The most annoying part of higher education for many college students is the exorbitant cost of textbooks. The average cost of textbooks can be several hundred dollars per semester.

Despite the fact that college students are the most tech-savvy segment of society, the textbook industry has resisted making e-books widely available to students nearly as much as some churches resist electric guitars. At North Greenville, for example, only a few required textbooks have an e-book equivalent available.

While the textbook industry continues to make excuses for not providing more convenient and affordable electronic versions of textbooks, it is obvious they are mainly concerned about losing the large profit margin that paper textbooks provide.

The publishing industry at large, however, has seen that the e-book is nearly today’s equivalent of the Gutenberg printing press. Many publishers publish their books through the immensely popular Nook and Kindle ecosystems. The ability to instantly publish a book and simultaneously eliminate the production costs of paper books allows publishers to sell an e-book at a lower cost while maintaining a healthy profit margin.

During an education-centered media event on Jan. 19, 2012, Apple Inc., a company known for dramatically altering the cell phone and music industries, introduced a plan to revolutionize the textbook industry. This plan uses the well-established iOS ecosystem to allow publishers to distribute low-cost e-books to students.

Publishers and writers can use Apple’s iBooks Author application to create interactive e-books that incorporate pictures, video and review material, which are then distributed through the iBooks application on Apple’s portable devices. Apple also revealed updates to its iTunes U service, which allows universities to post lectures and other course material in an easily accessible format.

Although these services are new, they have earned significant attention from publishers and educators alike. Several prominent publishing companies, such as McGraw Hill and Houghton Mifflin, have already pledged to provide e-books through Apple’s platform. Additionally, iTunes U will host lectures from major universities, such as Yale and MIT. While Apple’s offerings are only one service among many that allow publishers to provide e-books to students, the massive publicity that accompanies any Apple announcement has given the iBooks platform a distinct advantage.

What, then, will be the ultimate effect on college students? For now, because the iBooks service is new, its selection is still rather narrow. As time passes, however, publishers will likely see the benefits of electronic distribution, whether they choose to use iBooks or another method. When they understand that students are more likely to use e-books than heavy, overpriced paper books, the publishers will begin to embrace the electronic publishing trend.

Let’s face it—most people hate politics. Politics are messy. Politics are dramatic. And often, they’re just plain confusing. It doesn’t matter if the choices made by legislators impact us. We’re too busy to keep up.

A lack of interest in politics is especially a problem in the youth (18-29) demographic. The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) found that while youth voter turnout rose by two percentage points from the 2004 presidential election, the turnout was still only 51 percent.

This apathy toward voting is somewhat understandable. After all, we are the generation of instant messaging, hashtags, Google and a constantly updated Facebook newsfeed. We’re used to getting almost anything with a click; waiting in lines is not our specialty. But the political cycle has come around again, and it’s time we stepped up. When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, I was still a senior in high school. Now I’m a senior again—in college. Things have changed. I’m planning to graduate in May, and the thought of finding a job in this shaky economy terrifies me. But knowing that I’ll have to go out into the real world soon makes me even more determined to understand the issues.

Here are three reasons why you should vote in the next election. They won’t be in 140 characters or less, but at least they’re better than reading all 2,409 pages of the health care bill. Be sure to tweet while you’re standing in line.

1. The most immediate reason to vote is the need to repeal Obamacare. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will require Americans to have health insurance or pay a fine, was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010.  Most of its provisions have not come into effect yet, but they will in 2014. To put this into context, it will become effective around the time when most of us are graduates looking for jobs. While provisions in the bill allow children to stay under their parents’ policy until age 26, health care reform will still cost us. It will add around $1 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, and we will be the ones paying for it. The bill will affect future students through its overhaul of student loans, which requires student loans to be originated by the government. Beyond its fiscal problems, the bill is also unconstitutional, allowing the government to take away our freedom to choose when it comes to health care.

2. Another reason to vote is the ongoing economic crisis. According to an article in the Oct. 21 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek, the number of unemployed Americans is 14 million—twice what it was four years ago. What will it be in the next four years if fiscal policy, which is taxing and spending as decided by Congress, doesn’t change? Our government has been fiscally irresponsible, spending far more than it has taken in. Check out the U.S. National Debt Clock at usdebtclock.org to watch the numbers go up. As of this writing, national debt is at nearly $15 trillion, which comes to around $133,000 per taxpayer. This debt has weakened the economy by lowering GDP. If the government continues to spend money it doesn’t have, it will have to raise taxes, affecting our personal income. It’s going to be hard enough trying to find a job when everyone is cutting back, but faulty government policy will make it even more difficult to get by.

3. As a Christian, both my faith in God and my belief that He put authorities in place to govern us are the most important reasons to vote. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” It is our duty as Christians to be involved in the government placed over us. Should we continue to allow a president who denied that America is a Christian nation and left out the words “under God” from the pledge of allegiance to be in authority?

We’re safely inside the bubble of being college students right now, but I believe we need to pay more attention to what’s happening in our country. The next presidential election is in less than a year. Vote this election season to have a voice in our future.

As Internet connected devices become more popular, the concept of continuous computing is becoming a reality.

Continuous computing is the idea that a person can have a seamless experience between all devices. In other words, a person could open a file on a laptop, pick up a smartphone and see the exact same file.

Continuous computing hinges on constant Internet connectivity and the cloud. With the advent of 3G wireless technology and smartphones, the Internet suddenly became available in a small, portable package. Since that time, smartphones have essentially become small computers, allowing many users to leave their full computers at home.

Although smartphones have been very popular, a large number of people have been wishing for more since these devices have limited power and space.  Many were sacrificing features for convenience. Recently, however, that began to change.

Services such as Dropbox and Apple’s recently announced iCloud have made continuous computing a viable option. Instead of storing documents and photos on a computer hard drive, these services allow the user to store items in a virtual locker, which can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection.

This innovation has allowed smartphones, tablets and computers to be constantly updated and synchronized. It eliminates the need for flash drives or other forms of physical media. A person could write a paper, save it to the cloud, revise it on his tablet and then print it out from his smartphone.

Some services, like Dropbox, can store any type of file, making it an online file cabinet, while others, such as iCloud, serve specific purposes. iCloud is a new service from Apple that allows users of its mobile operating system to synchronize their portable devices. The system stores music, photos, calendars, contacts and application data, allowing a user to have a continuous experience across all devices.

The cloud is a very good solution for continuous computing, but there are some problems that need to be fixed. For many, the biggest problem with the cloud is security. Since files are stored on the Internet, it is possible that someone with malicious intent could access these files. Dropbox recently dealt with a security flaw that allowed hackers access to private user data. Secondly, many fear that their data could be lost somehow. If a server was to crash, or if the person lost Internet connectivity, his or her files could be inaccessible. To prevent the latter issue, one would be wise to implement smart backup procedures.

The current age is one of technology, and the innovations made in just the last five years have changed the way people think about technology. Despite its flaws, the cloud is well on its way to becoming yet another indispensable part of the connected life.

College football is not just about who wins the championship anymore; it has everything to do with “swag.” When it comes to uniforms, college football took it to another level this fall. Although the season is halfway through, uniforms are still the hottest topic.

ESPN correspondent, Erin Andrews recently appeared on Joan Rivers’ weekly show Fashion Police to talk about not only the most favored college football uniforms, but also the less captivating and outrageously ugly “outfits” teams were wearing.  Rivers addressed what most women were really thinking: how great a player’s butt looked and the other physical features shown off in the uniforms.

Every die-hard fan is going to say his or her team has the best uniforms, no matter what a player’s gluteus maximums looks like, but should there be a so-called fashion police when it comes to what is worn on the field? Nike, Under Armour and Adidas have disregarded all the rules the fashion police enforce and have no limit in their imaginative minds when creating a team’s uniform.

So why design outlandish, vibrant uniforms? Recruiting. Besides giving him food and letting him play video games, a good way to capture the heart of 17 year-old athletic boy is offering a “swaggerific” image that will have all the sorority girls looking. ESPN.com columnist, Paul Lukas said in an interview with Robert Siegel, Nation Public Radio News host, “What we really see is the uniform being used as a recruiting tool to attract high school talent. And the idea being that if you’re after a hot quarterback or a running back out of high school and he’s trying to decide between a couple of different schools, the uniform could be the tiebreaker. And if you’re a hot running back out of high school, it means you’re 17. And 17-year-olds respond to shiny objects, more or less.”

Which teams do the best of making the uniform shine and grab the attention of the female fans? Navy. From head-to-toe the uniform is unique, yet classy. The players’ numbers shine with gold accents, and the artistic detail on the helmet’s anchor is what fashion experts call “couture.”

The most popular accessory items to the uniform are gloves, and Navy’s are elegant, if that’s possible for gloves used to catch pigskin. The gloves are pure white, embellished with a gold anchor, making the sailors’ uniforms resemble what the players wear off the field. Navy’s designers completely win my vote for creating the best uniform of the season.

There are a few teams that make me wonder. If the designer was stuck in a dark closet while picking the colors, the absolute worst uniform goes to Maryland. Whoever made Maryland’s flag must be colorblind because no one else would mix red, white, black and yellow and think it looks amazing. If the team was going for the worst uniforms ever, it definitely achieved that goal.

While uniforms don’t help a team put points on the board, they do go along with the mentality if you look good, then you feel good, and if you feel good, then you’ll play well. College football is still about whom wins the SEC championship and BSC bowl game, but also now it is who looks good while winning. As for me, I’m ready to see which team will win “best dressed” next year.

There aren’t too many politicians I would say have courage, heart, integrity, authenticity or the gumption former U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate Rick Santorum exudes. Charm and the ability to speak are great attributes in politicians, but there also needs to be meat and substance to their ideas.  Santorum is a candidate who doesn’t speak the words “change” and “hope” without telling us exactly what the change and hope actually are. He speaks about plans of action and actual modifications to what’s not working—and he has a record of doing just that.

Santorum is a man who demonstrates humble character and sound priorities. When questioned for saying he didn’t have a burning desire to be President, Santorum responded, “I’d be very careful of someone who says they have a burning desire to be President… I feel it is more of a calling than it is a desire of mine. I’ve served in Washington and I’ve seen… it’s a huge responsibility, particularly given the situation our government is in right now, and you better feel like this is something you are called to do, that this is something that is a mission, that’s for the country, not for you. Not for personal gain but for what’s in the best interest of the country.”

Santorum would say his favorite accomplishment is being a husband of 20 years and a father to seven.  (His book, It Takes A Family, is a New York Times best seller.) Santorum was a part of the “Gang of Seven” that exposed the colossal Congressional Banking and Congressional Post Office scandals, proving he is a leader capable of catching and stopping indignities. It was because of this reform that a Washington Post reporter said “Santorum was a tea party kind of guy before there was a tea party.”

In regards to this state of the economy and restoring jobs, Santorum’s job plan is solid and endorsed by the PA Manufacturers Association.  Frederick W. Anton III, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, said, “Santorum clearly understands this value manufacturing has on our overall economy, and his plan is consistent with his strong, unwavering record in support of pro-growth public policy throughout his career – for which we are grateful.” This plan would eliminate the corporate tax for all U.S. manufacturers, eliminate burdensome regulations and expand domestic energy exploration.

Santorum also has experience serving on the Armed Services Committee for eight years and made waves of change during that time. Before the attacks of September 11^th, 2001, he led the fight to transform our military from a Cold War force to meet today’s threats. Sadly, this fight wasn’t fully heard and accomplished until after the attacks on our country. A leader in US-Israeli relations, he authored both the “Syria Accountability Act” and the “Iran Freedom and Support Act,” which he also successfully fought to pass.

On other tough cultural issues, Santorum was able to write and pass legislation that outlawed the procedure known as Partial Birth Abortion as well as the “Born Alive Infants Protection Act,” the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act” and the “Combating Autism Act.” Santorum believes every single individual has value, and we must protect the most vulnerable in our society. If these issues are worth fighting for to you, Santorum is your Presidential candidate. Santorum can think on both the grand scale, and the individualistic scale of America and its people.

He never wavered on his pro-life stand, on his no-child left behind stance, he didn’t waver or evade justice when exposing the Congressional Banking and Congressional Post Office scandals and fought to bring about the national security acts. All of these were brought about because he did not back down when opposition came. He believed these issues to be worthy of fighting for.

The subject of the presidential race and its candidates shouldn’t be taken lightly. I don’t believe charm and charisma are what we should primarily look for in our next president, though there is a certain tried-and-true genuine nature to Santorum that is humbling and honorable.

We need a leader who is courageous and able to stand up for the interests of our nation and its people.  Santorum’s slogan isn’t glitter and publicity. It is a simple statement that I believe he wants to follow through in every way and with all he is: Rick Santorum—“The Courage To Fight For America.” Is Rick Santorum the courageous fighter our country needs to stand up for and lead our nation? I believe he is.

Photo courtesy of www.jon2012.com

Looking up into the night sky, it seems as if there are far too many stars to count, doesn’t it? Actually, you can only see a few thousand with the naked eye. An incredible fact is that the actual number of stars in our own Milky Way has been estimated to be around 10 to 50 billion. What we can see is only a tiny fraction of what is out there.

The U.S. national debt, at this moment of writing, is more than 14.7 trillion dollars. China owns over one trillion dollars of that debt. If the Milky Way was a bank, and stars were dollars, it would take 295 Milky Ways to repay our debt. As a young citizen of this country, I believe it is obvious the future holds more struggles for young American citizens to whom this giant, growing debt will fall.

It seems evident to me that America is dealing with some significant problems that will affect us for years to come. How to deal with this incredible debt and unstable economic future is one of the chief problems needing to be radically addressed by the winning candidate of the 2012 run for Presidency.

