"There's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."
~ Scott Adams
I love this quote because it is very simple and inspirational. It basically means that an act of kindness however small creates a wave of another and another and it will keep going because a single act of kindness makes people start their very own acts of kindness and the cycle will then continue. Any small deed you have done whether it was genuinely smiling at someone can make a huge difference. Your kindness will not only affect the person receiving the action, but you have probably influenced thousands of people. It's a chain reaction. So always be kind!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Little Strokes Fell Great Oaks
"Little strokes fell great oaks" is a proverb that is basically the opposite of "big things have small beginnings." It's the idea that a massive mountain can be eroded by just the rain or wind until nothing remains. I think this applies to American literature because I feel like the USA is like the great oak and it seems that our freedoms are being slowly ebbed away by little strokes. We need to be careful and actively trying to stop those strokes from chopping down America. From the opposite standpoint I love this quote because we can stand up to the forces of evil and fell them, no matter how rooted or large. I think the only thing that could really make this saying better would be "Through God, little strokes fell great oaks."
Benjamin's Secrets
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." This quote by Ben Franklin accurately represents the need to gossip both today, and in the past. Something bad not pertaining to you is almost impossible to tell everyone about. The only way to keep a secret about yourself is to keep it to yourself. Benjamin Franklin truly had an insight into society and how people work.
Those Who are Feared are Hated
"Those who are feared are hated."
Personally I think this is the truest thing I have ever heard. People tend to hate what they're afraid of and fear stems from ignorance. I think a big problem people have today is prejudice. They don't understand something and so it's wrong, it's disgusting, it's an abomination. People will have misconceptions or just not care enough to fact check. This causes them to form uneducated opinions and from that point comes the fear and then the hate. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it's evil or scary.
Not Be Forgotten
If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worthy reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
~Benjamin Franklin
I believe it is human nature to want to be important. No one ever wants to be forgotten when they die. They wish for their friends and family to keep them in their minds and honor their life. Franklin speaks to all people who value being known. He says either write stuff that people want to read, or do something worth writing about. Today, with modern forms of media, I think the phrase should be modified to, "Either create stories worth consuming, or do the things that are worth a story." This can be applied to movie making, writing, or even speaking directly to people. This quote is a clear and accurate depiction of how to be remembered after we are gone.
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worthy reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
~Benjamin Franklin
I believe it is human nature to want to be important. No one ever wants to be forgotten when they die. They wish for their friends and family to keep them in their minds and honor their life. Franklin speaks to all people who value being known. He says either write stuff that people want to read, or do something worth writing about. Today, with modern forms of media, I think the phrase should be modified to, "Either create stories worth consuming, or do the things that are worth a story." This can be applied to movie making, writing, or even speaking directly to people. This quote is a clear and accurate depiction of how to be remembered after we are gone.
Just Keep a' Movin' Your Feet!
Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance, you must keep going.
- Albert Einstein
It's true! We are to have troubles in this world, and, sometimes, we just can't get around them. Especially as Christians, we know we will struggle in this life, but we also know that we will be taken care of by our mighty and loving Father. The best thing to do in a troubling situation is to trust God and keep going. And it's hard... But we have to TRUST. Think about when you were little, learning how to ride a bike. If you were anything like me, you were NOT OKAY with mom or dad letting go of the bike. They kept saying to keep peddling and "you won't fall," but, alas, you stopped peddling, and... you fell. But, eventually, you got it, and you knew to just keep peddling 'cause it was the only way to move.
I think Einstein pretty much nails it with this analogy! And, though not mentioned by Einstein himself, the underlying truth is to trust and have faith... that's how we keep moving.
When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. - Edward Teller
To Be Proud of Virtue, is to Poison Yourself with the Antidote
As Benjamin Franklin said,"To be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the antidote." Doing the right thing can be hard to do, especially when the circumstance is such that temptation is greater than the desire to do the right thing. However, when the right thing is done, it's easy to become self-righteous and self absorbed. That's what Franklin meant by this saying, at that moment the good done is soiled by pride. My theme throughout the blog posts is to help spread Andy Mineo's Uncomfortable movement by referencing the message in almost all of my blog posts. This one actually has a lot to do with getting uncomfortable, we live in a world where comfort is a priority for everybody. If we step up and do the right thing, then we are getting uncomfortable in a world where comfort is the priority; however, the best way to get comfortable again is to become proud of virtue. Virtue is the cure for this world of comfort, but it can easily be used as a poison through self-righteousness and pride.
Be careful!
"He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas."
This quote is one that I've heard my whole life, and I agree with it totally.
This proverb is even mentioned in the Bible in I Corinthians 15:33, where it says: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Although this quote can be said different ways, the message remains the same in every rendition: there are negative consequences to hanging out with the 'wrong crowd'. You cannot expect to lie down with dogs and not get dirty, just like you cannot spend time with bad people and expect to become a better person yourself!
This quote is one that I've heard my whole life, and I agree with it totally.
This proverb is even mentioned in the Bible in I Corinthians 15:33, where it says: "Bad company corrupts good morals." Although this quote can be said different ways, the message remains the same in every rendition: there are negative consequences to hanging out with the 'wrong crowd'. You cannot expect to lie down with dogs and not get dirty, just like you cannot spend time with bad people and expect to become a better person yourself!
Disney=Ben Franklin... and that rocks
I chose the Ben Franklin quote that says: "What you seem to be, be really."
I really like this because it's so true, but also super mainstream. I think it's a good thing to remember because a lot of us lead double lives (not glamorous ones like Hannah Montana, though), but negative two-faced lives. I think it's important for us to understand that if we're who we say we are, our friendships and lives are going to be MUCH happier.
Another proverb/quote that I thought of when I read this was "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all."~Disney's Mulan
Both of these talk about how being yourself, and keeping it that way. Disney rocks, Ben Franklin rocks, everybody rocks!! Be yourself!! Love you all and can't wait to see your beautiful souls tomorrow(((:
I really like this because it's so true, but also super mainstream. I think it's a good thing to remember because a lot of us lead double lives (not glamorous ones like Hannah Montana, though), but negative two-faced lives. I think it's important for us to understand that if we're who we say we are, our friendships and lives are going to be MUCH happier.
Another proverb/quote that I thought of when I read this was "The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all."~Disney's Mulan
Both of these talk about how being yourself, and keeping it that way. Disney rocks, Ben Franklin rocks, everybody rocks!! Be yourself!! Love you all and can't wait to see your beautiful souls tomorrow(((:
Forgiveness Sets You Above
"Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one make you but even with him; forgiving it sets you above him."
