Blogging Doesn't Really Work

With my internship over the summer, I spent a great deal of time looking at political minded blogs. Especially from the opposing side. Much was loaded with clever word play and degradation. Last night, I shared a blog on my Facebook page that addressed the kinky novel, 50 Shades of Grey. I enjoyed the post because it not only aligned with my views, but again, it was witty and made me feel good about my views and "being right".

My brother commented-- much of our blogging attempts to share the truth and our perceptions are really just attempts at entertaining the side that already agrees with us. 

I had been considering this idea for a few weeks, the impact of the mass production of sharing truth via Facebook or the impact of sharing truth personally with a human being.

My brother's comment confirmed the idea to me-- most blogging doesn't really work. Rarely will the people we are trying to reach read the post we have aimed toward them. Secondly, when our audience is faceless our compassion and sensitivity will most likely decline. Perhaps not always, but one must be cautious. It's a lot like online bullying--we can't see the victim's eyes and expression. When we blog about controversial issues, we may know the truth but truth without love will do nothing.

So, as you blog or read blogs, perhaps consider the compassion being shown in the writing. How is the truth being presented? 

Secondly, don't just share it. Live it and give it. 

Live what you say you believe. But, also communicate truth personally with others.  God is a personal God. He knows each of us by name, He knows our troubles, He knows our desires. He also shows us who He is-- His character, His workings, His plans.

He did not just scatter His Word around the world-- He came and lived among us. He gave a face to behold and walked with individuals.


Christ changes individuals through personally knowing them.

So, yes, blogging is a great tool. Does it change minds? Probably. There have been subjects I have been iffy on and I may come across a blog with great reasoning and it may clear it up for me. But, the greatest of greatest tools of helping others is by far personal interaction and relationship building.

 

So... I'm Going to Planned Parenthood

Yep.

Today I'll be going to Planned Parenthood.

Surprised? Don't be. It has to happen.

Today I'm going to stand up and fight for the rights of women.

A girl and her mother went into Planned Parenthood, the Tempe Planned Parenthood, right by the light rail and one of my favorite restaurants, Pita Jungle. Earlier, a young man, Tyler Kost had committed a despicable crime against the young girl-- rape. Her mother walked with her into the rather hidden corner clinic in order to have an abortion.

But can you guess what the Planned Parenthood counselor told the mother and her daughter?

The "counselor" told the mother and the young girl, the victim of rape, not to report the young man that violated her. Her reasoning? It would be "too much of a hassle." Tyler Kost (the rapist) went on to assault several other girls before finally being brought to the authorities. You can see his charges in the link below... but he has 27 charges against him. At least 27 times, he was able to scar girls.

Wait, wait, wait... not only is that a felony on Planned Parenthood for NOT reporting but-- aren't they the ones who are supposed to be focused on women's health and equality?  Is this not terribly troubling?

Why, why on earth would anybody ever allow a rape to seem like a normal part of life? Why would another woman tell a young girl that it's not a big deal--and allow the perpetrator to continue on in his ways?

She might say, "It's just this one time, just this one girl." Well, that lines up with Planned Parenthood's philosophy I suppose, individuals do not have inherent worth, someone else must decide another's worth. Not only is there everything wrong with that but also-- what makes us believe this felony was only committed once?

The protection and safety of all women is the reason I am going to Planned Parenthood. There will be a press conference with Center for Arizona Policy,  Alliance Defending Freedom, Susan B. Anthony List, and several other organizations who are fighting for the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves.  Sign the petition & come stand with us.

As I've said in a previous post--I am a feminist. I believe that women are of great value, ought to be protected. The war on women is real. Just different than what they would like you to believe.  


http://www.azpolicy.org/newsroom/life-coalition-calls-for-immediate-investigation-of-planned-parenthood

Tyler Kost

#InvestigateNow Rally

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2014/05/08/pinal-deputies-allege-planned-parenthood-report-assault/8837543/

Why Christians Should Physically Train {+ an office workout!}

Have you ever considered the impact of working out on your spiritual life? Do you think fitness is overrated and just for people who are vain or overweight? It's not :) There are tons of spiritual lessons we can learn from picking up some weights or going for run.


1. Because You Learn Investment
Accepting your body doesn't mean not bettering yourself (yes a double negative there). We ARE fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). But, God expects that we take care of ourselves. Just as the parable of the talents--we are to invest and make better. We should pursue excellence. We take care of our homes, cars, and other possessions, not because we hate them, but we want to be good stewards. We each have a unique body-- all different shapes, colors and heights--know that your body is wonderfully made and invest in it.

