Happy New Year

As anyone who has ever been enrolled in school for an extended amount of time knows the New Year does not begin January 1st, but sometime in the end of August. Ah yes, it is the beginning of the New year. We've now left the magic of Summer behind and have entered once more into the cold harshness of the real world. School has begun once more, and boy has it ever.

Last Monday marked the beginning of classes for me and we pretty much took off running. This year I have a pretty fun schedule: British Literature 1, Medieval Literature, Super Intense Art Appreciation on Steroids that Married an Aesthetic Philosophy Class on Drugs,  The Chronicles of Narnia (Yes, I get to take this class and you don't >:), and Ethics. Ironically my least favorite class so far is the only one for my major. If English was like all the stuff I'm taking I would do that instead, but, alas, it is not. It is also American literature and Period Courses.

This, of course, is why I'm afraid I shall not be able to contribute much to this during the semester, unless I just have something awesome to share. There is so much reading for all my classes. It's not all painful reading mind you. I can't really complain about having to read all the Narnia books and Arthurian Romances. Still, it takes up a lot of time.

In other news, honors is going well. The semester's just started and we're already doing some fun stuff. Today we're going to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. They have a Rembrant and Van Dyke exhibit that I've really been wanting to see. We also have a fun game tournament next Tuesday. Also this Saturday marks the American premier of Doctor Who series 7, so there's that as well. It's looking to be a pretty great year. College is getting easier (and by easier I mean it's getting harder, but I'm getting better at it), God is good, and I have nothing to complain about.

Coming up next (because i do have a few posts planned):  Fractal Art a.k.a. if they taught math like this I might still remember the multiplication tables.

The Good Doctor

     Ok, slight confession. I have a tendency to latch onto new things and develop passionate, deep, and incredibly emotional obsessions. I've gotten better recently in curbing my overwhelming (and often short-lived) enthusiasms, however, this time, I have been unsuccessful. Now, what on earth am I talking about? Well, I shall tell you since I have no one else to pour my soul to after I spent several hours last night crying into my pillows (I say crying, I really mean sobbing uncontrollably).  

     Doctor Who. That's right. This summer I have latched onto and devoured that great BBC classic. It was on Netflix and I thought 'why not?' Life forever changed. I started with the 2005 re-vamp - which is a good place for new people to get on - and haven't been able to stop. I'm even considering buying all the episodes ever (all 700 and something). Anyways, I thought I'd do a T.V. show review because this needs to be shared before I 'splode... I do that sometimes

  (anyone get that reference?... No?... OK).

Violence: 9/10

     Good news on this score! This is a remarkably bloodless show. There is some actiony type stuff but it's pretty family friendly. Some of the aliens might scare smaller children, but they look pretty B grade so there you go. *Warning on scariness: Some of the episodes scared the poop out of me. They're not violent, just incredibly suspenseful and I don't deal well with stress. Note- aliens always do it.*

Sexual Content: 7/10

     I give it that score only because of the BBC's agenda. There's no sex of any kind ever. Some characters kiss, but not that often. However, they do irritate me with all the references to homosexuality. Every single show the BBC produces throws it into the mix. In Downton it's Thomas. In Sherlock it's Harry Watson (who doesn't even exist) and all the jokes about John and Sherlock being a couple. In Doctor Who it's several nameless aliens and humans who mention their life with their same gender partner. Also Captain Jack. But Jack is pretty keyed down in Doctor Who, but also you can still tell that he's kind of slutty. He would pretty much sleep with anyone - regardless of gender, or species. I really only know that he's the way he is because I read about his spin-off series Torchwood. Plus, he's only in like 4 episodes. Still, at the end of the day I'm like "OK BBC! I get it! You support that life-style. Move on with the story please." But again, this is more of a general irritant than a Doctor Who specific complaint.

Spiritual Content: 8/10

     This is a show that assumes a naturalistic worldview. As a sci-fi show that worldview pervades everything. That being said I don't find naturalism very threatening. For some people the concept of Doctor Who is exciting because it presents a realm of possibilities (the thought that there is life out there waiting to be found. Also the hope that some handsome stranger will show up in a blue box to take you away... or is that just me?) for Christians, however, it's just a fun show, kind of like a fantasy. Some aliens worship other gods and goddesses. There is one episode with a Satanic monster that was supposedly locked up before time began. This one did rub me the wrong way, I don't remember what the episode was called though. That's really it, pretty nonthreatening if you know what you believe. It's not trying to covert you or anything.

