Spiritual Autobiography - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2126 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/03/13 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Autobiography Essay Did you like this example? In the context of religion, faith means to have confidence or trust in a particular system of beliefs. It is having a secure belief in God and trusting Gods will. For a Christian, this definition is not just words on a page it is a way of life. Faith is what we cannot see but feel deep inside of us. Faith is believing that one day we will stand before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For Christians, believing is not seeing. Our world is revolved around the fact that God came to earth, died on the cross, rose again on the third day, and then ascended back into heaven. As Christians, we naturally believe what the bible says. We were not there when he died on the cross, yet we believe. We were not there when Jesus rose again, yet we believe. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Spiritual Autobiography" essay for you Create order Ever since I can remember, I have gone to church every Sunday with my family. My siblings and I would go to Sunday school while my parents went to the church service or their adult group. For a couple years my parents even taught Sunday school. Sometimes I would go into their classroom when my class was over and help with crafts. I was very involved from an early age. I went to youth group activities, helped in the nursery, went to church camp, and was an acolyte for a couple years. An acolyte is anyone who performs ceremonial duties such as light candles and says a prayer. I was raised in a very religious family who always tried to practice what they preached. My faith journey all started when I was a baby and they did a dedication at church for me. My parents dedicated that they would raise me in a Christian family. The church we went to at the time did not baptize babies. They wanted the family to dedicate to raise the child as a Christian and then you choose when you want to be baptized and follow Christ. A couple years later we switched to a Methodist church. Part of growing up in a Methodist church meant I would go through baptism and confirmation. I chose to be baptized when I was about 12 years old. My parents did not want to baptize me when I was young because they wanted me to remember that day. They waited until I said I wanted to do it. My parents also wanted me to know and understand why I was being baptized and not just because my parents want me to but because I want to. After being baptized, I went through confirmation. Confirmation was for eighth graders only and it was basically like a Sunday school class. I went to this class every Sunday for a whole year. At the end of the year, they had a church service to confirm us in the church. This meant we were officially members of the Methodist church. This was a huge moment in my life because it was the first time I got the courage to pray out loud in front of people. It was the moment that I realized how connected I felt with the church and with God. I felt like my life was in such a good place. From a young age, I experienced a sense of belonging and like I had a place in my church. I grew close to many people including kids my age and their families. I learned leadership skills and how to take on new tasks. I loved to learn and I absorbed everything I could. I remember when I was in fifth-grade Sunday school, we learned a song to remember all the books of the New Testament. I was beyond excited that I knew all the books. That was one of my goals when I was younger. Then, we stood in front of the whole church and sang it for them. Of course, I was a nervous wreck but I did it. One of my favorite things about the church, when I was younger, was learning different songs, hymns, and memorizing books and stories of the bible. My parents felt very strongly about making sure their children had a relationship with the Lord. We would pray every night at the dinner table before we ate, and my mom would remind us to say our prayers before going to bed each night. They made sure that we accepted Jesus into our hearts at the right age. We were young, but not too young where we did not understand what it meant. I still remember the night I asked Jesus into my heart. I was sitting on my bed at night with my mom. She would say the words and I would repeat them after her. I remember feeling this calm throughout me like nothing was going on in the world. There was this sense of joy like Jesus was present in the room with us. It amazes me how I was so young, but I clearly remember that moment. It was such an important part of my life that I hope I never forget. Then, my family went through a tough time when my Aunt Cheryl was diagnosed with Leukemia eight years ago. She battled for many years, but sadly she lost her life about two and a half years ago. She was always selfless like Jesus. She put everyone before herself even when she was fighting for her life. My mom would call her every time she was in the hospital to check in on her and see how she was doing. My Aunt Cheryl answered and said, Hi Kathy, how are you? and every time my mom would think It doesnt matter how I am. I want to know how you are and talk about you. That just shows how selfless and humble she is. Her faith has guided her and shaped her into whom she was even while battling cancer. She was the strongest person I knew. My Aunt Cheryl never complained once when going through treatments and procedures. Anyone who has gone through a disease like that knows how mentally and physically tough it is. God