Marginalia

On Wooing Women

2013-10-02T11:56:00.001-07:00

Disclaimer:

Since most of my readership consists of students from my university, I’m using this blog post to talk about today’s theme for spirit week: “Woo a Woman Wednesday.” Please note that even though I’m skeptical, I don’t necessarily think the event is wrong, and I certainly don’t think it is sinful to participate.

However, I’d like to encourage you to stop and think about what this theme communicates to particular groups of people on campus and how it reflects certain negative attitudes that are at work in our university’s culture.

Because I am an English major, discussions in my classes often center around women’s issues and how we, as Christ-followers, need to make sure that all human beings are shown the love and respect they deserve as people who have been created in God’s image. Here are a few reasons why I think “Woo a Woman Wednesday” is a bad idea.

1. Not everyone can participate in the event.

First, this theme is geared toward couples, which means that people who are singles probably don’t feel comfortable participating. Although those who designed the event probably thought this might be a great matchmaking opportunity, the majority of men on campus who are not in a relationship will likely feel awkward about asking a girl out today, especially if they are not already serious about pursuing a dating relationship with her. Even if a guy wants to do something special for a girl who is “just a friend,” he may feel uncomfortable because he knows she might take it in the wrong way. Let’s be realistic here: Mainly couples and overeager freshman males will take advantage of this event.

Second, “Woo a Woman Wednesday” also prevents women from participating. You may be thinking, “What? Doesn’t the event center around women?” Well, yes it does, but only the men are actively participating. All the women have to do is look pretty in the hopes that they will be “wooed.” I couldn’t participate if I wanted to. The spirit of the theme does not allow me to woo a woman (Shocking!!)—or even to woo a man if I wished to do so. Let’s avoid the question of whether or not a girl should be able to ask a guy out, because that’s a sticky topic, and I haven’t decided what I think about it. In any case, a woman should be able to show a man some sort of affection in a dating relationship. Otherwise, she’s just the passive object of his affections—he objectifies or dehumanizes her, performing specific actions to win her instead of getting to know her and appreciating her as a human being. More practically speaking, from what I have gathered, a man wants a woman to show some sort of interest in him before they begin a relationship, so he know whether or not she is willing to be “wooed.”

However you approach the topic, today’s spirit week theme discourages the vast majority of students on campus from participating. This defeats the purpose of spirit week, which is supposed to be a time when all of the students can come together to show pride in their school. And—seriously—since when does wooing a woman show school spirit?!?!

2. It encourages a harmful dating culture.

If you are a student (or faculty or staff) at my university, you probably know that dating is a huge part of our school’s culture. Although dating can definitely be a good thing, the atmosphere here on campus borders on obsession with guy-girl relationships. That’s not healthy.

If you came here for your M.R.S. or M.R. degree, I feel deeply sorry for you. It’s wonderful to meet a special Christian guy or girl on campus and get married after graduation, but it shouldn’t be your only purpose in going to a great Christian university. Why should you have to spend a ridiculously huge amount of money on tuition just to meet your future spouse (which may or may not happen)?

On top of that, our dating culture often pushes people toward marriage who are either not emotionally mature enough to be in a relationship, or who need to stay single for a time to develop and make use of their talents to serve the Lord.

Here’s another way to look at the way “Woo a Woman Wednesday” promotes an unhealthy form of dating culture. What is going to happen to all the girls who head back to their dorm tonight without having been “wooed”? They’ll probably feel rejected to some extent. They’ll wonder why they weren’t good enough. Are they not beautiful enough to attract a man? Did they expect too much? Were they too forward? Too withdrawn?

In any case, an awful lot of girls are going to have hurt feelings tonight, and this is NOT acceptable. They should not view themselves in this way, and they should not be made to feel that their appearance is at fault—because even though most girls are obsessed with appearance, they need to know that truly healthy relationships are based in something deeper. They need to be shown that they are valued because they belong to God, because of their character and their faith.

3. It does not promote healthy Christian community.

I’ve already talked a lot about how today’s spirit week theme excludes people and causes hurt feelings. All of these factors contribute to the way in which attitudes that are reflected in this theme fail to build a healthy Christian community.

In Paul’s wonderful discussion on marriage and singleness in 1 Corinthians 7, he says, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches” (v. 17). If this teaching was so important to Paul, why doesn’t Christian culture embrace the truth that people should choose marriage or singleness without feeling pressured into doing something they don’t want to do?

Instead, contemporary Christian teaching privileges marriage over singleness—ironic, because Paul suggested that singleness better equipped Christians for service. We have tons of sermons, workshops, and conferences on marriage. But what about the single people? What does Christian culture have to offer them?

Singles at a Christian university like mine often look around and see almost all their peers forming romantic relationships, and they wonder what they have done wrong. They feel out of place, and they feel less “Christian” than they ought to be, because they are not going out, snagging a godly man or woman, and raising godly children. Our culture should not be encouraging this feeling of exclusion.

Dating and marriage and having children are good. Yes. But singleness should also be accepted. Instead of consciously or unconsciously excluding people, we as Christians need to work hard to make sure we are building a healthy community where all believers are accepted on an equal basis—both men and women; those who are dating, married, or single. Doing so will fulfill the vision of community that Paul longs for in 1 Corinthians 7 and 12, and it will lead us toward a better reflection of the principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13. This will help us to create a safe place for all Christians to be the people God has called them to be, and it will encourage each of us to serve God according to our individual talents.

What are some of your thoughts on the issues of gender and relationships in Christian community? Did you choose to participate in “Woo a Woman Wednesday”? Why or why not? Let me know what you think.

August Q&A: Summer Reading, Life Lessons, and How to Make Friends at College

2013-08-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

Happy August, and welcome to my first Q&A post! I really enjoyed hearing from you, my awesome readers, and answering your questions. Let’s do it again next month, shall we?

Just ask me a question by commenting on any of my blog posts, or send me an email at marginalia.jo@blogspot.com. You could ask about things I've written in previous posts; about literature, college, my life and opinions, or whatever you'd like to hear. Once I receive your questions, I’ll plan to write another Q&A on September 1.

From Annie: Can I ask TWO questions?

Sure! :)

First, what has been your favorite book to read this summer?

So far, my favorite has been Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones. It’s delightful—one of those stories that I just wanted to live in.

Second, what new thing has God taught you this summer? Thanks!

Well, this isn’t really a new lesson, but lately God has been teaching me more about contentment. I’m learning to stop longing for something that happened in the past or something that I hope will happen in the future, to stop worrying about the decisions that I’ll have to make soon, to start looking for opportunities to make the most of where I am right now. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but it’s definitely worthwhile.