Plot: n/a

     The greatness of the plots varies with each individual episode. Some stand out as my favorites, some just weren't that great.

Character: 10/10

      CHARACTER!!!!!!!!! I've been waiting for this one. Forgive me if I ramble. For those who don't know Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Gallifreyan Time Lord known simply as the Doctor. He travels through time and space in his T.A.R.D.I.S (time and relative dimension in space) with various companions. Last I heard he was 906 years old and still looking great. This is because whenever a Time Lord gets old or is fatally wounded he regenerates. He gets a new face and a new personality. But, this is where the greatness of the show comes is because the writes can write a whole new personality and still, on the inside, keep the doctor the same exact person. I started with the 9th doctor and am currently on the 11th. I liked the 9th doctor, he introduced me to the show. He had some great development as a character, but he only lasted one season. All the doctors are great, but ten is, by far my favorite. 

 

nine, ten, and eleven respectively 

I loved ten, I can't actually describe it to you. The actor, David Tennant, idolized Doctor Who as a child and getting the chance to play the doctor was a dream for him. He brought that love with him and it showed. I watched him die last night and it was heartbreaking. I've never been that attached to a character before. I will say I don't envy Matt Smith (11), because Tennant is a tough act to follow. Ug, thinking about it still makes me want to cry. Ten didn't want to go (the character not the actor), and, quite frankly, I didn't want him to go either, at least, not like that. 

     Also the Doctor frequently travels with companions, normally of the female variety, but not always. I've liked all the companions so far, but it's sad when they leave. I liked Rose Tyler a lot, but Donna Noble and Wilf were my favorite. And as for enemies, the Doctor has many (my favorite - the Daleks) but he always shows them compassion and mercy even when they don't deserve it. That is all I shall permit myself  to say on the subject.

Theme: 9/10

     Most T.V. shows don't have themes they explore but, once again Doctor Who separates itself from the rest. Mostly I've found that the show touches on themes of life and death. There's a line, I think that nicely sums up the point of this show: "When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it'll never end, but however hard you try you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor, but I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it." -- River Song. Everybody dies. This is a fact, but that doesn't mean that we stop valuing life, stop trying to save it. Life is a very precious and valuable gift. You can't stop death, but, especially as Christians we know, that, in the end, life conquers all. 

Overall Conclusion: n/a

     I could pretend to give an unbiased score but I'm not going to. I love this show. It appeals to everything in me. That said, it's probably not for everyone (no, but it is). As always do your own research when deciding to watch something and use your own discretion. This was designed to be a family show so it's pretty safe minus a little bit of language and a few references to homosexuality. I love it and, like I said if you know what you believe then you should be able to enjoy this show. Your eyes have been opened. Welcome to the Whoverse.   

Summer Reading Challenge Update

     Ok, So, at the beginning of the Summer I resolved to participate in a self-imposed reading challenge. I wanted to read 30 books over the summer. It looks doubtful as to whether I'll be able to reach that goal, but I've come a long way so far. I've just now passed the half-way mark! 15 books over the summer so far, and I still have a couple of weeks left! I kind of fell of blogging about them after I finished, so, instead of reviewing each one, I'll just give a brief summary of my thoughts, and whether or not I'd recommend it or not, and a star rating.

#6: Tales of Asgard
       10/10
    So, after seeing Thor, and the Avengers I just got a huge hankering to read Norse Mythology. I invested in this book and it is one of the best things I've ever read. It probably is not one of the most accurate representations of the Norse gods ever, but here's why. A lot of these stories are adapted from something called the Prose Edda which was written sometime in the 1200's, after Scandinavia had converted to Christianity. The gods in these stories are paragons of moral order (except for Loki, but there always has to be one). The stories are fun and witty, and the very end is amazing. It talks about the Ragnarok - the Twilight of the gods - when everything in the world is destroyed and re-made. And, just when Odin thinks that evil is gone forever, sin pops up again. Despairing, he wonders if there will ever be an end to sin and suffering, and at the very end he hears a prophecy telling on one who will come and destroy sin and death once and for all. An obvious reference to Christ put in by the author of the Prose Edda as a tribute to the Christianity that his people had adopted. Super cool, I would definitely recommend this one!

