A Chosen Generation

SEM Spelling Cards

2012-02-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

This school year, my brothers and I are utilizing the curriculum created by Sonlight Education Ministry (SEM; http://sonlighteducation.com/). It is an absolutely AWESOME program; I simply love it. It is Bible-based, -centered, and -directed. It cannot be rivaled even by a non-Christian curriculum (personal opinion). It is entirely obvious that the creators were led by God while putting together this program.

At this time, they are out of business; but are working to put all of their material in a free-distribution format (PDFs, MP3s, etc.). That is actually how we obtained what we do have. They currently have three downloads available, and they are working on the fourth. Their catalogue ("Road Map and Route") outlines how the program works.

In any case, in the first download, you can find a book entitled "Spelling from the Scriptures"; it is basically the spelling book. This is where you can find the beautiful spelling card format used in the video below. I strongly encourage you to download and use the format for use in Sabbath School, Bible class, home school, or rainy day fun. It is awesome to research and learn what the Bible means and says to me personally. Whatever word or verse that I have a question about, I look it up. As an example, this morning during worship, my brothers asked about the verse that says "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:16). So I told them that for their schoolwork today, they would write a spelling card on either "pray" or "cease". Basic premise: do some research to answer your questions. =)

Spelling Cards from a Biblical Perspective from plugin2god on GodTube.

God's Word My Word

2012-01-31T09:59:00.000-05:00

"The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the word. When His visible presence should be withdrawn, the word must be their source of power. Like their Master, they were to live 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4.

"As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by the word of God. And every soul is to receive life from God’s word for himself. As we must eat for ourselves in order to receive nourishment, so we must receive the word for ourselves. We are not to obtain it merely through the medium of another’s mind. We should carefully study the Bible, asking God for the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we may understand His word. We should take one verse, and concentrate the mind on the task of ascertaining the thought which God has put in that verse for us. We should dwell upon the thought until it becomes our own, and we know 'what saith the Lord.'

"In His promises and warnings, Jesus means me. God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that I by believing in Him, might not perish, but have everlasting life. The experiences related in God’s word are to be my experiences. Prayer and promise, precept and warning, are mine. 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.' Galatians 2:20. As faith thus receives and assimilates the principles of truth, they become a part of the being and the motive power of the life. The word of God, received into the soul, molds the thoughts, and enters into the development of character.

"By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live 'by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven."

Taken from Desire of Ages, p. 390-391

The Human Design -- Awesome. Period.

2012-01-18T20:05:00.011-05:00

"In the beginning was the WORD,... All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1, 3)."

Below is a TED Talk that was presented in 2007 by David Bolinsky, a medical animator. In it, the speaker emphasizes two words: truth and beauty. Immediately, I thought of the verse:

"O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Psalm 96:9)."

Of course, it may not directly relate; but that's what I thought of.

I also considered that God is truth, as pointed out in John 17:17 -- "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." (Note: John 1 establishes for us that the Word is God; therefore, we may safely conclude that because the word is truth, God is truth.)

The speaker also mentions with awe the magnificence of human structure, and notes how he feels like he could almost worship it. I would say to worship the Lord who made heaven and earth, the sea, and the fountains of water; the Lord who made you and me in His own image and after His own likeness, and formed us with His own hands (Revelation 14:7; Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7). Even our cells.

Each of our itty-bitty cells were crafted by the Master Scientist, the Word, the Lamb of God. Each was made to work at its own job, to fulfill its duty with diligence (That is my brothers' key word for their current unit in their school work).

Paul says that we are God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). We are fashioned to do good works; to take care of our ever-working bodies, for example. :) Will we do that for the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world? Will we do that for Him?

"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16)."

New Year, New Focus

2012-01-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

I am probably the one millionth person to say this, but let's face the facts: it's a new year. We hear the same thing every year, and yet each year, it's different.

The year 2011 was PlugIn2God's first official year of operation. What a year it was! God was there at every step and turn, guiding the entire process.

The opening theme for 2011 was "The Connection" in line with the mission of PlugIn2God --

To help young Christians stay connected to the ultimate power Source --Jesus Christ-- and become lightbearers for Him.

In order to have a close relationship with someone, we have to meet them first! That is what last year was all about -- connecting to God.

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What about 2012? What are we focusing on this year?

The WORD.

This year is introducing us to the written and the living Word of God -- the Bible and its Author. We will be digging deep into the Scriptures to see what messages God has for us, to know His will for our lives. This year will be split into four 90-day periods (or quarters), each featuring an in-depth study of the given topic. The topics for this year are listed on the official website for PlugIn2God Ministry in the "Get in Sync" section.

What Do I Need? -- Part 4

2011-12-11T11:27:00.001-05:00

I have been impressed to do a series of posts on the basic necessities of twenty-first century life. Why? Because independent living means that doing all of that stuff on our own, we need to know exactly what to consider.
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Heat.

All I have to say is wood cook stove. Why?

So long as my land is properly forested, I can supply my own fuel.
I can prepare food (hence the name).
I can warm my house. All of it.
I can heat my water.
I can bake.
I can dehydrate my foods.
Et Cetera...

You don't have to believe me: but I have evidence (Exhibit A; Exhibit B; Exhibit C).

That being said, I encourage you to purchase the following instructional DVD: Getting Started with Wood Cook Stoves: A Hands-On Introduction by Mountain Media Ministries. It is a quality investment.

However, there are precautions that have to be taken when using wood and open fires. Listed below are some resources:

Fireplace and Home Fire Safety from the US Fire Safety
Wood Stoves: Safety First (Green Building Advisor)
Wood Stove Safety (Frugal Living Freedom) - Covers chimney fires, sparks, burns, and fumes
Environmental Fact Sheet: Wood Stoves and Air Pollution
Children's Safety Versus Wood Stove
Dealing With Fire on the Homestead

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"Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?"

~Ecclesiastes 4:11~

What Do I Need? -- Part 3

2011-12-09T20:53:00.003-05:00

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Food.

Obviously in order to survive, we need food. How do we move to independent resources of nutrition?

One plant at a time...

Planting.

There are two main categories of planted foods: garden foods and orchard foods. We eat from each section, so we may as well know what they contain.

