Brainstorming Topics

Topic: The Before and Beginning of Mankind

(Image pulled from Creativity Now)

Comments: I chose this topic because I don’t know the back-story of Adam and Eve. The Bible shares very little about them; furthermore, I think it would be really interesting to learn more about them, even if it is just other people’s assumptions and hunches. It would be time well spent for me.

Possible Stories: I do not know what books outside the Bible that would be good to read, besides the two that are on the un-textbook; however, I know my friends in seminary have read books about Adam and Eve, so I am sure they can point me in good directions to find good books about the two.

Sample Story Comments: I found a poem written about not only Adam and Eve, but it included the fall of Satan as well. It goes back to the beginning of it all. It goes into more detail about Satan’s rebellion and the archangel, Michael, who defeated him.

Bibliography Information:

Book Title: Paradise Lost

Book Author: John Milton

Year: 1667

Topic: Robin Hood the Good, or Robin Hood the Bad

Comments: I have always loved the story of Robin Hood; I tend to always think of him as the good guy. I want to attack this story from multiple shoes, and would he be a good guy or bad guy in modern times?

Possible Stories: I could attack this topic from so many angles. This will be very easy to find stories with different viewpoints on the tales of Robin Hood. I really want to create a modern day Robin Hood, and see if the views of him would change. I think in today’s time, people would say he is bad.

Sample Story: I found a story where Robin Hood robs three-wicked priest. I could definitely pick apart the characters in this story and place them in a modern setting to analyze if Robin Hood was just or unjust.

Bibliography Information:

Book Title: RobinHood’s Golden Prize

Book Author: Frances James Child

Year: 1882

Topic: Native American Hero Tales

Comments: I have always loved Native American cultures. I know all of them were oral cultures (some changed to written after contact with the Whites), and the way to learn about and oral culture is through their stories.

Possible Stories: Not only are there multiple stories from the Un-Textbook, but I have a storybook from Creek Nation that contains 90+ stories to pull from

Sample Story: I studied a story that teaches the Creeks about discipline and focus in everyday lives. It is very fascinating stuff, and good insight to how their culture was in the past before contact.

Bibliography Information:

Book Title: New Fire

Book Author: Earnest Gouge

Year: 2004

Topic: Noah and the Great Flood

Comments: Noah is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, and I think it would be fun to create a storybook now that Hollywood is adding their own spin as well.

Possible Stories: The Bible itself creates a fascinating stetting to the story of Noah. That plus the visuals people have from Hollywood only enhance the ways I could spin the project

Sample Story: The Bible does a good job of describing the man Noah is, as well as God’s characteristics. I should have no problem creating an awesome project with this topic

Bibliography Information:

Book Title: The Bible

Book Author: King James Bible

Year: 1611

Essay: Heroism in the Gospel Mark

I chose to write about heroes and the qualities I feel someone would have to have to be considered a hero, as well as the hero character in the Gospel Mark. The first quality a hero must have is selflessness. A hero has to put others before him or herself, in all situations. The second quality is courage. It is type of courage that will allow you to act and do what is right/best, regardless of the outcomes. Consistency is another quality I look for in a hero. Heroes need to be reliable and dependable, and to be both they have to be consistent. I mean consistent in their behavior and actions. There really aren’t a lot of qualities in a hero, but the qualities themselves are very hard to come by. At least containing all three of them. It takes all three to be considered a hero in my book.

            There was only one central character in Mark, which is Jesus. And I feel like Jesus not only was a great example of a hero, but he probably is the greatest example of a hero. Not only did he put others before him, he also taught and showed others how to put others first. The courage Jesus showed throughout Mark, especially when he was put to death. He knew what was going to happen, but he knew how much others needed him. He stayed strong and pushed through for the sake of others. Most importantly, Jesus remained consistent through the stories. People could always count on him being selfless and putting their needs in front, and his courage was never changing. Not only did he show theses qualities when they were needed most; furthermore, he showed me in even the littlest of things. Most heroes from other stories (even stories from the Bible) always had a fall, or something like that, that they recovered from. Jesus never did, but in his stories that is his major difference. He was the perfect everything, that was his distinguishing quality from the rest of the heroes.