Spread like Wildfire
My favorite proverb from Ben Franklin is, "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." I really like this one because it still applies today. This proverb is basically saying that no one should be trusted with information that you wouldn't want everyone to know. Back then, the internet, TV, and radio weren't around, but today these things spread information very quickly. So if there is something you don't want spread around for everyone to see or hear, listen to Ben Franklin's advice and don't let it out.
Eyes Wide Open
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.
I like this quote because it talks about how when you are looking for a spouse, you have your eyes open to all the possibilities, but when you get married you only have eyes for your spouse. I think it also means that when looking for a spouse, people are a lot more judgemental and see people's flaws easily, but when you marry, you learn to accept them, flaws and all. I think this is a really cute and sweet quote <3
I like this quote because it talks about how when you are looking for a spouse, you have your eyes open to all the possibilities, but when you get married you only have eyes for your spouse. I think it also means that when looking for a spouse, people are a lot more judgemental and see people's flaws easily, but when you marry, you learn to accept them, flaws and all. I think this is a really cute and sweet quote <3
Eat to Live
If ever there was a phrase to be used by a health food store it should be "eat to live, not live to eat", because oh man, does America have an obesity problem. My favorite of Ben Franklin's proverbs is "Eat to live, and not live to eat". I like this Proverb for a number of reasons, but the main one is that it is the greatest advice to anyone who is overweight. For the people in America today who are overweight, this phrase was clearly not apart of there everyday diets. For me personally it was. This is probably due to the fact that my mom is a dietitian and she has always preached to us about healthy foods and proper eating habits, but not everyone has the privilege of having a parent who does this. In many homes today the parents feed their children whatever they want and the children become obese as do the parents. These poor people are living to eat and as a result they become obese. Meanwhile in America a change is happening, a change that will help many of these families reverse these habits or at the least make them less damaging. This change is the organic/all natural foods movement. Within the past couple of years Organic foods have become extremely popular. This change is a step towards eating to live instead of living to eat.
Tim was so learned
"Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine Languages. So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on." I like this quote by Ben Franklin because it makes no since. Ben had said that Tim was really smart and could talk in nine different languages. Then he says that Tim was ignorant or stupid because he bought a cow to ride on which would not be smart because they are slow and do not really move. This really does make since though, because maybe Tim actually is smart and cow is just the name of a horse but in a different language.
Hanging with the wrong crowd
One of Franklin's quotes that stuck out to me was this :
He that lieth down with dogs, shall rise up with flees.
The quote is saying that if you lay down with dogs the dogs' flees will get onto you too. Well this can also be associated with hanging out with the wrong group of people. The group of people you are hanging out with are the dogs. All the bad things they are doing or talking about are the flees and if you continue to hang out with those people those flees will become yours too as you try to fit in and seem like a part of that bad group of kids. This quote can be applied to many things in life, but for me this example seemed to stick out the most. If you are lying with the dogs then get up and rid yourself of the flees of those dogs, don't let someone else influence how you live your life. God has a special plan for every single person in this world so don't let that one bad group of people get in your way, separate yourself from that group and find people that will lift you up and actually care about you.
He that lieth down with dogs, shall rise up with flees.
The quote is saying that if you lay down with dogs the dogs' flees will get onto you too. Well this can also be associated with hanging out with the wrong group of people. The group of people you are hanging out with are the dogs. All the bad things they are doing or talking about are the flees and if you continue to hang out with those people those flees will become yours too as you try to fit in and seem like a part of that bad group of kids. This quote can be applied to many things in life, but for me this example seemed to stick out the most. If you are lying with the dogs then get up and rid yourself of the flees of those dogs, don't let someone else influence how you live your life. God has a special plan for every single person in this world so don't let that one bad group of people get in your way, separate yourself from that group and find people that will lift you up and actually care about you.
Dancing in the Rain
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.
-- Vivian Greene
Greene is saying here how we need to accept the things that happen in our lives, and learn to make good things out of the troubles that happen. Just like Jesus can use even sin for good (though that doesn't mean we should sin), He can also bring character and strengthen our faith when putting problems into our life. Dancing in rain represents how we can still be happy despite our troubles. And although Greene may not directly refer to it, the rain can represent God's love falling down on us, of which we can rejoice. Go, dance in the rain!
-- Vivian Greene
Greene is saying here how we need to accept the things that happen in our lives, and learn to make good things out of the troubles that happen. Just like Jesus can use even sin for good (though that doesn't mean we should sin), He can also bring character and strengthen our faith when putting problems into our life. Dancing in rain represents how we can still be happy despite our troubles. And although Greene may not directly refer to it, the rain can represent God's love falling down on us, of which we can rejoice. Go, dance in the rain!
Actions Speak
Benjamin Franklin once said, "Well done is better than well said". This is a very true statement. It reminds me of one of Mark Twain's most famous quotes - "Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." Humans are good talkers. We say things, but often we do not act on our words. Whether this is in reference to politicians who say things and don't back them up. Or it could be a friend who says they will do something for you and never does. It could be someone saying they love and care for you but never show you their affection. Maybe it's you in reference to God. Do you just say that you love him, say that you'll do something, but don't show him it is true? (I ask because this is me most of the time). James 1:22 says, "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." When we let our words do the speaking, we really are only deceiving ourselves into thinking they are genuine. God see's right through it.
God Is Great, Beer is Good, and People Are Crazy
Who
knows more than anyone in the world that knows what will make us happy?
God Knows What makes us happy. All
People want in life is happiness in their life. Every decision we ever make has
as its goal our own happiness. Some of us, believe that happiness will come having six pack abs, able to do hundreds of crunches
and run for miles. Others of us, anticipating the more immediate happiness of
leisure and flavor, just by sit back and open a can of Coke o Cola with a bag of
chips and dip, and enjoy a good football game on TV. Different means, but the
same end. We all want to be happy. The Bible encourages us to be happy. In
fact, if anything, the message of the Bible is that we love our own happiness
too little, not too much. We are frequently commanded to delight, to rejoice,
to be happy. The truth is we were made to be happy. God’s greatest overarching passion is that we would
experience limitless joy in his unbounded greatness. So if beer makes you happy, then there’s nothing wrong with that, but remember too much might get you in trouble. Also remember God is Great, Beer is Good and People are Crazy.
Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise
Poor Richard's Almanac is known for it's witty phrases of wisdom. One of my favorites is-
If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing
It describes the power of a legacy and shows that things can last much longer than a man's lifetime.
Another one of my favorite Poor Richard's Almanac sayings is-
Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages.
So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on.
It tells us how book smarts aren't the only smarts needed in life. It also helps to have a good and basic understanding of the way the world works.
If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing
It describes the power of a legacy and shows that things can last much longer than a man's lifetime.
Another one of my favorite Poor Richard's Almanac sayings is-
Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages.