The garden is where I would find my roots and veggies (sorry, the joke was just waiting to be used). Leafy greens, legumes, and ground provision can be planted in gardens. Strawberries would also thrive here, as will other botanical "fruits" that grow only upwards. Note that flowering plants (like quinoa and buckwheat, which are pseudo-cereals) would be ideal in a garden setting. Gardens can be potted, or placed on a plot or several plots of land.

Here is an abbreviated list to make it simple:

Kale, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Okra, Quinoa, Buckwheat, Strawberries, Beans of any sort, Peanuts, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Potatoes, Carrots, Herbs

Then there is the orchard. This would contain any fruits that tends to extend its bounds and needs a lot of space. Melons, berries, trees, vines: these are the type of foods to expect in this environment. Again, here is a list:

Cucumbers, Squash (winter and summer types), Watermelon, Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Almonds, Cashews, Oranges, Lemons, Pumpkins, Berry shrubs of all types, Cherries, Grapefruit, Mango, Apples, Bananas, Plantain, Grapes

By technical standards, a vineyard is a separate entity altogether. But we were not being technical, so we lumped it with orchard. It is also good to note that some beans would be better in a vineyard.

There is another section of foods, that being the grains. Corn, wheat, rice, spelt, millet, etc. These are more difficult to cultivate, but with God's help it can be accomplished.

It is important to understand that plants take time to grow. While garden foods will mature within a growing season, the orchard foods will most likely take longer. Trees and shrubs, even when bought as sapling instead of seeds, will take about three to five years to bear fruit. So what do I do in the meanwhile?

I could continue to just buy at the grocery market and buy in bulk (and use good storage methods, like the ones below). Another option, however, is gleaning. A great example is found here.

Winter Harvest.

I recently learned about this while attending a sustainable living seminar by Mountain Media Ministries. Hopefully, the concept of a greenhouse is understood. You create a warmer environment by trapping the sun's energy (which, understandably, is hot). This helps plants to grow or at least thrive when the outside temperature is too cold. Sounds great, but it is still a heavy investment. A more budget friendly option is... HOOP HOUSES!!! It does the exact same thing as a greenhouse. The presenters of the seminar directed us to this link: http://www.hoophouse.com/.

This system will allow you to continue to pick fresh foods from your garden, because you are extending the growing period by maintaining a warm place for growth. How cool is that?

Storing.

So, now that I have all of this food, what do I do with it (we are assuming that it is too much to eat)? I have to keep it in such a manner that it will not spoil and waste. It is always best to pick foods fresh and use them the same day that they are picked. However, the colder season does not allow that luxury; so we have to use other means. Solution #1: Root Cellar!!! This is an old-fashioned method of refrigeration. If it is built properly, it will keep food year round with minimal spoilage. Solution #2: Icebox. If you notice, this solution is not followed by exclamation. That is because it is not a universal fix. In any case, I could opt for an indoor icebox (year-round), or an outdoor one (winter season only). This solution is very cost effective if I were to live in a location with much snow.

By the way, Wikipedia has articles on both of these options (#1 and #2), which is great to get a general overview. Do real research for more information.

Other methods are dehydrating and canning. I must admit: I absolutely love dried fruit (especially figs and mangoes). Thankfully, they are the healthiest type of processed food! The highest concentration of nutrients with the least amount of processing. All you have to do is remove all of the moisture (hydration) from the food, and it can be kept forever. Seriously. They can go stale, though; so be sure to store them in airtight or glass containers. (Here is an awesome non-electric dryer). Then there is canning. I have limited knowledge in canning; but I can do some more research and write up a separate post on that later.

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"Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all."

~Jeremiah 31:12~

What Do I Need? -- Part 2

2011-11-21T18:22:00.001-05:00

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Water.

Our bodies are made up of approximately 60-75% water. Each of our individual cells are largely water; our skin needs water; the digestive process requires water. We need water to remove wastes from our body. Water keeps our blood pressure stay at a normal rate.

Water is a necessary part of our lives. We need it for consumption, hygiene, preparation of food, and hydrotherapy treatments. So, recognizing this fact, what do we do when we choose to no longer depend on municipal water? Let us look at our options and what they entail...

Well. This is the most readily understood independent water system. Perhaps your current property does utilize well-water. What is different is that when the power goes out, your well might not be helpful because most use an electric pump to carry water to your house. The most reliable resource is a hand pump (though that is only as reliable as your ability to pump it!). Secondarily, you can have electric pump if you have an energy system that is capable of supporting it. You may choose to have both.
Springs. (AccessScience has an article on springs). Some properties have these on the premises; so if you buy the land, you own the water on that land. Some things to note about them is that they may not supply a steady stream of water. If you understand how springs work, you will realize that the amount of water supplied by them varies with the seasons. If you are blessed to have a number of springs on your property, then it would do you well to test them all, or as many as possible, to determine which one has the greatest output. Of course, springs must be developed for use in your plumbing system: an article is available on the Mountain Media Ministries website. They also have a DVD that explains.
Ram Pump. This is a nifty set up that allows your house to be elevated, and yet still able to have a solid water supply. If you find that the nearest water site is below your home site -- meaning that you are unable to take advantage of gravity flow for your water system -- then a ram pump is your deal. The system is extensive, but relatively straightforward, and easy to use. Instead of talking like I know everything, I am going to send you here.
Cistern / Holding Tank. This is a basic need for any water system that you choose. Having a cistern is vital to a ram pump system; but it is also useful for a spring or well. (A) With the spring, since the water is constantly available during whatever season, it is prudent and wise to have that water flow into a tank; and from the tank, flow to the house. That way there is no waste. (B) With a well -- especially a hand-pumped well -- it is a lot of work to pump all of that water. So if you were to pick a certain day out of the month, and pump water into your tank, that might be better. (C) A holding tank within your house is also of value. What happens when your spring-filled cistern gets full? Do you stop the water? Or, is it prudent to keep water sitting in pipes, waiting to be used (especially considering winter)? Not really. Having an indoor tank has its benefits. Especially if you intend to have hot water. But we will get into that on the heat section.

