This musical was a more humorous and artistic way of portraying what has been discussed in Honors class all semester.  It presents the question that the class has been trying to answer.  Pippin gives the audience a real-life feel to this issue which helps the audience relate to him.  Everyone goes through times where they do not feel like they are living a worthwhile life.  They feel that there is more they could be doing.  Sometimes people find that they overlook the most meaningful parts of their lives because they are searching for something more.  Pippin let those around him influence his decisions and make him believe that there was a different purpose for his life.  It was when he got away from that that he met Catherine and became drawn to that life.  His mindset was still following what he was being told and he became scared that he was only settling.  This is the same as society's influence in people's lives today.  The media surrounds the human culture and tells people how to live.  Society give people the notion that they have to keep striving for something more.  Society has taken the idea of contentment right out of the picture.  Contentment does not mean settling; it means not overlooking where one is called to be.

The play was very funny and I am in love with musicals.  It was such an interesting thing of how well the play matched up with this semester's discussion in class about callings.  Everyone goes through a time where they are searching for just that right calling.  It is scary because there is the thought that if we fall to far the wrong direction, there is never a chance to get back on track.  Right now, as college students, we are all experiencing this stress.  We mull over our schedules and our major to make it fit just right.  Pippin showed that it was the times that strayed and went various different directions that helped him see his perfect calling the best.  We also have to trust that we are not alone in this adventure.  God is right beside us guiding us if we let Him.

Presenting the Poehler Lecture Series: Faith and Learning, Head to Head, Heart to Heart.  Tuesday night was a night of great intellect and faith.  Brothers, Dr. Dale and Dr. Thomas Trapp, began their presentation with some insight as to what it was like growing up in the Trapp home.  They both described their first birth when they came into this world, their second birth as they were baptized and confirmed, and their final birth when they enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  The theme of the night was "Faith and Learning; Head to Head, Heart to Heart."  Dr. Dale's role during the presentation was to describe the scholarly aspect of faith, learning and living.  He did so through his profession as a professor in the physical sciences.  Dr. Tom touched on the more spiritual side of faith, learning and living through his role as a Theology professor and as a minister.

Dr. Dale's discussion during the lecture was about the mysterious versus the miraculous.  He compared many of today's findings in science to the many miracles in the Bible.  There is a lot found in scientific research that seems to defy natural laws.  Dr. Dale used Lenz' Law as an example.  By Lenz' Law, a magnet that is dropped down a metal tube will take longer to fall.  This is because the energy induced by the falling magnet causes a current opposite of the magnetic flux.  This current pulls the magnet in the opposite direction making it fall much slower than normal.  He also showed a diagram that went through the sizes of known objects in the world from incredibly microscopic to an amazing vastness in size.  He said these very things are unfathomable and yet they are accepted.  When compared to miracles in the Bible, the mysteries seem just as unimaginable as the miracles, but the miracles are seen with skepticism by many.  Both of these are outside common experience but they were already there before they were discovered.  They are both so majestic that they cannot be fully understood.  He refers to Psalm 8 when saying that God does not want us to limit our studies to certain topics.  God has created this world for us to discover and learn and through our faith we can understand the wonderment of this world.

Dr. Tom Trapp refers to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, "For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it (v. 7-9)...For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (v. 14-15)."  He described faith as being a way of necessitating Christ.  God was in the beginning, He is now, and He is the future.  Dr. Tom used a triangle diagram to represent God.  Creation took a fall from God, but even so, God went looking for the lost.  God continued to have grace for the lost creation and then sent His son to be the savior of the world.  Through Christ, creation has as brand new relationship with God.  A relationship with God is not that of reward and punishment; rather, it is one where God has it all taken care of and is taking care of His creation.  It is not what His creation can do to receive a reward.