The Obama administration’s plan is to tax the rich; however, an estimated 1.3 trillion dollars is held by American billionaires, so taking all of their money wouldn’t exactly remedy the situation. There also is the unfortunate possibility of shaking up an already shaky economy. The wealthy are suppliers of jobs. When the wealthy are taxed to death, it hurts everyone.

Any single person or business with such a large amount of debt, especially now after reaching and expanding the “debt-ceiling,” would agree the crisis could only come about through remarkable mismanagement. This debt is a case of spending much more than we have, or can soon repay. What the country needs is someone who can manage it well, and that person is Jon Huntsman.

During Huntsman’s tenure as governor of Utah, the state was cited as the best managed state in the country. Jobs were created, and the gross public debt, as a percentage of GDP, fell considerably, remaining stable throughout his term. He remained governor with incredibly high approval ratings and was re-elected with another incredible 77.7 percent of the vote before becoming Obama’s ambassador to China, a country looming over the U.S. as an economic rival and as the largest foreign holder of American debt. This brings foreign policy onto the table as a significant hindrance to the good future of America.

Huntsman believes “with a weak and rotting core, you don’t have much of a foreign policy. You’re discounted at the negotiating table, economically and militarily…the reality is we need to rebuild our core.”

Re-focusing on America and making her economically and financially sound again is what all Americans should be focusing on, and Jon Huntsman is the best man to lead us in this direction.

Emily Bain

Writing novels has always been a passion of mine. I love creating worlds and characters, and weaving plots together into a story that may someday reach the one person who needs an escape from reality.  Noveling can be a daunting task, so here are a few tips to get you started.

1 Try doing National Novel Writing Month, a project in which participants write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. An impossible goal is what spurs many to finish that first novel. More than two billion words were officially logged by 200,500 participants in November 2010. Several authors have published their NaNovels, such as Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. So let loose and write.

2 First drafts are supposed to be horrible, so never read what you’ve written until you are finishing the first draft. It’s important to get all your ideas down in black and white. The point in this step is to get your characters from point A to point B. You can always edit later.

3 Journal every day and keep a notebook with you at all times, especially under your pillow at night. Inspiration strikes most of the time in some of the strangest places, such as the shower or during the middle of church. Write down everything, no matter how insignificant, because that seemingly unimportant idea could be what saves your plot later.

4 Always have a plot, even if you don’t plan on sticking to it. Your characters will probably take over your plot in the middle of your novel, and decide to go off on plot bunny highway. Plots are only rough guides, and even if you don’t follow your plot exactly, it’s good to have a road map in case you get lost.

5 Get to know your characters before you start writing. Characters don’t just fall out of the sky fully developed and ready to be used. It’s always best to breathe life into your characters beforehand by knowing your main characters’ favorite colors, shoe sizes or their obsessions with pink polka-dotted umbrellas.

6 Sometimes you just have to quit writing and go do the dishes. It’s good to take a break and let your mind breathe a little. So go fold some towels, take the dog out, or give yourself a manicure. Most of the time, you’ll find the answers to your plot holes in those menial chores.

7 Exercise every day. Go out for a run around the block, or do some serious Wii Fit. While good for the body, it’s also good for clearing your mind. Sitting for hours on end staring at a screen will take a toll on both your body and your writing.

8 Finally, write. You may do a lot of talking about being a novelist, but if you don’t actually sit down and write, you’re just a dreamer. You will lose hope in your idea and think that everything you’ve written is horrible and should be burned. Ignore that feeling and keep writing. Even if your novel is the worst thing thought up by human kind, keep writing. Stephan King threw away his manuscript for Carrie because he thought it was atrocious, but his wife saved it. Don’t get hung up about whether what you’re doing is good or bad; if you never try, or finish what you’ve started, then you’ll never know what you’re capable of.

Photo from www.rickperry.org

Rick Perry is bringing on the heat in next year’s Presidential election by his bold statements and challenges against President Obama.

His campaign slogan, “It’s time to get America working again,” may seem petty at first, but it is actually true. With America facing some of her toughest times right now, she needs the right leader. As American citizens, we need a leader who does not spend more time assigning blame than laying out a clear vision. We need a leader who can help us believe in ourselves and put our trust in God again. We need a hard worker who will ensure us of the promise of America.

Perry, being a former U.S. Air Force Captain and Texas House member for three terms, is currently the conservative Republican governor of Texas. He has already made note-worthy changes in the state and has proven to be quite exceptional by being the only governor since World War II to reduce state general revenue spending.

Perry has some pretty simple principles. His prerogative for America is to keep spending to a minimum, taxes low and regulations fair. Perry understands the needs of America and has bold plans for his potential future in office. “I share the agenda of millions of concerned citizens to fix the fiscal mess created in Washington, D.C. and get America working again,” Perry said.

Perry has a strong record on job creation that no other candidate can match. More than 40 percent of all the net new jobs in America were created in Texas under Perry’s leadership. His extensive leadership skills show strong potential for actually getting America “working again.” If he can help raise Texan jobs by that much, imagine the change he can bring to America as our president.

As far as taxes and spending cuts go, Perry has them under control. Earlier this year, he set a conservative, fiscally responsible course. He insisted on no new taxes, worked with legislators to cut spending by $15 billion, and protected the “Rainy Day Fund,” which set aside at least $6 billion for future needs.

Perry’s way of thinking and his execution of ideas may be different than Obama’s and other candidates’, but they seem to be working successfully. If voted into office, he is determined to take very different courses than the ones taken by the Obama administration.

One of the first actions on his “to-do” list is leading an effort to appeal Obama-care, which Perry believes is the “greatest intrusion on individual freedom in a generation.”

Perry is bold in some of his statements, setting off the tempers of some Democrats and Liberals, but that may be just what America needs. Maybe we need someone to stand up in such a bold way that it stirs up controversy that will, in return, bring definite change. There’s no doubt Perry is ready to be President. Upon declaring his candidacy for President, he stated that he will lead this country “with faith in God, the support of his family and an unwavering belief in the goodness of America.”

America needs to believe our best days are yet to come. It’s time for a new leader to step up to the plate and lead America in a way of liberty, promise and prosperity, and that leader is Rick Perry.

The field of potentials for the Republican presidential candidate is widely varied but far from rich. No candidate stands out as the next great hope for America. One, however, could be our best bet.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is distinct in a diverse field of potential GOP Presidential candidates for more reasons than just one. Yes, she is a woman, but that fact has drawn more attention than necessary. Too often her femininity—or what Tim Pawlenty’s political adviser Vin Weber termed “sex appeal”—has been the headline in her political story. If Bachmann is chosen as the GOP presidential candidate, it should be based on her need to declare the truth unabashedly, not on her gender.

Bachmann represents basic American values like faith in God which have been absent from the political scene in recent years. She openly declares her Christian faith and has not wavered. Recently, she gave her testimony at Point of Grace Church in Waukee, Iowa, describing her salvation experience in detail.

“I bowed my knee and gave my heart to Jesus Christ when I recognized that as the Bible says, all have sinned, all have fallen short [and] all need a savior,” Bachmann described. “Even though I thought I was a nice person . . . it didn’t matter. I was a sinner. I needed a savior. It changed me.” Perhaps Bachmann can remind us that—despite anything President Obama says—we are indeed a Christian nation, although we have faltered of late.

America needs someone who will stand for our fundamental rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Bachmann is adamantly pro-life and pro-family. The mother of 28—five biological children and 23 foster children—showed her reverence for the sanctity of life when she published a video speaking against the Freedom of Choice Act in 2009 from the House of Representatives. She introduced a pro-life initiative called the Positive Alternative Act into Congress that would offer women alternative-to-abortion services. While the legislation ended up in committee netherworld, Bachmann continues to stand for the sanctity of life.

She is also adamant when it comes to traditional marriage, signing a pledge called The Marriage Vow in July that opposed redefining the institution of marriage. The pledge originated with the Family Leader, a group led by evangelical Christian leader Bob Vander Plaats from Iowa.

Besides being strong in her defense of fundamental values like traditional marriage, Bachmann is also practical and informed when it comes to another important issue: fiscal policy. A graduate of Winona State University in Minnesota, Bachmann later received her Juris Doctorate at the O.W. Coburn School of Law at Oral Roberts University and an L.L.M. in Tax Law at the College of William and Mary. It would be rather refreshing to have someone involved in fiscal policy who has actually studied tax law.

Bachmann understood the health care legislation, unlike Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House at the time, who declared, “We have to pass it to understand it.” Bachmann discussed the bill at length in an interview with Sean Hannity in October 2009. She termed the bill requiring everyone to buy government health care “the crown jewel of socialism.” Bachmann fights for smaller government and draws attention to legislation like the health care bill that expands government past its Constitutional boundaries.

Bachmann does have her drawbacks, of course. One is her admittedly short resume. Another is her record of verbal gaffes that the media has so studiously documented. Yes, she may have mistaken New Hampshire as the site of the battles of Lexington and Concord, but that should hardly deter voters if Obama’s firm belief that America has 57 states did not.

Despite the occasional flub that is invariably overhyped, Bachmann is a dynamic speaker—magnetic, poised, relatable and downright eloquent. One of her greatest moments was her strong showing in the Republican primary debates, where she was faster at the draw than anybody else, out answering opponents Rick Perry and Tim Pawlenty. She is quick with the answers, but more importantly, she is unafraid to speak the truth.

Bachmann may be the most earnest person in the political scene right now, and America could use some reality. What she lacks in experience she makes up for in determination and spirit, which is why I believe Michele Bachmann should be the next GOP presidential candidate.

Editor’s Note: This endorsement does not necessarily reflect the views of The Skyliner. Other views on the 2012 election are also welcome. Contact skyliner.ecarma@gmail.com to respond or to share your view on the upcoming election.

Presidential candidate Rick Perry. Photo courtesy of www.rickperry.org.

Texas Governor Rick Perry is the man to beat in the 2012 Presidential election.

Even before announcing his candidacy in August, Perry was already gaining name recognition and support among Republicans around the country.  In the most recent Quinnipiac University poll on August 31, Perry held the top spot in the race for the Republican nomination with 28 percent.  Romney and Bachmann held the second and third spots at 18 percent and 10 percent respectively among declared candidates.

So what makes Rick Perry such a threat to the Democrats?

He might have that southern drawl, Texas swagger and easygoing personality, but don’t let him fool you. Perry means business.  And business is something Perry does well.

Unlike the current president, Perry has boosted Texas’ economy by creating jobs for its residents.  Of the entire United States, Texas holds 47 percent of all jobs created, a figure only representing the two and a half years Obama has been president.

Why has Texas seen such impressive job growth?

Perry realizes the importance of small business and has minimized government regulation, which has allowed small businesses to thrive.  Obama, meanwhile, is stifling small business growth with increased taxes, fees and penalties.

Perry’s dedication to the principle of right and wrong is another one of his admirable qualities.  The governor sticks to his value system no matter how great the backlash from the media.  The United States is more than ready to elect a president who is going to stick to his guns, so to speak.

Another refreshing characteristic is Perry’s faith, something he is not afraid to talk about.  Earlier this summer, Perry came under fire by the media for organizing the prayer event, which took place in August.

The event was an apolitical, non-denominational meeting for Americans to get together and pray for the healing of the nation.

“There is hope for America,” Perry says in a letter posted on the website. “It lies in heaven, and we will find it on our knees.”

It is rare to see a presidential hopeful being so candid about his faith.  Compare Perry’s statement to that of fellow Republican and 2012 presidential hopeful Mitt Romney: Unfortunately there will be no quote here since Romney has yet to speak out about his faith.  Get my point?

It is about time an elected official embraces religious convictions instead of trying to sweep them under the rug.

While some of the other possible presidential candidates are outspoken about their religious convictions (Bachmann and Palin for example), Perry is the only one who is able to mesh conservative Christianity with a good understanding of politics.

Aside from being a superb job creator, a man of faith and having a backbone, Perry is also the only candidate who will be able to unite the Republican vote.

Perry brings much needed experience to the table.  Not only has he been governor of Texas since 2000, he has also served in the United States Air Force for five years, working his way up to the rank of captain.  He has unquestionable leadership skills accompanied by an affable exterior.  He connects well with the average American.

His conservative views on faith and family are key to bringing in the right-wing votes, while his economic policies will bring in the more moderate Republican and Independent votes.

Obama may have the upper hand by being the incumbent, but Americans across the country, Republicans and Democrats alike, are ready for a change.

With the economic recession still looming and unemployment rates remaining stagnant, voters are looking for someone who can pull America out of depression and give them hope once again.

That man is Rick Perry.

I had the great opportunity this summer of interning with the National Journalism Center program, located in Washington, D.C. The NJC stems from the Young America’s Foundation and trains future conservative journalists. I learned many things over the three months I spent in the D.C. area, both in journalism and in life.

This summer I learned I want to be a journalist. That sounds basic, but it was exciting to apply what I have been learning within my major and realize that I really want to have a job in media someday. I also learned more about what position I want as well as what it will take to get there–which brings me to another important thing: networking. Networking is helpful in any career, but it is paramount in journalism. Journalists are social people who like to meet someone new, and D.C. especially is all about connections. I loved meeting new people and learning from their different perspectives.

I learned a lot about pursuing a career this summer, but I also learned a great deal about myself. I went miles outside my comfort zone and ended up having the time of my life. I also learned more about trusting God to get me through even when I had difficult or tense situations. He was absolutely watching over me this summer, and I feel very blessed for everything I was able to do.

It was also interesting and challenging to talk about my faith with others. While NJC is conservative, it has no Christian affiliations, and the other interns came from diverse faith (or lack of faith) backgrounds. Discussing my faith with people who had little knowledge of Christianity made me see it from a different perspective. I was all the more determined to be able to defend it as well as share it with others. God also blessed me by placing other Christians around me with whom I could connect. I learned how amazing it is to be able to empathize immediately with someone I do not know simply because we share the same faith.

