Hey y'all! Obvi my name is Mallory. I love my life and everyone in it. I'm probably the busiest person in the world trying to balance every aspect of my life. I love my savior, Jesus Christ, playing volleyball, jamming to music, and spending time with my friends and family. My goal is to make the best of every day in every situation. Usually, I am very happy and stay laughing. After all, laughter is the best medicine! I'm so blessed beyond belief and thankful for the memories being made. I'm not really sure what my future holds, but hey, I'm just in it for a good time. :)
Response #1 Feb 25th Genesis 1-3:
"In the beginning." This phrase alone is unfathomable to me. To think there was a time when there was nothing but the Lord God himself, and He created everything from the words he spoke. Everything from light to the sky to the birds that fly high have a purpose. (no rhyme intended) He created seeds and trees that produced food to provide for the animals. He is the provider of the universe and all powerful. His greatest creation from his own image was man, and from the rib of a man came woman. Everything He had made was good, pure, and received His blessing. God first instructed man to eat any fruit from any tree in the garden, but not from the tree that gives the knowledge of good and evil. He presented man with all he needed; however, man did not obey. The woman let the evil snake influence her to eat from the beautiful tree. She then took the fruit to the man to try it. He as well fell in to the trap and took a bite. On the surface, the fruit looked very appealing, as if nothing was wrong with it. The woman went against the one rule that was given to her by putting her selfish wants first. This occurs day by day for us whether we realize it or not. We do what we think is most beneficial for ourselves instead of listening and obeying God, our creator, who knows what's best for us.The snake that tempted the woman to eat the fruit represents the teasing sin lingering everywhere we turn. It is our choice to choose the right decision. Moments of temptation may not seem to have as big of an affect on our life's as in Adam and Eve's; However, God sees sin as sin. With sin, comes punishment. Since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were kicked out of the garden, and received curses for their future. Overall, these chapters show the faith one must have to believe humans belong to something much greater than themselves. That something is an Almighty being that made everything, even the evil exposed by human, with an individual purpose..
Logan Rice's Response: From the very beginning you had me interested in continuing to read what you had to say. I agree. Trying to comprehend the fact that there was a beginning before anything at all is crazy. Just God. It's pretty incredible. Then as you keep writing you talk about how everyone and everything had a purpose and that's so true. Every little detail God set in place for His purpose. I really enjoyed how you talked about the "fruits" that we have in our life every day. How we see things that are good looking on the outside, but we know that it is not what is good or instructed for us. I like how you used the word "teasing" to describe the sin. Because sin is a crazy thing and teases you to fall into it's trap. And the ending was pretty much perfect. And hopeful. Very hopeful. Because when you look at this the first initial thought is, man. We're screwed. Humans gave into sin and temptation and now girls are going to be in pain in child birth, and guys are going to have to work their butts off and all that bruising of the heel and the curses God puts on the earth. But as you continue to comprehend what Genesis is saying, and who the perfect God is that is described, there has to be a reason for the fall. (As we discussed in class.) Because if there wasn't, hope wouldn't exist. And without hope, there's nothing. Response to "On the Marionette Theatre" March 7th: Let me just start by saying this is an interesting piece of work to truly interpret, so sorry if what I'm going to say is a long shot.First, I would like to point out that I liked how the author is having dialogue with an old friend. It reminds me of Forest Gump sitting on the bench telling his stories. Anyways, the whole comparison of real dancers vs. puppets is interesting in the way he drew his inferences. He responds to the question of the operator being a dancer or have an idea of the idea of beauty in dance by saying the line of dance is the path taken by the soul of the dancer. He noted that it (the path) can't be found unless the operator can transpose himself into the center of gravity of the marionette. Because he relates the controlling relationship the operators have to their puppets, the whole act is as it should be with no error, but perfection. To me, it shows that something prefect has no point, lifeless. If our lives were perfect what would be living to achieve? Real dancers strive to break the center of gravity, to display a sense of soul inside them instead of having an operator to do it for them; like how Adam and Eve had God as their operator, who gave them perfection. In our lives we have a form of an operator, Jesus Christ that helps us strive to be as close to perfect as we can. Not that I agree with this, but what is it to say maybe the operator, God, didn't make Adam and Eve eat of the tree of knowledge? In the end, he leaves with a thought of the final chapter of the history of the world in which one would have to eat from the tree of knowledge. I don't exactly get why he thinks this and I don't really know I agree with it. Overall, I don't know how someone wrote a whole paper about this..