What is important is what motivates creation and what is inside of creation, that being the Holy Spirit.  Creation is to ask for help in using what it already has to glorify God.  God is the active one.  It is not about what creation does, but it is about what God does and has already done through salvation.  Sanctification comes through the Holy Spirit working in creation.  Creation is active in Christ.  God helps creation look for ways in which it is to respond and He gives the answers and guidance.  Creation acts it all out.  It is difficult to fully understand what God has planned, but creation must trust that He is the One working everything out and will give His creation the answers needed to fulfill His plan.  It is not what creation does, but what He does through His creation.  Creation is to listen to the world to know how to understand what God tells it through nature.  Some situations can never be fully understood.  Some of the answers will never be told.  God works for the good of every situation (Romans 8:28), and not all things that happen can be rationalized, but all of Creation can believe that God uses everything for His intended purpose.

Dr. Tom Trapp gave the audience some analogies for how to carry out the faith and trust in God's plan.  A rowboat is rowed while facing backwards.  The rower is always looking behind to where he has been rather than to where he is going.  A rowboat is like the Hebrew concept of time.  What is known from the past can give guidance for the future.  An airplane falls when there is no one operating it or when one jumps out of it without a parachute.  Dr. Tom explained that humans are born with a falling condition.  God says that He will not stand for that and humans are not to bring others down.  God says not to use His name for evil.  A vacuum cleaner either works or it does not depending on if it is plugged in or not.  Humans in faith must try not to be wishy-washy.  It is normal that events in life cause the faith to wane, but it is one's duty to want the Holy Spirit to strengthen their faith once more.  One is to not decide that faith is only important sometimes without caring much if that faith has waned.  This leads into the idea of "inside versus outside."  One must have a yearning to strengthen his faith, but one must realize that God already has him.  He is already in and it is not him who allows himself to have faith; it is by the work of the Holy Spirit that one is to have faith.  The last of the analogies was the idea of married versus dating.  As mentioned earlier, God has a relationship with creation.  This relationship is not something that creation has to win because God is always there and creation always has that relationship.

Dr. Dale and Dr. Tom left the audience with some thinking points.  Humans are to have "cross" eyes; that is to look at the world through faith.  They are to have "tomb" vision by living in the world knowing that they already have that relationship with God.  They are in the tomb with Him.  God has given humans talents that He intended to be used for His glory.  Dr. Dale and Dr. Tom showed that both faith and learning coexist.  Through the comparison of mysteries and miracles, it seems that it is hard to have one without the other.  Humans are to expand their minds and their hearts in order to grow and learn through and with God.  Humans' task is to not just train for life here on earth.  The question humans must ask themselves is who calls the shots?  Ultimately, it should be God leading every person's life, and if one finds that God is not at the head of the line, things need to change.  Humans are to look at life within the framework of what God has done and humans are not in charge of other's hearts, only their own.  If one's life is set in God and something light in one's heart in which one is moved by it, then one should go for those things.  God will continuously guide.  

It is difficult when seeing the bad things in the world to trust that God is guiding.  How much greater is it to trust in God amidst all of the awful; instead of losing faith in Him, why not lose faith in man?  The human reason for becoming skeptical in the miracles of God is because they want an ultimate reason and rational explanation.  They use knowledge to try and figure out something that can never be proved with worldly minds.  This knowledge becomes god to them and the place limits on the unlimited.  One will never be able to understand that which one does not know; just because it cannot be rationalized does not mean that it does not exist.  

The Poehler Lecture, presented by Dr. Dale and Dr. Tom Trapp, was absolutely wonderful.  They presented insights to various aspects of faith and learning that helped give a better understanding of how they can coexist.  It provides much confidence and encouragement to know that no matter what we do in life, God is there to guide.  It only depends on if we let Him guide.  God is that parent that says He will support me in whatever career/life path I choose.  He is continuously walking alongside me.  I will make mistakes and stray from His approval, but He is still there and will always be there to help.

To God be the glory!  Amen.

