The Patriot- December 10, 2015

Issue 6 | December 10, 2015

Dec.10, 2015

The Patriot staff’s favorite Christmas movies “My favorite holiday movie is the classic It's A Wonderful Life. It plays on the tones of love, loss, and appreciating the life you have. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings!”

-Trenton Canada “Three Days, which is a more unknown movie, but I love the story of trying to find the perfect and ultimate gift for someone that you love and the lesson that money does not buy happiness.”

-Liz Guillermo “How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is my favorite Christmas movie. It shows how you still can have Christmas cheer without the gifts. It also shows why we should be thankful for friends and family!”

- DJ Hite “Polar Express is my favorite Christmas movie. It encourages you to use your imagination and the hot chocolate scene is the best!”

-Shyann Norris “My favorite is Rudolph because it brings me feelings of nostalgia. I remember watching it repetitively with my aunts when we were kids!'

-Ashton Rector

“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer because it's a fun twist on a classic song. It's actually a really weird movie, but it's totally hilarious and has catchy songs. It's a movie that I grew up watching and absolutely have to watch each Christmas season.”

- Christin Rottenberger

“Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas cause it's the story of many of our favorite cartoon characters in a story that teaches us a valuable lesson about giving gifts and where the true joy behind it is.”

-Natasha Jones “Christmas with the Kranks, because it’s family oriented, funny, and gives a good family christmas time vibe!”

-Lydia Jay

Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Patriot!

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Liz, Unglued 4 C Knowledge, it’s your only 6 O hope N 8 Complimentary Wrapping Paper T Twas the night before E 10 finals

N T S

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Ready, set, go: A Q&A with Randy Greer

14 Believers in a dark world

The Patriot is the biweekly student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.

Award-winning member of the Kentucky Press Association.

Editor-In-Chief

Natasha Jones

Staff Writers

Trenton Canada Ashton Rector

Assistant Editors

Liz Guillermo DJ Hite Lydia Jay Shyann Norris Christin Rottenberger

Faculty Advisor

Staff Photographer

Jeremiah Massengale

Eric Ford Edwards Jay Sanksa kulchai Editorial Review Board

Lisa Bartram Marianne Worthington

BY ASHTON R ECTOR Assistant Editor

ing the security and well-being of our students. Violence of any kind directed at any member of the UC community will not be tolerated.”

Dr. Emily Coleman, vice president of Student Services, said, “I do not think there was a threat to students. It was very clear it was an altercation between three people specifically.”

Coleman also added, “We didn’t feel there was an immediate direct threat to campus. If there was we would have utilized our emergency notification system and we would have notified students, but we found out very quickly it was an altercation specifically between those three students.”

Anna Hoekstra, a UC junior, commented, “Basically I think that not only were they risking the safety of all their students but it concerns me about the university in general because this happened…in the afternoon whenever I’m generally out on campus still. There’s no reason that they shouldn’t have at least notified us in the emergency system because that’s what the system is for, to let us know that somebody or something is happening on campus that we should be concerned about. So that definitely concerns me as to whether or not this campus is a safe place for me to stay.”

Another UC student, Landry Woods, said, “I think the university could have sent an email out to the students to notify them what happened and then also maybe give them helpful tips…like if they saw something or heard something about it, what to do.”

Tedarrious Teasley, a resident assistant at the Robinson-Cook dorm said this does raise concerns for him because of his job. While he says the resident assistants of Robinson-Cook have not received any notification from campus officials, he is confident that the issue will be addressed at their next meeting.

Teasley said, “Our job is supposed to keep the dorm safe and it happened at the dorm; so it does kind of raise questions of how can we be making a more safe environment, but at the same time we do a lot as far as walking halls and people being on call, and that was honestly an unfortunate type of thing.”

Teasley added that he understands why the university chooses to make some matters private but he also adds, “When something is that widespread I think that definitely as students… this is something that needs to be made aware of just from the standpoint that it’s happening on your campus. If it happened on your campus you don’t want to wake up and turn the news on and see it for the first time.”

