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One of the first steps in believing in a cause it not only practicing it, but informing others of your cause. When we share and teach information to others we learn better as well as commit ourselves to the principles. Thus, we feel obligated to a cause and responsible to uphold the very same principles we teach. When it comes to how I reduce, reuse, and recycle my first step is to inform others of the importance of recycling and then letting my life be a demonstration of what I say. There are many ways to exercise recycling habits but when it comes to being an advocate for a greener planet I believe you must share the information through the medium you enjoy. For me I enjoy politics and legislation, so I’m always interested in discussing legislative step to make people more aware of recycling. However I know many wouldn’t be enthused by a stack of legislative papers on environmental solutions but most would be interested in art.
I reduce, reuse, and recycle through the medium of art and design. I took an AP sculpture course in high school and with little and sometimes no money to buy materials for sculptures I used recyclable goods. Then walking down the street one day I notice the mass amount of leaves and acorns and used them to create art. My sculptures evoked an awareness of how important recycling was to our society. As of late I have used the avenue of icon design and digital art to cause viewers to be aware of conserving, reusing, and recycling. I hope my art will translate the importance that we all came from the earth and we will all return, so as good stewards we must take care of the earth to the best of our ability. There is a secret life the earth has and it’s well being is dependent on ours thus creating the reciprocal need for one another. I hope the pictures below illustrates this truth. The other pictures below express how I reduce, reuse, and recycle; through practicing conservation and displaying the importance of recycling through my artwork. Read more »
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Been reading Black by Ted Dekker for a couple months, I was introduced to him through a set of friends who are passionate fans of His work. I actually have a book of his on my shelf but I have never read his work until now. I won’t give a review here but just share one excerpt among the many I found amusing in the book. The first 6 or 7 chapter I almost stopped reading the book because it wasn’t engaging enough but luckily I kept reading. Here is an excerpt from the book of a conversation between Tanis (represents a believer in Christ) and Teelah (the devil). Take note Teelah can transform himself into a beautiful angel and sing the sweetest tunes known to the human ear. Tanis has approached a bridge between his home and that of the enemies, Teelah wants Tanis to throw caution to the wind and enter into his territory, thus far Teelah has convinced Tanis to draw closer, read closely…
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So since the commencement of this year I have been purposeful and diligent in identifying my core values and spiritual gifts in hopes to create a life mission. Thus for the past month I have been ensuring that my daily activities are contributing to my future. The past 3 churches I’ve visited the message has been on vision and purpose mainly with emphasis on Habakuk 2:2; “write the vision down and make it plain..” So I decided to write not just a list of materials goals I wanted to accumulate but rather deep character changes that will endure. I’m passionate about integrity and character because I spent the first half of my life without any. Also I stated in a past writing, the biggest change we can make is in ourselves and renewal of our minds as instructed in *Romans 12:2. Character built on solids principles of God’s word make and unshakable, immovable, man/women of God and that’s what I strive to be. I randomnly went to a church which happened to be a part of Craig Groechel’s ministry (not too familiar with). Nonetheless I heard a message on purpose, vision, and several excerpts from Groechel’s book Chazown. One thing that struck a chord within me was the statement, “every one ends up somewhere, but not every one ends up somewhere on purpose.” Along with the book LifeChurch also created an interactive video/exercise plan to help you identify steps that help you further reach you purpose. I was reluctant but I tried it and these were some of my results for my core values and Spiritual gifts.
Now on to the Eulogy, the reason you’re probably here, maybe when you saw the title you thought, “is he gonna kill himself?” No worries, I die daily through sanctification but I’m not a masochist for Jesus, don’t plan on taking my life. The second part to writing a vision for my life was adopted through a teaching by Steven R. Covey, from his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey’ second habit is titled “Begin With the End In Mind“. This habits is purpose in helping the individual formulate a solid mission statement through engaging the imagination and that’s why I like it (because I love using my imagination). Covey describes a scene in which you arrive at a funeral, people are crying heads bowed (envision this). You arrive at this wedding and sit in the back seat, as you look around all of a sudden you’re struck with the reality that this is your funeral… The podium is opened up to the audience to speak in memory of you and among those 4 who get up to speak are these individuals from different arenas of your life:
1.Family Member
2.Friend
3.Co-worker/Manager
4.Fellow church member/Pastor
Covey challenges the reader to write these four eulogies from the speakers perspectives. What would you want these people to say about you?, and in these eulogies lies the mission statement for your life! Covey then admonishes the reader “don’t tie yourself to your history, tie yourself to your potential.” So I wrote 4 eulogies for myself, using small index cards to make it as concise as possible and here they are;
click to enlarge
Remember these are eulogies I hope to hear, the potential I’m grasping for this year. These eulogies are like my personal convictions and core values that will help me in writing an overall mission statement for my life. I encourage you to try it, it may change your perspective on the way you see yourself and help you solidify a vision for your life.
Perspective. Were are you looking from?
btw I’m not into any new age form of humanism or self help, I’m into principled living. If it agrees with God’s word its ok if not scrap it.
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This is a writing I felt the need to repost, Initially written at the beginning of 2010 it still rings true, and will forever more. I’ll resist my current urge to expound upon the importance of consistent intimacy with God. Nonetheless, despite our ability to initiate intimacy he actually made the first move while we were yet sinners Christ died (Romans 5:8). Once you understand the ferociousness of such a love, the thought of being forsaken is the silliest notion one can conceive. However we must fight to abide in this love. Read more »
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Here on the eve of the S.C. Primary I’m still torn juggling electability, political philosophies, voting records and a host of other considerations for the current candidates.
So right off the top, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich just scare me. Mitt Romney has flip flopped so much he um…just kinda comes off unstable to me, however if I was forced to vote for him I will. The same for Gingrich with the unstable thing and even more his personal life is also um… unstable (and I’m being nice)? I believe in forgiveness but I also believe in integrity, hence someone who has serious commitment issues in there private life, it will affect their public life eventually, there is a core character malfunction there. So that leaves me with two candidates to choose from Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. For the past two weeks I have read through both candidates personal lives and public voting records, impressed in some places disgusted in others. I’ll just skim the surface with my explanations here. Read more »