It is hard to rationalize how one is to know if God is speaking and directing, and it is hard to know exactly what one's calling is.  God's main calling for us is to be content in our situation in life because He is always there to guide.  One's main duty is to submit to God's will continuously, asking for guidance in prayer and being willing and open to any way in which one feels driven.  Even if one strays from God's plan, God will always work for the good of any situation.  He has a purpose in any situation.  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Contentment is mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain," and again in Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

The idea of having a calling from God is a scary thought in a way because there is so much that could happen.  How are we to know if that is exactly what is supposed to happen? I think that is part of God's calling; He gives us free will to decide if we want to obey and have faith in Him.  He is in charge of the Holy Spirit which enters our heart and mind and gives us the ability to have faith in Him.  With the Holy Spirit leading our life, there is no way that what we do can stray from God's calling for us.  Sure, we may stray from living a godly life, but God works for the good of every situation.  If we have faith in that and if we are willing to carry out God's plan for our lives, that's all God needs to take the reins over our life.  That is what we have to do is give Him complete control.  The other part of knowing that we are carrying out God's calling is to be content with where we are in life.  That does not mean to just sit back and do nothing.  God does intend to give us guidance and then expect us to act upon it.  He gives us the situation with which we can act.  Our contentment lies in trusting that He is guiding and that a situation may not be the best now, but God is working for the good of that situation.

The passage in Callings ends with Horace Bushnell's list of things to consider when trying to discover the course God has laid out.  God made His creation to be excellent and worthy in relation to His own character.  Therefore, only creation can make it bad, but He, Himself, did not make it bad and what God plans for His people is to be in harmony with His good character.  Several things that people can use to interpret and understand God's plan is their conscience, God's law and Word, and the observation of Providence, or messages from God in life situations.  One must go to his or her friends and to God as well, seeking guidance and answers from God.  This compilation of reminders about the life God has intended for His people is a how-to list of sorts that can open a person to seek out an understanding for God's plan and direction.

The most controversial part of this reading, as was discovered in the Honors class, is how does one know if God has a plan for His people.  Then there is the question of free will and where does that come into play.  The reading described free will as being the ability to choose whether or not one wants to follow and carry out God's plan.  The act of denying His plan is the other choice.  God has created His people each with his own special talents and gifts.  Bushnell said that God has an intended purpose for these gifts and He is directing His people if they are willing.  Some students in the Honors class mentioned that maybe God does not necessarily have a specific plan completely laid out for every person, but maybe it is those talents and gifts that God planned, and He give His people the freedom to do with them as they wish.  Other students, though not in full disagreement, wondered why there could not be an intended purpose for those talents.  Surely, God must have a place and reason behind those talents; otherwise He would not have created them.

This reading was one in the class that was not all that popular.  I, however, actually related to it quite well and did enjoy it.  God would not have put us on this Earth if He did not have a plan for us.  The Bible describes in many different passages that we are to follow the instructions that God has laid out for us.  Even the Lord's Prayer mentions "God's will be done."  Therefore, it is not our worldly plans for our lives that should be focused on.  Instead, we should work to carry out God's plan.  I think the reason that people become skeptical about the idea of God's plan is because it is not a concrete plan that is obvious to us.  It creates fear and doubt in us that we are not following God's plan.  This is why I really liked how Bushnell created a list of guidelines to remember.  I really liked how he emphasized that since we are God's creation and evil is not in God's nature, our selves are harmonized with God.  To be willing and in want of carrying out God's plan is to let go of control and give it all to God.  We should not be worried, because when we give control to God, He will do the work to keep us on His path.  I also liked how Bushnell gave a reminder to be observant of the situations in life.  This is because God is walking alongside of us and is speaking to us whenever we are in need of guidance.  Some people are uneasy to think that God speaks to us in all sorts of situations, but I believe that to not believe that this is possible is to limit the power of God.  God's power, though, is limitless and infinite.  Thus, by having faith in God's power, we are also able to apply God's great power to our own lives and carry out the plans He has constructed for us.