From Esther: Is there hope of overcoming the fear of being all by myself in the suffocating crowds of people I don't know in Chuck's/chapel/places like that? Cuz as the days get closer to Getting Started weekend I'm kinda starting to worry about stuff like that.... *sheepish grin*

Making new friends is one of the scariest parts about freshman year—or at least, it was for me. The good news is that the other freshmen you’ll meet will be in the same boat, so they’ll be more willing to reach out. Just remember that potential friends are everywhere—in your hall/unit, in your classes and lab groups, and even in the dining hall. You may be surprised by how easy it is to make friends at college.

Here’s another tip: When you meet someone and know you will interact more with that person in the future, ask if he or she would like to exchange phone numbers. The next time you need company for a meal or a social event, you will have a list of friends you can contact. Also, don’t be afraid to be by yourself once in a while. There’s no shame in eating alone, but sometimes you can meet great people at mealtimes by asking to share their table. I met my roommate at breakfast one morning, and another time some upperclassmen invited me to join them at lunch when they saw I was by myself.

At some point during freshman year you will see the people around you begin to form cliques. Don’t worry if you aren’t a part of that right away. Sometimes it takes a while to find the place you want to be and the people you want to spend time with, and that’s ok. It took me an entire semester to find my friend group, and some people I know didn’t find good friends until even later. Just make as many friendships as you can, and relax. You may not find a solid friend group for a while, but when you do, you’ll realize that it was worth the wait.

Why The Hunger Games Hasn’t Worked (Yet)

2013-07-29T16:43:00.001-07:00

Last spring I wrote a review about Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games. After reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay and watching the movie, I continue to appreciate Collins’s artful methods of communicating her stance against violence, corruption, and oppression. Still, I don’t think many fans of The Hunger Games realize what Collins is trying to say.

Around the time the movie came out, The Hunger Games-themed merchandise became hugely popular. Mockingjay pins became a fashion statement, along with replicas of Katniss’s hunting jacket and arena costume. If you’ve read Catching Fire, this should sound familiar: It’s the same way the Capitol responded after Katniss’s victory in the arena.

Does this creep you out? It should.

The point of view that Collins uses throughout the series pulls readers into Katniss’s world to create empathy for Katniss. The connection that Collins builds between her readers and her main character is so strong that, in a sense, the readers become Katniss. This helps the readers sympathize with the oppressed and abused characters that populate the story.

But instead of wanting to become champions of justice, fans of The Hunger Games get wrapped up in the excitement of the games and the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. Instead of getting inspired to help starving and mistreated people in our own country and around the world, fans are intrigued by the false “star-crossed lovers” theme—just like the citizens of the Capitol.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and it bothers me. After all, writers have been using fiction to expose societal flaws for hundreds of years. So…why isn’t it working now? Is fiction becoming less effective than it used to be?

I could argue that readers aren’t taking The Hunger Games seriously because our society can’t take anything seriously anymore, but I’m not going to go that far. There are always difficult things going on in daily life, not to mention on a national and global level. Sometimes life gets so troublesome that you need to lighten up a little just to stay sane.

So what is the problem? Well, I can’t claim that I’ve figured it out, but here are a couple factors to consider.

The Movie

Ok, I know what you’re thinking, but I am NOT going into that cliché books-are-better-than-movies spiel. I like watching movie adaptations of books, if only to see how other people interpret books and use their creativity to bring them to life. Granted, film adaptations can be done poorly, but I think it’s safe to say that The Hunger Games was a good one.

However, the movie’s point of view is completely different from the book, and I think that damages the fans’ perceptions of the story. The film creates emotional distance between viewers and Katniss by placing the audience in the role of Capitol viewers, at least during the arena scenes. Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith periodically interrupt the games with commentary and explanations, making the viewers feel like they’re watching one of the Capitol’s mandatory broadcasts.

On one hand, the movie’s shift in point of view cleverly solves the problem of translating a first-person novel into a film. Removing the viewer from Katniss’s head also allows the film to portray other perspectives, such as members of other districts during the games and Seneca Crane’s interactions with President Snow. At the same time, it fails to build a strong level of empathy with Katniss, which, in the books, is essential to understanding how the Capitol oppresses the districts and how the young heroine subverts its power.

Perhaps this is why many fans just don’t get the significance of The Hunger Games. From my observations of other fans, the film affects the fandom’s perspective on the story about as much as the books do.

The movie isn’t hopeless, though, especially since the entire trilogy hasn’t been made into movies yet. It’ll be interesting to see how the filmmakers portray Catching Fire, which will be in theaters this fall. If they spend enough time depicting the Capitol’s oppression of the people in the districts while steering away from creating angst over the whole love triangle thing, perhaps they can preserve Collins’s message.

The Fandom

This brings me to another factor: the Hunger Games fandom.

**Side note: for those of you who don’t already know, a fandom is basically a kingdom of the fans of a particular book, movie, or TV show. They congregate on the internet to talk about their obsession, to laugh over related internet memes, and to cry together over dead favorite characters.**

Like I said earlier, the film heavily influences the fandom. However, I think the biggest problem is the fandom’s tendency to become too attached to characters.

Let me personalize this so I don’t sound like I’m bashing the idea of fandoms. I’m a bit of a fangirl myself. I get really attached to characters I like: I just want to hug them and squish them and call them my own. Sometimes I love these characters to the point that I feel like I know them better than the author does. I’ll change the story in my head just to benefit them. Confession: I skipped over the death scene of one character while I was reading Mockingjay, and I pretended it didn’t happen.

Is this wrong? Of course not. The relatability of fictional characters is the sign of a good author. However, if this is all you think about when you’re reading, you might be in trouble.

Sometimes you need to detach yourself from a character and think about what the character represents and why the author placed him or her in the story. What role does the character’s backstory play in his or her life, and why do you think the author chose that backstory? Does the author approve or disapprove of the character, and why? What idea does he or she represent?

The main pillar of the English major is that every good author makes specific choices to communicate a particular meaning. If you don’t read carefully, you can miss the whole point of what the author is trying to say—which is what I think has happened with The Hunger Games.

And, actually, it’s dangerous not to think about what you read. Careless readers can miss valuable lessons, or worse, mindlessly accept harmful ideology. A lot of people read carelessly, which is why propaganda is so effective.

So…are you thinking about what you’re reading? It’s a question I try to ask myself routinely, because if I’m not paying attention, the results could be unfortunate.

And finally, a reminder

Don’t forget that this Thursday, August 1, I’m planning a question-and-answer post, featuring questions from YOU! (If you missed my announcement, you can read it at the end of my last post.)

