And some of the people did grumble and were discontent with the Lord their God and the food restrictions which had been levied against them. Therefore Ben of the Tribe of Bar-Judah and Judith the daughter of Rascha did make their complaints before the Aaron and Moses. "We can not eat this kosher food," they grumbled. "The killing of animals makes us sick to our stomach and who knows what those animals have been eating out here in the desert," they complained. "Moreover," they said "we firmly believe that animals have rights and feelings too. Why should we kill another living thing so that we can eat?"

Moses rebuked them saying, "The Lord has established our ways and his laws and promises are sure. We should not defer from the covenant laws set forth to our father Abraham."

But the people were not content in their grumbling and said, "The Egyptians did but feast on all manner of food. There food was grown fresh by the Nile and delivered fresh to Trader Pharaoh's. Can not our Lord but provide for our needs? He made the animals for beauty and pleasure. Why should we destroy what the Lord has made?" "Moreover," they continued, "our stomachs are made sick by the

And Moses did petition the Lord God before the people up on Mount Sinai saying, "Have you not heard the groaning of your vegetarian peoples' bowels. Their systems can not handle the weight of this kosher meat you have given them." But the Lord reestablished his laws with his people and said, "I am that I am. Thou shalt have no other food, but that which is kosher." But again Moses petitioned, "Lord, thy people do beseech your graciousness. Will you not bless with more abundance than that of the Egyptians?" But again the Lord said, "I am that I am. Thou shalt have no other food, but that which is kosher." But again a third time Moses petitioned the Lord saying, "Lord, your people's bodies which you have made can not eat this meat for sacrifice. Will you not supply a substitute?" And the Lord's turned his heart towards Moses.

And Moses came down from the mount and assembled the people saying, "The Lord's Ten Commandments are sure." And the people did grumble. "However," Moses continued...

"And Commandments Eleven to Twenty are the same as One to Ten, just with tofu instead of meat."

And there was much rejoicing among the people.

Disclaimer: This story is for comedic content only and does not reflect actual, known biblical events.

Final Blog

I really enjoyed writing for the Banner this semester. Because I love to procrastinate, I loved the quick deadlines. It forced me to work quicker and more immediately than Angelos does. I also like being able to able take current events in life and articulate them to the public.

I really enjoyed writing my "Christian's Responsibility in the Recession Piece!" As a Christian, I feel like being able to place a Christian perspective on secular events is really important. I liked that I was able to access multiple sources and get many opinions from around campus.

In the future, I would like to be able to do more Christian perspective pieces similar to this one. I would also like to do more magazine"esque" writing. I like writing about how the Lord works in different people's lives; in the good times and in the bad.

At this time, I don't really have any ideas for The Banner.

Self-Centered Nurturing- Banner Midterm Blog

Mothers are probably the most selfless people in the world. Every day they sacrifice their time, energy and resources for the sake of their children. However the recent news of Nadya Suleman, otherwise known as “octo-mom,” seems to paint a picture of a mother who is anything but sacrificial. Calling the woman “irresponsible”, “selfish” and “unconventional,” the public and media have made their opinions on the matter rather obvious. The questions asked by journalists and broadcasters seem to be simply loaded and often beg the question.

With the current economic crises plaguing our nation and a financial bailout in process, it seems that most headlines and discussion regarding the “octo-mom” are based, by and large, on government support that she has been and (most likely) will continue to receive. Probably the most alarming fact is that, by the mother’s own admission, she could not afford the six children she had before the recent set of octuplets was born.

Suleman and her six children have been living off of food stamps and government disability checks for quite some time now. Due to the fact that Nadya Suleman is also unemployed and unable to care for the children, they have been living with their grandmother. In addition, Suleman’s current 3-bedroom, Los Angeles home (which is owned by her mother) is reportedly up for foreclosure.(BreitBart.com) And yet Nadya Suleman has reportedly spent thousands of dollars on lip and breast enhancements and on the in vitro fertilization processes that resulted in the 14 children she now has.

In an interview with NBC’s Ann Curry, Nadya Suleman admitted, “That was always a dream of mine, to have a large family, a huge family, and -- I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked, I believe, growing up." It seems to me that what we see in Suleman is nothing but a case of, what I like to call, “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe” syndrome.