While the information here is minimal, Mountain Media Ministries centered out of Cornelia, Georgia has a great deal of knowledge on the subject. I really encourage all to go through and get the information that they need. Go now.

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"I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."

~Isaiah 41:18~

What Do I Need?

2011-11-20T20:33:00.001-05:00

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Shelter.

It is readily understood that we need to have some place to live. The question is, What are the options? Your final, long-term abode (most likely, a house) will take some time to construct. You would have to decide how you are going to handle your temporary housing. Here are some options:

Stay where I am. This options says that I will (a) remain in my current residence; (b) pay two housing bills; (c) have someone else build my house; (d) possibly visit sometime in between.
Rent closer to the building site. Basically, I am choosing to move twice. I (a) may or may not build my own house; (b) will be able to visit the site more regularly; (c) may be able to enjoy more rural life, whether because of my temp location or through friends. I also give myself the option to move part of the way through the building process.
Buy land that has livable space. This has multiple sub-options. The "livable space" can be a cabin, a house, or a decently sized shed. The building may need to be fixed up to accommodate the persons intended to live there. I can (a) live there permanently if it works for my family; (b) live there temporarily while building. If I choose option "b", I understand the the residence only needs to meet basic needs, as it still requires funds and it will not be the final resting place.
Rent a Recreational Vehicle (RV). If you find land that can support an RV, and you either own or are able to rent such a vehicle, then that is definitely an option. If you know of a friend close to your building site who has an RV site, then you have another option. Whether you intend to build new, or to fix up livable space, an RV is a great option. Just get it hooked up, and you are good!

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"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

~Psalm 127:1~

Why This?

2011-11-18T20:47:00.001-05:00

Why independent living? What is the significance? Where is the importance? Why do we need it NOW?

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These are some of the same questions that I asked myself when my family first brought this up about a year ago. I was okay with the general concept of moving; but not with the idea of moving to some faraway place, with no people, and definitely no people that I knew. I will be honest: I was resentful. It was not "country living" that had me agitated -- it was "sudden change". While I generally tend to adapt to my environment, I do still hate sudden changes of plan. It was not in my plan to live so far away that I could not see my friends. It was not my plan to give up college options because they were too urbanized. This "out of the cities" business was most definitely ruining my plans!

Yet, eventually, step by step, I accepted it. At first, it was with reluctance. After a while, though, I saw it as a good idea. And I continue to think that.

Let us consider a few major events, namely the following:

Earthquake and Flooding in Japan
The dying international economy
Famine in Somalia
International civil unrest
Earthquake in Turkey
Northeast USA: earthquake and hurricane in the same week, followed two months late by an autumn snowstorm that had people without power for even two weeks.

All of these, including a reevaluation of myself and my connection with God allowed me to see how important this really is. It is not a fanatic movement; it is not fear; it is barely preparation; it is GOD.

In fact, that is the number one reason why I am okay with this. I would still be resentful if it were not for God.

But let us go into some other reasons for an independent lifestyle...

Reason #2 -- Freedom.

For those of us in the United States, we tend to hear that we are in "the land of the free". Let us reevaluate that, shall we? We depend on others for food; for water; for clothes; for housing; for heat; for occupation; for education. In essence, we are giving away our liberty -- the same liberty Christ bought for us (Galatians 5:1). I was on BibleGateway, and I read an interesting verse in Psalms (119:45). I enjoy using virtual Bibles because I can look at the same passage in multiple translations. Compare and contrast:

King James: "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts."
Contemporary English: "I have gained perfect freedom by following Your teaching."
English Standard: "And I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought Your precepts."
Common English Bible: "I will walk around in wide-open spaces, because I have pursued Your precepts."

I found the last one striking because I have never heard freedom described in that manner. Open spaces are a relief after being cooped up for some time. That is why caged birds take off the moment they get the opportunity. I find that little by little, we are losing our independence in itty-bitty things. America is great; don't get me wrong. Right now though, it does not afford me the type of freedom that the Psalmist speaks about. To the mountains I go...

Reason #3 -- Privacy

Who likes having people all up in their business? I surely do not! And I would argue that it is the same for most people. We like to have some sense of individuality and belonging: it is nice to know that something is truly and solely our own. It is frustrating to have something that is not all yours (have you ever wondered why children do not like to share?). I was listening to a seminar on independent living, and the speaker made reference to the following text:

"Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies" (Psalm 27:11).

Okay, no big deal. King David said things like that all of the time. But the presenter explained that the word "enemies" more literally means "those who watch me". And, I found two translations that support that!

"Teach me Your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path because I have enemies who spy on me" (God's Word Translation).

"Shew me, O Jehovah, Thy way, and lead me in a path of uprightness, for the sake of my beholders" (Young's Literal Translation).

So, we can conclude (at least for this particular text) that our enemies are anyone who can be in our business and watch our goings out and our comings in. Not cool. Personally, I would like to make sure that I have less "enemies".

Reason #4 -- Peace

After all of the hustle and bustle of a day at work or school, our bodies need to RELAX. How can we hear God's voice if our ears are ringing and our minds are buzzing?

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Need I say more?

No, Are You REALLY Ready?

2011-11-06T12:03:00.000-05:00

"As the time of their probation was closing, the antediluvians gave themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities. Those who possessed influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed with mirth and pleasure, lest any should be impressed by the last solemn warning. Do we not see the same repeated in our day? While God’s servants are giving the message that the end of all things is at hand, the world is absorbed in amusements and pleasure seeking. There is a constant round of excitement that causes indifference to God and prevents the people from being impressed by the truths which alone can save them from the coming destruction.

"Young Sabbathkeepers who have yielded to the influence of the world will have to be tested and proved. The perils of the last days are upon us, and a trial is before the young which many have not anticipated. They will be brought into distressing perplexity, and the genuineness of their faith will be proved. They profess to be looking for the Son of man, yet some of them have been a miserable example to unbelievers. They have not been willing to give up the world, but have united with the world in attending picnics** and other gatherings for pleasure, flattering themselves that they were engaging in innocent amusement. Yet it is just such indulgences that separate them from God and make them children of the world....

