Cat-Calls

England Blogpost 2

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:09:49 -0400

1.) What is England’s main cultural activity? England has many different cultural activities. One of the most popular is to attend or play cricket and rugby games. These are the two most popular sports in England and create fun events for people to participate in. Another activity people like to do is tour the different museums and historical sites that England is saturated in. The Brits also have a lot of their cultural activities revolve around music. Attending concerts is very popular and a common normality for people living in British to do in their free time. England is known for well renowned literature and plays written in their country. It is very common to have a lot of theater events to attend to. There are the most popular cultural activities for others to participate in.

2.) What value to England place on receiving a college education?

England is heavily known for strong academics. There are over 91 universities in England including Oxford and Cambridge. Here, students have the opportunity to study at some of the most popular universities and obtain a rigorous higher education. Needless to say, attending college is not an option for people living in England but viewed more as a necessary decision that everyone makes after graduating from grade school.

England

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:34:11 -0400

The major religion of England is Christianity. The Anglican Church of England was found in the country of England, which explains why the predominant religion is Christianity. England has a various amount of different imports varying from machine tools, electric power equipments, automation equipment, railroad equipment, ships, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts. England does not have one main import, rather they have many. England’s exports from fuels, apparel, foodstuffs, and electronics. The imports parallel the exports in that there are many different imports. Two main dishes in England are mince meat pie and fish and chips. The largest ethnic group in England is white British people. The main language of England is English.

Computer Ethics

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:38:06 -0400

1. I believe that there is a standard of morality for people using computers. Whether you use the internet for social networking sites, research, or simply writing a paper, it is your responsibility to respect yourself and others through your use of computers. I believe that ethics in everyday life should be the same for internet use because each individual has the capability to harm someone else if they are not wise with what they share on the web. In other words, tweet others the way you want people to tweet you. :)

2. Yes, I believe there should be a standard of morality for people using computers. However, I believe the moral standard is relative depending on the person and the situation. For example, if I am writing a private blog post, I believe it is acceptable to share personal, explicit information that will only be viewed by my own eyes. However, I believe it is wrong to use your Facebook page to post inappropriate pictures or comments that will make you look bad and cause possible plight to those who will view your page.

3. Yes, that statement is true. I believe that according to the legal system right and wrong is relative depending on the person and the situation. In accordance to the morality of internet use, it is wrong to say that profanity should not be used online when it could help you properly express yourself in a private email to a friend or a private blog post. However, it may be disrespectful and offensive to express profanity for the whole wide web to see on your social networking site.

Without Sacrifice, we have nothing.

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 16:20:02 -0400

Spirit led occurrences strike a sensitive cord within my heart and I’m not sure why. Maybe I am fearful that the words are thrown around too lightly. Whatever the cause, a recent interaction put my prior hesitancy at peace.

As I walked out of target yesterday, I heard a desperate request.

Would you please give me money to buy groceries for my family?

I quickly turned around to a young woman, slowly rocking her baby back and forth in a stroller. I hurriedly responded that I was out of cash and kept walking. Yet as I walked away, three beckoning words stilled my heart.

Least of these.

I knew at that moment what I was supposed to do. Throwing my bags in the car, I quickly walked back to reenter the store- this time for someone else.

Before walking in I asked her basic questions: her name, her situation, her needs. With a thick Russian accent she replied that she had been in the states 3 months. Her hope was to clean houses in America to provide better means for her family but had not found any work. After this brief introduction, I told her I would be right back. I purchased a target gift card, and placed it in her hands a few minutes later. I explained that I hoped it would help and asked if I could pray for her. Her nod led me to humbly pray a blessing over this woman and child.

As I parted I felt bewildered. What just happened? My flesh deemed the situation sketchy, but my solid conviction rebuked my insecurities- for this action was not me.

I say all of this not to shed light on myself but to marvel at the sincerity and compassion of my God. I believe He used this interaction to provide for this woman but even more as a humble reminder of His constant grace in my life. He chose my monetary sacrifice to portray His ultimate Sacrifice.

So I sit… overwhelmed with gratitude that the King of Kings gently interrupted my errand to reveal Truth. I can only pray that my experience has a similar affect on the woman God used to richly bless me. Most importantly, I pray that her sheer desperation is fulfilled with something much more satisfying than a few groceries.

Lord, would you please continue to send your Holy Spirit to grant me wisdom, grace, and love in each situation I am faced with? Thank you for loving me, using me, and teaching me despite my sinful ways. Your majesty is unspeakable, your love is unfathomable, your grace is completely sufficient.

Top 3 F00D Blogs

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 14:24:00 -0400

http://www.crepesofwrath.net/

http://www.eatliverun.com/

http://www.simplyscratch.com/

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Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:26:00 -0400

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Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:24:00 -0400

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Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:22:00 -0400

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Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:21:32 -0400

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart...

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:17:00 -0400

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.

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Sun, 17 Jun 2012 20:28:36 -0400

Kingdom Glimpse

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:39:41 -0400

I hear it every day.

