Just To Add...

Regarding Post #1 of my new blogging aspiration to inform you about injustice/social issues happening around the world, I thought I'd add this picture...

Ok. Tried uploading the picture. Can't.

Here's the link. Check it out. Tell me what you think. :)

Declaration of the Occupation of New York City

I'll Give You Some, If You Give Me Some First.

re·spect/riˈspekt/

Verb:

Admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Sometimes I get super tired of those kids I used to be close to, who don't respect my favourite choices of music. I've been a strong supporter of one of my most inspirational artists (Young Chozen) for a couple of years now, but some people think he's just too "preachy," as I've heard it called before. 

My non-Christian friends don't understand why I'd support someone who remixes songs by their most inspirational artists. The way I see it, Young Chozen makes secular music healthy to listen to. No swearing, No inappropriate phrases. Nothing dirty. He tries to glorify God by making these mix-tapes. 

I'll take a swing at it and say that most of my friends don't like him because he isn't their kind of "party" music.

But here's the deal.

I don't disrespect your favourite artists, kid. I think that what they have to say isn't healthy to living the greatest life all the time. What I respect is the fact that you look up to something. You have someone of great influence in your life, who happens to work in the music world... I just disagree with some of the messages they stand for. Another thing I do respect about these secular artists you are a fan of: most of the time, they're absolutely genuine. 

Sometimes Christianity is inaccurately portrayed by hypocritical people of the Church. And that is extremely unfortunate for the people who are actually trying to do good by what they do. 

The thing is, Young Chozen is one of those Christians who isn't a hypocrite. He's made a life out of following God. He's not the Churchy person who acts like he's perfect 100% of the time, and back stabs non-Christians. Young Chozen admits his downfall all the time, and this is personified throughout the great majority of his songs.

Isn't that what you want to see? You're tired of Christians pointing the finger, and doing wrong against their own words...? Like the "Christian" who'll party it up during the week by losing all of their core values, then put on the "fake face" and go all religious on you. 

I'm trying to live my life by being a Jesus-follower every day. I try my best. I really do.

But I'm only human.

I think thoughts like any other human does.

I want to do things that most teens my age do... but instead I remember the biggest promise I've made to God: to represent Him accurately.

I hold myself to many values that a lot of people don't understand. That's part of the sacrifice of being a "Jesus Freak." We put up with a lot of crap thrown at us. We are ridiculed and picked on for listening to the apparently "stupid" tunes. We listen to Christian music by Young Chozen, Lecrae, Tedashi.... (I could go on!) because it enhances our relationships with God, and aids us in bettering our own lives. True Christian music that's real and alive... it helps us be real. No acting. It teaches us how to teach others. It teaches us that being a hypocrite is terrible. 

Christian music IS preachy. Sure it is. But that's not always a bad thing.

Its message is to help us become better people.

I guess what you don't realize is that our Christian music is always positive. Nothing is ever negative. 99% of the Christian music we have is supposed to encourage people.

I've noticed that 99% of secular music can encourage all sorts of unhealthy emotions, though. It warps depression, anger, sadness, love, and false hope all together.... Do you not find that confusing? 

What I like about Christian music is that it's real. It gives me true hope. It's always about true love. 

Maybe what you don't like to hear is the fact that it will always glorify God. Real Christians and Real Christian Music suggest that no one else is number one, but God; that the world doesn't revolve around you. 

Well. Maybe this will change your mind...? 

Though the world revolves around God... His love revolves around you. 

That's what keeps me going. When I am ridiculed for who I stand for, I remember that at least His love is saving me each and every day. 

Because Jesus loves me... I can be unafraid to live. 

I am 'Unafraid' to die. 

I am 'Unafraid' of fear itself. 

Post #1 Con't: Occupy Wall Street to Occupy Vancouver

Occupy Vancouver protesters disrupt mayoral debate

Enlighten yourself by clicking the above link.

Your thoughts?

I for one and terribly disappointed with both sides of this picture, and this is me being the 99% speaking up against what's really wrong.

Dear Mr. Zimmerman,


If you feel the need to exploit your ideas about how corruption has taken over the government, please do. One thing, however, needs to be made clear. How many people are going to vote for you if you're yelling at them? That was quite a diplomatic approach you made.


