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.

Table Dancing

In Breathing Space on page 121 to 122 Neumark tells of the story of Crystabel. This story was a little disturbing for me. I understand the mother is trying to make a living, but when she has kids to take care of I feel it is only just for her to find a different job. Obviously, no one watches after her children while she is gone because at 11:00 at night this 5-year old is ringing Neumark's doorbell to play on a school-night. If Ms. magazine followed through with "Taking-Our-Daughters-to-Work-Day", I can only imagine how this would effect families like Crystabel's. 

The sad part is there are people in the world today like Crystabel and her family. I believe it is unjust and something should be done. 

Justice

So at the beginning of the semester we were asked to define the definition of justice. Justice can be perceived from so many different viewpoints of people. In chapter 11, Heschel writes about justice. As I was reading, it made me form my original definition around what he was saying.

"Justice is not an ancient custom, a human convention, a value, but a transcendent demand, freighted with divine concern. It is not only a relationship between man and man, it is an act involving God, a divine need." (page 253)

"Justice is as much a necessity as breathing is, and a constant occupation." (page 254)

"Justice is strict and exact, giving each person his due." (page 256)

"Justice is scarce, injustice exceedingly common." (page 261)

God wants us to "seek justice." We can't expect to come before God doing injustice to our own brothers. Reading this made me think I should act more justly to everyone around me because that is what God wants... kinda like "treat others the way you want to be treated."

Justice Project

I have chosen to do a research paper concerning infant mortality for my project. I have found online sites that have provided useful sources. I originally thought about volunteering, but I decided it was too late. However, some challenges I am going to face is narrowing my topic. I will also have to make sure I link my research to justice or injustice so that I do not focus only on research. My to-do list over roughly the next month is to conduct more research, narrow my topic, and begin writing my paper.

Heschel and King

As I was viewing the links assigned for today's post, it really made to relate Heschel and King. From the first clip about Heschel, I gathered some information about him. He opposed war and said it caused "death of innocent people". During his life, the Holocaust took place, which formed Heschel viewpoint of racisim and other violence of humans beginning with language. However, through all these violent acts Heschel never blamed God, he said it was man's fault. Heschel describes God as one who weeps with man, and participates in the violence. The prophets inspired Heschel to speak out against the world's evils. His ancestors inspired him to celebrate life. Heschel goal towards others was to reach the heart. He was often recognized for his spiritual powers he felt (inevitible) and his deep spirituality. Like King, he fought for equal rights. He believed he was carrying out God's will and lived by what her taught. From the information provided about Heschel, him and King seem to have the same aspects of beliefs and actions from different situations and events.