"A Nation of Ordinary People"

"A Nation of Ordinary People"

This weekend I got the privilege of seeing the Bolingbrook Fine Arts Drama, "A Nation of Ordinary People". It was a really neat play to watch educational and enjoyable. Here a few pics from some of the scenes.

Scene One: "Picnic Area"

Scene Two: "The First Thanksgiving"

Squanto telling a story to the pilgrims.

My best friend Mikey, built this table for the play, he did a really great job!

Scene Three: "Colonial Setting"

Mikey built this backdrop for the colonial setting, I was able to help him with it a little.
 I think the backdrop really made this scene.

All these young ladies fit so well in this era. 

Scene Four: "Pioneers Sitting Around Campfire"

Scene Five: "A Picnic on an Open Air Field"

I love the hats ladies.

The Wright brothers.

Stage Crew

Scene Six: "Bunkhouse in German Camp/American Home"

Reading a letter that was sent from the camp.

Excited about his care package.

Scene Seven: "Picnic Area"

The Cast

Thank you Bolingbrook Fine Arts Drama! I really enjoyed the play. :)

It's a Rain Boot Kind of Day

It's a Rain Boot Kind of Day

Mom and I had to go to Wal-mart so she could pick up her 

prescription, this is what we saw.

Pond by Wal-mart in Plainfield.

119th (between Naper-Plainfiled and Rt. 59)

119th sod farm.

This is a street off of 119th, or at least it was a street.

Picture taken of river from 119th bridge.

This is where the road was closed. 

Other side of the 119th bridge.

The abandoned house on 119th is now the abandoned, flooded house.  

Park at 111th, the soccer fields are now a big lake.

Shopping With Modesty In Mind

Shopping with Modesty in Mind

It's that time again! With spring here and summer approaching it's becoming harder and harder to find clothing that properly covers us, or clothing that is just appropriate to wear period. Modesty really is a beautiful thing, because it pleases God. We must make a commitment to honor God in the clothing we choose to wear. 

Proverbs 31:30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD shall be praised.  

I think the question I must ask myself is, what is my ultimate goal while shopping? It should be to honor God with the clothes that I choose to wear. But often times my goals change to other things such as... getting something cute to wear, to please other people, to buy something that I just feel good in and so on and so on. Yes, we can buy "cute" modest clothing, and yes, "people can compliment us" on our choice of modest clothing, and of course we can "feel good" in modest clothing. But if these things are my ultimate goals while shopping I will run into big problems, COMPROMISE. When I begin to compromise with the way I dress I choose to take God off His throne and put my wants on the highest pedestal. God being glorified is way more important than me getting a cute outfit. 

Here are a couple of guidelines for "Shopping With Modesty in Mind":

1) Make your very own guidelines to use while shopping.
            
 ~ How low is too low?
 ~ What is too short?
 ~ What is too high?
 ~ How tight is too tight?

I don't believe that there are specific guidelines on "what is too high or too low". God has given us, as Christians, the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us to show us what is right and wrong. We all are in different stages of our life, and God works on all of us in different ways at different times. Seek His guidance to know what pleases Him in the way you dress. 

2) Decide what "looks" are appropriate and what is not. Modesty isn't just about proper length and coverage. It is also about what "look" you are portraying with what you choose to where. 

          a) We can where a outfit that meets our length guidelines but looks worldly. We should not fashion ourselves after the world. When people see us they should Christ through us not last seasons hottest fashion trend. Romans 12:2 says: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." 

         b) Our clothing should not make us look like a guy. Guys clothing can very easily fit the guidelines of length and fit and may very well be comfortable, but the Bible clearly speaks against woman wearing men's clothing. Deuteronomy 22:5 says: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." When people see us they should never have to think twice about what our gender is or question whether or not we want to be another gender.

        c) Modest clothing is also appropriate clothing. We must make sure that our clothing is appropriate for the activities we are participating in. If we are going on jog or a walk, athletic clothing would be proper to wear. If your going to work day or working in the garden wearing heels or your nice skirt would be inappropriate. We must consider what we'll be doing in our clothing and make sure that what we choose to wear is suitable. 

3) The way we dress affects the way we act. If we dress like a lady we'll act like a lady. If we dress like a athlete we'll act like a athlete. If we dress like a loose woman we will act like one. If we dress like a guy we will act like a guy. Not only will we act how we dress but others will treat us like the way we dress.  Dress how you want to be treated, because the way we dress affects the way we act.