Logan Rice's Response: I like the Forrest Gump reference, by the way. First off, I enjoy how you point out that perfection is pointless. I completely agree with this concept. If everyone was perfect, there would be no need to be an individual, nor would there be an opportunity either. If we were simply like the perfect dancers, every dance would be the same to meet the standard of perfect. That would simply get boring after a while. I don't think that's what life is supposed to be. At least, in this life. If our lives* were perfect then there wouldn't be as much glory given to God if you ask me. Sin, even though it is a bad thing, brings even MORE glory to God. Because with sin, we see our need for a spotless lamb. And we also realize how grateful to have that lamb sacrificed. Did God not know we were going to fall? Is God not all knowing? So why didn't he make us eat from the fruit? If we never had, the story of the Second Tree wouldn't be necessary. The redemption wouldn't have even existed. However, because of the Second Tree we have innocence again. And more importantly we will soon once day receive Perfection. I absolutely agree with your response Response to Book 1 Paradise Lost March 13: Just like everything else we read, I'm puzzled by what point the author is trying to make. While I do like thinking for myself, sometimes I like having more of a summary of what I'm working with. However, going over some of it in class helped and I can't wait for more of it's depth to be revealed! Until then, here's my thoughts. Satan is trying to run this show. He knows how powerful God is, but he is still trying to be one step ahead of him in a way, even though that's impossible. Obviously Satan knows God created everything like why would he want to mess with him? In the beginning Satan is in the garden to get revenge on God, but God already knew He was going to do this. God also went ahead and created Hell, knowing the fallen angels were going to rebel against Him. The author did a good job describing the horrid conditions of Hell and all the other places, by the way. Satan also has like a partner in crime relationship going on with Beelzebub. They are trying to create evil to counteract God's doing of good. It is described as "Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps shall grieve him, If I fail not, and disturb his inmost counsels from thir destind aim" to portray that their acting like the annoying mosquito that won't go away. Where it goes from this point I'm not exactly sure, but the author leaves it with "No wonder, fall'n such a permicious highth.." This to me is displaying the arrogance Satan feels towards his actions, having no regret or remorse. So basically, they're chilling on "Lake of Fire" in layout chairs, probably with a bathing suit and some sun tan lotion like two old men talking about their near plans or reminiscing.
Logan Rice's Response: I didn't read this passage 100% how I was supposed to, and my eyes were opened to that. The underlying question of this passage is why Hell was created for Satan and his "partner in crime" Beelzebub. God, like you said, knew Satan was there for revenge. My question here is: What is Satan trying to get revenge for? He was was the one who rebelled. I've thought this interesting ever since you and the author pointed this out. I agree with what you said. Hell was described as quite the place to live (Sarcasm intended). I think Satan is very irrational in his rebellion against God. He knows he's going to be defeated, so I guess he's going out in a blaze of glory. (Pun sure as Hell intended). ((Pun about hell definitely intended.)) Ok sorry. Maybe Mr. Alexander will find that funny. Overall I like your response and I'm with you. I'm interested in diving deep to this and truly revealing what Book One is about. Response to Book 2 Paradise Lost March 21: So I think Book 2 is better than book one. It's finally starting to build and actually go somewhere. I also felt like I understood it a little better than the other. Satan and his fellow minions are discussing war. Even though Satan hasn't been appointed their leader, I feel he already has that position. He sits back and listens to the opinions of the others. To me it was all part of his plan. While the other people with him still rebelled, I don't think they had as evil intentions as Satan. With the exception of of Moloch, once Satan portrayed the mission one of them has to go on, they become "mute" and fearful of the journey itself. What I found interesting is that Moloch didn't pipe in and join. Earlier in the passage I thought he was gunge ho for war. The author may have done this to portray Satan's conniving spirit. He had a way to express how bad it was going to be in order to get his way. He wanted all the glory of the downfall of mankind. Think about it, in the Bible you don't here about all the other demons, just Satan. In the last book we decided he wanted to be good at being evil and this is just following up his plan. Can't wait to read the next book and follow his journey!