After this summer, I was excited to come back and apply everything I have learned to my classes and especially to The Skyliner, something that is close to my heart. I hope my experiences provide some insight. Addressing you as editor-in-chief in this first issue is an honor. I have learned so much during the past two years at The Skyliner, and I believe I will continue to do so. Here’s to the next year–I think it will be a good one.

Humans have been given a unique ability to think and to reason. This extraordinary phenomenon allows humans to make logical choices freely throughout life. No one forces us to eat cereal in the morning or say our prayers before we go to bed.

But just how far does this free will extend? Do we choose to love God and obey Him or have those choices already been predestined for us?

The nation of Israel has been God’s chosen people from the time He established His covenant with Abraham; however, we see throughout the Bible the rocky relationship Israel has with God. Time after time, they abandon His statutes and disregard His promises.

Isaiah 45:3-4 says, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel My chosen one, I have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor, though you have not known Me.”
Israel was the elect, but not everyone who belonged to the nation of Israel obeyed God and died in His favor. In 1 Samuel 16:14 it says, “Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.”

Saul repeatedly disobeyed the commands of God and as a result, the Spirit of the Lord was taken from him.

In the New Testament, the nation of Israel is still rejecting God. As Jesus was looking out over the city of Jerusalem he says in Matthew 27:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”

Israel and her people willfully chose to reject God. God is everywhere and nothing is kept secret from His knowledge, but He does not force His creation to choose Him.

“I believe God is a just God, and that He desires to see all come to Him. The Bible can be seen by all people, therefore, all people have a choice whether or not to follow Him,” said Stephanie Patton, junior linguistics.

It is God’s desire that all come to Him and inherit eternal life, which is why He sent his only begotten Son into the world to die a horrific and painful death on the cross to make a way for anyone who believes in Him. God could have found another way to bring salvation to all; He could have continued to require animal sacrifices in order to roll back the sins of the people. Instead, He shows just how deep his love for mankind is by sacrificing His only child.

If someone does not choose to love you but is coerced, would you give something as precious as your own flesh and blood for them? Not likely. How much more likely are you to sacrifice something of such great importance for one who chooses to love you?

“I believe that Jesus died on the cross for everyone. Not just a set amount of people. Why would he have died for all the sins of the world if only a few were going to heaven?” said Elizabeth Wood, senior print media. “So predestination seems to contradict the cross to me.”

God knows all things, including all the choices you will ever make in your lifetime; however, He has given us the freedom to make those choices of our own volition. This is why the Creator of the universe gave us a brilliant mind with the ability to think rationally and make choices.

Editor’s Note: These opinions do not address every facet of the debate. Letters expressing different views or expanding the views presented can be sent to skyliner.mayo@gmail.com for publication in a future issue.

The question of predestination is a thought-provoking one that is too frequently set aside by Christians as unimportant.

“People who pass it off without thought are doing themselves a disservice,” said Lisa Van Riper, political science instructor. Van Riper is Presbyterian, but she views the Calvinism versus Arminianism discussion as one between brothers and sisters in Christ. “I think we really debate about free will,” Van Riper clarified. “And I think it should be done with an eye towards truth, in a spirit of love, knowing that we stand together.”

Drew Brogden, sophomore Christian studies, recently came to accept the reformed, Calvinist view of predestination and shared his experience.
“I was raised Arminian and was taught to stay as far away from predestination as possible,” he said. “In my sophomore year at NGU, I finally had to face the issue. After many sleepless nights and a ton of research, I had no choice. The Arminian view leaves gaping holes in its explanation of theology. Calvinism and predestination, while still fuzzy at points, provide Scripture with more unity and coherence.”

Brogden used Ephesians 2:1 for support: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
“Dead men don’t choose anything,” he added.

Both supporters and deniers of reformed theology should know that it has roots in the very foundation of the modern church. According to Walter Johnson, Christian studies dean, its doctrines go back to the reforms in the Catholic Church during the 1500s. The heart of the Protestant Reformation was the reformed movement.
Reformed theology, specifically, predestination, is best explained by the five points of Calvinism. John Calvin was a great reformer in the 16th century, but it was actually his followers who later put together the five points in 1618 at the Synod of Dordt.

The five points were put together in response to the uprising of Arminianism, a doctrine that taught a salvation based on foreseen faith, universal atonement, partial depravity, resistible grace and the possibility of a lapse from grace. Arminianism differed from Calvinism’s five points, which are total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints, spelling the acronym “TULIP.”

The doctrine of Calvinism is something Christians should take time to understand properly. Hoping to encourage exactly that, Johnson teaches a class on systematic theology, describing it as “trying to lead [students] to go to the Scriptures.”
While Arminianism states that people are saved by choosing God, the main emphasis of Calvinism is the sovereignty of God and the complete depravity of man.

Charlie Moore, freshman Christian studies, boiled it down.

“In theological terms, we are totally depraved, and [God] is sovereign,” he said. “In regular terms, we’re really screwed up, and He’s the answer. He does it all. That’s what I love about it, that it leaves no room for man’s bragging rights.”

Predestination can also be supported by Scripture. Romans 8:30 says, “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

Romans chapter nine is also one cited by defenders of reformed belief. Verses 18-20 say, “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?’ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?” How can Arminianism and free will explain these verses?

What the reformed view does is emphasize the contrast between God’s sovereignty and man’s depravity.

“It puts you in your place and helps you realize you’re completely worthless, you’re totally depraved, [and] you’re radically corrupt. You’re nothing without Jesus,” said Joseph Stogner, sophomore psychology.

The beauty of reformed thinking is its absolute faith in God and His control. According to Ephesians 1:4-5, “[God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” As completely depraved sinners, we would never choose God. He had to have chosen us to be saved for His glory.

Linzy Laird, sophomore psychology, grew up Arminian but was recently won over.

“I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand how depraved I am,” Laird said. “But once I got a glimpse, I realized there is nothing good in me. I would never choose God; he would have to call me first. How can you resist a call like that, from this sovereign God?”

Moore gave an answer to the people who claim not to care about the issue.

“They’ll leave when you start talking about it,” he said. “[They say], ‘Why can’t we just view life together?’ And my question would be how can we do that apart from a proper view of God? He’s the author of life.”

How, indeed? Moore’s comment rings true with the Christian worldview. God has called us to desire a greater understanding of His character and His will for us. A correct perception of reformed theology is a step in that direction.

Editor’s Note: These opinions do not address every facet of the debate. Letters expressing different views or expanding the views presented can be sent to skyliner.mayo@gmail.com for publication in a future issue.

One chilly morning in October 1960, Audrey Hepburn wore a little black dress and slowly walked down Fifth Avenue. Her turn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s established her forever as a film icon. Fifth Avenue, 5 a.m. by Sam Wasson details the story behind the film, giving an interesting portrait of a real, complex woman and a groundbreaking movie.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was based on the book by Truman Capote, a writer known for testing the boundaries of decency. Nobody thought Capote’s work could squeak past the restrictions set by the Production Code, but Paramount bought it anyway. The story of Holly Golightly required a lot of cleaning up before it could be shown onscreen, and, despite numerous adjustments as the story became a screenplay, Paramount was nervous about shooting it.

But everything calmed down when Audrey Hepburn came along. It took some time and a lot of persuasion on the part of screenwriter George Axelrod and producer Marty Jurow to talk her into doing it; the role of kooky free spirit Holly Golightly was a far cry from the “good girl princesses” Hepburn usually played. But in this case, Audrey’s reputation worked for the film, making a more risque property like Breakfast at Tiffany’s a bit more palatable for the censors.

While no longer as edgy as it was in 1961, the movie today is still fresh and still delights. Blake Edwards directed. Hepburn wore several black dresses. And Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer wrote a little song called “Moon River,” making movie history at the same time. Fifth Avenue reveals the detail and work that went into what looks effortless to audiences, taking its readers step by step through the screenwriting, casting and filming processes.

But Fifth Avenue isn’t all golden nostalgia. It also comes across as a cool analysis of another era. The 1960s were years of revolution in America, and Hepburn’s Holly Golightly is shown to be a possible influence on women of the time. Wasson’s creamy storytelling style, narrative sprinkled with dialogue and trivia, wraps a social commentary up in an easy, interesting tale. Holly Golightly was a completely new character in her time: independent and quirky, impetuous but fragile, and a far cry from the typical onscreen depictions of women.

All over the country, women ran out to buy little black dresses and orange cats. Hepburn’s portrayal got a Best Actress nomination and made her a movie icon. George Axelrod also got an Oscar nomination for his screenplay, while Henry Mancini won Best Score and, with Johnny Mercer, Best Song for “Moon River.”

Breakfast at Tiffany’s made its mark on more than just the audience or the awards ceremonies, though; it established itself in the American consciousness. Hollywood’s portrayal of women would never be quite the same again, all thanks to a crazy new idea named Holly Golightly.

Jumping into Life

Prayer is a powerful thing. Many times when Christians talk about prayer, it shows the wonderful ways God has worked in their lives.

For this week, North Greenville University is holding a 24/7 week of praying. It is being held at Tigerville Baptist Church and is open all day for students, faculty and others to come and pray.
Will Broadus, junior Christian studies, said, “We need to have a passionate love for God that is made manifest in prayer and missions is something we all need to pray for. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, therefore, pray.”

Broadus started the 24/7 prayer week to encourage students to get on their knees and take time to just talk to God.

“The entire focus of 24/7 is God, and not how long or well you can pray. Along with getting to know God fully, we also want to intercede for missions-globally and locally,” said Christine Parks, senior interdisciplinary studies.

For Christians, it is usually the extremes when it comes to prayer; either we do it a lot or hardly ever. Prayer can be a tough thing to do when things are going great in our lives and we see no reason to talk to God. He wants us to be able to come to Him like we do a friend and tell him our wants or to come to Him like a Father who can meet every need.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we as Christians lived by this verse in Thessalonians, just think how easy it would be to live in Christ Jesus.

Students would not be worrying about how much school work we have to do, because we would be joyful in everything; we would constantly seek God in every circumstance and talk to him non-stop; and that is all God wants from us.
God just wants us to talk to him, and prayer is that simple. When we seek after God, He is faithful to answer us, even if it is not the answer we want. For Christians, we have heard for a long time that God has three answers: yes, no and wait. Whether we choose to accept His answer is usually the difficulty of prayer.

In my own home church, Santee Circle Community Church in Moncks Corner, S.C., prayer is a very prominent action. Every Wednesday night, my pastor holds “House of Prayer.” It is a special time to escape the work week and focus on requests and praise to God.

I have learned from my mother that prayer can be a phenomenal thing in our lives, and she has always been considered a prayer warrior at our church and in the lives of the many people she reaches out to.

As students, we tend to think too hard about how we should pray. It can be intimidating for someone to call on us to pray aloud, but if we stopped focusing on what people expect of us and focus on what God wants from our lives, praying would be a much simpler task.

“We want to be part of God’s movement in bringing in awakening, and revival begins with the Holy Spirit, prayer and obedience. So prayer week is centered on being obedient in prayer through the Holy Spirit,” said Parks.

The prayer room for 24/7 will be at Tigerville Baptist Church all day this week. From 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. there are nights when it will only be one gender. For more information or questions, students can contact Will Broadus at WTBroadus@ngu.edu. There is also a Facebook group entitled “NGU 24/7 Prayer: Passion & Mission” or  students can sign up for a praying time at  signupgenius.com/go/hour.

From director Randall Wallace, screenwriter for Braveheart and Pearl Harbor, Disney brings to life an inspiring true story of the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 25 years.

The movie is anchored by performances from Diane Lane (Nights in Rodanthe and Must Love Dogs) as the horse’s owner and John Malkovich (Changeling and Beowulf) as the eccentric trainer.

After hearing of her mother’s death, Penny Tweedy (Diane Lane) rushes to her father’s side. While discussing what to do with her father’s horse breeding farm, Penny finds herself defending the farm not to be sold and falling in love with horse racing once again.

Penny ends up living a double life, at home (with her husband and four kids) and at the farm (with her father).  Two of her horses become pregnant, and Red, later known as Secretariat, is born.  Penny hires an unconventional trainer preparing Red to become a racehorse to win money so she can keep the farm.

As Red turns three years old, Penny decides it is time to start racing him. Even though everyone else looks down on him since he is so young and inexperienced, Secratariat and Penny push through and win races. Then a storm hits; Penny’s father passes away.

She knew that even though he was gone he would want her to push on and win. So throughout all of the wins and trials in life, Secretariat and Penny find themselves closer to the Triple Crown race.

The Triple Crown consists of three races for three-year-old thoroughbred horses.  Winning all three of these races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a thoroughbred racehorse.  The races are made up of three varying distances in different cities. It consists of the Kentucky Derby, more than one and one-forth miles; the Preakness Stakes, more than one and three-sixteenths miles; and the Belmont Stakes, more than one and one-half miles.

With all of her family and friends beside her, in 1973, Secretariat, the underdog, and Penny set the unbeaten record for winning the Triple Crown.

The film was definitely an encouragement to all, and the best part was both the movie and the horse were winners.

It is a crowd favorite and a wholesome, family movie. Disney always does its best to create a movie that brings warmth to your heart.

Secretariat was also an inspirational movie. At the beginning and end Penny quotes Job from the Bible. Also the groom, Eddie, plays the song “Oh Happy Day.” It was refreshing to hear a familiar gospel song.

The movie makes you want to go for your dreams and never stop believing in yourself. Even through trials and tribulations, your family is always there for you.

I was impressed with this movie and found glimpses of God and Christianity in it everywhere.  In my opinion, it exceeded expectations and surpassed the movie Seabiscut.

If you want to see a feel good and inspirational story not only about an owner but also about a fabulous horse, Secretariat is the one.