**[Publishers' Note: the simple outdoor gathering of families or church members is not referred to here, but that in which church members “united with the world” in a carnival type of community gathering quite common then. (PlugIn2God's Note: My dad used block parties as a modern-day example) ]**

"God does not own the pleasure seeker as His follower. Those only who are self-denying and who live lives of sobriety, humility, and holiness are true followers of Jesus. And such cannot enjoy the frivolous, empty conversation of the lover of the world.

"Let none begin to believe that amusements are essential and that a careless disregard of the Holy Spirit during hours of selfish pleasure is to be looked upon as a light matter. God will not be mocked. Let every young man, every young woman, consider: 'Am I prepared today for my life to close? Have I the heart preparation that fits me to do the work which the Lord has given me to do?' "

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The above text is taken from The Adventist Home, pp. 524-525.

The Spirit of Sacrifice

2011-10-19T09:39:00.001-04:00

"The plan of salvation was laid in a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ did not send His angels to this fallen world, while He remained in heaven; but He Himself went without the camp, bearing the reproach. He became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; Himself took our infirmities, and bore our weaknesses. And the absence of self-denial in His professed followers, God regards as a denial of the Christian name. Those who profess to be one with Christ, and indulge their selfish desires for rich and expensive clothing, furniture, and food, are Christians only in name. To be a Christian is to be Christlike.

"And yet how true are the words of the apostle: 'For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.' Many Christians do not have works corresponding to the name they bear. They act as if they had never heard of the plan of redemption wrought out at infinite cost. The majority aim to make a name for themselves in the world; they adopt its forms and ceremonies, and live for the indulgence of self. They follow out their own purposes as eagerly as do the world, and thus they cut off their power to help in establishing the kingdom of God....

"The work of God, which should be going forward with tenfold its present strength and efficiency, is kept back, like a spring season held by the chilling blast of winter, because some of God’s professed people are appropriating to themselves the means that should be dedicated to His service. Because Christ’s self-sacrificing love is not interwoven in the life practices, the church is weak where it should be strong. By its own course it has put out its light, and robbed millions of the gospel of Christ....

"How can those for whom Christ has sacrificed so much, continue to enjoy His gifts selfishly? His love and self-denial are without a parallel; and when this love enters into the experience of His followers, they will identify their interests with those of their Redeemer. Their work will be to build up the kingdom of Christ. They will consecrate themselves and their possessions to Him, and use both as His cause may require.
"This is nothing more than Jesus expects of His followers. No individual who has before him so great an object as the salvation of souls will be at a loss to devise ways and means for denying self. This will be an individual work. All that it is in our power to bestow will flow into the Lord’s treasury, to be used for the proclamation of truth, that the message of Christ’s soon coming and the claims of His law may be sounded to all parts of the world. Missionaries must be sent out to do this work.

"The love of Jesus in the soul will be revealed in word and deed. The kingdom of Christ will be paramount. Self will be laid a willing sacrifice on the altar of God. Everyone who is truly united with Christ will feel the same love for souls that caused the Son of God to leave His royal throne, His high command, and for our sake become poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich."

—The Review and Herald, October 13, 1896.

My Birthday Project -- The Results

2011-10-03T18:46:00.003-04:00

Last month (that being September 2011), I undertook a literature evangelism project for my sixteenth birthday. The goal was to collect Bibles, Steps to Christ booklets, and money for such same material; this literature would be sent overseas through any ministry who was willing to accommodate. I entered the project with a fiery passion, sharing through every means I had available to me.

I must admit that I was easily discouraged. It seemed as though no one was responding. There were some who said that I was doing a good work: but they did not appear willing to aid me in that work. Only God can truly know why; I am most definitely not trying to speculate. In any case, the lack of donations of any sort really frustrated me, and I started to worry that the project would prove a failure. However, my parents encouraged me by saying that many of their associates were planning on giving donations. I really had to pray, though, because I was getting really anxious and distraught.

In spite of all of that, I also feel obliged to say that God is good. No, seriously. In fact, He is better than good: He is absolutely the most wonderful Person in the whole universe. I love Him so much, He is just that great. God provided a way for me to obtain the following donations in the space of about one week:

2 Bibles
100 Steps to Christ booklets
A sum of money exceeding $500

Like I said before, God is truly good. While I was stressed out because I began to think that I was way over my head, God had His own plan in motion. How great, how awesome is He! Great is Thy faithfulness, O God!

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I would like to thank all those who gave, whether it was books, money, prayers, or time. Your gracious kindness and giving heart is sincerely appreciated. As I promised, I am informing you of the destination of your heart-felt gifts. The ministries preciously considered are either unable to accept the donations in the form of literature, or they have not yet returned our inquiries. However, we were referred to Light Bearers Ministry (www.lbm.org) by way of one of our inquiries. I have known of them before, but this ministry entirely slipped my mind when I was considering mediums for my project. They have been involved in literature evangelism for some time now and have sent God's message to many people around the globe as a result. Very happy am I to collaborate with them in God's work.

I pray that this project will lead many persons to the light and life of God's love, and that I will someday meet them in the courts above.

Who You Are Matters

2011-09-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

This month, we have spoken about being Christ's letters to the world, giving His message of salvation to all. The following excerpt tells us the best and most effective way to be disciple makers. Throughout the remainder of the year, and for the rest of our lives, let us ask God let our life be a light -- you in your small corner, and I in mine.

"There is an eloquence far more powerful than the eloquence of words in the quiet, consistent life of a pure, true Christian. What a man is has more influence than what he says.

"The officers who were sent to Jesus came back with the report that never man spoke as He spoke. But the reason for this was that never man lived as He lived. Had His life been other than it was, He could not have spoken as He did. His words bore with them a convincing power, because they came from a heart pure and holy, full of love and sympathy, benevolence and truth.

"It is our own character and experience that determine our influence upon others. In order to convince others of the power of Christ’s grace, we must know its power in our own hearts and lives. The gospel we present for the saving of souls must be the gospel by which our own souls are saved. Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. If we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our own feet must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.

"The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian."

Taken from The Ministry of Healing, pp. 469-470

Do the Work God Has for You

2011-09-11T17:45:00.003-04:00

"Many are dissatisfied with their lifework. It may be that their surroundings are uncongenial; their time is occupied with commonplace work, when they think themselves capable of higher responsibilities; often their efforts seem to them to be unappreciated or fruitless; their future is uncertain.

