Women in Greece Essay Example

Women in Greece Essay The roles and status of women in ancient Greece are hard to asses since there is very little evidence from that period written or illustrated from a women’s perspective. Most literature and art from ancient Greece comes from men, thus making it hard to evaluate exactly what it was like to live has a women in those times. Sarah Pomeroy states in Goddesses, whores, wives and salves: women in classical antiquity the study of women in ancient literature is the study of mens views of women and cannot become anything else. . This viewpoint is supported by many scholars in as stated in Ideology and â€Å"the status of Women† in Ancient Greece by Marilyn Katz. (pg 79) Pomeroy also suggest that This indisputable fact about ancient sources -of material authored by women we have only the fragments of a few women poets -has even led recently to the recommendation that the study of women in antiquity be refocused away from literature to culture. Otherwise the study of women in ancient literature is the study of mens views of women and cannot become anything else. (pg 79 Ideology and â€Å"the status of Women† in Ancient Greece by Marilyn Katz. ) This notion that women did not write literature we assume that women were consider inferior to men, and what they had to say was irrelevant. This idea is also introduced by Pomeroy, The notion that texts authored by men represent a male point of view is widely shared. This idea, however, not only introduces an artificial distinction between text and cultur e, but also implicitly relegates women to an entirely passive role in patriarchal society. pg 79 Ideology and â€Å"the status of Women† in Ancient Greece by Marilyn Katz. ) Thus its important when using literature such as Homers epic as evidence of women’s role and status during that time period were are critical of the conclusions we draw. On the other hand there have been many assumption made of the role of women during ancient Greece from the evidence we do have. It was patricidal society in which women were consider property of the men in there lives, and were seen to serve one purpose; to produce heirs. We will write a custom essay sample on Women in Greece specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Women in Greece specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Women in Greece specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Women had very little to no rights; they were unable to own land or participate in politics. They also hardly had freedoms, they were confided to there homes and company of other women, in some cases they even had separate corers from the men in which was hidden from visitors view. They were unable enter in public rooms or there own homes with male guest unless told to do so by the husbands. They did not choose who they married, the men in there lives made every decision for them in the best interest of the males and the family. Knowing what we do about women during this time in Greece, I’m going to use Homer’s epic the Odyssey to evaluate whether the way women were depicted in the literature is an accurate representation of the lives of women in this time. Homer is the composer of the Iliad and the Odyssey, he was viewed as the greatest poet, and his work influenced many poets after him. It is likely that Homer learned the poems from generations before him, which dedicated the poems orally. The epic are set in the age of the heroes, which is assumed to be roughly the end of the Greek Dark Age. Thus its important when contrasting the way women were depicted in the Odyssey, and the roles and status of women of that time, to ensure we use the knowledge of women in the dark age. This is important because the role of women, including there freedoms and rights can vary from period to period. Women were viewed as a males property, firstly as the property of there fathers and brothers, then transferred to the property of the husbands. Marriage, in reference to the procreation of children, was considered by the Greeks as a necessity enforced by their duties to the gods, to the state, and to their ancestors. Until a very late period, at least, no higher considerations attached to matrimony, nor was strong attachment a frequent cause of marriage (473). (pg74 Ideology and â€Å"the status of Women† in Ancient Greece by Marilyn Katz ) During the dark ages, Greece was broken up into the territories or oikos, each territory was lead by a basileus or a chief. Women were expected to bear and rear children, in order to increase the number of potential males that can help defend the territory in wars. (pg 17 Pomeroy ). All women who passed puberty, around the age of 16 were married off and all young women were destined for that. An example of this in the Odyssey, when odyssey first met Nausicaa, he expressed concern that she should find a husband and enjoy a harmonious marriage. (pg 17 Pomeroy. ) The importance of marriage is a central theme of the Odyssey, the poem also illustrates that women and men highly regarded being married as an important aspect of life. Odysseus states to Nausicaa â€Å"for nothing is better that, this, more steadfast than when two people, a men and his wide keep a harmonious household (6. 