Though this quote did not come from Bushnell's writings, it really stood out to me.  To end, in his description of faith, Soren Kierkegaard says that "after having made the movements of infinity, it makes the movements of finitude."  This gives us hope that through having faith, we can go about our lives applying that faith to the world around us and trust that God is guiding us every step of the way.

The dedication of the softball players to the game is what God looks for from His people.  He says to trust Him and put all focus and effort into following Him and living life for Him.  Just as the athletes are determined to do their best at their sport, so are God's people called to do their best putting their trust in Him and focusing their lives on Him.  1 Corinthians 9:25 says, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wealth, but we, an imperishable."  The attributes of an athlete, self-control, motivation, passion, and dedication should also be applied to growing in faith.  Athletes also have guidelines to follow in the game that they play in order to be successful.  They also have rules to follow as to their technique and other aspects that allow them to be better players of that game.  This, too, is something that God's people are called to do.  Though Christians are no longer under the law through Christ's salvation, Christians are still called to follow the law.  Salvation without the law would be cheap grace.  2 Timothy 2:5 says, "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."  Christians are God's athletes working toward the prize of salvation and a place in heaven.

I sympathized with the softball players and the cold conditions.  As an athlete, it is not as fun having to breathe in the cold air and work past stiffer joints and muscles.  At any rate, the softball team did a good job at claiming their territory at Carlander Field against Northern State.  It is interesting thinking about the amount of time, effort, and passion athletes need in order to be successful and then comparing it to our calling to follow Christ.  I have to remind myself at times during the week to slow down and put as much effort into focusing on God as I am on the various tasks throughout the week.  Sometimes I wonder why it can be so much easier to fall into completely forgetting about thanking God for all of His blessings than it is to forget about what needs to be done during the week.  If we were to put God in our agenda just as we do class schedules and homework, He would become a part of our lives rather than just something extra we do every day when we get the chance.

Hassan's internship directly related to helping people due to it being in the medical field and through research that worked to benefit the health of others.  It is that kind of work and the continuous efforts of many to improve the lives of the world that allow for the world to be healthier and safer.  It also helped him in his field of study by gaining better understanding of the field and what is expected.  Internships provide a student with a better comfort of not only knowing if that field of study is one that that student wants to study, but also more confidence with that field.  Hassan's internships seemed comparable to the structure of the Honors Program.  He talked of how they would spend all day working at various areas of the hospital. He said that it would get very tiring, but it was a lot of experience and learning every day.  The Honors Program incorporates a lot of different information and experience in one program and each week will cover various amounts of subjects.  At the end of the week, the class has been enlightened by many areas of study.  Hassan decided to use his talents in the medical field to help those around him, and in doing so, he has carried out service for others.

It was really inspiring listening to Hassan speak about his experience.  He made the idea of pursuing a future career a little less intimidating.  The future and how much that's supposed to happen in the next three years seem so unclear.  It makes me scared in a way to the point that I do not always like to think about it, so learning about others experiences helps me to feel that it is all possible.  In the first year of college, we are bombarded with information of how much experience we need to acquire for our careers and how much we need to have under our belt after we graduate in order to be successful in our career.  It is so overwhelming and it does not seem that 4 years is long enough to fit all of that in.  It was relieving to hear about Hassan's experience because he did not seem like he had done anything more than the rest of the students.  He just chose a field of study and found an internship to fit that field.  He made it seem doable and laid it out in a way that no longer seemed as impossible.

This is a big challenge that Christians face today and something that causes much controversy among Christians.  That is the idea of what the best way is and who decides.  Ultimately God decides, but what if someone interprets a situation differently?  This confusion brings itself into the lives of many people, whether it is finding a job, a career path, or even the school that fits right.  College students have this challenge for four years as they attempt to plan the rest of their lives in four years.  It all begins with the choice of the right school and then everything follows.  Nothing is permanent, though, and not every decision made will have to be the only way things will go.  Students still transfer to different schools to find greater satisfaction, and many adults enter various career paths until they find one that fits.