"Let us remember that while the work we have to do may not be our choice, it is to be accepted as God’s choice for us. Whether pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies nearest. 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' Ecclesiastes 9:10.

"If the Lord desires us to bear a message to Nineveh, it will not be as pleasing to Him for us to go to Joppa or to Capernaum. He has reasons for sending us to the place toward which our feet have been directed. At that very place there may be someone in need of the help we can give. He who sent Philip to the Ethiopian councilor, Peter to the Roman centurion, and the little Israelitish maiden to the help of Naaman, the Syrian captain, sends men and women and youth today as His representatives to those in need of divine help and guidance."

Taken from The Ministry of Healing, p. 472-473

My Birthday Project

2011-09-04T22:12:00.003-04:00

This month, PlugIn2God is focusing on witnessing for Christ. Incidentally, I am going to be celebrating my sixteenth birthday this month.

Now typically, sixteenth birthdays are huge extravaganzas that rival even the best weddings. In failing to come up with something "big" or "exciting", I decided to forget about the party. I decided to undertake a mission project for this month. Here are the details:

I am asking for Bibles, copies of Steps to Christ, and monetary donations.
The literature may be new or used; the only condition is that the "used" is usable and in good condition.
The material will be given to one of the following organizations: Maranatha Volunteers International; Bibles Unbound; or African Youth Ministries. .
Donations will be accepted for the entire month of September.
It will help me to complete my Literature Evangelism honor for Pathfinders.
It will help you begin your journey as a gospel-giving Christian!
To find out where to send the donations, email me at GabrielleBaker@about.me and I will send you the address.

I am really excited about this project, and I ask sincerely for your prayers. My biggest surprise really is that God in His foresight and Providence most definitely planned for us to be focusing on witnessing this month, my birth month. So cool! He truly is good. Again, thank you for your aid in my endeavor.

Here are the results.

The Connection: Getting To Know Him Better

2011-08-07T16:22:00.004-04:00

This month (August 2011) we are studying about prayer from the angle of God wanting to be our Best Friend. As with all friends, we should get to know God better; and in fact, He wishes for us to seek His face: but how do we accomplish this?

"It is our privilege to reach higher and still higher for clearer revealings of the character of God. When Moses prayed, 'I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory,' the Lord did not rebuke him, but He granted his prayer. God declared to His servant, 'I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee.' Exodus 33:18, 19.
"It is sin that darkens our minds and dims our perceptions. As sin is purged from our hearts, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, illuminating His word and reflected from the face of nature, more and more fully will declare Him 'merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.' Exodus 34:6.
"In His light shall we see light, until mind and heart and soul are transformed into the image of His holiness.
"For those who thus lay hold of the divine assurances of God’s word, there are wonderful possibilities. Before them lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power. Glorious things are to be revealed. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be made manifest. All who walk in the path of humble obedience, fulfilling His purpose, will know more and more of the oracles of God.
"Let the student take the Bible as his guide and stand firm for principle, and he may aspire to any height of attainment. All the philosophies of human nature have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized as all in all. But the precious faith inspired of God imparts strength and nobility of character. As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought is transformed by intercourse with God through the study of His word. Truth is so large, so far-reaching, so deep, so broad, that self is lost sight of. The heart is softened and subdued into humility, kindness, and love.
"And the natural powers are enlarged because of holy obedience. From the study of the word of life, students may come forth with minds expanded, elevated, ennobled. If they are, like Daniel, hearers and doers of the word of God, they may advance as he did in all branches of learning. Being pure-minded, they will become strong-minded. Every intellectual faculty will be quickened. They may so educate and discipline themselves that all within the sphere of their influence shall see what man can be, and what he can do, when connected with the God of wisdom and power."

This is taken from Ministry of Healing, pp. 464-466, "Clearer Revealings of God"

Letters to God (via Glogster)

2011-08-02T09:52:00.001-04:00

The Connection: All About Intercession

2011-07-20T16:14:00.003-04:00

Ignore the fact that I forgot about the principles of mirroring. =)
Click here to read the Scripture mentioned in this video.

The Sky is Low, The Clouds are Mean

2011-06-14T10:12:00.000-04:00

A Poem by Emily Dickinson

The sky is low, the clouds are mean
A travelling flake of snow across a barn or through a rut
Debates if it will go.

A narrow wind complains all day
How someone treated him;
Nature, like us, is sometimes caught
Without her diadem.

The Connection: Your Walk With God Moment

2011-06-12T14:51:00.002-04:00

As young people in the 21st century, we often don't understand why it's really important to have a relationship with God. Why can't we wait till we're adults with jobs and degrees? Two possible explanations are the following:

Tomorrow is not promised to us. (Job 1:21)
Jesus could come any day, and we have to be ready. (Matt. 24:36-39)

Okay, those are some good reasons; but could someone explain to me why our parents think five o'clock in the morning is a beautiful time to commune with God? I mean, let's think about this: God is never on vacation, and He never takes naps. Can we not commune with Him at a more godly hour of the day (an hour when perhaps we are more conscious)? Sure we can; have fun debating that with your parents! We can commune with God at anytime (and we should according to 1Thessalonians 5:17), but it is best to start our day with God. In doing this, we can have a better understanding of what God wants us to do for Him that day, and we can also have a peace and an assurance that He is with us and is guiding our actions. When we start our day with Him, we can ask Him to take our life and use it for His purpose.

However, I have to admit: it is difficult to get up every morning -- with hardly any sunlight peeking through my window -- and praise God. The problem is that if I do not do it then, I never get around to doing it. I guess that in the end that is a good thing because we are told to "seek... FIRST the kingdom of God..." (Matt. 6:33).

The real question behind the concept of "personal devotion" is this: how do we do it? Do we have to be old school or can we be ourselves? What falls into the category of irreverence? The cool thing about God is that He is always up-to-date with society. That means that if you listen to an audio Bible while reading along, He is okay with that. If you use a computer journal to record what you do in your personal time with God, that is okay. If you tweet or Facebook something that you take out of what you learned, I am fairly certain that God has no issues with that.

However, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He never changes, and He has guiding principles that also do not change. In essence, God is the He does not necessarily care how you commune with Him (so long as it does not go against His principles); He just wants to spend time with you, like any friend would. And, as you spend time with Him, you will begin to recognize His likes and dislikes; you will also hear Him telling you what kinds of things He would like you do to versus those things He does not want you to do. Here are some suggestions for your WWGM or "Walk With God Moment" :

Make sure you pray. Prayer could never be more important; communication is the key to every relationship!
Don't forget to hear what God has to say, too! Read a portion of the Bible everyday, either online or straight from the Book.
Music is an awesome way to praise God. You can sing songs from a songbook or from memory, you can listen to songs from YouTube or Tangle, or you can write your own songs!
An easy way to keep track of your walk with God is to have a WWGM Journal. You can use any kind of notebook, binder or portfolio or you can make a journal on your computer by making a file or using a journal program of sorts.

Just as a side explanation, I refer to this as a "Walk With God Moment" because your walk with God is continuous; it is for this life and for the life to come. The special moment that you set aside for God each day is the time during which your entire focus is on Him and nothing else. As I said earlier, you should speak with God continuously throughout the day, inquiring of Him to see what He would have you to do. In doing God's will and following His path for your life, you are walking with Him. It's your walk with God, so let God tell you how it should be. Do not let others dictate how your relationship with God should be. That means that while you respectfully accept any advise or criticism given to you by others, you do not immediately implement it; you prayerfully ask God what you should do.

I hope and pray that you will enjoy your walk with God and will make it a part of your daily life.

You Are Royalty! (Conclusion)

2011-06-03T08:17:00.000-04:00

I do not know about you but, as a child of the greatest King in the vast universe, I want to be stand out. I want to be known as somebody who is different from the rest of the society. When people see me, interact with me, I wish for them to hear the message: "I am somebody, and I am royalty; therefore, I do deserve respect."

Christ has not limited His royal blood to only a select group of people; it is available to all who wish to have it. The only guideline is to bring others into the royal family which means that we are to dress like we are royalty, we are to act like we are royalty, and we are to have the character of our King. When others see this, they will be drawn to the presence of the Royal One; and they will be

able to sing:

Oh, yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my veins.

And I who was wretched and poor now can sing,

"Praise God, praise God, I'm a child of the King!"

You Are Royalty! (Part 2)

2011-06-03T08:14:00.002-04:00

1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."

(emphasis added)

---------------------

Conduct:

How you act, how you behave, how you conduct yourself -- these all have an impact on you. You are royaltly: but can other people see that?

Your actions say a lot about what you stand for. Do you remember this phrase: “VERB—It’s What You Do!” From 2002-2006, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held this media campaign in order to confront and lower the statistics for childhood obesity. Being geared to middle-school aged children (approximately ages 10-14), they showed children of similar age, race, and situation being active.

You see, it is one thing to simply give lectures and such on the importance of exercise and the downfalls of being a potato couch. However, when you actually see that "everybody's doing it", you encounter the highly influential idea of the power of numbers. This idea may be the very reason behind the increase of followers in our society; whether it be fashion, sex, or drugs, there is somebody doing something simply because someone else is doing it. The thing is: everyone may not be doing it. But that is the way the activity is advertised and, therefore, that is what is believed.

If you did not already know, actions speak louder than words. Today, what you do means so much more than what you say. You are a child of the King: but, it no longer matters how much you profess that. Unless people can see it in your actions, they are not buying it. If your friends at school know that you go to church, but one day they see a not-so-Christian post on Facebook or Twitter, what are they going to think about you? In a technologically-oriented society such as our own, you can no longer live a double life. You either have to be fully for God, or fully for the enemy. No exceptions.

Character:

Your conduct does not just come from anywhere: it begins with your character. If you want to behave as though you are born of royal blood, than your character must be that of royal blood.

What is character? One dictionary definition is moral or ethical quality. My one of my ninth grade teachers gave this definition: who you are even when no one is watching. My definition is what you are made of. Your character, in essence, is the sole basis of everything that you are. Everything that you do and say is derived from, rooted in, and founded on your character.

So how is your character developed? Here is the formula (which I learned at a youth convention I attended in January): your thoughts (what you think) forms your attitude (how you feel); your attitude forms your behavior (how you act); your behavior forms your life (or the consequences that come as a result of your behavior).

So, if you are royalty and you wish to look as such to the world around you, then you need to behave like you are royalty; which means that you need to have the character of royalty; which means that you need to think like royalty. Now, remember that you are a child of the King of all kings. Therefore, your character must be a reflection of His character, and not just a reflection of an earthly king or queen in this world. The character and conduct of Jesus was much higher than that of any man or woman on earth, but through His strength and power, we can attain that same level of royalty.

---------------------

Oh, yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my veins.

And I who was wretched and poor now can sing,

"Praise God, praise God, I'm a child of the King!"

See what the Bible has to say: http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/attitude

You Are Royalty! (Part 1)

2011-05-04T17:50:00.003-04:00

---------------------

You are royalty: but, can others tell? Are you different from others; do you stand out? What message are you sending by your clothing, your conduct, and your character?

Clothing:
Sight is possibly the most-used sense. We first look at our food to decide if it is worth eating. When you meet someone, the first thing you typically do is look at them. So what about when others meet you? When others see that way you dress, the way in which you carry yourself, what message are they reading? Are you telling them that you are royalty? Or are you giving them the impression that you are simply a piece of trash sitting around waiting to be trampled on? Or, perhaps, are you saying that you are willing to give your all until there is nothing left?

Now often, the subject of dress is directed at women. This is proper because females often fail when it come down to this key point. Today, women young and old are seen dressing in a rather provocative and sensual manner; or, if not that, their dress is gaudy and heavily adorned. Revealing clothing does not say, "I deserve respect." No, quite the contrary: "I am open to the public. I hope you like what you see!" Make-up and jewelry do not say, "I am of royal blood; I am important." Rather, the message is "I am not comfortable with my natural beauty" or "I need this to look good". By tainting your natural beauty, you are not saying that you belong to Christ.

