Hymn

"You Raise Me Up" - Selah

The hymn "You Raise Me Up" by Selah is such a powerful and meaningful song, exhibited through both the lyrics and the singers' emotions. This song is so significant to me because it deeply explains God's ultimate power and how he lifts us up through rough times. God is our strength, and is with us always and forever. The power that lies within this song is unbelievable. Whenever I come home from school having a bad day, I can listen to this song and receive instant joy and satisfaction, putting tears in my eyes and heart. It also allows me to see and feel eternity. This is one of the songs that helps me to keep my trust in God, for I know that He is my strength and personal Savior. I love this song so much, and I thank the Lord for being my strength when I am weak.

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A Modest Proposal Response

Jonathan Swift's writing clearly demonstrates some very extreme solutions throughout his proposal. He wrote this proposal for the children of the poor people of Ireland, and tried to make their presense beneficial to the country. Swift's solution to this problem was very sick and disgusting. The thought of eating infants and other people gives me such a sick feeling inside. Although some of his supporting information regarding his solution may somewhat make sense, it still reveals that this is one of the most disgusting and secular ideas ever. This solution is definitely against the Bible because God creates all people with a purpose and in His very own image. If a person ate another person, it is simply destroying one of God's unique creations that He Himself created. Everything that God creates is a miracle in itself, which supports the fact that life is precious. This piece of writing is extremely graphic, and definitely, very disgusting. 

Modern Connection

Love Story

Taylor Swift

We were both young when I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the flashback starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in summer air

See the lights
See the party, the ball gowns
I see you make your way through the crowd
And say hello, little did I know

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
And I was crying on the staircase
Begging you please don't go, and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

So I sneak out to the garden to see you
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
So close your eyes
Escape this town for a little while

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter
And my daddy said stay away from Juliet
But you were everything to me
I was begging you please don't go and I said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story baby just say yes

Romeo save me, they try to tell me how to feel
This love is difficult, but it's real
Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess
It's a love story baby just say yes
Oh oh

I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you is fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said

Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I keep waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

And said, marry me Juliet
You'll never have to be alone
I love you and that's all I really know
I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress
It's a love story baby just say yes

Oh, oh, oh, oh
'Cause we were both young when I first saw you

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This song relates to Steele's "No. 1 Tuesday, April 12, 1709" because of the similarities of the central messages found in both of the works. One of the key messages that is quite prevalent through both stories is the idea of love at first sight. In Steele's story, he speaks about an attractive lady that he sees, and instantly discovers some love for her. After only seeing her for a short time, he goes around and looks for her. Correspondingly, in Swift's song, she speaks about the love she had for a boy, even at a young age. As time went on, she would still continuously chase after the same guy, until they finally got married. The love portrayed in Steele's story is definitely analogous to the love found in Taylor Swift's song. 

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Steele, Richard. "The Tatler No. 1." British Literature. Ronald A. Horton. 2nd ed. Greenville: BJU Press. 2003. 396. Print.

Swift, Taylor. "LOVE STORY Lyrics." Song Lyrics. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.elyrics.net/read/t/taylor-swift-lyrics/love-story-lyrics.html>. 

Crusoe Illustration

This is during Chapter II, when Crusoe is overtaken by Moorish Pirates. 

Enjoy!

Dryden's Satire

According to the first paragraph of "Of Satire," what is the purpose of satire? 

-The purpose of satire is to provide an example for all of the depraved people. If satire is used right, the wicked may turn away from their iniquities.

What does Dryden say in the second paragraph is the type of satire he admires most, and to what does he attribute one's ability to use this type of satire successfully? 

-The type of satire that he admires the most is gentle mockery, or mild derision. To obtain the ability to use this successfully, one must be born with the genius thinking.

What words does he use to show his disapproval of harsher forms of satire? 

-In the second paragraph, Dryden uses the words "a fool, a blockhead, or a knave" to exhibit opposition in the use of shameful terms upon others (Horton 382).

Dryden, John. "Of Satire." British Liturature. Ronald A. Horton. Greenville: BJU Press. 2003. 377-383. Print.

Pilgrim's Progress

Picture from Creaza's stock images. 

Bunyan, John. "Pilgrim's Progress." British Liturature. Ronald A. Horton. Greenville: BJU Press. 2003. 344-363. Print.

 
SparkNotes. "The Pilgrim's Progress: Story." SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/pilgrims/context.html>.