Logan Rice's Response: Interesting points. Satan was indeed very smart and cunning when it came to generating the plan he had in place. He silenced all the demons when he volunteered for his crazy plan and made it seem like he was taking all the weight. When really, as you pointed out, he was trying to get all of the glory. I was too intrigued in how Moloch was so jacked up for war and then didn't say a single word at Satan's plan. I think that just proves how crazy Satan is and how irrational he is. However, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get revenge. Response to Book 9-12 I liked this book simply for the fact that it seems Eve stands out more to me than Satan which is good for a change. She opens up with dialogue to Adam, which again I like because I can follow the story line better. She seems very worry some and not content with her situation with Adam. (typical girl in a relationship right?) Adam seems to actually try and soothe her by just brushing off her worries. We know that she still will not be satisfied, she needs something drastic to make her change her emotions. Adam advises her to stick to God's teaching that she knows. Then in book 11, I think it talks about how God gave us free will to choose the right path. Maybe I have that confused but what I found interesting was that Satan went after Eve because she was the strongest. I think he knew how independent she was, obviously an easy target. Overall, it made me rethink who exactly I had thought Eve to be. I never thought to think of her as a strong character or as one who was unhappy in Eden. That just shows that human nature can never be satisfied. If she wouldn't have been tempted to eat the apple, one could say there would have been no sin, and humans would live a bored, unhappy life. Now we have purpose. So maybe we should thank Eve?
Hey y'all! Obvi my name is Mallory. I love my life and everyone in it. I'm probably the busiest person in the world trying to balance every aspect of my life. I love my savior, Jesus Christ, playing volleyball, jamming to music, and spending time with my friends and family. My goal is to make the best of every day in every situation. Usually, I am very happy and stay laughing. After all, laughter is the best medicine! I'm so blessed beyond belief and thankful for the memories being made. I'm not really sure what my future holds, but hey, I'm just in it for a good time. :)
Response #1 Feb 25th Genesis 1-3:
"In the beginning." This phrase alone is unfathomable to me. To think there was a time when there was nothing but the Lord God himself, and He created everything from the words he spoke. Everything from light to the sky to the birds that fly high have a purpose. (no rhyme intended) He created seeds and trees that produced food to provide for the animals. He is the provider of the universe and all powerful. His greatest creation from his own image was man, and from the rib of a man came woman. Everything He had made was good, pure, and received His blessing. God first instructed man to eat any fruit from any tree in the garden, but not from the tree that gives the knowledge of good and evil. He presented man with all he needed; however, man did not obey. The woman let the evil snake influence her to eat from the beautiful tree. She then took the fruit to the man to try it. He as well fell in to the trap and took a bite. On the surface, the fruit looked very appealing, as if nothing was wrong with it. The woman went against the one rule that was given to her by putting her selfish wants first. This occurs day by day for us whether we realize it or not. We do what we think is most beneficial for ourselves instead of listening and obeying God, our creator, who knows what's best for us.The snake that tempted the woman to eat the fruit represents the teasing sin lingering everywhere we turn. It is our choice to choose the right decision. Moments of temptation may not seem to have as big of an affect on our life's as in Adam and Eve's; However, God sees sin as sin. With sin, comes punishment. Since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were kicked out of the garden, and received curses for their future. Overall, these chapters show the faith one must have to believe humans belong to something much greater than themselves. That something is an Almighty being that made everything, even the evil exposed by human, with an individual purpose..
