Lee Strobel received a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of studies in law degree from Yale Law School before a 14-year newspaper career that included a stint as legal affairs editor of the Chicago Tribune. After nearly two years of studying the life of Christ, Strobel became a Christian in 1981. His book The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (Zondervan, 1998) has sold 1.5 million copies and been translated into nine languages. Now an author and evangelist, Strobel also has been a teaching pastor at two of the nation’s largest churches, Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., and Saddleback Valley Community Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Strobel, 51, recently talked with News Editor John W. Kennedy.
Description: When Lee Strobel's wife became a Christian, he found that the positive changes in her were too noticeable to ignore. Since he had a law background (Yale Law School), and was an investigative reporter, Strobel decided to subject the claims of Christianity to the type of scrutiny he used in reporting on legal cases for a major newspaper. The result: The Case for Christ, a book which chronicles Strobel's journey from atheist to Christian, and offers a compelling argument for the veracity of the Christian faith.
To answer his questions, Strobel decided to seek out the experts. He was hoping to learn whether the evidence we have about Jesus in the Bible was reliable and accurate. He picked the brains of the following thirteen experts: Dr. Craig Blomberg (eyewitness evidence); Dr. Bruce Metzger (documentary evidence); Dr. Edwin Yamauchi (corroborating evidence); Dr. John McRay (scientific/archaeologica l evidence); Dr. Gregory Boyd (rebuttal evidence); Dr. Ben Witherington III (identity evidence); Dr. Gary Collins (psychological evidence); Dr. D.A. Carson (profile evidence); Louis Lapides, M.Div., Th.M. (fingerprint evidence); Dr. Alexander Metherell (medical evidence); Dr. William Lane Craig (evidence of the missing body); Dr. Gary Habermas (evidence of appearances); Dr. J.P. Moreland (circumstantial evidence).
After having all his questions answered, Strobel pulls the evidence together and presents the verdict. Not surprisingly, the verdict, based on legal rules for evidence, pointed to Jesus being exactly who the Bible sayshe is. The evidence overwhelmingly points to Jesus being the son of God, who died on the cross and rose three days later. So if you have questions about the truth of the Christian claims, or know someone who does, this book is the best place to start. Written by someone who knew which questions to ask (because he had them too), this book presents logical, rational answers that can help.
Strobel divides The Case for Christ into three basic sections:
1. The Historical Record:
The eyewitness evidence (can the biographies of Jesus Christ be trusted, and do they stand up to scrutiny?) The documentary evidence (were the biographies of Jesus reliably preserved for us?) The corroborating evidence (is there credible evidence for Jesus Christ outside of His biographies?) The scientific evidence (does archaeology confirm or contradict Jesus' biographies?) The rebuttal evidence (is the Jesus of history the same as the Jesus of Christian faith?)
2. A Profile of Jesus Christ:
The identity evidence (was Jesus really convinced that He was the Son of God?) The psychological evidence (was Jesus crazy when He claimed to be the Son of God?) The profile evidence (did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God?) The fingerprint evidence (did Jesus - and Jesus alone - match the identity of the prophesied Messiah?)
3. The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ:
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come our of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
In the sixteenth-century, England was a place of religious persecution, and any religious teaching outside the official state church was forbidden. So for the next three centuries, people who refused to join the state church developed creative ways to teach children their beliefs. One popular method was to use lyrics and song.
Read on and discover the secret Christian symbols hidden in the familiar carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." This cheerful song, about a generous benefactor who loved to give, could be freely sung without ever using God's name, because "my true love" refers to God.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree.
The first gift of this Christmas song is a partridge, a small bird. The original gift of Christmas is Jesus, sent to earth from God. The partridge was known as a valiant bird, willing to fight to the death to defend its young. The pear tree represents the cross. I am the good shepherd....I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
On the second day...two turtledoves.
For hundreds of years, Jewish families used turtledoves as offerings to God. The gift of two doves is a reminder of the sacrifice offered for Jesus by Mary and Joseph.
...Joseph and Mary took him [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord...and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Luke 2:22, 24
On the third day...three French hens.
French hens were valuable poultry during the sixteenth century—only the rich could afford them. These costly birds symbolized the three valuable gifts given to Jesus by the wise men: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
...they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11
On the fourth day...four calling birds.