I commend you for expressing the values we all hold towards democracy, and am certainly in agreement with that side of your argument... but the other question I hold to being of great value, is how will you act if you become mayor of Vancouver? Do not you think you would seize the opportunity to celebrate your victory, with the salary of the position, by having a lobster dinner? What if you enjoyed it so much that you continued indulging in such unpolitical affairs afterwards?


If you're greatest wish is for the money to be going to the people, and not towards corporate greed, what differences are you going to make that will actually happen?


I have seen promise after promise being made by all candidates in my lifetime, and those who make it big, tend to break their promises in the end anyways. I'm tired of liars running in elections. I want change. I know that you stand for change... 


So what are your promises that will be of effort towards democratic change? How will you make democracy actually happen?


Now, as I have said, I am not in complete disagreement with this man. He has made a point about a crucial matter that needs to be addressed by current mayor, Mr. Roberson, and other mayoral candidate Mrs. Anton.

Dear Mr. Robertson,


What are your true feelings about democracy? I agree, Occupy Vancouver has turned the city into a slum-case-scenario.... But let us disperse with the loitering and the ignorance amongst the crowd, and pull out the few who stand for reason.


The 99% are being oppressed by money factors, as the government stuffs their pockets full of dough. It has been revealed as though you care only for how it is effecting your campaign. Understandable..... but I don't think that saying the following:

“It is your right to protest but it is not your right to have an encampment in our downtown from here on,” he said. “We want to see a resolution that is peaceful and respectful of all the citizens and that enables you to keep protesting but that ends the encampment as it now exists.”

Read more: http://www.vancourier.com/Occupy+Vancouver+protest+disrupts+mayoral+debate/5610666/story.html#ixzz1bwvmij98

is really going to make a difference. Citizens are being dramatic because changes are not being met. 


What are your ideas for change? Your ideology says you lean towards conservatism, so how can you encourage your own campaign, as well as encouraging democratic movements by sufficing the people? You cannot have one without the other in this case.


It is interesting to note that if Mr. Robertson leans towards the democratic changes, he'll lose major conservative supporters. On the other hand, if he disagrees with everything Occupy Vancouver stands for, and is appalled by their "discretion," he will look like quite an oppressor.

Your thoughts? How can this situation be justified and how should Mr. Zimmerman be treated?

Post #1 Continued

Post #1: "To co-operate passively with an unjust system makes the oppressed as evil as the oppressor."-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Occupy Wall Street

In accordance to my blogging oath to update my dear readers on social justice movements and such, I have decided to take a different route on discussing our number one North American Pleasure: democracy.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/oct/20/martin-luther-king-protest

I recommend that, first of all, you check out the above website. It links to an article that intertwines the similarities of citizens protesting and Martin Luther King Jr.'s message.
I'm obviously oblivious as to knowing where you stand upon this subject, so I would be more than happy to hear your opinions on Occupy Wall Street.

For the purposes of trying to discuss this article, without showing my own personal bias towards the event, I have decided to touch upon the information brought about within this article relating it towards the doctrines of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that, "To co-operate passively with an unjust system makes the oppressed as evil as the oppressor."
Obama has addressed the world by saying this: "If [Martin Luther King, Jr.] were alive today, I believe he would remind us that the unemployed worker can rightly challenge the excesses of Wall Street without demonizing all who work there."
The question, however, that both I and the article dare to ask humanity, is this: Would King really have stood aside and lightly addressed what is happening with our economy?

Considering the circumstances, it is a waste to challenge this topic because we will never really know what he would have said.

The question we should be asking, is whether or not we are taking democracy seriously or not? Has Occupy Wall Street turned into a revolutionizing protest that will forever stand to be a world-wide known movement, heaving upon the government's shoulders the soul substance of a phenomenon called change? Will people look back 100 years from now and say, "Boy, I'm glad my ancestors took a stand against the government for the sake of economical suffice." Or, will the enhanced subject be the mockery of the role of the ordinary people? Has Occupy Wall Street damaged our alleged democracy? Are the brawls of protest in favour of change, or in favour of a lazy population taking democracy for granted? It's one thing to be an activist about standing for what's right, and be organized and lawful about it, but it's another to turn the protests into chaos.

