p r o m i s e d 2 0 1 6

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! 

— Luke 1:45

Wow so another year has just passed by. And we are at the very last days of 2016. As I bid 2016 good bye, I would like to continue this tradition of making a final blog post of the year. So here goes. Well maybe a little too late since i've postponed this post for the longest time.

I stayed up last night thinking. This past year has been scattered for me. I find myself in places i've never been, unable to navigate my feelings and emotions. I would admit that I allowed my emotions and feelings for get the better of me so many times. So much grace was necessary especially towards the latter part of the year when Grandma passed away. I was a literal blur for the rest of the year.

But by God's grace and mercy He never left my side through it all. And even when i'm so far away from family, He has comforted me. Every night. Every time "I couldn't do it". Maybe you're thinking, "my grandma passed away" was probably the worst excuse to give for not being able to function optimumly. But sadly, it has left me a little disshevelled I would say. Even fending with school was hard.

But that is not what I came to talk about. I came to talk about how God's love overwhelmed me last night as I reflected. Looking how far i've actually been is surreal.

A few years ago, before embarking on pursuit of my degree, Jesus so tenderly and lovingly promised me that he will bring me through it all. By God's grace I am here today. He has pulled through when circumstances said otherwise. When finances was the biggest obstruction. Regardless. Jesus never breaks his promise. And over the years, i've learned more and more to believe. That i'm worthy of being promised to. Worthy of being loved. Worthy of the mercy and grace given.

So many days I don't feel that way. I feel like the biggest sinner on the planet. Yet even in those days God's unwavering love remains faithful.

And that is what makes me come undone. Totally undone.

With that, I am so ready for this new term. I will have my hardest classes this year. But I think this is where I have faith that I can attain wisdom and grace for the season. Jesus is, and always will be good. Regardless of my circumstances and my inadequacy.

Here is to another year of faith. A year of dismissing the feeling of unworthiness. Inadequacy. Because who am I kidding? I am in the hands of the bestest friend I know who happens to know very well how this world runs ;)

Here is to adventures with you, Jesus.






read my 2015 post here

undone

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV6-QqitjOc]

undone

American Fed Gov - Freedom of Speech (FIRE)

The freedom of opinion and expression was penned as the 19th Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations (United Nations, n.d). Evidently, the freedom of speech of any individual has an imperative value. It is believed that America prides herself in the freedom of speech as it distinguishes her from any other country. This element of freedom is especially vital in the education system. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia. FIRE was formed to purposefully defend and sustain the individual rights of students attaining a higher education (FIRE, n. d). Up till now, FIRE has closely and successfully the freedom of speech and speech codes in close to 400 colleges across the nation.

FIRE evaluates the selected schools through different criteria’s. In hopes of simplifying their ratings, FIRE bases their ratings using the traffic light system. Just like any normal traffic light, there are three lights namely red, yellow and green. To begin with, the ‘Red Light’ rating signifies that there is a policy in the school that ‘clearly and substantially’ restricts the freedom of speech. ‘Yellow Light’ shows that there are policies in the school that restrict a more limited amount of protected expression. In simpler terms, this light is given when the school is vague and does not actually define the line between what is acceptable and what is not. For example, when using the word “Verbal Abuse”, the term abuse is not defined as to what it encompasses. Thirdly for the ‘Green Light’ rating, the school does not seriously limit speech. In fact, there is a freedom for free expression in this school. To name a few, schools with this rating are schools like Duke University, Arizona State University, and Carnegie Melon University.

However, there is also a gray light that means that the institution is ‘not yet rated’. An exception from the traffic light system is the ‘Warning’ rating. This is especially for private institutions. These institutions are run solely by private associations and they possess the rights to prioritize their own values. This means that the freedom of speech is not necessarily emphasized or valued in this institution. Therefore, per the FIRE rating system, there are only five categories as to which a school can fall under.

The two schools compared for their FIRE ratings are the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU). The difference in the level of speech regulation is the comparison factor studied.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) received a ‘Yellow’ light rating because per FIRE,

they have at least one policy that is ambiguous and can be easily abused by people in power. Their policy for residence life was vague and received a ‘Yellow Light’ rating. This is demonstrated in their Resident Life policy. For instance, they have a community living guide for room decorations. This clause basically means that any Residence Life staff possess the authority to tell a student if his or her decorations are offensive. This is horribly ambiguous as it is up to the discretion of the staff to judge what is and what is not offensive. If the staff has a very liberal view, and the residents are bringing offensive posters, they may not ask the resident to remove it. In a reverse situation, the same applies.  If the residents think their friend’s poster is offensive and the staff does not agree, there is no clear guidelines. Therefore, it is ineffective in promoting free speech. However, they have a ‘Green light’ policy in terms of non-discrimination policies. This is especially relevant after the recent cases of the SAE fraternity’s chant that went viral. Also, the freedom of speech is encouraged with the allocation of places to demonstrate or protest. OU has allocated at least twenty venues on the main campus for the freedom of speech. They do not require prior reservation and can be utilized by any student. Other than that, the Registered Student Organizations are highly dedicated to ensure that the equipment for any protest is made available with prior booking. This is very significant as James Madison phrased it well when he said “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” Organizations like the Black Lives Matter movement have taken advantage of this opportunity to freely express their views on campus. This is undoubtedly empowering for the students who are driven for their cause and very much facilitated by OU.