So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on.
It tells us how book smarts aren't the only smarts needed in life. It also helps to have a good and basic understanding of the way the world works.
Chipotle is muh lifeeeeeee
"Eat to live, and not live to eat."~ Albert Einstein
I saw this, and was so immediately inspired. In this saying, Einstein is simply saying to eat out of necessity, but to not make it your obsession. Ok, I'm not talking about having a food fetish. He's saying not to be over ally worried (obsessed with) figuring out what your next meal to eat. While you're obsessing on the future, you are letting the present fly past you.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" ~Matthew 6:25-26
I saw this, and was so immediately inspired. In this saying, Einstein is simply saying to eat out of necessity, but to not make it your obsession. Ok, I'm not talking about having a food fetish. He's saying not to be over ally worried (obsessed with) figuring out what your next meal to eat. While you're obsessing on the future, you are letting the present fly past you.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" ~Matthew 6:25-26
He that would fish, must venture his bait.
"He that would fish, must venture his bait," describes the process of success. In order to achieve a goal, one must be willing to risk something. Be it an investment or time, the greater the risk corresponds to the higher reward. This is the way it is in almost all ventures. There is always the chance of losing everything, but on the other hand, one might gain so much more. This is what Benjamin Franklin is saying. He implies that if one is not willing to risk anything, they should be prepared to gain nothing. From the colonial days to today, this saying has held true and will continue to do so.
He that composes himself is wiser than he that composes books
We didn't have time to read Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography in class, but I didn't want to move on without reading something by our witty and rascaly founding father. Franklin's biggest publishing success was Poor Richard's Almanack, an annual book that predicted weather but also contained recipes, jokes, and proverbs. Franklin wrote most of Poor Richard's maxims, though he liberally stole them from other authors and revised them to his purposes. A good list of some of his best sayings is here.
Here's a quote of Franklin's I have found oddly true: “He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.” The idea is that people like you more if you ask them to do a favor for you, than if they have to ask you to do a favor for them. Why would this be? Maybe when we ask for favors we feel beholden or helpless. When we do someone else a favor, we may feel competent, magnanimous, powerful, needed. And we may feel we have the upper hand with the person we have helped: now he or she will owe us a favor in the future. And as Seinfeld confirmed, we all want the hand, but hand is tough to get.
For your blog post, pick a favorite or two of Franklin's quotes from the link above. Explain what it means and why you like it. Or choose a proverb you don't agree with or don't understand. You may also discuss a favorite proverb of yours from another writer . . . even if that writer is yourself!
Here's a quote of Franklin's I have found oddly true: “He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.” The idea is that people like you more if you ask them to do a favor for you, than if they have to ask you to do a favor for them. Why would this be? Maybe when we ask for favors we feel beholden or helpless. When we do someone else a favor, we may feel competent, magnanimous, powerful, needed. And we may feel we have the upper hand with the person we have helped: now he or she will owe us a favor in the future. And as Seinfeld confirmed, we all want the hand, but hand is tough to get.
For your blog post, pick a favorite or two of Franklin's quotes from the link above. Explain what it means and why you like it. Or choose a proverb you don't agree with or don't understand. You may also discuss a favorite proverb of yours from another writer . . . even if that writer is yourself!
Monday, September 21, 2015
American Literature Test Review #1
American Literature Test #1
Puritans/Revolutionary War Literature
Our first test will be a paragraph response test: it will be much like an essay test, though your answers will each be one well-developed paragraph. The test will not be open book, but you may have a 3x5 note card with you when you take the test. Use your paragraph responses to demonstrate your understanding of the literary, theological, philosophical, and historical aspects of the question. Use specific examples from our reading to support your responses. A good study strategy would be to write out the answers to your questions before the test, though you won’t be able to have them with you. This test will be handwritten.
1. What is Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle? How was it used in one of the readings we did during this unit?
2. What literary and rhetorical techniques did Jonathan Edwards use in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”? Give some examples.
3. Name and explain at least three tenets of Calvinism. Discuss how one of the tenets was present in either “SitHoaAG,” The Crucible, or “The Minister’s Black Veil.”
4. Explore symbolism in “The Minister’s Black Veil.” What does the black veil represent, to either/both Reverend Hooper and Nathaniel Hawthorne? Why did Hawthorne choose a veil as the symbol?
5. Discuss the political philosophy behind The Declaration of Independence. Give examples from the document.
6. How is The Crucible an allegory for the Red Scare? What similarities did Arthur Miller find between the two?
7. Identify one character in The Crucible who went through a transformation. What caused the transformation? What was the result for this character and for the plot of the play? Mr. Hale, Mary Warren, John Procter, and Giles Corey would be good choices for this question.
Puritans/Revolutionary War Literature
Our first test will be a paragraph response test: it will be much like an essay test, though your answers will each be one well-developed paragraph. The test will not be open book, but you may have a 3x5 note card with you when you take the test. Use your paragraph responses to demonstrate your understanding of the literary, theological, philosophical, and historical aspects of the question. Use specific examples from our reading to support your responses. A good study strategy would be to write out the answers to your questions before the test, though you won’t be able to have them with you. This test will be handwritten.
1. What is Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle? How was it used in one of the readings we did during this unit?
2. What literary and rhetorical techniques did Jonathan Edwards use in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”? Give some examples.
3. Name and explain at least three tenets of Calvinism. Discuss how one of the tenets was present in either “SitHoaAG,” The Crucible, or “The Minister’s Black Veil.”
4. Explore symbolism in “The Minister’s Black Veil.” What does the black veil represent, to either/both Reverend Hooper and Nathaniel Hawthorne? Why did Hawthorne choose a veil as the symbol?
5. Discuss the political philosophy behind The Declaration of Independence. Give examples from the document.
6. How is The Crucible an allegory for the Red Scare? What similarities did Arthur Miller find between the two?
7. Identify one character in The Crucible who went through a transformation. What caused the transformation? What was the result for this character and for the plot of the play? Mr. Hale, Mary Warren, John Procter, and Giles Corey would be good choices for this question.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
It's YOUR Fault!
When I was five and took my two-year-old sister's things or yelled at her, she usually cried, and then mom got involved. All of a sudden, everything supposedly became Sami's fault, not mine. I'm sure it worked the other way around as well, but, either way, neither of us ever wanted to take the blame... It'd always be, "Well, SHE took it first!" Or, "I never said that!" Or often, "She walked on MY side of the room!" Just silly things, but not so silly when we were that small. Mom had to teach us that lying and covering up our sins was always the WORST thing to do and would get us in even more trouble. We now understand that a little bit better.