Reading this section reminded me of the first discussions that the class had when we tried to define what it means to have a calling.  Herbert would say that it is allowing God to guide and putting all of one's self into whatever position it is that he or she is in.  I would say that I agree to Herbert's views.  God does call us to have a specific place in the world and our ultimate goal is to serve and work for good of others.  I have discovered and learned that God does not always just spell everything out for us.  He also expects us to do some work or to at least do as much as reaching out to receive His blessings.  I believe that if we put all of our focus and trust in God, He is going to guide our lives and keep on His path that He has laid out for us.  This means that we should not be afraid to pursue something, especially if it is something that we want, because with our focus on God, He will direct us in that pursuit.  As long as we are continuously checking in with God and asking Him to lead us, He will, and so we must just be willing to do everything for the glory of God and to do everything with the focus on the One who guides.

Martin Luther was a strong advocate for creating equality of power within the church.  He had a strong view of two aspects of Christianity, what he called the spiritual estate and the temporal estate.  The spiritual estate, during his time, consisted of the Christian nobility (priests, monks, etc.).  The temporal estate was everyone else who did not have a religious profession.  Luther wrote and believed that the spiritual estate was "pure invention" and "man-made."  His views were based on 1 Corinthians 12:12 which states, "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."  Luther wrote that all Christians are of the spiritual estate and all Christians form one body, but each has its own work.  Therefore, it is not the profession that makes a person spiritual; it is the Holy Spirit that works through that person's faith.  1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen, people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."  All people are together in the work of glorifying Christ.  This also ties in with Luther's Gospel for the Early Christmas Service.  Luther described that a person's work is pleasing to God more so if it is done with a willing and loving heart and through faith rather than the external characteristics, such as choice of food, clothing, prayers, localities, and persons, of that work.  In Luther's Gospel, he points out Galatians 5:22 and the fruits of the spirit or works of faith which are love, joy, peace, kindness, being able to get along, patience, confidence, mercy and chastity.

Today's world seems a bit more complex than that of Martin Luther's time.  There are so many more professions, positions, and roles people play today which determine a person's status in society.  Luther's writings are still relevant, though, because they teach today's people that their profession or the amount of wealth they have is nothing if they place themselves in a higher position than the rest or they do not see that their faith in Christ places them equal with all believers.  This world is a very external world with more and more importance placed on appearances and status roles rather than disposition and the consideration of others.  The idea, though, that those of the "Christian nobility" have the ultimate connection with Christ and that they are higher than the rest in the Christian faith has somewhat waned.  There are still people who hold themselves with a higher regard because of their faith, but this is exactly the kind of thing that not only Martin Luther, but also Jesus Christ warned against.  It is difficult for Christians today in a world where religion, especially Christianity, is judged as being judgmental. It makes it difficult for Christians to carry out their faith, as many will see them as only being haughty.

Martin Luther's mention of the fruits of the spirit is a good reminder for my own behavior and attitude in life.  Sometimes I see my day to day tasks, even going to church, as burdens rather than the opportunity to live another day in which God has given me and to shine His glory.  It is also a good reminder to not just go through the motions of every day; rather, it pushes people to really put their heart and soul into what they are doing.  This is why religious rituals make me uneasy just because, although they have good intentions and are important, they can cause people to really lose sight of the main reason they are performing those rituals.  They forget that they are there to glorify God but it is not the rituals that bring salvation, it is Christ himself.  The equality of the spiritual and temporal estate stood out to me because as I am deciding what I want as a career someday, I get worried that if I do not go into a religious profession, I would not be doing my part to spread the light of Christ unto the world.  This reading made it even clearer that I can still spread that light while in any profession as long as I keep my focus on Him who directs my path.  In regard to my volunteer organization, going to the Boys & Girls Club has seemed like a burden some nights, especially when I have a lot of homework and deadlines to worry about.  What I have to focus on is the well-being of the children I interact with each time I visit.  God has a plan for me at the club and I should pursue it with enthusiasm and trust that He will help me with everything else.