182-4) which shows that women were viewed by there husband more than just an means to produce an heir. However, some scholars criticize the odyssey view on marriage, Jacobs goes on to discuss Homer and Hesiod, characterizing the Odyssey as a love song to Penelope (234) Jacobs goes on to state that women were less respected and more restrained [than in the heroic era], and that the marriage relationship was less tender and endearing (pg74 Ideology and â€Å"the status of Women† in Ancient Greece by Marilyn Katz ) which indicates that marriage and relationship may have been different in the heroic era apposed to other time periods. Marriage could have been viewed as more than just a means to producing offspring, but also as a loving and endearing relationship. Its believed that during this time women were transfer like property from there fathers family to there husbands family with no regards for the women. Basically women did not have a choice who they were going to marry, there fathers or brothers would choice a husband for them to link powerful families, or choose the male who offered the most gifts. Nausicaa’s father try to marry her off to odyssus (7. 11-15) and Penelope’s father brothers urger her to marry the suitor who presented the most gifts. However Homer indicated that bother Nusicaa and Penelope would have some choices in the selection of there husbands. There were two types of marriages during this time, Patrimonial and Matrimonial. Patrimonial marriages existed when the suitor would bring his bride back to his house and territory. There children would belong to this territory and t he males would become warriors for there fathers territory. Penelope and Odysseus marries was of this form, she went to live with Odysseus in there Ithaka and there son Telemachos was considered a heir to his fathers throne, he also defended this territory when his father was away at war. In order for father who decide which suitor would take their daughters hand in marriage would depend on the wedding gifts exchanged on the day of the wedding. (pg17 pombrey) Matrimonial marriages exist when a warrior would marry a princess and settle down in her father’s kingdom. The male offspring of the couple would be considered warriors of the bride’s father’s territory. In addition the warrior would eventually inherit the brides’ fathers’ realm. In this case fathers often held athletic competitions in order to choice the suitor which is the strongest to marry his daughter. Odyssey participated in an athletic competition for Nausicaa’s hand and Penelope’s decide to marry the victor of the bow contest. The Homeric society reflect a strong partial values, over the behaviour of women may be less rigid than in some later Greek societies. (pg 25 Pombrey) Regardless of what freedoms women did have during this time its clearly they were not permitted the same sexual liberties as men. As shown above, marriage was an important aspect of greek life, thus it is not surprise that women’s reputation were prised possessions. Young women were expected not to take up friendship of men unless they were going to married. Nausikaa explains to Odyessus why she can not escorted him into town, to her parents palace â€Å"So they will speak and that would be scandal against me, and I myself would disapprove of a girl who acted so, that is without the good will of her dear father and mother making friends with a man before being formally married. (6, 285-289) Losing there virginity before marriage was frond a pond. This is why Nausicaa slept with handmaiden guarding her on either side of her bed. In addition Women were expected to remain loyal to there husbands, while the husbands could have affairs with other women and young males. Thus, Penelope and Nusicaa look the nesscary percausions to avoid becoming the subject of gossip. On the other hand the penalties of the loss of virginity were not so serve as later Greece. (pg 27 Pomeroy) The women charters of the Odyssey are depicted far from being passive; they are strong, powerful and dynamic individuals. (pg 51 women in ancient Greece) This is quite a contrast from what we believe women were like during this time, history shows women has being passive wives and mothers, with little to no rights or freedoms. In most cases wives were entrusted with the kingdoms when there husbands went off to the war of troy. Penelope was entrusted by Odysseus to look over Ithaca â€Å"I do not know if the god will spare me, or if I must be lost there in Troy; here let everything be in your charge. You must take thought for my father and mother here in our palace, as you do now or even more since I shall be absent. (18-265-268) Thus we could assume that when the men went off to war, and was absent from the palace, the wives were entrusted with a certain power to ensure everything ran smoothly. However as seen in the Odysseus, this period of time only last so long, then other men come in to take over, like seen with Penelope’s suitors. On the other hand there is an kingdom in the Odyssey which one may assume it is Matricraly society. The kingdom of Scheria, Queen Arete is seen to have a domient role over her husband. When Odyssus arrive in Scheria, Nausicaa and Athena advise him to go to the queen Arete instead of the king. Athene explain to odysseus â€Å"Arete and Alkinoos made her his wife, and gave her such pride of place as no other woman on earth is given of such women as are now alive and keep house for husbands. (7, 66-68) Athena goes on to advise Osyssues â€Å"For there is no good intelligence that she herself lacks. She dissolves quarrels, even among men, when she favors the,. So if she has thoughts in her mind that are friendly to you, then there is hope you can see your own people† (7 73-76) Nausikaa