Multiple times a day.

Ms. Cathryn, I’m staaaarving.

It is my second year in a row working at summer day camp. I am a camp counselor for elementary, specifically 3^rd grade girls. I love it.

Field trips, arts and crafts, theme days, devotions, foosball competitions, swimming, bowling, pick up basketball games…

My days are jam packed with activities, laughter, hugs, tears, silliness, sweat, injuries and

Whining.

This afternoon as we were on our bus ride back from the movies, grumbling stomachs roused the multiple complaints.

Ms. Cathryn, I’m so hungry I could eat 55 cheeseburgers, right now!

Ms. Cathryn, my stomach won’t stop growling.

Ms. Cathryn, PLEASE say were eating lunch right when we get back to camp!

And my favorite…

Ms. Cathryn, I have not had food in forever!

I hate this phrase for so many reasons:

It’s annoying.

It’s irritating.

It is untrue.

In fact, it is the farthest thing from reality.

Oh, so the popcorn you just ate two hours ago results in you starving to death?

As I mumble sarcastic phrases to myself, I ask the Lord to give me wisdom and patience. How can they can they be blamed—they do not know.

They do not know the majority of the world groans with an immense ache for sustenance.

They do not know that every year 15 million children die of hunger.

They do not know about 183 million children weigh less than they should for their age.

They do not know that every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger.

They do not know the real starvation that dooms many to utter suffering, with the sole promise of an early death.

After all, how would they know?

Surrounded by a constant supply of fruit snacks, lunchables, teddy grams, and goldfish, this definition is completely foreign.

Later in the afternoon, during devotions, I voiced my discouragement and concern to my group of precious girls.

I explained why my stomach knots up every time I see a half eaten sandwich thrown into the garbage.

We got into groups of 3 and 4 and prayed. We asked God to give us ears that listen to the needs of the world and a heart that gives freely.

As we got up to make our “thankful lists”, hands shot up all over the room.

One after one, each girl willingly shared a story, memory, or feeling on how their hearts are so burdened for the needs of the world.

My hair is really short because I just donated it to locks of love. I couldn’t brush my hair without thinking of those who do not have any…

Every time I see a homeless person, my eyes tear up. What can I do to help them Ms. Cathryn?

I was sick of seeing so many toys in my room. I put them all in a garbage bag and asked my mom to take them to kids in need.

Dumbfounded, my heart burst with joy. They get it. They care.

They long for something more, something better. They long to do something. They long to meet the needs of those around them.

Until the opportunity arises, we will keep on praying for God to use us to be hope in our hurting world.

And Personally? Well, I stand corrected.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

"A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy."

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:02:00 -0400

“A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy.”

- Einstein

I have found a dream of beauty...

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 18:00:00 -0400

I have found a dream of beauty at which one

might look all one’s life and sigh.

Yellow Wind.

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:35:00 -0400

Yellow Wind.

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Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:25:00 -0400

Provided For

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:41:00 -0400

I will never forget.

As I stood in line at the Talon, one of Biola’s eateries, I suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

Anxious, nervous, upset, frustrated, annoyed…

The battle resumed:

How God? How?

How will I afford Biola this year, let alone another? I desire to be financially wise. See, this is why I didn’t want to come here…I told You this would happen. I told you I didn’t have the means to do so. I won’t be able to make it work. This is all a mistake and it’s Your fault.

My heart spewed anger towards God—a result of my deeply rooted fear. Fear that I would fail. Fear that I wouldn’t be able to support myself after all.

I entered Biola knowing my parents could not afford to contribute to my college tuition, yet knew without a shadow of a doubt Biola was the place I was to pursue my college education—the place God wants me.

And this precisely is the battle: My Logic versus My Faith.

My angst grew as the line continued to crawl, drawing me closer to the cashier.

Look at you…you shouldn’t even be spending money on food. How can you be thinking about a sandwich and coffee when there are bills to be paid? Your bills, Cathryn. From your private, Christian, college tuition. Remember?

Second to the front of the line, I felt as if a spot light was on me.

No—you’re wrong. Undaunted, Faith voluntarily stood up: Cathryn, please tell me one time God has failed to provide for you? None. Right. He brought you here. You love it. You love Him. He has a purpose. Please remember all the times He has provided for you this day, alone.

Startled, I quickly asked the man in front of me to repeat what he said, explaining that I was completely enraptured in my thoughts.

Oh, no worries! Seems to happen to the best of us, especially this time of year. I simply said that I will be paying for your purchase today. I love to treat those in line behind me until I get my order. Please, get whatever you like! It’s on me!

Heart pounding, I mustered a smile and heartfelt thank you in hopes to disguise the tears that threatened to gush down my cheeks at any moment.

Walking outside, riddled with raw emotion, I felt so small. Comforted. Peaceful. And Sure.

Like a lamb, lost— now suddenly found by his Shepherd.

Like waking up from a nightmare, realizing it far from reality.

