"So Send I You" Jn. 20:21

Reading Journal Entry #3 - Democracy

2007-10-08T23:11:00.000Z

The first speech that I’m going to comment on today is a speech by Daniel Webster at the dedication of the Bunker Hill Monument. Although this speech isn’t one of my favorites, Webster made some valid points. He said:

“…the fundamental and manifest truth, that the powers of government are but a trust, and that they cannot be lawfully exercised but for the good of the community…”

The government is here for our benefit and it only exists on our consent. This is the principle of popular sovereignty – a principle to which our Constitution was strictly adheres.

“…we know that our own fortunes have been happily cast; and it is natural, therefore, that we should be moved by the contemplation of occurrences which have guided our destiny before many of us were born, and settled the condition in which we should pass the portion of our existence which God allows to men on earth.”

We need to appreciate what our soldiers and found fathers did for us. So, so many people, the world over, wish they were Americans. So many people wish to have the prosperity that America has. They wish to have the freedom and rights of its people, and they wish for a justice system uncorrupted, as America has. As Americans, never – ever – take for granted the privilege. Stop complaining about your government – it could be so much worse! And if you find the need to complain, as someone (I forget who) once said, do not just complain, but do something to change the wrong that you see.

“The interest of the world is peace, and it’s first great statute that every nation possesses the power of establishing a government for itself.”

I only wish this were truer than it seems to be. Sadly – yet understandably so – the interest of the world is only interested in peace when they have everything their own way. And since everyone in the world can never be completely satisfied, I guess we will never experience world peace…

“We [American politicians] are not propagandists [of American government]. Wherever other systems are preferred either as being thought better in themselves or as better suited to existing conditions, we leave the preference to be enjoyed.”

This principle is important – I hope that American politicians adhere to it, though. America’s purpose is not to get all the world’s governments to conform to its ways, but rather to be a beacon – an example – to the rest of the world of what democracy can bring. And then let them wish for it themselves.

Webster further proves his point of America being a beacon, he said:

“If in our [America’s] case the representative system ultimately fail[s], popular government must be pronounced impossible. No combination of circumstance more favorable [to the establishment of a representative democracy] can ever be expected to occur…popular governments…may in their general character be as durable and permanent as other systems.”

In it’s early days – and, I guess, even today – America is a model. It shows that representative government really does work. And the fact that it has worked in America offers hope to other countries.

“The principle of free government adheres to the American soil….The great trust now descends to new hands…There remains to us a great duty of defense and preservation.

Democracy is our destiny. It was founded many, many years ago by our founding fathers, and it is now our responsibility – the responsibility of the next generation – to ensure that it forever remains the government of the people.

Reading Journal Entry #2 - Active Lives Lived to One Hundred Years

2007-09-26T22:25:00.000Z

My assigned speech to read for today was by titled "Brain-Science Philanthropist David J. Mahoney Envisions Active Lives Lived to One Hundred Years." It was spoken on May 16,1996 at Rutgers University's graduation ceremony. Out of all 10 speeches I have read so far for this course, this was my least favorite. Probably mostly because I disagreed with his main point: that for our generation living to be 100 years old will be normal.

Nevertheless, here are some quotes I found interesting, er, disturbing:

"That comes to us from 'the highest authority' - not God, but from the CEO of the world's only superpower..."

Mahoney was talking here about President Clinton. But what really disturbs me is his coining of the United States as "the world's only superpower." That's a pretty dangerous - and greatly controversial - statement to make. Fine, have national pride. Love America. But don't call it something that it's not - at least without proof to back yourself up.

"Most of you, now in your early twenties, might well have the chance to be centenarians."

I understand where Mahoney is coming from a little bit, but what about accidents , murders, homicides, suicides, plan crashes, car accidents, war, etc...? Great medical advances can not prevent those things from happening. All the medical discoveries and advances in the world may be made, but man is still evil. Plus, I am sure that, once we find cures for the diseases plaguing humans nows, new diseases and new strains of ones we though we cured, will show up. Just like AIDS did.

"Taken together, the medical advances in your lifetime are near certain to add a generation to your life. You will play in a whole new fourth quarter."