This first pic is of Captain America, my favorite comic hero, just another example of heroism

This a funny (yet weird) depiction of Jesus the Hero

Storytelling Week 2 - The Last Supper

I remember the Last Supper with Jesus perfectly! Jesus sent John and I to go prepare the room. No, it was Mathew and I, or was it James? I can’t remember who went with me; nonetheless, that isn’t the important part anyways so who cares, I am moving on. Crap, no I am going to back up real quick. Before the Last Supper, the Pharisees and the other jerks were plotting how to betray Jesus. If it wasn’t for Judas, I don’t think they could of done it without causing an uproar. Man I hate they guy! I know Jesus teaches us not to hate, and that it was all within the Father’s master plan to save us (praise Him for that one); however, I just still miss the laughs and deep talks I shared with Jesus. Anyways, continuing on with the story. Before we all left for Jerusalem, we stayed in Bethany at Simon’s house.  We were just chilling there, and than all of a sudden a woman walks up to Jesus and pours some very nice perfume on His feet. Andrew and I were puzzled why she wasted that on Jesus. He was never one to have other serve Him; He always showed us how to serve others. He would not of cared if she sold it to get food or something. Apparently, that day Jesus felt otherwise; He called us out on our conversation real quick. He reminded us that there would always be a time to help others; however, He will only be here for a little while longer. Jesus already told us that He must die, but in the back of my mind I thought He would pull a miracle and stay with us. Back to when Jesus sent… I still cannot remember who was with me!? We found the guy with water (still blows my mind, how Jesus would always know how everything will happen), and he showed us the room. When it got dark, Jesus and the rest of them showed up and we sat down to eat. That night started out very joyful, than (as usual) Jesus got real with us, and predicted that one of us will betray him (Judas already worked out plans with the Pharisees). I remember my heart stopping. I just prayed that my heart would stay true to Jesus, and it would not be me. Jesus gave us the bread and wine as the symbols of his body and blood. Side note, John was crying at this point! For some strange reason that always makes me laugh, especially because now everybody thinks he is a badass (I love John, so I can make fun of him because he knows I lookup and respect him so much)! We sang a song together, and after that Jesus brought down the hammer of humility. He told us that after His death we would all fall away for a bit, but He wouldn’t let be gone for long (praise Him again for grace). Ok, this last part is probably the most awkward moment of my life! When Jesus said we would all fall away, Peter (speaking faster than his brain can function, as always) looked Jesus in the eyes and said he would never forsake Jesus. I wanted to slap the stupid out of him! I thought, “Bro, not only are you arguing with Jesus, but you are kind of calling Him a liar. Jesus can’t lie! So an A for zealous Peter, but geez haha.” Jesus being the coolest person ever was very patient. Staying calm and loving, He told Peter again and even added details about Peter doing in three times before the rooster crows.

            After the supper, we all went to pray, but that is another story for another time!

Author's Note: I took the section of the Last Supper from the Gospel Mark of the King James Bible (1611), and told it from a disciple's first person point of view. This section covered both the woman who washed Jesus’s feet, as well as the last night Jesus had with His disciples. The Last Supper is the night before Jesus was arrested and persecuted. At the Last Supper Jesus reveals a lot to His disciples since this will e the last time they meet before His death. During this story a lot of heavy stuff happens and is said, and it is one of my favorite stories about Christ. I wanted to portray how one of His disciples would have reacted. I have always been curious as to how I would react if I would have seen Jesus in the flesh, and so I used this opportunity to try and experience that. I based this disciple off the characteristics I see in myself, which mad this story really fun to write! I spent a lot of time in my head figuring out my possible responses. I found the image from Derek Levendusky.

Reading Diary B – The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark

“If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” This quote by itself can still be pretty influential; however, when you know the story surrounding it, it can be so powerful. Jesus said to man who just ask, “If you can do anything, take pity and help us.” The man was in complete desperation and knew Jesus was his only hope when he asked this. His immediate response when Jesus responded was to help him overcome his own disbelief. The man knew he could only believe with the help of Jesus. That quote took the man from desperation to total depravity, and it was than that Jesus helped the man and his boy.

The widow’s offering is an awesome story that reminds me it is all about the heart behind the motive. The women gave next to nothing, and it didn’t even contribute to the tithing that day, her offering was greater though. There were rich people giving huge amounts, but it wasn’t suffering amounts. The widow gave everything, and I feel her heart portrayed that the Lord is all she needs and who she will depend on for life. Without heart, I’d say the things we do/say are meaningless.

The whole crucifixion story is so perplexingly amazing! The fact the Jesus went through unjust pain and suffering for the Lord and the ones he loves (which is everyone), is something to behold. I couldn’t imagine the pain, heartbreak, and shame that were upon him. Getting nearly beat to death than put on a cross for others, and them turn away from you because they are scared (when peter disowns Jesus); yet he still loved them, is unbelievable awesome! Someone could say that is life changing stuff, huh? J

(Found this image at Imagebase)