Like being forgiven a terrible atrocity.

Relief came in huge waves, drowning out every ounce of hidden doubt that jeopardized my faith just moments before.

More than a gift of a sandwich and coffee: This is the faithfulness of my God.

He loves me so much that He graciously provided an obvious, physical encounter to remind me of His everlasting love. Provision. Faithfulness. Patience. Grace. And Mercy…All to remind me of His perfect plan for my life.

To the glory of God, my freshman year of college is officially paid off, but my worries are far from over. I would like to say that this incredible memory relinquishes any present fear— but it doesn’t.

Regardless, He continues:

Looks past my doubt, worry, forgetfulness, and inconsistency

Every second, hour, day, week, month, year…

He looks at me, remembers I am dust and loves me still. He lavishes His grace upon me, reminding me that He is in control. He will readily meet my needs, always and forever.

Why?

Because, He first loved me. Because, I was bought with a Price. Because, I am His.

Psalm 46:10

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:24:34 -0400

Psalm 46:10

January 26

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 23:25:00 -0400

If I am being honest with myself, I have to confess that a huge weakness of mine is trusting the Lord in the midst of suffering. I struggle to understand why on earth bad things happen to good people and well, vise versa. Why does it seem like bad things always happen to those who do not deserve it? This notion frustrates me…I have spent and continue to spend hours upon hours toying with this idea and crying out to God because of it. Why do so many unfair things happen, and it appears as if God simply sits back and lets them happen? Why does He allow such pain to inhabit the earth He created? In the Christian life, it seems so easy to praise God when you receive a pay raise, get a new car, or find out that you no longer have cancer. However, are Christians still responsible to praise God when they undergo suffering? More specifically, am I willing to praise my Father and think of Him as good through difficult occurrences? Yes. I am. Sadly, that answer came through a day that I, along with many others, will never forget.

Let me give you some quick history before I go any further—

I had the pleasure of attending the last two years of my high school career with Jessica Schoonover. For those of you that know Jess, you know that she is an incredibly enjoyable person to be around. Her love for life is evident through the way that she carries herself. She consistently has a smile on her face, loves to laugh, and is always surrounded by friends. Throughout high school, I was always on an acquaintance level with Jessica. Although we didn’t know each other personally, I can’t deny the fact that I grew to love her from the first day I met her. Little did I know that this love would end up transforming my life.

January 26 2011, I received a phone call informing me Jessica’s mom had taken her own life that day. As I received this horrific information, I selfishly thought to myself that I wish I didn’t care. My heart hurt so badly that I wanted to simply shut off the pain. But I couldn’t—I loved too deeply. As time passed, and things slowly transitioned from shock to grief to a thousand other emotions, I became faced with a choice: I could either become bitter or better. I finally became tired of only talking to God in order to remind Him that I would have never letter this happen if I were Him. I mustered all that I was at the time and began to surrender my pain, sorrow, anger, hate, tears, fear, and resentment. Slowly but surely, something began to happen. Darkness no longer seemed so dark and my soul was reminded that even in the midst of such tragedy, goodness remains. Jesus Christ remains. For in the midst of my suffering, He became my comfort. In the midst of my confusion, He was clarity.

Presently speaking, I find that I still have more questions then answers, but here is what I have learned: it is okay. It is okay to be at a loss for words. It is okay to not understand. It is okay to not be ok. It is okay to not know. It is okay to be angry. It is okay to question God. I can’t give you a good reason for why such a horrific tragedy has occurred and will continue to grieve many for the rest of their lives, but I do know this: with Christ, there is hope. You see, upon receiving Christ as your personal Savior, you are receiving comfort, satisfaction, love, safety, and joy—even in the midst of suffering. For when you are a believer of Christ Jesus, suffering takes on a totally new meaning. Suffering becomes beautiful. Suffering becomes lovely. Suffering is mere proof that God cares for us and loves us. I believe C.S. Lewis put it perfectly when he wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” I have learned that suffering here on earth has a valuable purpose. It has shown me the deep need I have for Christ. I have learned to accept suffering because it draws me to the feet of my Savior. It has shown me how vulnerable I am and how desperate I am for redemption. Most importantly, suffering has shown me a tiny glimpse of the kingdom of God: If I were God I would never have let this tragedy occur—but I also would have never sent my one and only Son to die for such depraved sinners like myself.

Reflecting over the last year has reminded me of so much but one thing stands out above the rest: I am so thankful to have the blessing and honor of knowing Jessica. Through her life I have learned what strength truly looks like. Through her life I have seen real bravery and courage. Most importantly, it is through knowing her that I have learned the joy of suffering. So thank you, Jess, for being an inspiration to everyone who knows you and everyone who will meet you. I know you won’t believe it and will probably laugh at the idea but you are a hero. You are my hero. I mean it. Thank you for letting me into your life. Knowing you and loving you has changed me for the better.

Romans 8:18.

Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 13:53:00 -0400

Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without dispelling it.