2. Because You Learn Sanctification
We all know, we live in a "microwave" culture. Immediate results from some wrap, some 7 day cleanse, some skin treatment-- we want results NOW. But, when we have to put in literal sweat it gets a lot less attractive. Especially if we have to sweat for more than a month. But, the process is what we need!!! We need to learn to persevere through the moments when we want to give up and feel like we can't go another 10 minutes or set. Results will come--but the process is where learning happens. It's sanctification. At the moment of salvation God does not glorify us--we are to struggle. That's where the character happens. That's where the real results will happen.

3. Because You Learn Focus
We are constantly bombarded by so many ideas and images every day. To do lists, commercials, friends, text messages, twitter.... An hour (4% of your day!) can be a great time to zone in and focus on personal goals and not just physically. I find the time beneficial to listen to music, consider the state of my spiritual life, look at areas of improvement, reflect, and even listen to a sermon {I love Eric Ludy because his preaching is pretty gutsy and hardcore--he preaches often about fighting sin and discipline--perfect for a workout!}

**What are some reasons you workout and how does it relate to your spiritual walk?**

P.S. Let me know if you check Eric Ludy's sermons out!



_________________________________
*Office Workout!

So, three days a week I work in an office from 8:30-5. Sitting and staring at a computer screen tenses my neck and back and I get super drowsy. I've seen office day workouts before but they usually involve taking a 30 minute walk or something of the sort that 1) I live in Arizona and 2) I'm not sure most people's bosses would be fond of their employees just heading out for a walk twice a day.

So here is a mini bathroom break workout! It gives me a burst of energy and takes about....1 minute.

10 wide wall pushups  (attempt to push the wall over! :)
10 regular wall pushups
10 narrow wall pushups

10 squats
10 lunges each leg

TADA! A little increased heart rate, no sweat, and energy. <3

What If I Told You That I'm a Feminist....

Cuz I am.


I will be one of the first to raise my hand and say that there is a terrible war on women. It may not be as much of an outwardly cruel war as in some countries--but our culture has been slowly gripping its hands upon our necks, choking the life out of us. It's always a slow death--just like the frog in the hot water--slowly creeping up the temperature until it is boiled alive without even knowing it.

I came across this article at my internship today, it's a review from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona of the movie Obvious Child, a comedy about abortion.

Here's the link to read the entire conversation: http://advocatesaz.org/2014/06/27/movie-night-a-conversation-about-obvious-child/


Here's a snippet from the article:

"...However, while I think many people are uncomfortable with women doing “gross-out” comedies, I’m also interested in portrayals of women as fully embodied human beings. It flies in the face of this very old-fashioned conception of women as pure and innocent, and men as brutes. It’s almost an expression of manliness to belch, to sweat profusely — whereas women must conceal these bodily functions at all costs.

Matt: It’s refreshing, too, that Max was so comfortable with Donna’s indiscretion in that regard. He went along with it when she joked about wearing diapers, and the subject of farts was definitely not off limits to them. A lot of this movie is about Donna’s freedom over her own body — not just her decision to have an abortion, but also her openness about her bodily functions, no matter what gender expectations that defies.

Anna: Yeah, it was refreshing to see Donna talk so frankly about the female body and bodily functions — pubic hair, menstruation, flatulence, diarrhea, vaginal secretions, and everything in between. Acknowledging that women have bodily functions, and therefore bodies, is the first step to recognizing that they are entitled to autonomy over their bodies. I’m not normally a fan of gross-out comedies, but I like that a film like this one subverts the idea that women don’t have normal human bodies with full functionality — it portrays them in all their supposedly “gross” glory."

I'm a bit disappointed that these are the traits that modern feminists are desiring. I don't want to be a brute. I don't appreciate when men act like cavemen--how about instead of lowering the standard for women, we raise the standard for all? (and no- I am NOT a man hater and I don't know many men who act this way!) Freedom doesn't mean irresponsible or negligent. Freedom actually does equal responsibility.  The reason children do not have the freedoms that adults do is because they have not developed the mental capacity to make informed judgments. Once a teenager proves his or herself responsible by making rightful decisions he or she is given more freedom and thus, more responsibility.I am fully aware of my body--but I do not have to flaunt its "gross" glory. We expect children to behave in this manner--not adults. I appreciate insightful, encouraging, and provoking conversation--not crude and crass language. It seems that the war on women is actually perpetuated by--women..

