Letter to My Classmates

Dear Classmates,

I would like to start out my letter to you all by saying it has been a really enjoyable year, and I have learned very much, from this class, and from all of you.

It seems to be the general consensus of this class that Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is an enjoyable read. Miller uses a very non-confrontational, self-deprecating approach that is appealing to our generation. Yet, he does not write a wishy-washy, obsequious novel that just seeks to please. In fact, he brings up some very convicting points. Miller remarks on the irony that Christians should be the most loving people on earth, and yet they are often the most unloving and judgmental.

In his chapter, entitled “How to Really Love People,” Miller uses the example of the hippies that he lived with in the forest. He says “When I was with the hippies, I did not feel judged, I felt loved. It felt so wonderful to be in their presence, like I was special. I have never experienced a group of people who loved each other more than my hippies in the woods.” However, when he leaves the hippies, and goes to work at a church camp, it is a different story. He arrived at the camp smelling of smoke and looking shaggy. The Christians at the camp looked down at him because he looked and behaved in a way unusual to them.

Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Shouldn’t Christians be known for their love, not their judgmental attitudes? Miller finished the chapter by concluding that we as Christians view love as a commodity, like money. We give it to the people that give to us, and only to those that we expect something from in return. That is the wrong point of view: love is not money, it is a gift.

We need to give our love unselfishly, with the grace and mercy that God used towards us when he rescued us from our sinful lives. We need to love in a radical way as we have been loved in a radical way. As Christians, our love for others should be evident in everything we do. As Dr. Alberta Wilson said, “I want God’s love to shine through me, so that when I walk into a room, people say ‘Wow, her God must be awesome!’”

Jesus himself showed great love to those around Him throughout the Scriptures. Besides the obvious( His great act of love on the Cross) Jesus also spent time loving the least. He took the time to talk to a Samaritan woman who was a social outcast, rescued an adulterous woman from being put to death, and even ate dinner with tax collectors and “sinners.” This last act outraged the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders of the time, and they asked how Jesus could dare make such an offence. His reply was “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

The band Casting Crowns says it well in their song “If We Are the Body,” where they tell the story of a young girl mocked by church members and a traveler sitting in a back pew who is made to feel as if “his chances are better out on the road.” The chorus hauntingly asks “If we are the Body, why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the Body, why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way?” As Christians, people that have experienced the greatest love all time, we should be the most loving people that this world has to offer. We have the cure to the cancer of their soul; we should be exhilarated to share it.

I hope that this motivates you guys as much as it motivates me to go out and reach my world for Christ!

Mary

Speak for those that have no voice

Citations "Speak for the Weak Facebook Bumper Sticker." Image. www.abort73.com 17 Dec. 2009 <http://www.abort73.com/gear/graphics/speak_for_the_weak_sangria> "Speak for the Weak t-shirt." Photo. www.facebook.com16 April 2009. 17 Dec. 2009 <" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 139); text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2459410&id=7644864415#/photo.php?pid=2459410&id=7644864415&fbid=90404049415> 'Love Lets Live t-shirt." Photo. www.facebook/com 14 Oct. 2009. 17 Dec. 2009 <http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3783756&id=7644864415> "Shhhh Finger on Mouth." Photo www.facebook.com 20 Oct. 2009. 17 Dec. 2009. <http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30540082&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=2249801589&aid=-1&id=1539510034&oid=2249801589> Lind, Nolan. "Shut Your Mouth." Photo. www.facebook.com 17 April 2009. 18 Dec. 2009. <http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1806542&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=10621862898&id=752355793>

Logos!!

This ad states "You could be one less affected by cervical cancer!" The ad goes on to state several facts about the Gardasil shot, and how it can prevent certain types of cervical cancer. The type of persuasion used here is Logos, or logic. No one wants to get cancer. This ad tells people about one way they can prevent a type of cancer, and it gives them facts to back up what it claims.

Character

This political advertisement for John McCain is from the 2008 presidential elections. It uses ethos, or a character argument. The subtle argument is that John McCain has the experience that you want in a president. The picture shows him in a suit, confidently leaning his arm against a government building.

Read It and Weep

This ad from Amnesty International makes a bold statement about child soldiers and AI's goal to abolish their use. This is a clear use of pathos, an emotional argument or an argument from the heart. We are used to seeing caution signs every day that say "Caution:Children Playing".

This sign makes the point that, while our children are playing, other children in other countries are at war. Our children carry cell phones and play video games. Their children carry grenades and lay mines. Our children play "capture the flag" and learn to count and spell. Their children scout out the enemy and learn to be snipe-shooters.

Many parents complain that their children are too wild with their toy guns, or have too much violence on their videos game, and often that is true. But can you imagine, even for a moment, sending your child out with a real gun? Sending him or her off with explosives to do the work of your political or religious leader? Does that thought frighten you? That is the emotion that this poster is trying to excite. Your fear, and your pity. Can you picture those two children playing on the see-saw, with guns in their hands? Kids that are really never allowed to be kids. Kids that never get a chance to relax and have fun because they don't know when the next call to battle might come. You cannot really look at this poster without saying "How sad."

"My best friend gave me the best advice
He said "Each day's a gift and not a given right."
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day, and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?"