4) Talk to your father about your modesty decisions. Share with him why you have chosen these standards. Don't be discouraged if he does not agree with some of your decisions. Remember that he is a man and although we may not think there is something wrong with what we have chosen, he really does know. Proverbs 4:1 says: "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding." Although it may be frustrating and disappointing at times, remember that your father is trying to protect you with your choices of clothing. When it comes to modesty mama knows, but daddy knows BEST! 


5) Do not COMPROMISE! I know it's hard when you've been out shopping all day and come home empty handed. Because that dress was 2 inches too short, or the shirt was too snug. But no matter how discouraging or stressful your shopping trip becomes, DO NOT COMPROMISE! Before you decide on very strict modesty standards for the way you dress think about whether or not you will be able to participate in certain activities. Such as football, swimming, bike riding, riding roller coasters...etc. We cannot make rules then make exceptions for certain things that we want to do, either follow the rules all the way or don't make the rule in the first place. Remember, that there was a reason why you chose each of your modesty standards. We want to please God in the way that we dress and sometimes that means coming home empty-handed. If we begin to compromise in the way we dress, our modesty line will get pushed back farther and farther. Psalms 37:4 says: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Don't become discouraged, trust God that He will allow you to find modest clothing that fit your standards. 

"History Repeats Itself"

"History Repeats Itself"

I get kind of annoyed when I hear people say "I can't believe America has come this far or has gone this bad" when referring to abortion. But in all reality these are the standards that our country was born and raised on. Our country has always chosen a "better life" over equality of all humans and they will do whatever it takes to fulfill their plan, even kill. 

Mistreatment of Native Americans

        When Europeans first came to the Americas, they thought that they were discovering new land. Instead they were greeted with a land which was already inhabited by people with their own way of life. What happened after that is described by some as an American Holocaust. A lot of death and destruction came to Native American tribes when the European explorers and settlers landed. (lcsc.edu) 

Columbus, 1492 - Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas on October 12, 1942. He brought with him the hope of prosperity and an excitement of discovery of a new world. Little did the voyagers know, there was already a “world” which existed in that land. That sense of hope and discovery from one part of the world eventually led to the death and destruction of another.Many Native Americans believe that when Columbus first landed in the Americas, it was the beginning of what is now referred to as the American Holocaust. Columbus brought with him greedy men which ultimately led to discrimination, diseases and the death of thousands of Native American people. Columbus himself brought men who were looking for gold. They took the inhabitants and made them into slaves. In some accounts, the Natives were murdered, tortured and deprived of the necessities. This occurred throughout other voyages as well, as Columbus and his men went from island to island. (lcsc.edu) 

English Europeans - It wasn’t necessarily the Spanish that did all of the damage, it was what (or who) followed after that. When the English started to come to the Americas from Europe, they didn’t particularly care who was already living on the land and they certainly didn’t have any regards for the Native Americans way of life. Europeans looked at their discovery as a new way of starting over and they saw the land as one that they had complete rights to. The English wanted the land and they would literally take it from them without a second thought. Native Americans soon became a minority as settlers poured in from Europe and began to expand. Not only did they treat them poorly but many tried to kill them altogether. (lcsc.edu) 

As we can see, through our countries history we were founded on these horrible morals, we haven't "gone bad" we've been bad all along, so to speak. Columbus and the Europeans had no right to take away the Native Americans land, but they felt that the Native Americans weren't qualified to own this land because they were standing in the way of their dream. Our government made laws to protect the "rights" of these people with the "American Dream".

Slavery in America

       In the early 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants (who were mostly poorer Europeans). After 1619, when a Dutch ship brought 20 Africans ashore at the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia, slavery spread throughout the American colonies. Though it is impossible to give accurate figures, some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million slaves were imported to the New World during the 18th century alone, depriving the African continent of some of its healthiest and ablest men and women. (History.com)

       In the 17th and 18th centuries, black slaves worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the southern coast. After the American Revolution (1775-83), many colonists (particularly in the North, where slavery was relatively unimportant to the economy) began to link the oppression of black slaves to their own oppression by the British, and to call for slavery's abolition. After the war's end, however, the new U.S. Constitution tacitly acknowledged the institution, counting each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation in Congress and guaranteeing the right to repossess any "person held to service or labor" (an obvious euphemism for slavery). (History.com)

           

Slavery in America is another example of our country practicing inhumane actions. Slave traders had no right to take these people from their country and force them to come to America and be slaves. All of these actions were legal at one point or time. Our government made laws protecting slave owners "rights" to have these slaves.