also advise Odsseys to go to the queen â€Å"But when you have disappeared inside the house and the courtyard, then go quickly across the hall until you come to my mother, and she will be sitting beside the hearth, in the firelight, turning sea-purple yarn on a distaff, a wonder to look at and leaning against the pillar, and her maids are sitting behind her; and there is my father’s chair of state, drawn close beside her, on which he sits when he drinks his wine like any immortal. Go pas him and then with your arms embrace our mother’s knees; do this, so as to behold your day of homecoming with happiness and speed, even if you live very far off. For if she has thoughts in her mind that are friendly to you then there is hope you can see your own people and come back to your strong-founded house, and to the land of your fathers. † (6, 303-3150) When odyessye goes to the Queen and does as Nausikaa and Athena advise him to do so, she responds by telling her husband to welcome him into the palace, and wine and dine him. Alkinoos does has his wife wishes, and welcomes Odyessus into his palace. Has shown here Queen Arete is highly view by her husband and given political authority by him. However, this portrait is filled with inconsistencies since there are no know examples were women would be highly regarded as Queen Arete. In addition Homer clearly shows that women were not regarded the same rights has men. For instance royal women and female slave would engage in similar tasks, where royal men would not work side by side with the slaves. For example Nausikaa goes down to the river with the maids to wash the laundry of the household. In addition Penelope may remain with the public rooms wit male guests without sandal. (pg 31 Pomeroy) This also shows that women may had more freedoms during this time period in Greece than later periods. Sue Bundell suggest in the Homeric world the boundary between the domestic and the political, between the private and the public, is not nearly so rigid. She goes on to say that the role of men and women overlap, which is why women can exercise some political power. On the other hand Penelope and Odysseus relationship does show how women were depending on there husbands. Penelope’s need for Odysseus and her feelings that she has been overwhelm by the suitors in her own home are expressed as being â€Å"shipwrecked sailor who has finally made it to dry land. (23, 233-240). Men were needed in order to maintain relationships with society, women were to protect and maintain the house hold. Sue states that a women’s role can never be anything other than subordinate when there husband is present. That â€Å"Odysseus the wanderer, and Penelope the guardian of the home, were to survive as potent symbols of gender difference, not just for later generations of Greeks but for peoples of many subsequent ages. † (pg 57) In addition, to the role of husband and wife representing a patriarchal society, the importance of sons in the eyes of both parents is a symbolic feature of patriarchal society. (pg 28 prombely) Penelope’s concern for Telemachos when he goes off on the dangerous journey shows how cherished her son is to her. She also devise a plan to protect her son from the suitors when she realizes that they were plotting against Telemachos. (16, 409-447) Furthermore when Odysseus arrives home to find the suitors planning to marry his wife and take over his kingdom by plotting against his sons life, he and Telemachos kill all of the suitors. On the other hand the importance of the heir to asset themselves, and take over there father’s land is also important in patriarchal society. Telemachos first assert his manhood by ordering Penelope from the public rooms of the palace and also indicating to the suitors his intention to assert his claim to his fathers throne. (pg 28 prombey) this is the part in the poem when the suitors start to change there intentions of taking over odysseys role of king, and began to claim they indented on taking Penelope back to there own palaces. Although the role and status of women during the dark period in Greece is not clearly represented in the Odyssey, there are many inconsistencies in the literature as we seen with Queen Arete, and the role Nausicaa and Penelope played in the choice of husbands. On the other hand Prombry feels as though â€Å"the dramatic importance and emotional influence of women should not at all be mistaken for evidence of there equality; the political power of even the queens of ancient Greece was a sometimes transient, nearly always a double-edged blessing. (pg 18) It is not clear whether Homer’s depiction of women reflect the attitude of Bonze Agee Greece towards women. (pg 22 Probley) Prombrey states â€Å"without a doubt there is no period in the Greek history for which our evidence of the experience of women in more fascinating or as contradictory† (pg 17)Nevertheless, in the Dark Age, as in later Greece women from birth to death were dependent and under the control of males. T his male-dominated society was clearly revealed in the poem. However, it is evident the women of this time did have more power and freedoms than later Greek periods, as they were entrusted with the power to run households while their husbands were gone to war, there right to be in public spaces, and there right to participate in festive and religious events. Although that is the extent to there rights, on the whole this was a patricidal society, in which the women we seen as inferior to men.

