Collegiate Wear

You know what really grinds my gears? When I walk around campus and see people wearing OTHER collegiate wear from other colleges OTHER than U of A. I don’t get it…

God’s Timing

“He never takes His eyes off of us or off the clock ticking over us.”  

God’s timing is perfect. It may not be OUR plan or on our schedule, but it is far more beautiful than anything we can plan for ourselves.

The Cross is Offensive?

So I discovered a article regarding the 9/11 Memorial. It is almost finished and what an awesome thing for the country (and the world to see). My best friend Gabby and I had the opportunity to see the construction site of the memorial and see the museum dedicated to the day that shook our country and the world.

The memorial is to be opened on the 10 year anniversary of the attack. This year. And the article really took me back…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/28/ground-zero-cross-atheists-911

 

The article talks about atheist groups wanting to get rid of a cross placed on the site. The cross isn’t just a built cross, but a cross formed naturally from the beams and flames of the World Trade Center.

The group wants it to be taken down due to ‘equality’ purposes. But wait… isn’t taking the cross down disrupting OUR (Meaning Christians) right to equality. Us taking that cross down demonstrates that your beliefs take precedence over ours. That is not equality.

Now… To make one thing clear. I am by no means saying that MY religion is more important than any other and I understand where the Atheists are coming from. However, I would like to say that our country is a Christian Based country and I don’t think the Atheists are being quite understanding enough.

The symbol the represents Christianity represents the power of prayer and has comforted millions of people where no hope seemed to be found.

I do not think that this cross was put here to represent all victims of 9/11. I rather think that it was placed there for comfort to those who are Christians and the victims who were Christians.

The whole religion topic has become overly-sensitive. What is so wrong about giving hope and comfort to millions of people?

The cross is a universal symbol. Yes. It does represent Christianity. However, in this particular circumstance, I think it rather represents hope, comfort, and love for those lost.

God Bless those victims. I hope our country can truly become tolerant of all religions and cultures.

 

J

You’re money will be returned in 16,547 days…

You know what really grinds my gears? The incompetence of my bank lately.

I got my credit card number hijacked a month ago. Contrary to popular belief, identity thieves don’t just aim for rich people. They go after poor-as-dirt college students as well.

Anyways, I noticed the charges to my account on July 2nd. And I am STILL dealing with the unnecessary problems of my bank. I JUST got all of the charges reversed on my account. 4 of them were reversed at the very beginning and then 3 weeks later, the other ones were. Not only is my flawless credit score taking a hit (which I worked very hard for), I have to go through mazes of phone transfers and people and companies and branches of my bank to try and get back the money they TOOK from my savings account (and overdrew it) to pay off the charges that aren’t mine. Also, my credit card STILL does not work and all of the papers were being mailed to my wrong address even though I have given them the address to forward said mail to.

Dear Bank. Please get your stuff together. People’s money is not something to be so la-ti-dah about. I need the remaining 365 dollars you took for the 2nd time and the other fees that you charged me that are not my fault.

J

Excuse me, that’s me not you.

You know what really grinds my gears?  Being identity thieved (That sounds funny 😀 ). That’s my name, money, life, and personal details. The end.

Installing Love

So as I was surfing the glorious wonders of the inter-cyber-space-web-connection (which can sometimes end terribly wrong) I found this poem. The author is unknown, but what a COOL way to look at God! Though it says it at the end, tech-support is God and we (sinners) are the customers. So I’ll let you read it, and then put my thoughts after. 🙂

Installing Love

Tech Support: Yes Ma’am… how can I help you? 

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me though the process? 

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed? 

Customer: Well, I’m not very technical, but I think I’m ready. What do I do first? 

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart ma’am? 

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running? 

Tech Support: What programs are running ma’am? 

Customer: Let’s see, I have Past/Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now. 

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past/Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of it’s own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma’am? 

Customer: I don’t know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how? 

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have completely erased. 

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal? 

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades. 

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, “Error – program not run on external components.” What should I do? 

Tech Support: Don’t worry ma’am. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others. 

Customer: So, what should I do? 

Tech Support: Can you pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations. 

Customer: Okay, done. 

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the “My Heart” directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back. 

Customer: Got it. Hey!!! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal? 

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you. 

Customer: I promise to do just that. By the way, what’s your name? 

Tech Support: Just call me the Divine Cardiologist, also known as the Great Physician, or, just “I AM.” Most people feel all they need is an annual checkup to stay heart-healthy; but, the manufacturer (ME) suggests a daily maintenance schedule for maximum Love efficiency.

 

This is probably one of the most relatable  metaphors for Christ in this day and age. And there is so much good stuff in here, I dont even know where to start. The beginning I guess right?