---If Today was Your Last Day by Nickleback


Today, I was listening to this song and I started to wonder. If today was my last day, what would I do? Would I really care that my precalc homework for tomorrow is almost done or that my room is a mess(my sister might care about that;), or would it matter more that I didn't call either of my best friends yesterday even though I planned to, because I was "too busy." Would my precious grades even come to my mind, or would I regret all the times I put off spending time with my siblings.

Maybe, if today was my last day, I'd get around to doing and saying things I should have done and said a long time ago. Maybe I'd tell that old friend how much I appreciate our friendship, and how he's always put up with me and been there for me when I wasn't always there for him. Maybe I'd tell my one best friend that she's always been my rock, but right now she's scaring me. She's getting involved with the wrong people, and I wish she'd take my advice and get out of that group. Maybe I would tell my other best friend that she is such a steady person and doesn't need to change to "be cool." Maybe, if I knew that today was my last day, I'd tell my parents what they mean to me, and how they've given me the ability to dream and aim high with my life, and I'm so grateful that they've never held me back. Maybe I'd go to that high school I go to everyday, and tell the kids I come in contact with everyday about the hope that I have in Jesus Christ. Maybe I'd call up relatives and fix broken relationships, and tell them how much I want then to come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Isn't it amazing how God can use a secular song and convict us with it? Maybe instead of waiting until its too late, I'll start on all of those things right now.

Trust exercise

When I sat down to write this, I immediately thought of the close-knit group of Christian friends that I have. They are a group of friends that I would tell anything to. Bethany, Karla, Lindsey, and Sarah are girls that I've known a while-from 1 1/2 to 9 years. They are strong Christians that have Biblical morals and the conservative political standpoint that I have. They aren't afraid to tell me when I mess up or call me on it when I do something wrong. But, they are also always there to talk when I'm having a bad day, help with homework, and laugh at my sarcastic jokes. I've developed trust with these girls over the years bu getting to know them through my church, youth group, Bible studies, and my local high school band. Now, I trust these girls with my deepest secrets. I also trust them to help me become a better person, because together we strengthen each others character. Proverbs 27:17"As iron sharpens iron,so one man sharpens another."

Ultimately, I trust God. He is perfect, omniscient, and has my best interests in mind. However, recently, a question that I was asked at a leadership camp over the summer keeps coming to mind. "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? And if you really did believe it, wouldn't you be doing something with it. And if you were doing something with it, wouldn't your life be different now than what it was before?" This question haunts me, making me wonder:If I really do believe that God is perfect, and if I really do trust Him, why do I worry? Why do I get upset when things don't go my way? Shouldn't I understand that what He does is best? This is one of those many areas in my life that I'm still working on.

Why all the controversy?

Well, to start, I didn't know that President Obama was giving a speech to school children until I read about it in the syllabus. Before the speech I read the articles Mrs. Bell provided and talked about the issue with my dad.

This speech was an excellent example of President Obama's eloquence and ability to create empathy with his audience. There were several compelling points in his speech. When the president brought up the examples of the girl who didn't know English when she started school, or the boy with brain cancer, or the kid passed from foster home to foster home, the listener could not help but feel that: "If they can triumph over their adversities, so can I." Also, the series of rhetorical questions at the end of the speech:"So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country?" serves to make his point that the choices you make now regarding your education don't just effect your future, but the future of your country.

I have to agree with my fellow students and say that speech was mainly an appeal to pathos. The sections of the speech I discussed above are examples of this, as well as the stories the president told about his and the first ladies childhoods. Those stories could also be considered appeals to ethos, or argument by credibility of character. President Obama wanted to connect with students by saying, in effect, "I've been through what you are going through, and worse. If I could do it, and get to where I am today, so can you." He was trying to build up his credibility with them.

The best argument made by opponents of the speech wasn't even against the speech itself, but against the "lesson plans" that originally went with the speech. I agree with those opposed to the lesson plans, but I think that too much was made of the whole situation. The lesson plans were border-line indoctrination, but once they were removed, conservatives should have read the speech and been satisfied.

Supporters of the speech were given much fodder by speech opponents who continued to label the speech as "socialist propaganda" even as it was released to the public and the lesson plans were removed. They made themselves look ignorant and stubborn; irrationally opposed to anything the president might do, good or bad.


Ultimately, although I am not an Obama fan, I must admit that this was a good speech and it had good content. Was I personally motivated? Maybe. I already consider myself a motivated student, but it was a good reminder that the future of my country depends on my generation and we(members of our generation) owe to ourselves and each other to get the best education we can.

AP English Assignment #1

This political cartoon makes a humorous argument about a less than humorous situation. The picture shows a car, high up on a hydraulic lift, which represents Pennsylvania's state budget. The state budget has been "held hostage" for over sixty days, going back and forth between the House and the Senate. Each house of the Pennsylvania legislature, represented by the unsympathetic car mechanic, has "fixed" the state budget according to its own liking. Because the separate houses cannot agree, the budget has still not been passed three months after it constitutionally needed to be. This cartoon makes the argument that the Pennsylvania legislature is not doing its job. It also points out the irony that while the citizens of Pennsylvania(represented by the elderly woman) are being deprived of the services we deserve(state college grants, senior citizen's benefits, and mentally disabled education programs), we are still paying their salaries. I agree with this cartoon because I think it aptly represents our current political situation in PA.