To:  The Editor of The Skyliner

Thirst: an appetite often mentioned in the Bible, has three applications: thirst for God, (Old and New Testaments refer to “living water,” the Spirit of God empowering/indwelling believer); thirst for knowledge and wisdom,  references to God , the One from whom true knowledge and wisdom originate,  who reveals Himself through His Word;  finally, thirst (and hunger) for righteousness–an intimate walk with  God , making right thinking and living possible by helping us model our lives on  Jesus Christ.

Appetites also drive popular secular culture, but unfortunately, they often focus on self, ignore or oppose knowledge of God’s wisdom and values, and produce problems in personal behavior, relationships, and thought patterns.

If  attention to recreation and popular culture in The Skyliner, is an objective indicator, the unfortunate conclusion  is that student journalists consider readers of this newspaper  much more interested in entertainment and  consumer values than in serious issues and godly values.  The number of square column inches  The Skyliner  devoted to pop culture, sports, and entertainment in the September 15, 2010 issue totals 155 ( counting photos), with sports-related content taking over 300, not counting  a  whole page of photos with the briefest, most basic captions possible.  (Obviously, our student athletes work hard, and their efforts deserve coverage; but the impression is that athletics represent  the majority of campus endeavors.)

This relative allocation of space suggests that the thirst quotient of NGU readers is abysmally low  for the deep issues currently being debated in our culture:  the coming midterm elections, economic policies, international events, local North and South Carolina community issues , Christian Church and life issues– not to mention analysis of our own campus community.

Is it really true that NGU readers care more about Fantasy Football and the latest CD or film release than about how well we as a community are exemplifying the motto “Christ Makes the Difference?”  Do we take time to assess the time we spend on Facebook, Fantasy sports, RPGs and other electronic entertainments, to evaluate their worth (or  detriment) to our productivity?

I recognize the hard work that student journalists put in researching, writing, editing, and producing issues of the newspaper.  But I also believe the NGU readership is being seriously shortchanged.  Instead of basing the majority of newspaper content on what may be perceived as “popular” subjects, surely journalists’ primary task is still to inform readers of news, to express well-reasoned editorial opinions on more than just films and performing artists, and to provide a forum for the voices of conscience speaking out on issues of public policy, Christian practice, and social culture.
Please, give readers a more well-balanced diet of news; spark more introspective thinking by presenting challenging series, and cover campus news with a more objective, journalistic tone rather than cheerleader mentality.  If students here are not willing to read the highest caliber of news, North Greenville is not the place I think it is – the place where God is calling out and preparing people who will be willing to become Difference Makers.

I read The Skyliner  because I believe student publications are an important part of the culture of any school.  Let’s incite biblical thirst on this campus;  point out the areas where we are thirsting after the wrong things; focus our attention on desiring what God offers as the highest purpose for our thirst. Reporters and editors of The Skyliner :  bring us news coverage that helps make us thirsty  enough to seek God, His wisdom, and His righteousness in all areas of our lives.

Conservatism is back on the rise.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that twice as many Americans call themselves conservative compared to those who call themselves liberal. If this level is maintained for the year, it will be a record high.

But the movement can be found in more than just the numbers. South Carolina conservative leaders rallied for a one-night conference called “A Greater Freedom” at First Baptist North Spartanburg Church on Friday, Oct. 1.

At the conference, a new Web site called Conservative.SC was introduced. It helps the conservatives of South Carolina to connect. One of its creators, Josh Kimbrell, described its purpose as “taking back South Carolina and America for the glory of Jesus Christ.”

“Christian principles define America,” Kimbrell said.

Christian conservatives are speaking out, and their voices were loud and clear at the Greater Freedom conference.

“It isn’t just about economics and better government. It’s about making South Carolina a better place,” said Tony Beam, vice president of student services and the director of the Worldview Center at North Greenville University.

At the conference, Beam remarked on the faltering economy, describing it as an issue that cannot be resolved only with strategy.

“We’ll have to climb out by being not just fiscally responsible, but also morally responsible,” Beam said.

Each speaker at the conference called for a similar change.

“It’s time for us to become a society based on personal responsibility,” said Lisa Van Riper, NGU professor and political activist. “The foundations of our country are at risk.” Two of the foundations Van Riper listed were marriage and the sanctity of life, values that are currently up for debate in America.

Back from Washington, D.C., U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) also spoke at the conference, remarking on his relief to be back among fellow conservatives.

“You don’t know how glad I am to be with you and out of Washington,” he declared.
It is DeMint who currently seems to personify most Christian conservative hopes and values. His Web site, www.jimdemint.com, details his plans for taking back America.

“God has made us stewards of this country,” DeMint said. “We don’t want the government to purge our values from society. We’ve got to be more vigilant about who we elect. I think you’re going to see an earthquake on Nov. 2.”

DeMint described himself as optimistic.

“I’m hopeful that your prayers, your votes, your voice will bring a new era in America,” he said.

Photo by Kari Weaver

“I’ll give respect to those who give me respect” is an old quote used by many people. The newest generations often lack respect because of the motto “you have to earn my respect.” Since when did respect have to be something you receive first?

Respect is defined as a feeling or attitude of admiration and deference toward somebody or something.

For example, police officers or firefighters should be respected for the line of duty they serve in. Instead, we get mad every time we get pulled over for disobeying common laws.

We should respect our president, but instead we overlook his authority because he has a different skin color or because he is a democrat. We try to respect our parents, but sometimes we think, “Who are they to be telling me what to do?”

If we are not respecting those above us, who are we respecting? It is easy to respect the people who make the most money, like real estate tycoon Donald Trump or University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, who was at one time the highest paid college coach in the United States.

Some students would rather respect Lady GaGa for her wild apparel instead of their college professor who has a doctorate in Christian studies. There are even some people who respect Oprah more than their own parents because she gives away cars and other awesome prizes, unlike the parents who make you work for a car.

If we are constantly saying “I will respect those who respect me,” why do we respect people who we will probably never meet?

Unfortunately, I only see disrespect getting more popular each day, whether it is on North Greenville’s campus or simply at Waffle House. Personally, I have seen many women longing to be respected by men but doing disreputable things. The women that seek for ways to get attention tend to get overlooked or disrespected.

As for men, some may work out extra hard in the gym to earn respect from their friends or work long hours to be respected by their bosses, but do they ever gain true respect, or do they just look better and make more money?

Proverbs 11:16 says, “A kindhearted woman will be respected, but ruthless men only gain wealth.” The Bible has a lot to say about respect, especially when it comes to our authorities and elders, but I especially like this verse in Proverbs. It speaks directly about our attitude toward respect. The next verse says, “A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.”

I apply this verse not only to myself, but also to the people who say they only give respect to those who respect them. This proverb says if you act respectable, you will be respected. With a kind heart and actions that have moral standards, people will immediately give you respect because kindness and respectability go hand-in-hand.

1Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” God tells us that our life should not be focused on impressing others to earn respect, but when we are focused on living a right, just life, respect will be given.

But we often get the whole understanding of respect backwards. Ralph Waldo Emerson understood that having a kind heart was what earned respect and said, “Men are respectable only as they respect.”

Instead of saying, “When you give me respect, I will give you respect,” it is when you go that extra step to show kindness and respect others that you receive it.

Thirty-three days. It’s all the time we have.

That is, until midterm elections come around on Nov. 2. Thirty-seven Senate members, 37 gubernatorial and all 435 House seats are up for election.

I want to remind all of you not only to vote in the Nov. 2 elections, but also to vote for those who uphold our Christian conservative values.

Government is not something that Christians should ignore. Romans 13 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” If we need to obey government, then we should also be involved with deciding who is governing us. As Christians and as Americans, we need to be involved. I know that, as college students, our lives get busy and hectic, but this cannot wait.

When I attended the Values Voter Summit Sept. 17-19, I asked David Limbaugh, author of Crimes Against Liberty, if he had anything special to say to young Americans.

“Just get engaged,” he said. “Be involved and be proud of our country. Don’t listen to those who are always apologizing for it.”

Our country needs to get back to its Christian heritage, and we can be the ones who make it happen. It’s not just about our generation; it’s not just about our time. We need to think about the legacy we’re leaving. Will it be one of big government, higher taxes and welfare?

Or will it go back to the very foundation of this great country?

Jefferson said it best in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure those rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Note the use of the term “Creator.” Don’t let anyone tell you our founding fathers were not Christian.

Jefferson also reminds us in the Declaration, “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of those ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

You have the power to alter or abolish. Keep in mind those candidates that will most likely have effects on our safety and happiness. Remember to vote Nov. 2.

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 2. Live out of state and can’t go home? You can still vote. If you need to vote by absentee ballot, go online, find your state’s Web site and download an absentee ballot form.

September 11, 2001 will be forever engrained into Americans’ memories. On that day, terrorists attacked the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Damage from the collision sent debris for blocks around the site.

One of the buildings affected by the collision was a Burlington Coat Factory two blocks away. The store never opened for business again. The next people to occupy the space would be the overflow for a mosque. Currently, it is used for prayer space for the Muslim faith.

Developer Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf feels that it was an act of God that they received the building after it had been damaged on that day. The proposed opening of the mosque is September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

Talks of converting the building into a Muslim mosque  sent the residents and Americans across the nation into an uproar. Angered and offended, many began to protest the projected building plans. From around the nation, political leaders all the way up to the president have spoken their opinion on the matter. Talks of relocating the mosque to another area have been unsuccessful.

According to the Quran (018:021), if Muslims have had victory over a certain place, by the grace of Allah, they are to construct a mosque as a symbol of victory. For many New Yorkers and Americans, the mosque is seen as very disrespectful to the lives lost on the day of the attacks. Even though Muslim lives were lost other than the terrorists, the mosque is not seen as a peaceful demonstration of the freedom of private property.

Even though the proximity of the mosque to ground zero is the center of debate and protest, there is another area that goes unnoticed. Within the Pentagon there is an interfaith chapel where Muslims gather for daily prayer services Monday through Thursday. There is also a weekly worship service on Friday that is met with no complaints.

Emotions have been the driving factor behind the debate and disdain for the proposed development plans. Emotions aside, there are no legal grounds for stopping the building of the mosque. We have all been given the freedom of religion and the freedom of private property. To stop the construction would be seen as an offense to the Muslim religion.

Even though you don’t have to like what a religion stands for, we as Americans have to respect the rights of others. Once we oppress a religion outside of Christianity, it won’t be long before the same tactics will be used against Christians. Once we open the door for the majority to oppress the minority, it won’t be long before our own faith will be under attack. Even though building the mosque is not a respectful thing to do, we as Americans have to respect the rights of everyone.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). These words have guided me through my life and have helped me understand that, no matter what, God has a plan for me.

When I came to North Greenville University, I did not know what to expect. I came in with the mindset that I was called to ministry, but upon arrival I felt that calling change. At freshman orientation, I met and befriended Michael Gibbons, junior broadcast media, a good man from Scotland. He wished to join the newspaper staff as a photographer and talked to me a lot about photography. Knowing I liked photography, he asked if I would like to join him in signing up for the class. I excitedly agreed and entered into the meetings not knowing what to expect. What began there helped to create my future and also secured strong relationships with other students on staff as well as print media professor Lara Eller. It was then I decided to change my major to print media.

I had never worked for a newspaper before in my life and had never even worked with a camera that was better than a click-and-shoot. When I was given my first photo assignment, I was nervous and did not know what to expect. I did my best and slowly became better at taking any kind of shot.

Since I had a little experience with Adobe Photoshop, I also was given the chance to edit my photos and design an advertisement for the paper. This helped push me to the next level and put me in a visual arts editor position. In that position I took photos, edited them and designed ads and graphics for each issue. It was fun because every layout was a new experience. There I learned everything I needed to become better.

When April Wynn took over as editor in chief, I realized I finally felt I was doing what I was supposed to do and what I was called to do. It was then I became photo editor.

After April left and the majority of the rest of the staff graduated, I decided to run for editor in chief. Through her help and Lara’s help, I got the position and decided to bring a few changes to the paper. With the help of the new adviser of the paper, Karyn Campbell, we changed the design and fixed a few things to help the newspaper flow well. And this semester, we changed the logo yet again through the help of Brent Alexander.

It is my opinion that the staff members this year have helped to improve the paper greatly. I will miss the company of all my friends on staff, but I, like the editors before me, must move on and leave the paper in the good hands of others. I hope they will realize how great an opportunity it is to be editor and that they can make an even greater impact and change for the paper.

It has been fun, NGU, but I must say adieu. Working on the paper has had its ups and downs, but I have enjoyed it from the start. I wish to thank everyone who has helped me and wish to always thank the staff for being the best I could ever ask for. I hope that those who continue the paper will enjoy it as much as I have. Thank you all. In the end, I must say it’s been awesome and, in the words of Truman from the motion picture The Truman Show, “In case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight.”

The stresses of life seem overwhelming at times, especially to young college students reaching the end of the spring semester. When the burdens of balancing studying, working and socializing become too much, it is amazing to think about how awesome God is.

In Numbers 11, the Israelite people complain about the hardships of life because they are hungry and have no food. Moses becomes aggravated with the people and says in verse 14, “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.” Yet God provides manna from heaven and quail to eat.

Students frequently become stressed towards the end of the semester and get aggravated at professors for making every paper due at the same time or having three tests in one day.

I believe the best remedy for students who know that stressful days are ahead is to open God’s Word and see that He is willing to take the entire burden off our shoulders if we just ask Him.

Every morning I try to remember to ask God to help me throughout the day, whether it is asking for help to focus in class or pass the test I have.

I find it comforting to know that, no matter how hard my day is going to be, God is going to be right there with me.

A few weeks ago, my church’s praise band sang the song “At the Foot of the Cross” by Kathryn Scott. It encouraged me to remember that no matter what is going on in my life, Jesus can take it all. The chorus says, “I trade these ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown/Coming to kiss the feet of mercy/I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross.”

For seniors, it can be an exciting yet burdening time with only two full weeks of their college academics left; however, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Seniors might be frightened to make the next step in beginning a career, but God knows exactly what to do, and we just have to trust Him.