"The apostle [Peter] exhorted the women in the faith to be chaste in conversation and modest in dress and deportment. 'Whose adorning,' he counseled, 'let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' " Acts of the Apostles p. 523, Ellen G. White.

However, there are also males who are either full of themselves or who do not have any regard for themselves. To these two groups I say to REFOCUS. It's is not all about you, whether you wish for all to bow upon your arrival or you don't care what anyone thinks of you. Both extremes are flawed. As children of the King, we ought to carry ourselves as those who are worth something, yet not as though we are king ourselves.

"The lesson applies to believers in every age. 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' Matthew 7:20. The inward adorning of a meek and quiet spirit is priceless. In the life of the true Christian the outward adorning is always in harmony with the inward peace and holiness. 'If any man will come after Me,' Christ said, 'let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.' Matthew 16:24. Self-denial and sacrifice will mark the Christian’s life. Evidence that the taste is converted will be seen in the dress of all who walk in the path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord." Ibid.

"Christians will be judged by the fruit they bear. The true child of God will be neat and clean. While we are to guard against needless adornment and display, we are in no case to be careless and indifferent in regard to outward appearance. All about our persons and our homes is to be neat and attractive. The youth are to be taught the importance of presenting an appearance above criticism, an appearance that honors God and the truth." Counsels on Health, p. 102, Ellen G. White

When we dress, we should be able to honestly say that, yes, we deserve the respect of others. The only thing for which we should ask but yet do not deserve is salvation. Aside from that, we must do are best to command the respect we deserve, but do so in such a manner that we actually obtain it. All men and women are deserving of respect: but few of them actually show -- or even believe -- that they truly are. Yet, as those of royal blood, we must dress in such a manner that our appearance alone demands respect.

---------------------

Oh, yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King

His royal blood now flows in my veins.

And I who was wretched and poor now can sing,

"Praise God, praise God, I'm a child of the King!"

See what the Bible has to say: http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/clothing

PlugIn2God Scope and Sequence, 2nd Term

2011-04-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

I would like to inform everyone of what is ahead for PlugIn2God for this second term of the year 2011.

May - The Sanctuary: God With Us
June - Grace, Forgiveness and Peace
July - Intercession: The Middleman
August - Prayer: Plugged In

Also, during these next four months after April, I will be posting worksheets in conjunction with the theme of the allotted month. Please tell everyone you know!!!

Sexism in God's Eyes

2011-02-20T03:00:00.000-05:00

Originally, God made men and women to be equal. So the people who "always say 'man and woman' were created equal" are right. It is also correct that because of sin and imperfection, that is no longer the case. After sin, women were given two curses (according to Genesis 3:16):

Pain with childbirth
Superiority of husband

From that time onward, women have always had a slightly lower status because Eve proved that we can't be left alone (and whether we wish to believe that or not, it is true).

However, we are all still equal in worth. God does not change His behavior based on the gender He is working with. Though we see that the majority of the Bible is focused on men due to culture, there were definitely women worth mentioning-- Rahab, Ruth, Esther, Phoebe, Chloe, Miriam, Zipporah, Lydia, the female followers of Jesus, etc. And I'm quite sure that God used women in other scenarios, too, who simply were not mentioned, just as there are some males who played active roles but were not mentioned.

Lastly, though in a marital relationship the husband has superiority, they are still both equal (difficult concept, yes, but entirely infallible because it's in God's Word).

Ephesians 5:22-29 shows that the superiority of the husband does not give way to abuse or arrogance, while explaining why wives should respect their husbands:

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the body is subject to Christ, so let the wives be [subject] to their own husbands in everything.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her... So husbands ought to loves their wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself."

1 Corinthians 7:4 states the equality of married couples:

"The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."

I will admit that as a race, humans have distorted God's plan-- both plan A and plan B. Now we have sexism, feminists movements, and so forth. If we would all just realize that both and female are made in the likeness of the Almighty, and that He has put into motion plans that will benefit us in the long run, we would be better off.

Brief Biblical History on Dance

2011-02-13T03:00:00.000-05:00

Dancing has a bit of a history. It is most often related to the worship of false gods, spiritualism (which is VERY different from spirituality), and, more commonly, sex (and yes, I said it).

I do not believe that God had or has any issues with dancing, as there are several verses in HIS BOOK which point out that activity (Ecclesiastes 3:4; Psalm 30:11; Lamentations 5:15). By looking at these verses, and many more, dancing is a form of expressing great joy.

King David danced when the Ark of God was come back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14-16)
Miriam danced when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea unharmed (Exodus 15:20)
Jepthath's daughter danced when her father returned from war (Judges 11:34)
the father of the prodigal son held a party with "music and dancing" (Luke 15:25)

Joy. Inexpressible joy. Overflowing joy.

However, we also have dance in the Bible in relation to idol worship-- which God has commanded against in Exodus 20:2-6-- and sensuality...

The Israelites danced and sang before the golden calf which Aaron had made (Exodus 32:6, 17-19)
The prophets of Baal danced before their altar at the contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:25-26)
God gives a parable, in which He relates idolatry to prostitution and lewdness (Ezekiel 23:49)
The dancing of the daughter of Herodias "pleased" Herod (Matt. 14:6-7; Mark 6:21-22)
Balaam told the king of Moab to lead the Israelites into idolatry and fornication (Revelation 2:14; Numbers 25:1-2)

Paul points out in Hebrews 13:4 (by the way, I think Paul wrote Hebrews... just saying) that sexual activities (the marriage bed) should be kept pure-- in other words, only in the context of marriage. Seeing that dancing is often seen in connection to sex, it should only occur in the context of marriage, correct? I feel that most Adventists, and Christians in general, are against dancing because it can lead to sexual sin (unless you are careful; but sometimes our "careful mindset" turns off when in the presence of that special someone). Within marriage, dancing is fine. But outside of that, it can be dangerous.

Check out these resources and decide for yourself...

http://executableoutlines.com/moral/moral_12.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/556016/South-Asian-arts/6...

http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?file=article&name=N...

http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=arti...

