Tuesday, December 2, 2008
after thanksgiving
Have you ever thought about what it would like not to have anything at all? No food, no clothes, no water, no house, not even a bed; nothing at all. Every year at Thanksgiving I start to think about this. I know it all sounds sort of cliche, but seriously, what would that be like? As americans, that's not something we necessarily ponder or even have the need to think about very much. Don't get me wrong, their are many struggling families in the united states, however I don't really think it's to the degree that millions in other countries are experiencing right now. As people who typically get what we want (to some degree anyway) we are so incredibly spoiled. We all take things for granted in so many ways. And in me saying all of this, I hope i'm not being rude or offending anyway, but I truly believe we all do that someway or another. We don't understand what it's like not to have. We take so many for things for granted and it's something we don't even realize. We have to remember to be thankful for every single thing God has given each and everyone of us.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
you have to read this!
A Baby Changes Everything
By: Faith Hill
Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything
Not a ring
On her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything (x2)
The man she loves she's never touched
How will she Keep his trust
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries, oh she cries
She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything
She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries and she cries O she cries
Shepherds own they got their...
Star shines down...
Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything (x2) everything, everything, every day
Hallelujah x4
My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I'm found
A baby changes everything (x2)
By: Faith Hill
Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything
Not a ring
On her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything (x2)
The man she loves she's never touched
How will she Keep his trust
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries, oh she cries
She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything
She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything (x2)
And she cries and she cries O she cries
Shepherds own they got their...
Star shines down...
Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything (x2) everything, everything, every day
Hallelujah x4
My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I'm found
A baby changes everything (x2)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
too long
I haven't had time to update my blog in a while. For those few of you that do read my blog, I apologize. (: It's been a crazy month. I've been super busy writing an article for my hs paper; it's about pornography. Wanna read it? Check it out.
In today’s world, the internet is a great tool that is used in a number of ways, most of which are beneficial; however, there are some things on the internet that should not be seen.
Twenty years ago, pornography was a bit more difficult to get a hold of. You actually had to go out and buy the magazine or rent the video. But now, thousands of pornographic sites are just a click away, free of charge.
According to familysafemedia.com, in the United States, the average American boy sees pornography before the age of 11. These are young children that we are putting into consideration here, not just 18-year-olds and up. That is not to say that adults viewing pornography is socially acceptable, however, these 11- year- olds are still children. Most of them have not even hit puberty yet.
According to safefamilies.org, in the United States, $13.3 billion was made in 2006 and $97 billion worldwide in total pornographic sales. But that was not just in 2006, that is how it is every year.
In an article in New York Times Magazine, “Naked Capitalists: There’s No Business like Porn Business”, author Frank Rich, says “Porn is no longer a sideshow to the mainstream, it is the mainstream.”
I think pornography is something that needs to be taken care of. It has become such a normal, accepted thing throughout our society, and although most don’t struggle with pornography addiction necessarily, it is definitely a problem with some Americans.
In a study done by familysafemedia.com in 2006, they found that over 4.2 million pornographic websites were in existence. It was reported that $4.9 billion is made in internet pornography sales each year.
While some watch pornography from time to time, some are addicted to it. Organizations have been created to help those who seek need, such as Integrity Online, XXXChurch and Covenant Eyes.
XXXChurch is an online based community of people that was created to help and encourage people to find resources and seek freedom of pornography addiction.
Some may even wonder why people even enjoy pornography in the first place.
“We all want gratification,” PJ Szabo, an intern for XXXChurch, said. “We all want it in a way that will be quick and painless. The problem is that anything that treats sex as a commodity results in pain. Porn through the internet is easy to access and easy to hide. So it's easy but not painless to look at porn. So why keep looking at it? All of which are fueled by a self gratification; whether that is through physical pleasure or of a desire to gain knowledge about sex before you encounter it.”
People don’t realize that viewing pornography really can cause emotional pain and possibly problems in future relationships.
Not only is the amount of people viewing pornography increasing in general, but so is the amount of teenagers viewing pornography. In a study done by healthymind.com in 2003, it was reported that 90% of 8 to 16-year-olds have viewed pornography.
“Teenagers are becoming more aware of sex as a way of pleasing yourself and meeting our own agendas”, Szabo said. “This isn't an accurate view of sex because sex is not currency, a class in school or a merit badge that you earn every time you "advance" in this world.”
