Journal Post #3

 In the Invisible Man, the main character is influenced by many fatherly figures. But these influences have caused confusion to the main character. Starting from his grandfather's advice to  “overcome ‘em with yeses, undermine ‘em with grins, agree ‘em to death and destruction, let ‘em swoller you till they vomit or bust wide open” to Jack saying to be the community. Invisible Man is surrounded by conflict and confusion. In the novel, Brother Jack, the Founder, and Bledsoe are all people who try to push the veil further in place; they are the "white old man" in the poem Cross. Hughes writes in his poem, Cross, "If I ever cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever cursed my black old mother...but now I wished her well". The"black old mother" mentioned in the poem represents people such as the Veteran and Mary. They are the people who try to tell IM to "Be [his] own father". But IM is always in a constant struggle. He is always between the lines on following his own dreams and following that of the community. In the novel, IM made a speech for the Brotherhood in his own style. People and the Brotherhood liked it but the Brotherhood didn't like the way IM presented his speech. They said his style wasn't scientific. So they sent him to learn their style and until he completed his training, he couldn't speak for the Brotherhood. IM deferred his dream and followed the wish of the community. In the poem Dream Deferred, the dream of the community also is deffered. And it doesn't know if the dream deffered is going to "dry up...stink...maybe it sags...Or...explode."  IM's dream is deferred for the good of the community what will happen? Will his dream explode or "just sag"?

Journal Post #2

Commentary
In pages 34-37, Ellison uses diction such as "loneliness"', "moonlight", and "recalled" to create a sense of nostalgia. He also uses alliteration, writing "How the grass...how the mocking...how the moon...how the bell...grassy lawn". The use of how and the words before the word "I've recalled it often, here in my hole:How" create a nostalgic tone. However in pages 173-177, the Arthur uses dialect and inversion to give an upbeat and familiar tone. "Hell, yes! The bear. Caint you see these patches where he's been calling at my behind?". Although the topic is serious, Ellisons's use of dialect create a kind of comical tone. Even in the song "What Did I Do to be So Black and Blue", the topic is about the unfairness Armstrong is getting due to his skin. The topic is serious but the song is very upbeat and nostalgic. Ellison by using alliteration also creates nostalgia. In pages 36, "why is it that I can recall in all that island...And why...Why", the repetition of why and juxtaposition of the greeness and dryness all creates sense the nostalgic tone. This is very similar to the jazz tone.

Journal Post#1

Commentary
The grandfather tells the protagonist to be a servile black man, to act according to the stereotypes and bounds of white perception. This advice however is not good because it tells the narrator to deny himself. It causes him to act the stereotypical role assigned to him. In Chapter one, the narrator follows his grandfather’s advice and thus brings harm to himself. The narrator was called to make a speech but before the speech he was told to fight with blindfolds and chase after coins. And after the fights, he is called to make his speech. He made his speech even though the white people were laughing and didn't care about what he was saying. He continued on even though blood spilled from his mouth. The only thought he had was whether his speech would be eloquent enough to impress the whites. He denied himself his wants and only thought about the desires and wants of the white. He followed the advice thus effacing and harming himself.

Someone is Praying for You...

Someone is Praying for You

When it seems that you prayed 'til your strength is all gone,

and your tears fall like raindrops all the day long

Jesus cares and He knows just how much you can bear

He'll speak your name to someone in prayer

Someone is praying for you

someone is praying for you

And when it seems you're all alone, and your heart would break in two

remember someone is praying for you

Have the clouds 'round you Gathered in the midst of a storm

Is your ship tossed and battered Are you weary and worn

Don't lose hope someone's praying For you this very day

And peace be still is already on the way

Someone is praying for you

someone is praying for you

And when it seems you're all alone, and your heart would break in two

remember someone is praying for you.

When you're down remember that someone is praying for you; that someone knows about your pain and is praying for you. And even if they don't know your pain; there is still someone who is praying for you.
The violinist's name is Jihye Park. And this is her life story. She went through huge amounts of depression and got out this depression through playing violin. Now she is using her violin to bring praise to God and to touch many people.

Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin

Unfailing Love Lyrics

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love

Voice of Truth by Casting Crown

Let us listen to the voice of truth, the voice of truth that tells us that we are worthy...
Thanks... Hope you enjoy it!

So Far to Find You by Casting Crowns

So Far to Find You Lyrics

You were broken, abandoned
And crying all alone
We were waiting and praying
And longing to bring you home
And then we saw your face
In a moment you were wrapped up in our hearts
We took a step of faith
And now here we are

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

From a world away, I journeyed
Just to hold your hand
You will never be alone again
I’ve come so far to find you
So far to find you

You were fighting and fearful
You were hiding your heart away
But I was trying so hard to show you
‘Cause there were no words that I could say
If you could see my heart
You would know that all I want to do
Is care for you

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

Here in your eyes I see
Reflections of myself
How I’m the child that’s really running
But I can hear a voice that’s whispering my name
Saying come to me, don’t run from me
I’m all you need and I am calling

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
(I have come so far)
Will you take my love and give up the fight
(I have come so far)

Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you
Will you take my love and give up the fight
I have come so far to find you
So far to find you

From Heaven’s throne
Down to a rugged cross I came
It was My love for you that brought Me all the way
So far to find you
So far to find you

You were broken, abandoned
And crying all alone