gave her the willpower to keep fighting. She could have given up many years before she finally let go. The only reason she did was that she went through two bone marrow transplants that did not work and was in and out of remission twice. My Aunt Cheryl was getting signs from her body telling her she was slowly shutting down and she knew it was time. The most amazing part of her story was that she still prayed and stayed strong through every procedure. This took a huge impact on my mom which had a major impact on me. For a couple years my mom could not even go to church. She would start to cry and could never sit through the whole service. My mom has always been mine and my families rock and support through everything. She made sure we went to church every Sunday. After my Aunt Cheryl passed away, it seemed like our faith slipped away as well. We would go to church every now and then over the span of two years, but we would never go regularly anymore. It got to a point where nobody recognized us from church anymore. I felt like I did not really have a relationship with God anymore. I slowly started to get wrapped up in life and not pray anymore, not go to church, and not live through Jesus. In the article Jesus: The Ruler of the World states, Jesus rescues human beings in order that through them he may rule his world in the new way he always intended (61, N.T. Wright). N.T. Wright is saying that we make decisions and actions that show Jesus is working and living through us. My family would not make the right decisions for a while by not going to church and forgetting to pray. It became such a bad habit. There was no assuming or asking if we were going to go to church anymore. We just knew we were not going to go. Also, my mom would go to The Hospital University of Pennsylvania frequently to visit my Aunt Cheryl, so she would go on Sundays sometimes or she would be exhausted and not want to go to church the next day. I feel like no matter what it was we always came up with an excuse to not go to church. Nobody deserves to go through what my Aunt Cheryl went through and that is what my mom struggled with the most. Especially towards the end, my mom was always by her side. She could see the pain and suffering my aunt was going through, and my mom just could not understand why God would let a sweet, humble, kind-hearted person suffer like that for many years. Seeing my mom go through this time was eye-opening for me. I personally witnessed suffering and how it could impact someones faith. I always hear stories about how people either grow deeper in faith or lose their faith after a loss of someone very close and special. I was worried for a little that my mom was going to lose her faith because God took her sister from her. She struggled with not knowing why God would let her sister suffer and take away her life. In my moms case, she lost her faith for a little but was able to bounce back. With family support, my mom was able to get through it. My Aunt Cheryl was the most generous, kind hearted, and loving person you would ever meet. While she was battling cancer, she could not work so they were slightly financially unstable. She and her husband lived a very plain life. They did not want or need many things in life to make them happy. I specifically remember on my sixteenth birthday my Aunt Cheryl was healthy and was out of the hospital. She came to my birthday party and discretely handed me fifty dollars. I was absolutely shocked. I never expected anything let alone fifty dollars from her. They were struggling to pay for the hospital bills, but she still gave me money on my birthday. She had faith in the Lord that even though she gave me a lot of money that should be going towards bills, she knew she would be rewarded in her afterlife and that is all that matters. I never realized until recently how lucky I am to have grown up in such a faith-oriented family. We definitely hit some tough times in our lives, but we figured it out together and with the help of God. If I have learned anything it is to never give up on God or turn your back even if you are going through a very tough time in your life. There is a reason God put you on this earth and he has a plan for you. James Choung states, Because no matter how the world came to be, the Christian story says that when we look at eucalyptus trees, windy rivers, majestic mountains, the shining sun, starfish, polar bears, Dungeness crabs, duck-billed platypuses, and (especially) you and me, you can see that all of it was designed for something. All of it has a purpose (24, James Choung). It is easy to drift away from faith and the Lord, but always remember that he is there for you even when you do not think so. I had a very strong faith when I was younger and I thought that would never change. As I got older, I would focus on everything but Jesus. I got caught up in my dreams, goals, and problems in life and became distracted by what truly mattered which is following the Lord our Savior. Going through the time in my life when I was separated from God really made me think about my faith. I recently started to question my faith and what I truly believe. This only helped me to grow closer to the Lord. I have learned that questioning my faith is the beginning to grow in my faith. I have felt that in the past month that I have been in college. Since I am so independent in college, I am learning how to create my own faith and what I believe in. I do not necessarily have to believe what my parents taught me growing up any more. I would not change anything that happened to my faith throughout my life because it brought me to a realization that I have my own faith to grow in now.

