Growing up, I noticed a lot of discussion about financial problems between my parents. It’s not that we were becoming poor, it was because of our growing family needing more supplies. My mother just gave birth to my little brother when I started noticing the financial issues my family were facing. As a little girl, I do not know how our finances worked all I knew was many bills were due and I knew it because when I was a little girl I liked to practice reading and those bill statements were the papers that attracted my interest due to its colorful paper.…
I never thought how interesting it would be to visit a different place of worship besides Christianity. Since the day I was born I’ve been a Christian and whatever anyone else believes in is wrong and that they are going to hell if they don’t believe in Christianity. About 3 years ago I visited the International Buddhist Progress Society a Buddhist temple in Naperville. Buddhism from what I learned looks more like a way of life or guidelines to it rather than a religion. Buddhism tells you how you could live life better but doesn’t scare you with the prospect of hell instead you live with ignorance. My own history with Christianity still made me doubt or fear the conquences of going to this temple. Part of me believed that I be punished by…
It was a Wednesday morning that I'll never forget. I had woken up at 3 in the morning because I had to be at a park for a physical fitness test. The test was not until 6 but because I was taking the bus, I had to make sure I was out of bed and out of the house early in the morning. The first few minutes of my commute were peaceful; there was light rain, birds chirping, the insect's low buzzing in the distance. It was just a normal morning. After I had gotten on the 85 bus that goes down Central to Jefferson Park I was a little groggy so I rested up against the heating compartment. The little designated area where you push a button and the heat comes on during the winter months so that commuters are not stuck out in the cold for too…
There was a young women name Mary. She had a vision for her life. But what happens to her takes her on a journey. The choices we make in life can better the future or leave it with a lot of pain as Mary finds out. It seems like Mary’s life was a rollercoaster ride at six flags, so many adjustments. Moreover, going through the pain, love, and success of finally being content within herself. In addition, enjoying the happiness that is put upon her, allowing God to direct her path in life to reach success. Believing that these steps were not motivated by her but it was the force of god.…
The rate at which our world is deteriorating is quite frightening. Therefore, the notion of the human race having to settle a new world is not all that crazy. If I was to be one of the first pioneers of the newest frontier, I would have a difficult time deciding who I would choose to settle with me. For instance, to satisfy my own happiness, I would hastily assemble a group based upon my own emotions. But, to better the world and ensure future generations' self-sufficiency, I would ultimately choose to convene a sophisticated, qualified unit composed of a peaceful leader, a gifted doctor, and a brilliant environmentalist.…
In the novel, Under The Feet of Jesus, by Helena Maria Viramontes, the author conveys the harshness of being a migrant worker and how easily one can become stuck in the same job for their whole life. Viramontes, uses the main character, Estrella, a 13 year old migrant worker to display how this long-lasting cycle and precedent can be broken. Estrella is anything but a stereotypical young girl who has big dreams and plays with friends, instead, everyday she goes out into the fields and works extremely hard to support her 4 younger siblings and mother. Estrella never realizes the power she can achieve as she feels oppressed due to her status, but as she takes control of her life, it allows her to not fall victim to the cycle of only being a…
I'm sure everyone has wondered in their lifetime, “Is there really a God?”. I know I have! There are many religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, but most people believe in Christianity. Christianity follows the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ with the belief that He is God. There are many branches of Christianity. I'm writing this to tell you about why I am a Nazarene Christian. The things I will be covering are wildlife, the spread of Christianity, and the planet Earth's perfect tilt.…
Early in my childhood, I created a barrier between myself and religion. It is a barrier that simply originates from my absence of truth and being confused by Christianity.The barrier quickly became stronger as I found myself falling further away from a deep relationship with God. Soon I became overwhelmed with guilt, asking myself why did I let this go on for so long? Now as a young adult, I want to pursue a deeper understanding of how I can become a spiritually minded person.…
Galatians 2:20” I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Knowing Jesus on a personal level is the greatest thing in the world. When we come to know Jesus all the angels in Heaven rejoice. Having a relationship with the Lord can change your life forever. I love knowing that There is a God up in Heaven that I can go to when things get out of hand. Glorifying God for the rest of my life will be something I will always cherish.…
During the year of 2010, the summer before eighth grade year. I got the chance to participate in a five day youth mission trip in Galveston Texas with my church that went by the name of Oakwood Baptist Church. During the mission trip there would be many different activities that our church group would get to be a part of, such as an outdoor dodge ball tournament, indoor carnivals, and our very own Vacation Bible School. I was able to take part in this amazing adventure, and I couldn’t wait for it to begin.…
Today was the day. The big day. My election for Lieutenant Governor of Division 2B for Key Club, an international service club, was today. Fear and anxiety pricked my skin in rapid movements emanating from every pore. I rehearsed my speech for the fifth time that day. Upon arrival at the Fairfax Library, I urged myself to remain calm. I quickly scouted out the other girls who were present; one girl was dressed professionally with a folder in her hand. I knew that was my competition. The girl spoke eloquently and genially, she radiated enthusiasm and a certain warmth that I did not have. With every question that was asked, she answered with a smooth smile and high-pitched tone that was dripping with sincerity. I bristled inside; I had just been slapped. I was shrouded in a cloud of anxiety and anxiousness. Suddenly, I was dragged from my reverie.…
Every human struggles everyone has hardship. When I was young I began to notice that maybe it is hard to understand what other people struggle with. The start of a mundane life began as usual a bus ride to school, but today something else happened a flash of yellow a soundless luxury sports car zoomed bass by a Lamborghini. As the car passed by everyone looked at it with amazement as the never seen a car pass from this part of the street. I began to wonder when will I get one with imaginary job I will live the high life. The bus hits a bump on the road I am begging to rationalize who much work will it take to achieve greatness to struggle to overcome adversity.…
looking for alaska before one hundred thirty-six days before the week beforeI left my family and Florida and the rest of my minor life to go to boarding school in Alabama, my mother insisted on throwing me a goingaway party. To say that I had low expectations would be to underestimate the matter dramatically. Although I was more or less forced to invite all my "school friends," i.e., the ragtag bunch of drama people and English geeks I sat with by social necessity in the cavernous cafeteria of my public school, I knew they wouldn't come. Still, my mother persevered, awash in the delusion that I had kept my popularity secret from her all these years. She cooked a small mountain of artichoke dip. She festooned our living room in green and yellow…
The person I choice to interview this week just like last week is also someone I turn to when I am faced with questions and concerns regarding all of my biblical classes and sometimes just personal spiritual questions. That person is my pastor and my father in law who has been a southern Baptist preacher for over thirty years. Of those thirty years he has only been pastor of two churches both, which have been very successful while he was and is presently the pastor. When we talk about anything and everything overall we have a great relationship. I choose to interview him this week because I knew he would be able to show me the more experienced side of his ministry because of his years of serving the lord.…
A young woman named Laura got in a car accident with her in-laws. Everyone was safe with minor injuries, however, Josie was pregnant and she had lost her baby. After that accident, Laura was not physically able to have another baby. Laura and her husband, Matt went to many doctors and specialists to find her a treatment, but there was not any. One night, the couple went out for dinner and met a pregnant woman, Suzie. Laura shared her tragedy about her incident. Suzie then laughed a bit and stated, "God has sent me in the right place." At first, Laura did not understand but then later Suzie explained how the baby that she is carrying is actually someone…