Kemble Knight Essays - Sarah Kemble Knight, Knight, Kemble Family

Kemble Knight Essays - Sarah Kemble Knight, Knight, Kemble Family Kemble Knight Sarah Kemble Knight. Journal. Group A: Our group found passages to support the idea that Knight was courageous. On the first day of their journey they encountered a thick swamp On the second day they crossed a river which greatly terrified knight. She goes on to say I now ralyed all the courage I was mistress of ... (now would seem like a good time for a woman from the city to call it quits!) On day three Knight can not cross the river because the water is too high at present so she stays at a little cottage. Knight says, this little Hutt was one of the wretchedest I ever saw a habitation for human creatures. Also on day three Knight says an Indian-like Animal come to the door. If knight is concerned about her safety she doesn't write about it. On December 21 they encounter a great storm of wind and snow. Winter probably wasn't a good time to take a road trip! Group B: By taking her journey, Sarah Kemble Knight proved her self-reliance and independence. Here are a few dates and instances that really stood out in our minds. Oct. 2nd- Knight bribes John to leave with her. Oct. 3rd- She begins to conquer her fear of drowning by crossing the water in a canoe. Oct. 4th- Knight survived the cruel treatment by Mr. Devills and his daughters. Dec. 21st- Knight makes it through illness without much distress. March 3rd- Knight shows her inner strength in that she could be away from her child for so long.

Australian Trade in India and China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Australian Trade in India and China - Essay Example The rapidly expanding Chinese economy has steadily resulted in solid infrastructural development. This in turn has allowed for the increased prosperity of many within mainland China. With rising personal disposable incomes, comes increased consumption demand and thus growing domestic expenditure. Chinese imports are gradually increasing, thus presenting a myriad of opportunities for suppliers of raw materials and products in various stages of production. Political relations between China and Australia have significantly improved in recent years. An example of the bilateral co-operation includes the Sino-Australian parliamentary exchange conference held in May 2007. The Chinese economy - a renowned net exporter - boasted a current account surplus of $359 billion in 2007 and a net figure of Foreign Direct Investment of $83 billion. All in all, the Chinese foreign reserves stand at $1.5 trillion for the year ending 2007. (Sino-Australian parliamentary exchange conference. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia) This bodes exceptionally well for investment opportunity. With such rapid development and a large and economically powerful buying market, the Chinese sector presents immense profitable opportunity potential to Australian investors. The Chinese housing market; share markets and general government reluctance to allow inflationary pressures to impact on the economy have resulted in an investor safe-haven in the Chinese domestic market. Few economies can lay claim to such robust growth rates as the Chinese economy. With rising prices, spurned by the inflationary pressures of petroleum supplies; food prices and general dollar w eakness, the Chinese government is intent on protecting the domestic economy from global pressures. Investments in Chinese infrastructure allow for significant benefits to International Donor Financiers. The following statistical data was compiled by the World Bank regarding China 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 A. Real Expenditure Growth 1. GDP at market prices 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.7 9.6 2. Private consumption 6.6 7.0 7.0 9.0 8.5 3. Government consumption 6.4 7.2 9.0 8.8 8.0 4. Fixed investment 17.0 11.6 8.8 8.9 8.2 5. Exports, GNFS 26.8 28.4 24.3 23.6 19.1 6. Imports, GNFS 24.8 22.5 12.0 19.5 18.8 B. Contribution to GDP Growth 1. Private consumption 2.9 3.0 2.9 3.6 3.4 2. Government consumption 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.2 3. Fixed investment 6.1 4.4 3.4 3.4 3.1 4. Net exports 1.3 2.8 5.3 3.8 2.5 C. Price Deflators 1. GDP at market prices 2.6 6.9 2.1 3.1 5.6 2. Private consumption 1.4 4.9 2.9 4.5 6.8 3. Exports, GNFS 4.7 5.3 1.7 3.7 0.9 4. Imports, GNFS 9.7 10.3 4.9 7.2 0.4 D. Share of GDP 1. Private consumption 41.8 39.9 39.1 39.0 39.0 2. Government consumption 15.2 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.6 3. Fixed investment 39.4 40.7 41.3 41.6 41.4 4. Change in stocks 1.8 2.5 0.0 -1.1 -1.2 5. Total investment 41.2 43.3 41.2 40.5 40.1 6. Exports, GNFS 29.6 34.0 38.1 42.8 44.4 7. Imports, GNFS 27.4 31.4 32.8 36.8 38.0 E. Memo 1. Nominal GDP (USD billions) 1640.4 1930.9 2171.7 2477.4 2867.6 2. Population (millions) 1300.0 1308.0 1315.8 1324.1 1332.4 3. GDP per capita, current USD 1261.8 1476.2 1650.4 1871.0 2152.2 4. Real per capita GDP growth 9.3 9.4 9.5 10.0 8.9 5. USD Fx rate 8.3 8.3 8.2 8.0 7.6 6. Current account balance (% GDP) 2.8 3.6 7.4 9.3 9.2 7. General government bal. (% GDP) -2.5 -1.5 -1.7 -0.5 -0.8 India presents with multiple challenges notably generally

Mutation of the Television Police Drama through the Decades Essay