Please understand that Mahoney is speaking from an educated position in the field of medical research, while I am not...but, isn't that a bit of a dangerous statement to be made. He is 'near certain...' Well, I guess time will tell. However, to date, I have not seen the ten medical advances he predicted to be accomplished by 2000.

That means planning your vocation along with your avocation, and keep them as separate as possible."

Having a wide range of interests never hurt anyone, and according to Mahoney, it may help you.

"The point is not to be singleminded about career. Be double-minded or triple-minded; keep a pot or two on your back burners."

Contrary to previous statements by Mahoney, I agree with this one. Whether or no I will live to be a hundred, I think that it is good to have an alternative career option. What if you go to college for a career so specialized that you are then only qualified to have a single profession? And then...you find that you do not like working in that profession/business. It's like a piece of advice my mom gave me, "Go to college for something broad, that way you have a wide range of careers and employment opportunities waiting for you when you get out." (If you must know, I am planning on being a journalism major, a major which prepares you for many different professions.)

"You... should not rely on society's safety net and think more about your own personal nest egg."

Wise advice: don't expect the government to do everything for you.

“Ask yourself along the way: Whose approval is important to you? Whose is not? The centenarians do not stop to smell the flowers; they carry the flowers along.”

He has an interesting point there. Don’t be bogged down by the advice and opinions of people who are not important. Disregard negativity. But embrace constructive criticism, and carry it along with you. Ignore people and opinions only meant to discourage you. Heed good advice and never forget it.

"Success, or a resounding setback, in one career can lead to success, of another kind, in the parallel career."

This builds again on his principle of having an avocation which would enable you to switch professions in the future.

Well, that's it for that speech. Since I have a few speech writing assignments coming up, I should be posting a speech of my own in a week or so.

On a more personal note, my day has been good so far. My mom and I are planning on going to see a church member this afternoon who will hopefully be able to put me in contact with a child that needs my help. So, pray for that.

College applications and more school work await, so I'm off!

Esi

Reading Journal Entry #1 - Embrace Tolerance, Reject Racism

2007-09-25T18:34:00.000Z

I am taking a fabulous speech/speech writing class this year at school. Wow! I am really enjoying it! :-) Our text is selected speeches from the book Lend Me Your Ears

I am required to keep a reading journal for this course, so I figured, why not keep my reading journal on my blog. Not only does this protect my journal from being destroyed by fire (hehe!) but it saves me time. No I can type out long quotes instead of having to hand-write them. PLUS, if I am going to put my though and time into forming opinions and ideas, why not let other people benefit from my musings through my blog.

So, here you have it. This is Reading Journal Entry #1:

Today, I was assigned a commencement speech given by Colin Powell at Howard University in 1994. It was a little bit freaky how pertinent this speech is to our world - especially the United States - this week. In his speech Mr. Powell said:

"And freedom of speech means permitting the widest range of views to be present for debate, however controversial those views may be....Some say that by hosting controversial speakers who shock our sensibilities, Howard is in some way promoting or endorsing their message. Not at all. Howard has helped put their message in perspective while protecting their right to be heard. So that the message can be exposed to the full light of day."

This reminds me of what is happening this week at Columbia University. After being given a very controversial invitation, the president of Iran spoke there on Monday. He had every right to speak at the university, but I question the motives of Columbia's faculty in inviting him to od so. Was their motive to bring his falsities "to the full light of day," or was it to promote a private ant-American agenda? One of those motives is very profitable and almost acceptable, the other, however, is downright wrong.

"But for this freedom to hear all views, you bear a burden to sort out wisdom from foolishness."

That is ALL too TRUE! While I have my doubts about the president of Iran having any wisdom to offer the American people, I am sure that there was much foolishness in his controversial speech.

Moving on. Colin later said, "There is utter foolishness, evil, and danger in the message of hatred, or of condoning violence, however cleverly the message is packaged or entertainingly it is presented." Too many politicians and world leaders today have the ability to disguise foolishness and evil as something profitable to the people they are ruling. Osama bin Laden is one of types of people. The former president of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, is another example of that type of person.

"Twenty seven years of imprisonment did not embitter Nelson Mandela. He invited his three jail keepers to the ceremony."