News

Two males assaulted a University of the Cumberlands student behind the Robinson- Cook dorm between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday, December 4. 2015. The victim was taken to Baptist Health Corbin and then later flown to UT Medical Center where he received facial reconstructive surgery. According to a news report from WKYT, both men have been charged with seconddegree assault and first-degree robbery.

Cole Parson, a UC freshmen who first located the victim and transported him to the emergency room, said he was shocked. Parson said, “Just going to do your normal day-to-day things, you don’t expect that to happen. It was just completely random and unthinkable.”

While this information is alarming to many UC students, one of the bigger concerns is why the university did not notify students an act such as this had taken place on campus. University officials have spoken to news outlets such as WKYT and WYMT about the incident, but no announcements have been made via the emergency notification system or email.

The emergency notification system sends important information about campus through text messages, web pages, RSS, PDA, email, text pager, Google, AOL, or My Yahoo Page.

Parson added, “I feel like the school should have notified us themselves whether it be from an email or the emergency notification [system] rather than students spreading it to other students. I feel like the staff should have notified rather than figuring out from other people.”

Kyle Gilbert, UC’s vice president for operations, is the university official who determines whether an incident on campus is to be considered as an immediate threat to students or faculty.

Gilbert said, “This was an isolated incident and all three of the parties were acquainted with each other and it just so happened when their altercation began that they were there behind the dormitory. It does not raise any security concerns or safety concerns whatsoever.”

Gilbert further explained that students were not notified because the suspects of the assault and robbery had exited campus and police were immediately on campus.

“This is a sad, unfortunate situation,” said Leslie Ryser, UC’s director of communications and marketing. “In general, we have a safe campus so incidents of this kind are extremely rare. The university is committed to safeguard-

Photo by Ashton Rector

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Liz, Unglued Unmasking Liz Guillermo in these, her final days as a UC student

BY TR ENTON CA NA DA

Features

Assistant Editor

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The strong smell of coffee wafts in the air as Liz Guillermo takes her seat across from me. Dressed in a red, floral design as bright as her lipstick, she sips her coffee as Adele plays in the background. She appears calm and ready, seemingly un-phased by the fact that in just a few days she will be taking her college finals for the last time. This last year came as a long process for Guillermo.

She’s a fifth-year senior and will be graduating with a bachelor of science in theatre arts, a degree she didn’t originally plan on.

“My first year, I met with Dr. Broome and he asked me what I wanted to be my major, and I came in knowing that I wanted to go into pharmacy,” Guillermo remembers, “but I told him theatre. He said that I didn’t seem sure, but I said that it was what came out, so let’s just go with it, and I’ve stuck with it since.”

The theatre is certainly a place where Guillermo seems to come to life. She recently finished starring as the female lead in a production of “The 39 Steps,” a retelling of an Alfred Hitchcock tale. On stage, Guillermo dominates, proving that she chose her area of study very well, but few know about her dedication to the theatre while off stage. Behind the curtain, Guillermo worked with the costume designer to ready the actors for opening night, a dedication that is echoed in past productions.

Brody Nolan, who has been close friends with Guillermo for the past two years, says of her work in the theatre, “She’s been the stage manager in past productions and she freaks out about everything, but her hard work pays off.

She worries about everything even if there is nothing to worry about… For this play, every time I saw her, she was reading the playbook, rehearsing her lines, and her hard work paid off. She nailed it. She knows what to do.”

Truth be told, Guillermo would be graduating later in life if an opportunity

Photos by Trenton Canada

at the University of the Cumberlands hadn’t presented itself in the fall following her high school graduation. She had planned to take a year off before entering college, but life had other plans, and since that first moment at UC, Guillermo has become a recognizable face not just with the faculty and fellow students in her department but with those across the campus.