Most sin is like this... secret. We never want to admit what we did because we know it was wrong. (If we didn't think it was wrong, we wouldn't have as much trouble confessing it.) And, a lot of times, we forget that God already knows what we did, but, either way, we still have a hard time allowing ourselves to talk to God about it and accept His gift of forgiveness. Even further, it's very difficult to confess our sins to other people, even to our family or church. We aren't sure if we will get their forgiveness. Surely, the Devil tries to get inside our minds and convince us that we have the control to make our sins "right" by just ignoring them or making it seem like they never happened. God wants us to confess our sins to the people close to us so that we can pray for each other. He wants to heal our hearts and take away our shame. When we don't allow ourselves to accept God's forgiveness, we are filled with this shame and guilt. And it's really just not a great feeling to carry around. What if we didn't have to carry it around? What if we could always acknowledge the sins we commit, confess to each other and God, and accept His grace? Even though we still sin, we would be so much closer to God and much more able to forgive and love others. We would be more able to share the Word of God with those who don't know him and encourage other Christians in their pursuit of a life dedicated to Christ! Let's not be five-year-old Indi and blame our sins on two-year-old Sami... Let's live an honest life, close to Christ and enveloped in His love!
UPDATE: I'm much nicer to Sami now! ;)
(I apologize that this is so late!)
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Human Nature
Ever since the fall of mankind, humans have committed sins. No matter how big, everyone sins, and because we have certain moral standards (some by instinct and some pressured by society) of right and wrong, we know when we sin. Since we know that sin is commonly looked down upon, and we have the knowledge of our own sin, it is easy to make the decision to hide sin from others. It is human nature to hide sins from others to prevent being looked down on. However, there are many verse in the bible that direct us to confess and not hide our sins.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 John 1:9
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." -James 5:16
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2
These verses explain that not only confessing your sins, but accepting and forgiving others sins, is asked of us. If more people were open to forgiving others just as they would want ot be forgiven, then maybe more people would confess. But in today's society, where people are put down and judged heavily for sinning, the most basic human reaction is to close up and hide our sins.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 John 1:9
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." -James 5:16
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2
These verses explain that not only confessing your sins, but accepting and forgiving others sins, is asked of us. If more people were open to forgiving others just as they would want ot be forgiven, then maybe more people would confess. But in today's society, where people are put down and judged heavily for sinning, the most basic human reaction is to close up and hide our sins.
No point in keeping it a secret..
The thing with secret sin is that we keep it a secret to protect ourselves. That in itself is a sin, because we are becoming too proud, and aren't willing to humble ourselves to allow the sin to come to light. The reason I label this "No point in keeping this a secret" is because one day, we will give an account for every sin, thought, etc to God, so what is the point of waiting until that day to shed light in the darkest parts of your life?
Secret Sin (sin sin sin sin) a bleak and depressing look on something others will try to be positive about.
Secret sin is a part of any Christian's walk at one point or another. One may argue that no sin is secret because God knows and sees all our sins, but to say that really ignores the meat of the issue, which is that sin kept secret from other people around us can end up hurting us (and others) in the end. Public confession and reconciliation could be effective ways of combating secret sin and inward shame, but are rendered less effective by the selfish self-serving focus of today's culture. In today's culture people are too busy worrying about themselves and their own secret sins to notice when someone else comes forward and confesses. They may nod their heads in approval or think less of the person for showing their weaknesses and sins, but they won't remember by the end of the week. This leaves the confessor, still with no help, to worry about a possibly sullied reputation. I am describing society as a whole, by the way, I won't pretend everyone is the way I describe. At least, I hope not. Anyway, I just thought the blog was looking too positive and cheery and wanted to balance out the scales with some good old fashioned negativity. I want to make it clear that the views expressed above are an exaggeration of how I see things. Ever since we learned about existentialism, nihilism, and other similar viewpoints I began enjoying looking at things from a bleaker perspective. Feel free to put any disputes to my claims in the comments, I'm sort of jaded to the whole secret sin thing but, would love to discuss it.
#blessed
In our culture now a days everyone wants to seem perfect all the time and make everyone think that they have their life together. This is the reason why on social media everyone is always posting about the good things they have done and the happy times in their life. No one ever purposefully posts an unflattering picture of themselves or posts about something terrible they did. Social media is where people try to control your opinion of them by only showing what they want you to see. Its like a mask that makes it seem like everything is great. People are the same way when it comes to sin. No one wants people to think badly of them and its hard to put your sin out in the open, Especially when it means your reputation is at stake. Christians have developed a reputation of being judgmental and hypocritical and this is because no one is willing to put their sin in the open and ask for forgiveness. If every single person in a church confessed their sin everyone would quickly realize that they have no right to judge anyone because everyone has sinned. God is the only rightful judge and he has told us not to be judgmental and to confess our sins to one another. It is a hard thing to do but it offers a lot of freedom to put your struggles out in the open instead of keeping them bottled up. Next time someone comes to you with a sin they have been struggling with try to be understanding and to remember that God is the only rightful judge and we need to be loving of others no matter what their struggles are.
Reconciliation
A Story of Forgiveness:
There once was a woman named Allison. People didn't really like her, so she started to lie. First it was about her job and then she lied about her name. She was a liar. In fact, she lied so much that eventually she couldn't tell what was the truth. Her life was full of secrets and lies, so one day everything started to collapse. She realized that nothing good comes out of a lie and started to seek Jesus, who told her this "Love one another as I have loved you." She knew that she had taken the wrong path and had sinned. She spoke to Jesus about it because she could tell that Jesus loved her. In the end, Jesus forgave Allison for all her sins, then she thanked Jesus and told him how happy she was.
Allison is a sinner just as you and I are. Confessing your sins to Jesus is a joy. I believe in confessing my sins to my priest who offers forgiveness in Jesus' name. You can confess your sins through the sacrament of Reconciliation, where you would meet with your priest and confess your sins. It is an uplifting feeling to know that God forgives you and that He has unconditional love for us. God's forgiveness has changed the hearts of many sinners. <3 Spread the love!
There once was a woman named Allison. People didn't really like her, so she started to lie. First it was about her job and then she lied about her name. She was a liar. In fact, she lied so much that eventually she couldn't tell what was the truth. Her life was full of secrets and lies, so one day everything started to collapse. She realized that nothing good comes out of a lie and started to seek Jesus, who told her this "Love one another as I have loved you." She knew that she had taken the wrong path and had sinned. She spoke to Jesus about it because she could tell that Jesus loved her. In the end, Jesus forgave Allison for all her sins, then she thanked Jesus and told him how happy she was.