Love Versus Lust

2011-02-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

One who holds the elements of true love (based on 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4) is:

Patient
Kind
Non-envious
Humble
Couth (not obnoxious or obsessed)
Unselfish/Servile
Even-tempered
Pure-minded
Righteous-loving
Honest
Unfearing
Perfect (in God alone)
Eternal
God-- all good and perfect relationships of any sort include God

Lust, my friend, is the opposite of these characteristics:

Impatience
Meanness
Envy/Competition
Arrogance
Obsession
Selfishness
Bad Temper
Lewd Mind
Love of Wrong-doing
Deceit
Fear
Imperfection/Self-consciousness
Temporary
No Divine Strength

Bible Reading: January 23, 2011- January 29, 2011

2011-01-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday: Esther 3

Monday: Esther 4

Tuesday: Esther 5

Wednesday: Esther 6

Thursday: Esther 7

Friday: Esther 8

Sabbath: Esther 9-10

Bible Reading: January 16, 2011- January 22, 2011

2011-01-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday: Daniel 2

Monday: Daniel 3

Tuesday: Daniel 4

Wednesday: Daniel 5

Thursday: Daniel 6

Friday: Esther 1

Sabbath: Esther 2

Coping with the Way You Learn-- Part 2 of 3

2011-01-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

The previous focus in this series was the visual learner. This post give tips for the auditory learner, again in the three components of the Christian lifestyle (academics, spirituality, leadership):

School Life: To do well in school, you can ask your teachers if you can bring in a portable recorder or use an mp3/iPod to record you classes. If you have a hard time taking notes “live” (in class during the lecture), you can make time to listen to the recording at home and take notes then.

Spiritual Life: For personal devotions, you can listen to the Bible being read (Zondervan sells an audio Bible, and Bible.is is online) while reading along; you could put the audio Bible on your laptop, iPod/mp3/mp4 player to carry it around with you throughout the day too.

Leadership Life: If you are the leader of a group, you can lead your team out in a discussion on what should be done and record the discussion for further insight. Then you could compile the plans into a fact sheet with a colorful description (for visual learners) and have physical example (for kinesthetic learners).

Bible Reading: January 9, 2011- January 15, 2011

2011-01-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday: Genesis 45

Monday: 2Kings 5:1-19

Tuesday: Ruth 1

Wednesday: Ruth 2

Thursday: Ruth 3

Friday: Ruth 4

Sabbath: Daniel 1

Bible Reading: January 2, 2011- January 8, 2011

2011-01-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday: Genesis 37

Monday: Genesis 39

Tuesday: Genesis 40

Wednesday: Genesis 41

Thursday: Genesis 42

Friday: Genesis 43

Sabbath: Genesis 44

Coping with the Way You Learn-- Part 1 of 3

2010-12-29T19:08:00.000-05:00

Each of us is unique. Though we are made in the image of God-- meaning that we can share some of the attributes of God, such as holiness, justice, and love-- we are made individualistically. Universal, yet individual. One Creator, different DNA in each creation.
Because we are made differently, we will all think and learn differently also; however, because we are of the same Creator, we can generalize these different thought processes into three learning styles-- Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. Now, the three foundational aspects in the life of an everyday Christian youth are academics, spirituality, and leadership. For this reason, the suggestions given will focus on these three facets.

This week, we will focus on the visual learning style.

School Life: To succeed academically as a visual learner, you can read whatever needs to be read and then write down what you understand or grasp on colorful post-its. If you own a textbook, you can post the notes in the text book. If not, you can get a notebook for each class and use it just for sticky notes for that class.

Spiritual Life: For personal devotions, you can read an illustrated Bible, or one with lots of colorful maps so that you can track locations as you read. You can also make you own timeline or family tree as you read.

Leadership Life: When leading a group, you can show them your plans through illustration. However, you have to remember that not everyone learns the same way as you, so you might want to go through the extra effort and have a discussion on the plan (for auditory learners) and a physical example (for kinesthetic learners).

Remember the Titans: Remember the Leaders

2010-11-11T07:43:00.000-05:00

In life, there is a need for leaders—persons who will take up responsibility and be the trendsetters that others can follow. As Reed Markham, PhD, stated, “Successful leaders see the opportunity in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity”. “Remember the Titans” is an inspiring movie that teaches the truth about leadership and positive influence.

Among the many examples of leadership portrayed in this movie is Gerry Bertier, captain of the TC Williams football team. Gerry showed qualities of leadership by taking charge and following through with his responsibility. One of the ways he did this was by dropping Ray, his best friend, from the team due to the fact that Ray was not playing defensively on behalf of his Negro teammates, which resulted in the injury of one of them. Even though this decision threatened his friendship with Ray, Gerry still fulfilled his responsibility. Another quality of leadership Gerry shows is open-mindedness; he connected to all of his teammates—even the black ones. In fact, he became very good friends with Julius Campbell, one of Gerry’s black teammates. Despite the racism and tension in the air, Gerry made it his duty to be positive and lead the Titans to victory.

While speaking of Julius Campbell, it should be mentioned that he too portrayed leadership in “Remember the Titans”. Julius exhibited fairness when he informed Gerry of Ray’s discrimination against the black players. He was also cooperative; he showed this when he was patient with Emma (Gerry’s girlfriend) who at first was not open to black people. In addition, Julius displayed loyalty by standing by Mrs. Bertier at Gerry’s funeral ten years after the Titans 13-0 season, despite the fact that she too was once opposed to blacks. In the end, Julius’ influence on these two women, as well as others, broke the ice and made everything more peaceful.

“Remember the Titans” is not only a commemoration of the breaking of racial barriers in Virginia, but also of the true meaning of leadership. Julius Campbell and Gerry Bertier, as well as many other people in this movie, prove the viewers that leadership is about being a trendsetter, standing for what you believe in, and having a positive influence. Successful leaders look for opportunities, not obstacles.

A New Perspective

2010-10-27T07:31:00.000-04:00

Since Jesus was a carpenter...

think of Him from a hardware perspective:

Drills are needed, and hammers are precious

But none of these can love you back.

I know Somebody who means much more

than screws for drills to put hinges on doors;

Though hinges are needed, and most tools seem precious,

There's no one who loves you as much as my Jesus. =)