This post is the start of an ongoing conversation that will last approximately five weeks. I'm teaching Advanced News Writing this summer, and I have decided to have students post each week to this blog. In reality, it's much easier to grade things that are all in one place, but it's also great to be able to respond to the thoughts of others.
Here are the rules:
1) It's OK to POLITELY disagree with others who post.
2) Be sure to click on this entry and post everything here.
Week one: By Wednesday, please answer the following questions. Be sure to read what those before you have typed b/c it should have some effect on what you say. I don't want 15 posts that all say the same thing.
1) What is it that journalists do that make their jobs so important?
2) In your opinion, what has been the biggest or most important news story in the last two weeks?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
In Christ Alone
If you can find a copy of this song, go for it! There are about 25 recordings by different artists. I have not found the perfect one I'm seeking yet, but they are all good. At any rate, just the lyrics are amazing. I googled In Christ Alone and got this below:
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Newsboys - In Christ Alone Lyrics
In Christ alone my hope is foundHe is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
How bad is it …
when you barely have time to do half of your list, let along blog.
Yes, I should be planning for my Advanced News Writing class that begins Tuesday. I am going insane!
I have not even been able to blog about my amazing, and I do mean amazing time at the Beth Moore conference. I've also been to an amazing writer's conference.
Beth first. She is an amazing woman. She's on fire for the Lord and knows how to study His word.
Funny thing about God putting you in places you are meant to be. I'm sure there was no reason At ALL why I was at a conference where one of the main focus was on ANXIETY.
OK, this is summary of Beth's profound thoughts, not mine. Stay with me.
She says prayer is to worry as everything is to nothing. She also shows us how God will not provide us one single ounce of energy to waste on anxiety or worry. Prayer, on the other hand, taps into the Spirit's power. And that would be the spirit of the creator of the universe for those a bit behind.
Prayer is the answer to peace while anxiety is the quick way to insanity (OK, the last part is mine.)
Now, here is where it really gets tricky. Beth thinks the root of all anxiety is our refusal to relinquish one thing. Any guesses?
Oh, yeah, it's control. Hmm. What does this type-A control freak have to say about that? Hmm.
So we sat down on the floor, literally a few feet from Beth a few times, and there were these spotlights going around the room. At points, these lights would shine directly on me and not on the people sitting on either side of me. As if I would miss the whole contol thing, God decided to give me a visual clue.
Here it is God: TAKE IT ALL!
love, regina
Yes, I should be planning for my Advanced News Writing class that begins Tuesday. I am going insane!
I have not even been able to blog about my amazing, and I do mean amazing time at the Beth Moore conference. I've also been to an amazing writer's conference.
Beth first. She is an amazing woman. She's on fire for the Lord and knows how to study His word.
Funny thing about God putting you in places you are meant to be. I'm sure there was no reason At ALL why I was at a conference where one of the main focus was on ANXIETY.
OK, this is summary of Beth's profound thoughts, not mine. Stay with me.
She says prayer is to worry as everything is to nothing. She also shows us how God will not provide us one single ounce of energy to waste on anxiety or worry. Prayer, on the other hand, taps into the Spirit's power. And that would be the spirit of the creator of the universe for those a bit behind.
Prayer is the answer to peace while anxiety is the quick way to insanity (OK, the last part is mine.)
Now, here is where it really gets tricky. Beth thinks the root of all anxiety is our refusal to relinquish one thing. Any guesses?
Oh, yeah, it's control. Hmm. What does this type-A control freak have to say about that? Hmm.
So we sat down on the floor, literally a few feet from Beth a few times, and there were these spotlights going around the room. At points, these lights would shine directly on me and not on the people sitting on either side of me. As if I would miss the whole contol thing, God decided to give me a visual clue.
Here it is God: TAKE IT ALL!
love, regina
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Never enough hours in the day
If I close my eyes, my to-do list dances in my head. If I open my eyes, it's all around me, staring at me, beckoning to me.
From yard to house to fitness to the mess in the kitchen and the clothes in the dryer, all of which are situated around piles of grading to be accomplished, I simply do not know where to begin.
I have three to-do lists. I cannot bear to look at them. I seriously think I am a lunatic. A serious lunatic, not to be confused by a moderate lunatic.
My blog is too self-centered. Oh, well.
From yard to house to fitness to the mess in the kitchen and the clothes in the dryer, all of which are situated around piles of grading to be accomplished, I simply do not know where to begin.
I have three to-do lists. I cannot bear to look at them. I seriously think I am a lunatic. A serious lunatic, not to be confused by a moderate lunatic.
My blog is too self-centered. Oh, well.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
I should be sleeping
So I have discovered gmail and the beauty of the google calendar. I should be sleeping. It was a very very very long day and promises to be a very long week.
I am going to see Beth Moore in Omaha Friday, so the week will have a good end.
The only bad thing about a calendar you can add stuff into and then see months in advance is how quickly you can fill the darn thing up. aaauuughhh.
OK, I am going to bed now.