Allison is a sinner just as you and I are. Confessing your sins to Jesus is a joy. I believe in confessing my sins to my priest who offers forgiveness in Jesus' name. You can confess your sins through the sacrament of Reconciliation, where you would meet with your priest and confess your sins. It is an uplifting feeling to know that God forgives you and that He has unconditional love for us. God's forgiveness has changed the hearts of many sinners. <3 Spread the love!
Struggling Sinner, Forgiven Christian
It doesn't take a genius to realize this world has a lot of things wrong with it. Perhaps the thing that is the most apparent is the way people treat themselves and others. As Christians, we believe sin is anything that separates us from God. Secret sin is the worst. Holding guilt, shame and stress inside, hoping no one will find out makes you a slave to that lie. When you pretend everything is right when its not, you are lying. People are always afraid of what happens when others find out. The crazy thing is, they are more concerned with the judgment of man when the creator of the universe is the only one who can judge you. In my mind, I would much rather the people around me thinking bad of me than God. But maybe that's just me. Freedom comes with prayer asking forgiveness and letting people know that you are not perfect. In telling other people you trust who care about you, you might just find that you feel more loved than judged. :)
Secret Sin
In this world everyone sins. No one is perfect and able to hide the fact that they sin. Many people keep their sin secret, they don't want to share to their friends or family because their scared or something. People prefer to act like everything is okay in their life so they do not stand out. If people now started to share their and get it of their chest they would be so much more relived. You would not have to worry about what is troubling you through your sins because people would be there to pray for you and help you. If people opened like this at church there would be people who have had the same problem to help you gain forgiveness. God wants us to grow in our faith with him and we can do that by believing in him.
Secret sin
What is Secret sin one
might say? Secret sin is the sins that you have committed, but that you don’t tell
or confess about. Why don’t people tell other people about them? People don’t talk
about them because they don’t want to be judge because of them, or they are fearful
that if they are found out that people might not accept them anymore. The thing
about secret sins is that you can’t keep it a secret from God. God knows about
it and the best part is that he has forgiven you for it through his son. If People didn’t judge people on their secret
sin the world would be a better place, but that could only exists in a perfect
world.
The Secrecy of Sin
Guilt is an emotion we all have. If we've done something we're not proud of, we're bound to hide it in any way possible. This can lead to secret sins. We hide these sins from everyone around us. Even the most innocent-looking person can have secret sins. Despite all our efforts, we cannot hide our sins from God. If everyone spoke out about their sins, churches could feel and be a lot more righteous.
secret sin
People like to think they are perfect but heres a reality check there not nor am I nether are you or any other person in the world. Ever body sins wither your a christian or not some people, now peoples definition of sin can very. But the definition of sin is any act regarded as such a transgression, especially a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle. ( Dictionary.Com) So what is a secret sin. A secret sin is a sin that you are so ashamed by that you don't tell any one about it and you don't even like thinking of it because it makes you fell like you are not a good person. A secret sin can haunt you for ever and when it comes out not if it comes out because it will come it you will be more ashamed of it and you will most likely get in more trouble then if you would have just come out and confused.
Nobody Told Me You Could Die Like This
It's easy to look around see only perfection in other people's lives; however, the Bible tells us that we are all dead in our transgressions. With that in mind it becomes even easier to look around and see people wearing black veils hiding their sin. Humans are notorious for following the phrase,"monkey see, monkey do." We see the actions of our fellow human beings and use that to justify our own actions, whether or not they honor God. It becomes easy to get comfortable in our secret sin, continuing to white wash our rotting corpse in God's eyes. On the outside we put on a pretty facade which fools our fellow man into thinking that we are good, but God sees the long dead corpse on the inside. He sees the worms, the maggots, the rotten flesh, and every other disgusting feature that comes with the deteriorating body. We are all rolling around in our own filth, making it comfortable until the day our eyes our opened. Everybody will realize their sin, everybody will know who God is, everybody will know what Christ did, but not everybody will learn the truth soon enough. When the day of Judgment arrives, God won't even bother with the shiny exterior, but he will convict straight to the core. No man has anywhere near enough power and or strength to last even a millisecond. That's why Christ's sacrifice is so HUGE. Christians have been made pure, have been made alive through the rejuvenating blood of Christ. Now that we've been made into a new, holy creation, we need to start acting like one. Instead of defining ourselves by our secret sin, we need to confess our sins, repent and turn away from our sinful lives. We need to leave behind the comfort of a life of sin and get uncomfortable by becoming true followers of Christ. We need to strive to be like Jesus, to live like Jesus so when the day comes we can stand before the thrown of God, holy and blameless. However, that means giving up the comfort of this life and following a path that involves persecution, discomfort, and sacrifice. So, who wants to get... Uncomfortable?
Secrecy of Sin
Most sins, such as lying, stealing, abuse, rape, vandalism and some cases of disobedience are done in secrecy or where others will not realize it. For example, if Jonny was supposed to turn in his phone every night before he went to bed and one night he didn't and got away with it, he would not use his phone while sitting on his bed with the brightness turned up. He would turn the brightness all the way down and cover up his head and phone with the blanket before he played angry birds. This is because he knows that he is disobeying his parents and he is trying to keep it secret. Now lets say Jonny is a Christian and he knows God is watching him so he decides to turn his phone in, but he tells his parents he forgot to turn it in, instead of the truth. Here Jonny is not correcting his wrong, he is creating a new one. This is how most secret sin is, but usually in more extreme ways. It starts in secret and continues in secret. The secrecy of sin is not what makes it bad it is what makes it worse by either causing more sin or by making the person think it is okay since they did not get caught so they do not confess. Confession is the way we get right with God and others and without it life would really be a drag because everyone would always be feeling guilty about the sins they have done.
Shhh...It's a secret (sin)!
In today's world, we thrive on the image of perfection. We want our lives, our bodies, and our bank accounts to be perfect. We want our lives to have the image of having the great boyfriend/girlfriend, our super attractive bodies catch all the attention, and to have our bank accounts overflowing with money.
But that's not how it works. Every single one of us has something that we're hiding. Whether it be the acne on our faces hidden by makeup or a terrible truth we pray no one discovers. God tells us in Proverbs 28:13 that "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." This scripture is telling us that if we hide our secret sins, we won't get the close-to-perfect life we want, we will get the opposite. But if we confess them to God, He will give us hope, and we will prosper.
But that's not how it works. Every single one of us has something that we're hiding. Whether it be the acne on our faces hidden by makeup or a terrible truth we pray no one discovers. God tells us in Proverbs 28:13 that "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." This scripture is telling us that if we hide our secret sins, we won't get the close-to-perfect life we want, we will get the opposite. But if we confess them to God, He will give us hope, and we will prosper.