Mutation of the Television Police Drama through the Decades - Essay Example Based upon current adjustments that set would cost almost three thousand dollars today! It is interesting to note that same advert also listed prices for the above mentioned replacement tubes. If it wasn’t already, the Kennedy assassination in 1963 showed the worthwhile effectiveness of TV. By then radio and television had done a flip-flop with one another, with radio becoming mainly a musical formal, while drama and other programming had become almost nonexistent. Television sets in America numbered in the millions and it is said that television caused LBJ not to seek reelection in ’68, stating in response to a CBS editorial on ending the Viet Nam war â€Å"If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America†. Color programming was prevalent by the late sixties. (Stephens) Yet neither of those eras would recognize the modern television, or even believe the new technology. The modern flat screen television is solid state and basically TV repair shops have gone away. Cable and satellite services with crisp pictures are the norm and even broadcast channels require a converter box on older sets. Even the set itself is said to be in danger, as those watching television shows via their computers have grown considerably in the first decade of this century. Even the programming itself has vastly changed. From Howdy Doody and Jack Benny in the forties, these days there is almost every kind of channel imaginable, for whatever subject one is interested in. Sports? Try ESPN, Outdoor Channel, and even specialty networks like the Golf Channel. Children are well represented also, as Disney, Nick, and Cartoon Network are all very popular. The Jack Benny style variety show is still around but quite different, with shows such as Saturday Night Live. History of the Cop Show. However, nowhere are things any more different than the police drama. The genre was pioneered on TV by Jack Webb, bringing his Dragnet from radio in 1951, and the show lasted for over twenty years. The show was indeed groundbreaking for its time with the show’s stars rotating between the various divisions. Dragnet was realistic because it was filmed in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department provided advisors. Genres have come and gone but the police drama has been a constant. There has not been a season since 1951 that did not have at least one cop show. Indeed the genre is still popular, for the fall 2011 has eleven police dramas and one comedy featuring a police officer (Mike and Molly). This includes a hybrid mixture of the wildly popular reality series and gritty police drama, the long running Fox series Cops. In that show, a camera crew rides along with an actual police patrol and experiences the same comedy and moments of high tension that a policeman endures during his average patrol. Of course several of the most popular police dramas use a mixture of science and police work. Evidentiary procedure has come into the forefron t of the American mindset, especially since the highly televised OJ Simpson murder trial. Therefore the crime scene investigator researching DNA and other scientific evidence to bring the killer to justice works along side the policemen on these shows. Some of the things that they show on the CSI type programs do seem a bit farfetched and police departments are quick to point out that crimes aren’

Study on Steps to Christ Essay Example for Free

Study on Steps to Christ Essay He took man’s nature, that He might reach man’s wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Such is the character of Christ as revealed in His life. This is the character of God. It was to redeem us that Jesus lived and suffered and died. He became a Man of Sorrows, that we might be made partakers of everlasting joy. But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father’s heart a love for man, not make Him willing to save. No, no! God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son. John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us. None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption. What a value this places upon man! Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness. To all, there is but one answer, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Let us avail ourselves of the means provided for us that we may be transformed into His likeness, and be restored to fellowship with the ministering angels, to harmony and communion with the Father and the Son. How shall a man be just with God? How shall the sinner be made righteous? It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life. But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The prayer of David, after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of holiness, to be restored to harmony and communion with God. A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ. Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will. If we refuse, what more can He do? Study God’s Word prayerfully. As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself as you really are, do not give up in despair. It was sinners that Christ came to save. When Satan comes to tell you that you are a great sinner, look to your Redeemer and talk of His merits. Acknowledge your sin, but tell the enemy that Christ came into the world to save sinners and that you may be saved (1 Tim. 1:15). He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13. The conditions of obtaining mercy of God are simple and just and reasonable. Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another. Those who have not humbled their souls before God in acknowledging their guilt, have not yet fulfilled the first step of acceptance. We must be willing to humble our hearts and comply with the conditions of the Word of truth. The confession that is the outpouring of the inmost soul finds its way to the God of infinite pity. True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. All confession should be definite and to the point. It is written, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God’s promise is, Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13. The whole heart must be yielded, or the change can never be wrought in us by which we are to be restored to His likeness. The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness. In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him. There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation. Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worthless. When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action. Such do not ask for the lowest standard, but aim at perfect conformity to the will of their Redeemer. Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? Ask yourself the question, What has Christ given for me? The Son of God gave all—life and love and suffering—for our redemption. And can it be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will withhold our hearts from Him? What do we give up, when we give all? A sin-polluted heart, for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love. And yet men think it hard to give up all! God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Many are inquiring, How am I to make the surrender of myself to God? You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him. Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians. Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in your life. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith. As your conscience has been quickened by the Holy Spirit, you have seen something of the evil of sin, of its power, its guilt, its woe; and you look upon it with abhorrence. It is peace that you need. You have confessed your sins, and in heart put them away. You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised. The gift which God promises us, we must believe we do receive, and it is ours. You are a sinner. You cannot atone for your past sins; you cannot change your heart and make yourself holy. But God promises to do all this for you through Christ. You believe that promise. You confess your sins and give yourself to God. You will to serve Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His Word to you. If you believe the promise,—God supplies the fact. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God promised. —Summary of all the key points in Steps to Christ, pp. 9-51, in the author’s own words. Part Two – How Can I Remain True to God? Jesus says, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24). There is a condition to this promise—that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. Henceforth you are not your own; you are bought with a price. Through this simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are a child born into the family of God, and He loves you as He loves His Son. Now that you have given yourself to Jesus, do not draw back, do not take yourself away from Him, but day by day say, I am Christ’s; I have given myself to Him; and ask Him to give you His Spirit and keep you by His grace. As it is by giving yourself to God, and believing Him, that you become His child, so you are to live in Him. Here is where thousands fail; they do not believe that Jesus pardons them personally, individually. They do not take God at His Word. It is the privilege of all who comply with the conditions to know for themselves that pardon is freely extended for every sin. Put away the suspicion that God’s promises are not meant for you. They are for every repentant transgressor. Look up, you that are doubting and trembling; for Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Thank God for the gift of His dear Son. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they have become. Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him. There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. The loveliness of the character of Christ will be seen in His followers. It was His delight to do the will of God. There are two errors against which the children of God especially need to guard: The first is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, which can make us holy. The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption. Obedience is the fruit of faith. Righteousness is defined by the standard of God’s holy law, as expressed in the ten commandments (Exo. 20:3-20). That so-called faith in Christ, which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption. The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been,—just what it was in paradise before the fall of our first parents,—perfect obedience to the law of God, perfect righteousness. If eternal life were granted on any condition short of this, then the happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. The way would be open for sin, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized. Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions are losing their power. No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of Christ will admire His character. A view of our sinfulness drives us to Him who can pardon; and when the soul, realizing its helplessness, reaches out after Christ, He will reveal Himself in power. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the Word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image. The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. Again it is compared to the germination of the good seed sown by the husbandman. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit. It is by His power that the seed develops. As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ. Do you ask, How am I to abide in Christ? In the same way as you received Him at first. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Colossians 2:6. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all,—your heart, your will, your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper—to give you power to obey. Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee. This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ. A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence, it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. When Christ took human nature upon Him, He bound humanity to Himself by a tie of love that can never be broken by any power save the choice of man himself. Satan will constantly present allurements to induce us to break this tie—to choose to separate ourselves from Christ. But let us keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, and He will preserve us. Looking unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand. All that Christ was to the disciples, He desires to be to His children today. Jesus prayed for us, and He asked that we might be one with Him, even as He is one with the Father. What a union is this! Thus, loving Him and abiding in Him, we shall grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15). God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing. Our Saviour’s joy was in the uplifting and redemption of fallen men. For this He counted not His life dear to Himself, but endured the cross, despising the shame. When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart, like sweet fragrance it cannot be hidden. Love to Jesus will be manifested in a desire to work as He worked for the blessing and uplifting of humanity. It will lead to love, tenderness, and sympathy toward all the creatures of our heavenly Father’s care. Those who are the partakers of the grace of Christ will be ready to make any sacrifice, that others for whom He died may share the heavenly gift. They will do all they can to make the world better for their stay in it. This spirit is the sure outgrowth of a soul truly converted. No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we shall have something to tell. We shall seek to present to others the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come. There will be an intensity of desire to follow in the path that Jesus trod. And the effort to bless others will react in blessings upon ourselves. Those who thus become participants in labors of love are brought nearest to their Creator. The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. Strength comes by exercise. We need not go to heathen lands, or even leave the narrow circle of the home, if it is there that our duty lies, in order to work for Christ. With a loving spirit we may perform life’s humblest duties unto the Lord (Col. 3:23). If the love of God is in the heart, it will be manifested in the life. You are not to wait for great occasions or to expect extraordinary abilities before you go to work for God. The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. If we will but listen, Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. No tears are shed that God does not notice. There is no smile that He does not mark. If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be dismissed. Our lives would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for everything, whether great or small, would be left in the hands of God. God speaks to us through His providential works and through the influence of His Spirit upon the heart. God speaks to us in His Word. Here we have in clearer lines the revelation of His character, of His dealings with men, and the great work of redemption. Fill the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living water, quenching your burning thirst. They are the living bread from heaven. The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? As we meditate upon the Saviour, there will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to become like Him whom we adore. The Bible was written for the common people. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday. There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. But there is little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Bible. One passage studied, until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained. Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it; fix the texts in your memory. We cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study. Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages, we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. How must God esteem the human race, since He gave His Son to die for them and appoints His Holy Spirit to be man’s teacher and continual guide! Through nature and revelation, through His providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life. Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children. What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings, who are subject to temptation, when God’s heart of infinite love yearns toward them, ready to give them more than they can ask or think, and yet they pray so little and have so little faith? The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of prayer. Yet prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence. There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers: One is that we feel our need of help from Him. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire, is presumption. When we come to God in prayer, we should have a spirit of love and forgiveness in our own hearts. Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance. Let the soul be drawn out and upward, that God may grant us a breath of the heavenly atmosphere. We may keep so near to God that in every unexpected trial our thoughts will turn to Him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun. Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He is not indifferent to the wants of His children. We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another. We must gather about the cross. Christ and Him crucified should be the theme of contemplation, of conversation, and of our most joyful emotion. We should keep in our thoughts every blessing we receive from God, and when we realize His great love we should be willing to trust everything to the hand that was ailed to the cross for us. The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. As we express our gratitude, we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. Many are at times troubled with the suggestions of skepticism. God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. Disguise it as they may, the re al cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. We must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it.