Like birds calling out with loud and distinctive voices, the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John called people to faith in Jesus as their Savior.
...these are written [in the book of John] that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31
On the fifth day...five golden rings.
Gold rings are among the most valuable and treasured of all gifts. The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books, written by Moses, were treated with great reverence and considered to be worth far more than gold.
No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face...For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awe- some deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10, 12
On the sixth day...six geese a-laying.
In many cultures, eggs symbolize new life. Six geese laying eggs become reminders of the six days of creation when God, by His Word, brought forth life on earth.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 1:1, 31
On the seventh day...seven swans a-swimming.
Seven swans symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Just as baby swans grow and change from "ugly ducklings" into beautiful and graceful birds, so do God's children grow and change when they use their gifts to benefit other Christians.
In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:5, 6
On the eighth day...eight maids a-milking.
The eight maidens milking represent eight unique teachings of Jesus, the Beatitudes, which nurture and strengthen us much the way milk nourishes a child.
Blessed are the poor in spirit....Blessed are those who mourn....Blessed are the meek....Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.... Blessed are the merciful....Blessed are the pure in heart....Blessed are the peacemakers....Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Matthew 5:3-10
On the ninth day...nine ladies dancing.
The nine ladies remind us of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit produced in the lives of God's children. Just as these ladies dance joyfully, so can every Christian rejoice over the life-changing fruit of the Holy Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
On the tenth day...ten lords a-leaping.
Lords were men with authority to command people's obedience and symbolize God's ten basic laws, the Ten Commandments.
You shall have no other gods....You shall not make for yourself an idol....You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God....Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy....Honor your father and your mother....You shall not murder....You shall not commit adultery....You shall not steal....You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.... You shall not covet...anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:3-17
On the eleventh day...eleven pipers piping.
Eleven pipers represent the eleven apostles who were chosen by Jesus and remained faithful to Him. (There were twelve before the betrayal and suicide of Judas.) Like children joyfully following a piper, the disciples followed Jesus. They piped an everlasting tune of great joy—the salvation message of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
On the twelfth day...twelve drummers drumming.
Just as drummers beat out a loud, steady rhythm for marchers to follow, so the twelve points in the Apostle's Creed sets forth the beliefs of those who call themselves Christians.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Dr. Maurice Rawlings, formerly a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, and his colleagues are constantly treating emergency patients, many of whom have had near-death experiences. A study of these cases by Dr. Rawlings was reported in Omni magazine.
It is no longer unusual to hear about people who have almost died who speak of seeing a bright light, lush green meadows, rows of smiling relatives and experiencing a deep sense of peace. However, Dr. Rawlings obtains additional information from his patients by interviewing them immediately following resuscitation while they are very much in touch with their experience.
Dr. Rawlings says that nearly fifty percent of the 300 people that he has interviewed have reported lakes of fire, devil-like figures and other sights reflecting the darkness of hell. Rawlings says that these people later change their story because they don't want to admit where they've been, not even to their families.
"Just listening to these patients has changed my whole life," claims Dr. Rawlings. "There is a life after death, and if I don't know where I'm going, it's not safe to die."
But do these experiences prove that there is a heaven or a hell?
We don't really know because these particular people didn't quite make it to the other side. Even if they did and came back, we probably wouldn't believe them because most of us tend to believe only what we have seen or experienced for ourselves. Furthermore, we tend to see and believe only what we want to see and believe–often in spite of the evidence.
One can only present what evidence there is and then it is up to each individual to either accept or reject that evidence.
And what evidence do we have as to whether there is a heaven and a hell or life after death?
First, there is the evidence from scores of cases mentioned by Dr. Rawlings and others who have written about near-death experiences and explained what they saw and experienced.
"Just listening to these patients has changed my whole life."
Second, we have the evidence from the testimonials of famous people who share their last words.
It is reported that Professor J.H. Huxley, the famous agnostic, as he lay dying suddenly looked up at some sight invisible to mortal eyes, and staring awhile, whispered at last, "So it is true."
Sir Francis Newport, head of the English Infidel Club, said to those gathered around his death bed, "Do not tell me there is no God for I know there is one, and that I am in his angry presence! You need not tell me there is no hell, for I already feel my soul slipping into its fires! Wretches, cease your idle talk about there being hope for me! I know that I am lost forever."