Abortion in America

         Planned Parenthood dates its founding from 1916. To understand Planned Parenthood, one must understand the ideology of Margaret Sanger. While Planned Parenthood adamantly insists otherwise, it is clear that Sanger (1879-1966) was a eugenicist. She believed that birth control served a great eugenic purpose by stopping those she described as the genetically "unfit" from reproducing. In her 1920 book, Woman and the New Race, Sanger explicitly called her work "nothing more or less than the facilitation of the process of weeding out the unfit, of preventing the birth of defectives or those who will become defectives." As she wrote in The Birth Control Review, "the most urgent problem today is how to limit and discourage the over fertility of the mentally and physically defective." (nrlc.org)

         For example, Planned Parenthood has never ceased to target the poor and disabled, Sanger's favorite examples of the so-called "unfit." In the year 2000, almost 75% of PPFA clients had incomes at or below 150% of the poverty line. In 1997, PPFA's Plan of Action asserted that its "core clients" are "young women, low-income women, and women of color." (nrlc.org)

Planned Parenthood was started on the foundation of inequality for those Margaret described as "unfit". And many people today still agree with her ideas. As we can clearly see, history really does repeat itself. Abortion is without a shadow of doubt murder, by the parents, doctors and all those who support this despicable act. From the day of contraception every baby has the right to live. Our government, as it always has in history, supports the rights of those who don't deserve it and in so doing has stripped away the right that all men are created equal. We have now come to a point in our country where there has been question to whether a baby, after a botched abortion is born and laying on the delivery table has the right to life. Planned Parenthood has stated that, that decision should be left up to the parents and the physician. WHAT??? Now, I believe that abortion at any time of the pregnancy is MURDER! But this right here, what we are talking about is consider murder in all 50 states. 

So the question stands, "How could our country have come so far or have gone so bad?" We can answer that question by simply saying that, history repeats itself. We see that although our country was founded on a truth that all men are created equal, it has always found a way to make exceptions and decided that only certain men are created equal and should have equal rights. Whether it be Native Americans who rightfully owned this land but had it taken away from them, or the people that were unrightfully forced to come to America and be slaves, or the precious little babies that are fearfully and wonderfully made but has been denied the right to live before even leaving the mother's womb. History is repeating itself through abortion.

What does the Bible say?

1. Children are a gift from the Lord.

Psalm 127:3-5  - Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

2. God treats a fetus (baby) in the womb as a living person.

Psalm 139:13-17 - For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

3. The Bible says murder is sin.

Exodus 20:13 - Thou shalt not kill.

4. God hates abortion.
Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

        Well I have come to conclusion that history repeats itself. But as we can see Native Americans and slaves gained their equal rights. But now it's time to fight against another inequality of life in our country, ABORTION. As we can see, abortion is clearly wrong in God's eyes and we as Christians need to fight for the rights of these babies. I sure hope that history will repeat itself and these precious little babies will one day have equal rights to live. 

“If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.” 

- Eldridge Cleaver

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

~ The Greatest Friend of All ~

Growing up I never really had a best friend. I had lots of friends and even good friends, but I never had a best friend. I always felt like I was so different from everyone, not like totally weird where no one would want to talk to me, but weird enough to not relate to them in a special way. I never felt like anyone wanted to be my best friend. A good friend? Yes, but not a best friend. All of my good friends already had best friends. One thing that I wish I would have learned earlier was that having an earthly best friend shouldn't have been my first priority. I felt like I and everyone deserved a best friend, someone they can be open with, share their struggles and their joys with, someone who I could talk to for hours, or sit in silence and not feel awkward. I wanted a earthly friend to rescue me from my misery, but all along I had a friend, I had a Friend in Jesus. I have the GREATEST Friend that anyone and everyone can have. I was so focused on finding a best friend that I had overlooked my Friend in Jesus who was there all along. He heard my sorrow, He knew that in the midst of my friends I was still lonely, He knew that I needed someone to talk to and He was there waiting for me to accept Him as my "Best Friend". WHAT A FRIEND I HAVE IN JESUS! He the greatest Friend of all, He has promised in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave me or forsake me. I couldn't ask for a better Friend! I am so thankful that I can have a Friend in Jesus. 

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

The Perfect Man

The Perfect Man

I was looking, waiting and dreaming; with hopes to find that perfect man.

I had studied lots of scripture and held a list of standards in my hand.

I wanted a man who loved God more than me or anything,

that is what was most important, not the size of the ring.

