

What are you thankful for?

The Shack

I recently finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Now I realize that many people might want to stop reading this blog post immediately after my first sentence.  But I encourage you to hear me out. I hope to be fair and yet honest about what I have read and experienced. This is not intended be a fleshed-out argument either in support or in rebuttal to The Shack, but it is simply a summary of my thoughts.

Why did I choose to read The Shack? … I mentor a 7^th grader from our youth group at church. She mentioned that she was reading the book and also something that she had learned from it. I didn’t have much of a response because I knew very little about the book, so I decided that I should read it for myself.

What did I like about The Shack? … First of all, this book made me think. I thought about my present beliefs about God and His character. I considered their truth or falsehood. And in many cases, this process encouraged me to fall more in love with our God.

For example, at one point in the book, the main character, Mack, is observing the three persons who represent the personhood of God. He speaks of their incredible love for one another and their overwhelming desire to serve one another. I was in awe as I remembered the incredible love God has for all people – even me! I also examined my own life and realized how poorly I love people – even those closest to me. It’s a convicting thought.

Also, as you realize the whole of the story line, you begin to recognize how God had everything planned from the very beginning. He knew exactly what would happen; He allowed Mack to suffer a terrible experience and then consequently brought him into a better and deeper understanding of who God is. The Shack reminds us that we are not exempt from suffering (we are rather pre-disposed to it), but that He always has a bigger purpose – one that we most often do not understand until we are at the end of those experiences.

What did I dislike about The Shack? … There are general things about the book that make me uncomfortable. For instance, the Father is represented in the book by “Papa,” an African-American woman. I am not trying to discriminate in any way, but the Bible is clear that we worship the God of the Universe, not the goddess. In addition, Mack goes to “the shack” because a note has been left in his mailbox, signed by “Papa.” I am not saying that God is incapable of leaving notes for people in their mailbox, but the concept does make me uncomfortable.

As a more important point, the book emphasizes some ideas that I simply do not find to be true in scripture. One thing Papa says is that hierarchy, or the concept of authority, is a direct result of sin and was not ordained by God.  However, in the scriptures, I see many examples of God-ordained authority. In Genesis 1:28, God ordains that man will be in dominion over the animals. In Ephesians, God ordains that husbands should be the heads of their wives and that parents will be in authority over their children. Jesus, himself, states clearly that He can only do on earth the things that the Father tells Him to do (John 5:19)!

Would I recommend The Shack? … Yes and no. I would not recommend The Shack to young, weak, or insecure Christians. This is not a book for those still trying to grasp who God is and how/why God has saved them. However, for stronger Christians who are interested (or Christians mentoring those who are interested), I see nothing wrong with reading the book and I feel that you can learn from it. If you fall in this category, I encourage you to read with an open but active mind. By “open but active,” I mean that you should not judge something you haven’t read yet, but when reading, you must examine the ideas and truths posed. Don’t be judgmental, but don’t be naïve either.

Ecclesiastes 3:18

I'm sure most people have heard at least a little about the Joe Paterno controversy and all the terrible things surrounding it... It terrifies me to realize that we live in a culture where some people are more concerned about their football team than the abuse (and that puts it lightly) of a child. Sometimes I wonder if God regrets his promise to Noah. Destroying the whole human race would look pretty tempting if I were in His place... (Good thing I'm not!)

But as I've judged Paterno and others involved, I have to remember my own sin. God doesn't see Paterno's any differently than He sees mine... Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death." It doesn't specify the severity of sin. The wages for any sin is death. Period.

Ecclesiastes 3:18 says "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals." The writer seems to be venting in this passage. He goes on to say that we have no advantage over the animals and everything is meaningless. Genesis tells us that we have a significant advantage over the animals (Genesis 1:28)! So we have to read the passage in context. Nevertheless, this verse sparked my thought. Before Christ, in our sinful state, we act no differently from the animals. We act based on what feels good or what everyone else is doing... Sounds pretty animalistic.