I found out more about Occupy Wall Street whilst I was watching the Pierce Morgan Tonight show. Then, it made sense to me why people were taking a stand. Some of the activists that were interviewed were able to clearly say why they were protesting.

Weeks later, it seems like trashing land and brawls are all a lot of people care about. It makes the oppressed look like oppressors! It's demoralizing the faith of the true activists who are there with a purpose.

It doesn't look like I did a very good job of disguising my bias, but I leave you with this quotation:

"In these turbulent days of uncertainty, the evils of war and of economic and racial injustice threaten the very survival of the human race."

How will justice interfere with our democratic policies? If the fate of our political world can rest within our own democratic beliefs, is the outcome most likely to be negative or positive?


What can we do to make an outstanding change, without risking the destruction of democracy? 


Your thoughts?

“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.” - William Wilberforce

I have been awakened.
My eyes... are now open.
Now, more than ever before.

Did you know that there are over 10 million child sex slaves?
I am appalled at this disgusting, perverted number.

On Saturday, I attended a "movie night" at a friend's church, with my Mumsie. It turned out to be a documentary on human trafficking. I definitely learned some new things. Who knew I could become such a changed person.... more passionate about justice.... within a two and half hour time span.

I didn't know about the Red Light District before.
I didn't know that prostitution was legal in some places! So gross. About a quarter of the way through the documentary, I actually felt like throwing up (this coming from a person with a normally strong stomach).
Why?
Prostitution globally, is never a choice in the end.

In school, I've heard my friends joke about prostitution and pimps before.
But now, I'm determined to never pass it off as something slightly humorous. These poor girls... all of them were caught in these traps (whether they wanted the luxuries portrayed through films like Pretty Woman, or just wanted to obey their parents and bring in the money).

I couldn't believe that there are actually parents out there who will sell their little children (not even 10 years old!) for $3000.
I went home Saturday night feeling blessed to have such a loving Daddy, and a Mumsie who would never dare give up my brother or me for some extra money.

We are all so blessed.

For the next 30 days I am determined to update you guys on justice movements, the injustice happening around the world, and information on what you can do to stop it. I'm tired of pimps and perverted people taking over young women, little girls, and even boys. They have absolutely no right to destroy the innocence of such beautiful people.
I cannot let this rest. Now that my eyes have been opened to the fact that prostitution is not at all a choice (they are being forced to act like it's their own choice so that there pimps don't hurt or kill them, or harm their loved ones), I want to make a difference.

Justice.

We need justice.

"I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are, and not as you should be. ..because you're never going to be as you should be."

Something I Support

In reference to my visit to the library, 

I came across this picture (and yes, I know that it is quite old): 

:) But it was definitely quite lovely to see once again (:

Invest In An Umbrella, Folks.

The rainy season has arrived.

Today, I will admit, I did grumble just a tad as I had to walk home with about 20pounds on my back. I honestly do not understand why these teachers must load us with papers and textbooks. Do they do it just to take pure enjoyment and laugh as their lessons disfigure our backs?

In any case, I had walked for about 15 minutes, before I realized I had left something in my locker. So....I walked all the way back.
Whence forth, came the groans.
Usually I don't mind walking home. I rather do enjoy it, but I think the idea of retracing my steps turned out to be quite the downer.

Anywho, I walked home and fed the fish. Then, I decided it would be best to walk to the library. :)
Oh, how I love going to the library on such rainy days as these. 
But, today I had to not only walk home with my back pack...but also to the library, due to certain circumstances.
More grumbles.


The thing is, God always has this way of putting things into perspective for me. I was walking past Safeway, and a middle-aged woman with no umbrella, walked past me with the faintest of smiles upon her face. I can tell you right now, that is not an easy thing to do when you're caring about 5 heavy bags of groceries.
So I took time to meditate on the fact that, I don't have it as hard as I think I do. In fact, most of us have it way too easy.

The next time you open your mouth to complain about something, I dare you to put it into perspective.

There is probably someone around the world facing much more than a heavy backpack full of education items...that a lot of children in any third world country would die for.

Also.

Who in Denmark and the UK is reading my blog?! :) Comment!!!!
One of my vain endeavourments is to travel around Europe!!
I'd love to hear what you have to say! :)

Albums I NEED To Purchase.

Vice Verses - Switchfoot

The Help Soundtrack - from the Motion Picture, The Help