I wanted a man faithful in his devotions and prayer,

one waiting, ready and devoted, with the gospel to share.

One who makes his decisions based on what the Bible has to say,

he will not listen to the world’s philosophies and be easily led astray.

As I began to think more and more about this perfect man,

I began to fear that I would not fit into his Christlike plan.

I realized that my life needed to fit these standards too,

 because he would be looking for a women who was faithful and true.

A woman that was faithful in her devotions and prayer,

one waiting, ready and devoted, with the gospel to share.

One who makes her decisions based on what the bible has to say,

she will not listen to the world’s philosophies and easily be led astray.

Their main goal in life will be to glorify Christ name

and careful they will be to not live a life in vain.

A man and a women who love God more than anything,

happiness, joy and peace is what their life will bring.

No more wasting my time to search for that perfect man,

But instead I will strive to be the godliest women I can. 

~ Tia Chant'e Griffin ~

April 30, 2009 

age: 16

10 Things to Do While Waiting For Your Prince Charming

10 Things to Do While Waiting For 

Your Prince Charming :

10. Start planning for your wedding. Hey, why not? Your "Prince Charming" might come to get you sooner than you think, you might as well have a plan. While planning for your big day remember that you probably won't be able to have your dream wedding, do to budget. (Sorry if I just busted your bubble, but if your a big dreamer like me we have to be brought back to reality) So I have planned 3 different types of wedding. The first is my Plan A, my "dream wedding," Plan B, is my "most likely to happen" plan and then there is Plan C, the "I have no money" wedding. That way all the time I've spent planning wedding won't be in vain.

9. Learn how to cook. If you already know how to cook, try something new. Take risk in the kitchen, step out of your comfort zone. While you're looking for you're "Prince Charming" he just might be looking for a damsel that's a great cook.

8. Teach yourself to love cleaning. Figure out ways to make it fun, cause you're not getting out of it. Sing while washing dishes, listen to music while vacuuming or pretend your on game show and time yourself to see how fast you get done. If you want a "Prince Charming" he's more than likely gonna want a clean palace.

7. Make your own personal cookbook. Not many people use cookbooks anymore, we go online and find recipes than print them out. Buy a cute binder or decorate a binder how you want and buy sheet protectors. Print out all of your favorite recipes. Separate all your recipes into different sections Dinner, Desserts, Appetizers, Breakfast, Etc... And as simple as that you have your very own cookbook with all of your favorite recipes. As the years go on you can keep adding more and more recipes.

6. Pamper Yourself. No, don't become conceited about about how you look, but do try to look nice whenever you go out. No "Prince Charming"  wants a girl that doesn't take care of herself, if she doesn't take care of herself, how does he know that she will take care of him. Don't go out with wrinkled clothes, or stains on your shirt; be presentable, even when you go the grocery store. You never know, you could meet your "Prince Charming" there.

5. Spend time serving your dad. Look for ways to serve him, greet him when he comes in the door, hug him regularly. Serve dinner the way HE likes it, even if the rest of the family would prefer something different. Help him with projects around the house or wash the car with him. Your "Prince Charming" will one day take the place of your father, put into practice the way we should serve him. 

4. Study Proverbs 31. These were the characteristics that Lemuel's mother told him to find in a potential wife. Study these out and model your life after the Proverbs 31 woman. Your "Prince Charming" might just be looking for these character traits in a woman. 

3. Pray for your future husband. Even though you may not know him yet, pray for him. He might just be praying for you too. God has a plan for you, let Him know the desires of your heart.

2. Seek wisdom from older women. Does mother really know best? Oh yes she does! Seek her wisdom, she's been there and done that. There's nothing new under the sun. In Titus 2 the aged women are instructed to teach us young woman, accept their wisdom. Most of the wisdom we receive will not be while were sitting down with our mom and have our Bibles open. Most of the wisdom we receive is when we make mistakes and that's the hardest time to accept it, be humble and willing to receive. 

1. Make a list of requirements for your "Prince Charming". It is very important that we have a hard copy list and not just something in our head, so when a guy "swoops us off our feet" we won't begin to compromise. Write down scripture verses to back up your requirements. Share your list with your parents or a really good friend. 

Bonus: Be Content. Be satisfied being single. As Christians we are complete in Christ. We cannot look to man to satisfy us. Psalm 118:8 - It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. God has a special plan for us all, so be patient and stay surrendered to His will.  


~ Tia Chant'e Griffin