Nolan offers light to this thought by recalling a recent encounter between Guillermo and Ms. Carter, UC dean of student life: “Ms. Carter was just talking up to her, saying things like, ‘How’s your life?’ and ‘I’m so glad you’re graduating. I’m so proud of you!’ Ms. Carter is a busy woman and has been here for years and has seen a lot of students, and yet she knows how hard Liz has worked and took the time to talk to her.”

Strong willed and independent, Guillermo didn’t come from wealth. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Whitley County, Guillermo’s home county in Kentucky, is known for its location in rural Appalachia, and Guillermo’s story demonstrates the poverty in this area.

Guillermo recalls moments from her childhood saying, “I came from a very impoverished place, but I’ve always been told to just work my hardest. I’ve watched my mom work job after job after job just to provide for me as a kid.

She was gone a lot because she was always working. My family has always told me, ‘Go to college. That’s your way out.’”

Yet, poverty wasn’t the only obstacle Guillermo had to overcome. Her life has had its share of tragedies, one in particular that seems to have left its permanent mark.

Sydney Freeman, one of Guillermo’s closest friends, recalls, “Her cousin, her best friend, killed himself. That was a turning point for her. That’s when she decided that she wanted a better life, a life that he would be proud of.”

toward something.”

On a more personal note, I have known Liz Guillermo for quite some time now, yet I didn’t become acquainted with the true Liz until this semester, her final semester here. That in itself, the discovery of a person with whom you share so much, is inspirational. Yet, knowing that this is her last semester at UC and that I will have to make my own strides across campus without her is somewhat bittersweet. She truly is one of the strongest people I have met, filled with a passion nearly unmatched by those around her. She has served as a fortress for her friends, those to whom she is fiercely loyal, and while I am incredibly joyous that she is graduating and will undoubtedly be pursuing bigger and brighter things in a world that needs her infectious spirit, there is a moment of melancholy in knowing that she won’t be a face I see every day, a sentiment shared by all of her close friends. Still, she leaves behind part of herself behind at UC. Guillermo glances at her coffee before offering this final statement: “When I think of Cumberlands, I know that the campus functioned before me and will function after me. I think that’s the great thing about it. The campus, no matter who comes in or who leaves, will always function in a way that makes everyone feel special in their time here, but I definitely feel that everyone leaves a part of themselves here. When we leave, we leave behind friends. It’s impossible to have a friend without leaving a piece of yourself with them. It’s impossible to have an experience without leaving a piece of yourself there. There’s a change that’s been made; there’s a spirit that’s left, an expectation, some knowledge, there’s something that is different because we existed on this campus.”

Features

That moment left a hole in Guillermo’s life, a hole that she encounters daily. That memory coupled with her own struggles with depression and anxiety serves as a constant combatant against her, pushing her down, and yet she still somehow finds the courage and the strength to rise each day and pursue her goals, her passions. She does so with caution, shielding herself behind a mask of her own design, as her struggles have come with a cost.

“Sometimes it’s very exhausting,” Guillermo explains. “I’ve built up this persona of being the strong one, so when something goes wrong in my life, it feels like I can’t take off that mask. I really don’t have any of the answers.”

Still, following Guillermo around campus, you may notice that she is always the first to smile, the first to offer a wave, the first to honestly inquire, “How are you? Are you doing ok?” Her close friends describe her as selfless and loyal, always willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of those dear to her. All of this while remaining behind that shield, behind that mask to protect herself.

And yet, if given the opportunity to peek behind it, you will find a young woman- struggling with insecurities, yes- but somehow resilient enough to push past them.

“What I always tell people is that it’s easier to be in front of a crowd and be scripted, than it is to be in the middle of a crowd on your own,” offers Guillermo.

Despite those circumstances, personal or otherwise, Guillermo has shaken off the restraints to become the first in her family to pursue a college education, and yet, her time spent at UC hasn’t solely focused on classes. Her playful tone and stern work ethic have helped to solidify that she will long be remembered here if for nothing other than teaching her professor, John Varley, how to longboard.

