This Semester I...

...made some new friends via classes and BCM!

...stood up for my beliefs but perhaps not as often as I should have.

...learned that (if I don't lock my knees) I can bend over and touch my toes (thank you, lovely actingI teacher)! This was a wonderful moment in my life!

...learned that I need to work harder in schoool, and not just float through. I want to be proud of myself without comparing myself to others.
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, or each one should carry their own load. -Galatians 6:4-5

...was reminded that I need to be more careful of the words that I use in my everyday life.

...realized that I need to [re?]correct my way of thinking in many areas (my testimony, my standing with God, guys/romance).

...saw that God is currently doing great things in me and all around me.

...realized that I tend to isolate myself spiritually and I don't need to. I'm surrounded by believers I can turn to for support, encouragement, and edification.

A lot of great things happened this semester. I will take these lessons and discoveries into the next semester and the rest of my life.

Responsibilities as a Christian [a long blog post]

(this is a picture taken with my camera or a friend's camera. I then did some lovely editting, using Picnik.com. The lyrics are from an old Newsboys song called "Hallelujah"[?])

So I have been doing a lot of pondering about what it means to be a Christian in the past year or two. I'm realizing that most of the people in America who call themselves "Christians" have no actions to back up that title. Why, in this supposedly "Christian" nation, do I feel like the outcast? There are so many people saying that they are Christians...and yet how are they showing this to be true?

"Actions speak louder than words" is definitely a statement that truly applies here. Going to church in and of itself means NOTHING. If you listen to God's Word, but don't apply it to your life, what good is it to you? James 1:22-25 says something similar:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does
not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a
mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately
forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently
into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do
this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will
be blessed in what he does.

So many people in America say, "I'm a Christian," without thinking about what that means. If you're going to be a Christian, then BE a Christian. Without actions that reflect the meaning behind it, "Christian" is just another word. Read your Bible if you want to know what being a Christian actually means. I'm working on finding out what it means to be a Christian myself, and applying it to my entire life. In James 2:14-26 (please read the ENTIRE passage), it says:

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?
Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and
daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and
well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith
without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—
and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds
is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he
did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his
actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he
did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it
was credited to him as righteousness,"and he was called God's friend. You see
that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for
what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different
direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Being a true Christian involves doing things that aren't popular and NOT doing things that ARE popular. This involves waging war against the flesh. Here are some examples of things you should strive to do or not do as a Christian (warning: I am imperfect and though I know a lot of what I should/shouldn't do, I don't always do what I know I should do).

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you,
do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners'
love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those
from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners'
lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good
to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your
reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind
to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
-Luke 6:30-36

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,
which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
-Colossians 3:5-8

No, being a true Christian is not always easy and it is not always the popular thing to do.

We can't be perfect here and now on earth, but as Christians, we should make outselves aware of what sin is and strive to avoid it. As Christians, we are not to live any longer to ourselves, but to God and to other people.

When you tell someone you are a "Christian," you may become the impression that comes to his mind when he thinks of a "Christian." You may embody what "Christian" means to that person.

Make a good impression so that you can be a bold witness for Christ, and not bring dishonor to His name. Please pray that I do the same.

Catrina's Thought of the Day

So a classmate of mine said that Rush Limbaugh "needs Jesus" because he is so "mean-spirited." I ignored my feelings of disagreement on her sentiment and moved on to the issue that I thought was more important. I said, "Nice people need Jesus, too." And she either replied that Mr. Limbaugh or mean people (can't remember which) really need Jesus. But I disagree with her on this as well--"nice" people and "mean" people need Jesus just as much. Nice people may actually be in more danger because they may think they are all right because they're "nice." C.S. Lewis first brought this to my attention in his book Mere Christianity and I agree with him.

P.S. Everyone in the world should read Mere Christianity!