#7: First the Dead
      5/10
     This is a book about a man who researches the bugs that eat dead people. Which is gross. He goes to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to help rescue people and clean up the bodies. He then suspects that someone is using the disaster to cover up murders. Only he can't do anything because he's supposed to be helping the living first, but we all know that he'll solve the murders anyways. It was an ok book, there's nothing wrong with it. An easy read.

#8: Beowulf
      8/10
     I am the only person I've ever met who read this book under no compulsion. It was a very good book. It was short and to the point which I love. Plus, I got to play the 'See how may things from this book that Tolkien used in Lord of the Rings' game. I got fourteen. It was a good story, and I don't really remember any objectionable content. I enjoyed it, and would recommend it to others. 

#9: The Woman in White
      8.5/10
     Alright, so, this was a long book for a reading challenge, but I knocked it out in three days. It's a Sensationalist Novel, which makes it over the top, dramatic, and incredibly fun to read. These people's lives are absolutely ridiculous which is, of course, awesome, because why would I want to read about someone with a normal life? I wouldn't.All that to say I loved it. Recommend it to everyone. 

#10: The Father Brown Stories
     8/10
    Written by G.K. Chesterton, these are some of the best detective stories ever written. Chesterton was one of the great Christian thinkers with C.S. Lewis and Tolkien in their Inklings group. The Father Brown stories follow Father Brown (fittingly enough) a priest whose experience, rather than making him less able to understand the world, allows him to know people at their worst and gives him keen insight into the human soul. he uses these insights to occasionally solve crimes, and more than occasionally to win people's souls. Written before Chesterton converted to Catholicism these stories still convey deep and important Christian truths. I still don't like them as much as I like Mr. Holmes' stories, but the hero has more to be said for him than Dear Sherlock. My favorite one was the Winged Dagger. Recommend to all mystery lovers.

#11: Where the Broken Heart Still Beats
      3/10
     This was marketed to me as historical fiction. The only historical part was two of the names, everything else was made up. That's all my disappointment can bring me to say on this book.

12: Robinson Crusoe
      9/10
     When I first read this book it was an abridged version. I liked it, and figured I'd read the real thing. Guess what the abridged version left out. Oh yeah, that would be the entire point of the book. This is a book written about a man's journey to Christ. It is NOT a book about a man surviving alone on a island. It takes abandonment on an island for this man to think about his life and recognize his need for a savior of his soul, rather than a savior for his body. In the end he gets both. It's a great book, I've always loved it. I love it even more now.

#13: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
      7/10
     This was my first introduction to the Agatha Christie novels. I enjoyed it thoroughly, I couldn't put it down. Her ending was really clever. However, it was just another mystery novel. It was a good introduction to her work, I want to read more, but I feel like she's written better stories.

#14: Anne of Green Gables
      8/10
     This is another one that I've re-read, but to be fair I really remembered nothing about it. It was like reading it for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved Anne. She's so flighty and ridiculous, but grows up pretty well. It's a good book and I recommend it to all. Not my favorite, but still a good read.

#15: Taking Back Astronomy
      6/10
     So, I LOVE science - especially Astronomy. My church recently had an Apologetics Conference where a member of the Creation Science Institute came and spoke, and I picked up this book there. It's produced by Answers In Genesis, and is basically about the secularization of Astronomy and how the science actually supports a Biblical interpretation of cosmological history. Let it be known that I typically agree with everything Answers In Genesis affirms. I am a literal Six day Creationist, I'm not a Darwinist, so my beef with them isn't a scientific one. All of their material, I believe, is really confrontational. If you do not hold to their exact beliefs you are 100% anti-biblical (that is a quote from the book), and you hate Jesus (that is nowhere in the book, nor on their website, or in nay of their materials, but people make that complaint) and I just find this notion to be ludicrous. 
     I really think that you can be a Christian and believe in an Old Earth creation and still be within the realm of Biblical orthodoxy (I do not think that you can believe in theistic evolution and be OK), it just depends on how you interpret the word yom. I know credible scientists who reject Darwinism completely, and are old earth creationists. It's not like a one or the other thing. The fact is, we just don't know. Also I had an issue with their logic in the book (they rejected uniformitarianism and then used uniformitarianism to defend their own position). It was a good book, I agreed with the conclusion, it was very informative, and I loved the pictures, I just really wish AIG wasn't so confrontational.  