About her work in college, Guillermo offers, “I want to be in a place where I’ve worked hard these few years. I’ve been consistently doing a lot of things so that I can be in a place after college, a place that I enjoy… I’ve fought to prove that I’m not what people think I am. I’ve fought to prove that I am educated, that I’m stronger than people think. I’ve fought to prove that I’m not a woman who’s weak… It’s always exhausting to push toward your dreams, especially if you’re coming out of a situation that is less than amazing, but it’s a good exhaustion. I’m always glad that I’m tired because I’m working

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Knowledge, it’s our only hope

Reasons why Star Wars going the way of Disney isn’t the same as going the way of the dark side

BY LIZ GUILLER MO Staff Writer

Features

You may be surprised to find out that I am obsessed with “Star Wars,” and by surprised I mean that if you have ever met me you know that as a bonafide fact. This also means that I am beyond ready for the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and that I bought my ticket the day that they went on sale. The official release date is December 18 but, like most major motion pictures, there is a “midnight” premiere the day before on December 17, AKA the last official day of the semester and my last official day as a college student. I mean, realistically that is a coincidence, but illogically I want to thank Disney for treating me like a princess and releasing the movie in celebration of my final day of college.

For those of you who may be worried about what it will be like for Disney to take over the Star Wars franchise, and from what I’ve gathered that is a lot of you, I want to calm your fears with reasons why Disney is actually a wonderful choice of company to make these movies. While I’ve perpetuated the stereotype that Disney is just princesses and fairy tales, you might be surprised by some of the things that they actually have control over and this realization can help you get through your pre-”awaken” nerves. Here are three surprising (more or less) assets owned by Disney as shown on nasdaq.com.

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1.) Marvel This one is probably the least surprising but it still is a great example of a Disney-owned asset that is doing well. If you don’t know what Marvel is, it is the comic book giant behind greats such as “Iron Man,” “Captain America,” and of course “The Avengers.” The release of big name comic book films started with the same uneasy nerves that surround Star Wars currently. People were unsure that Disney could make something that would stay true to comic books.

However, most of the Marvel movies that have come out have been box office successes. It may be similar to the happily-ever-after endings that come in princess movies, but their superhero successes have clearly shown they can do something more than a singing prince and animated dance numbers.

2.) ABC Under this falls ABC Family, which covers family-friendly entertainment that includes Harry Potter weekends at least once every few weeks. But this also

covers several shows that may surprise you on the regular ABC station, shows such as “Scandal” and “How To Get Away With Murder.” If you are unfamiliar with the premises, these shows are thrillers for the mind that deal with murder or politics. Both of these are mentally stimulating shows that have been successful in the world of television, and both of them have a less than fairytale feel to them. All things that air on ABC Family and on the ABC network are a part of Disney, technically.

3.) ESPN Okay, this one might be the most surprising of the three but it is true. Disney has an 80 percent ownership over ESPN (the other 20 percent is owned by Hearst Company who shares many assets with Disney.) This means that the sports network and all of the sports type activities that they produce is also a part of Disney. It feels a little strange to know that “Monday Night Football” is ran by the same people who made “The Little Mermaid” but we live in a strange and wonderful world. All of the shows, the games that are broadcast, and the commentary are under the Disney franchise.

Disney is more than just a princess portrayal, a mouse with a pet dog, or whatever is happening in “Fantasia.” In fact, they have a hand in some of the most popular things that are on air to date, from political thrillers to sports ball and everything in between. This being said, do not fret so much about the new Star Wars. Disney is doing a stand up job in a bunch of other things that are more than just the fairy tale adventures they are most known for. Go see “The Force Awakens,” if for some reason you were hesitant, and if you see me on December 17 for my last day of college and on my way to see “Star Wars,” feel free to call me “Your Highness” or something like that. Your call. Also, as in most things in life, I wish you the best of luck going into these finals, may the Force be with you.