Beware: Parts of This Video Are Not Child-Friendly

"Adam Hood, a straight man who was formerly gay, holds a strong opinion regarding God’s Word on homosexuality. How do you think God feels about homosexuality? Watch and comment"

I'm Sorry...and Lexicon.

I realize that I have been neglecting my blog! I'm sorry for those of you who have come to my blog only to find that there are no new posts. I'll try to be better!

Anyways, life is pleasant right now. I was in a play called The Visit recently, which was fun. I'm taking Composition II right now (yes, I'm taking a summer class). I'm getting together with friends that I couldn't hang out with during play rehearsals, etc. I'm also writing more of Lexicon

Yes, I'm still working on my Lexicon project, which has turned into a Saga. When I work on it (which has been off and on), it is always evolving. Just recently, I created a new character and decided to add another story to Book 2. I'm starting to feel like J.R.R. Tolkein because of how long this project is taking.

I have character "trees" (with pix of celebrities as representations of the characters' faces); beautiful sketches of characters and objects (curtesy of my wonderful friend, John); notecards for characters and the story; I have 3-ring binders; and now I have a ton of folders for the main characters. It's crazy!

I do have chunks of the story (in my mind it's one big story with 3 rather large chapters) finished, but it's easy to get discouraged because I sometimes feel like I haven't accomplished anything. The end of this project seems so far away.

Don't get me wrong--I LOVE my Lexicon story. But I do look forward to moving on to another project.

Thankfully, right now, though, I'm getting a lot accomplished on the Saga. Like I said, I have beautiful sketches to look to for inspiration; I have a new character (welcome to the family!); I have made a big decision about the structure of Book 2; and I have actually written several scenes recently. So I just need to keep pressing on. :)

It will get done.

Cussing. Is it Something God Approves Of?

A while back I became curious as to exactly WHY Christians aren't "supposed" to cuss. I wanted to make sure it wasn't some only partially Biblically-based thing. I looked it up once but didn't look into it deeper until I was prompted recently. I just don't cuss. It's not that I hate people who cuss or anything--I just wish they didn't do it. The sound of others cussing around me puts a bad taste in my mouth and that was pretty much good enough for me most of the time. But, as a Christian, it's good to figure out why most Christians believe something is right/wrong so you can see if it's just some tradition based off some verse that makes you want to ask, "WHY exactly did that make you think what you do?" (If something like that is merely a man-made tradition, no valid Biblical base whatsoever, what's the point in abiding by it?)

Actually, the verses below are very helpful and clear this cussing thing up for me, especially after looking the verses up on Strong's Concordance to clarify anything that seems vague.

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“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy* language from your lips.” –Colossians 3:8

*foul speaking, low and obscene speech (Strong’s Concordance)

I have to say I would like to look more into the first three things that verse talks about, specifically the part about not being angry. I mean it's impossible to NEVER be angry. I mean, even Jesus became righteously indignant (more than a littlel angry) in the Bible. Anyways, I'll have to look into that...
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"Let there be no filthiness* nor foolish talk nor crude joking**, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." -Ephesians 5:4

* (Strong's Concordance) obscenity, filthiness

**(Strong's Concordance)
in a bad sense
a) scurrility, ribaldry, low jesting
**(Merriam Webster) 2 a : scurrilous or abusive language b : an offensively rude or abusive remark
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Anyways, so those are a few verses I've found concerning cussing in the Bible. I hope that if there are any other Christians out there who were wondering the same thing I was that this has helped them.

A Question for YOU

All I have for this post is a question.

Is it better to trust someone until they're proven untrustworthy

or

is it better to be skeptical of people until they prove they can be trusted?

I would really appreciate your feedback on this so PLEASE leave comments!

First Day

Monday was a big step in my life--I started college. Yes, I am now a Freshman! I was able to find my classes early and was able to get to all of my classes on time. I was a little disappointed that no big fireworks displays went off when I stepped onto the campus; no trumpets blaring; no confetti; and no choirs sang, “Oh, Catrina, you have finally come!” Nope. I was just one of many students starting the spring semester of college.