Feel free to ask about my life, college experiences, thoughts on literature, or just opinions on whatever you’d like to hear about—or you could just ask silly questions, because I like those, too. I’m looking forward to hearing from you, my fantastic readers. Just post your questions as a comment on this post, or email them to me at marginalia.jo@gmail.com

Until Thursday, then, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Update…I’m Still Alive. Plus, a Brilliant Idea

2013-07-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone! I happened to scroll through my old blog posts with a friend today (you can read her blog here), when I realized that I haven’t posted anything for a long, long time. Sorry I’ve been so quiet lately.

I haven’t written recently because this summer has been so busy. Most of my summers are a little unusual—mostly because my parents and I like to scrounge for historical sites rather than lounge at the beach—but this one has been particularly exciting. Pretty much everything I’ve done so far can be summed up like this: “I did ______________, and I’m still alive!” For example:

I spent three weeks in England studying Shakespeare with a bunch of really great people. While there I ended up doing a lot of exciting things such as riding on the London Underground and the train, eating British food, living in a dorm with crazy British college students, and visiting historic sites. I’m hoping to write a bit about England in a later post.
My parents and I marched across a battlefield at Gettysburg to commemorate Pickett’s Charge. Since there were no bullets flying across the battlefield, our chances of survival seemed pretty good, but we still had to make it past the heat, ticks, snakes, thistles, and uneven ground. Also, we found out that while we were there, there was a bank robbery and a bomb threat in the town of Gettysburg. We were very happy that we weren’t in town at the time and that everything turned out ok.
My dad has been teaching me how to drive. ‘Nuff said. Although I did hit a squirrel a few weeks ago, I’m still alive, the car is still alive, and everyone else and their cars are still alive. Hooray!!

As usual, I’ve been reading a lot, and I’ve discovered several truly wonderful books this summer. Sometime later, I’ll post about those, too.

Speaking of posts, I have a brilliant idea that I think you guys might enjoy. Here’s the deal:

Post a question for me on this post, and on August 1, I’ll post all the questions I receive with my answers. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you know me—feel free to ask just about anything, wither it’s silly or serious. Just…please use your common sense, ok? I won’t answer questions that are overly personal (I won’t give you my phone number) or inappropriate (you know what I mean).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this. If it goes well this time, I might consider making it a regular feature of the blog.

You have until a week from today, so…ask away!

Waiting.

2013-03-21T18:23:00.000-07:00

Seems like I’m always waiting for something. For the weekend, for Christmas morning, for someone to text me back, for a good song to play on the radio. Waiting…waiting…waiting…

Right now I’m waiting for spring. I mean, really, it’s the second day of spring already, and we’ve had snow two days in a row. The wind gnaws at my bones, and there isn’t a green leaf in sight anywhere. On my way to work this evening, I trudged past a cluster of bushes (or rather, bush skeletons) and remembered that they are lilacs for the first time since the flowers withered away last spring. Something—blue sky, a slightly warmer day, tiny weed blossoms—often hints that the season of wildflowers and warm, sweet-smelling air is frustratingly close, but never within reach.

I seem to be feeling this way about a lot of things lately. I’m waiting for so many things to happen that I keep looking beyond what’s in front of me, straining my neck around obstacles to see if whatever I’m waiting for is even closer than it was the last time I checked five minutes ago.

I am so done with waiting. But what’s even more exasperating is that I can’t do anything about it. I can’t force the lilacs to bloom any more than I can trek to the underworld to hurry Persephone back to the world of the living. It’s just so—darn—frustrating. Getting frustrated easily is one of my worst traits, a fact I’ve been reminded of since I was little bitty.

The practical side of my personality reminds me that I need to calm myself down and be content where I am now. I have so much: wonderfully supportive parents, delightful friends, warm clothing, and a place where I can learn amazing things in a community that encourages me to live like Christ.

The whole “bloom-where-you’re-planted” spiel is kinda cliché, but I think I’ll let my practical side win this argument, at least for now. After all, the White Witch doesn’t live in Ohio. Spring can’t be too far away.

What Writers Can Learn from Suzanne Collins in The Hunger Games

2012-05-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

I just finished book one in The Hunger Games trilogy, and needless to say, I can’t wait to get my hands on Catching Fire! Yes, I know my timing is a little late, since the books have been out for a while, and fans are already awaiting the arrival of the film on DVD. But I wouldn’t allow myself to read it until I finished the semester. Actually, I hid my copy of the book in my sock drawer so I wouldn’t start reading it and get distracted from my schoolwork!

Once I finally got around to reading it, I couldn’t help noticing some of the techniques that author Suzanne Collins uses to make this story great. Here are just a few.

The Writing

Don’t expect to read The Hunger Games if you’re looking for frilly, Tolkien-esque prose. In fact, the vast amount of sentence fragments is enough to make any grammarian feel trapped in the arena. (Is that a dismembered sentence lying near the stream, or is the Tracker Jacker venom making me hallucinate?)

Grammar aside, Collins’s habit of using short, tense sentences—or lack thereof—fits Katniss’s circumstances and personality well. It’s a utilitarian, survival mode style of writing. And it works.

The prose is also what one of my English professors calls “epigrammatic.” This means that, every so often, Collins/Katniss provides us with a short statement that is witty or beautiful, or that eloquently sums up the situation. Example: “I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.” Nice, eh? What makes these epigrams fantastic is that not only do they provide fans with material for memes, they make the overall writing style richer, wiser, and more enjoyable.

The Characters

I have to admit, the sheer vitality of Collins’s characters was probably my favorite part of the book. As I read, I grew so empathetic to Katniss that I felt as if I became her. If someone had asked me my name while I was in the middle of reading The Hunger Games, I would have looked up from my book and promptly responded, “Katniss Everdeen.” Now that’s great character development.

Not only does Collins carefully develop her main character, she draws attention to her minor characters as well. Each one is memorable, from Haymitch to Rue to Caesar Flickerman to the redhaired Avox girl. Collins hints at the elaborate backstories of many minor characters, even if she doesn’t reveal the details.

She also adds realism to her characters by giving them internal contradictions. Katniss hunts, skins, and guts her own animals, but she is squeamish when it comes to human injuries. Peeta is inherently gentle, but he also has a fierce side. Cinna may be a madman, but he is also kind and cunning. Collins invites her readers to wonder at these ironies, to marvel at the many-faceted jewel that is the human personality.

The Critique

Collins’s reasoning behind writing the trilogy is fairly well known, so I won’t go into the details here. However, I just have to say that I was intrigued when I heard about it, because so many noteworthy American and British writers I studied in class this semester used the same style: social critique.

More specifically, she uses the technique of subversion, meaning she takes the very thing she’s speaking against and twists it. In The Hunger Games, she does this by writing about violent entertainment from the perspective of someone forced to appear in a reality TV show. Through Katniss’s eyes, she shows the deception that goes on backstage, as well as the human element behind all the blood and gore.

