A Beautiful Testimony--I Beg You to Watch

What a beautiful Christian woman! I want to be more like her.




For a long time, I have thought, there really is no one out there (besides Christ, of course) I can say I really want to be like that person--that is my hero. I have realized more and more how imperfect everyone is. But this woman, Gianna Jessen, whom I just watched in this one video, is my hero.

Yes, I'm sure she is imperfect. No, she had no control over the beginning of her life. But she DID have control over how she reacted to her origin. She made a choice to speak out about what happened to her. She is using this to further the cause of Christ. She possesses certain Christ-like qualities that I love: she is courageous (how many people do you know who could stand up in a government building and tell their story and talk about Jesus Christ?) and bold and hopeful and she is fighting for justice.

I want to fight for justice with my gifts. I want to use my gifts to be bold and courageous in my faith.

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"...I didn't survive so I could make everyone comfortable. I survived so I could stir things up a bit. And I have a great time doing it." -Gianna Jessen

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:58

Oh, Goody! More Eco-Friendliness.

*rolls eyes*

So here is some breaking news on the eco-friendly front.

I was just going along, minding my own business and reading the newspaper funnies when I came accross this strip (10/18/09).

(Let me know if you couldn't read the strip.)

This is the part where I about had a conniption. The strip wasn't even chuckle-worthy. It was just pure propaganda.

So I was pretty fired up about that.

Today I was reading the funnies again and I found Hi and Lois section again (I know, what's wrong with me?).

Any kids who really think the way these kids do, think about being environmentally friendly because they are being doused in eco-friendly propaganda daily by the schools, T.V. shows, commercials, and movies they watch.

Anyways, I say, "GR!" Yes, "GR!" I say!

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.

PLEASE watch

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

I can't believe this is happening

Should I Be Allowed to Vote?

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 12/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

Should You Be Allowed to Vote?

Interesting "Funny" & Thoughts on My Journal-Writing

At this point [after reading the "funny" above] you should be thinking! Vote, people! VOTE!

On a somewhat related note: For many years when I write in my journal, even in my earlier diaries, I've kind of written as if the person who will read it one day is an archaeologist many years into the future when our civilization is gone. I know that sounds weird, doesn't it? But that's really how I've thought of it. I guess, I felt like I had to write to someone so I wrote to those people.

Naked Ladies & more...

Here they are...



Oh! I meant the FLOWERS! You thought I meant another kind of naked lady, didn't you? *shakes head* Get your head out of the gutter!



Anyways (completely different topic), I've noticed a general lack of knowledge and a feeling of apathy (lack of interest or concern) among people my age when it comes to politics. I need you all to do me a favor. Below, I have posted several terms that are important to know. Even if you don't like politics [honestly, who does?], you need to be informed--especially as a Christian. Christian values are being ruthlessly attacked specifically when it comes to the topic of homosexuality. People have been persecuted for something as small as a bumper sticker. Now, we have "hate crimes" aka "thought crimes", instead of just crimes based on your actions.



Below, I have definitions that are mostly taken from other sources. They are words you should know.

Conservative--"Conservatism in the United States comprises a constellation of political ideologies including fiscal conservatism, free market or economic liberalism, social conservatism, and religious conservatism, as well as support for a strong military, small government, and states' rights." Conservatives also usually are pro-life and against homosexuality. Most Christians are and should be conservative.



Liberal--"A term that includes such meanings as open-mindedness, a desire to favor reforms and a tolerance toward non-traditionalist views." Liberals are usually pro-death and for homosexuality and other "lifestyles".



Communism "is a socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless society based on common ownership of the means of production and property in general." Basically, communism, as I understand it, is when the government makes sure everything is equal--no one has more money or anything more than anyone else. Some of you might think this is a good thing but think about it. How would this give anyone the incentive to be better? So what, you work harder than everyone else--you want a raise? *chuckle* Oh, you're so funny! What is there then to aspire to?



Socialism--"[in Marxism-Leninism], is the intermediate system between capitalism and communism, when the government is in the process of changing the means of ownership from privatism, to collective ownership."



It's a nice thought that everyone could live in peace and harmony and no one would be poor but it's just not realistic. We live in a sinful world filled with sinful people. No one is perfect. If the government gets too big [and that's basically what a communist country is--a country with a huge, controlling government], who's to stop the people in charge from getting greedy with your money? [Well, it really wouldn't be your money anymore, would it?]

The people who make me the angriest are not the power-hungry, liberal communists--do you want to know who riles me up?



Our nation is the most free nation in the world. We are given the right to vote and to have input into our government. We can say we don't like our president and not be put in prison or, worse, put to death. Anyone can run for office! But most people just sit back like sloths, not paying any attention to "politics" because they hate politics--it's so boring!