Dwight L. Moody, the famous Christian preacher, awakening from sleep shortly before he died had just the opposite to say: "Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go."
"No, no, Father," said Moody's son, "You are dreaming." "I am not dreaming," replied Moody. "I have been within the gates. I have seen the children's faces." His last words were, "This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!"
Thomas Edison, the great scientific genius who was not given to idle words, in his dying moments, said to his wife and doctor, "It is beautiful over there."
Third, we have evidence from the experience of someone close to us. One of my best friends had cancer and passed away at age forty-four. As Graham's end neared, with arms outstretched and lifted heavenward, he graphically described how he longed to meet God.
The day before Graham died he went into a coma. While still in the coma, though gravely weakened in body, without any warning he seemed strangely energized as he suddenly sat bolt upright in bed and, turning his face heavenward, reached out his arms as if being greeted by someone only he could see. A moment later his body slumped back lifeless. Graham was gone. His wife said, "Immediately following a great sense of peace and divine presence filled the entire house."
Graham was a committed Christian. He had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He knew where he was going after this life and died triumphantly.
How different compared to the experience I had with Rosemary who also died of cancer. I was asked to visit her in the hospital. As far as I know Rosemary was not a Christian and was terrified of dying. She sat in a chair night and day, refusing to lie down for fear she would go to sleep and never wake up again.
It was difficult to communicate with her because she kept going in and out of consciousness. We just held her hand and repeated, "God loves you, Rosemary, God loves you."
"When she brightens a little," I said to her friend, "send for me and I'll come right back."
But Rosemary never brightened. Two days later she died terrified. I can't think of anything more tragic than to end this life and go into a lost eternity when there is absolutely no need to do so.
"It is beautiful over there."
Fourth, and best of all, we have evidence from Jesus Christ and the whole of God's Word, the Bible. Speaking about heaven Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. In my Father's house are many mansions. I am going there to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come back to take you there to be with me forever."¹
According to one Bible scholar, there are some 1,845 references to Christ's coming back to earth that are recorded in the Old Testament and 318 in the New Testament. There are many more references about heaven and hell. And as Jesus said, he is right now preparing heaven for all Christians and will, when everything is ready, return to take them to be with him forever. Furthermore, while ministering here on earth Jesus repeatedly made mention of heaven.
Nobody can prove that there is a heaven or a hell. Neither can anybody prove there isn't. The evidence, however, confirms that there are both, and I know which side I'd rather be on. If I believe, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But if I don't believe, I have everything to lose and nothing to gain.
The choice to believe or not to believe is each individual's decision. For those who choose to believe, the key issue is to be sure that you are prepared for heaven and ready to meet God face to face. You do that first, by believing that when Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago, he died to pay the ransom price for your sins; second, by confessing your sins; and third, by responding to Christ's call to accept him into your heart and life as personal Lord and Savior.
The wonderful thing is that God's invitation to heaven is open to everyone. As God's Word, the Bible, says, "Whoever will may come."²
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity...boiling water...each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
http://www.mayaangelou.com/" title="http://www.mayaangelou.com/" target="_blank"http://www.mayaangelou.com/ Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom.
A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies.
In 1981, Dr. Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. History to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the Presidential Inauguration.
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone.
When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially off the road. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.
The cop that stepped out of his car was Bob; Bob from Church?
Jack sunk farther into his seat. This was worse than the coming ticket, a Christian cop catching a guy from his own church.
Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.
Jack: "Hi, Bob."
Bob: "Hello, Jack." No smile.
Jack: "Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
Bob: "Yeah, I guess."
Jack: "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I was going a little fast. Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement.
Bob: "I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation for speeding."
Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
Jack: "What'd you clock me at?"
Bob: "Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"
Jack: "Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65."
Bob: "Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. The minutes ticked by. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?
A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, with a folded paper in hand.
Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks a lot!" Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his police car without a word as Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost?
Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack, once I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters (all three of them). I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man for killing my daughter. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob"
Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious so handle it with care. Drive safely and carefully.
Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker.
Two women who were dressed in their finest were having lunch together in a very exclusive restaurant. A friend saw them and came over to their table to greet them. "What's the special occasion?" she asked. One of the women said, "We're having a birthday party for the baby in our family. He's 2 years old today." "But, where's the baby?" the friend asked. The child's mother answered, "Oh, I dropped him off at my mother's house. She's taking care of him until the party's over. It wouldn't have been any fun with him along."