I am going to see Beth Moore in Omaha Friday, so the week will have a good end.
The only bad thing about a calendar you can add stuff into and then see months in advance is how quickly you can fill the darn thing up. aaauuughhh.
OK, I am going to bed now.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
In conclusion
I hate how when I post two in one day, my second post is below my first post. Perhaps I should consider a blog entry much like I tell my students to write cutlines. Assume the reader will not read the story. Try to get them there, but give enough info.
I finished my Beth Moore study. We went to dinner last night to discuss what we learned, but we really just visited. (nothing wrong with that). We did the To Live as Christ, which is a study of the life of Paul. Amazing.
Here are some of the things I took away from this study.
1) Paul, who started as Saul, let a very disciplined life, which I believe was a key to his amazing faithfulness.
2) Saul got to meet up with Christ in a very dramatic way. And, when Christ meets you in this fashion, there is really no turning back.
3) God rules were created to protect us and help us, but he loves us the same no matter how well we follow these rules.
4) The power of the Holy Spirit does not come automatically. When we accept Christ, we are joined by the Spirit, but it's only through the disciplines of prayer, reading God's Word and choosing to obey that we are able to harness the spirit's power to be patient, kind, faithful, loving, gentle, joyful, peaceful, good, and self-controlled.
5) Following our convictions can be tough. God did not promise a life of pampering. Hardships are actually necessary to build genuine faith.
6) Paul moved out from under to law to fall under grace. It's a choice we all have. The law condemns us all. You can accept grace or live life as Christ did -- without sin. Hmm, think I'll take GRACE.
7) The key to freedom is our obedience "DO the right thing, until we FEEL the right thing."
8) We need to fear the sin that comes disguised as a friend.
9) Salvation is a gift. We must PURSUE godliness and holiness.
10) We can learn to be content with what we have. It's not an automatic thing.
11) Beth says "our testimony is today!" We need to start living an obedient life, so our light can shine forth into the darkness. AMEN.
I finished my Beth Moore study. We went to dinner last night to discuss what we learned, but we really just visited. (nothing wrong with that). We did the To Live as Christ, which is a study of the life of Paul. Amazing.
Here are some of the things I took away from this study.
1) Paul, who started as Saul, let a very disciplined life, which I believe was a key to his amazing faithfulness.
2) Saul got to meet up with Christ in a very dramatic way. And, when Christ meets you in this fashion, there is really no turning back.
3) God rules were created to protect us and help us, but he loves us the same no matter how well we follow these rules.
4) The power of the Holy Spirit does not come automatically. When we accept Christ, we are joined by the Spirit, but it's only through the disciplines of prayer, reading God's Word and choosing to obey that we are able to harness the spirit's power to be patient, kind, faithful, loving, gentle, joyful, peaceful, good, and self-controlled.
5) Following our convictions can be tough. God did not promise a life of pampering. Hardships are actually necessary to build genuine faith.
6) Paul moved out from under to law to fall under grace. It's a choice we all have. The law condemns us all. You can accept grace or live life as Christ did -- without sin. Hmm, think I'll take GRACE.
7) The key to freedom is our obedience "DO the right thing, until we FEEL the right thing."
8) We need to fear the sin that comes disguised as a friend.
9) Salvation is a gift. We must PURSUE godliness and holiness.
10) We can learn to be content with what we have. It's not an automatic thing.
11) Beth says "our testimony is today!" We need to start living an obedient life, so our light can shine forth into the darkness. AMEN.
I should be grading …
Or washing the dishes or sleeping.
Last week of classes. Three more classes for me, in fact. Yes, three more.
It's been two, possibly three, weeks since I've finished my Beth Moore Bible study. I am back in the adult Sunday school as my 12-week stint with the 4-5 year olds in temporarily over. We are studying the life of King David. Our teacher has encouraged us to work on memorizing scripture.
I am working on memorizing Psalm 34. I must say it's not going as well as I would like it, too. The Psalm was written by King David, known as a man after God's own heart.
Here it is, in case you want to memorize it with me. (From the NIV version.)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
The poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who take refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weary and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
The face of the Lord is against those who do evilto cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in the spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bons, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked,
the foes of the righteous will be condemned,
The Lord redeems his servants;
No one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Last week of classes. Three more classes for me, in fact. Yes, three more.
It's been two, possibly three, weeks since I've finished my Beth Moore Bible study. I am back in the adult Sunday school as my 12-week stint with the 4-5 year olds in temporarily over. We are studying the life of King David. Our teacher has encouraged us to work on memorizing scripture.
I am working on memorizing Psalm 34. I must say it's not going as well as I would like it, too. The Psalm was written by King David, known as a man after God's own heart.
Here it is, in case you want to memorize it with me. (From the NIV version.)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
The poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who take refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weary and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, my children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
The face of the Lord is against those who do evilto cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in the spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
But the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bons, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked,
the foes of the righteous will be condemned,
The Lord redeems his servants;
No one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)