I have always wanted a plan for my life. Last spring, I broke down with the heavy burden of not knowing what I should do with my life. I was not sure that a print media major was for me or not, but God had a plan. I continually sought His will all summer. I believe that God showed me that being in mass communication was His will for me by my being hired at The Greenville News.

When times are tough, people want to automatically give up; however, when there is that voice saying “life is too hard, just quit,” God is right there saying “just keep going.” When God is asked to help with the burdens of going to classes, studying and working, He is always faithful and never leaves.

So when students, faculty or staff are having a stressful day, God’s Word is the perfect place to leave everything that has gone wrong and be comforted by His loving words.

When I wake up every morning, I look into the mirror and see imperfection. I have a dozen new freckles, and I can already tell I am going to have a bad hair day.

But along with my physical imperfections, I see my spiritual imperfections. I am a selfish, lazy, pathetic excuse for a human being. I have my own fair share of regrets and I am still so young. So why would a perfect, holy and just God sacrifice His own son for me? It is a question I have struggled to understand.

Even though my earthly mind cannot truly understand this great phenomenon, I am forever grateful to be living in his amazing love every day. John Mark McMillan’s song “How He Loves” captures the power and essence of our Father’s love for us with its lyrics: “He is jealous for me/Loves like a hurricane/I am a tree/Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.”

The Creator of the universe is jealous for you. Just stop for a minute and take that in. The God who created everything we see here on this earth is jealous for you. He sees your imperfections, and He still longs for you to be His child.  “When all of a sudden/I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory/And I realize just how beautiful You are/And how great Your affections are for me,” McMillan writes.

It is only when you are able to confront your imperfections in the mirror that you can see His beautiful reflection replacing your own. His wounds that were inflicted on the cross are what cover your own self-inflicted scars.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

“So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss/And my heart turns violently inside of my chest/I don’t have time to maintain these regrets/When I think about the way/Oh how he loves us so.”

The love he feels for you is so powerful that when you experience it, you are driven to your knees in worship of him. Your imperfections fade from mind and they no longer consume your thoughts.

Even David, a man who experienced much heartache and failure, understood the extent of God’s love. “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (Psalms 66:20).

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (Psalms 63:3). His love is better than life, which is why it is possible to have the strength to live in an imperfect world. So take time out of your busy schedule to reflect on how much God loves you.

Worship is offering oneself as a living sacrifice to God. Paul says in Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is true worship”.

The connection a believer has with God through a personal relationship with Christ is worship – nothing else can claim that position, not even music. Music, however, has a vital role in the way believers worship God.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts”. The music Paul is speaking of in Colossians flows from the Spirit and out of the heart of the believer. If the heart of a believer is not centered on God, then the music is simply music, not worship.

Music, in itself, is not worship, but worship can be expressed through music. A conflict, however, has grown from the misunderstanding that music is the equivalent of worship. The different styles used to lead worship have become a common disagreement in Christian culture. Sadly, many have become so focused on whether or not the style pleases their ears that they are no longer focused on the unchanging God who has been worshiped throughout all centuries regardless of the style of music.

A believer should not focus on whether the music is from Jesus Culture Band, out of a hymnal or any other style or band but should focus on God. The focus should be on who He is, what He has done, what He will do and the truth spoken through the lyrics.

Deuteronomy 5:7 says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Worship must revolve around the Creator and not the created. If worship revolves around anything other than God, it is an idol. When the focus is no longer on one’s self or another idol, the style of music is no longer an issue because the worshipper becomes aware of God’s worthiness to be praised at all times.

In fact, believers are commanded to praise God. Deuteronomy 6:13 says, “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His Name” and Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

This command should greatly encourage and relieve believers. A believer is not asked to praise God if they feel like it or if the music is good enough – the command states to praise God. A believer who praises God and worships His Name when they do not feel like it is giving Him a sacrifice of praise.

The reason for worship is that God is worthy and not that the music is good enough for individual standards. Revelation 4:11 states, “‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” In essence, worshipping God is living a life given to Him, which includes every area in a person’s life being focused on God’s worthiness (which goes back to Romans 12:1).

Worship is not dependent on music but on the connection a believer has with God through Christ, His worthiness and the command to praise Him. Thus, everyone at all times can constantly worship Him.

God is faithful to keep His promise of salvation. Therefore, a believer is permanently sealed by God through the Spirit as a deposit “guaranteeing [their] inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13, 14).

During a youth group night, I asked God to teach me about worship. That night I took the stage to lead worship and I missed my cue to come in on the first song. Halfway through, I asked to start over.

The moment I stepped off the stage, God revealed to me that everything was okay because worship is not a performance. I began to understand that worship had very little to do with how well I sang but more so with my heart, attitude, life and God.

When I  struggle to praise God, I ask the Lord to help me worship Him in Spirit and Truth. I continue to ask this from Him as my struggles ebb and flow. He is faithful to help me worship Him regardless of circumstances, and I am confident He will help you as well.

In a society full of technological advances like the Internet, iPhone and BlackBerry, one would think that its citizens would be more aware of what is going on in the world.

Instead, Americans seem to know next to nothing about the ins and outs of government legislation, economics and world events. So I am going to try my best to clear up certain issues.

Let’s start with government legislation. According to Rasmussen Reports, 41 percent of those surveyed were in favor of the health care bill passed by the House of Representatives on March 22. Americans were told that the health care bill would cut costs in the long run, but if you do the math, it does not add up.

“The Congressional Budget Office indicates if they were to calculate all 10 years of spending, the true cost would be $2.3 trillion,” said Robert Horst, a professor of economics at North Greenville University.

A bill that was supposed to cost $371 billion over a 10-year period is actually going to cost $2.3 trillion.

“The key problem seems to be that the bill doesn’t seem to reduce costs. The chief actuary at Medicare claims the bill will increase Medicare expenses by some $222 billion over 10 years. This, at a time when Medicare is in dire financial straits,” said Horst.

If Americans really understood the bill, then they would not be so quick to accept it.

Next it’s on to economics, a subject not many people truly understand.

After surviving the worst economic recession since the 1930s, most economists agree the economy is on the up and up, while Americans are split. According to a Jan. 1 poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports, 50 percent of those polled believe we will still be in a recession by the end of 2010, 20 percent say America will be out of the recession and 31 percent are not sure. Unfortunately, there may be a few more bumps in the road. Consumer spending is still below average, and if the economy is going to continue to grow, this needs to change.

Last but not least, let’s take a look at world events.

According to a poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports in February, 27 percent of Americans believe the U.S. should take action against Iran. The U.S. and Israel are pushing for more sanctions against the stubborn Islamic nation, but Iran continues to ignore the warnings to stop their nuclear weapons program.

In a press interview, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated to the West, “Rest assured that your efforts will be fruitless.”

Ahmadinejad continues to advance the nuclear program and will not stop unless he is forced.

I will leave you with one final statistic. According to Rasmussen Reports, only 27 percent of U.S. voters believe that the U.S. will continue to be the most powerful nation in the world. This is one statistic that I happen to agree with.

If Americans continue to take no interest in political, economic and world events, the U.S. will not be the leading nation. It is up to you to be aware, make a difference and have your voice heard.

“Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” This line concludes the Capra-directed classic film It’s a Wonderful Life and is a principle that can be brought to our own lives. We all tend to measure our success by how we touch the lives of our friends and vice versa. But what happens when a friend turns out to be wrong for us? As Christians who should be imitators of Christ, what should we do?

Christians should bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, some pieces being love and patience, but at the same time they should be cautious when choosing and keeping friends. If a friend is no longer acting like one, it may be time to end that friendship. Christians can look in the Bible to know this to be right. There are many verses about the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to friends, as well as examples of how real friends should act.

Proverbs 13:20 warns, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 17:19 says, “He who loves a quarrel loves sin . . .” while, in contrast, Proverbs 17:17 states that “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

A person’s character truly comes out in dealing with friendship. Whether or not people have godly characteristics like loyalty and patience will be seen through the way they treat their friends.

Christians should have the best idea of what a friend is. God has given many directives in His Word to glorify Him through our lives. One example is 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This command covers every part of the Christian’s life, including friendship.

Christians should be longsuffering and forgiving, but they should also realize that real friendship is reciprocal, with both people giving and receiving. Keeping unhealthy relationships with disloyal friends will not help to further their walk with God. Without bearing enmity towards them, it is best to create some distance.

As Ken Freeman said in one of his talks during NGU’s recent Christian Worldview Week, the people closest to you should be Christians, because they will have the most influence over you.

The people we spend the most time with impact who we are and who we become. Surround yourself with godly, loyal people if you want to be one. Following this principle may translate to fewer friends, but they will be ones of quality and character.

Remember also to not be discouraged by bad experiences.

Romans 5:3-4 encourages us: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God works out His purpose in every aspect of our lives, including friendships, and He will provide. Reflect also on the warning in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Look closely at your friendships and consider how you are being sharpened.

Bunnies, baskets and candy-shaped eggs—since when did Easter become another holiday about sweets and treats?

The meaning of a hard-boiled egg decorated in spring colors goes far back in history. At the Passover, hard-boiled eggs dipped in salt water symbolized the Passover sacrifice. The ancient Persians painted eggs for Nowrooz, which is the New Year celebration falling on the spring equinox.

To Christians, however, they were a symbol of new life, like a chick hatching from an egg. The meanings of eggs changed throughout history, mostly for the worst. For example, in medieval times, eggs were forbidden during Lent. It was during the time of Easter that eggs were allowed again and children, and servants were given egg prizes as Easter gifts.

In today’s society, the celebrations of Easter have become secularized with the “Easter bunny” and hunting for eggs filled with candy. The Easter bunny came from the goddess Eastre, who was worshipped by Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, a rabbit.

Because most parents do not know the Judeo-Christian history of Easter eggs, Easter has become another pagan holiday. Christians try hard to keep Jesus the center of Easter, but when churches hold spring festivals with egg hunts and a man dressed up in a bunny suit, they are being just like the world.

I thought I was deprived of many things as a child when it came to Easter. I never received a basket with candy and never got to decorate eggs, but looking at the history of so many Easter traditions, I now understand that my parents were teaching me what Easter was all about.

The tradition in my family was to go to the Passion play that was held at our church. For years, my family would go and watch a play portraying the life of Christ and his resurrection three days after his death.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” I am thankful for parents who taught me when I was young the meaning of Easter and how, because Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later, I could be saved.

I believe it is especially important for college students to figure out now how to spend Easter when beginning a family. Will you uphold the secular holiday of Easter, teaching your children to believe in a bunny, or will you teach your child the Christian story of Easter?

The true Easter story is found in Mark 15:1-16:20. I encourage students not to get wrapped up in enticing candy and commercialized events, but to remember that Jesus has conquered the grave.

From tiny thumbnails to wedding photographs, all pictures hinge on the camera. There are many choices in the camera world to confuse the consumer, but with solid information a knowledgeable choice can be made.
A helpful tip to use before purchasing a camera is to decide the budget, the purpose and the necessities required from the camera. Once these details are resolved, focus on the cameras that fit the criteria. Think with the long-term potential in mind. If a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) is where you want to be eventually, it may be better to save and wait instead of purchasing a point-and-shoot.
The first type of digital camera is a point-and-shoot. If you are unsure of what a point-and-shoot camera looks like, look up Nikon commercials with Ashton Kutcher or simply google “point-and-shoot.” These cameras are affordable, portable and a great way to start photographing friends, family and life in general. A point-and-shoot has features  similar to those found on professional cameras. If the purpose of the camera is not geared toward amateur or professional photography, a point-and-shoot will suit well for an affordable price.
Be aware that the technology of camera bodies improves constantly. This benefits the consumer with a low budget because the cheaper cameras (both point-and-shoot and DSLR) used to be top-of-the-line six months to a year ago. Waiting can sometimes greatly benefit you.
To increase control of the functions and have a wider range of options and benefit from lenses, speedlites and other accessories, one must move beyond the point-and-shoot to a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR). The change can be an intimidating but exciting and sometimes overwhelming process.
Deciding on a DSLR must start with the company. Lenses are the reason for this. When a consumer decides to go beyond a point-and-shoot, the body of the camera becomes secondary to lenses. In the DSLR world, lenses are the most important feature. Other features are very close, but the lenses will consume the majority of your money. Once you begin to purchase lenses, switching camera bodies becomes an expense to avoid.
The leading competitors for DSLR cameras are Canon and Nikon. Both companies produce excellent products, and the decision process can come down to tiny differences in details.  Megapixels are no longer the focal point of a camera either (though, they are still important). One needs to consider the weight and feel of a camera, the ISO range (this deals with light sensitivity), the flexibility of a camera with accessories and if the camera is easy to use.
Researching by asking questions, handling the cameras, comparing specifications and joining photography groups are some of the best ways to prepare for a purchase. Reading multiple reviews about the product will help give more insight as well.
God gives wisdom generously to those who ask, but when you ask, do not doubt Him (James 1). He will help you be wise with your finances.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. The United States of America is facing a major crisis and I feel that it is my civil duty to inform you of the impending doom.
A new epidemic, known as Acute Text Messaging Syndrome, is sweeping across the nation and affecting people of all ages who have access to a cell phone.
ATMS is both very addicting and contagious. It has several symptoms. Some of the more serious symptoms include sore thumbs, restlessness and decreased ability to spell and put a complete sentence together. Some rare cases have even resulted in amputation of the thumbs.
If you begin to experience any of these symptoms, please seek prompt medical attention.
While, of course, there is no such thing as ATMS and impending doom may be a bit of an exaggeration, the truth is that texting is becoming more of a danger to society.
According to a research study conducted by the National Safety Council in 2009, 28 percent of car accidents are caused by drivers either sending or receiving text messages. Out of 1.4 million car accidents, roughly 200,000 were related to text messaging.
Another study conducted by psychologists at the University of Utah in 2009 showed the reaction times of those who texted while driving were 30 percent worse than those who were not texting.
Before you get behind the wheel of a car, put your phone on vibrate so you will be less likely to hear incoming text messages. If you still find yourself tempted to text, turn off the cell phone completely until you have reached your destination or hand your phone to someone else.
“I will sometimes look at a text while driving, but I won’t text. I get friends to do it for me,” said Stephanie Patton, sophomore linguistics.
Do society a favor and put down the cell phone while you are operating a 3,000 pound chunk of speeding metal.
Unfortunately, poor driving is not the only downfall of texting. According to the Nielson Company, in 2008 adults ages 18-24 sent 790 text messages per month compared to 265 phone calls.
Communication is starting to break down. People are picking up the phone less often to call home. Instead, short messages of “c u l8r” or “I luv you” are being sent to friends and loved ones.
In some cases, texting is all right. If you just need to send a short message or reminder, it is understandable.
“I text because it’s faster than calling the person. When I call someone I feel like I need to at least talk a few minutes to not be rude. And when you are around a busier area I like to text because it gives you privacy. I don’t want the people around me to have to listen to my conversation,” said Patton.
Reading words off a page seems far more impersonal than hearing the words coming from the person. It takes more courage to speak your feelings than to write them.
My challenge for you is to limit your use of text messaging. Instead, call some people you have not called in a while to show how much you care about them.

