Question and Answer

Today’s psychological question is as follows:

How has social networking changed the way people meet their “need to belong”? How has it benefitted us? How is it harming us?

As a homeschooler, I don't go to public school every day and meet my friends face to face. In fact, a lot of my really good friends live out of state, and at least one of them lives out of country. Chatting and emailing are two of the quickest ways to keep in touch with them. Facebook and Google+ are fun ways to keep updated on what they are up to every day. Ok, I want some confessions from you all: How many of you actually call your friends (and I don't mean a quick call to tell them that you'll meet them next weekend to go shopping) to have nice, long friendly chats with them? Probably some of you do. But how about this one: How many of you still sit down and write personal letters (and I'm talking about with a pen and real paper, mailing it with the USPS) to your friends or relatives? I do still write an occasional "snail mail" letter, and I even fall back on the "old fashioned" phone call every now and then, but I'll admit that all the social networks out there make it a whole lot faster to keep in touch with my distant (and close) friends.

 

But the question remains as to whether these social networks are actually making us more social or less social.... Have you ever been so glued to your computer (iPod, phone, etc.) on some social connection that you haven't noticed what was going on around you in your house (school, library, church?, etc.)? Come on, 'fess up! It's happened to me! Have you ever been so engrossed in communicating with the friends that are not with you that you have neglected to socialize with your family, the friends right around you, or (here's the convicting one) perhaps even God? 

 

I think it would be good for us all to sit back and analyze our priorities. Friends are definitely important! But are they more important that your family--your parents, brothers, and sisters? Would you rather text your friends than talk with your family? Would you rather play an online game with your friends than play with your siblings? Invest in your family, take time to socialize with them, and make them your best friends! And what about your heavenly Father? Can the hours fly by when you're on Facebook (Google+, Twitter, etc.), and yet the minutes drag when you read your Bible? Do you find it easier to text or Skype your friends than pray to your Best Friend? I want to challenge us all (myself included, because I could probably answer "yes" to all these questions at some point or other) to decide who is most important to us. Who comes first? God should! What about second? Our family should. And lastly we shouldn't forget our friends. But let's not spend so much time socializing with them that we become unsociable to those who are most important to us!

 

A New Perspective

Dear reader:

Want to change your whole perspective on life? Then, first, let me ask you what the purpose of your life is.... I hope that all of you will answer that it is to bring glory and honor to God and further the gospel. If this is your answer, then you are absolutely right, for the Bible says "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasis added).

Well, then, let me ask you another question: What are the purposes of eating, sleeping, education, marriage, your vocation, and all the other aspects of life? Here is where we find varied answers. Some will say that the purpose of eating to satisfy the stomach's hunger, and others will answer that the purpose of sleeping is for re-energizing the body. Some will say that the purpose of education is a means for obtaining a more advanced job, and still others will inform you that the purpose of your vocation is to earn a living and support yourself. Still others will state that the purpose of marriage is to unite two lovers and raise a family. And in some respects this is all true.

But what is the bigger picture? If we are to do all to the glory of God, wouldn't that include every aspect of life? What if we were to make the purpose of eating, sleeping, education, marriage, our vocations, and so on to be to give glory to God and further the spreading of the gospel? How would be do this? The answer is actually simple: Instead of eating and sleeping for pleasure only, instead engage in the necessary amount that will restore the body's faculties and give you the strength to carry on God's work. And what about education and vocation? Well, gain an education, not with the focus of getting a money-making job, but with the focus of being better equipped to serve the Lord where He has called you. What about friendships and marriage? Instead of socializing with friends or marrying just for your own pleasure, let your friendships be about encouraging one another spiritually, and your marriage be to closer unite you with someone who has the same calling as you do in order to better serve the Lord together.

It gives a  whole new perspective to life, doesn't it!

"Do all to the glory of God."

 

Note: Give yourself a reality check. Examine your life and see if there are any areas that you have the wrong perspective on. Are your purposes for doing all your activities to honor God and reach out to others? Or are you engaging in activities that are merely for your own pleasure and gratification? If so, perhaps you need to change your perspective about the purpose of those activities, or perhaps you need to disengage from activities altogether.... Think about it.... Pray about it....

Love You, Mommy!

I love how this picture turned out! Lots of love to my wonderful Mom!



The Brain is Like...

...telecommunications!



Imagine with me…. First, there is the telephone itself, not to mention the network of telephone poles and wires spreading across the world. There are the electrical signals that transmit calls to the individual phones in each home that ring when a call comes through. Then there are the operators, who monitor and direct the calls that come and go. Now think about the human brain, and how it’s connected to the rest of the body, just like the all the telecommunications are centered at the operator’s office. Let’s look at this analogy more closely, applying the different parts of the brain to the different areas of telecommunications.