How ridiculous! A birthday celebration for a child who wasn't welcome at his own party? Yet, when you stop to think about it, that's no more foolish than going through the Christmas season, with all of its festivities, without remembering the One whose birth we are supposed to be honoring.
And that's the way many people celebrate Christmas. In all the busyness—the party-going, gift-shopping, and family gatherings—the One whose birthday they are commemorating is almost completely forgotten.
As you move into this holiday season, in all of your good times with family and friends, make sure you don't leave out the Lord Jesus. Give Him the honor He deserves. —RWD
Among the tinsel, trees, and toys Are many signs of Christmas joys, But where's the Christ, whom God sent down, Who laid aside His throne and crown? —Hess
There is always the danger of keeping Christmas and losing Christ. —Ironside
Some time ago a man punished his 5-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became even more upset when the child pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." The father was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty.
He spoke to her in a harsh manner, "Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was full."
The father was crushed.
He fell on his knees and put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her to forgive him for his unnecessary anger.
An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the father kept that gold box by his bed for all the years of his life. And whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems he would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as human beings has been given a golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8-year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 5
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate." Nikka - age 6
"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." Jenny - age 4
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare - Age 5
"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5
"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 8
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her." Bethany - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7
"Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica - age 8
whew! a lot has happened in the past days & I've been quite stressed. and i still am -- kinda.. coz I still got one major essay to do & it's due on friday & i haven't even started on it! yep! the blame is definitely on me! but with the stress -- i'm not alone.. this semester's students are quite stressed -- i've seen tears and anger but i've also seen the support that we have for each other. well, this sem is nearly over and we're done with all of the exams/tests & almost all of the assignments that are to be handed in. yep! just this one major essay for me! woohoo!!!!!
my "soulfriend's" wedding is finally over with and it was just very nice. I had like 1.5 days to prepare my speech (i was maid of honor) and she liked it. i made her cry and laugh. well, the important thing is that it touched her heart & i do hope that it will remain in her memory in a good way, ya know. this thursday i will be driving her & her family to hte airport -- they'll be away for christmas and new year. i hope they'll have a blast!
Me -- i'm hoping to earn some money for my tuition fee for this winter during the holiday.. I do hope I'll be able to.
I've also been having a lot of thoughts about my personal beliefs and such but I just have to prioritize with school...........it's kinda frustrating sometimes coz, ya know, those thoughts that you don't get resolved keep coming back to you to bug you! I gotta deal with that as soon as i finish school.
here's one question: HOW DOES ONE PERSON DECIDE WHICH TEACHING (PERSONAL/RELIGIOUS BELIEFS) TO FOLLOW/CHOOSE TO BELIEVE? i think i should keep it at that for now. otherwise, i might keep on mumbling!
This came to me this morning while driving to school -- I've entitled it "Autumn". The elements that inspired this thought are the leafless trees which made me think of drought coz they look dead, the fog and the beaming sun.
Leaves fall away But only for a little while Beauty fades and drought, it seems, appears But only for a little while
Fog of uncertainty surrounds Failing my sight to see afar But 'tis evident -- the sun Strong to shed some light For me to see just enough and help me through the day
The soul taps the heart to see When leaves of life fall away, The sun is brighter, warmer -- Brighter under the gloom Warmer in the cold Giving hope in time Of what seems to be a time of drought
This one was later in the day:
When I was driving home today, there was this head lights behind me just blearing at my eyes.I tried to changed lanes but it’s still there bugging my sight.I sped up ahead, hoping that it’ll turn to a corner but it caught up on me!Finally, I just slowed down and let it pass and there it went.Well, it came to me that those blaring lights can sometimes symbolize inconveniences in our lives.Sometimes we fight it and find ways to get around it, hoping that it’ll go away by going to a different direction, when all that we need to do is to slow down and just let it pass by our way.
Well, I feel kinda ecstatic at the moment.......I'm gonna savor it.......(deep breath)..
Ohhh-kay.... I'mana type whatever I remember. So here it goes --
» Well, I think of Canada as one of the countries that has rich resources. But this morning in the news, it was stated that Canada ranks third with homeless children. Why is that?