Praying, tithing and singing are limited ways to worship the God who created us. Some people go to church to get something out of worship instead of giving back. Restricting worship to one certain way is harmful to a relationship with God.

Where in the Bible does it specifically say there is only one way to worship? The answer is nowhere.

To know how to worship, we first need to know what worship is. Worship is a reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.

As Christians, we are commanded to worship God only. Exodus 20:5 says, “You must not bow down or worship them . . .” This verse commands us first not to make any idols and second not to worship them.

How does the Bible command us to worship, though? God commands us to worship Him, but how are we to worship Him?

Christians can worship in any way that pleases and gives God the glory. Some may believe that worshipping is standing while singing or singing only hymns.

I disagree with the statement that worship is any one specific thing we do in church or a church setting.

As Katie Mitchell, freshman Christian studies, said, worship is a lifestyle.

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.”

Last summer, my youth pastor talked about the acts of worship. He set up multiple “worship stations” and told us to walk around the room to the different stations. The stations included drawing, writing, singing, sitting, standing, or bowing. The worship stations showed us different ways we could praise God.

This exercise really opened me up to finding a new way to worship a never-changing God.

In worship, we are to give Him our time, money, voice, attention and anything else that says, “This is for you, God and it is not for me or anyone else.”

For young students focusing on how others will observe their worship becomes a problem. People do not want to be rejected for raising their hands or bowing down.

1 Samuel 16: 7 says, “Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

One’s worshipful act should not be judged by others.  A Christian should not discriminate against how another Christian worships; instead, Christians should focus on their own hearts of worship.

Whether someone is doing an interpretative dance, singing, tithing, bowing, sitting or standing, we cannot look at that person and say that is wrong.

As long as one is worshipping with a pure heart and giving honor to God, who are we to say that it is wrong?

“Have you heard the one about the priest, the minister, and the rabbi?” Religion has become a joke in today’s society. Christianity in particular has been under fire by many both inside and outside the faith.

According to the American Religious Identification Survey conducted in 2008, 76 percent of Americans claim they are Christians. But if so many Christians live in the U.S, why did our own president state that America is no longer a Christian nation?

It is because Christians have lost sight of Jesus, the focus of Christianity. Today’s sermons are filled with do’s, don’ts, prosperity and acceptance, but Jesus is rarely mentioned, if He is mentioned at all.

“In some communities, adherence to political ideology is so great, that if a homeless and hungry immigrant happened by, he would be unwelcome, as would Jesus,” said Ron Amundson, a scientist from Minnesota.

While Amundson’s statement sounds harsh, it is true. I do not think that Christians would even notice Jesus if he were to walk into a church and sit in the pew. Christians are so busy planning the next church event that the faces of the lost fade into the background.

“My pastor once said, ‘We’re not as bad as we could be, but we are all as bad off as we possibly could be.’  In other words we are all in desperate need of a Savior,” said Dr. John Strange, science professor at North Greenville University.

I am a Christian and a member of a church in Spartanburg. I have heard people complain about the choice of songs, the length of the sermon and having to participate in Bible studies.

Being a Christian is not about perfect attendance. It is also not an insurance policy to use in times of trouble. Christianity is a lifestyle. It is a daily choice to give up self and focus on others.

Albert Einstein, the 1921 Nobel Prize winner for physics, said, “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene . . . No one can read the gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.”

Einstein, by his own admission, did not believe in a personal God and did not consider himself a religious person. He believed that Christianity was a myth, but was enthralled by Jesus. Why?

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He befriended those who were outcasts in society and lived a life that was different than those around him. If Christians are going to proclaim Jesus as Messiah, then it is necessary to make an effort to reach out to the community and really come to understand Jesus and his mission, which is to love everyone and to preach the gospel to all nations.

1 John 3:18-19 says, “Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions. Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God’s side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord.”

If Christians were to put more of an emphasis on loving their neighbors, I believe that more people would be more involved in churches and those outside the faith would have a more positive view of Christianity.

NGU has several ways to get involved in the community and share your faith with others. L.I.G.H.T. teams reach out to those with special needs or people who are living on the streets of downtown Greenville. NGU students also participate in several mission trips throughout the year and travel all over the world.

Go spend time with the homeless, the hurting and the broken. Go spread the love of Jesus.

When young women do not consider sports to be important, it is a discredit to the history of women involved in enhancing the fields of sports.

Personally, I have always been amazed by accomplishments of women in sports. One of my dreams as a little girl was to become editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated. As I took an interest in ESPN and other sports affiliates, I began to wonder how women became more involved with sports media.

In 1987, Nancy Cooney, Susan Fornoff, Michele Himmelberg and Krisitin Huckshorn from California, established the Association for Women in Sports Media, which improved opportunities for women who wanted a career in sports writing, broadcasting and media relations.

In recent years, more women have stepped into the spotlight of sports reporting across the nation. Here at North Greenville University, there are many ways for young women to step into the sports media. For example, Katelyn Harris, sophomore sports management, is one of three female sportscasters for Crusaders Weekly Sports Review.

She said she got involved with the show when Micah Sepko, Assistant Athletic Director for Operations and Sports Information, persuaded her to give it a try. He encouraged her to see if it was something she would become good at.

Harris wanted to be part of the foundation of something that could become bigger and better over the years as NGU grows. She also commented on the importance of women’s involvement with sports, believing that it teaches hard work and gives women more respect.

“When someone thinks of a sports broadcaster or journalist they think male. The competitive position that women play in sports is beginning to carry over into the workplace . . . thanks to ladies like the ones on ESPN,” said Harris.

Leah Ward, sophomore sport management, is also involved with the Crusader sports weekly review and said, “We [women] get people’s attention and if guys actually listen, we know what we’re talking about. There are a lot of very athletic women that deserve to be honored for their talent.”

The role of sports reporter has definitely shifted from a male-dominated field to a more equal amount of men and women. The AWSM acknowledges women who serve as role models in sports media with an annual award, the Mary Garber Pioneer Award.

Mary Garber said, after winning the Red Smith Award in 2005, “I hope I have helped. I hope some little girl out there knows now that she can be a sportswriter if she wants to be.”

The Mary Garber Pioneer Award was first given to Lisley Visser in 1999. She is the first female NFL analyst on television, and also the only sportscaster in history who has worked Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the World Figure Championship and the U.S. Open. Visser was voted No.1 Female Sportscaster of All-Time and was the first and only woman enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Her awards and honors are extensive and much deserved.

Sean McManus, President of CBS News and Sports, said, “Lesley Visser’s career has broken many barriers and defined previously unimagined roles for woman in professional sports and sports broadcasting.”

As a young female writer trying to establish a career in journalism, Visser is a role model not only for me, but also for any woman seeking a career in sports media.

Many forms of suffering cause people to question God. They should know that it is okay to ask God questions. He commands His creation to seek Him in His word. Isaiah 45:19 says, “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right”. When difficult and painful questions arise, seek God. Do not try to deal with the suffering and confusion by walking away from Him.

When questioning God about suffering, be respectful by remembering that He is God. Decide to learn to know who He really is. Knowing who God is will help those who turn to Him cope with life’s suffering because they can count on the One who will never change. God is love and everything He does is backed by His love. Psalm 145:8-9 says, “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made”.

Even in God’s anger and through people’s suffering, He still loves. In Isaiah 1:25 God says, “‘I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your judges as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Although God’s hand was turned against His people, His anger was produced by His love and desire to see them purified and whole. Their suffering brought about their purification and was necessary for who they were to become.

Suffering is difficult to understand from a human perspective. Isaiah 55:6,8,9 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near…‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD’”. Believers, however, have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 1-2). Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians correcting their thinking. He said in 1 Corinthians 1:25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength”.

What is the foolishness and weakness of God?  Jesus Christ, “the Savior of all people” (1 Timothy 4:10). People who do not accept the gospel view it as foolishness, yet Christ is wiser and stronger than human wisdom and strength. The ways of God are not going to be like the ways of the world; therefore people need the mind of Christ to have His perspective on suffering. We suffer, but we suffer not alone. Christ is our forerunner and He suffered greatly for our cause.

Humans will always be tempted to doubt who God is, especially during difficulties, so cling to His characteristics that will not change and keep in mind that He is always in control. Also remember that “because [Christ] Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb. 2:18).

During life, people experience a vast array of difficulties and hardships, which over time put strain on the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the individual. Death, difficult decisions, heartache and broken relationships are all encountered during the walk of life, but so is God’s faithfulness. The difficulties that are faced in life can blind people to the reality that God is faithful regardless of human circumstances.

Emotional well-being can affect an individual’s view of God’s faithfulness. If people have been damaged or have struggled emotionally, they may allow those emotions to dictate how faithful they feel God is.

Mental or physical illnesses can wear down a body too. Sickness attacks the body and individuals will physically not feel well. They may feel that God’s faithfulness is lacking and that He has abandoned them, or is not helping them through their struggle. An individual’s feelings, however, cannot change an unchangeable God and his character. This truth can alleviate the pain of believing that God is unfaithful based on the feelings or emotions experienced.

God is faithful, and his faithfulness is based upon truth and personal experiences. Regardless of the circumstances in life, Psalm 34:17-20 says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers them from them all; he protects all their bones, not one of them will be broken.”

Thankfully, God is faithful even when feelings or emotions experienced tempt the individual to believe otherwise.

There is a battle in the mind of each person caused by the conflict between flesh and spirit. A believer’s spirit is made alive by the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s beautiful Son and Word. Through Christ, believers have the ability to live in the freedom he offers. Believers are still human. They encounter struggles of many kinds, but not without the faithful grace of God. As new struggles are faced and old ones are challenged, remember that regardless of the feelings, tiredness, frustrations, hurts and anger experienced, God’s faithfulness to His Word and His promises to His creation are unchanging.

Paul had to remind the Thessalonians by saying, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5.23-24).

Do not be discouraged when feelings tell lies about God’s character or tiredness overwhelms the body.  God is faithful to His plan for each individual and Christ continues to intercede for each person to accomplish the purpose for their lives. As each new experience comes, look to God and “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).  He will be faithful.

First down, fourth down and touchdown are three football terms that any girl should know and understand if she is going to try to watch the sport. While I was growing up, my father did not teach me much about football, but there was someone who did. Around the age of 12, I started going to some high school football games. I sat by a man, who is like a father to me, and he taught me the basics of football. Today I absolutely love to watch football and have an average knowledge of the sport.

Too many girls today cannot tell the difference between a fourth down and a fourth quarter. I think it is something of a tragedy for girls to be so uninformed about the amazing sport of football.

One possible reason for girls’ general disinterest in watching football is experience with their fathers. Fathers can sometimes ruin a sport for their daughters. For example, no little girl wants to be around her father when he is screaming at the television for hours. However, girls do want to have a bond with their father and, when he can explain the game of football to her, that bond can become a lot stronger. If a father would take time out of the game to show interest in his daughter’s understanding of football, that could mean the world to her.

I asked Micah Sepko, Assistant Athletic Director for Operations and Sports Information, whether he would pursue his daughters’ taking an interest in football or any other sport.

“They can like what their little heart desires. With that said, [when] me and my wife watch and like football, guess what happens?” Sepko said. He hinted that they would learn to enjoy the sport from their parents.

“Spending time with your children is the most important.  It does not matter what you are watching, sports or cartoons,” said Sepko.

For some girls, the sport is not interesting at all until they become interested in a guy who loves football. A girl may try to say things like, “Go!” or “Yay for a first down!” but in reality she has no idea what or why she is yelling.  In my opinion, it is just better for a girl to not say anything than to try to pretend she knows what is going on in a football game when she does not.

Here’s a hint for all girls lacking in football knowledge. Most guys love talking about football and will enjoy explaining to you how the game is played, who the players are and what positions they play.

“I really don’t mind if a girl asks me about football,” said Terrence Galloway, freshman sport management. “I enjoy explaining the game to the best of my knowledge. I also think that it is pretty cool for a girl to enjoy football on her own.”

Now, ladies, you might be one of those girls who would rather go out shopping than sit inside watching a football game. However, the Super Bowl XLIV is coming and it is time to get yourself prepared for the game. Some girls may want to just sit back and watch the commercials, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, I know there have to be some girls who are planning to wear their favorite team’s jersey, eat chips and dip and simply enjoy the game of football.

As the holidays approach, so many people are concerned only about themselves. Thanksgiving has become a holiday where you stuff yourself until you are too fat to do anything, and ladies are preparing to rip each others’ eyes out the next day to get Christmas presents.