p.s. Despite my thoughts on the book and the organization I still desperately want to go to the Creation Museum.

Next up: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Biography, Ben Hur

Happy Olympics!

  

     Tonight's the night! It's the night that the 2012 Summer Games finally begin! Now, I don't care too much about sports, but the Opening Ceremonies are worth all the hubub. It's a time when a country can show off to the world, and let everyone know just how wonderful they are. Now, I don't know anyone who thinks that England isn't great. so now, let's take a moment to appreciate all of the things that make the UK a wonderful place in honor of the 2012 Olympic Games.

 

America

Because let's be real. If Britain hadn't colonized the 'New World' our lives would be very different.

 

British Television.

I'm sorry that Nextflix has made it only possible to talk about British television... but not really.

 

Big, red, double-Decker buses

Because please tell me you don't want to ride in one.

 

Banksy

Where else in the world could the graffiti street art of an anarchist be sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars with such irony?

 

Great People

Such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Adam Smith, Dr. Suess, John Donne, William Shakespeare, Queen Victoria, Newton, Darwin, the list goes on.

 

The Harry Potter Series

Even if you don't like/support the books, there's no denying that Harry has made a huge cultural impact on the world. 

 

So many other great books

I am of the personal opinion that the only good books are written by the British (and French, and the people from other countries that come to live in Britain). 

    

Amazing Actors

I'll admit, some of these are my personal preferences, but I can't be denied that GB puts out some awesome talent.

 

British Food

People come from around the world just to taste the wonderful treats that this country has to offer... No wait, that's everywhere else. 

 

That Dry Sense of Humor

Because when the world's going mad it's always nice to keep things in perspective

And there you have it: 10 things that make Britain great. Happy Olympics everyone!

Beautiful People

This month it's the Choose whatever questions you want month! I'm doing three characters: 2 I haven't really developed much, and one that's been with me a really long time :) Here they are, Meera Zhandi, Jennifer (Jenny) Miller, and Alekshuia Nagalo (Meera and Leks are from the same story [a fantasy], Jenny is in her own [somewhere between normal fiction and fantasy]). I don't really have any pictures for these, maybe I'll find some and add them later.

Meera Zhandi

If your character’s house burned down, and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, what would they do? Where would they go?
First off, she'd be super irritated that her house burned down, seeing as her best friend is a fire mage (for lack of a better term), and she'd actually be inclined to suspect her friend's involvement. But, she'd be more concerned for her parents than herself, seeing as how she didn't really have many possessions anyways since she works and stays in the temple. She would go back to the temple, where she spends a lot of time anyways and probably sleep there while trying to find her parents a place to stay.

Are they happy with where they are in life, or would they like to move on?
She's incredibly happy where she is in life. She's comfortable, she loves her work and she hates change. The only problem in her life are all the antics of Alekshuia that she has to put of with, going behind her and putting out (sometimes literally) all of her fires.
Are they well-paid?
She gets room and board, which is really all she wants. Her family gets a small stipend to live on for her work which is nice too.
Can they read?
She was able to read at one point. She is, however, mostly blind now and can no longer read. She does have heightened senses, so she can still 'see' in some sense, but it's mostly from using her hearing and sense of touch that she's able to discern the layout of her surroundings. But no. she can't read.
What languages do they speak?
She speaks Vallandian as her first language, and has learned to speak Kelmarian since she is a refugee in that country.
What is their biggest mistake? 
I don't know, depending on her mood she might say it was choosing to befriend Leks, but that's just if she feels irritated or tired (she can be crochety little things when she wants to be). Probably she would say her biggest mistake was choosing to leave boy she loved behind when she first ran to Kelmair as a refugee. She's never seen him again.
What did they play with most as a child?
She had dolls that she would play with.
What are their thoughts on politics?
She's incredibly grateful to the country that's taken her in, and is a monarchist through and through. She's incredibly conservative and supports the king, even if she dislikes his cabinet and advisers, vultures that they are.
What is their expected life time?
She's 100% human, but in another dimension so, probably around 100 years. That's about the average human lifespan, give or take 20 years.
If they were falsely accused of murder, what would they do? How would they react?
She'd be more irritated than anything. She's a foreigner and people are suspicious of foreigner, especially since it was her people who started the war with Kelmair. She wouldn't be surprised, but she wouldn't be afraid either. She has some friends in some pretty powerful places.