Again, most of the writers we consider great do the same things, but in our contemporary world where authors can hide behind the safe labels of genre fiction, this is often not the case. Modern readers can separate fiction from nonfiction, because our fiction doesn’t contain enough truth. It’s too comfortable. It doesn’t challenge our society’s existing mindset. The Hunger Games does, and that’s part of what makes it a great book.

Anyway, that’s my Hunger Games experience. What did you think of The Hunger Games? Suzanne Collins? Writing in general? Feel free to drop me a comment—I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, my friends, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

Alarm Clock Adventures, Lake Water, and the People Who Bug Me

2012-02-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

I have a love-hate relationship with my alarm clock. I love it because it’s an iPod alarm clock, meaning it plays calm, beautiful music every morning—I hate it, not just because it wakes me up ridiculously early, but because it seems to have a mind of its own.

And I’m not kidding. Some mornings I oversleep because the volume has been turned down by some mysterious force…or because it somehow turned itself off. But don’t worry; these mishaps don’t occur all the time. In fact, sometimes they’re my fault. One night I forgot to set my clock, but I also forgot to turn off the alarm on my cell phone. I woke up at the exact time I had planned, but I heard the vibrating of my phone instead of the music the clock usually plays. It was a mistake that ended happily.

You can see that, like most of my electronic gadgets, my alarm clock can be rather persnickety at times. In keeping with its mischievous nature, it decided to have a disagreement with my iPod one day. Equally petulant, my iPod decided it wasn’t going to play music while plugged into the clock. I had a childish squabble on my hands.

“You both work for me, so you need to work together, whether you like each other or not,” I wanted to tell them. But then I realized that this must be what God tries to tell me when I don’t get along with other believers.

And lately, I’ve been getting annoyed with people way too often. The most recent imaginary punishment I’ve contrived for irritating persons is shoving them into the lake here on campus. It’s a great way to shock somebody without actually harming them: they get cold, wet, and covered in slime, but nothing a warm shower wouldn’t fix. I’d even help pull them out of the lake. Maybe.

Don’t worry, I’m not actually planning to push anyone into the lake; it just sounds like a really good idea sometimes.

But at the same time, my imagined conversation with my alarm clock and iPod convicted me of my attitude. If Christians are truly working for the Lord, shouldn’t they get along to accomplish His goals instead of bickering with each other?

I don’t want my frustration to get in the way of my true purpose in life: bringing glory to God and encouraging His people. Still, there are people—even believers—who truly deserve a mouthful of algae. I’m not sure what to do with the fact that people are annoying, but I also know that I need to develop an attitude of love toward everyone, even the people I dislike.

Loving those who don’t deserve it isn’t my forte, but it was Christ’s. After all, He forgave the ones who killed Him, as well as the sins of the entire world, as he was being crucified. How amazing is that?

I’m so thankful that the Holy Spirit gives me the power of Christ to live in a way that honors Him (see 2 Peter 1:3-4), even though my sinful nature still struggles with wanting to do the wrong things and embrace bad attitudes. As I trust the Lord to help me become a better follower of Him, I know I will still get annoyed with people, but He will slowly replace my frustration with genuine love for others.

Dance with God

2012-02-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

“Dance with God, and He’ll let the right man cut in.” Maybe you’ve heard this phrase. It’s quoted, posted, and pinned by many single Christian ladies these days. It just gives you the warm fuzzies, doesn’t it?

But wait—is this really how God works? I don’t think so.

For one thing, I’ve known many amazing, godly ladies who have ended up with absolute jerks because they’ve been deceived—not to mention ladies who remain single all their lives. Does this happen because these women aren’t really “dancing with God”? That’s debatable. But I don’t want to point fingers when I don’t know what’s going on in someone’s heart.

Also, we need to consider WHY we’re dancing with God. Is it just so He’ll give us a godly (and good-looking!) spouse? If so, we need to re-evaluate our priorities.

Ladies (and gents): God is NOT a divine matchmaker. Sure, I believe He places people together for a reason, but we need to trust Him even when His storyline for our earthly lives may not be the fairytale ending we hope for.

After all, He made us. He loved us so much He gave His life to save us. How could we want anything more?

Let’s remember to dance with God today. He IS the right man!

Uncivil Discourse

2012-02-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Lately, one of my friends and I have been griping about one of our problems with today’s church: the tendency of believers to ostracize the Christians with whom they disagree. In an age when congregations split over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary, Satan finds countless opportunities to exploit our lack of unity as the body of Christ. Especially during this year of heated political discussions, we need to remember to agree on the things that really matter and love one another in spite of disagreements on other issues.

Here’s an article posted by T.J. Addington on his blog which speaks to this issue. (You can read the original post here.)

Civil and uncivil discourse in the church

Many do not realize how much of our national culture we bring into our churches that is problematic. Take for instance, the divisions brought on by elections in the US. Our nation is sharply divided and divisive in how it deals with those divisions. And, we have developed a polarized, black and white mentality where one side is "right" and the other side is "wrong." In addition, the tone of the discourse is sharp and divisive by its very nature. One tires of people shouting at one another on news programs.

How often in the church we bring the same black and white mentality coupled with polarizing attitudes, demonizing of those we don't agree with and divisions within the congregation. In fact, conflict seems to go up in congregations during election seasons which is not a surprise given the divisive spirit in the nation at large.

However, if ever there should be a place where discourse is civil, reasonable and respectful it ought to be in the church where in God's Spirit we can disagree with one another in an agreeable way and never demonize others simply because we don't see eye to eye. Think of the Biblical teaching on being gentle and kind to one another, patient with one another, long suffering and self controlled. Quite different than the polarized attitudes in our culture at large.

Whenever the tone in the church becomes sharp and polarizing we need to be aware that it is secular culture behavior that is taking place rather than Jesus culture behavior. Whatever our differences, and whatever our positions, if ever there were a place where civil and respectful discourse should take place it should be in the church. This is why conflict in the church that results on division and divisiveness in unhealthy ways never reflects the character of Jesus but our society at large. Where it does take place, the biblical injunction is to forgive and seek to live at peace.

In addition, when it comes to politics, Jesus culture transcends our political differences and parties. Whenever I hear church leaders pushing a political agenda, party or candidate I know that for them Jesus does not yet transcend secular politics. There are Christ followers in all walks of life and political persuasion. At the work water cooler we debate politics. In the church we lift Jesus high. He is the hope of the world, not a political party. And for believers, being in the family of God transcends being in whatever political party we adhere to.

Hello Again!

