Friday, April 27, 2007

Upon reading Atlas Shrugged

I've been reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand lately and went to poetry club today thinking about Dagney Taggert, one of the main characters in the book. I greatly admire Dagney Taggert and while I don't agree with everything she stands for, I hope one day to at least resemble something of her character. So in Stinky Bagels today I wrote a tribute to Dagney Taggert.

Dagney Taggert

She looks out
with the eyes
of her mind.
She is repulsed
mooching,
mooching,
all are
mooching,
competition,
capitalism,
communism,
will not
one man
take
ownership
for the sake
of ownership?
She cries
with the
the eyes
of her mind.

Capital gain,
for the sole purpose
of gain.
For the sake
of what
is mine.
What is so wrong
with that?
She cries
with the eyes
of her mind.

She looks
with the
eyes of
her mind.
She is
repulsed.
Mooching,
Mooching,
All are
mooching.

She shouts
to a world
of moochers
with the
eyes of
her mind,
I AM NOT ONE OF YOU!

Tragedy Twice (Article written for Corban College about Virginia Tech)

32 dead, the deadliest school shooting in American history. Even more deadly than Columbine. My heart is grieved. This is a tragedy, a huge, devestating tragedy.
I was on Facebook shortly after I heard of the incident and came by a group with the intention of offering thoughts and prayers to the folks of Virginia Tech. Yet once again my heart was grieved because no sooner was the group formed than someone began criticizing someone else over a religious disagreement. Here yet once again is a tragedy. Usually religious disputes come about because someone is feeling attacked. Think about this, the folks at Virginia Tech were attacked, physically attacked in a such a horrific manner that we cannot even imagine. Set aside yourself for just one moment and think about the needs of the people at Virginia Tech. These people are hurting, the need to know they are supported. Squabbling over religion is not helping anyone. These people ought to be ministered too, not criticized.
We have all felt the impact of this merciless killing. Imagine for just one minute what it would have been like if this had happened on our small campus of Corban College. It would be devastating, the security felt on this campus absolutely shattered. Now multiply those imaginings ten fold, this is only a sample of what the folks at Virginia Tech must be feeling. Would it not be better to forget about the fact that you are Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic or Protestant, and do everything in our power to help these people?

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Virginia Tech

My heart is so very grieved for the families, faculty, and students of Virginia Tech. When I stop and think about what if this had happened at my small campus of Corban College? It would be devestating, our sense of security absolutely shattered. I can't begin to imagine the grief these people must feel.
I saw a group on Facebook and was once again grieved. A group called "Praying for VA Tech" had good intentions, but no sooner was it formed than a huge religious discussion formed. For just a moment I would ask you to set aside your religious beliefs. Forget about that for just a moment. These people are hurting. They need to be comforted and perhaps, you reaching out to them in love will do more than anything else to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, I would caution you that if you go attempt to help these people with the intent of evangelism it will only scare them off. So for just one moment set aside all other needs and minister to emotional needs. These people have suffered a huge devestating loss. Imagine what it might have looked like if it happened on your campus