Gun Control Persuasive Essay - 1539 Words

Tighter Gun Control Once again the topic of gun control has risen due to the most recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, which was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. This shooting resulted in the loss of 58 innocent lives and the harm to more than 500 others. As we can see, these events are happening far too often and we must make a change soon. While this Letter to the Editor gives me a place to express my concern on this issue, I will also use Facebook and Twitter to reach as many viewers as possible. I believe that Twitter will be more effective in having my voice be heard because of the ability to use hashtags and the millions of active users they have. The New York Times 620 8th Avenue New York, NY, 10018 Dear Editor: I am†¦show more content†¦There is never a logical time for someone to use it so what is the need for it. Hunters don’t go out into the woods with machine guns to hunt their prey. If they did they would have far too many bullets in the animal to have to remove. Having these military style weapons on the market is just asking for tragedy. One of the military surgeons that helped treat victims of the Las Vegas shooting claims â€Å"These were definitely injuries you would see in a war zone† (Craig 1). This is the result of selling these military-style weapons. A war on our homeland against our very own people. We need more people to start speaking out on this issue because the more people that speak out the more our voice will be heard. I understand that it’s our second amendment right to bear arms but at the same time I believe that everyone’s right to life is more important than someone’s right to bear arms. You can’t argue that. It’s not that we are trying to get rid of all guns but we want to make it harder for people who shouldn’t have them, to obtain them because the less guns there are the less shootings there will be. With enough people on our side I believe we can fix this problem and make our country a safer place for everyone. Sincerely, Connor Rogers My Letter to the Editor states that the accessibility to guns, especially military-style weapons is very concerning, not to mention the fact that youShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay : Gun Control798 Words   |  4 PagesPersuasive Essay Did you know that in the United States almost 100,000 people are shot or killed with a gun in one year? 10,527 people die a year in handgun related incidents in the United States. This number, by far, outweighs the number of gun related deaths in countries such as Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan, which number 13, 22, and 87, respectively. What is the reason for such drastic differences in numbers? Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan are all countries that have stricter gun controlRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1753 Words   |  8 PagesPersuasive Essay Rough Draft The United States of America has a problem that is growing worse every day. American laws are not protecting its citizens from injury or death. You may think the mass shootings in America the guns used were bought illegally, but â€Å"since 1982, there have been at least 62 mass shooter carried out with firearms across the country, with the killings unfolding in 30 states from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Of the 139 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters wereRead More Persuasive Articles on Gun Control Essays607 Words   |  3 PagesPersuasive Articles on Gun Control Persuading an audience can be done in several different fashions, one of which is Hugh Rank’s Model of Persuasion. Rank’s model states that two major strategies are used to achieve the particular goal of persuasion. These strategies are nicely set into two main schemas; the first method is to exaggerate an aspect of something, known as â€Å"intensify.† While the second is to discredit it, which is referred to as â€Å"downplay.† Al Franken, Jeffrey SnyderRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1018 Words   |  5 PagesImagine, an America where no citizen, law abiding or not, has the legal ability to own guns. Three gunmen with fully automatic rifles walk into a crowded city and begin firing. No law abiding citizen can defend themselves. It’s hopeless. This future can only be prevented if Americans continue to keep the second amendment. We should keep the current gun control laws, but revise them to make them even better. Most gun own ers are responsible under the current laws, however, I think some laws need to beRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1245 Words   |  5 Pagesand time again. Due to recent tragedies involving firearms, the view of guns and peoples rights to own and operate firearms have been frowned upon and viewed in a bad light due to Media. News sources have cherrypicked pictures of tragedies and stories about bad instances of gun usage in order to fight for Gun Control and the suppression of Americans rights. Due to the recent Vegas shooting, the argument for Gun Control has never been more intense, and Media outlets are having a field day onRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control915 Words   |  4 PagesHistorically guns haven’t been a national issue. It is not until relatively recently that an overwhelming amount of people have been in favor of placing stricter laws on the owning of a fire arm. The call for gun control has become more prevalent in the eyes of the government and the people; the gun laws that are also often proposed are irrational and ineffective. One could not simply ban guns, it is comparable to banning a certain genre of music; it’s unachievable and would be a fruitless pursuitRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1745 Words   |  7 Pagescruelty to animals, and yet he was able to buy four guns legally (Rosenberg). That is the most recent example of why Americans need more gun control laws. Guns are not cool or makes you look good, they are a da ngerous piece of machinery that Americans take advantage of. The average American in the right mindset should not want to own anything more than one handgun or rifle for hunting or protecting their household. Gun control reform that limits gun ownership, enforces mandatory background checks, andRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1439 Words   |  6 Pagesreason why Americans own so many guns is because of the Second Amendment, which states, â€Å"A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.