The Brainstem: This is the cord that connects and sends signals from the rest of the body to the brain and back again. We can apply this part of the brain to the telephone wires strung on telephone poles (a.k.a. the spinal cord) that connect the telephones to the main operator’s office.

The Medulla: The control center for heartbeat and breathing. It is similar to the electrical signals traveling down the telephone wires (a.k.a. the brainstem) that control in which home the telephone rings (like the rhythmic heartbeat and breathing).

The Thalamus: This is the area on top of the brainstem that directs sensory messages to the cortex and transmits the replies to the cerebellum and medulla. It is very similar to a telephone operator’s switchboard or call forwarding.

The Reticular Formation: This is a nerve network running through the brainstem and thalamus that plays an important role in awakening arousal. It could be compared to the actual startling ring of the telephone that alerts people to answer the phone.

The Cerebellum: This “little brain” resides at the rear of the brainstem. It processes sensory input and coordinates movement output and balance of the body. It is very much like the actual telephone operator, who handles the calls, does the brain work, and coordinates where each call should be forwarded.

Amygdala: These two seemingly insignificant neural clusters have been found to be very importantly linked to our emotions. They can be compared to two important factors that determine the emotional reaction of the person who answers a telephone call. Those two factors are whether the call brings good news or bad news.

Hypothalamus: This part of the brain monitors the state that the body is in and keeps regulates bodily maintenances, such as hunger and thirst and hormonal drives. It could be compared to our drives to use telecommunications—our need to hear from friends, to generate business, to get emergency assistance, and so on.

Hippocampus: An area of the brain associated with memory. It is our brain’s equivalent of a “save” button. It can be compared to our modern telephones’ ability to save recently used phone numbers, use speed dial, and save messages for us to listen to later.

All in all, one can make several interesting associations between the brain and telecommunications. But we must remember that this analogy does not even come close to illustrating the beautiful, complex, and yet orderly designed structure that God created.

Not only that, our brains can think! I’d like to see a telephone try that….

 



Psychology Class Reflection Essay

Here is my Psychology class's question-of-the-week: Many of us wonder whether or not our dreams have meaning. Read Genesis 40:8, Daniel 2:28, Ecclesiastes 5:7, and Jeremiah 23:25-32. What is the biblical position when it comes to the interpretation of dreams? (250 words)

In the following 833 words, I gave my answer:

While reading through the verses above, one seems to encounter two different Biblical viewpoints regarding dreams and the interpretations thereof. Daniel 2:28 informs us that King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was indeed from God, who was revealing to the king what would erelong come to pass. Furthermore, Genesis 40:8 shows that the interpretations of dreams also belong to God. However, Ecclesiastes 5:7 and Jeremiah 23:25-32 seems to tell us that there is vanity and lies in dreams. How shall we reconcile this seeming contradiction?

Before I answer that question, I would like to point out that the above verses make up only a tiny droplet of water in the vast ocean of Biblical references, Old and New Testament, to dreams and those to whom they are sent. I would like to mention the names of Jacob, Joseph, Solomon, Joseph (father of Jesus), and Peter as a few of the many who received divine dreams or visions. Other references to dreams are as follows:

"For God does speak—now one way, now another—though man may not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings" (Job 33:14-16).

"Then He said, 'Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream'" (Numbers 12:6). How much more clearly could this be stated? Not only that, but it is also quoted directly from the Lord Himself!

Last but not least,

"And it shall come to pass in the last days that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.... Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17). It appears that this gift of dreaming God-given dreams was not just an ancient occurrence, but will also be present in the last days of this earth's history.

Now let's turn back to the verses that seem to say that dreams are false and full of vanity. The best explanation of them comes from Matthew 7:22, 23, which says, "Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" Merely saying that we can cast our demons in the Lord's name, prophesy in His name, or dream dreams sent from Him does not mean anything! If it did, then anyone could claim they had a vision or dream from the Lord.

So what is the criterion for knowing whether a dream has actually come from God? I quote from the book of Deuteronomy, where God is giving His people instructions as to how to adhere to His law: "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst" (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).

So here is the answer: If someone claims to have had a dream from the Lord, don't just brush them off as a mental case, because we know from God's Word that He does speak to His people through dreams. However, you must carefully examine what the interpretation of that dream is. If it is telling you to go against the words and commandments of God, then you can assuredly know it is not of God--even if that dream makes predictions that come true (Ibid. vrs. 2). Whenever someone tries to entice you to turn away from the Lord, you know that God is not speaking through them or their dreams.