They don't think politics affects them--like this isn't their country and the laws that are made don't have an impact on their life! On their freedom to say Jesus in public without it being used as a four-letter word! On their freedom to raise their children without being forced to teach them that homosexual sex is just as natural as heterosexual sex [and you don't think that's not already happening?]!

Those people who don't vote except, if they're lucky, if it's a big presidential election--maybe.



The people who make me the angriest are the apathetics, the sloths, those who JUST DON'T CARE.

Apathetics have always annoyed me--even when it was deciding who would be black or red in checkers. I couldn't stand it if my opponent didn't care!

But this is our COUNTRY I'm talking about here! Our HOME! We may not be OF this world but we are IN it, which means we have to live IN it for now. Just because it's a temporary home, doesn't mean we shouldn't try to take care of it. It's more difficult to share the Gospel if there's a threat on your life if you do it.



You could think of it like the parable of the talents in the Bible. The master gave his servants a certain amount of talents. When he came back, two of the servants had taken care of the talents and had multiplied the talents. But the third servant buried his talent. Think of the world as being your talent. When God comes back, do you want Him to see that you didn't take care of your temporary home?



How can you JUST NOT CARE? It's infuriating! I really can't explain how frustrated I am!

It just burns me up inside to think so many Christians don't CARE. This affects YOU.

You know, I'd like to think a ton of people will comment on this post with a passion but I don't think they will. I don't usually get a lot of comments on the serious, meaningful posts.

interesting...and a new quiz

I think this is probably pretty accurate--not certain, though. It was fun to take the quiz, though.

You Should Live in a Small City

You are definitely an urban person, but not any old city will do. You want a city that matches you well. For you, big cities lack individuality. You prefer a smaller city with lots of personality, local culture, and history.

Where Should You Live?

TEENPACT PIX!!!

I had a BLAST at Teenpact this week! It was amazing! It was nice to just get away from things for a while. At the same time, I had fun learning about government. The Doc comittee rocks! [Even more than the tiff, pda, pdf, or jpeg committees!]

Allison, one of my roommates

many of the Teenpact teens back at the hotel after changing out of skirts and suits playing a game called Aushka [I think]. There was jumping involved--that's all I know. But I took this picture and liked it.
Adam, one of the staff members in his pink, fluffy slippers [turns out he's 16! Just crazy...]. He wore those slippers every night.
myself and Carsyn

Cameron, Garrett, and Taylor

Garrett, Taylor, and myself

Taylor [far left] running for representative!
among the people: Carsyn, Allison, and at the end myself.A couple of my roommates: Johanna & Allison. And myself, of course.
Johanna and I

Cameron & Garrett--it was pop-your-collar day [the last day] :(
my friend, Sarah, and I after the graduation on Thursday

the Oklahoma capital building!

Taylor and myself after the journey home

I had a WONDERFUL time while I was at Teenpact! It was really cool to be able to just go traipsing[spelling?] about the Capital building. I learned a new game called "Do you love your neighbor?" [<--maybe we could play that at teen game night!] I made new friends. I got to know somewhat-already-known friends. I got to be in the house of representatives when a bill was passed [even though it wasn't a good bill, I don't think]! I got to take part in a mock legislature [I mostly watched, though]. I did lots of fun stuff! EEEEEE!!! [<--That's the sound of me smiling. You've probably heard that sound if I've taken your picture before. You didn't know smiling had a sound effect, did you? Well, now you do!]

EVERYONE HAS TO GO TO TEENPACT NEXT YEAR!!!

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edit: John has brought it to my attention that I did not include the picture of how I looked when I heard Garrett scream [ask me about it at game night or something] so here's the picture! The quality isn't very good--just so you know.

I'm the one leaning on the wall for support. Can you see the black hole? That's my giant mouth, gaping open in shock at the sound I've just heard. (Also, notice that the girl sitting in front of my has covered her face--not that that will help her ears any...)

"The Typical White Person"

Have you guys heard what Barack Obama has said about his grandmother being the "typical white person"?

Here's the quote that Obama made [please, please, PLEASE read this in its entirety]:

"Well, you know, she was extremely proud and the point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, you know, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know, you know, there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way. And that's just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it and what makes me optimistic is you see each generation feeling a little bit less like that."

WHAT????? So the typical white person has reactions when seeing a black person? And that has been bred into us? What the heck? So because I'm a white person, I automatically have to not like black people? That's just retarded!

Please read Glenn Beck's [he's pretty much the best talk radio host ever] commentary on this subject (It's pretty entertaining, I think, but I wish you could have heard it.) here.

PLEASE COMMENT!!!

Where's The Fence?

LOL I love this!