The large problem is that she is focused on satisfying and gratifying her own wants and needs while disregarding the impact that her actions have on others. As “Dr. Phil” McGraw said in an interview with US Weekly, “I see somebody that has such a Pollyanna disconnect with real-world realities, and what she’s getting ready to face, it’s like she’s on a Disney ride.” While she claims to be a loving mother who only wants to have and provide for her children, the situation in which she has placed them is anything but nurturing.
There are many reasons why the circumstances surrounding the children are unloving. First, the in vitro fertilization process, especially when involving multiple embryos, often results in high-risk pregnancies, premature births and result children who suffer from birth defects. (LA Times) Although the actual reasons are unknown at this time, this could begin to explain why three of Suleman’s six children are on disability.
Second, Suleman knowingly had herself impregnated knowing she could not give the children the quality of living that they deserve or that any loving mother would wish for her children.
Probably most interesting and disturbing is how she expects to pay for the children. Suleman has stated that she plans to finish school and then write a book about raising the children to help pay for them. Obviously this woman has no clue the time and energy commitment that true parenting requires ( and in addition book writing)! It seems that she has created a problem and plans to solve it by telling the world about her problem!

Unfortunately, the self-centeredness we see in the case of the “octo-mom” is simply indicative of the rampant selfish attitude of the American culture at large. It’s alarming that people like the Nadya Suleman would be willing to place so many people in grave danger just because of their own selfish desires.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.5f9ab18938112215feac75a26e212daf.31&show_article=1
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29038814/
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-octuplets28-2009jan28,0,2834198.story
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/octuplet-mom-big-family-was-always-a-dream-of-mine

How to Choose a Great Wedding Photographer!- Yearbook Midterm Blog

As a little girl, you probably began planning your wedding the instant you became aware of the fact that such an event existed. I do not even remember how I found out about weddings, but I DO know that after I did Barbie and Ken instantaneously got married and began their lives of "happily ever after" in a state of eternal bliss! You have been waiting for this moment your entire life and now (FINALLY!) it has come and you will want to recapture it for years to come. Obviously, it is an event that will forever live in your memory, but you will want to be able to look back to show your grand kids the day you married their grandfather.

With that in mind, the selection of a wedding photographer becomes crucial to the planning and process of your wedding. So, here are some tips and tricks from a romantic who also happens to be a wedding photographer.

1. Ask around. No doubt you have friends and family around that may know of a good photographer; they can refer you to the good and steer you away from the bad. Social networks like Facebook and MySpace are also good places to find photographers.

2. Check out photographers portfolios to find a style that you like. A good, up-to-date photographer will have an established website that looks professional. If they don't have a website with a gallery, they probably aren't worth your time.

3. Get pricing estimates. You should budget about 10% of what you plan on spending for the entire wedding on photography. Make sure to ask about rights to the photos, albums, prints, editing and if they hire second shooters.

4. If at all possible, set up a meeting with the photographer in person. A photographer may be genius at their work, but if you don't feel at ease and like you can work with them, you might want to consider looking elsewhere.

5. Repeat step 4. You do not have to book the first photographer you find, however, good photographers do get booked fast so, don't wait too long.

6. Book your photographer. If at all possible, try to book your photographer at least eight months before your wedding. Some photographers require a down payment so ask about that.

7. If you want any particular shots, now is the time to ask. Some photographers appreciate knowing what kind of photos like, so ask if they are willing to let you show them clippings from magazines.

8. Wait for your magical day!

Overexposed

For Banner we were given the option to write our heart out about a subject we are passionate about. Unfortunately for them, this topic is very wide open and gives me free reign; which is (of course) a very dangerous thing. On the other hand, fortunately for me, this allows me to write about something I already have previous knowledge of. A tool that is very useful in the hands of a busy college student. The following is my personal opinion coupled with research on one subject that irks me to the core: sex in the advertising industry.

It is sometimes amazing to me just how obsessed our nation is with just a simple three letter word. Sex. Simply utter the word in a crowd and immediately you will hold the attention of a vast majority of the room. Today, we seem to live in a society that craves and is fascinated by the very thing that allows any species to procreate.

The famous sex psychotherapist Sigmund Freud once said,

“Sexual love is undoubtedly one of the chief things in life…all the world knows this and conducts its life accordingly.”

While voices in the world of psychotherapy will often argue that Freud’s definition and intention behind his frequent usage of the word “sex” is often misunderstood, it is clear that the media, particularly advertising agencies, have no problem understanding human motivation and how to manipulate it. Today’s media is rampant with sexual innuendoes and subliminal messages.