What a great example to learn from! Abandon hate, embrace tolerance, and break the cycle of racism

"As the world goes forward, we cannot start going backward. "

Here, Colin was speaking to the African-American community. How I wish they would heed to this advice today and break out of the drug and welfare culture. (That is not, however, to say that all blacks are into drugs and on welfare. That is actually very far from the truth. I am however more specifically speaking to the community - black, white, Hispanic, etc... - that I have observed in inner-city Balitmore.)

"We, as a people who have suffered so much from the hatred of others must not now show tolerance for any movement or philosophy that has at its core the hatred of Jews or anyone else. Our future lies in the philosophy of love and understanding and caring and building. Not of hatred and tearing down."

Again, Powell challenges his audience to reject racism - break the cycle! - and they can make a difference.

"You face 'Great Expectations.' Much has been given to you and much is expected from you."

So true for all of us who have been given a good education. American, I can tell you, even our crummiest public schools are a good education compared to what can be seen in other parts of the world.

"What will be asked of you is hard work. Nothing will be handed to you...You are entering a life of continuous study and struggle to achieve your goals. A life of searching to find that which you do well and love doing. Never stop seeking."

That is some fabulous food for though, and a great motivator.

"I want you to be proud of your heritage. Study your origins. Teach your children racial pride and draw strength and inspiration from the cultures of our forebears. Not as a way of drawing back from American society and its European roots. But as a way of showing that there are other roots as well. African and Caribbean roots that are also a source of nourishment for the American family tree. To show that African Americans are more than a product of our slave experience."

Wow! Yes, African-Americans are SO much more than a product of America's slave experience. They are just as American as anyone else, and they contribute so much to our culture and diversity as a nation. Thank you.

"I want you to fight racism...racism is a disease of the racist. Never let it become yours."

I love that. We have so many opportunities in our lives to racist - so many times where it would be so easy to reject somebody because of their color - but NO. Reject it. Flee from it. Don't catch the plague.

We are all same, there's nothing different about me than there is about someone with black skin, believe me. I know what I'm talking about. I was the only white student a school of 750.

"Use your education and your success in life to help those still trapped in cycles of poverty and violence. Above all, never lose faith in America. Its faults are yours to fix, not to curse."

Don't just stand there and complain about America's problems. We are Americans. It is our duty to fix them!!

"From the diversity of our [America's] people, let us draw strength and not cause weakness."

YES! Our diversity is our strength, not our weakness. We are blessed as a nation to have such a diversity of people and cultures and opinions. Employ them (the people, their opinions, and their culture) - don't ostracize them. Again, take it from somebody who knows, there is SO much that Americans can learn from the culture's of others. American culture has many faults, as do other cultures; but when we blend those cultures together, we will have a more balanced, better culture.

I don't know about the rest of you, but that stirred me up a bit -- got me thinking. Hope you learned something.

Thanks for your time,

Esi

Prayer Request

2007-09-25T02:06:00.000Z

Hello Everyone,

As some of you know, God gave me a vision this year to begin tutoring a local student whom is struggling to learn how to read. This week, my mission is to find that child. I will be not charging anything for my services, but my vision, rather, is to help a very poor child who would otherwise have no chance to learn how to read – a key skill to have if someone ever hopes to break out of the cycle of poverty.

If you could – if you have a few spare minutes – please pray that God will lead me to the child He has in mind for me to teach and to minister to, and also, the child whom could most benefit from my help.

Thank you all beyond words,

Esi

Silence

2007-09-08T22:22:00.000Z

I had a mix CD on shuffle this morning, and this song came on. The lyrics blessed me a lot and having
gone through a time in my life where God was silent, I can really identify with them. It’s like
P.Sterge said in a message once, “When God is silent,let Calvary speak to you.” In other words,
when God doesn’t seem to be speaking,know that He is still your God and that He gave all He is to
save you.

Hope this blesses you as much as it did me. Have a great day,
Esi

Silence by Joy Williams

Are you listening
To anything that I say?
'Cause I been praying,
How many prayers can I pray?
I'm still waiting,
Maybe You'll show up today.
I know You're here, but I can't feel You,
And if You're speaking, I can't hear You.
How much longer will this last?

So okay, answer me with silence.
It's okay if You don't say a word.
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet
So okay,
Answer me
With silence.