With XXXChurch becoming more popular throughout both the Christian and secular communities, the organization wants people to know who they are and why they were created.
“XXXChurch is making a huge difference in the industry because it inserts the love of Jesus into people's lives just by being there,” Szabo said. “It's difficult to meet someone in the industry who hasn't at least questioned XXXChurch or thought about it. XXXChurch exists to get people to think about Christ in their lives, and if we can get into their lives at a porn show we can get Jesus into their lives even in the smallest way of a Bible on their coffee table.”
Keeping that in mind, a fact found on familysafemedia.com states that 47% of Christian men admit that pornography is a problem in their home.
Organizations such as XXXChurch were designed to help that number go down. Pornography is just going to get worse, and it is a problem. It is slowly becoming an addiction.
Pornography is affecting teenagers more and more each and every day. They think that it is appropriate to be watching it, when it’s not even something that some people consider to be morally right. I don’t think people realize how degrading it really is.
“I think porn will continue to grow and gain new fans every year”, Szabo said. “As it becomes easier to be disconnected physically from each other we will become more isolated and lose the connections in our life that hold us to the morality we profess and need to constantly be wrestling with.”
In today’s world, the internet is a great tool that is used in a number of ways, most of which are beneficial; however, there are some things on the internet that should not be seen.
Twenty years ago, pornography was a bit more difficult to get a hold of. You actually had to go out and buy the magazine or rent the video. But now, thousands of pornographic sites are just a click away, free of charge.
According to familysafemedia.com, in the United States, the average American boy sees pornography before the age of 11. These are young children that we are putting into consideration here, not just 18-year-olds and up. That is not to say that adults viewing pornography is socially acceptable, however, these 11- year- olds are still children. Most of them have not even hit puberty yet.
According to safefamilies.org, in the United States, $13.3 billion was made in 2006 and $97 billion worldwide in total pornographic sales. But that was not just in 2006, that is how it is every year.
In an article in New York Times Magazine, “Naked Capitalists: There’s No Business like Porn Business”, author Frank Rich, says “Porn is no longer a sideshow to the mainstream, it is the mainstream.”
I think pornography is something that needs to be taken care of. It has become such a normal, accepted thing throughout our society, and although most don’t struggle with pornography addiction necessarily, it is definitely a problem with some Americans.
In a study done by familysafemedia.com in 2006, they found that over 4.2 million pornographic websites were in existence. It was reported that $4.9 billion is made in internet pornography sales each year.
While some watch pornography from time to time, some are addicted to it. Organizations have been created to help those who seek need, such as Integrity Online, XXXChurch and Covenant Eyes.
XXXChurch is an online based community of people that was created to help and encourage people to find resources and seek freedom of pornography addiction.
Some may even wonder why people even enjoy pornography in the first place.
“We all want gratification,” PJ Szabo, an intern for XXXChurch, said. “We all want it in a way that will be quick and painless. The problem is that anything that treats sex as a commodity results in pain. Porn through the internet is easy to access and easy to hide. So it's easy but not painless to look at porn. So why keep looking at it? All of which are fueled by a self gratification; whether that is through physical pleasure or of a desire to gain knowledge about sex before you encounter it.”
People don’t realize that viewing pornography really can cause emotional pain and possibly problems in future relationships.
Not only is the amount of people viewing pornography increasing in general, but so is the amount of teenagers viewing pornography. In a study done by healthymind.com in 2003, it was reported that 90% of 8 to 16-year-olds have viewed pornography.
“Teenagers are becoming more aware of sex as a way of pleasing yourself and meeting our own agendas”, Szabo said. “This isn't an accurate view of sex because sex is not currency, a class in school or a merit badge that you earn every time you "advance" in this world.”
With XXXChurch becoming more popular throughout both the Christian and secular communities, the organization wants people to know who they are and why they were created.
“XXXChurch is making a huge difference in the industry because it inserts the love of Jesus into people's lives just by being there,” Szabo said. “It's difficult to meet someone in the industry who hasn't at least questioned XXXChurch or thought about it. XXXChurch exists to get people to think about Christ in their lives, and if we can get into their lives at a porn show we can get Jesus into their lives even in the smallest way of a Bible on their coffee table.”
Keeping that in mind, a fact found on familysafemedia.com states that 47% of Christian men admit that pornography is a problem in their home.
Organizations such as XXXChurch were designed to help that number go down. Pornography is just going to get worse, and it is a problem. It is slowly becoming an addiction.