Jennifer (Jenny) Miller

What is their full name?

Jennifer Diane Miller
Does his or her name have a special meaning?

Not even a little bit. The first and last name was the name of one of my mom's friends whose sons I played with growing up, and for the middle name, I took  my friend's mom's first name. All for no particular reason.
Does your character have a methodical or disorganized personality?

Totally methodical. She hates change or the unexpected. Although she is a bit sloppy about her appearance, but that's because she's not really vain and isn't interested in other people's opinions of her. 
Does he or she think inside themselves more than they talk out loud to their friends? (more importantly, does he or she actually have friends?)

She thinks inside herself, and no, she doesn't really have friends. She's not opposed to the idea of friends (and is incredibly lonely even if she doesn't realize it). She will, however, make friends in the future. She just needs to grow out of her own awkwardness and put on some confidence pants.
Is there something he or she is afraid of?

The dark (although she gets over that pretty quickly) and also of never mattering. That fear happens when you read as much as she does.
Does he or she write, dream, dance, sing, or photograph?

She reads. She's an incredibly uninteresting person, although she doesn't realize that. She's got a lot going on in her head, she just doesn't ever really let it out. She should probably start writing or something, but then she couldn't read as much.  People really shouldn't read all the time. (I can't believe I just said that).
What is his or her favorite book? (or genre of books)

Her favorite book is A Tale of Two Cities, and she really likes fiction about the French Revolution.
Who is his or her favorite author and/or someone that inspires him or her?

Her favorite author is Charles Dickens. She's read all of his books.
Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Favorite season of the year?
She likes Christmas. Is Christmas a season? It should be if it isn't.

Alekshuia (Leks pron. Lex) Nagalo

What is their station in life? 

She's had many stations in her life. She was born in relative poverty, but when she was four was brought into the elite social class of her country. Which is still like relative poverty. It's hard to explain, but this whole class system is based on Plato's Republic. If you've read that you'll understand. She is now an adviser to the country's young king, and occupies some official position in their military.    

Does he/she have any siblings? How many? Where does he/she fit in? 
One half sister. She and her sister met briefly, unaware of their relationship to one another. The encounter did not end well. 

Who is his/her best friend?
Meera for sure. Despite their differences they would do anything for each other.
What is his/her family like?
When she was born it was just her and her mom, her father wasn't even aware of her existence. Her mom died when she was four and she was taken in by the state. Her mom was really a sweet and simple person, but she never got to know her very well. When she was a ward she was raised communally with other children. There was no one adult figure she could imprint on, so she's grown up emotionally stunted let's say. She's still very child-like in her interactions with other people. She met her father when she was sixteen. He's very closed off and professional (he's a politician, what did you expect?) and the two of them don't even pretend to like each other. And neither will acknowledge their relationship to the other, even to each other. She also has a half-sister.

What is their back-story and how does it affect them now?
A lot of her back story has to do with her relationships with her family members. Because her mom died when she was four she's pretty much retained the emotional capacity of a four year-old. This, in turn, causes many of her decisions to be a bit petty and emotionally driven. She tends to lash out a people she doesn't like causing them pain, and taking a few more casualties in the process. She's brilliant, and she's pretty cool and calculating when she has her emotions under control. Unfortunately it's pretty easy to set her off. She's really a simple person. She never had a family and that's all she really wants, a simple life with a family. 