There's also the thing that men who have one night stands or friends with benefits are players while girls who participate in such are well, not nice terms. So, we need to change that. It has been changing--casual sex is now the norm. Sex is just a bodily function that can be exchanged between two people--no strings attached. Buuuutttt, it seems to not be working out that way. We as women do not want to be sexualized--but if we are constantly wanting this sexual freedom and casual sex is expected--why would we expect to NOT be sexualized?

The "freedom" we desire is not by living a free for all without bounds and restrictions. Without rules we are unable to communicate-- there would be no language or grammar or structure. Without rules we are unable to live safely-- there would be no traffic guidelines, no FDA requirements (which is debatable...) no order. Without rules we are unable to make a living--no enforcement of being paid, no reason to show up to your job, and therefore--nobody works. Without rules we wouldn't exist--because EVERYTHING follows a pattern and rules--why would the function of society be different?

So maybe you want to expose all of your body in its "gross glory"--fine. But, real freedom is the ability to have restraint and self control. Real freedom is learning, growing, and realizing that your ideas and actions have consequences. 

So yes, I am a feminist. A different kind of feminist. I strongly believe that man and woman are both vital, not just for biological reasons but for the world to function. I believe we have different roles and are wired distinctly differently (hello testosterone & estrogen). I am sick of the war on women that is attempting to remove my womanhood, my femininity, and devalue my sexuality. I say we as ladies step up and stop this nonsense by valuing and demanding respect for our womanhood.

A Strange 5 Minutes of Quietness

I'm sitting here in our family dining room attempting homework but my mind is a flurry of ideas. Very rarely is our home quiet. Often I hear a news anchor, drum solos from downstairs, the rustling of the material of people's clothing as they move, or the pitter patter of my dogs' paws on the tile.

But right now, all I hear is the air conditioner, the tick-tock of my father's clock from Germany, and the keys on my laptop being pressed as my nails, that are slightly too long for my taste, are clattering against them.

Ah, there's some movement. I heard a laugh and heard my mom's footsteps and the hangers in the laundry room being tangled. And here it is again.

My grandmother's caregiver just left which caused Rocky, my golden wavy haired little dog to bark and howl to be let out of the bedroom after he heard the click and creak of the door.

 But there is silence, again. The tick-tock. The remembrance that these moments, once passed, will never again be recovered.

And then I breathe. I breathe in slowly and deeply knowing that my life is ever changing and how beautiful each moment is.

The dogs just got let out of the room-- the pitter patter of their paws, the panting of running around the house to see if they missed anything of importance.

Our lives are beautiful. Even in the routine, even in the monotony.  Even in the chaos and uncertainty--our lives are being molded and shaped by our Sovereign God.

The people who frustrate us, the noises that annoy us, the questions that pester us--don't let it.

 Learn from the moments, see the beauty, find the irony, and laugh.

Epiphany of the Day

Epiphanies.

I am such a fox personality. I think, and think, and think, and can't sleep and then BOOM.

Epiphany.

The past week I have tossed and turned, been distracted, frustrated, excited, and my mind has been running nonstop. From finally deciding to pursue personal training to finding the facts on Common Core to figuring out where Dave and I will live in December to the Hobby Lobby case ruckus that I spent about 4 hours today reading articles about--my mind has been all over the place. Today, I felt like I was having a panic attack at my internship. I took my lunch to my car to clear my head. I was able to call Dave and discuss my thoughts with him--my concerns, anxieties, and how I felt like I had to have it all figured out right now.

On the way home from work, I was listening to the radio, the host gave a testimony from a devotional Streams in the Desert which I am currently reading. He was struggling with a similar thing--thoughts and ideas in your head that don't stop.

The verse used was Psalm 46:10, one of my favorites that I seemed to have forgotten:

Be still and know that I am God.

And when my spirit tells me all the unknowns and tasks ahead--He says, Be still. KNOW that I AM GOD.

I want to change the world and my entire life that to me has meant I must do everything--everything is my calling. But it's not!!

I know. I'm a tad bit slow :) I've been that "YES" girl because I hate to lose an opportunity to grow.

Remember the parable of the servants? They each were given a few to invest. He did not give all of the tokens to one servant.

Christ has given us each a sphere of influence. Often we have a few that overlap--but we can't do it all. But if we all live in our sphere of influence intentionally then we CAN change the world.

Live the passion God has given you--watch it evolve, see the people you meet, invest in those few.