† (Rauch) This amendment guarantees U.S. citizens the right to have firearms. Since this amendment is relatively vague, it is up for interpretation, and is often used by gun advocates to argue for lenient gun laws. Hence, gun control is a frequently discussed controversialRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control967 Words   |  4 Pagessaid gun violence has gotten out of hand. This do esn’t mean that the second amendment is the cause of it. Gun Violence has become such a big part of the Second Amendment since they both play a major part of the gun industry. Guns have become such a powerful source to many individuals. With the second amendment placed, this means we have gun control, which are rules that regulate, the manufacture, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. There should be a stricter law on gun controlRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1634 Words   |  7 PagesOver the recents years, there have been many arguments about the issue of gun control at the state and national level. In California, there have been a variety of enacted laws within recent years to address the issue of growing gun violence around the country and ways to prevent terrorist attacks. California s new enacted laws about gun control in the state range from abolishing certain features on weapons to restricting certain handguns or other firearms a person might buy. The legislative branch

My Greatest Challenge free essay sample

I can still remember, maybe when I was five or six years old, the bickering scene of my parents. At the time I was too young to really know what was going on. As I grew older I generally accepted it as the everyday custom of my home, and downplayed it again and again. You’re now probably wondering why it stays in my memory, or perhaps what it’s doing in my college essay. I eventually came to the conclusion that a sob story would be the best way into the heart of a college admissions counselor. It all came crashing down in high school. I suppose you could say this is where I’ve learned to struggle and grow; the time when going home everyday meant a fight with my father. The first time he hit me was when I was five. It never ceased from there no matter how many therapists or doctors I went to for the pain; knowing that a diagnosis of depression was coming after the first few weeks of talking, had dismembered any rational thought of who I was. We will write a custom essay sample on My Greatest Challenge or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I carried out with my own drugs, my own sense of leisure by abusing myself and body. The loss of appetite that now humbled me to an extreme of nearly 120 pounds left me limp and frail. My mother saw this and together we traveled to where she was born to escape my father. I spent the next month in Chile while my parents worked their problems out. The country was kind o me but it left me feeling out of place and lonely. We would return shortly thereafter. Life went on for years like this and even when I felt as though it was time for me to switch paths, I was sacrificed for the greater good of the family. Hushed away to keep the Duff name gleaming and twinkling beneath the sun. I recall looking in the bathroom mirror every morning, with the same gaunt and stressed face I’d seen for months on end reflected back at me. It was time to sit down and call to mind who I really was. I found a nitch in school with politics or student council, whatever you’d like to call it. Slowly I began transitioning myself for a run in the government of the school. After two burdening campaigns, I rode the trail of broken memories to become the president of over 2500 students. I’ve now learned to carry my battle scars on my back, where they belong behind me. I looked forward, let the sun shine upon my face and gave thanks to the power above me. My life was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to drudge through.

Nordstrom free essay sample

Nordstrom Cheryl Akins Professor Araya Marketing 100 June 13, 2011 Nordstrom 1. Identify the type of retailer that Nordstrom’s is classified as. Describe the characteristics it shares with other retailers of this type. Nordstrom is classified as an upscale large independent department store. It shares the same characteristics as Macy’s, JC penny’s and Dillard’s who also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances. 2. Describe Nordstrom’s level of service on the continuum from full service to self-service.Give an example of a store that would be on the opposite end of the continuum and explain their differences. Nordstrom went from full service to self-service. When Nordstrom was full service it was able to serve customers, mostly satisfied but it became overwhelming. Most people were ordering products off the internet, but when it came to return the item because of dislike, then a lot of Nordstrom’s stores did not except online product. We will write a custom essay sample on Nordstrom or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Target is a good example of a store that would be on the opposite end of the continuum. They are not as elegant as Nordstrom. 3.Analyze the six components of Nordstrom’s retailing mix to determine which have been the most important to the company’s success. Provide a detailed rationale. Nordstrom’s retailing mix begins with product. They carry a huge assortment of products. Second is place. Nordstrom has numerous physical locations with hours targeted for customers who come there and also an online store that is up and operational. Third would be promotion. Trying to get the customers to buy the product. Fourth of the retail mix is price. Nearly everything inn Nordstrom is expensive, they are always having sales.Presentation is the fifth element of the retailing mix. It is the way that you display your products to your customers. The sixth component of the retailing mix is the most important one for Nordstrom is Personnel. Nordstrom’s intense focus on the customer and delivering excellent customer service is vital to the store’s success. The salespeople are willing to go above and beyond as they give individual attention to each and every customer they encounter. 4. Discuss the primary challenges Nordstrom faces in the current retail climate.The primary challenges that Nordstrom faces in the current retail climate would be its competition with higher end stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s, and their continued availability of products. 5. Discuss how the competition has changed in recent years, along with consumer expectations. Competition is hoping on the price-promoting bandwagon. Nordstrom don’t rely on promotions, be it one-day sales, coupons, or ‘friends of friends’ sales. Going the extra mile sets Nordstrom apart from other retailers. Their perfected art of keeping the customer number one has made this retailer successful on so many levels.