BY NATASHA JONES Editor-in-Chief

Music can shape and change the way we feel, which means it’s only right to have a playlist designed to help get you through some of the hardest seasons of your life. One of the hardest times of the year for college students is finals week--the one week where we try to retain we’ve Photoeverything provided by William Tur ner learned in the past semester, for a two-hour exam that accounts for a large part of our final grades. Never fear; your finals week playlist is here: “Livin’ on a Prayer” - Bon Jovi Woah, we're half way there Woah, livin' on a prayer We've got to hold on to what we've got It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

“Eye of The Tiger” - Survivor Just a man and his will to survive.

You trade your passion for glory It's the thrill of the fight Rising up to the challenge of our rival And the last known survivor Stalks his prey in the night

“Help” - The Beatles Help, I need somebody Help, not just anybody Help, you know I need someone Help!

When I was younger, so much younger than today I never needed anybody's help in any way But now these days are gone I'm not so self-assured

“The Final Countdown” - Europe It's the final countdown...

[This song relies heavily on its almost minute-long instrumental intro, but the beat will certainly amp your adrenaline and help you finish the semester strong.]

“Stronger” - Kelly Clarkson You think you got the best of me Think you've had the last laugh Bet you think that everything good is gone Think you left me broken down

Features

“Carry on my Wayward Son” - Kansas Carry on my wayward son.

There’ll be peace when you are done.

Lay your weary head to rest.

Don’t you cry no more

Features

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BY TR ENTON CA NA DA

News

Features

Assistant Editor

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Twas the night before finals and all through the dorms Not a senior was sleeping, not a freshman did snore.

Textbooks were opened by bedsides with care, In the hopes that some cramming would prove to be fair.

Notecards and papers were scattered atop all the beds.

Students were stressing as knowledge slipped from their heads.

With flashcards in hand, my tears fell to my lap.

My mind was begging, “Please, allow me to nap.”

Then, out by the street there came a great noise.

To myself I thought, “Tis just some rowdy boys.”

Down flights of stairs, I ran and I ran.

I threw open the doors and there I did stand.

The streetlight shown down for my eyes to behold, There was Beyoncé, standing out in the cold.

My mouth dropped open as she did approach.

She reached out her hand as I let go of my notes.

A chariot of fire did appear from the sky.

“Come with me,” she said. “Into the night we will fly.”

With excitement in tact, I stepped right on board.

“Up, up I say,” Beyoncé sang in B chord.

Up and upward we rose in Beyoncé’s great sleigh.

A wild great wonder, the clouds parted our way.

Beyoncé called to our driver, she did seem to tease,

“Driver, oh driver, roll up the partition please.”

As the partition did rise, too didbymy hopes Photoso submitted Tedarrius Teasey That Beyoncé would take me to a land without notes, Without classes or tests or professors who teach, To a land of pure bliss, to a life within reach.

To think of it now- no paper, no final, Not having to beg professors for survival.

I wished and I wished for my wish to come true, To live a full life with no assignments due.

Yet as we parted the heavens, much to my dismay, “Well, hey there, Ms. Carter,” Beyoncé did say.

Sure enough, there she did sit, perched atop a great cloud Ms. Carter beamed down, her eyes shone bright and proud.

She opened her mouth, and I became alert.

“Awake, awake I say,” she did boldly assert.

My eyes quickly flung open, and there I did lay I was in my bed, not Beyoncé’s great sleigh!

My clock flashed the time: Twas two in the evening.

Panic rose in my throat as my body stopped breathing.

“Dear God! I’ve missed my finals!” I did exclaim.

I had only myself and my tired soul to blame.

As I cried in distress, my patience was tiring.

Forget all of this for McDonald’s is always hiring.

12 Days of Finals

BY CHRISTIN ROTTENBERGER Staff Writer

Twelve cited sources

Eleven-paged papers

Ten hours cramming

Nine thoughts of dropping

Eight gray hairs

Seven days of crying

Six all-nighters

Five giant tests

Four PowerPoints

Three group projects

One ball of anxiety

Features

Two heart attacks

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Ready,

Photo by Er ic Ford Edwards

Set,

Go!