The life of St. Francis is very contradictory to today's society because today's society is all about the next big thing.  Technology has made this advancement grow faster and faster which has instilled that mindset in society that there will be something that can make our lives even better.  St. Francis, however, could have had the luxuries of his time being involved with his father's business, but instead, his eyes were opened to how those luxuries can distract a person from focusing on God's grace.  He really takes a step backwards and opens the doors to being more content in life.  In this mindset, anyone could be more satisfied with their life as it is.  When a person is satisfied with their life, they are more willing to give satisfaction to others.  They know how to appreciate the good and the bad parts of their lives. St. Francis was also unaware of God's plan for him, but he continued to have faith and just put his effort into focusing on God because he knew that God would direct him.  This is relevant to people today, especially those in college who are trying to figure out exactly what they should study to prepare for a future career.  It is a scary and intimidating prospect, but learning from Francis, all that needs to be done is to have faith and God will do the rest.

This story of Francis really stood out to me mainly because of Francis' experience of not knowing God's plan for him.  Due to his struggle, we would sometimes get lost in his everyday life, which caused him to stray from focusing on God.  I can relate to Francis in that I see my life as a roller coaster in a way.  I have times where I am super focused on God and then there are times where my life gets busy and I stray from that focus.  I also am so afraid that I am doing something that is not according to God's plan for me.  I do not want to waste time doing something else when I could be doing what God wants me to.  I have learned throughout life experiences that those events that are not necessarily according to God's plan God is using to shine His love and glory and perform His wonder.  Romans 8:28 says, "And God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  God uses those events to grow us up in our faith and our maturity and we can learn a lot.  I believe that if we are open with God and continuously willing to live according to His plan and if we are constantly checking in with Him, then that is all that God needs from us and He will do the rest.  It is not by our works that grace becomes abundant, and I believe that the Lord is a very understanding God.  Discussing monasticism in class presents some extreme ideals that do not seem very comprehensive.  One of the main questions is whether or not that is the only way a person can truly lead a God-filled life.  The monastic way of life was so that people would get rid of distractions that take them away from God.  These are not the only ways to focus on God.  It is not by our own works that we are saved.  Though the monastic way of life does not believe in marriage or families, it does not mean that those become a wrong way to live a life for God.  I believe that in anything a person does, as long as he or she is doing it in a way to focus on God, then it is the right way to live a life for Him.  Nothing is concrete and there is no right or wrong way to live a God-filled life.  We just need to let go of our own control and surrender and submit ourselves God.  He will direct our paths and guide us to live a life that pleases Him.

All of JoBe's ideals were not necessarily new, but it is more motivating to see someone who actually lives out those ideals and to hear them talk about it.  When relating it to their success, it causes one to feel more of a drive to implement those ideals into their own lives.  One thing that JoBe said was, "If you can find a situation where there are no answers, then you have truly found nothing- always look for nothing."  What he means is to not have a set mind on anything but to open it up to all possibilities and to try and understand from all sides.  The Honors class applies that type of thinking in a way because of its all-around approach to multiple subjects and disciplines.  Rather than learning a specific subject in each class, the Honors class is about learning a variety of subjects and how they interconnect with each other.  It teaches the class how to learn more open-mindedly which can be helpful after leaving college and having to face the complexity of the responsibilities in society.  Also, in learning this way, it helps everyone gain a better appreciation for each subject when they can apply it to other aspects and gain a better understanding.