Selfishness defined is looking after one’s own desires. It seems as if holiday events bring out the worst in people. Family members cut in line to get the first piece of turkey and forget what Thanksgiving is all about because of their own desires.

Thanksgiving began in 1692 as the Plymouth colonists and Indians gathered to give thanks for the bounty of crops. Now it seems Thanksgiving is a commercialized day of gluttony. How can we be thankful and get rid of our selfishness? Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

My opinion concerning Thanksgiving is that it is a special day that we should give to God. He does so much for us throughout the year; therefore, we should give thanks for our health, family and blessings.

If people think it is too hard to give thanks on a national day of thanks, how can they be thankful any other day? We can consume our stomachs full of food, but cannot thank the God that provided all that food. We push and shove through stores to buy the best Christmas present, but cannot remember why we celebrate Christmas. We might say what we are thankful for, but we cannot seem to remember to thank God. God is someone to be thankful for. He created you, the food you eat and the people that prepared it.

As for me, I am giving thanks for the many blessings he has given me. I recently received a job and found out that I can receive another scholarship. And I have people who love me and food to eat. For this Thanksgiving I had many things to be thankful for, but most of all I am thankful for a God who saved me and has blessed me.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” I Thessalonians 5:18 says.

Picture this: an opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ one-on-one with a very large community of people. Not many people would turn that down. Now imagine if it were completely free. Does that sound too good to be true? No way!

The opportunity is right in front of you, right down your own street. It is very possible to do mission work within your own community. We hear that all the time from our classes, church and chapel services. But how applicable can that really be? Is it possible to reach people by smacking them in the face with the truth? Probably not.

The best way to go about this is simply by loving people. The community all around you right now is lost, and not enough people feel the need that is there. Far too many people die everyday without realizing that they are loved and cared about. The United States has plenty of lost people that need to be shown the love that Christ fills His people with and they need to hear how they can be saved.

I had the opportunity to meet a man named Vick while I was filming a movie for one of my classes with a friend of mine. We weren’t meaning to speak to anyone, let alone pray with him. We were in downtown Greenville, not paying attention to the people around us.

A man with a shaved head, tattered clothing and an odd odor approached us with his friend, curious as to what we were doing. We explained to him that we were filming a movie based on a Bible verse, and he asked what the verse was. It was Romans 12:1-2, which says, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

Through that opportunity, we were able to hear his story, speak to him and eventually pray with him. It was nerve-wracking, without a doubt. We did not know this man or what he was capable of. He had nervous twitches and was drinking some kind of alcohol out of a Mello-Yello bottle. Our nerves were calmed as we were talking to him, though. It was easy to speak to this man and we felt as if we really got through to him. These feelings of fear did not set in until we were already halfway to the car and recapping our experience.

We did not go up to this man and smack him in the face with the truth. We didn’t stand on the sidewalk yelling that everyone we could see was a sinner.

It is difficult to reach the people in America these days through those ways because there is a vast likelihood that they already have heard the Gospel, and have made the decision to not follow through with it. The only way to reach these people is to prove that you are trying to be like Christ, not like the Christians that have already turned them off.

The best evangelizing technique is just to love them. It is best to not treat them like charity, but to do nice things for them just as you would do nice things for your family. Listen to their stories and tell them about yourself. Plug into their lives and find out how you can cater to their needs. They will see something different in you if you humble yourself. The most common problem that nonbelievers have with Christians is that they do not act on what they believe. Going out into the lost community will prove that stereotype wrong. It will change both your life and theirs.

Since last semester, Fox News has made it clear that it desires to deliver accurate information to the public, even if it goes against President Barack Obama’s wishes. Fox is one of a few news networks to not worship at Obama’s feet, and Mr. President is not happy.

Critics of the presidency at Fox news have offered some challenging questions in recent months. So many, in fact, that Obama has refused an interview with the news network.

In an interview with CNBC’s John Hardwood in June, Obama states his dissatisfaction.

“First of all, I’ve got one television network entirely devoted to attacking my administration,” Obama said. “And you’d be hard-pressed, if you watched the entire day, to find a positive story about me on that front.”

Obama understands the connection between Fox and the public. He realizes that its voice affects many opinions.

Dr. Reginald Ecarma, associate professor of mass communication, is disappointed with Obama’s seemingly childish behavior towards the news network.

“I think Obama is used to a pandering media. He is personally offended. It is unprofessional, immature… it goes against his open and transparent agenda,” Ecarma said.

Ecarma updates his students with current world issues discussed openly in class and the Obama-Fox debate has been a recent focus point.

The majority of Obama’s frustration with Fox comes from Glenn Beck, the network’s self-acclaimed “rodeo clown.” Only this is no laughing matter. While Beck dances around serious reality, he accomplishes his task in angering the “bull.”

Beck, more intensely than any other Fox reporter, attempts to represent what “fundamentally transform America” means to the Obama administration. This banter is only increasing the network’s ratings.

While half of the nation is siding with President Obama, the other half is thrilled that Fox is upholding its promise to inform the public and holding the Executive Branch accountable.

That is the responsibility of a news network, after all. Fox’s duty is to serve the people about the real issues with the nation’s current distress.

Other news networks remain silent, complacent or cheerleaders of Obama. Fox dares to question his foreign policy, the war in Afghanistan, the healthcare and the stimulus plan.

It would be nice if the president could put more of his concentration and energy into our troubles with Iran and less into what Fox criticizes.

Fox remains truthful to its faithful viewers as it faces threats of slander. Obama enthusiasts publicly denounce Fox’s authority.

The president claims peace – he’s got the Nobel prize to prove it – yet succumbs to frivolous attacks that are here today and gone tomorrow.

This issue lies deep within our nation. Although it surfaces now on behalf of Fox, those who voted for Obama in the beginning are now seeing things in a new light. Division and disgrace flow freely and Americans sit idly as our honor and freedom are being slowly taken from us.

Speculation suggests that Obama’s focus on Fox is to distract from his falling poll numbers and failed policies.

John Tantillo wrote an opinion for Fox on Nov. 4 about Obama’s current role as President. He is a marketing and branding expert and president of the Marketing Department of America.

“Bottom line: a year later, millions of voters are still waiting for candidate Obama to show up and get to work. If he doesn’t do so soon (and the experience of being in office doesn’t help do the trick), my prediction is that even his core supporters will defect,” Tantillo said. “We’ll see a big drop in the poll numbers and we’ll be left with the brand that no one — neither Democrats nor cross-over Republicans — voted for.”

Fox has revealed that Obama studied at a Muslim mosque in Indonesia when he was younger. The network has also revealed other “secrets” that Obama does not necessarily want the public to know.

Should we continue to sit and watch? Or like Fox, should we search for a change that we can believe in?

I guess I won’t be getting my money back. My ring came in the spring of 2008, and I married the love of my life on May 30, 2009. So I guess I’m not exactly an authority when it comes to giving marriage advice, but I figured I’d share some things I’ve learned with those of you who are thinking about tying the knot—sooner or later.

There are many misconceptions about marriage floating around. I even half believed some of them until after we had been married for several weeks.

I used to think that getting married would solve problems. Luckily, I learned this wasn’t true, and my husband and I worked these things out.

I also thought that marrying someone would make me “complete.” But I took hold of the truth that only Jesus can make me whole. It would be unfair for me to depend on my husband for something he cannot provide me with.

Marriage places all problems under a microscope. This is why it’s important to deal with issues before you say “I do” if possible.

It’s also important to get and heed godly advice. Sit down with a marriage counselor or pastor to start taking the right steps toward marriage.

Marriage used to mean warm and fuzzy to me. I thought my married days would be filled with cuddling, talking and holding hands with my spouse. But we’ve found that you have to make time to enjoy each other’s company since our days are busy with work, school and other responsibilities.

Though it is a rewarding journey filled with fun and excitement, marriage isn’t easy. It takes hard work and a lot of time to focus on communicating with each other and serving each other so that your relationship stays alive.

Jimmy Evans, an elder at Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo, Texas and founder of the Marriage Today ministry, says that if a marriage is not growing, it is dying.

“Great marriages don’t happen by chance; they require nurture and training,” the Marriage Today Web site says on its mission page.

My husband and I will never regret an ounce of knowledge and insight we gained through counseling and are currently gaining through a Sunday school class for newlyweds. These tools have helped us as we have begun nurturing and training for an unforgettable life together.

If you’re getting married soon, take the time now to prepare your relationship to last. And enjoy your wedding day. It truly will be one of the best days of your life.

We live in a country where free speech welcomes opinions of all perspectives, especially in the political realm. True to their pioneer spirit, Americans are constantly finding new ways of disseminating their political viewpoints to anyone and everyone who will listen.

In listening to the grand conversation, I have been disturbed to find that a sense of arrogance and pride often dominates the debates, even on North Greenville University’s campus. In listening to talk radio and town hall meetings, I’ve been amazed by the angry, condemnatory comments made by self-identified believers.

Mention the name of President Barack Obama in conversation on this campus and listen to the bitter remarks that follow. I have been amazed by some of the cynical, almost hateful comments made by confessing Christians about their president.

From where do these comments come? They ultimately stem from a lack of faith in God’s sovereignty.

Throughout the Old Testament, God proved that the ways of the rulers of the earth were determined by Him. He gave Joseph favor in the eyes of the Pharaoh, He hardened the heart of the next Pharaoh to allow Israel to escape, He raised up Cyrus to rule the kingdoms of the earth so that the house of the Lord would be rebuilt, He stymied the plans of Sennacherib to destroy Jerusalem, He humbled Nebuchadnezzar.

Proverbs tells us that “the king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.” Psalms tells us that the Lord laughs at the rulers who think they can rebel against Him.

In light of this truth, Christians should have no reason to be cynical or hateful. Instead, we are free to be joyful and at peace knowing that God is in control. Many of the bitter comments I hear are a product of men’s hearts worshipping incorrectly.

People who worship their political ideology or hero draws significance and identity from them. When their hero is in power, they are content; when their hero is in derision, they are worried and fearful. The problem for Christians is that we are to worship Jesus, not an ideology or politician.

Anything that we worship besides Jesus is an idol. Any political persuasion, conservative or liberal, can become an idol when it takes the place of Jesus.

Some people even use Jesus as a way to fuel their idolatry by claiming that He is the source of their particular ideology. They pray to Him so that their cause will be successful, evoke His name to justify their idolatry and misuse His Word to promote their hero.

The Creator of the universe is not tied to a political persuasion and those who believe so go far in underestimating His divinity. When Joshua encountered the angel at the wall of Jericho, he asked, “Are you for us or against us?”

The angel replied, “Neither, but as the Lord of hosts I come.” God is great and glorious and should not be used as a pawn to advance a political ideology.

The result of idolatry is that Christians demonize the opposing side instead of engaging in honest, respectful dialogue. They spend time promoting the downfall of the opposing leader rather than humbly seeking God to give the leader wisdom.

These actions do not bring Jesus honor and glory, and when Jesus is not being worshipped, only one attitude is acceptable—broken, humble repentance.

Relationships surround each of us on a daily basis, from our relationship with God to the friendships we have and the relationship we may have with a significant other.

In recent chapel services, the speakers have brought up issues relating to the different relationships we engage in. Those messages that stuck out the most to me were the ones that I could relate to my relationship with my boyfriend.

Each sermon that was about boyfriend/girlfriend relationships stressed the importance of putting God at the forefront of the relationship. In the nine months that I have been dating my boyfriend, I have found that this is the single most important aspect that makes a dating relationship work.

Before my boyfriend and I started dating, we were friends for about four months. Throughout those months, I really wanted to date him, but he kept telling me over and over that he wanted to make sure he had a strong relationship with God before he got into a relationship with me. I respected it, but couldn’t really apply it to myself.

What I didn’t know, though, was that I, too, needed to work on my relationship with God first as well. Before Christians get into a dating relationship, they should first evaluate their relationship with God. If God is not at the center of one’s life, then the person they are getting into the relationship with will quickly become the main focus, rather than God.

When we finally did begin dating, we both made sure our priorities were straight. This included setting clear boundaries and also making sure we were dating for the right reason.

I went into it not wanting to date for the heck of it, but instead because I was interested in finding a future husband. I have seen many friends, both guys and girls; play the “dating game” and each time it only leads to pain and heartache.

A wise friend of mine, Michael Harmon, a sophomore at Erskine College, once told me, “…God calls us to purity, and with each person you date, you lose a certain amount of that purity. It doesn’t matter how much, but you lose some.”

Along with this aspect of purity obviously comes physical purity. Besides keeping God at the center of your relationship, this is probably the most difficult part of a Christian dating relationship. Along with setting boundaries, couples should keep from putting themselves in possibly compromising situations. Each person should make sure their relationship with God stays in the right place and that God remains at the center of the relationship.

At the beginning of our relationship, my boyfriend and I didn’t really seek God together, but now we have made prayer and reading the Bible an integral part of our relationship.

Even when my boyfriend brings me flowers or we spend the entire day together, I never feel closer to him than when we are seeking God together. When couples do this, they are literally honoring God with their relationship. A dating relationship shouldn’t be about emotions or being in love, but rather it should be focused completely on God.

Obviously, all I have stated is easier said than done and is gradual. My boyfriend and I definitely have our problems, struggles, and temptations, but since we have God as our foundation, we believe that we have the right basis for a relationship.

As long as we keep seeking God and keep dating for the right reasons, I believe our relationship will continue to prosper and grow. Relationships aren’t easy and will never be perfect, but they can prosper when couples are dating for the right reasons while seeking and honoring God.

During the last election, President Obama recited well-rehearsed speeches to the Jewish community and pro-Israel Americans to ensure their votes and support. Lately though, it seems that the President is looking for a reason to terminate the United States’ relationship with Israel.