Pornography is affecting teenagers more and more each and every day. They think that it is appropriate to be watching it, when it’s not even something that some people consider to be morally right. I don’t think people realize how degrading it really is.
“I think porn will continue to grow and gain new fans every year”, Szabo said. “As it becomes easier to be disconnected physically from each other we will become more isolated and lose the connections in our life that hold us to the morality we profess and need to constantly be wrestling with.”
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Homecoming Week 2008!
We had homecoming a couple weeks ago at my high school. It was so outrageously fun. But then again, I am schools spirited, so I may have had a little bit more fun than others. It happened like three or four weeks ago, but better late than ever(:
Pictures!
Pictures!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Mexico
In August, I was a bridesmaid in a wedding in Cancun, Mexico. I know a lot of you really wanted to see pictures, so i'll put them on here(: It was really quite an amazing trip. I think I want to go back.
heart
I wanna set the world on fire
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
This is my hearts desire.
Until it`s burning bright for You
It`s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?
I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There`s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do
I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father`s hands
My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me
I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah
I`m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire
This is my hearts desire.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Pornography
This week in my english class, we were given our first major assignment- a persuasive essay. We were then given a list of around twenty five to thirty things, varying everything from abortion to women's rights to the war in Iraq to same sex marriages. As you can see, some of them were some very controversial issues. One particular topic on the list struck my interest immediately. Pornography. I am the only one writing about it in all four classes that my teacher teaches. That seemed strange to me. You would think something so incredibly prominant for boys and even girls for that matter around my age would be more popular. But to my suprise, that was not the case.
As i've been doing research on both sides of Pornography this week, i've learned a few things. Did you know that the industry brings in ten to fifteen billion dollars a year? Although that doesn't strike me as very surprising, it's definitely a large number. Did you know that an average american boy sees pornography by the time he turns eleven? Did you know that are more than 4.2 million pornographic pages on the internet? Obviously, this industry is huge. I found a quote on the internet from a writer of the New York Times Magazine and this is what he said: Porn is "no longer a sideshow to the mainstream...it is the mainstream," he said.
The thing that makes me angry about pornography when it comes to Christians, is that some Christians see absolutely no problem in it. How can they believe that? It's something that I feel I will never fully be able to grasp. God says it right in the Bible, and unlike some things that can tend to be somewhat confusing in the Bible, this is not one of them. It is so incredibly clear. I feel as if I may be a bit opinionated on the subject, however, i've seen first hand what pornography can do to relationships, and it is not something you would ever want to witness.
In the past year or so as i've matured in just my outlook on life, that is definitely something i've learned. Those who don't have Christ will do anything they please, whenever they please, to whoever they please. Those who do have Christ would like to do those things, but they have Christ within them and have the choice. But our world is still filled with sin, and nothing but.
For any guys out there that struggle with this, whether you are Christians or not, i’m sorry if this has in any way offended you. But this what I believe to be the truth and what my passionate opinion on the topic is.
As i've been doing research on both sides of Pornography this week, i've learned a few things. Did you know that the industry brings in ten to fifteen billion dollars a year? Although that doesn't strike me as very surprising, it's definitely a large number. Did you know that an average american boy sees pornography by the time he turns eleven? Did you know that are more than 4.2 million pornographic pages on the internet? Obviously, this industry is huge. I found a quote on the internet from a writer of the New York Times Magazine and this is what he said: Porn is "no longer a sideshow to the mainstream...it is the mainstream," he said.
The thing that makes me angry about pornography when it comes to Christians, is that some Christians see absolutely no problem in it. How can they believe that? It's something that I feel I will never fully be able to grasp. God says it right in the Bible, and unlike some things that can tend to be somewhat confusing in the Bible, this is not one of them. It is so incredibly clear. I feel as if I may be a bit opinionated on the subject, however, i've seen first hand what pornography can do to relationships, and it is not something you would ever want to witness.
In the past year or so as i've matured in just my outlook on life, that is definitely something i've learned. Those who don't have Christ will do anything they please, whenever they please, to whoever they please. Those who do have Christ would like to do those things, but they have Christ within them and have the choice. But our world is still filled with sin, and nothing but.
For any guys out there that struggle with this, whether you are Christians or not, i’m sorry if this has in any way offended you. But this what I believe to be the truth and what my passionate opinion on the topic is.
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