A Q&A with Randy Greer, Head Coach of UC Field and Track

BY DJ HITE

Photo taken from UC Athletics webpage

Staff Writer

The University of the Cumberlands athletics teams have had a great season during the fall 2015 semester. As it comes to an end, there are some other sports that are starting up for the spring semester. One of them is Track and Field.

This is Randy Greer’s first season as the new head coach of the University of the Cumberland’s men’s and women’s Track and Field Team. He is also an alumni of the school. There is a lot of hard work that goes into taking over any sport. In this interview, Greer gives some of his thoughts on what it takes to be a great track and field coach and also what goals he has for the team in 2016.

Q: What are your thoughts about this being your first season as the University of the Cumberland’s head men’s and women’s Track and Field coach?

Greer: I am very excited to be back at UC. The fact that I am an alumnus and that I started my coaching career here as a GA makes it even better to be able to return home.

Q: What inspired you to take the position as the head Track and Field coach here at the Cumberlands?

Greer: Having ran at UC and also being able to return to Kentucky was a big factor for my wife and I. We are both former student athletes from UC as well as grew up in Kentucky. Taking this job really has been like coming home.

Sports

Q: What are some goals you have for the team to accomplish this year?

Greer: This year I would like build upon the success that Coach Stroud and Coach Temple have fostered for so long. I would love to compete for the conference title on the men's side as well as defend our title from last year on the women's side. I also think that we can have multiple national qualifiers this year in indoor and outdoor season.

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Q: What are some steps that the team is taking to prepare for the season opener on January 15 at the ETSU Invitational?

Greer: Currently, we are just continuing to work hard every day to prepare for indoor. The workouts over Christmas break will be a huge factor in how ready we are in January.

Photo by Jay Sanksakulchai

Sprinting to the Finish A Q&A with UC sprinter DeAndre Davis

BY DJ HITE Staff Writer

DeAndre Davis is a sprinter on the University of the Cumberlands Track and Field team. This is Davis’s first semester here at UC, as a junior, after transferring from Ohio Christian University. In this interview he explains how excited he is for this upcoming season. He also gives some key characteristics about what it takes to be a good sprinter.

Q: Are you excited for this season and what are your thoughts?

Davis: Very! Transferring in from a smaller track and field program at Ohio Christian University, I feel we have a solid team this year. It’s impressive the amount of skill level and talented runners and throwers we have this year. I also feel very confident under our new head coach (Randy Greer) and trust that he can take our ability to the next level.

Q: What are some goals you have to accomplish this year during this track season?

Davis: A personal goal I have set for myself is to lower my time in the 200 and 100 meter sprints. As for anyone, I strive to get better as an athlete and also a person. I am also aiming to build endurance and become a stronger runner. Until I came to this school I didn’t know my running form was out of whack, but now I am looking to perfect it as the season approaches. Every day is a chance to get better and I'm taking it one step at a time.

Q: What are some steps you and your teammates are taking to get ready for this first track meet when we get back from break?

Davis: Well, in rain and even in the cold we are always practicing. We are also in the weight room three days a week and have been practicing since fall. At first it seemed like a drag but eventually my mind got into the daily routine.

Q: What is your favorite thing about running track?

Davis: I would say my favorite thing about running or track is the competition. I am a very competitive person and hate getting outdone or out worked in anything I do. Travel is also a plus and meeting new people at meets.

Sports

Q: What are some characteristics it takes to be a good track sprinter?

Davis: I can name more than a few characteristics of becoming a good track runner or thrower, but to be honest it all comes down to self-discipline. There were many days that I wanted to call in sick from practice and just chill in the room. But you think to yourself, “How will I become better in bed or by watching television?” There are many times in the weight room I think about skipping a workout drill but how would that make me a stronger or faster runner? Self-discipline may be the only way of becoming successful at anything you want to achieve in a sport or life period.