Oklahoma State University (OSU) received a ‘Red’ light rating because they have at least one policy that restricts the freedom of speech. OSU’s harassment’s policy received a ‘Red’ light rating. This is because they have defined sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination. This sounds a little absurd as sexual harassment does not have anything to do with gender. While it is generally understood that females are usually the victims of sexual harassment, there should be no stereotype to this kind of treatment. That policy earned OSU their ‘Red’ light rating. However, they received a ‘yellow’ light rating for the expression of free speech. Unlike OU, OSU did not specially allocate an area for free speech on the campus. Students do not know for sure if they can demonstrate or protest without being comprehended. However, they received a ‘green light’ for being information technology appropriate. This is because their computer usage policy has banned the communication of facilities from sending harassing or obscene messages to anyone. Therefore, the policies in OSU are ambiguous for the reason stated earlier.

George Orwell, renown novelist said “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” This is because the truth is not necessarily a generally accepted idea. Speech codes when utilized correctly, may bring about meaningful conversations. In the college setting, every student should aim to attain knowledge. Knowledge in this context encompasses the learning with a cautious mindset of not taking everything as it is. This is because education may sometimes be biased. For instance, the History course are authored and told from the perspective of the white man. This is one-sided and does not bring into perspective the slave’s view, the native American’s view and other side characters. Clearly, students should always seek out the truth and question the ‘why’ behind what they are learning. It is crucial to ask hard questions with the best intentions of seeking truth. Other than that, students need the ability to think for themselves for the speech codes to bring about any meaningful change. For example, the n-word is very offensive to the black students on campus, yet the SAE fraternity brothers took it upon themselves to make a song out of it. They are not aware that it is just a rude word. It has a deeper meaning to them as it prods the past lives of the black people in the country. Most of them having a background of slaver and being associated with the n-word in that era. No sane person will be upset for no reason over a single word. Therefore, with the hopeful mutual exchange of perspective, meaningful conversations will eventually be birthed.

As a conclusion, the free speech code was created with sincere intentions to promote unity and celebrate diversity. However, it is up to the students in the schools to abide by the code, honor the code and preserve the code. The rights of the students to free speech should be looked on as an effort to dispel any kind of misunderstandings and stereotypes. With the diversity present in Oklahoma, speech codes should be revered to ensure that there is a comfortable line to where every member feels respected. To sum it up, Mokokoma Mokhonoana, South African Philospher said that, “Freedom of speech is unnecessary if the people to whom it is granted do not think for themselves.” 

master of none

I spent the week watching the Netflix series 'Master of None' during study breaks. As much as I do not agree with most of the values, I can say that so many of Dev's problem's resonated with me. Not being entirely sure about anything, and choosing to live life to the fullest. He touches on themes like appreciating our parents, finding the value in self, when everything goes awry.

 For some unrelatable reasons watching this made me think about the life I am living. Not specifically in this season, but just in general. And I just think, how many of the relationships and the time I invest in. Would it be reciprocal in what I want? And I know life is fleeting like the grass of the fields, but I hope with all my heart that I live with all I can and make the fleeting moment count. Because honestly, worrying about the future is really not the best way to be spending your energy. And with the many things I face it is so easy to always fall into the trap of worrying, but again and again I find myself being silenced by the mere fact that anxiety really is mistrust in God.

 So with that, Matilda from Roald Dahl's book somewhat sums it up, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...”

seasons

grateful for this season and for the people who have stuck with me - by my side through it all. feeling so grateful that Jesus has placed the people I know today in my life for a reason.

sticky, sticky times, but as always, He remains faithful, now more than ever. and grateful that He has set eternity in our hearts, and that He sees the end from the beginning.

Frustration by Graham Cooke

Frustration does not exist in the Kingdom.
It is a device of the world,
a negative construct contrary to
the nature of the Bright One

Frustration is an admission that we
are baffled, checked, blocked  -
neutralized in faith -
by people, circumstances, and opposition.
Frustration legitimized negative emotions,
giving them a place in our experience

Frustration is discontent
opening our hearts to lethargy.
We become irked, resentful, disappointed,
gullible to defeat
Owned by pessimism.

We must learn how to use frustration
and not be used by it.
to be frustrated is to admit
that I do not possess at this moment
the required amount of patience, peace
and joy for the circumstances of my life.

If I focus on frustration,
the core of my attention
is the opposite of Who God is for me.

Frustration is an emotional sign
that I need an upgrade.
It points to an available increase,
raising my awareness of God’s provision.
Therefore, frustration must turn to
celebration of God’s intent.

In the hands of the enemy
it robs me of enthusiasm
It blinds me to all the possibilities
of the One True Spirit.

I become disheartened., looking for
pity, sympathy
Seeking fellow victims of discouragement.
I give permission to be afflicted.
Frustration causes negative fellowship
as I move in the opposite spirit
to Christ within.

In the hands of the Shining One
it points toward fullness
the reality of something more~
greater success unfolding.
Frustration is turned into confession
in one stroke of happy thinking.

Thank you, Father, that frustration
reveals my lack of Your fullness.
It points me to the upgrade available.
It releases your permission to become more.

Patience, peace, and joy abound
constantly in your presence.
Grace follows the upgrade;
love flows more powerfully.

I am renewed, restored, made bigger,
enabled to see from a greater height
of your affection.
Everything must bow
to patience, peace, and joy;
They are heaven’s true reality.

Frustration is earthly, one dimensional
and destructive.
It reduces everything it touches.
It makes us start everything
from a place of deficit.
We struggle to catch up
with God’s reality.
Frustration is reality
from a wrong dimension.

To fight frustration we must turn
our back on it,
Look into the heart of the One
committed to our development,
Trade our sorrow for His joy.
Frustration must turn to celebration.

Patience is the fast track to greater heights
Joy is the welcoming party to Presence
Wisdom releases the focus of heaven
Peace releases the angst,
causing us to smile, be carefree
Contentment with Godliness
….a sure winner.