Family, Food, and Football

If three words could define America better I haven’t found them. If there is a nation that has more to be thankful for I haven’t found it either. As Americans we have so much to be thankful for. The freedoms we enjoy are truly the envy of the rest of the planet. The luxuries that we have come to expect are nothing but dreams for 95% of the planet. But yet, sometimes it seems that Americans are some of the most ungrateful, negative people ever to walk this planet. And yes, I will admit that I am as guilty of this as anyone.  With papers, exams, and normal day to day issues, I’m finding that it is very easy to become negative and stressed. When I turn on my tv after a long day of classes, talking heads (thanks Dad) such as Glen Beck, Keith Olberman, and Bill O’Riley  give us  every reason to think that the world is a horrible place and that we all should prepare for a unavoidable apocalypse. Even amongst all of this, at least  I personally, have so very much to be thankful for. First and foremost, I am thankful for my salvation and the hope that I have through my Lord and savior Jesus. There is no greater blessing than that. I have a family who loves and supports me in everything I do, and will always be a rock in my life. I have the world’s greatest best friend and girlfriend who always puts a smile on my face. She is always there to listen to my little petty complaints, and even though we are separated by a great distance, she always makes me feel loved. I also have the best group of friends that a person could ever have. Some old and some knew, both of which have made lasting imprints on my life, and have been apart of memories that I will cherish forever. I also have the great blessing of being able to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. I have not even began to crack the ice on my blessings, but most of you are already tired of reading this so I will leave it at this, I am very blessed with more than I deserve. But before you go and update your facebook status, tweet that you are sitting on your couch, or dominate some noobs on Call of Duty, take maybe two minutes out of your oh so busy life and thank God for all you have been blessed with. I hope God blesses everyone with a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the family, food, and football (or if you a UK fan, the basketball)!

GO BIG BLUE

Powerless Against prayer

The following is an arguing essay I wrote for my college writing class. Any comments, advice are greatly appreciated.

Prayer in public schools and in public assemblies has been a topic of debate at all levels of government for the last forty years. Many different arguments have been made both for and against allowing prayer in public schools. Anti-prayer activist claim that prayer in public schools violates a non-believer’s constitutional right to religious freedom. At the same time, pro-prayer activist claim that limiting or not allowing prayer in public schools violates a believer’s constitutional right to free speech, and their right to practice their religious beliefs without fear of harassment. Both sides believe that their arguments and beliefs are the correct belief. However, when reality is considered, both sides, and our national government, are completely powerless against public prayer.

                If I were to tell a reader of this paper that I can make them think about anything I wanted to, their initial reaction would more than likely be one of denial. However what is the first thing to enter a reader’s mind when you see the word food. More than likely the reader is now thinking about what was available for lunch, the meal they have just eaten, or the meal they will eat. However as soon as they wish, they can change their thought process and can proceed to think about anything they wish. Such is the same way with the topic of prayer. Yes it is very possible that when I say prayer, thoughts immediately switch to religious matters. However, as soon as a different topic is mentioned, such as football, thoughts are no longer on religious matters.

As hard as I try, I cannot control an individual’s thoughts. All humans have been blessed with free will. Free will means that we are able to think about whatever we want, whenever we want. Those who say that their rights are violated by people saying a prayer are saying that they are mentally weak and do not have the ability to think their own thoughts. However the same thing can be said about those who argue that prayer should be allowed in public schools. For a person to say that their right to practice their religion freely is violated by prayer not being allowed in schools also shows a lack of mental capability. Just as those who wish to refrain from prayer, a person who wishes to pray can simply pray in their mind.

Trying to impose religious beliefs or the lack of them, on a person is wrong. Trying to make everyone believe the same thing you do is wrong. However the reality of the situation is that both sides are completely powerless. As hard as the liberal left tries to take God out of schools, there will always be students who go quietly to God in prayer. On the opposite end of the scale, no matter how hard the conservative right tries to put God back into schools, there will always be students who elect not to believe and participate in activities that promote faith. To say that one way is right and the other is wrong truly would be ineffective. When it comes to the topic of prayer in public schools the issue is left up to each individuals own prerogative. Our national government will never be able to fully enforce or fully prohibit prayer. 

All The Small Things

A lot of times we tend to over look the small things. I'm as guilty of this as the next guy, but after a few events in the last week I realize that the small things really can make a huge difference. Speaking from personal experience a smile and a friendly wave in the hallway can really make an impact in someones life. Most, if not all of us really don't consider a wave a difference maker but it really can be. A text or email from family members and friends, a short wall post on facebook, all of these things that really seem insignificant at the time, may just bring a smile to a person's face and change the outlook for that day. Often on our news channels acts of heroism are given great attention, while the small little "random acts of kindness" go unnoticed. But just because they go unnoticed by some doesn't mean the go unnoticed by all. This last Saturday I was watching some college football and a commercial came on that I have seen many times. It's an ad  for an insurance company. And in the commercial a lady stops a man (who was texting) from walking out into the middle of a busy city street. This act of kindness was witnessed by a person who then helped a lady with a stroller off of a city bus and the cycle continued until it eventually got back to the lady who had first stopped the man from walking in the street. Many times we don't consider the effects of our actions unless they are one negative, or two very significant. However we never know when a little small smile could change a persons day, and in turn, possibly even their life.




"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."
-- Vincent Van Gogh 


GO BIG BLUE

Trust

Having just ended a season of flag football on a really bad note, the concept of trust is very fresh in my mind. Trust is an interesting word, if you look the word up in Webster’s dictionary you will find that trust is the reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of aperson or thing; confidence. I think the key word in this definition is reliance. When we trust someone, we are relying on them to keep a secret, keep a promise, carry out a necessary action, or do numerous other things. We believe that they are capable of following through on their word. During our last football game, it was clearly evident that my team didn’t trust each other, with members of our team walking off the field in the middle of the game when things weren’t going well. We eventually lost the game and some people ended up leaving the game mad. This got me thinking about what and who we actually trust. For me there are many people who I trust. I have trusted my parents my whole life to provide for me the things that I have needed. Now that I am on my own I have to trust myself to provide many of the things that my parents used to provide for me. I trust my girl friend Katie that even though we are separated by a large distance, she will keep her promise of not cheating on me. I trust her to make wise decisions that will not jeopardize her health and safety. I also trust her to be there for me to talk about my problems. I trust many of my friends and am very thankful that I can go to many of them with my problems and worries. I trust the other members of my marching band to remember their drill and not smash into me and make us into a YouTube comedy phenomenon. But even among all of these, one thing is the same with all of them. The fact that they are human. I have to ask myself what happens if one of these people betrays my trust. Some would hurt more than others, some may end up causing me public embarrassment, and some may end friendships. However I know that even if I could trust none of these, there is one who I can always trust, and that is my Lord and Savior Jesus. We are promised by him that if we live a life according to his word that we will inherit eternal life in heaven with him. 2^nd Peter 3.9 tells us that the lord is not slack concerning His promises. Even though sometimes it may seem that these promises may not come, in His time we will inherit everything he has promised us. This should be a great comfort to those of us who are his. That even if the people who are closest to us on earth fail us, He never will. 

First ever blog

So I have decided to join the ever expanding world of blogging. Anything from music, sports, religion, and everyday life might randomly show up. Input would be wonderful. Life as a blue blooded trumpet player in WKU red is interesting to say the least. Being a northerner in the heart of dixie is even more interesting.

GO BIG BLUE

Josh