Secret Sins
Secret sins are hard to deal with. They are the easiest to justify and to ignore. They can be reduced down to trifle matters and swept under the rug like they never happened. It takes a brave and honest man to admit things he hasn't even been accused of. And what is the reaction of the church, when such sins are confessed? Is there forgiveness? Or is more condemnation piled onto an already grieving heart? The church, tainted with human nature, has taught us that secret sins are easiest dealt with in secret. That there is no forgiveness waiting after your repentance, only condemning gossip and a ruined reputation. It this is an area that the church has greatly faltered it. The church is given the job of judgement, bringing sins to the attention of our brethren, but not the job of punishment. God is the one who sentences and we are not called to make our wayward brothers and sisters feel guilty over a sin that God has forgiven. We are only to encourage repentance, to point to God who can relieve them of the burden of their sin.
Now, that is not all said to say that out secret sins should remain hidden until the church can learned this lesson. We are called to apologize even if the church isn't ready to forgive us. But it is a balance, with lessons to be learned on both sides of the equation. We can only pray that the Lord with lead both sides to repentance, so that the underlying issues will be resolved.
Do animals sin????????
The title of this has nothing to do with what i'm talking about really. I just don't know the answer to it and I know Kyle or Devin will answer it. Probably especially Kyle.
Everyone sins and most of the time you can hide it from other humans. I think people prefer to hide it from other people. I know I do. Not only because it's embarrassing but because it doesn't matter whether or not people know my sins. Only God needs to know. He's the only one that matters. Humans are super judgmental even though we all sin. Don't judge someone because they sin differently than you. You're not special. Eat my shorts.
Everyone sins and most of the time you can hide it from other humans. I think people prefer to hide it from other people. I know I do. Not only because it's embarrassing but because it doesn't matter whether or not people know my sins. Only God needs to know. He's the only one that matters. Humans are super judgmental even though we all sin. Don't judge someone because they sin differently than you. You're not special. Eat my shorts.
God See's Right Through That Act
We can all agree that we're all sinners and that we struggle with our own secret sins, so why do we make such an effort to try and hide it? Lately at the Bible study after school, (which is super gnarly and everyone should go to it) we have been talking about how people want to appear like they have it all together and pretend they don't struggle with sin. As human beings, our pride stops us from sharing our struggles with others in the fear that people will judge us and think lesser of us. Our pride wants us to be seen as people who have no short comings and consequently don't need God. But all superficialness aside, we all have an essential need for God's forgiveness that cant be replaced. God is all-knowing and see's what we do. He sees us with our secret sin and he sees us putting up the walls and keeping up the acts to protect that sin. It's futile to hide it from God. It's important to confess our sins to God instead of pretending like he doesn't see them. Taking his forgiveness is far better than dwelling on sin that we hide. Also, it's important to confide our sin with others to have them help us through it and keep us accountable. Secret sin is hard to talk about, but once we share it with a close friend or family member or whoever- a burden will be lifted from our shoulders and we can live much healthier lifestyles. We don't deserve it, but God is always willing to forgive us, it would be foolish to not take this blessing and confess our sin to the Lord.
Secrets Secrets There No Fun
Everyone sins. We are all human and make mistakes, so God sent His son to die on the cross for our sins to be forgiven. We need to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness like God wants us to. In today's world, people are very judgemental. A lot of people keep their sins hidden in order to save face and keep people from judging them. God is the only one who can judge us though and in God's eyes murder is no different than lying.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
~Matthew 7:1-2
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, 'You shall not commit adultery,' also said, 'You shall not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker."
~ James 2:10-11
There's no such thing as secret sin.
As humans, we all sin. There is no denying that fact. As humans, we try to hide our sin. We don't want people to know what we've done or who we really are. We conceal our sin in order to save our pride (which, by the way, is a sin). We go through the motions acting as if everything is okay. We hangout with our friends, go to church, pray, read our bible. However, a good portion of the time this is just done superficially in order to appear good. In order to make our lives look good. However, when our sin comes out (in one way or another) we appear as hypocrites (in fact we are hypocrites). We try to be good and not sin, but we keep falling back into temptation. We give in and sin once again - whether this is in regards to a specific sin, sin in general, or both. The problem is that we need to be changed. Our sin, regardless of how good we are of hiding it, is all seen in its entirety by the Lord of the universe. There is also no denying that fact. If God sees sin, why do we hide it? Is God less than man? We care way more of what humans think of us and very little what God thinks of us. Christ, if you have been saved by grace, has forgiven and been sacrificed for your sin - each and every sin. No, I do not believe we need to confess every sin in front of the church or a large body of believers (although there is a time and place for that). However, it is important to confess our sins to others - close friends or family to which we can be accountable.
We need God. We need to be change by God. Repentance only comes by the grace of God. We cannot strive hard enough or try well enough to free ourselves of certain sin. What we need is to die to ourselves, die to sin, in order to let God take control and transform our lives. This is a daily (if not hourly) process of denying ourselves and proclaiming Christ in our lives.
I am not perfect, in fact I am the complete opposite of that. I struggle with sin. Sin you all can observe, sin you can't. But none of my sin is secret. That is the scary part. Every time I fail, He is the first to know about it. Thankfully, He is willing to forgive me, but I sure don't deserve it. Thanks be to God for his glorious redeeming and forgiving grace. May I die to myself in order to let Him live in me.
We need God. We need to be change by God. Repentance only comes by the grace of God. We cannot strive hard enough or try well enough to free ourselves of certain sin. What we need is to die to ourselves, die to sin, in order to let God take control and transform our lives. This is a daily (if not hourly) process of denying ourselves and proclaiming Christ in our lives.
I am not perfect, in fact I am the complete opposite of that. I struggle with sin. Sin you all can observe, sin you can't. But none of my sin is secret. That is the scary part. Every time I fail, He is the first to know about it. Thankfully, He is willing to forgive me, but I sure don't deserve it. Thanks be to God for his glorious redeeming and forgiving grace. May I die to myself in order to let Him live in me.
~When I cried out, You answered, and made me bold~
As I read the article, ”Brothers
and Sisters, Unwed Pregnancy is Not a Sin”, I found that I partially disagree
with it. Yes, we should be forgiving and comforting to those who are pregnant
out of wedlock, but then again, it was sin that brought them to that position.
With that being said, I don’t necessarily agree with the article’s title.
However, I do believe as a Christian, we should uphold and encourage each other despite our sin. We would be hypocritical to judge others’ sin, as we ourselves are full of sin as well. Through prayer and upholding of each other, we can build our lives towards and around Christ, rather than constantly tear each other down together as we are all equal in our sin against God. His grace towards us leaves us no room to judge who of the humans deserves that grace.