Why do I question
Your intentions for me
When Your affection
Is a proven legacy?
Oh Father, Father
Turn my fears into peace.
I know Your love will never leave,
I know You want what's best for me
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet

Oh, it's okay
If You answer me with silence
And it's okay if You don't say a word
You're testing me to trust You'll be faithful in this quiet
So okay

Answer me
With silence

Something I Learned This Weekend...

2007-07-08T04:37:00.000Z

It is ok to be a writer and not like to read. :-D

Let me explain, my dad's cousin is a famous author. He has written tons of books. He and I were talking this evening, and I found out that he (like me) only writes shorter books because he could never imagine reading anything longer.

Since forever, I have been told that for a person to be a good writer they must read a lot. Up until now, that has always pretty much put me into a mode of slight depression - but I have been liberated this weekend! I no longer have to try to do something that I don't really like in order to strive to be someone that I want to be. :)

Wow! That last sentence was far too philosophical to be coming from me, which is a clear sign that I should 'hit the sack.'

Goodnight everyone!

Mathematical Proofs

2007-06-07T19:20:00.000Z

I've been struggling with geometry lately. In fact, I seem to always struggle with geometry - but end-of-the-year-itis has not helped any ;)

Looking for help on the Internet tonight, I came across this article on proofs. To anyone else who is not geometrically inclined, I'm sure that you'll find this as funny as I did!

Enjoy!

36 Methods of Mathematical Proof

Proof by obviousness
"The proof is so clear that it need not be mentioned."

Proof by general agreement
"All in favor?. . . "

Proof by imagination
"Well, we'll pretend it's true. . .

Proof by convenience
"It would be very nice if it were true, so . . .

Proof by necessity
"It had better be true, or the entire structure of mathematics would crumble to the ground."

Proof by plausibility
"It sounds good, so it must be true."

Proof by intimidation
"Don't be stupid; of course it's true."

Proof by lack of sufficient time
"Because of the time constraint, I'll leave the proof to you."

Proof by postponement
"The proof for this is long and arduous, so it is given in the appendix."

Proof by accident
"Hey, what have we here?!"

Proof by insignificance
"Who really cares, anyway?"

Proof by mumbo-jumbo
" (B Ì P ) , $ (C Î W )

Proof by profanity
(example omitted)

Proof by definition
"We define it to be true."

Proof by tautology
'It's true because it's true."

Proof by plagiarism
"As we see on page 289......"

Proof by lost reference
"I know I saw it somewhere......"

Proof by calculus
"This proof requires calculus, so we'll skip it."

Proof by terror
When intimidation fails ...

Proof by lack of interest
"Does anyone really want to see this?"

Proof by illegibility
(scribble, scribble) QED

Proof by logic
"If it is on the problem sheet, then it must be true!"

Proof by majority rule
Only to be used if general agreement is impossible

Proof by clever variable choice
"Let A be the number such that this proof works. . "

Proof by tessellation
"This proof is the same as the last."

Proof by divine word
"And the Lord said, 'Let it be true,' and it was true."

Proof by stubbornness
"I don't care what you say-it is true!"

Proof by simplification
"This proof reduces to the statement 1 + 1 = 2."

Proof by hasty generalization
"Well, it works for 17, so it works for all reals."

Proof by deception
"Now everyone turn their backs. . ."

Proof by supplication
"Oh please, let it be true."

Proof by poor analogy
"Well, it's just like . . . "

Proof by avoidance
Limit of proof by postponement as it approaches infinity

Proof by design
If it's not true in today's math, invent a new system in which it is.

Proof by authority
"Well, Don Knuth says it's true, so it must be!"

Proof by intuition
"I just have this gut feeling. . ."

Taken from http://www.bluemoon.net/~watson/proof.htm

So Sad...Yet there is LIFE

2007-05-21T23:49:00.000Z

Following is a portion of an article printed at: www.dailymail.co.uk

The suicide sisters ready to die for their country

Clad head to toe in black and clutching sub-machine guns and automatic rifles, they vowed to die killing Israelis.

The women, at once sinister and yet awkward in their long dresses and munitions belts, say they will blow themselves up in attacks on Israeli soldiers if the Gaza Strip is invaded.

