Coming to an End

As we come across the last reading assignment in Miller's Blue Like Jazz, I wanted to point out a couple of interest to me. 

Miller writes about his money issues. When talking about other writers books, he says: " ... we secretly wonder if God in heave noticed our evil jealously, or worse, our laziness. We then lie across the couch facedown and mumble to God to forgive us because we are secretly afraid He is going to dry up all our words because we envied another man's stupid words." (page 187)

Even though I cannot relate to this in a writer's way, it still applies to my life. Jealousy can take over our everyday lives, which is not a good thing. We see something we want and envy others and later guilt sets in as Miller talked about. 

Pages 201-202 Miller wrote about the "mystical wonder." Our creator is someone that is much GREATER than us. He is perfect and we are not, but it goes far beyond man's level of understanding. Miller stated it best: "I can no more understand the totality of God than the pancake I made for breakfast understands the complexity of me."

God on a Dirt Rod Walking Toward Me

As I read chapter 1 of Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, I found it to be one of the best books we've read so far... even though I haven't made it past the first chapter. 

The beginning of the chapter talks about how in his early years he was far away from God and now is has become closer. "Years ago He was a swinging speck in the distance; now He is close enough I can hear His singing." (page 1)

Then I got to the part where he was confused about God being Father. I can so relate to his confusion. When I was younger it was so confusing to think of God as not only my father, but all his children's father. Because I never really had to deal with the issue of my father, or anyone I knew around me, abandoning me, it never occurred to me the potential meaning of God being the Father. 

I just like to picture God as a BIG man who has the characteristics all the good stuff to be the nurturing Father to all his children. 

Project Update

So, I have been doing research online and found more websites. To narrow my topic, I decided to focus on infant mortality in Tennessee, which in 2006 was ranked 47th in the U.S. With it being one of the most highest infant mortality rates, I though it would provide more research information for my research paper. Here is a list of the websites I have been looking at:

http://tennessee.gov/health/infantmortality/PDFs/IM_Charts.pdf

http://health.state.tn.us/infantmortality/stats_facts.htm

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/587840_2

http://www.cfmt.org/givingmatters/infantmortality/

http://healthweb.nashville.org/Health_d/MortalityReport2003.pdf

I want to look at causes, preventions, and interventions used by the state. Some causes could be unjust, however the preventions and interventions could be just. I have noticed during my research the division of races among the rates, but I do not necessarily want to focus on this aspect. 

I plan to present my project as a PowerPoint in class including information from my research paper.

The Fall of Grit

As I was reading Neumark and came upon the death of Tanya, I found it to be very sad. As I kept reading down the page, I saw the line: "Each week when the congregation was invited to pray, Tanya jumped in before anyone else and began with the same words: 'I thank you Lord for this day. I thank you Lord for such a beautiful day!' Ana commented, 'Mommy, she said it even when it was cold and raining.' "

I found it so amazing she thanked God for the beautiful day no matter the weather. When I say my prayers I know I don't always thank God for the beautiful day. I find myself thanking him more often when it is sunny and warm outside. But Tanya's story made me realize I should always be thankful for the day God has given me no matter the weather, it is always a beautiful day. 

Not only did she thank God for the beautiful day when she was able to be active, she also thanked him when she couldn't even make it down the front steps of her apartment building! After I read this, I thought to myself that I am lucky to be alive and be able to live another day. I believe that is why every day is a beautiful day... God has given you the chance to live another day on earth and it shouldn't matter if it is hot, cold, wet, stormy, or whatever crazy weather we seem to have.