My first class was Beginning Algebra with Mr. L. Mr. L. is an older grandpa kind of guy--nice and with a sense of humor that is difficult to detect at first. We didn’t do any actual work or learn anything--he just talked about the syllabus (he usually pronounces it “silly-buss”, which I find cute) and then met us (he took longer because he has a walker) down at the math lab. Then we were done.

My Comp1 class was 10 minutes after my Algebra class ended. I had to rush through a few buildings to get to it but I’m pretty sure I made it on time. The teacher for that class was a nice lady (Mrs. Sc.) and, it turns out, she’s a Christian. Because of an exercise she did in our class, I found out that there are several other Christians in that class. She also talked to us about our syllabus and gave us an assignment: to write an introduction letter with one ore more concepts(?) that she gave us in it.

I had an hour and a half between Comp1 and US History 1492-Civil War Era, which I used to call Mom and letter know that I had made it so far, and eat lunch. Then I was off to that class. Now, the teacher of that class, Mr. X. was pretty nice, too, but more eccentric than the first 2. He had some gray hair on the top of his head but it was extremely thin and he had a large, round nose. But the most interesting thing about him was his way of speaking, which I found comical at times. I loved how he said “e-mail” (EE-MAY-uhl) and “that”. So he was a nice teacher but it was a 3 hour long class so it wasn’t very exciting. Though I thought I’d had a good night’s sleep, I found myself fighting to stay awake. I saw some other students laughing quietly. Then I realized why--someone was snoring. I looked back and sure enough, there was a guy laying face down on the table, snoring. It wasn’t loud but we could all hear it--Mr. X seemed unfazed as he talked on and on. The history itself was interesting but I think Mr. X’s way of teaching was not very exciting. The good thing, though, he is not one of those anti-American teachers.

Introduction to Theatre is by far the funnest but also the most colorful class. There have been a few choice words said during the class by the teacher. But I get to sit on the floor! That is a wonderful experience after running around half the day (upstairs, downstairs, up mountains, down valleys, across oceans, etc.) and sitting in not-exactly-the-most-comfortable chairs. We even got up and did a little acting exercise. The people there were fun to hang around and we all got along well.

So at the end of the day, I was pretty tired and hungry. So I came home, ate, watched a little T.V., told my parents about my day, and went to bed.

So there you have it: Day 1 of my College Freshman year. It was a pretty good day.

First Post of 2010

I don't really have any amazing things to say today. Just didn't want to let the first week of 2010 go by without posting. So here are a few misc. thoughts.

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I saw Avatar last Friday at the theater. It was visually amazing and you'd think that it just being visually amazing wouldn't count for much but it DID! It was so awe-inspiring just to sit there and watch the blue people running around and talking through the beautiful world. I was fascinated watching the blue people and all the creatures created for the Pandora eco-system. *sigh* It was just SO COOL!!!

On the downside, Avatar was (of course) riddled with propaganda. It reminded me of the Disney version of "Pocahantas" [correct spelling?]--evil men come to a place where "savages" live in search of an extremely expensive mineral, a native and the only non-evil man fall in love but there are obstacles for their love due to the differences their peoples have. Also, don't forget that the natives seem to worship everything around them or at least think they're all equal. And the evil military guy just seemed like a 2D character--pure macho-evilness!

So I definitely disagreed with the politics of the movie but Sam Worthington is adorable and it was visually appealing so...I'm conflicted.

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I guess this post is going to be about movies because I'm not going to list the movies I want to see.

-The Young Victoria--who knew that a movie could exist in which a husband and wife love each other dearly? Definitely something I want to witness so I can tell my children about. "Yes, Promise (possible name for my future daughter), there was once a movie in which a husband and wife loved each other very much and weren't having affairs!" This is groundbreaking stuff. ;)

-Surrogates--I love sci-fi!