2011-12-28T13:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, and I feel like I owe you—my fantastic readers!—an update on what I’ve been doing lately.

v Progressing through my sophomore year of college

Last semester was alternately awesome and stressful. Along with classes in Old Testament, western literature, creative writing, and speech, I took a course in literary analysis…the “killer class” for the English major. I was surprised to find it fun, although challenging, and had a great time writing long essays and exploring great literature. Also, I moved into a new dorm with some of my close friends, and we’ve had a blast together. Just being near such great people makes life a little easier.

v Helping take care of Grandma

I mentioned a little bit about my Grandma’s illness in this previous post from last summer. She’s doing very well and is continuing to recuperate at her home. I spent a few of my breaks from school at my grandparents’ house helping to take care of her, and it was encouraging to watch her amazing recovery first hand.

v Enjoying my Christmas break

I’m so happy to be home for a few weeks, taking time to relax and spend time with family. As much as I love school and my college friends, it’s good to be home.

v Planning new blog projects

No, I haven’t forgotten Marginalia in the midst of all this busyness. In fact, I’ve been brainstorming some new ideas. One of these is a giveaway, which I’m considering for this coming year. Please leave a comment to let me know if you’d like a Marginalia giveaway, and if you have anything you’d like to donate. I’m also planning some exciting new posts—thought-provoking snippets along with some creative pieces. One of the ways you can keep track of all that’s happening here is the safe and easy feedburner feature. You can subscribe to my blog by typing your email in the feedburner icon on the left side of the screen. Once you do this, you’ll receive an email notification for each new blog post.

Happy New Year from Marginalia!

Love,

Fall in the Farmlands

2011-10-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

I've really been enjoying fall this year--it's been a gorgeous season so far, with stunning colors and (somewhat) lovely weather. A couple weeks ago, my parents drove out to visit me, and we spent the weekend on my aunt's farm here in Ohio. Here are just a few glimpses of my adventure in the farmlands. :)

Gorgeous!

Zinneas always remind me of autumn :)

I imagine the golden leaves in Lorien would look a little like this

Libby the heifer and her calf, Chuck

It's Bob and Larry!! ^_^

This tree looked a lot like Annie Dillard's description of "the tree with the lights in it," in her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. The picture just doesn't do it justice.

A gorgeous sunset to end a glorious day

Raising Foot Awareness...For Hobbits

2011-09-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

Something I wrote just for fun...

“What’s that smell?”

Do your friends ever wonder this aloud when you smoke pipeweed together? Do beautiful barmaids pinch their noses and run away when you enter the Green Dragon or the Prancing Pony?

Have you ever noticed Shelob-sized spiders spinning their webs among your foot hairs to trap the flies that live there?

Maybe you need Shire Shampoo, specially formulated by the Grey Elves in Mirkwood. Our unique blend of natural ingredients provides a perfect solution for your dirty, smelly feet. Plus, Shire Shampoo’s dual action power first detangles your foot hair, then strengthens the roots, so the hair on your feet will never fall out.

So be aware of your feet… Buy Shire Shampoo!

I've come to realize...

2011-08-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

I’m copying an idea from a friend to use as a Facebook chain note as a blog post. You can see Melody’s original post (as well as additional questions for your reading pleasure) here!

1. I've come to realize that my hair: can be frustrating but may behave itself if I leave it alone.

2. I've come to realize that when I talk: I need to make sure my words are encouraging.

3. I've come to realize that all I really need: is God. He knows my true needs better than I do and is able to provide them.

4. I've come to realize that I hate: my own pride and selfishness.

5. I've come to realize that when I get old: I want to have a legacy of wisdom and faith.

6. I've come to realize that I'll always be: a writer. I was meant to sit up in bed with my laptop, too absorbed in a story to notice how late it is! J

7. I've come to realize that my cell phone: is even better with a full keyboard, so I can send smiley faces to all my friends!

8. I've come to realize that when I wake up in the morning: my attitude is usually made better with some early sunshine and beautiful music.

9. I've come to realize that before I go to sleep at night I: shouldn’t watch exciting movies.

10. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook: I should really be doing something else… J

11. I've come to realize that I really want to: learn to focus on other people and be aware of their needs instead of my own.

12. I've come to realize that I really dislike to: eat mushrooms. They’re too slimy for my liking!

13. I've come to realize that relationships are: always prone to disaster, unless both people are willing to work with love toward one another.

14. I've come to realize love: comes in many different forms.

15. I've come to realize food: is always better when shared with good friends and excellent conversation, no matter how bad it tastes.

16. I've come to realize heartbreaks: are sometimes easier to experience than to talk about.

17. I've come to realize that death: will be followed by a life more glorious than I can imagine.

18. I've come to realize that work: is always made better when I’m doing something I love.

19. I've come to realize that family: is the best support system ever. My family knows how to get each other smiling even during a tough time.

20. I've come to realize my boyfriend/girlfriend: may never exist, and that’s ok.

21. I've come to realize I wish I would've: made closer friends in high school.

22. I've come to realize that music: really helps me focus.

23. I've come to realize that books: are usually best when read aloud.

24. I've come to realize that nature: reflects humanity. It is both beautiful and warped, gentle and barbaric, comforting and hostile.

25. I've come to realize that hugs: are best when performed in groups!!

26. I've come to learn that smiles: are personal sunshine.

27. I've come to realize that laughter: is my favorite sound.

28. I've come to realize that tears: don’t always come as easily as they should.

29. I've come to realize that faith: is sometimes all I have to live on.

30. I've come to realize that trust: is something I need to develop.

31. I've come to realize that hot cocoa: is a drink worth fighting over—I once had three college friends tackle me in pursuit of hot cocoa mix!!

32. I've come to realize that my life: is a beautiful storybook penned by God Himself; the more I think about this, the more I am willing to live for Him.

Hospital Musings

2011-08-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve been in the hospital since Thursday. No, I’m not sick, but my mom and I are helping to take care of my grandmother. She’s had an infection and is pretty weak and confused.

I’m glad to have the opportunity to help out—at least a little. I’ve fed Grandma a couple times, and it’s fun… she opens her mouth when I hold out the spoon, like a hungry baby bird.

Overall, though, it’s been a hard week. I don’t like sitting all day every day within the bare walls of the overly-sterilized hospital. It’s lonely and quiet. And it’s hard to see my grandma lie in bed looking so tiny and frail. She’s so thin I’m afraid I’d crack every bone in her body if I touched her. Her thoughts are muddled sometimes, too, and the doctor says this confusion isn’t going away.

In times like this, it’s difficult to be hopeful. Sitting at the foot of Grandma’s bed, I know why people write depressing stories, because life is often filled with seemingly random suffering.

One short story that comes to mind is The Open Boat, by Stephen Crane. It’s about the remaining crew of a wrecked ship, tossing about at sea and crammed into a tiny lifeboat. The characters don’t interact with one other, because they’re so absorbed with their own thoughts. Each man wonders if “the gods” are cruelly experimenting with them, or if they even notice the castaways.