1. “Well, after much consideration, I’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me though the process?” One key word to me here is consideration. God’s love is always available to us but we have to accept it. And lets be honest, sometimes the decision is long. The other key word is guide. We need to ask God to really install love into our lives… and we can’t do it alone! We need his guidance and the answer will ALWAYS be yes.
2. Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past/Hurt from your current operating system….” This whole explanation on installing love hits hard. We have to allow ourselves to accept love, and do our best to “delete” anything that hinders the true workings of love: resentment and Grudge. To stop the hindrances, we need to forgive. Not just once… But over and over.
3. Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.” Again, we cannot really accept love by ourselves. We need a support system, a network of hearts.
4. Tech Support: Can you pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.” We need to love ourselves before we can love anyone else and, honestly, its probably the hardest process out of anything. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Realize you can’t always be perfect, that you are human, and that your worth is priceless to not only God, but many people around you, even if you don’t notice.
5. Customer: Got it. Hey!!! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal? 
   Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you”  Wow. That’s a pretty beautiful picture. With the ‘installment’ of love we get smiles, peace, and contentment. And God shows us that it takes longer for some people, but they will always come “at the proper time”. Big statement. We don’t know the timing God has for our lives, and sometimes we just rush trying to gain all of these things. They will come to you at the right time. Sometimes love takes a long time to settle into our hearts.
6. FINALLY: Tech-Support: the manufacturer (ME) suggests a daily maintenance schedule for maximum Love efficiency.” Say what! What a schmorgousboard (word or not?) of good stuff! Daily maintenance. Consistency… Love everyday. Allow yourself to be loved everyday. Allow yourself to see and encourage people to love everyday.

Man, What a gift I found today just searching the internet. How cool.

God, bless the people that read this and help them to install love into their hearts.

 

Break the Pattern of Infidelity

Since I am such a wonderful news intern at the radio station, I was browsing CNN for some interesting Headlines and News when I came across an interesting title: “Lets Hear about fidelity for a change.” 

Can I please get an “AMEN!” to that?

Needless to say I had to read it.

In the article, Laura Sessions Stepp talks about the issue (which really shouldn’t be an issue) of monogamy. Monogamy is pretty much faithfulness to your partner. Her article was in response to another CNN blogger who condoned polygamy with the reasons of “sexual and emotional boredom.”

WHAT?…

As was so taken-aback by this. What is society coming to? Polygamy is NOT okay!!!! Last I checked, being in a relationship means to be faithful to that person. Polygamy (whether it is consented or not) is an insult. Are you SO bored with a person (emotional or sexual) that you need to find someone else? WOW.

In the article, it talks about how people are getting married later and later about 27 years old and most young couples have reported that they have been “unfaithful” to their partners at one time or the other just so they ‘could tell if they were with the right person.’

1. Your relationship should not be dependent on sex.

2. You should be with a person because it feels right and you KNOW.

3. The solution is NOT to go and sleep with someone else to solve the problem.

I really would like to acknowledge Stepp for her article (which there is a link below) to give people hope that someone out there is tired of seeing failing relationships on TV, movies, and within celebrities. Negative relationship news draws in media and gossip columns like bees to honey. But here is the thing…

We are letting them.

Most people can’t wait to see a failing of marriage or see the latest pre-nup come into the public eye. Why? Because, I think that deep down inside, we all want to see that OUR relationship is better than other peoples. It shouldn’t be that way. But we are human and want to feel good about ourselves.

God wants our relationship to be so special. There is a reason that sex is meant for marriage. Its sharing a piece of yourself with someone else. ONLY ONE PERSON. How beautiful and special is that? If you put other people (cheating, polygamy, partners, whatever) into your relationship, its not so special anymore… You are just another person in their lives instead of that ‘one true love’ that, I swear, every girl wants (Disney Style).

Lets stand up with Stepp. I want to see more fidelity. A happy couple is more exciting than a failing couple. A couple that really proves the plan that God has for a couple: happiness and love for life. WITH ONE PERSON.

Below is the link for her article.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/07/14/stepp.fidelity/index.html?npt=NP1

My baby is cool…

You know what really grinds my gears?… Unnecessarily spelled names. Like… Jazmynne. WHY do you have to add so many unnecessary letters to a name. I understand the point of wanting to keep it interesting and new. But really? Jaemz? THIS WILL NOT MAKE YOUR BABY CUTE OR POPULAR.  I’m sorry… I feel like its sort of a teenage thing to do. Just know this… When I have a child, I will not be naming my baby with ridiculous lettering. The end.

Middle School Advice…

My middle school publications teacher inspired me to get into journalism and graphic design. And gave my quite a bit of good advice. As I posted the link to my blog over Facebook, she commented on it saying that some of her advice better be up here. So here you go Mrs. Mitchell.

The most important thing I learned in my publications class is this…

Chewing gum in a professional setting usually ends in embarrassment. 

Every time we were caught chewing gum in class, we had to row our chair down the aisle and sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” or had to serenade a visitor with the song from Barney (which I recently received while visiting from a not-so-sneaky-gum-chewer).

Thanks, Mrs. Mitchell. I now will never chew gum in an interview or at work.

Are you tired or sad?

You know what really grinds my gears? When people tell me “You look tired.” or “why are you sad?” but the only thing wrong is that I don’t have my make up on… REALLY? I’m fine I just decided NOT to be a conformist for once and let my ‘natural beauty’ shine through. Or apparently what lacks there of. I am NOT tired or SAD… Its just how my face looks!