-Daybreakers--I admit that it's yet another vampire movie but I still want to see it!

-The Lovely Bones--Looks very interesting--plus, Peter Jackson is doing it so I must watch it!

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Happy New Year, Everyone!

3 Things

God is real.

God is alive.

God loves you.

I wrote this January 22nd, 2009

God never changes. People change like the wind changes direction.

The Israelites changed. When God wanted them to enter the Promised Land, they refused but then when He forbade them after their disobedience, they decided to go in, though they failed.

God never failed. Though you have prayed and God doesn't seem to have answered, God hasn't left you. At the beginning of the Bible (in Genesis), God promised that He would send a Savior to emancipate the world. The world waited thousands of years for Him but He came.

God never changes. He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever". People change a little everyday. They become more mature, they become bitter, they pick up mannerisms, ideas, and theologies from those around them. They change because of events that happen to them or around them--births, deaths, marriages, injuries, abuses, fights, natural disasters, job layoffs, and wars.

But God NEVER Changes

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

-Hebrews 10:23-24

Warning! Warning! The Sleeping Bear is Awake!

I hope Arlen Specter isn't planning on getting reelected.

Please watch this encouraging town hall meeting and watch Senator Specter squirm.

The Precipice

I wrote this November 20th, 2008.

I stand at the edge of a cliff, watching as a river flows through the valley below. The wings on my back flutter anxiously. It’s time for me to spread my wings and fly--but I can’t. My stomach churns as I gaze down the precipice. I take a step back from the ledge. What if I can’t do it? What if I were to try and, instead of gliding easily across to the hill on the other side, I fell into the watery depths? The more I analyze what I had meant to attempt, the more my fear and doubt grow. I can’t do this, I tell myself. I can’t. But what would I do if I didn’t try? What if I give up and never try to fly? Then I would never know if I could have done it. I would always wonder and wish I had had the courage. I can’t go back. I have to try.

I spread my wings and jump.

PLEASE watch

I ask that you please watch the below video. Just a few minutes of your life.

It's Amazing What You Find in the Bible Even When You're Not Looking for It

Found some especially delicious cheesecake tonight while actually looking up verses on drinking wine (was talking to a friend earlier on this topic). I hope that the below passage edifies you.


Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

-Ephesians 5:15-21 NIV

The first part of the passage especially speaks to me.

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

There are several things to take out of this verse and I think in order to do them justice, I will lay them out individually.

-Be careful how you live

-Live wisely

-Make the most of every opportunity

-Understand what the Lord's will is.

So, these seem fairly simple things because they're said in short words and few words. But if you think about them, they are powerful things that convict me. I doubt that I have been making the most of every opportunity. On top of that, it says to "understand what the Lord's will is".

Now, that is an interesting command for Paul to give us (remember Paul wrote Ephesians). And when it states the opposite of understanding the Lord's will, it reads, "do not be foolish".

The reason this passage seems to jutt out at me from the page is that I may be about to make a few decisions that will affect my future. I am searching for God's will. I WANT to "understand what the Lord's will is". Unfortunately, Paul didn't leave any directions for how to do this.

Yes, I know we're supposed to pray and read the Bible to find out God's will for our life--and I am not demeaning those things. I just saw this verse and thought, "maybe this means something to me".

Well, maybe my finding this verse means that I already know God's will in this situation. I guess I should pray about it some more. :)

P.S. Please pray that I have wisdom and understanding and "understand what the Lord's will is".

Growth Spurt

This past year (especially from last October until now) has been an intense journey for me. My senior year was a trial-by-fire type ordeal. While at my job (which I started in October) I have learned about what it means to be a good employee. I have also learned from people I have met at my job how much the world needs saving and how Christians need to always be improving themselves so as to be a good representation of a good Christian. I read a book called "Mere Christianity", which has given me peace and hope about my relationship with Christ. I have been getting a lot more out of the Bible--who knew the Bible was so full of knowledge and such a gold mine?

