Designated Doodler

I'm beyond concerned about the state of religion, more specifically Christianity, amongst young people in our country. As a teacher and a human being in the 20s dating pool, I've had good cause for concern. I'm not allowed to discuss religion at school, but I hear the things my students say about it. Things like, "yeah, I go to church, it's where I take my best naps." Or things like, "I wanna find a new religion, I think I'll pick buddhism because it's chill." As if the road to discovering God is something that can be picked out like a new outfit. Finding religion is a journey, one that takes research, reading and soul searching. And one reason I fear for Christianity's future is because being a faithful Christian takes time, heart and dedication. And in today's world of tech-obsessed instant gratification - people are asking, "what can God do for me?" Instead of "what can I do for God?"  Teens and...

Life is a fight, a struggle, a war - a constant battle, sometimes literal, sometimes figuratively, sometimes both. It is more than the quest for a perfect selfie. It is more than the treasured shows that await you on your DVR. It is even more than what you do for a living. Believe it or not, your life is even more than you.  This is the part that most people can't grasp. We live in a self-centered society, in a culture that promotes doing whatever it takes to reach the top. But the sooner you realize your own insignificance, the sooner you can reach a purpose that's far more meaningful than any man-given title or trophy. The downfall of humanity will surely be it's pride. Society has told you that you're special, and you think you are, but you're not - not unless you've got your priorities straight. Could you sit down and talk about others' lives you've touched?  Could you tell me about the ways you've contributed to soc...

Tonight I heard a former Muslim man named Saleem talk. Here's what happened: Saleem brought up a young man in college, he pulled out three colored scarves. One white, one red and one black. He draped the white one around his shoulders and pulled the young man in next to him, sharing the scarf. He said, "this is what God wanted when he created man. He was like a daddy that wanted children. He desired fellowship with us and we were blameless. He told Adam and Eve that they could eat from any tree, except for one, the tree of life. And that if they did, surely they would die." "And what did they do? They ate the fruit. And although their physical bodies didn't die in that moment, they suffered a spiritual death," Saleem said, removing his arm (and the scarf) from the young man. "And so the world fell to sin," he said, draping a black scarf over the boy. "But we were still God's children and he did not forsake us. Instead,...

Growing up with a Dad who has cancer, I think I've always been hyper aware of how precious life is. And it concerns me, how in this day and age, it seems like everyone is just out for themselves. Or just out for themselves and their family…when there are people all around us who are struggling, who are hungry, who are lonely. Having experienced anxiety in my life, I try my best to tune in to those around me, even if I barely know them. You'd be surprised how many people are out there…just longing for a friend, just longing for a shoulder, for a truthful, reliable, beautiful soul to care about theirs. At one point in college I was so lonely that I'd get out of the apartment and hang out at Starbucks, just so that I could be around other people. I had plenty of friends, but that doesn't mean that you can't still be lonely. I have no idea where this post is coming from. I didn't necessarily set out to write what I've written… I just feel that it...

Okay so all over the internet - and in real life - people are freaking out! Whether it's about finals or Christmas or a mysterious flu-like disease that's killing people in North Houston... the freaking out doesn't need to happen. If you are currently freaked out, or feel as though you will be in the near future, read this quick guide: 1) Odds are that you're thinking too much. Take a minute to shift your focus. Watch an episode on TV, have a mug of Sleepy Time tea, doodle a dragon in your notebook. The more you focus on your freaking out - the worse it's only going to get - so focus on something else. 2) If you can fix what you're freaking out about, do it! If you're worried that you're ill-prepared for a final, go study some more! If you're freaked out about a party you're hosting, plan it out! Maybe the better prepared you are, the less you'll flip your lid. 3) If you're having an existential crisis, please dial 9 now. Just kiddi...

I'm angry. I don't really know what to do with it...so I'm here...blogging about it I guess. It's just so incredible to me. Guys my age. So far what I've experienced is a total lack of morals, a deficit of tact and no hint of maturity. I get hit on. I talk to the guy. I try to get a better picture of who he is while he's busy getting a better picture of how to get me into bed. Which, rest assured, isn't happening. I just don't understand how our generation went to hell in a hand basket. For being in one of the most "religious" and "Christian" states in the country, it sure doesn't feel like it. I mean, I'm not asking for much... +Love God above all else and live a Christ driven life +Have some semblance of tact and a slight sense of humor +Make an attempt to use proper grammar +And don't be an aimless hobo with no plans for the future That's it! That's it. You don't even have to be insanely h...