They gathered as Israel pounded the Strip with airstrikes yesterday - in response to weeks of rocket attacks from Palestinian fanatics.

Death wish: Holding up their guns and hidden behind their veils, the women pledge their lives as suicide bombers. In front of them are rockets like those which have plagued Israel

"If the Israelis try to invade northern Gaza Strip, we will defend our land and our homes," one of the women declared as the group gathered at the Jabalya refugee camp north of Gaza City.

"We will turn our bodies into living bombs against the Israeli army," she added and demanded revenge against Israeli "crimes" carried out against the Palestinians.

The women belong to the military wing of Palestine's ruling Hamas party.

A day earlier rival militants of Islamic Jihad released a video in which dozens of women said they were "eagerly awaiting" the chance to become suicide bombers.

One said she would like to be the first to commit suicide on behalf of the Palestinian resistance.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is so, so, sad to me! These women are ready to kill themselves for revenge, for land, for religion, for their homes - I tell you none of these thing - none, not one - is a good enough reason to blow yourself up and plunge yourself into eternity. These women do not know Jesus Christ, I guarantee you, and if they die without accepting Him, they will spend an eternity in Hell, not because they committed suicide, but because they refused to accept the One whose life was taken so that they could have life.

John 5:40 --> "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."

John 10:10 --> "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 20:31 --> "but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

1 John 5:12-13 --> "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I beg you to do so now. Eternal life is available to anyone and everyone who chooses to accept it.

Life in Love

2007-05-21T22:34:00.000Z

"I know what you're saying. I call it the freedom of choice. God gives us the freedom to make choices. He didn't make us puppets. He gave us the choice to walk with Him or not. And when people choose not to, they begin to make stupid mistakes and decisions....because ultimately, we all need God in our lives. There is nothing good about US. It is God who is GOOD. Therefore when we operate in the flesh, we can do NO good. Only EVIL."

A friend wrote that to me in an email today. I really like what she said about choosing to walk with God or not. God has really been emphasizing that in my life recently. He wants me to walk with Him. He wants me to live my life in LOVE with Him.

That's the reason I'm alive -- to love God. He covets my love. He longs for it. He passionately desires that I seek Him first everyday.

Prov 8:17 says: "I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me."

This does not mean that if we do not love God He does not love us - 1 John 4:19 is very clear about that when it says: "We love Him because He first loved us." - but rather that if we seek Him He will reveal Himself to us. That is exciting, isn't it!

This 'revelation,' however, does not mean that as soon as we give our lives to Christ He will show us all of who He is - no, our human minds could never contain all of that - but rather that He will teach us who He is day by day.

But do not be discourage, if you feel like somedays you can't find God. Ps 30:7 says, "LORD...You hid Your face, and I was troubled." Sometimes, God hides Himself from us to test and strengthen our faith. He has done it to me before. It was a painful time but in the end, I was so much stronger because of it. To fulfill His plan, God often has to do what we would rather Him not. Through it all though, one thing that has kept me through it is the thought of Hebrews 13:5 where God says: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Yes, sometimes God hides Himself, but He never leaves. He is always there ready for me to seek Him, ready for me to live my life in love - in love with Him!

Astronomical Requests in a Text Message:

2007-05-16T00:08:00.001Z

A Day (or a few) in a Missionary Kid’s Life

The other day I asked my dad, “So what do you think about me getting married?”

“What?”

“Well this text message, right here, it says ‘Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour. (ecclesiasts4:9-10. Gen. 2:18-25. Gen 39:30) Please i love you be my wife the rest of my life. Please text back. Thank you.’ and the next message says, ‘It’s Gen. 29:20 Not 30.’”

“Did Paul send that to you?” Paul is one of my dad’s Bible College students. He actually calls himself a Pastor or Evangelist depending on his mood, but we all refuse to use the title.

“Yes,” I lowered my head and bit my lip. Dad was on the verge of explosion.

“I’m gonna call him right now! What’s his number?”

I produced the number for my enraged – and rightfully so – father. I honestly had hoped that he would flip out at least a little bit because this guy needed a serious talking to.

“Are you sick, my friend? Are you having malaria?” I could hear Dad’s voice bellowing throughout the house. I could not keep from laughing.