Sometimes I can relate with those characters. I can almost taste their loneliness and despair, because those emotions are so real to me now.

But you know what? That’s ok.

I think God allows us to experience sorrow and aloneness, withdrawing His presence from us so we can learn to trust in Him and to listen for His whisperings of hope to us.

In any case, God is the skilled Author of my story and Grandma’s. He carefully places twists and conflicts into the plot in preparation for a resolution that will be much more glorious than anything an earthly novelist could create. I’m looking forward to that happily ever after!

If you’d like to read more about the idea of God as an author, check out this excellent article by Randy Alcorn.

I Need Help!

2011-07-31T14:03:00.001-07:00

My mom likes to tell about how I used to chirp “I need help!” upon encountering situations I couldn’t handle on my own. My favorite phrase even encouraged my lovely, spunky grandmother to ask for help when her rheumatoid arthritis made it difficult for her to perform simple tasks.

Even though I’m (nearly) grown up, I’ve been realizing my need to use that phrase more.

This summer in particular, I’ve been struggling with my own self-centeredness. In many situations, I know I should protect the needs and desires of others, but I can’t. I can’t re-focus my attention away from myself and onto God and other people.

Last week I chanced upon Psalm 73:26: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever." Then I got it. God knows how difficult it is for me to focus on Him. He understands, because after all, He created me and understands all the inner mechanisms of my heart. And even though He still expects a holy, unselfish life from me, He gives me His power so I can live for Him. I’m so thankful for His grace—and help!

A Peek at Our Hummingbird Feeder

2011-06-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

Every spring, my mom fills a hummingbird feeder with red sugar water, and the whole family enjoys watching them feed while we sit on our sunroom. But this year, our hummers seem more active than ever.

They’re such scrappy little guys—we’ve seen two or three of them swooping at each other in their efforts to get a drink. When they get tired, though, they seem to call a truce so they can “re-fuel”. We’ve even seen three drinking peacefully together at one time.

Today I sat outside, trying to snap a few pictures of them. One flew up and stared at me face to face, as if to say, “Who are you and what are you doing on our deck?”

Other than that, they seemed a little shy—but I was still able to get a few good shots. Hope you enjoy them!

Camera Shopping, Postmodernism, and Barbecue

2011-06-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

My dad has been helping me hunt for a new camera lately. We’ve spent hours scouring the web, reading reviews and customer ratings, and searching for the best deals. Sunday afternoon after church, we even went to real stores—Best Buy and not one, but TWO Wal-Marts. A few times I’ve become discouraged because there are so many choices out there.

And then the reason for my camera-hunting frustration hit me. I’m not looking for just A camera, but THE camera—the tiny machine that will snap perfect pictures every time without totally draining my small supply of cash.

But no matter how hard I look, I’ll never find the perfect camera. Instead, I need to focus on what’s most important to me when I’m taking pictures.

When I keep this in mind, the camera world comes into focus a little more. Do I want good close-up pictures? I need to look at cameras with good macro and telephoto features. Do I want to film family times or special events? I need a camera with a decent video feature. Does picture taking confuse me? I need a camera that’s easy to operate with minimal bells and whistles.

Because each photographer’s needs are different, it makes sense that each camera model is different, with varying features that make it stand out.

Some people say that truth acts like differing models of cameras; we can decide what we want to believe. We can’t criticize other people because of what they believe, because for them, their beliefs are true, and for us, they are not true. This is called relativism.

In reality, relativism is a warped version of postmodern philosophy. Postmodernism, like relativism, would agree that different cameras might be “right” for different people, but it would point out that this is because different people have different needs.

Using another example, relativism would claim that a person can choose his or her own god. A Christian thinking in line with postmodernism could argue that, because each person has a unique background, he or she is entitled to a unique perspective. In fact, our differing opinions are unavoidable. However, when it comes to religion, gods are worshipped to fill a specific need in a person’s life. And according to Scripture, only the God of the Bible can supply the need for wholeness and restoration that is common to every person on the planet.

Not every truth is relative. But I think many Christians change this sentence to say, “Every truth is not relative.”

This is just—plain—not—true. While the Bible IS the truth and is trustworthy in every area in life that it covers, it leaves some areas “grey”.

For example, while many Christians use Philippians 4:8 as a guideline for entertainment, it’s not an entertainment-specific verse. Should we dance? Should we not dance? What style of music should we listen to? Is it ok to watch TV? Is card-playing a sin? Paul doesn’t say. And I think he does this on purpose.

You see, in 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses a controversy in the church over whether or not Christians should eat meat sacrificed to idols. Both eating the meat and not eating the meat is ok, he says.

How can this be? Well, let’s go back to the camera illustration. Just like different people have different camera needs, different people have different backgrounds. Some people in the church just thought of meat as finger-lickin’ barbeque, while other converts associated the meat with their former lives of idolatry.

So for some people, eating meat was sin, but for others, it wasn’t. Sounds like relativism, doesn’t it? But keep in mind that we’re still talking about “grey areas” here.

Over the past year I’ve met a lot of great Christian people at college, and while I agree with them on a lot of things, I also disagree with them on a lot of things. And that’s ok.

For instance, some people I know can worship God through jumping up and down, clapping, and yelling loudly to praise music. On the other hand, I sing quietly while praying the words of the music to God. Both are good. And both—if done with the right heart attitude—glorify the Lord.

“Tolerance” has become a bad word in the church today, but when we’re not dealing with clear-cut matters, it’s a very important—and Biblical—character quality to have. So let’s stop tearing down our fellow Christians and start loving them and working to glorify God together.

Wow, what a long blog post!! I promise to write something shorter and sweeter next time!

But for now, please excuse me while I do some camera hunting… J

Bookworm’s Paradise

2011-05-23T14:22:00.001-07:00

It’s summer, and that means it’s time for books, books, and… more books!! :D And if you’re like me, you’re probably so lost in all the wonderful books out there, that you’re not sure where to start. Here are just a few of great titles that might pique your interest.

v The Gammage Cup—Carol Kendall

One of my all-time favorite children’s stories, this tale of the hobbit-like Minnipins against the Mushroom People is both delightful and thought-provoking. A great read-aloud.

v Ivanhoe—Sir Walter Scott

Heroic knights, courageous maidens, and Robin Hood… Ivanhoe has all the ingredients for an epic medieval tale. It also describes some portions of the history of Britain and the English language you may not have known before.

v Animal Farm—George Orwell

Orwell succeeds at creating a story that is both hilarious and frightening. An interesting and brief commentary on power and human nature.

v Democracy—Henry Adams

One of my professors assigned this book for a US History class, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this Jane Austen-style satire on American politics.

v Orthodoxy—G.K. Chesterton

Definitely one of the best books I’ve read for a long time! For a more detailed description, read my past blog post.

v Don’t Waste Your Life—John Piper

Get this book. Read this book. You won’t regret it, I promise!

v The Life You’ve Always Wanted—John Ortberg

Don’t let the title fool you: this book is more than a wishy-washy self-help guide. Ortberg examines biblical living in a way that will both challenge and inspire you.