"The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully" (Jeremiah 23:28).

Psychology Class Discussion Forum

My first week's Psychology Discussion Forum's question was as follows:

Some Christians believe that as long as you have the Bible, you don’t need psychology. Based on your reading of the first chapter and viewing the video, explain three ways in which you believe psychology could be helpful in dealing with some of the challenges in one’s life.

My answer? Here it is:

Knowing how the mind works is very important. When we understand our brain work and thought processes, we will be better equipped in the three following ways:

1. Our ability to see Satan's subtle working on our minds, and to resist his disguised temptations. Sin starts in the mind. For example, Christ told us in Matthew 6 that by even lusting after a woman in your heart it's as if you have already comitted adultery with her. Also, Satan often plants seeds of doubt and depression in the mind. So, if by the study of Psychology we can gain a better knowledge of how our thoughts affect our behaviors, we will be better equipt to guard against Satan's tempting suggestions and will know how to see symptoms of depression or doubt before they have fully affected us. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2) "Your Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against You." (Psalms 119:11)

2. Our ability to better understand and help those of other faiths or opinions, and to lead them to the truth of the Bible. Many times people are held in bondage to error because of their culture, their upbringing, and sometimes just their own preconceived ideas. If Psychology can give us a better understanding of how these things affect people's thinking, then we will know better how to reach them with the truth of God's Word. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.... For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)

3. Our ability to gain a deeper knowledge of God and His Word. Psychology can help us to think critically, to examine for ourselves whether things our true. We can apply this to our Bible Study. Comparing Scripture with Scripture, and verse with verse, until we know for ourselves that God's Word is true and reliable. Also, we were made in the image of God. He created us with minds, and if we learn about our minds, it should give us a deeper knowledge of the mind of Christ. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

However, I also feel that we should be wary of worldly Psychology. For, as Paul states in Colossians 2:8, "Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ."

1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 9:4, and Luke 11:17 all show that the Lord can read the hearts and minds of men. Wouldn't it stand to reason that the God who made us and fashioned our minds and can see our very thoughts would tell us all that we need to know about them in His Word? Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Human theories and theologies that are not grounded in God's Word will soon pass away and fade from the minds of men, as newer and more exciting "discoveries" override them year after year. But God's Word and the principles found in it, including those pertaining to the workings of the mind, are principles that we can forever trust in, as they will stand tried and true through countless ages. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

Now it's your turn. What do you think?

Banana-Zucchini Bread

You know how you get those cravings every now and then? . . . Well, I was really craving some Banana-Zucchini Bread this past week, but just couldn't find the time to make any. We had plenty of zucchini fresh from the garden (you know the kind that get as big as baseball bats!), but I just had too much to do. Well, I finally found the time to bake a batch of Banana-Zucchini Bread, and it turned out very delicious! We've been having it at every meal and loving it! I've posted a couple mouth-watering pictures of it, along with our fresh peaches that just arrived from Washington! Ah, it's a wonderful time of year with fresh fruit and vegetables right on hand!



Tiger Kitty

Here are a couple photos of our family's newest pet--our very first male kitty!

We have not officially named this pussy yet, since we can't decide on a name that everyone likes. So we mostly call him Tiger. He is very sweet, yet also fun-loving and mischievious. Scamper (our other cat) hated him when he first arrived, but now they get along very well and love to play together. He's a wonderful addition to our famiy, and I'm so glad God blessed us with him--whatever his name is! :-)



Update from Cooper (Kestrel)

I just received an email the other day that warmed my heart. It was from the family that adopted Kestrel, whom they've now named Cooper.

It read:

"Hi Sarah,
I hope you & your family are well! Just wanted to send an updated picture of Cooper! He continues to be such a perfect addition to our family! He lost his two front baby teeth, which was so funny (& cute)! We've given him 1 haircut - which we probably won't do again :-) we certainly are not professionals!! I keep him trimmed around the face, but we'll leave the rest to the groomers!!
Ok, just wanted you to know that he is so loved!"

I just have to say thank you so much for updating me! I really enjoy getting the latest reports! Keep them coming! :-)

Pictures of my "News"

My "News":
New:
-Purple shirt
-Purple braces
-Purple sunglasses (Can you tell I like purple?)
-New perm and hairdo (not purple!)

First, the purple shirt and purple braces (look closely!).

Now the new hairdo. Check out the perm!

And last but not least, my new purple sunglasses!

These sunglasses are not prescriptioned. How do I see with them on then? Well, here's what I like best about them: They are made to fit right over my regular glasses! How cool is that?!