A few more harsh words and an “I-don’t-want-to-ever-see-you-speak-to-her-again” and the telephone call was over. But this guy was far from gone.

As usual, he showed up at Bible College that weekend.

On Saturday, he was given permission to speak to me so that he could apologize. Sadly, he apologized like a girl, profusely as well.

I told him “Fine, I forgive you. It’s in the past. But I have no respect for you.” I did not tell him that he had not had any respect to lose in the first place.

Let me elaborate, like I said earlier, this guy is a self-proclaimed weirdo – hem, sorry, did I say that? – I meant pastor. The legalistic, Satan obsessed, tongue-speaking, falling down, screaming type. Great! Just my kind of guy. Honestly, I think the time he apologize and I said that I told I forgave him, was the longest conversation we had ever had. I don’t know where he got the idea that I would want to marry him – or that he would even want to marry me.

“Maybe it’s because I resemble a very large visa to the United States,” I told a friend.

Because Paul only attends our Bible College and not our church, I didn’t see him for a week. But over the course of that week he ‘flashed’ (in the cell phone lingo of my country, that means that you call somebody, let it ring once, and then hang up because you don’t have enough credit to actually talk to them) me a few times.

That Sunday I told him, “Listen, Paul, you remember that whole no respect thing? And how you said you wanted to earn it back? Well to do that, you’re gonna have to not talk to me. Just wait for me to talk to you, ok?”

“Ok. Sorry,” he said.

Sure. Sorry. Whatever that meant in his vocabulary, it certainly meant something different in mine.

He called me the next Saturday. I picked up – reluctantly and with much disgust.

“Hello.” There was no response. I said it again, “Hello.” Still no response. Eventually, I just hung up. Then I sent him a text message: “And ur reason 4 callin me and not sayin anything?”

He responded a few hours later: “My reason 4 calling you can not be explain, i don’t want to say or do anything to make you unhappy because, i love you so much.”

What part of back off didn’t this guy understand?

When I showed his text to my dad we decided that it was time for me to give him a stern talk; each of the pastors had already tried and it does not seem like he listened.

“I’m not a mean person. I have a hard time yelling at people, Grace,” I told my friend.

“I think you should slap him and then just make sure we’re around to back you up in case he tries anything,” suggested an anonymous guy friend.

“I’ll just practice on you, Grace,” I told her.

So that day at the beach, I yelled at Grace. Then throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening, I tried to get myself into a ‘mean mood,’ a mindset of being stern and maybe a little bit scary. And at Bible College class that night, I spewed my carefully collected venom.

Among a myriad of other things I told him, “You don’t love me. You can’t love me because you don’t know me…This isn’t my father speaking, this isn’t Pastor Daniel speaking, this is me telling you I’m not interested! And when a girl tells you this as sternly and strongly as I am , you go away.”

He said, “Ok.”

I walked away, thankful that I had been able to be mean enough, and thankful that I had something to laugh about.

This is my everyday life - I am missionary kid. We face interesting situations almost everyday – not always ones involving astronomical requests in a text message – but we do face them everyday nonetheless. Some days they are funny, some days annoying, some days painful, and others – a complete and total blessing from God that remind us why we are here on mission field.

Saying "No"

2007-05-01T01:24:00.000Z

I wrote this a few weeks ago in an email to some friends and I though you all might enjoy it:

We just finished with our relationship seminar and I was really blessed. During the after-rap with the guys and girls Alex was kind of 'complaining' women who don't respondwhen men initiate, or who keep rejecting a guy or pretending they're disinterested just to make the guy chase them.

So I popped in and said, "One time P.Lange said, 'You know a guy likes you if he comes back after you say no.' Now I'm not saying in every situation a girl should say no to a guy, but that IS what he said." There was a mini uproar from the guys.

Afterwards as everyone was leaving I heard Alex complaining about me. So I jokingly asked "What did I do now?"

Alex said, "Why did you have to say THAT?"

I laughed and then said said, "I wasn't the one who said it, I was just quoting P.Lange."

Then David chimed in, "That is wisdom actually," he said. "Because if a guy sincerely believes that it [a girl, or a relationship] is from God then he will keep pursuing the girl even when she says no, just waiting for her to hear from God like he has."