“Part of being a good friend is being honest. And I think there have been times where we are not as honest as we should be about the fact that the current direction is profoundly negative—not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests,” Obama said in June to NPR.

Obama’s new course of action regarding Israel is to encourage Palestine and Israel to meet on common ground and co-exist in peace.

“I think that we do have to retain a constant belief in the possibilities of negotiations that will lead to peace,” the President said. “And that’s going to require, from my view, a two-state solution that is going to require that each side – the Israelis and Palestinians—meet their obligations.”

Anna Rhodes, sophomore English, has a huge passion for sharing Christ in the Middle East. She understands the importance of supporting God’s people.

“My passion is for God and for His laws; I want to obey Him to show my love to Him. Part of this obedience includes loving His people. Though His people have grown to include gentiles who are a part of the church, His original children are the Israelis. Therefore, if I choose to turn my back on them, I will be turning my back on the One who loves them. As I fight for Him, I must fight for them,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes’ support of Israel should be an example to Christians all over the nation.

“As Christians, we have a responsibility to the Israeli people; it is because of them that we can be free in Christ because Christ came through them. They are very much a part of us. It is through them that we have been blessed. If we turn our backs on them, we turn our backs on our own family. Though they may not know God as we do, they were the first, and they have the blessing belonging to the firstborn,” Rhodes said.

Iran is threatening nuclear war and Obama appears to just be encouraging their plans of destruction.
He recently shut down defense mechanisms America established in Poland and the Czech Republic. He also told the U.N. that America would be first to surrender nuclear weapons if the rest of the world would follow suit.

Call me a skeptic, but something tells me that even if Iran promised to destroy its weapons of mass destruction, America would still be Tehran’s number one target.
Why would the nation’s current support of Israel—a policy that America has upheld for decades—be the President’s main focus with so many other pressing issues that need immediate response?

Obama has been well aware of Iran’s growing nuclear resources since last February. Iran remains to be America’s biggest threat today, yet Obama continues to waste time.

“I do know that if [Obama] chooses to leave Israel to defend herself, deliverance will come from somewhere else, and it will cost American lives. You cannot be a power in this world we live in and still expect to remain neutral,” Rhodes said. “More and more we will be forced to choose sides or we will pay a very dear price for our ignorance. If Obama wants to protect American lives, he had better choose to protect Israel as well.
”
Obama informed Israel that if the Israeli army were to destroy the nuclear weapons of its surrounding enemies, America would terminate the current relationship. Basically, Israel either loses lives or loses its most trusted ally.

Has this been Obama’s plan since his entry into office? The Bible is very clear—support Israel, or else. If Obama abandons Israel, the surrounding nations will not rest until every last Israeli is destroyed and the land becomes the 23rd Arab state.

And without an Israel to destroy, Iran’s main focus will become America. Acts of terrorism within our own country will become more devastating and more often than Obama could have ever imagined.

We should not underestimate al-Qaida or Iran, nor should we rest in Obama’s original promise to support Israel.

Every day through television, the Internet, and the radio, Americans are bombarded with thousands of images about why their bodies are not good enough. From watching tiny girls on reality television shows winning the competitions to the latest fad diet, it seems impossible to see oneself as beautiful.

These negative issues can cause someone to not look at their body as what it is as a whole, but each independent issue—focusing on one flaw until it is believed to be so distracting from the rest of the body that the whole image is ruined.

This mentality can cause a severe drop in self-esteem, depression and unhealthy dieting habits that can actually dig people deeper into their body image issues.

Women are shown that beauty is only found when they are blemish free, have 2 percent body fat and have perfect, long silky hair. When looking in the mirror, it is difficult to find the perfection that is being forced upon them.

This is not limited to only females. Males can also be influenced by negative self-esteem. Males in the media are portrayed to be ripped, hairless and glistening (not sweating) when they play basketball. Anything other than this is portrayed as unattractive and gross.

It does not have to be this way. It will be extremely difficult to change how the media portrays perfection. Companies make a large amount of money out of the self-loathing that they cause by funding these commercials that force the ideals. However, it will be simpler to change the way we view these images.

When I was younger, I had difficulty with realizing that this is not what real people look like.

I read an article explaining what our bodies really do for us, and it changed my perspective.

Maybe you do not like the way your legs look. With a campus made of hills like North Greenville, those legs do a lot of work. They hold your body upright, they carry you where you want to go. How is it fair for us to criticize them for a minor imperfection when they work so hard for our basic needs?

Maybe you don’t appreciate how your hair looks (or how much you have). Human hair does many things to assist the body. Your eyebrows keep too much light from entering your eyes and protect them from being irritated by too much sweat or water.

Other hair protects the body in other ways, to keep the good stuff inside your body and keep the bad stuff out. The hair on your head serves to protect your brain from damage and infection. If the scalp gets a nasty gash, the hair can help keep foreign matter out of the wound.

If we can appreciate our body for what it does for us, and what God created it to do, it will be much easier to appreciate ourselves and our beauty, for we are God’s creation and we are made in His image. What gives us the right to decide what is beautiful?

He clearly states that every last one of us is beautiful–no matter our size, our color, how much money we can afford to spend on the latest clothes, or what lumps and bumps are where. We are all wonderfully and fearfully made. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “God makes everything beautiful.” Who are we to say anything contrary?

It’s a reminder to “go green.” Turn off the lights, save water, buy a hybrid, recycle. These are things the American people have been encouraged to integrate into their daily lives in light of a phenomena known as climate change, which “refers to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period,” the Environmental Protection Agency says on its Web site.

The EPA has blamed climate change on human activities that have progressively increased the release of greenhouse gases, which will allegedly have negative, irreversible effects on residents of earth. So what does this mean for Christians? Do we go on a rampage claiming that the EPA and other scientific agencies are completely wrong?

Or should we completely embrace environmentalism, tearing down our homes to donate the lumber to a paper company in order to save trees? Or should we spend exorbitant amounts of money installing solar panels to reduce energy emissions?

There are a million ways people have forsaken the problem, and yet another million ways people have taken “go green” to the extreme. But I believe that the Christian’s attitude towards the environment should be one of respect and balance.

God created the earth and everything in it, and “[He] saw that it was good,” Genesis 1 says several times. From the very beginning, we see that God enjoys His handiwork. He takes pride in the things He has created.

When God decided to make man, He decided to “let them have dominion over … all the earth,” Genesis 1:26 says. And Adam’s assignment was to take care of the Garden of Eden. God made it clear that our job is to care for His creation.

But we must remember that “the God who made the world and everything in it … He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything,” Paul said to the Athenians in Acts 22. God is the One who is ultimately in control of His creation—climate and all.

Prayerfully consider what going green—from a Christian standpoint—should look like for you. It is as easy as throwing that water bottle into the recycle bin. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Walk or ride your bike around campus—and carpool when you need to head to town.

Whether you view it as going green, being a good steward or just obeying one of God’s first commands, do your part to care for the blessing of God’s creation.

At North Greenville University, students in high school are allowed to take a maximum of two classes per semester, which can equal up to 12 credit hours per year. Classes are much cheaper than full tuition. A high school junior can take two classes a semester until he graduates, earning twenty-four credit hours for around $1200.

Aside from the academic and financial benefits of dual enrollment, the real college experience is perhaps even more valuable. I personally had the privilege of being able to take two semesters of dual credit classes last year, during my senior year in high school. I think that was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.

At first, I was really skeptical: I wasn’t very familiar with the campus and had only a handful of fellow high school friends here. I also wasn’t sure if I could handle the pressure of college classes, but after the first month, I felt like just another college student. I started going to the BSU commuter lunches, which aided me in meeting other high school students and full time college students as well. That led to hanging out in the student center between classes, which led to going to the home football games. As time passed, I began to feel like a North Greenville student, resulting in my decision to come here full time.

Even though I technically have 12 credit hours under my belt, I’m still the average college freshman. I just have a bit more experience than that average freshman. For instance, I didn’t have to look for all of my classes during orientation, but instead, I showed my new friends where theirs were.

In addition to those advantages; since I’ve already taken 12 credit hours, I’ll be considered a sophomore next semester. In short, dual enrollment had many benefits and put me ahead. So taking college classes at such a young age didn’t hinder my high school experience as some might suppose, but rather enhanced my college experience.

Now there are new dual enrollment students. They’re still getting the feel of being a 16- or 17-year-old college student among many 20-somethings. I met a few of these new students just last week, and they reminded me of myself last year. I tried to welcome them just as I was welcomed, so hopefully they’ll enjoy their time here as much as I have.

Most Christians have heard about the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6. Even if you did not grow up in church, odds are you have heard a chapel message about the armor of God while here at North Greenville. But many Christians today have let one important weapon become rusty with disuse.

Prayer may not always be thought of as part of the spiritual armor, but in reality it is one of the most important tools God has given us.

Last week I had the privilege to attend part of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Reconnect Prayer Conference at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C. One of the guest speakers was Dr. James Walker, pastor of First Baptist Alpharetta in Alpharetta, Ga.

He specifically mentioned that he sees many Christians in churches today putting prayer on the back burner.

There is nothing wrong with being involved and staying busy, but sacrificing time spent talking to God is not what He intended Christians to do.

At the conference, Walker mainly referenced Nehemiah 4:16-18. The men that were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem were equipped with armor and weapons; they were prepared for a fight.

The point Walker made from this passage was that prayer can be an offensive weapon. In fact, it is one of our most valuable weapons against Satan’s attacks.
Walker challenged those at the meeting to take up their spiritual weapons and join the fight. But he also stated that before Christians join the fight against Satan, they need to be prepared to go into battle.

Having a consistent prayer life is the one of best ways we can prepare for a spiritual battle. Walker advised that our prayers should be proactive, not just coming during bad circumstances.

Our prayer lives should follow the same pattern. If we go through our entire day without asking for God’s protection and blessing, how do we expect to receive them?

We leave ourselves vulnerable to Satan if we do not prepare ahead of time by asking for God to “lead us not into temptation,” as Matthew 6:13 says.

God has given us a way to talk to Him on a daily basis about anything and everything. Why would we not want to take advantage of the gift He has given us?

After attending the prayer conference, I was challenged to change some things about my prayer life. I hope you will simply take inventory of your time spent talking to God and see if you could be putting more effort into it.

North Greenville University: “Where Christ makes the difference.” Every student within this campus is familiar with the University’s slogan. It is constantly printed and sported on T-shirts, notebooks and even sweatpants.

My original intention with this article was to lecture the student body about the difference Christ can make on a Christian campus, if only we would allow Him. To be perfectly honest, I felt for some reason that I had the right and spiritual authority to encourage students to form better attitudes.

Earlier this week, I casually mentioned to my roommate that I wished students would stop being so self-focused. As I complained aloud, a girl standing near me became visibly upset. This was when I realized how immature I was being. How could I possibly believe that I am any more like Christ than other students on this campus?

I thought, if only I could demonstrate to people that their attitudes are unlike that of Christ, the whole campus would experience an enormous spiritual revelation. Yet, no matter how many faults we find in others, we must begin with ourselves. A difference is not made in many people at the same time. A difference is made in one person, and Christ allows and encourages that difference to be passed along to others.

I had planned to sit at my computer and type this article in an attempt to reveal to students their selfish and foolish behavior. Yet, as I was complaining aloud a few nights ago, I blatantly ignored the other students around me in my own selfish desire to evaluate the problems that seem to plague campus. I soon realized that I most often find these insufficiencies within myself. My desire to see the campus turn to God comes from a deep desire to see my own life surrender to Christ.

What is the “difference” on this campus? Obviously, the difference is Christ, but what does that really mean? The difference is carrying one another’s burdens and encouraging those around us to pursue Christ with their lives. The difference is being willing to share Christ’s love, hope and salvation.

I am guilty, if not most guilty, of wishing others would live their lives more similar to Christ. My desire to see campus grow closer to God has led me to examine my own heart more carefully.

North Greenville University has the ability to be the difference in a world that desperately needs Christ. We must first begin with ourselves, and then encourage others to follow our lead.

Ever since I turned 18, I have been interested in getting a tattoo. I knew that I wanted it to represent my love for Jesus, so I did some research. This led me to multiple Web sites that provided some seemingly sound explanations as to why Christians should not get tattoos. Why do some Christians believe tattoos are evil and some believe they are harmless?

In my opinion, tattoos are certainly not evil, and could even be used to spread the word of God, if used properly.

I decided that I would like a small Ichthus (Jesus fish) on my foot. This symbol is a method persecuted Christians developed to discover whether people they had just met were Christians or not without the risk of punishment.

I chose to put this symbol on my body because I want to show the people that I come into contact with that I am a believer. It also will serve as an important reminder to me that since I now will be publicly linked to Him, I must act and serve in a way that will bring others closer to Him.

While on a mission trip in Juarez, Mexico two years ago, my group had the opportunity to witness to people in a town square. My youth minister was wearing a short sleeve shirt with a tattoo of a cross proudly showing on his inner arm. This caused a middle-aged Mexican man to approach him, pointing to his tattoo and showing off his own. This opened a door for communication as my minister explained the cross to the man and the life-saving significance. It opened a door for him that he might not have otherwise approached.

These Web sites I spoke about before used some Bible verses to claim God condemns tattoos. After praying over these verses and really considering the Web site’s interpretation, I could not get past my own.  For example, Leviticus 19:28 says “Do not cut your bodies or put tattoo marks upon yourself for the dead, for I am the Lord.” In context, this verse is talking about using tattoos with pagan practices, which of course would in no way glorify the Lord. However, with my tattoo, I am not getting it to glorify the dead. My God is very much alive.

None of this is to say that everyone should go out and get a tattoo. They are most certainly not for everyone, and the message that they project to someone who might not ask for an explanation must be considered with great weight before deciding on a design. As with everything one does, it is important to think of what it might mean to someone who simply passes you in the mall, and it must be done in a manner that will be respectful of those who do not agree with your decisions.