In the case of advertising, these images are often unwarranted and sometimes completely unrelated to the product. The increasing exposure to such images and subconscious messages can be detrimental to our society as a whole, particularly to the self image and priorities of our youth. Movies have ratings, but innocent TV or internet surfing can quickly lead to blatant and unwarranted exposure to sexual images and innuendos.

I want to know whatever happened to innocence in the world! I fear that my young son or daughter may not have the ability to grow up in a world where their hearts and minds even have a chance at remaining even relatively pure and naive. In an article entitled Goodbye to Girlhood, which ran in the Washington Post in Febuary of 2007, parents and psychologists alike share disgust at the ever increasing emphasis on sex and body image to children at younger and younger ages. One psychologist remarks, “Being a sexual person isn't about being a pole dancer,” she chides. “This is a sort of sex education girls are getting, and it's a misleading one.”

Even though sex may rapidly get the audiences attention, I think it is crucial that we, as consumers, are aware of and think about the subliminal (and maybe not so subtle) messages that the industry has indoctrinated our culture with.

Sex is good for business; that much is clear, but I think it is important that we ask ourselves to what extent will we allow the ball to continue to roll and at what cost? Have the media and marketing agencies gone too far in their vast and flagrant use of all things and images sexual? Even though our exposure to sexual images can be unwarranted and without notice, the American does have power over the advertising industry. It is with that green piece of paper or plastic card found in your wallet. Your money!

A Salvation Celebration

Like most of the seemingly general populace of California Baptist, I grew up in a Christian home. My family was involved with and went to church on a regular basis. I remember my father reading to my sister and I late at night from the “Beginner’s Bible” and then we would have family prayer time. I was raised on a healthy dosage of Christian media and resources also. “Psalty the Singing Song Book,” “The Donut Man,” or Steven Curtis Chapman were practically members of the family. (If you don’t know what these are feel free to look them up.) In fact it was through a Psalty video that I really began to understand what it meant to be “saved” and asked Jesus into my heart.

I don’t remember much because I was only about six, but one day I was watching "Psalty's Salvation Celebration" on VHS and heard that I had something called "sin" in my life. I knew already that I did bad things...that was nothing new. (After all, why else would my dad spank me.) The video explained that I needed Jesus to come into my heart and save me. The video then asked me to then close my eyes and I prayed along with the video and ask Jesus to come into my heart. Immediately following the prayer, I went into the kitchen where my mom was and informed her of the glorious event that has transpired. She asked me a few questions to make sure I truly understood. I did. That was the day I believe I was saved.

However, I think that there comes a point in every young Christian’s life when following Jesus hits home and becomes a real conscious choice. For me, that day was 9/11/01. “The day that will live in infamy.” When the planes hit the Twin Towers, I came to the very rapid and harsh reality that is death. I found that my own faith had been shaken along with the foundations of our nations. I began questioning my own faith and what would happen to me if I had died that day. That night, I affirmed and rededicated my life to Christ. I was about 12.

Unfortunately, like all sinners, I had a brief time in my life where I ignored the Lord and his gentle pleading tug on my heart. I fell for the romance of men instead of an everlasting love and was betrayed by men and my own heart. During a philosophy course on religion, I began questioning the very existence of this God I claimed to serve. I eventually bottomed out. I felt so far removed from the Lord that I wondered if I would ever truly find my way back.

By his grace, I did and am.

In August, I found a chance for a fresh start. A new life away from secular philosophy professors and ex-boyfriends. During a retreat, I felt sharp stab at my heart as my Savior broke me down and reclaimed me as his own. It was the fall of 2009. The start of my junior year. My entrance into California Baptist University.

Back to the daily grind...or not.

I arrived back in Southern California last night around midnight. After a relatively emotionally trying night, I was ready more than ready to be greeted by the warm embrace that my close friends held for me. There is something so peaceful and comforting about the hug of a friend who truly cares about you and missed you dearly. Although I was tired, I stayed up late to talk to friends before eventually collapsing in shear exhaustion. Every once of energy had been drained from me. My body was soon engulfed by the deepest and quietest sleep I had experienced all break.

Surprisingly, I awoke early the next morning without the aid of my alarm clock. The sweet promise of the warm breeze, that awaited me beyond my front door, was all but more than I needed to encourage me to emerge from the soft sanctuary that was my bed. I stepped out of my apartment to find that my FATHER had granted all my wishes for the day.

(More to come....maybe)