The dinner with JoBe was a neat experience.  I felt like I could relate to him because there are so many things that I enjoy and it is hard to narrow it down into a specific major and career.  It was interesting to hear that where he is now is not where he thought he would be.  In a way, that sort of thinking terrifies me because I like to know where I am going.  I am too afraid that I will get lost along the way and look back one day to find that I really had gone nowhere.  One thing he said I really connected with probably because it is something that I try to live out as well.  He said, "All of the things I do, I like; when you find ways to like what you do not like, it makes life a little easier."  I guess I have found that looking on the brighter side of things makes life experiences, the good and the bad, a bit better.  Some may say that that sort of thinking is like looking through rose colored glasses.  Perhaps, it is, but at the same time one can acknowledge that something is not right while still being able to be grateful for things that are.  Taking a step back from a situation to refocus is good because only then do the broader things start to make an appearance which can slow a person down from only focusing on the small, probably more insignificant things.  Letting go of control is also good because that burden is lifted of one's shoulders and by that, one can be more positive.  A last remark that JoBe left the class with was to "look a quarter of a mile ahead but also two inches ahead," or in other words, prepare yourself for the future but also do not forget about the present, and also, one should not forget to reflect upon one's self every once in a while.

JoBe mentioned that this experienced opened the eyes of a lot of actors.  These people feel their calling is to act and in doing so, they are able to spread the word of God through their calling.  It is also a way to reach out to a variety of different people who relate better to something more theatrical.  Approaching a subject from different sides or in different ways allows for different ways of thinking and different types of people to relate and connect with the same thing.  The Honors Program is set up in a similar way in that different lenses are applied to every subject discussed and taught.  That way they may be understood through different ways of thinking rather than learning one particular subject in one class and never gaining the experience of how everything can relate to each other.  Also, because of the way that the Honors class is set up, there is always opportunity to present a new outlook on a subject to get everyone thinking in another direction.  A more theatrical approach to the Bible may reach younger generations or those whose lives have a more dramatic appeal.

The idea of this audio Bible is pretty good.  In a sense, it tries to relieve the monotonousness of listening to a recording of someone reading the bible.  It has potential to give light unto the Gospels and various parts of the Bible.  Through the sound effects, music, and the acting out of each person's part from within the Bible, people may be able to have a better understanding of a time and world that is unfamiliar to today.  Hopefully that will be an outcome of this audio Bible.  I am skeptical about it, however, because it reminds me of our numerous discussions about technology in Honors class last semester.  This audio Bible is a representation of how technology has taken over and people no longer are satisfied with a simple book.  They need to have more to keep their attention.  Unfortunately, this audio Bible can be added the many things in today's society that will cause our reliance on technology to steadily increase.  Also, I see this audio Bible as a way that could distract people from God's power rather than bring them too it.  Just like with a lot of the things we use in today's society, it may cause people to overlook the small things, God's little miracles, in life that are just as pertinent.  It also may make us believe that in order to feel close to God, we must feel an incredible amount of emotion just like how the audio Bible may cause us to feel.

The 2012 Republican Political Caucus was held at Four Seasons Elementary School this past Tuesday night.  Upon entering, attendees were asked of their residency in order to register for the right ward and precinct in order to vote.  Everyone was then directed into the gym where the

One of the main focuses of the night was how people can be helped to their benefit.  Those who volunteered to be delegates volunteered their time and service to be a part of the process to vote in the candidate who their party feels will be the best choice for the sake of the American people's well-being.  A lot of the discussion was on the economy and how money can be balanced with businesses and the public in a way that creates positive outcomes.  Also, there was talk of the tax system and how the public needs to be allowed more insight as to where their money is going through their taxes.  The meeting was centered on how the Republican Party can serve to help the public better.  Even in the discussion about the resolution to change the gambling section of the constitution, everyone listened and was open to those who spoke.  In doing so, the group came to a decision that was agreed upon by all.  One person in the meeting talked about civility and how people tend to believe that the nice guy never wins.  This person pointed out that at the meeting that night expressed a lot of civility and they were able to still get everything accomplished.  He said there is not one way of doing anything and though things need to be talked through with all points of views expressed, it can be done with civility.  This is a way of serving others; it is by being open to their perspective while helping them to see another perspective also.  It is also a part of Christian vocation because it is a way of caring for God's people.