The church could be so much stronger and the people would be tied so much closer together with God and His love as the stitching that would hold us together. As a human with sinful nature, it is hard to trust completely though, and to trust others to be uplifting of you despite your sin after you had already done so takes a lot of trust. The insecurities in trust that people show today explains why we wouldn’t uplift each other as it is obviously better for the church. If we feel trust and secure with our brothers and sisters in Christ, it would be easier to share our sins with each other and offer counsel and prayers.
Everyone has sin in their life, whether it is secret or not, and we don’t have to feel alone in our need for help. We have each other and God, and no force is better than those to conquer our sin and uplift each other into God’s love.
However, I do believe as a Christian, we should uphold and encourage each other despite our sin. We would be hypocritical to judge others’ sin, as we ourselves are full of sin as well. Through prayer and upholding of each other, we can build our lives towards and around Christ, rather than constantly tear each other down together as we are all equal in our sin against God. His grace towards us leaves us no room to judge who of the humans deserves that grace.
The church could be so much stronger and the people would be tied so much closer together with God and His love as the stitching that would hold us together. As a human with sinful nature, it is hard to trust completely though, and to trust others to be uplifting of you despite your sin after you had already done so takes a lot of trust. The insecurities in trust that people show today explains why we wouldn’t uplift each other as it is obviously better for the church. If we feel trust and secure with our brothers and sisters in Christ, it would be easier to share our sins with each other and offer counsel and prayers.
Everyone has sin in their life, whether it is secret or not, and we don’t have to feel alone in our need for help. We have each other and God, and no force is better than those to conquer our sin and uplift each other into God’s love.
Psalm 138:3
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”
Our Secret Sins
As we all know everyone sins. There's nothing we can do about it except to ask God for forgiveness. But we can confide in each other so we don't have to share the burden of our sins alone. By sharing our sins that we have kept secret for who knows how long not only can we relieve ourselves of the burden of that sin but we can ask the people we are sharing with to pray for us. Having the forgiveness of God and the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ makes it so much easier to live with the sin we have committed. One thing we find in The Crucible is that Proctor cost people their lives by not speaking up and sharing his sin with the town about his affair with Abigail. Now in today's world we might not necessarily cost someone their lives, but if we commit a sin and do not share it with someone that that sin may have wronged, then that person will not be happy with you when they find out on their own. It is always better to tell the truth and share your sins so that not only can you receive the support of others but also so that the consequences of your actions will not be as bad.
Confession of Secret Sins
Everyone sins. In life, that has never been an abnormality. People accept this, and people forgive this. However, secret sins are rarely every forgiven, because they are never given the chance. A person's secret sin is a stain of guilt on their lives, their hearts, and their soul. The stain remains because, instead of openly confessing, the person tries to hide their sin. They are forced to carry the weight of the guilt alone.
This is not what Christ hoped for us. The Lord instructed us to form churches, not only to praise him, but also to create Christian havens where sinners can come. The community of the Church is a place of accountability and forgiveness. By seeking Jesus along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we find a home where everyone seeks to be like our perfect Lord. It is in this home that we can finally let go of our secret sins. When this burden is finally set aside, we can follow Christ with even more joyful hearts. It is through confession that we find forgiveness for our secret sins, and through forgiveness that we find healing.
This is not what Christ hoped for us. The Lord instructed us to form churches, not only to praise him, but also to create Christian havens where sinners can come. The community of the Church is a place of accountability and forgiveness. By seeking Jesus along with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we find a home where everyone seeks to be like our perfect Lord. It is in this home that we can finally let go of our secret sins. When this burden is finally set aside, we can follow Christ with even more joyful hearts. It is through confession that we find forgiveness for our secret sins, and through forgiveness that we find healing.
Scared
The two post-Puritan works that we have read so far have dealt with a secret sin. We witness how people go to great lengths to keep the sin hidden. Today is no different. People are definitely not open about their wrongdoings. But, why? I see it in other people, as well as in myself; people simply don't want to be judged. They don't want to have to deal with other people's ignorant opinions. Sometimes, they just don't want help. They don't want to be put in a "category" or walk around with a name that someone chose for them. Which is why, most people today walk around tightly bottled up inside. This surely isn't right (and not really healthy). The world and the church would be so much more different today if we were all honest and open with each other, while not being condemning.
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Secret Sin
In The Crucible, people were publically accused and excuted for what was a secret sin that they almost certainly did not commit: witchcraft. John Proctor, the protagonist, actually does commit a secret sin--adultery--that indirectly leads to the deaths of 20 people. He is the only one who can reveal Abigail's lies about the witchcraft, but his desire to keep his sin secret causes him to drag his feet and when he finally does, it is too late. Further, his adulterous affair with Abigail prompts her to turn on Elizabeth and escalate the witchcraft accusations. Miller says, "These people had no ritual for the washing away of sins. It is another trait we inherited from them, and it has helped to discipline us as well as to breed hypocrisy in us" (20).
What about today? Do we still try to keep our sins secret? Read this article, "Unwed Pregnancy is not a Sin." Do we take to heart James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (NIV)? If not, what is stopping us? How would life in the Church be different if we did?
You can respond to the literature, the article, or the overall idea of secret sin and public confession.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
"Love's not Time's fool"
Anne Bradstreet's "To My Dear and Loving Husband" is such an expression of love and emotion! It is exemplary of an ideal love of a husband and wife that is loyal, giving, passionate, and kind. Though we do not know the husband's affections for his wife, we can assume, by the way she speaks of him, he must be a devoted and loving husband. This reminds me of one of Shakespeare's sonnets (#116 to be exact) describes the same kind of ideal love...
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
- William Shakespeare
Similar to Anne's poem, this sonnet identifies love as something that is not bound to time. It is everlasting and enduring, as we know of the love of Christ! Shakespeare says love is an "ever-fixed mark," rather something that follows the flow of the world.
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
- William Shakespeare
Similar to Anne's poem, this sonnet identifies love as something that is not bound to time. It is everlasting and enduring, as we know of the love of Christ! Shakespeare says love is an "ever-fixed mark," rather something that follows the flow of the world.
If ever two were one
We May Live Together
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay.
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
- Anne Bradstreet
In the Poem it express her compassion and love to her husband. She say that she would not trade it for anything, even if it was a Gold Mine full to the brim with gold. Why? Because she loves her husband so much. At the end of the poem, she hopes even after this life that they be together forever in heaven.
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompetence.
Thy love is such I can no way repay.
