So I have some questions. Is it okay to teach students about Gandhi and what he believed? I think we'd say yes. What about the teachings of Jesus? Gandhi used Jesus' ideas. Are we allowed to talk about Jesus in a secular sphere from even a purely historical view?
Jesus said "Love your enemies." Can I teach my students about those teachings, if it will help them not bully each other? I'm gonna keep on seeking out answers. What will honour people with different beliefs? Should I keep my mouth shut? Or am I keeping vital truth from very trusting children?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Abortion:right and left wing fly together
So, my family tends to be more right-wing; abortion is definitely wrong, same-sex marriage etc. and I do agree. I tend to try and hear the other side as much as possible though. Many of my friends are left-wing (not sure I totally understand all the differences).
I think my critique for the right wing is that if we want to end abortion, (which I for sure want), Christians must start laying down their lives for single moms, so they will not feel like they have no choice but to get an abortion. As my friend Darren said right-wing governments have to provide more money for these women.
I remember in a human rights history course-abortion came up, and I was talking to my friends. One girl said her friend had an abortion after a condom broke. She was such a sweet girl and I really didn't know how to answer her. She seemed to feel her friend was justified in her decision. This sadness came over me for my generation. Would I have done the same if I were in her shoes? Would I care more about my university studies/career than a "fetus" (young offspring/child)?
I'm gonna be honest and say most of my life so far I've been so "me" focused. I didn't want to have my own kids, because I thought that would get in my way of becoming "great," famous, a missionary, a teacher, a social activist. I think that's what many women deal with. We want our careers, but then again we also want sex and that without kids, so a condom breaks and abortion seems to be the right answer.
I must say I am happy where I am in life. I have the freedom as a woman to learn and grow so much. Perhaps thanks to more feministic women. I don't have to feel like I have to get married. I don't have to deal with crying babies all the time. I just get to play with kids at school. Not have sex. Is that such a weird, whacked idea in our culture? Sure maybe I have curious moments about what I might be "missing," but then I see the repercussions on my friends who haven't waited for the guy they marry. You trying to tell me something God? Broken hearts. You know the story. It fills the music scene. I like my heart intact, thank you very much. I like my brain in gear. I like the direction my life is heading. I like the freedom that I can wait till my late 20's, 30's or even 40's to have kids. There is no rush my girl friends (and guys too). Wait it out. Love is not just a romantic feeling (though there is gonna be nothing wrong with it when it comes). Love is meant to be shared with everyone. So let me tell you, by saying "no" to sex at this time of your life, you are absolutely, positively not saying "No" to life, friends, fashion, and love. You are saying "yes" to yourself, "yes" to God, "yes" to freedom, and "yes" to life for children. Woah, good deal eh?
Back to the human rights history course: My other friend said if she had known all the hard work that went into a having a young son (who is now 10) she would not have kept her baby (ie. aborted him). She was only 15 when she had found out she was pregnant and had little support. Again this only reiterated for me the importance of everyone (including government) helping young mothers especially single mothers. With all my heart, I believe that the true solution is God restoring close families of loving fathers and mothers, where children are protected and taught about keeping sex for marriage (another part of real protection).
We have to see sex as a sacred, beautiful thing again. Hard to do when we see it all the time on tv. Shut the stuff off. Let's tell Hollywood we don't want it anymore.
I think my critique for the right wing is that if we want to end abortion, (which I for sure want), Christians must start laying down their lives for single moms, so they will not feel like they have no choice but to get an abortion. As my friend Darren said right-wing governments have to provide more money for these women.
I remember in a human rights history course-abortion came up, and I was talking to my friends. One girl said her friend had an abortion after a condom broke. She was such a sweet girl and I really didn't know how to answer her. She seemed to feel her friend was justified in her decision. This sadness came over me for my generation. Would I have done the same if I were in her shoes? Would I care more about my university studies/career than a "fetus" (young offspring/child)?
I'm gonna be honest and say most of my life so far I've been so "me" focused. I didn't want to have my own kids, because I thought that would get in my way of becoming "great," famous, a missionary, a teacher, a social activist. I think that's what many women deal with. We want our careers, but then again we also want sex and that without kids, so a condom breaks and abortion seems to be the right answer.
