Anna’s Blog

(A preface to this blog: I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I tried to think of another topic I could write about, but... I couldn't help it. I just NEED to address this. For my own sake. So please just bear with me.)

"HAPPY GUY FAWKES DAY!' Can I say how irritating this has become? Frustrating to me, as one who loves LOVES history and loves LOVES England, that Americans have completely misconstrued this 'holiday'.

Did you know that this British 'holiday' is not celebrating Guy Fawkes, but rather his death? He committed treason. And was consequently hung, drawn and quartered - the most horrendous and humiliating of executions. This day is a reminder that treason will not be tolerated. Ugh how Americans have taken this to rally behind the underdog - Hooray for anarchy! Stick it to the man! Ummm... no. That's not what this is about. The bonfires are used to burn his effigy, not to commemorate what might have happened had his 'gunpowder plot' been successful.

Consider for yourself.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's mercy he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

"I know of no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot." Oh, it's been forgot all right.

P.S. I don't mean to be preachy, I honestly don't. But... come on. I find it sad when people celebrate the idea of anarchy. Romans 13:1-4.

Posted by Anna at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Yep, Luther livin large.)

In Church History, we are now (finally!) focusing our study on the Protestant Reformation. THIS is what I've been waiting for! While the early church fathers are interesting, and the early issues the church faced are incredibly important, I cannot keep Athanasius from blending into Ambrose... or Cyril and Clement and Irenaeus and Ignatius... from Antioch, Alexandria, Rome ROME ROME. So HOORAY for Luther, Zwingli and Calvin!

Interesting about Luther, though. Sure I watched the movie with Joe Fiennes... but in studying Luther as himself: his personality in contrast with his theology, his spirit in concord with his protest, he is perhaps not the quintessential Christian model of righteous living. He made mistakes. He spoke controversially, and often lived controversially. He is, though, a characteristic, outspoken, totally unreserved Christian - going through the typical highs and lows of the faith. Something we neglect to remember sometimes: Christians suffer. Christians struggle with faith, with trust. The supposed "Health and Wealth Gospel" cannot answer for that. Some gospel. REAL hope and REAL truth is found in Christ alone. Solo Christo.

We may struggle against Him, in our fallen human state - thinking we hold the answers, are capable of holding the answers, though the secret things belong to God (Deut 29:29). Real hope and REAL truth is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. And if we, like Luther, find our foundation in this truth, the joy is ours.

Consider with me the lyrics to Luther's famous hymn. Treasure these truths!

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our shelter He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth is His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And tho' this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim -- We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs -- No thanks to them -- abideth:
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Posted by Anna at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wow. So if ever my head could explode, it would have been on Tuesday.

I wish I could scan a page out of my daily planner, so you could SEE the sheer number of things I needed to do.

Anyway. Due to the incredible stress and busyness of this week, I haven't had time to write the blog I had intended to (something far more interesting, I'm afraid)... But this apology/explanation will have to suffice.

I'm planning to graduate a semester early for my major - in exactly four years as opposed to four and a half. To do so, I need to be accepted into the School of Education by December 1. This, I just found out. Want to know what being accepted into the School of Ed, and then graduating in May '11 rather than December '11 entails?

1) Taking/PASSING the Praxis I exam.
2) Submitting my portfolio for review. (I began a portfolio my freshman year, but the account expired... so I've gotta figure THAT whole thing out again.)
3) Filling out an application to the School of Ed.
4) Registering for, taking, and PASSING 36 credits of classes for the next two semesters - if I don't get into these classes... well... we'll build that bridge when we get there.
5) Taking two courses at community college (a Communications elective, and an Arts/Science elective - 'twill be fun/easy at KVCC) this coming summer - ruining my plans of working at a camp for another summer.
6) Practicum (classroom observation) in May '10, and student teaching in Spring '11.
7) Having enough money to take all these tests and get all of my background checks and fingerprintings done, AND stay in school, in class, with 18 credits...

Getting a little picture of my life right now? All so I can graduate next spring. Wow. My time at PBU is nearing its end. Now I've got to process how I feel about that.

Well. THAT is why I haven't been so up-to-date with my blog.

But all this to say... God is good. He is Jehovah Jireh - the LORD Will Provide. He is Jehovah Shalom - the LORD Our Peace. Praise ye the LORD! :)

Philippians 4:4-7. Check it out. It's my heartbeat for this week.

Posted by Anna at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)