What really blessed me about what David said was the fact that those words were actually coming out of a guy's mouth. I mean, for me, ever since I heard P.Lange said that 'You know a guy likes you if he comes back after you say no,' I've always though, "I could never do that, what if he never comes back and I really do like him." Well, here was a guy point blank telling me, " Yes, what P.Lange said is true. If I was really led by God to you, I would come back if you said no."

There were so many, many things said tonight that blessed me but that was just one of them. I hope it blesses you too. Comments welcomed!!

Believing

2007-04-28T15:04:00.000Z

"So why are you a Christian, Esi?” a friend asked me today. “I’ve never asked you.”

“A personal God,” I said, “and nature.”

And then I started thinking. How many of us don’t know why we are Christians? How many of us have no idea why we believe what we do? A lot.

“Oh, yah, I’m a Christian,” I’ve heard so many people say. But if I were to ask them why, I bet you I’d get a blank stare asking me, “Why the heck would you asked that?” It’s a valid question though.

Why am I Christian? Because I know that God is personal. I have felt his presence in my life, I have ‘heard’ him speak to me, I’ve seen Him answer when I pray. That’s what I believe.

Why do you believe? Don't just blindly follow your friends or parents to church, know for yourself. Don't just nod your head at what the pastor says, read the Bible. Know what you belive, develop your own convictions! And when you do, you'll discover that God rewards those who trust Him personally. Just like He rewarded me for finally (after 12 years) really starting to believe for myself.

Traveling

2007-01-12T22:32:00.000Z

Hello Everyone!

Over the course of the next 3 weeks, I am going to be travling around with a group of international visitors from my church. We're going all over the place and we’ll have about 47 hours of travel time total.

The unique thing about trip is that my church has churches in every town and city that we will be stopping at. So this is not simply a tourist’s journey, this is a missionary journey. We are going for the purpose of encouraging churches all over. Our presence will (hopefully) bring joy and edification to the Bodies of Christ in the places that we will be visiting. Every city we step foot in we will evangelize in, hoping to reach lost souls for Christ. It will also be a time for those of us traveling -- people of all different nationalities -- to come together and fellowship around the only one thing that really matters, and that is Jesus Christ. It’s going to be an awesome trip and I can’t wait to get started at 7 o’clock tomorrow morning!!

I would appreciate everyone’s prayers for all of us who will be on this trip. Please play for our safety, health, growth in Jesus Christ and absence of any problems, both mechanical and relationship wise.

Expecting great things from God! Good night!

Sari

Career Confusion

2007-01-02T21:49:00.000Z

I've always had the ambition to be a writer when "I grow up." I adore grammar and love filling a blank screen with words - but is it really for me? Is writing really what I want to do with the rest of my life?

What’s my alternative? Producing. I've watched the making of every movie that I own. The acting and shooting and piecing together of scenes fascinates me in a way that writing doesn't. It makes me wonder if I like writing but if I would love working in the video production field.

I feel like someone whose about to get married and is having second thoughts. "Is this the right guy? Is he the best that I can get? Is there another guy out there whom I would love more if I knew him?" Except I'm saying this about my career choice.

True, I'm in 11th grade so I shouldn't be this worried and nervous about it. But I've always been the one who has it all figured out. I'm going to do this, this, and this with my life, then I'll get married and do this, this, and this. That's me. I had definite plans. Now I wonder if I could have more.

Is writing something that is just meant to be my passion and not my career? Is producing just something that looks cool but I'd actually hate doing? Is this all a whim and something that will fade or is this a real interest?

It's so confusing to me mainly because I have no way of 'testing it out.' At least with writing, I can do it now. See if I like it. If I don't (which I do) then that idea would go in the trashcan. But how am I supposed to test out movie production to see if I like it?

Should I just stick to what I know -- to the status quo? (To borrow a line from High School Musical -- whose special features spurred this whole confusing whirlwind of emotions) Or should I explore other things. But how am I supposed to explore them?

God, what is your plan for my life? Is this whole movie production thing just a whim or something from my emotions, or is it from You? Please show me!

Esi

P.S. If anyone else feels this way or has any advice on pursuing producing please leave a comment.

Sorry

2006-12-28T23:49:00.000Z

I'm sorry I have not posted in ages. As I said in my first post, I have no idea why God led me to start a blog now when I am so busy, but I shouldn't question His timing. He knows what He is doing.