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Believers in a dark world Photo by Shyann Norr is

BY LYDI A JAY

Faith & Ministry

Staff Writer

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As we know, the world is not the way that it used to be. Over time, the world has changed rapidly and has become even more of a challenge to live the way one believes each day than most of us would like to admit outside of our group of believers. On the other end of the spectrum you have those who don’t mind making their opinions known about the world. However, there is nothing wrong as a believer to have the privilege and right to voice your beliefs and opinions. We do have to be considerate and acknowledge that the world has the same privilege and right as well. Whether we have the same viewpoints or not, both parties should be able to partake in being considerate and acknowledge the other's opinions. Although, as a believer we may not have the same viewpoints as the world, but how we go about voicing our beliefs and opinions makes the difference in regards to how the world responds. We have to realize that we are responsible for the way we handle issues on any manner as a believer or non-believer.

Does this mean as believers we sit back and say nothing? Does this mean we avoid walking on eggshells, to avoid the start of a conflict or tip toe and dance around topics that we are afraid will offend someone and make things uncomfortable? Do we allow people to bash our beliefs and way of life while the world tries to make us accept their way of life? Is there any right way to go about these sticky situations that we face today? Yes. As believers, we need to read about how Jesus and his disciples did things and how they handled these topics. What did Jesus do? He loved. He loved the sinner. Scripture says in Proverbs 10:12 (KJV), “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” Believers, instead of being negative and trying to shove your beliefs down those who do not share your beliefs, let’s focus on the deeper issue at hand. The problem is not solely on a person or their lack of being some sort of a “Christian.” There is nowhere in the Bible where it says, “Christian.” The problem is people’s lack of knowing the truth due to the fact that people are or have been deceived. One of the ways that believers are going to reach people is through love, being a servant and giving encouragement. Believers walk with them as they are seeking out the truth and show them how we are to live our lives. Underneath all of the debates and what not that is what we are all truly after. We help people in this world by loving one another. We need to daily rededicate our lives to being honest, upright examples for others. We need to rise up and show people how it’s done. As believers, myself included, we are not perfect. We still fall short and sin, but since we have the man upstairs, we have the help that we need as well as others to help us strive to become better each and every day.

So, let’s not degrade one another but encourage others to find the truth and pray they choose to respond to that truth accordingly and leave the rest to God. I say all of this not because Christmas is near, or that a new year is approaching, but as a reminder that the world is going to get even more uncomfortable.

There is no clean slate, just a new year. I encourage you to try a new tactic: rise up and show people Jesus. Make it your goal to strive in loving one another and helping people come to know the truth this new year. 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Be blessed.

Out of the darkness of anger and into the light of love A devotional

BY SHYA NN NOR R IS Staff Writer

Feature

Often times Christians experience what seems to be a storm in the middle of the day-to-day lives. This storm is our test. We can either choose to embrace the valley of our Christian walk with Christ and run with it in love or we can choose to react with anger towards our loved ones and God, our creator. Which would we choose? Though it is hard to say what our response would be until we are in the moment, we can prepare ourselves to respond the way we were commanded to before we encounter those dark clouds in our life.

When something goes wrong in your life, praise God. When others hurt you, thank God. When you start to get angry over the little things, ask God for a joyous heat and a generous spirit. He can and He will help us. Anger is one of the first ways we as Christians know to respond; however, is that what God commanded for us to do? Anger could come with a clouded mind, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or something as simple as a discouragement. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV), “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Let us be quick to act in love and slow to act in anger. God commands us to love one another and ourselves. Acting in love towards others when in a spiritual valley is a necessity, but it is harder to do that when we are on the mountaintop on a “Jesus high.” Luke 6:35 (KJV) says, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

When our life is clouded, when our heart is angry, when we are hurting the ones around us by responding wrongfully while in the valley, we need to ask God to clear our pathway and continuously pray for a calm in the storm of our life. God will hear our need and soften our hearts for Him.

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