Whatever you choose to read, I hope you have a fantastic summer! Happy reading!!

How to Celebrate Lent with a Hammer, part 2

2011-03-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to admit it—I haven’t been keeping up with reading Nietzsche like I should. But with exams to take, papers to write, friends to spend time with, and so much other reading to do, it’s hard to get everything done! Anyway—I have a few minutes to spare this weekend, so I decided to scribble down some thoughts.

Interestingly, even though I haven’t gotten very far in Twilight of the Idols, some of the things I’ve been learning in my politics class tie in with Nietzsche’s ideas.

Recently my politics professor (infamous around campus for his outrageous—and often crooked—bowties!) assigned Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Like Nietzsche, Dr. King had grown disillusioned with the church of his day, because most church leaders refused to act against the racism and injustice rampant in the Deep South. King expressed his frustration to them in his Letter:

“There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society…By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound.”

Whether he realized it or not, what Nietzsche really longed for was the early church as described by Dr. King. Yet most of the Christians he knew were content in their apathy, and were, as King aptly labeled them, “more cautious than courageous [remaining] silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows.”

Is the church like this today? King warned, “If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century.” And I have to admit that, in many cases, this is the state the church is today. Because we aren’t willing to live our lives for Christ, making Him our overwhelming passion and allowing Him to care for others through us, we have failed our mission. Big time.

But in order to affect the church, we have to live out our calling to bring love and justice to the world on a personal level. So—how are you doing in this area? Are you actively working to solve the injustices that you see? Are you showing God’s love to others in practical ways?

"Are you one who looks on? Or one who lends a hand? Or one who looks away and walks off?"
~Friedrich Nietszche

How to Celebrate Lent with a Hammer—part 1

2011-03-09T12:47:00.001-08:00

Wow, I can hardly believe it’s been so long since I’ve written a blog post! My last post was written over Christmas break, and now it’s spring break—half-way through my second semester of college. I’m so glad to be back home and spending a week with my family in my own, sunny, southern state of Virginia!

Speaking of spring, today (March 9) is the first day of Lent, the period of time in the church calendar leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection. I’ve heard of Lent before and known people who have given up meat, coffee, or even chocolate for Lent, but I’ve never celebrated it. This year is going to be a little different.

Just a couple weeks ago in one of my college classes we discussed Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud. But instead of telling us how wrong these philosophers were, our professor took a different approach by showing us why they thought the way they did. It was pretty cool—almost like looking inside a philosopher’s brain to see how it worked!

But my professor did something that surprised me even more. He assigned us an article to read that suggested we study a book by Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud for Lent.

What do three of the most infamous atheists in history have to do with one of the holiest events in the Christian calendar?

Well, for starters, Lent is all about repentance. The real purpose in sacrificing something for the period of Lent isn’t just to live without meat, chocolate, or coffee for a few weeks, but to lead a person to reflect upon how he or she has disrespected Christ’s perfect sacrifice by sinning. He or she can ask the Lord for forgiveness and repent by seeking to honor God instead of sinning.

Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud were “atheists of suspicion”—they disbelieved in God, not because of any scientific or philosophic evidence against Him, but because of the negative examples of His followers. As Nietzsche liked to point out, “In truth, there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.”

By reading Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, we as Christians can see how the Church has “turned off” so many other atheists of suspicion by acting contrary to Jesus’ teachings. Jesus taught us to make peace: do we pick fights? Jesus taught us to love one another: are we grouchy—even with other Christians? Jesus taught us to live selflessly and be willing to die for the sake of another: but is that our attitude?

So, in effect, reading Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud can show us how we as individuals and as a Church have lived against Christ and showed contempt for His sacrifice. It should lead us to a repentance fitting for Lent!

I was intrigued by this idea and decided to give it a try. So I found a book by Nietzsche on Amazon (Twilight of the Idols: How to Philosophize with a Hammer and The Anti-Christ) and am going to read a little at a time until the end of Lent on April 23. My aim is to celebrate Lent “with a hammer” by doing some serious self-examination along with some serious prayer.

If you want to try this too, peruse your library or the web for books by Nietzsche, Marx, or Freud. You could also read something by Martin Luther or John Calvin—both of whom believed strongly in the sinfulness of humankind and failures of the Church. But if you don’t have time or just aren’t into something that deep yet, I’ll try to keep you updated on what I’m reading and thinking about in Nietzsche!

Gym-uary

2011-01-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year: displays of Slim-Fast bombard us in the grocery stores and gyms are packed full of people trying to fulfill their New Years’ resolutions and work off all the Christmas cookies from the past month. January consists of 31 days dedicated to fitness and weight loss—that’s just a fact of life. Yet many people exercise out of guilt, not because they enjoy working out.

I can sympathize with them. Because I’ve never been athletic, exercise has always been more of a chore than a lifestyle. And when I took a phys ed class for college last semester, I discovered I had “gym-phobia.” The complicated machines puzzled me and the slim, muscled athletes intimidated me. I, who had never played a sport—or even owned a pair of gym shorts—felt very much out of place.

A fire drill once startled me while I was taking a paper to my professor’s office, which was located in the athletic building. It took me a couple of minutes to convince myself that I hadn’t triggered the ear-splitting alarm, just by being a non-athletic person in a gym!

Maybe you resolved to work out more in 2011, to lose weight or just to maintain a healthier lifestyle. But if you’re a “gym-phobe” like me, you may need a little extra motivation to stay consistent with your exercise. Here are a few ideas to help you get out there and get healthy.

v Exercise your mind

In my misadventures at the gym, I discovered that if I occupied my mind while I exercised, time flew by faster and I actually enjoyed working out a little more. So take a book to read while cycling. Or fill your MP3 player with good music, a sermon, or an audio book to listen to during your workout.

v Go outside

Yes, I know it’s January. But even if the weather is chilly, you can still bundle up to spend a few minutes outside. Going for a walk or bike ride in the fresh air can help you relieve stress and anxiety and “clear the cobwebs” from your brain so you can return to your daily routine with a fresh attitude.

v Do it with a friend

Many people find that regularly working out with someone helps them stay consistent to their exercise plan. Plus, you can spend the time getting to know that person a little better. You could even make a habit of calling a friend or relative on your cell phone while you go for a walk to build relationships while building your health.

v Think outside the box

Find some fun, nonconventional ways to exercise. Helping a friend move to a new house or apartment or rearranging the furniture in your living room can help you stay in shape—although you might be a bit sore afterwards! You could also volunteer at your local food bank or library to keep yourself moving and get your heart rate up. Or find some friends and go swing dancing for some lively exercise.