Logan Rice's Response:
From the very beginning you had me interested in continuing to read what you had to say. I agree. Trying to comprehend the fact that there was a beginning before anything at all is crazy. Just God. It's pretty incredible. Then as you keep writing you talk about how everyone and everything had a purpose and that's so true. Every little detail God set in place for His purpose. I really enjoyed how you talked about the "fruits" that we have in our life every day. How we see things that are good looking on the outside, but we know that it is not what is good or instructed for us. I like how you used the word "teasing" to describe the sin. Because sin is a crazy thing and teases you to fall into it's trap. And the ending was pretty much perfect. And hopeful. Very hopeful. Because when you look at this the first initial thought is, man. We're screwed. Humans gave into sin and temptation and now girls are going to be in pain in child birth, and guys are going to have to work their butts off and all that bruising of the heel and the curses God puts on the earth. But as you continue to comprehend what Genesis is saying, and who the perfect God is that is described, there has to be a reason for the fall. (As we discussed in class.) Because if there wasn't, hope wouldn't exist. And without hope, there's nothing.
Response to "On the Marionette Theatre" March 7th:
Let me just start by saying this is an interesting piece of work to truly interpret, so sorry if what I'm going to say is a long shot.First, I would like to point out that I liked how the author is having dialogue with an old friend. It reminds me of Forest Gump sitting on the bench telling his stories. Anyways, the whole comparison of real dancers vs. puppets is interesting in the way he drew his inferences. He responds to the question of the operator being a dancer or have an idea of the idea of beauty in dance by saying the line of dance is the path taken by the soul of the dancer. He noted that it (the path) can't be found unless the operator can transpose himself into the center of gravity of the marionette. Because he relates the controlling relationship the operators have to their puppets, the whole act is as it should be with no error, but perfection. To me, it shows that something prefect has no point, lifeless. If our lives were perfect what would be living to achieve? Real dancers strive to break the center of gravity, to display a sense of soul inside them instead of having an operator to do it for them; like how Adam and Eve had God as their operator, who gave them perfection. In our lives we have a form of an operator, Jesus Christ that helps us strive to be as close to perfect as we can. Not that I agree with this, but what is it to say maybe the operator, God, didn't make Adam and Eve eat of the tree of knowledge? In the end, he leaves with a thought of the final chapter of the history of the world in which one would have to eat from the tree of knowledge. I don't exactly get why he thinks this and I don't really know I agree with it. Overall, I don't know how someone wrote a whole paper about this..
Logan Rice's Response:
I like the Forrest Gump reference, by the way.
First off, I enjoy how you point out that perfection is pointless. I completely agree with this concept. If everyone was perfect, there would be no need to be an individual, nor would there be an opportunity either. If we were simply like the perfect dancers, every dance would be the same to meet the standard of perfect. That would simply get boring after a while. I don't think that's what life is supposed to be. At least, in this life. If our lives* were perfect then there wouldn't be as much glory given to God if you ask me. Sin, even though it is a bad thing, brings even MORE glory to God. Because with sin, we see our need for a spotless lamb. And we also realize how grateful to have that lamb sacrificed. Did God not know we were going to fall? Is God not all knowing? So why didn't he make us eat from the fruit? If we never had, the story of the Second Tree wouldn't be necessary. The redemption wouldn't have even existed. However, because of the Second Tree we have innocence again. And more importantly we will soon once day receive Perfection. I absolutely agree with your response
Response to Book 1 Paradise Lost March 13:
Just like everything else we read, I'm puzzled by what point the author is trying to make. While I do like thinking for myself, sometimes I like having more of a summary of what I'm working with. However, going over some of it in class helped and I can't wait for more of it's depth to be revealed!