» School: Handed in my last class prep journal & got back one of my essays (I did quite well -- woohoo!). We got two guest speakers that talked about acupuncture, touch therapy and energy -- with the emphasis that everything is made of energy and having this energy in harmony and stuff like that. T'was interesting but I found some of their ideas hard to grasp. Anyway, I don't really feel like going into details about it -- maybe another time..
» Last week I think I felt the peak of my school stress. It was weird! It seemed like my mind was just "all over the place" sorta thing. I was feeling or thinking that I was about to "lose it"! Goodness! Have you ever had that? I think everyone in my semester are feeling stressed out coz major papers are crunched up right at end of the semester and they are due at the same time frame with other school stuff. Anyway, there are gonna be huge sighs of relief at the end of this semester, for sure....and that includes one coming from meeh!
» Tomorrow, my group will be going back to our clinical. I think I mentioned about the Norwalk Virus outbreak in our hospital placement and our instructor decided not to risk us getting sick. The virus is gone so we're good to go back. That gives me the opportunity to administer drugs (I was supposed to do it the week of the outbreak).
» It's been raining and it's supposed to rain some more. Well, thanks for the rain that helps produce the greeneries.
» Chistmas is a-comin soon! Come back for some of my posts about christmas next month :)
» For you people out there who are into suspense/thriller/detecti ve type movies, "Taking Lives" with Angelina Jolie is a must see! Such a twist! I liked it a lot.
Well, I'm quite busy with school papers and.......yeahh... school papers! So, eventhough I've got quite a bit in my head that I'd like to share, I've got to prioritize my school stuff for now... However here's something for a thinker --
"The Waves"
Life. . .
One moment you have shortage. . . The next you have excess. . .
One day you have nothing to do. . . The next you don't have time to get it all done. . .
One day the refrigerator is empty and you are hungry. . . The next you have a half eaten meal in front of you and you are stuffed. . .
One month you've got money to spare and you wonder what to buy The next you've got a bounced check. . .
One moment you are full of energy and can't go to sleep. . . The next you are drained and can't get up. . .
One day you are the center of attention. . . The next you wonder if anyone knows you are alive. . .
It's the waves of life. They carry us up and down and all around.
Money, friends, your body, your relationships, your job, and the rest of the list, they all vary. They all go in waves.
It took me a while to really understand the statement, "The Kingdom of Heaven is Within."
No commercial can show you that.
Commercials make you believe it's in the jazzy new car or the big screen TV. Yes, those things can thrill you for a moment, but it's only a wave. After a little while, the thrill is gone.
I have always recognized that if money and things brought happiness, then all rich people with things would be happy.
It ain't so.
We easily see how poverty can cause unhappiness, but we are deluded into believing that money solves all things.
Life is full of stuff. I wouldn't trade my life with anyone, it's one of the most blessed that I know, but it's still full of stuff. One thing after another, one challenge after another, one situation after another, day by day, never-ending . . .
It's the waves and there is no stopping them from the outside.
You can only calm the inside, so that like a submarine, you ride deep beneath the waves.
Though a storm is raging, you are at peace.
Most are tossed and turned by waves. Some like the sub, ride deep beneath the daily storms in peace. Some simply surf the waves and have a lot of fun. Some drown.
You can't stop the waves; it's the nature of the ocean of life.
You can only choose which method you will use to handle them.
You can be tossed like most. You can drown like many. You can surf and have fun while you can, but even a surfer gets tired and there's nowhere to sleep on a surfboard.
To ride comfortably beneath the waves requires a ship containing breath that is not our own.
:( Ohhh dear.... From what I'm reading here, a lot of people are not very happy with tblog with regards to its reliability and frequent inaccesibility. I, myself, was kinda frustrated yesterday. So, I've been thinking about probably finding a different blog site. So far, i've got 3 choices: opendiary. com, ebloggy.com, & blogger.com. I'm not quite sure which one to choose as of yet. I would like one that is user friendly (easy for a beginner like me). Any thoughts/suggestions about this would be appreciated..
There was once a king who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two that he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The second picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest.... a perfect picture of peace.
Which of the pictures won the prize?
The king chose the second picture.
Do you know why?
"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."
"Well, hello there good ol' friend of mine..." --> this is a song, did you know that?
I just found out today that we can respond to the readers' comments right in the comment section and that they will show in their blog when they click "My Comments" under "my account".. So my apologies to those people who have commented and did not receive any reply till today...