Is he/she naturally curious?
Why yes, yes she is. Much to the chagrin of everyone around her.

What are his/her quirks?
She can change her face if that counts. She also is afraid of having hiccups and twiddles her thumbs subconsciously.  

Do they believe in love at first sight?
Yes, she's a secret romantic at heart.

What would they do if they discovered they were dying?
She would probably take it all in stride, she is over 400 after all! And then she would cry because life is so unfair. And then she would chastise herself and be chipper and happy and start crossing things off of her bucket list. And then she would throw something at a wall. Repeat.

How do they show love? 
She becomes incredibly loyal, to a fault. She'll do anything for that person and is very jealous of their affection. 

Single and Happy?

                "So, is there anyone special in your life right now?” “Do you have a boyfriend?” “Wait, you’ve never had a boyfriend!?! Well, don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time.” As a young (almost) twenty-something I get this a lot actually. In college a lot of people are branching out, getting into serious relationships and getting married by the time they graduate. And even before that people start dating as young as middle school now (if you can call that dating). In this culture it’s a  little, well, weird, to find someone who, not only is NOT currently seeking any relationships, but has nothing interesting to speak of about her past either.

                

     I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. It happens when you go to college, and look at the male population and are like ‘Holy Cow, I could actually end up marrying one of you!’ But, more and more lately, I’ve been thinking about marriage and singleness and I’ve been feeling more and more that God’s calling me to be single. Now, there’s nothing broken in me, on the contrary, I’ve been planning my wedding since I was ten, I have all of my children’s name’s picked out, and I even have a wedding board on Pinterest and I want to Honeymoon at Disney. I have all these plans, but more and more lately I’ve felt like they’re my plans and not God’s. Still, a decision to remain single is daunting one in this society.

               

       I never dated in high school (and to be fair I know a lot of people who didn’t, even if that’s not the social norm) and now, in college, I’m still not really all enthused with the idea of ‘going out' with someone (let it be known that this is NOT a blog about the superiority of some form of courtship over dating, but is about the reason why singleness is not a disease). It seems a lot of my friends last year started finding ‘The Guy’ that is right for them, I have friends who are still madly in love with their high school sweethearts, and everyone else is on the lookout. It’s the subject of almost every conversation, many churches use their singles groups as mix and mingle forums and I’m just standing over here like ‘what, exactly, is the problem with being single?’ In our society there’s an enormous pressure on girls especially to be in a relationship with some guy. If girls go through a period of singleness they start asking questions like, ‘what’s wrong with me?’ ‘What is it about me that’s unlovable?’  Even in the church there’s a pressure for women to marry. We even look at older single women and think ‘How sad’. But, I put it to you, is that a Biblical perspective?    

                

     Simply put, no. I’ve been thinking about 1 Corinthians a lot lately (of course it would be that book) and Paul has some incredibly interesting things to say about marriage and singleness that I just haven’t been able to get out of my mind:

²⁵ Now concerning virgins I have ^(A)no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who ^[a](B)by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. ²⁶ I think then that this is good in view of the^[b]present ^(C)distress, that ^(D)it is good for a man ^[c]to remain as he is. ²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.²⁸ But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have ^[d]trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. ²⁹ But this I say, brethren, ^(E)the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;³⁰ and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; ³¹ and those who use the world, as though they did not ^(F)make full use of it; for^(G)the form of this world is passing away.

³² But I want you to be free from concern. One who is^(H)unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; ³³ but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,³⁴ and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. ³⁵ This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but ^[e]to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

³⁶ But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let ^[f]her marry. ³⁷ But he who stands firm in his heart, ^[g]being under no constraint, but has authority ^[h]over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. ³⁸ So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

I bolded the parts that I’ve been thinking about. I know that that’s long, but it’s best to look at these things in a broader context. The part that’s really been on my mind is verse 26. It’s not really clear what Paul meant by ‘this present distress’, there are lots of theories none of which sound more plausible than any other to me, but it got me thinking about the economic state of our country. Everyone knows that it’s not good right now, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s probably not going to get any better. In fact, many economists give it 10-15 years before a state of total economic collapse in America and maybe even a bit before that for the EU. This isn’t what Paul was talking about, but if this is not a present time of distress then I don’t know what is. But, I was thinking, say I did get married, that would probably happen in the next three to five years. Probably soon after that, say one to two years I would start having children. I don’t think that, if I did get married, I would feel morally comfortable taking the pill, so there goes birth-control. In ten to fifteen years I could probably have a family of three or four, all under the age of 10. If, then, a complete economic collapse comes, how am I going to provide for my family? How am I going to make sure they’re all ok? I can’t.