Until then, here's my thoughts. Satan is trying to run this show. He knows how powerful God is, but he is still trying to be one step ahead of him in a way, even though that's impossible. Obviously Satan knows God created everything like why would he want to mess with him? In the beginning Satan is in the garden to get revenge on God, but God already knew He was going to do this. God also went ahead and created Hell, knowing the fallen angels were going to rebel against Him. The author did a good job describing the horrid conditions of Hell and all the other places, by the way. Satan also has like a partner in crime relationship going on with Beelzebub. They are trying to create evil to counteract God's doing of good. It is described as "Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps shall grieve him, If I fail not, and disturb his inmost counsels from thir destind aim" to portray that their acting like the annoying mosquito that won't go away. Where it goes from this point I'm not exactly sure, but the author leaves it with "No wonder, fall'n such a permicious highth.." This to me is displaying the arrogance Satan feels towards his actions, having no regret or remorse. So basically, they're chilling on "Lake of Fire" in layout chairs, probably with a bathing suit and some sun tan lotion like two old men talking about their near plans or reminiscing.
Logan Rice's Response:
I didn't read this passage 100% how I was supposed to, and my eyes were opened to that. The underlying question of this passage is why Hell was created for Satan and his "partner in crime" Beelzebub. God, like you said, knew Satan was there for revenge. My question here is: What is Satan trying to get revenge for? He was was the one who rebelled. I've thought this interesting ever since you and the author pointed this out. I agree with what you said. Hell was described as quite the place to live (Sarcasm intended). I think Satan is very irrational in his rebellion against God. He knows he's going to be defeated, so I guess he's going out in a blaze of glory. (Pun sure as Hell intended). ((Pun about hell definitely intended.)) Ok sorry. Maybe Mr. Alexander will find that funny. Overall I like your response and I'm with you. I'm interested in diving deep to this and truly revealing what Book One is about.
Response to Book 2 Paradise Lost March 21:
So I think Book 2 is better than book one. It's finally starting to build and actually go somewhere. I also felt like I understood it a little better than the other. Satan and his fellow minions are discussing war. Even though Satan hasn't been appointed their leader, I feel he already has that position. He sits back and listens to the opinions of the others. To me it was all part of his plan. While the other people with him still rebelled, I don't think they had as evil intentions as Satan. With the exception of of Moloch, once Satan portrayed the mission one of them has to go on, they become "mute" and fearful of the journey itself. What I found interesting is that Moloch didn't pipe in and join. Earlier in the passage I thought he was gunge ho for war. The author may have done this to portray Satan's conniving spirit. He had a way to express how bad it was going to be in order to get his way. He wanted all the glory of the downfall of mankind. Think about it, in the Bible you don't here about all the other demons, just Satan. In the last book we decided he wanted to be good at being evil and this is just following up his plan. Can't wait to read the next book and follow his journey!
Logan Rice's Response:
Interesting points. Satan was indeed very smart and cunning when it came to generating the plan he had in place. He silenced all the demons when he volunteered for his crazy plan and made it seem like he was taking all the weight. When really, as you pointed out, he was trying to get all of the glory. I was too intrigued in how Moloch was so jacked up for war and then didn't say a single word at Satan's plan. I think that just proves how crazy Satan is and how irrational he is. However, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get revenge.
Response to Book 9-12
I liked this book simply for the fact that it seems Eve stands out more to me than Satan which is good for a change. She opens up with dialogue to Adam, which again I like because I can follow the story line better. She seems very worry some and not content with her situation with Adam. (typical girl in a relationship right?) Adam seems to actually try and soothe her by just brushing off her worries. We know that she still will not be satisfied, she needs something drastic to make her change her emotions. Adam advises her to stick to God's teaching that she knows. Then in book 11, I think it talks about how God gave us free will to choose the right path. Maybe I have that confused but what I found interesting was that Satan went after Eve because she was the strongest. I think he knew how independent she was, obviously an easy target. Overall, it made me rethink who exactly I had thought Eve to be. I never thought to think of her as a strong character or as one who was unhappy in Eden. That just shows that human nature can never be satisfied. If she wouldn't have been tempted to eat the apple, one could say there would have been no sin, and humans would live a bored, unhappy life. Now we have purpose. So maybe we should thank Eve?