Also, yesterday I finished reading "Do Hard Things" by Brett & Alex Harris. It has really challenged me in my daily life. No more "math just isn't my thing". No more mind-barriers--I need to change my mindset. No more "I can't". I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

I am very optimistic about the future.

Christmas is Near and an Unexpected Blessing

Are you all ready for Christmas? I am but I'm not--if you know what I mean. I'm excited about giving and getting presents and egg nog and all that but I haven't quite finished my Christmas-gift-making/getting. AHHH!!! Before December is over, I need to eat some egg nog ice cream from Braum's! Or else I may go completely mad!

Create your countdown widget and more at Blixy.com!

On another note, yesterdy, I went to Mardel's to use a giftcard I got for my birthday--thank you, you who got me that if you're reading this. I got several CD's, including "Wake Up! Wake Up!" by Everyday Sunday & "Southern Weather" by the Almost. They're awesome!

Something unexpected (thus the title of this post) happened at work today. (Before I get into that, I need to tell you that not only do I seat people but I also help bus tables. Some servers make a big deal about the fact that I actually do my job--that's exactly what they've said, too. Apparenly, not everyone helps like I do.) This one server--who shall remain nameless but still lovely--was so appreciative of me today that she gave me some money! It made me very happy.

CHRISTMAS??? ALREADY?????

Holy toledo! I can't believe we have 8 days until Christmas!!!

I usually have time to have a fairly long countdown--I realized two days ago that I had 10 days until Christmas! Less than two weeks!!! I just can't believe it.

Dad says the reason that that this has happened is that I have other things that take up my life--like a JOB.



Speaking of my job, it's going pretty well--I get paid for one thing, which is pretty sweet. I feel like I know what the heck I'm doing. Also, everyone likes me because I'm very good at my job--awesome! Another thing--the cussing seems to have toned down. I'm hoping it's not because I've been working there so long that I don't really notice it anymore. I really think they're not cussing as much around me anymore. Maybe because they've noticed that I don't cuss.

So, yeah, the job's going pretty well. I believe God has granted me favor with these people.

I'm excited about Christmas--I really love to give and I really love to receive. I love the giddy secrecy surrounding gift-giving in my family. It's so fun! Hannah, Daddy, & me have secrets from mom. Hannah, Mommy, & me have secrets from dad. And Mommy, Daddy, & me have secrets from Hannah. As long as I don't mix them up, I'll be okay. :)

I don't know when I'll post again so I'd like to say that I hope you all get the things that you want for Christmas but that you gain twice that satisfaction out of GIVING.

To end this post, here's a comic strip from Baby Blues. Enjoy!

Hmm...What am I Thankful For?

Alright, I know that Thanksgiving already happened but I'm posting this anyway. There's TONS of things out there to be thankful for but which ones should I post??? Well, here are some things--not in order of importance.

I'm thankful for...

1.) My parents for being so awesome and homeschooling me (and my sister) even though everyone thought they were crazy. They've imparted much of their wisdom to me and I hope to learn much more from them.

2.) My sister for being the best sister I've ever had! She is so helpful and I love having her around.

3.) For a God who is faithful and just and is unchanging, unlike us. He gave me life twice--once when he created me and again when I asked Him to be my Savior. He still works miracles and intervenes for us. He has given me all that I have so he gets an infinity-thank you!

4.) For autumn--the most beautiful, I think, season.

5.) For friends--from the ones I met soon after I was born even to the ones I've met just this year. They've all had an impact on me in different ways--teaching me things, passing on mannerisms and weirdisms, etc. to me.

6.) For trees! They're so beautiful and they help us breathe--which I think is really nice!

7.) The ability to be creative (writing, drawing, etc.). God is creative and I am glad that He created us to be creative, too.

8.) The ability God gave humanity to communicate and create writing through which they can communicate on paper. Books that we can enjoy, that enrich us, and/or books that teach us.