My point is not to say that we are animals or to create more guilt over our sin. Because the joy and blessing of it all is that God does a work in our hearts. He calls His children and doesn't leave us in the pit of our sin. He breaks the chains that bind us and covers us with His blood. He has paid for our wages! Is Joe Paterno sinful? Absolutely. Am I sinful? Absolutely. Did God forgive me when I repented? Yes. Will God forgive Paterno if he repents? Yes. Don't be too quick to judge others. Yes, what happened was wrong and terrible and disgusting. But my sin was also wrong and terrible and disgusting... And so I take this opportunity to rejoice in what Christ did for me and to praise Him for His glorious grace!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ribbon Trees!

                                                

I saw this idea for ribbon trees on Pinterest. They're super easy and relatively cheap, so I decided to try one! I'm in love!!! Angela and I have spent roughly 2 hours to make two and I have plans for one more. Here are links to the blog directions I used if you're interested!
http://www.sheskindacrafty.com/2010/11/ribbon-tree-tutorial.html
http://whipperberry.com/2010/12/ribbon-christmas-trees-tutorial.html

We started out with 4" strips of ribbon, hot glued in half. Then we began pinning them on to desert-foam trees from Walmart. One of the tutorials above suggested spray-painting the tree, but we didn't find a need for that. I found these tiny star ornaments at Target and they work very well as a "topper."


We think they turned out pretty well :) I'm not usually a very crafty or creative person, but Pinterest has gotten me really excited about trying out different ideas! I already have a list of things I want to make or cook over Christmas break! Have you been Pinterest-ing lately? What are you making?

Classroom Management Plan

This semester, I am taking a course called "Middle School and Secondary Methods." We've talked about everything from how to get the attention of our classes to how to handle group work and when different teaching methods are appropriate. One of the requirements for this course is the Classroom Management Plan project. It's worth 400 points and we spent several class days working on it. Well, it's complete now and I turned it in this morning! So I decided to share a couple of short excerpts.


Teacher Getting Attention of Class
To get attention of the class, I will ask them to “close conversation” or say “hands free, eyes on me.” We will have an understanding in the class that when the person in front of you stops conversation and looks to me, you are to do the same. This way, students at the front should hear me and their attention on me will trickle to the back of the room and I will not be forced to raise my voice.


Rewards
*Review game.
*"Mathematician of the Week" - one student per week will be honored for good behavior, exceptional work, etc.
*No HW after a test, based on grades.
*Email or call of praise to parent.
Rewards reinforce high expectations. When students are rewarded for going above and beyond or see others rewarded for doing the same, they will be encouraged to do so more often.

Ten Things Tuesday

There are some things that seem to be always disappearing... Here are just a few (in no particular order)!

1) BOBBY PINS... I typically only wear one or two per day. I take them out, put them in the drawer, and put them right back in the next morning! Yet every few months, I am running out and have to buy another pack. How does that happen?!

2) SUNGLASSES... I either break them or lose them. Every time. This last weekend, I left my favorite pair in a rental van :( Gone forever and now I'm on the hunt for new ones. AGAIN.

3) HALF SOCKS... You know, the little ones that you can wear with your flats! I think the dryer eats them. Or perhaps another chick who lives in Gosser stalks my washing machine. Hmm...

4) EARRINGS... They come in pairs. Every time. But I seem to only lose one at a time!

5) PENCILS... You keep a few in your backpack, leave a few on your desk, etc. But one by one, they disappear as well.

6) PAPER CLIPS... You can buy packs of 100 for about $.60. I never use 100 paper clips... Ever. So why do they end up on my Walmart list?!

7) MAIL BOX CODES... They give you a fancy notecard with your mail box code on it. You stick it in your backpack, thinking "Now I'll always have this with me." Yet two months later, the card is missing and you still don't know your code!

8) HAIR BANDS... Just like the bobby pins. You wear one, take it out, put it in a drawer, wear it again the next day. Yet they just disappear and end up on my Walmart list again!

9) ERASERS/MARKERS... We go through dry erase markers like crazy in the Math department! I'm sure every department in colleges do. They're always disappearing or running out. You think you saved that one special marker and put it in that special spot... only to find it replaced with one that's dry and dead the very next day!

10) CHAPSTICK... "There should be a reward for anyone who uses an entire tube of Chapstick without losing it." I mean, seriously!

Did I miss (or should I say lose) anything?!