Factors that Lead to Teen Pregnancy Essay -- Teen Pregnant Pregnancy E

Factors that Lead to Teen Pregnancy Although the overall rate of teen pregnancy has been declining, the rates have remained high for teens that are most vulnerable. The great majority of Americans believe that teen pregnancies are a serious national problem, indeed a problem that is the major component of what is thought to be national moral decline. However, what causes these teens to become pregnant at such a young age? A large body of research has identified a number of factores that underlie teen sexual and contraceptive behavior, pregnancy, and childbearing. There exists a three part framework of the factors underlying teen pregnancy. There are biological antecedents, including gender, age, testosterone level, and timing of puberty. These factors are causally related to adolescent sexual and contraceptive behavior and pregnancy. A second group of antecedents can be viewed as â€Å"manifestations of social disorganization or advantage† (Kirby, 1997). These include factors in the community and the family such as violent crime, poverty, unemployment, family marital disruption, parents’ lack of education, poor child rearing practice, lack of parental support, and inappropriate sexual pressure or abuse. The second group also includes factors in the individual teen such as lack of religious affiliation, drug and alcohol use, engaging in risk behaviors and deviance, delinquency, poor educational performance, and low expectations for the future. A third group of antecedents are attitudes and beliefs about sexual behavior and pregnancy. These include beliefs, personal values, and perceived norms. Among the many factors which may lead to teen pregnancy, the four that are most predictive of early pregnancy are poverty, early behavioral problems, family problems, and a low self esteem. There are several theories about the reasons why so many young women in poverty become pregnant and carry to full term. Faced with an unintended pregnancy, many teens living in poverty are likely to view early childbearing as a positive, desirable choice. These teens feel that becoming pregnant may in fact improve their lives. Economics may also be responsible for the lower percentage of poor teens who terminate their pregnancies, since Medicaid policies in most states do not pay for abortions, but do pay for services related to childbirth. In addition, some re... ...hildren who are less likely to have early intercourse." Early childhood experiences can make all the difference. Higher levels of parent to teen communication have been related to less permissive sexual attitudes, whereas poor communication with parents and lack of parental support has been linked to earlier initiation of sexual activity. Both high levels of parental supervision and close relationships between adolescents and their parents were related to later timing of teen sexual activity. In addition, parental marital disruption and living with a single parent is associated with the early onset of sexual behavior. This finding probably reflects such factors as lower family incomes, less partental supervision, and parental modeling. The large, complicated, and interrelated accumulation of factors suggest that the course that leads to adolescent sexual activity and pregnancy is complex. Kirby states that â€Å"not merely one or two, but a multitude of antecedents are related to one or more sexual behaviors and pregnancy, including characteristics of the teens themselves, their peers and sexual partners, their families and their communities and states† (Kirby, 1997).

Competency Goal 6 Essay

To maintain a commitment to professionalism. To maintain a commitment to professionalism in preschool classroom I set a goal for myself. My goal in my classroom is to set a standard of excellence within the room and to commit myself to the growth and development of each child in offering a positive, kind, loving, and safe atmosphere. I have respect, not only for myself but, for my class, each child, and their families. I keep all parental information shared with me confidential. I also uphold all health and safety regulations and make children’s well-being my top priority. I also respect family diversity. This includes but is not limited to cultural differences, orientation, or economic status. I encourage individuality in children. I treat each child with respect and help them to build a positive self- image. Being informed is being ready to assist any child with any need they may have. I feel it is important to always stay positive and keep a smile on my face. Stay on top of new regulations for the school as well as updated laws and other developments within early childhood education; Always making sure to have information to help parents that have children with additional needs. I feel I am a kind and loving person and am genuinely concerned about the growth and development of each child entering in the class. I want to give them every opportunity to grow and learn in a safe environment. I love working and being around children not just in a group setting but also a one on one setting. I became an early childhood assistant teacher, because I enjoy working with preschool children, and looking forward to becoming a teacher soon.