Despite what this appears to be, it is not really a post. I am too worn out write anything meaningful right now.Hence, this is all a figment of your imagination. You didn't see anything! heheh!

So, sorry for not posting but I will post more later so don't stop visiting! And when you do, leave me a comment just to let me know somebody is reading this ;)

Night,
Esi

2006-12-28T23:40:00.000Z

Hello all my blog readers!

A friend sent me this article that was posted on his work's website. I really like the article. It is on the of most accurate descriptions of Christmas in Ghana that I have seen. Enjoy!

Being quite a religious country, “Bronya,” as Christmas is called in Ghana, is a big holiday for Christians and even people of other religions. The excitement starts to build weeks in advance with schoolchildren making green and red hand-crafted paper decorations and families hanging twinkling Christmas lights on the trees in their yards. Traffic is at its highest with people returning to their small towns and villages to celebrate the season with their families. Ghanaians abroad all come home bearing gifts from where they now live.

Christmas day finds everyone in their best attire, and my family spends the morning listening to the story of Christ’s birth in church and enjoying Christmas carols in the several beautiful tongues of Ghana. After the service, families return home or visit friends for huge feasts of jollof rice (stewed rice), waakye (rice and beans), yams and chicken or goat stew, fufu (pounded yams and plantain) and soup, fried plantains, and sweet desserts. Music marks the holidays with carolers in the streets and speakers blasting at holiday parties and nightclubs where merry is made at its best.

What is great is that Christmas in Ghana is not commercial. Gift giving is informal, and most children are too clever to believe in Father Christmas. Though stockings, elaborate Christmas trees with presents underneath, and purchased decorations are only seen in the homes of the wealthy, the spirit of Christmas is felt everywhere all the way through New Year, when people wish each other well by saying “Afishapa.”

Awoyaa Mensah, Internal Communications
Baltimore, MD

Party Lines

2006-12-11T14:11:00.000Z

Another thing that I'm interested in is politics. I do not want to be a politician, but politics do interest me. This country has strayed so far from the constitution and the purpose our founding fathers had for this country and it worries me.

Today, America is splintered apart by party lines.

"Are you a democrat or a republican?"

I'm neither. Yes, I agree with most Republican policies, but what about the men who sit on Capital Hill and in the White House? The people who ultimately make the decisions. Our founding fathers wanted us to choose politicians and presidents because of the individual's ability to lead and make right decisions - they did not want America split down the middle by party lines. And that is exactly what we have today.

I wish that political campaigns and terms of office would not be so much about "Well, this is what my party thinks, so this is what I am voting for." Yes, be faithful to your party and your stance on the issues the American public based their votes on but don't compromise the morality, economy, or even worse, the safety, of your fellow Americans because that is what your party believes.

When John Adams was president he made a decision about the US's involvement with the French Revolution. His stance was against his party's stance, but he took it because he knew what he had decided was the best thing for America. His decision cost him his re-election but it also saved America. It saved us from war with France or Britain - or both - which we could not have handled at that time.

Today's politicians need to learn something from Adams. You are not in office to get re-elected, you are in office to make your nation the best it can be - even if it means stepping outside of your party's lines to do so.

(I understand that my opinion can VERY easily backfire on me, but I'm writing on a whim...I'll rationalize later.)

Welcome!

2006-12-08T22:19:00.000Z

Of all the times in my life I simply cannot imagine why God choose now to lead me to start a blog. My family and I have been busy moving and I'm catching up on school work. Christmas is just around the corner and there's Christmas shopping and a busy church schedule to keep up with. I am not overwhelmed. But, in the midst of everything that is happening in my life, I am determined to just relax and let God take control. No amount of my worrying can change anything - it can only make it worse.

I am a Christian teen with a passion for God - and many other things. You'll find out about all that as time goes on. The most important thing is that you're reading this now(yea!). Stick around. I'll be posting often. Music, my desire to be a writer, poetry, the heartaches of life...and so much more, I'll post about all of it.

Thanks for reading. Because of Christ's love,

Esi

P.S. Oh yeah, and the most exciting part. I live in Africa as a missioanry with my family! :D