With my busy schedule, I may not have much time to spend at the gym this coming year—but I’ll keep looking for new and interesting ways to stay fit. Want to try that with me?

Adventures in Orthodoxy

2010-11-30T19:42:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend my dad and cousin were crawling around in my grandparents’ attic when they stumbled upon a few boxes of old books. As we retrieved and dusted all the musty, ancient volumes, I felt as if we had discovered buried treasure. I’m a bookworm through and through—but something special stirs in me when I flip through an older book that’s new and exciting, yet as familiar as listening to a lifelong friend.

A few weeks ago I picked up G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy—partly for school and partly because I had wanted to read it for a while—and experienced that same, weird feeling. The book was new to me yet a classic in the world of literature; filled with familiar concepts and dusty philosophies yet sparkling with vivacity and a bold sense of adventure.

Oddly enough, that sense of déjà vu penetrates the book itself. In his “Introduction in Defense of Everything Else,” Chesterton relates a parable about an Englishman who sets out to explore what he thinks is an uncharted island, only to find that he is really back in England. This man is Chesterton, we realize. Armed with his fresh brand of logic, he flips popular thinking on its head to create “revolutionary” new ideas—with one problem: his conclusions were spelled out long ago in orthodoxy. He has not discovered Christianity, but Christianity has discovered him and has quietly waited for him to find it all along.

As I read about Chesterton’s mental journey to orthodoxy, a brilliant new image emerged from the dusty pages of history. Through the theologian’s mindbending logic and dazzling wit, Christianity seemed less like a dark, formless shape and more like a fairy tale, a romance, a grand, breathtaking quest. I felt as if I had embarked on a lonely journey only to discover my best friend walking right beside me.

This is how God works—Chesterton had found God because God had been right next to Chesterton his whole life, waiting to be discovered. Like 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” It’s so exciting—and comforting—to realize that, while I wander and waver in my search to grow closer to Him, He is helping me and loving me “behind the scenes.”

Speaking of rediscovery, tomorrow is my first day back to school after Thanksgiving break! I’ll rediscover the joys and hard work of school, not to mention the chill air that accompanies me on my way to and from classes in late November. But first, I’ll need to rediscover one very important element of school: sleep. Thankfully I know God will stay right beside me, helping me all the way.

A peek at my journal...quote journal, that is!

2010-11-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

Last month I decided to start keeping track of some of the wonderful things I’ve been hearing and reading in chapel and classes. So I started out small and stapled a few index cards together to make a tiny book; when I want to write something down, I can simply whip my journal out of my ID holder and scribble away! My goal is to fill one of these books every month. So here are a few interesting—and hopefully inspiring—selections from my October journal:

"To learn and to live is to reflect."

“We only truly know who we are and experience the joy for which we were created when our life is not centered on self but on God and others.” –Dr. Dixon

“O Lord, Thou hast set up many candlesticks, and kindled many lamps in me, but I have either blown them out, or carried them to guide me in forbidden ways.” –John Donne

“If only there were evil people somewhere, insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” –Alexander Solzhenitsyn

“God can make any indifferent thing, as well as evil itself, an instrument for good; but I submit that to do this is the business of God and not of any human being.” –Flannery O’Connor

“We cannot begin to experience humility in any other relationships until we experience a deep and profound humility in our attitude toward God.” –Jerry Bridges

“To move away from God is to move away from the source of reality.” –Dr. Mills

“Let God’s mercy be praised…even if this has taken place through our own destruction.” –Paulus Orosius

“Justice is what love looks like in public.” –Dr. Cornell West

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” –W.J. Bryan

“The eternal, holy, and unfathomable goodness of God does not allow us to wander in darkness, but shows us the way of salvation.” –Constantine

Confessions of a Church-hopping College Student

2010-10-10T19:19:00.001-07:00

Ok, I admit it: leaving my church family to head off to a college 9 hours away was pretty rough. Sometimes I wish I could just uproot my school and plant it closer to home! But alas—one cannot always do what one wants. And so I am forced to start the tedious process of searching for a church on my own.

The whole process would be so much easier if God would just stick a Post-it note in front of my nose with the name of the church I should attend. But since He hasn’t done that so far, I have so many questions I’d like Him to answer. Should I look for a megachurch or something smaller? Traditional or contemporary? And what about denomination??

Living in the conservative Midwest doesn’t help matters either; there are about as many churches to choose from as there are cornfields in the state of Ohio! But the more churches I visit, the more I miss home.

Surprisingly, it’s the trivial stuff about having a permanent home church I long for the most. Although I miss the insightful sermons I heard every week, it’s the lack of a consistent community that leaves a hole in my heart: little things like hearing about my friends’ weekly adventures—hugs and smiles from the little kids—advice from older believers.

Since I began attending a Christian college, I’ve had the privilege of surrounding myself with likeminded friends who have been what my Christian Life and Thought professor calls “Jesus Posters”—reminders of my identity in Christ. Yet it seems like something is missing.

While I interact with hundreds of wonderful brothers and sisters every day, I really miss the smaller community of my church home with its variety of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. When I visit different churches every week, I long for familiar faces—people who will smile, give me a hug, and ask about my week.

Some college students I’ve talked with have hunted all four years for a home church in vain. Maybe I’m just impatient, but I’d really like to find a Christ-centered place to get plugged into as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I’ll keep my eyes and ears open for those Post-it notes.

The Maiden Scribble

2010-10-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

“There's something delicious about writing those first few words of a story. You can never quite tell where they will take you.” ~Miss Potter

Why “Marginalia”? According to Wikipedia (Gasp!! If you don’t trust me here, check your dictionary) the word means “notes, scribbles, and comments made by readers in the margin of a book.”

I have to admit, I did a double take when I stumbled across this word. What?!?! There’s actually a word for scribbling in books?? As a lifelong bookworm, I’ve always had a hard time writing in any book, even a boring old textbook.

Yet the concept of marginalia is actually pretty cool. The word itself doesn’t mean aimless doodling in the pages of a tedious school assignment, but thoughtful, intentional remarks—a personal commentary on the book.

This unique word describes my intention in embarking on a blog: to record my thoughts and observations on life. Since entering the world of college life, I’ve been learning so many fascinating things about God, truth, life, and other people that I’d like to share—and perhaps someone might enjoy reading.

Whether I post something serious or comical, a lengthy reflection or brief quote, I hope you’ll find something interesting here to capture your imagination and inspire you.