A One Day Diary

November 10, 2010

Upon waking up to a fresh Wednesday morning, I thanked the Lord for another day of life. The thought of the all-so-near memorization test was overwhelming my mind with anxiety and nervousness, especially since it was a large chunk of my grade. Being a little tired from the late night of studying, I got ready a little slower than usual. I made it to school right on time, walking into homeroom right as the bell rang. The thought of the test never left my mind while waiting for the second period bell to ring. Finally, the hour came, and the test was placed on my desk. Before anything, I prayed to God for guidance and remembrance. After 40 minutes of intense thinking, it was finally done! The rest of the day went on so smoothly and I was overwhelmed with happiness, especially since the thought of the test was finally out of my mind. My yummy lunch of teriyaki chicken made my day even better. To top my day off, a second-grader named Christopher in my TA class told me that I was awesome. School was great! When school ended, I had to say goodbye to some of my friends who went on the Northland trip. I later went home to watch the senior volleyball game on television. I thank the Lord for such a wonderful day and I pray that I did well on my test!

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Baxter and Rutherford Letter

My Dear Friend,

The trials that you have faced throughout your life were quite challenging to overcome. Do you agree? As a follower of Christ, I am sure you're aware of the many dangers lingering within this world. But how about those who do not know Christ as their personal Savior? They are vulnerable to these dangers, especially since they don't have the shield of the powerful God surrounding them. The dangers are even greater now in the present time because of the many religious controversies taking place throughout the globe. But how does this relate to you, you may ask? Think about it. These lost people need help finding the armor of the Almighty Savior, dear friend. May I challenge you to go out and save the wretches? Help them to overcome their inner spiritual confusion and to obtain the knowledge of God's everlasting love. For you want them to follow in Christ's footsteps so that they can forever walk with the one and only Lord God. Use your faith to witness to others, and maybe those born again believers can also enjoy too the everlasting gifts of comfort and eternal life.

God bless you,
Yours truly,
Shayne

References:

Horton, Ronald A. British Literature. Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2003.

Carmen Figuration

Stairs of Faith

See far down
Where pain is shown!
In an ambiance of shady brown,
Within a mysterious place so unknown.............

 Go up there,

To the truth and light!

With one another to share

.............The everlasting peace and delight!

"Still to Be Neat" Analysis

Jonson: "Still to Be Neat"

I deem this poem has literary worth not only because its brilliantly written, but also because it exhibits marvelous traces of imagery, aesthetics, and the portrayal of an all-so-important theme. The central theme of "inner beauty" can be clearly seen through the speaker's annoyance of the woman's constant fuss over her own physical appearance. He wanted the woman's true inner beauty the shine through.  

"Still to Be Neat"

Still to be neat, still to be dressed, [Represents someone who is always trying to look neat and beautiful.]

As you were going to a feast; [Like a fancy banquet in today's time.]
Still to be powdered, still perfumed: [The woman needs to be "freshened" up with perfume and powder since baths weren't done on a regular basis.]
Lady, it is to be presumed, [Something he imagines to be probable.]
Though art's hid causes are not found, [The art hides the physical flaws of the woman.]
All is not sweet, all is not sound. [It is all not as good as it seems.]

Give me a look, give me a face, [To see the physical beauty.]
That makes simplicity a grace; [The appreciation of natural and true beauty.]
Robes loosely flowing, hair as free: [Exemplifies the natural look.]
Such sweet neglect more taketh me [The want for uncomplicated beauty instead of "fake" beauty.]
Than all the adulteries of art; [Woman's constant primping makes things bad.]
They strike mine eyes, but not my heart. [Values inner beauty over outer luxury.]

This poem contains an abundance of truth within it, which makes it really enjoyable and applicable. After reading the poem a few times, I finally realized the theme that this poem was trying to convey. The poem was short, but still was very detailed and demonstrated imagery well. Jonson did an amazing job painting images of the setting and the woman herself. He also did a great job displaying the thoughts and feelings of the speaker. True inner beauty is better than the fake complicated beauty of primp women.

I strongly believe that anyone planning on getting married should follow what Jonson is trying to say throughout his poem. To see a person's real beauty, take a look INSIDE and see where his/her heart is, especially through faith. A person with good looks and expensive clothes can sometimes be attractive, but people need to fight the urge to judge people from their outer appearances and start looking within. This poem not only applies to those getting married, but also to people who talk to others and make friends. Who cares what they look like on the outside? What truly matters to God is what lies within the person. I need to challenge myself to follow what is being said throughout Jonson's poem and remember to search within to find what true beauty really is. I can specifically apply this to my own life by being nice to everyone in my school, including those who are not the most physically attractive. Maybe one day, one of these people will become one of my closest friends since his/her "insides" would be just so beautifully attractive!

References: 

Jonson, Ben. "Still to Be Neat." British Liturature. Ronald A. Horton. Greenville: BJU Press. 2003. 301-303. Print.