Well, that’s a selfish reason, some people may think. You’re not going to get married and have children just because of some sort of disaster that may or may not happen in the future!?! WHAT ABOUT THE BABIES!!!!!1!!!111. Well, no, I don’t think that’s very selfish at all. In fact, Paul would agree with me. Choosing to stay single isn’t a selfish decision. Paul indicates earlier in the chapter (v.7) that being Single is a spiritual gift from God (I’m not saying that I have that), and that “because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife” (v. 2). Also, the idea of staying single in times of distress is a logical one as well. If, as I truly believe, a disaster of an economic sort is coming on this country there are things that need to be done in the service of God. Women and orphans will need to be cared for, the message of the Gospel will be needed by people more than ever, spiritual services will be required that a wife and a mother just won’t be equipped to give. If I had those responsibilities I would be expected to care for my family first, I would be one of the people requiring assistance and wouldn’t be able to serve others as effectively. That’s not a bad thing. If I were a wife and mother I believe God would expect me to serve the needs of my family first. As a single woman, however, I believe that I could accomplish more for the kingdom of God, simply because I would have more time (v. 34).

Now, do I think that people who decide to get married are wrong for doing so? Absolutely not. Two people who get married in the Lord and raise their children for Him are doing a valuable thing for His kingdom. It’s not an easy job and in a large way they’re to be commended. They just can’t do all the things that a single man or woman is able to do. Any Godly married man or woman will tell you this. So, I believe that the Bible teaches that being single is far from being a handicap on a person, it allows the man or woman to do more for the Lord. I also believe that, for the time being, God is calling me to a life of singleness. That doesn’t make me better than anyone else, it just means that different things will be expected of me than will be expected of my friends who marry. So, if you feel called to a life of singleness, there’s nothing wrong with you. Even if you don’t feel called, but God just hasn’t placed anyone in your life right now, there’s nothing wrong with you. In fact, you are able to do more to further the kingdom of God right now than you could if you were in a relationship. You’re able to devote all your resources to Him because you don’t have any other obligations.

Well, I suppose that’s enough rambling for right now. Just some of my thoughts as I move into the world of adulthood and try and decide what God wants me to do with my life. Maybe this will help someone else too.

Update

    

     So, for the past 10 days I've been at Precept Ministry's Summer Camp in Tennessee. My brother and I flew back yesterday so we're both glad to be home. Camp was so amazing! Precept Ministries is a company founded by Jack and Kay Arthur who are famous, in Christian circles, for the publication of their inductive Bible studies which encourage Christians to study the word of God for themselves. Every summer they have a camp for 14-18 year olds who want to learn to study the Bible in-depth. It's really different from any other Christian camp that I've ever been to. We have a lot of fun, playing with sports and getting to know other Christian kids, but we also spend about 5 hours a day in the classroom delving into the word of God learning to study it for ourselves. I remember my days as a camper and the amazing things that we learned about God through His word. It's a fantastic ministry run by people who truly love the Lord and want to share His word with the world.

     This was my first year attending as a councilor instead of a camper so that was a huge change. I was actually support staff, which is different.  But God truly blessed the camp this year (as He does every year) and He's shown Himself in huge ways this past week. I want to get more into it, but I'll devote several posts to that, hopefully with pictures. As it is right now my brother and I have made it home, and now we're getting ready to have family over for Fourth of July celebrations. My mom recently got a pinterest so we've been crafting all sorts of neat things all morning in addition to all the unpacking and laundry and general cleaning that's been going down. All I can say is it's good to be home and I'm looking forward to the future :)