One part of going to the caucus that really stood out to me was how much impact the American public really can be in government.  At this meeting was average people there to support a certain political party and a few of them became delegates.  Then it occurred to me that those people would play a fairly significant part in the nominating process of the next president.  They were in direct line with the entire presidential election and then I realized that if I was registered to vote in that precinct, I too could have been a delegate.  Growing up, I always saw the delegates and campaign leaders as people with high ranks in society who were really involved with politics.  I did not see them as ordinary citizens who just come to a political caucus.  In fact, when I pictured the political caucus in my head, I only saw a whole bunch of business people in fancy suits discussing politics instead of a group of citizens in an elementary school gym.  From that realization, I felt even more part of society which excites and motivates my college experience towards a career thereafter.  I also like the mention of civility near the end.  I feel that in all parts of society, the act of civility is lacking which causes complications.  If people were more willing to work together or even try to understand each other's perspectives even a little bit, a lot of things could run a lot smoother.

The main question from these readings was what does it mean to follow Christ?  People from this time period questioned whether or not they should be Christians and those who became Christian questioned how public they should be about their faith.  These questions are still relevant today in that people still wonder how their belief in Christ can coincide with their everyday life.  They sometimes feel they must hold back from expressing their faith in a society that says it is not appropriate to mix religious aspects.  From the readings, the answer to the first question about following Christ is to act and think out Christianity.  It is for one to not go off of popular belief but to think more intellectually and to dig deeper into what one believes.  The answer is also to not only carry out one's beliefs as being only for one's self; rather, it is to spread God's love to His people.  It is to be willing to sacrifice and suffer even the littlest amount for God's sake and it is be use one's possessions as God intended.  For the last two questions of whether or not one should be a Christian and how public one should be about it, in the time of the early church it would have been a harder topic understand because of the persecution.  Even still, every aspect of a person's life should instill his or her faith in Christianity.

This reading and the class discussion caused me to think more about my purpose at the Boys & Girls Club.  For my first couple times there I did not feel as if I was really doing anything to benefit the club because there really was not a whole lot for me to do.  After thinking about it, I realized that just my presence there meant a lot to the club and it really was not about me and what I feel I am getting out of the club.  In fact, I realized I needed to work even harder to do more for those at the club.  During my time at the club after Monday night, I really got into the activities and the kids ended up having such a blast.  Also, my interpretation of what it means to follow Christ is based on how I have lived carrying out my faith.  I did more to be a free thinker and to dig deeper into my faith and not just base it on what I would hear or what I was told, just as Tertullian described.

The organization chosen to volunteer at is the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities at the Mt. Airy site.  This organization provides a safe and fun place for children ages 6-18 to go after school.  This organization gives children a quiet place to do their homework, study, interact with children of similar age, and participate in activities that involve learning new skills such as cooking while allowing them to have fun.  This mission of the BGCT is to "enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."  The Mt. Airy site has anywhere from 20 to 80 children throughout the week that participate at the club.  They recently moved into a new location that will allow for more room to hold new members.

The main reason for choosing the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities is because of a love for children.  If they are not provided with good and stable support system, children need to be able to find it elsewhere.  The BGCT is a good substitute to give children the chance to know they are cared for and that they have potential.  The other reason for this choice is based from an experience at a Boys & Girls Club in Canton, Mississippi.  Canton is filled with much poverty and the club was filled with many children.  Visiting this club provided inspiration in choosing the social problem or aspect, which is to help children have a stable and active support system in their life when they are in lack of just that, and then being able to find a place to help with that problem.

What I am hoping to learn is a better sense of how to be someone's supporting figure.  I am hoping to learn how to grow as a leader, as a friend, and as a caretaker.  I just mainly want to be able to help as many children as possible be able to know that they matter and that they have self-worth.  All children deserveto have a family that supports them and that builds them up to be caring and motivated individuals.  They need to know that they matter and that they have potential.  I want to be there for as many children as possible to give them a sense of security in their life if that is missing.  This world is so influencing in children's lives and if they do not have the family support to buffer a lot of the negativity that the world is throwing their way, they end up being consumed with it rather than knowing they deserve better for their lives.  I want to help them see that and show them that someone cares.