I must say I am happy where I am in life. I have the freedom as a woman to learn and grow so much. Perhaps thanks to more feministic women. I don't have to feel like I have to get married. I don't have to deal with crying babies all the time. I just get to play with kids at school. Not have sex. Is that such a weird, whacked idea in our culture? Sure maybe I have curious moments about what I might be "missing," but then I see the repercussions on my friends who haven't waited for the guy they marry. You trying to tell me something God? Broken hearts. You know the story. It fills the music scene. I like my heart intact, thank you very much. I like my brain in gear. I like the direction my life is heading. I like the freedom that I can wait till my late 20's, 30's or even 40's to have kids. There is no rush my girl friends (and guys too). Wait it out. Love is not just a romantic feeling (though there is gonna be nothing wrong with it when it comes). Love is meant to be shared with everyone. So let me tell you, by saying "no" to sex at this time of your life, you are absolutely, positively not saying "No" to life, friends, fashion, and love. You are saying "yes" to yourself, "yes" to God, "yes" to freedom, and "yes" to life for children. Woah, good deal eh?
Back to the human rights history course: My other friend said if she had known all the hard work that went into a having a young son (who is now 10) she would not have kept her baby (ie. aborted him). She was only 15 when she had found out she was pregnant and had little support. Again this only reiterated for me the importance of everyone (including government) helping young mothers especially single mothers. With all my heart, I believe that the true solution is God restoring close families of loving fathers and mothers, where children are protected and taught about keeping sex for marriage (another part of real protection).
We have to see sex as a sacred, beautiful thing again. Hard to do when we see it all the time on tv. Shut the stuff off. Let's tell Hollywood we don't want it anymore.
God the Creator
Yesterday, God gave me this sweet vision of Him as the Creator, the Owner of the entire world. He really is the Lord over all the earth. And He is coming back for it, for us. He's the God of inspiration, life, joy. Do we have any idea how much we hurt God with our actions? Any idea how He feels when He sees children abused by their parents/friends etc.? Any idea how He feels when men abuse their wives? (Grrrrr. I know He gets angry). Or on the other hand, when women seduce men, often because of their deeply-rooted insecurity, that they are not complete without a man. Today on my google website this woman pops up with some massive cleavage. World, what are we trying to do to men? We are God's creation-let's honour ourselves, Him, and men.
I know I'm sort of just ranting/preaching, but I do believe children bear the brunt of our cultural obsession with violence and sex which is too often not founded in love.
Back to the Creator. What about how He feels when His exquisite creation is ravaged by greed, buldozed by greed. He will get His earth back for justice, goodness, kindness, joy, peace, and swwwweeeeeeeetttttttt love. You can count on it, and let's just say you do not want to be on the wrong end with Him.
I know I'm sort of just ranting/preaching, but I do believe children bear the brunt of our cultural obsession with violence and sex which is too often not founded in love.
Back to the Creator. What about how He feels when His exquisite creation is ravaged by greed, buldozed by greed. He will get His earth back for justice, goodness, kindness, joy, peace, and swwwweeeeeeeetttttttt love. You can count on it, and let's just say you do not want to be on the wrong end with Him.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Got the job!
Yesterday, I got the job of my dreams. Just finished my practicum in December in an Abbotsford country school in a Grade 4/5 class where the kids are amazingly well-behaved-not perfect, but probably the best class in the school. WOW! I'm back in the same class till June after my practicum teacher retired.
One of the teachers told me, "That's like winning the lottery, getting a job like you did!" I know she's right. I believe with all my heart that God has favoured and blessed my life beyond measure.
This is my thank you going out to my Father. Thank you also to all my friends, family, and staff at Ross Elementary. You absolutely rock!
One of the teachers told me, "That's like winning the lottery, getting a job like you did!" I know she's right. I believe with all my heart that God has favoured and blessed my life beyond measure.
This is my thank you going out to my Father. Thank you also to all my friends, family, and staff at Ross Elementary. You absolutely rock!
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