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
- Anne Bradstreet
In the Poem it express her compassion and love to her husband. She say that she would not trade it for anything, even if it was a Gold Mine full to the brim with gold. Why? Because she loves her husband so much. At the end of the poem, she hopes even after this life that they be together forever in heaven.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Luve ♥
A Red, Red Rose
By Robert Burns
Anne Bradstreet's writing, "To My Dear and Loving Husband," is an amiable poem that shows affection to her loved one in the most delightful way which reminded me of this poem by Robert Burns called "A Red, Red Rose." He writes about his love for a young girl (a bonnie lass), and goes on to state that he will love her "till a' the seas gang dry" or till the seas are dried up, so his love will last a very long time. The poet continues to say that he will love her till rocks are melted by the sun, which is not common, so this could mean that his love will last forever, even if he has to travel 10,000 miles just to see her. Anne Bradstreet says, "Then while we live, in love let's so persever, That when we live no more we may live ever," so she believes they should love each other so much that when they die, their love will live on and pretty much be eternal in Heaven. Both poets assert their profession of love in such strong and passionate terms that it truly convinces the readers of their enduring love for their significant other!
By Robert Burns
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Though it were ten thousand mile.
Poetry and Stuff
There weren't many techniques in this poem other then rhyming. There are definitely Puritan influences. The wording is very Puritan and also the way she talks about "the East" and how she feels about her husband. The theme of the poem is love
"When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats reminds me of "To My Dear and Loving Husband" because he's also talking about eternal love. His wording is much prettier though.
"When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats reminds me of "To My Dear and Loving Husband" because he's also talking about eternal love. His wording is much prettier though.
Then higher on the glistering Sun I gaz'dWhose beams was shaded by the leavie Tree,The more I look'd, the more I grew amaz'dAnd softly said, what glory's like to thee?Soul of this world, this Universes Eye,No wonder, some made thee a Deity:Had I not better known, (alas) the same had I
Ooh shaking things up with the AB rhyming scheme! Nice. I like this one a lot more than her loving husband one. That one was really lame and way too lovey dovey. This one's just about the sun and that's kinda lame too but it's still better. I hate the sun less than I hate love.
#relationshipgoals
What a sweet poem! Reading this poem by Anne Bradstreet filled my heart with happiness. Sure, there is a lack of imaginative elements, but this poem is straightforward and loving. It's simple and honest and there is a certain beauty that is found in its simplicity. You can tell that Bradstreet really is truly in love with her husband, and that they are inseparable soulmates. I think I speak for pretty much everyone when I say that I hope to find someone who prizes my love more than mines of gold.
Thinking about two people who love each other that much just warms my heart.:)
Thinking about two people who love each other that much just warms my heart.:)
Loving Love, Loving Long Life, Loving Long Loving Life Lovingly
To My Dear and Loving Husband
If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me ye women if you can. I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold, Or all the riches that the East doth hold. My love is such that rivers cannot quench, Nor ought but love from thee give recompense. Thy love is such I can no way repay; The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray. Then while we live, in love let’s so persever, That when we live no more we may live ever.
Anne Bradstreet uses the core basic themes of love (a lot of it), marriage, and death. Her Puritan upbringing also influenced her to discreetly slip in some allusions to Christianity. With love, she compares them as one, for their love binds them together, inseparable. She dares women to compete with her of how happy and in love she is with her husband, for she is so much so no one in her eyes could be happier. Treasures and nature, or anything on earth for that matter, can quell her love for him. She also believes that she, receiving her husband's love, is so great that there is no way she can ever repay him. Only Heave itself can reward him for his great love towards her. She also says to him may their love live on forever by making it greater and even more beautiful now. Others shall remember their love (like we are seeing now), and also, they can be together in Heaven for eternity, praising and loving God.
She Loves You Yeah Yeah Yeah
A Letter to her Husband, absent upon Publick employment
My head, my heart, mine Eyes, my life, nay more,
My joy, my Magazine of earthly store,
If two be one, as surely thou and I,
How stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lye?
So many steps, head from the heart to sever
If but a neck, soon should we be together:
I like the earth this season, mourn in black,
My Sun is gone so far in’s Zodiack,
Whom whilst I ’joy’d, nor storms, nor frosts I felt,
His warmth such frigid colds did cause to melt.
My chilled limbs now nummed lye forlorn;
Return, return sweet Sol from Capricorn;
In this dead time, alas, what can I more
Then view those fruits which through thy heat I bore?
Which sweet contentment yield me for a space,
True living Pictures of their Fathers face.
O strange effect! now thou art Southward gone,
I weary grow, the tedious day so long;
But when thou Northward to me shalt return,
I wish my Sun may never set, but burn
Within the Cancer of my glowing breast,
The welcome house of him my dearest guest.
Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence,
Till natures sad decree shall call thee hence;
Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone,
I here, thou there, yet both but one.
My joy, my Magazine of earthly store,
If two be one, as surely thou and I,
How stayest thou there, whilst I at Ipswich lye?
So many steps, head from the heart to sever
If but a neck, soon should we be together:
I like the earth this season, mourn in black,
My Sun is gone so far in’s Zodiack,
Whom whilst I ’joy’d, nor storms, nor frosts I felt,
His warmth such frigid colds did cause to melt.
My chilled limbs now nummed lye forlorn;
Return, return sweet Sol from Capricorn;
In this dead time, alas, what can I more
Then view those fruits which through thy heat I bore?
Which sweet contentment yield me for a space,
True living Pictures of their Fathers face.
O strange effect! now thou art Southward gone,
I weary grow, the tedious day so long;
But when thou Northward to me shalt return,
I wish my Sun may never set, but burn
Within the Cancer of my glowing breast,
The welcome house of him my dearest guest.
Where ever, ever stay, and go not thence,
Till natures sad decree shall call thee hence;
Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone,
I here, thou there, yet both but one.
This poem, also by Anne Bradstreet, is very similar to To My Dear Loving Husband in the way it portrays unity in marriage. Marriage is a sacred bond ordained by God in which a man and a woman come together as one flesh in order to bring glory to God and represent Christ's relationship to the church. But what is Christ's relationship to the Church? Simple look at Ephesians 5:22-23
"21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[b] 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Christ is the head of the Church, and so the Church submits to Christs authority. However, Christs love for the Church is a true sacrificial love, He gave himself up so that the Church could be holy and blameless before God the Father. In this same way, a wife should find comfort in her husband, who should in turn be willing to give his life for her protection. In this way, the husband loves his wife as much (if not more) than himself making them essentially one and the same. These two poems emphasize the idea that Bradstreet considers herself and her husband in a unity. However, this poem shows that Anne looks to her husband for comfort because she trusts him to fulfill his role of protection. So, all in all, the point of this post is for me to say that Simon Bradstreet scored big time. He found himself a women who understands her heavenly role and his ready and willing to help him glorify God by submitting to him and holding him accountable. He's lucky that he found a faithful women who is waiting for him to return from a hard days night. This is why I don't care too much for money, cause money can't buy me that kind of love.
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