State Populations Changing

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/top-10-states-people-are-fleeing.html






Though America has had it's fair share of growth as a nation, many studies have started to show that many states are losing a fair percentage of their normal populations. In this recession, many have been finding it hard to find a place with good employment. According to Yahoo Real estate, there is a list of states that are showcasing a dramatic decrease in growth. Though mobility is very low in this era, these states are showing a sign of mobility in such a hard time.


As recorded by this site, the five states that are showing the greatest decrease in population are New York, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, and Kansas. In an economy where many citizens are starving for jobs, it is easy to see why many would find reason to leave there state. However, I find it a surprise that many would be leaving their homes in New York and Illinois. These two states host two of the nations greatest cities. These are New York City and Chicago, IL. Yes, New York residents have an easier time leaving their state, since real estate is easier to sell there, but the fact that the city provides so many jobs but cannot provide them for all of their citizens is very surprising and shocking at the same time.


It is easy to wonder where these citizens are flying. With the very high cost of living, New York is not as much of a hot spot as it used to be. Many young people searching employment are heading to the south in states such as Texas and North Carolina. This is because there is a presence of many high profile companies that are less challenging to get hired at.


Trends shift. Not everything stays the same. Many people do not stay in the same place to living their whole life. Many people in our last generation do not live in the same place where they were raised. My parents came from opposite terrains. My dad was born in Santa Fe, NM and my mom was born in Bakersfield, CA. However, now they live in Oceanside, CA. These moves were all done for occupational purposes.


Sure we can move around because we like the scenery. However, it is the ability to put bread on the table that allows us to keep moving forward and having a place to live. If New York City’s housing costs were not so expensive as they are, they would have great potential for growth and not decrease. This years studies show they are losing over 49,000 citizens.


Though people are moving from these states. This is mostly due to the fact that the citizens have the rare ability to sell their home.


Many experts still believe we are seeing the lowest rate of mobility in a century. These states showing the decrease in population can be positive sign for our economy as well as a bad. Though they are losing jobs, they are able to sell their homes. However, this is only a small help, for an economy that has a long way to go.

What is the cost?

What is the cost of carrying our cross? What does it mean to truly serve God? To Invisible Children Staffer Nate Henn it truly meant putting his life on the line. Though it has been a number of months since he was killed in the midst of a city bombing in Kampala, Uganda while watching the world cup on the eleventh of July this year. Though this tragedy showcases the harsh realities of the mission field in countries that are unstable, it should not serve as discouragement for those considering or deciding to go into full time missions.

            We live in a first world country where we are not persecuted for our beliefs. Many see it as danger and think because mission is a change in lifestyle. Many see that change is a terrible thing. However this can be tendency to steer away from great growth in our personal walks. In James 1:2-3 James says, “ Count it all joy my Brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.” Though this is a famous passage, many forget that we as Christians a asked to live by it day to day.

            As citizens of a first world country where all beliefs are tolerated, we tend to find stories like this completely shocking and scary. However, the article starts with a statement ‘After losing one of its own, the non-prophet stays committed to fighting terror with compassion’. It is incredible that they still persevere. They knew they were going to face trials starting up this organization. They saw the persecution. Their mission is based on saving and bring awareness to the children who are usually kidnapped to fight for the war occurring in Uganda. They also are bringing awareness that the war has been going on for ages as well as being neglected almost all stable countries.

            Though Nate Henn was not on the job during the moment of his death. It was proof upon how no matter where you go in a country that unstable, the threat is everywhere. He knew the risks of entering the country. He also knew that following God fully was not a safe game. Just like how James said, he and the rest of the organization have lived that passage of scripture. As a servant, we will not be loved by everyone. Taking our cross as follower is a similar portrait to that of seeing Christ walking the hill holding a cross and being whipped simultaneously. However, after we go through our trials the rewards of growth are incomparable.

            The fascinating thing about serving God in the field is that we never know what we are up against. We must live each day like it is our last. We must not just think that we will finish it tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come. Every moment as a disciple could be used as an opportunity for mending changing our outlook for the better. 

Becoming an Effective Musician

Music has always been a huge part of my life. From the first time I heard an electric guitar as an infant, I knew I wanted to be a musician. Finally at the age of 12, my parents finally said that they would pay for guitar lessons for me. I was excited. Although I picked up the guitar because it sounded like it would be fun, I was in for one of the longest runs of self-discipline in my life. Sure there will be enjoyment to follow after the work is said and done. But the best things are to be experienced after a series of patience induced trials.

            When it come to playing any musical instrument, many have said, “I’ve tried it out once, but it was too hard.” This can be one of the most sadly common statements in our culture. We do not understand that working hard towards something can make almost any goal achievable. Persistence of hard work is slowly becoming a lost art form. Though, if you do apply yourself, you are able to learn to be the best musician and can accomplish almost anything.

            Time is something one must sacrifice when learning to play an instrument. I have spent many weekends in my room just sitting down practicing a guitar chord progression with a metronome. Sure I sacrificed many opportunities to hang out with friends, but it was and is still very important to invest much time into a passion and not just put it off till later. Usually when one says that they will get a project done later, it is never really finished.

            When it comes to learning any instrument, playing the song right alone in your bedroom is only half of the art. Performance is the other half. Sometimes you may face some of the most uncomfortable times ever when you start performing live for the first time. I have had my fair share of embarrassing events. I have messed up performance of songs for many reasons including playing in the wrong key or time signature. But due to some of those faults I have not failed, but learned about what not to do for those situations. Performing live is a system that is meant to build confidence as well as precise musicianship. We live in a visual culture. Recording an album alone does not get the job done. Performing a live energetic show helps a band maintain and gain fans. The band requires the energy of every performer to maintain the high level of stage presence.

            Sure there are many penalties for learning to become skilled at anything in music. However, becoming good at anything in this world requires great sacrifice and determination to become good. Similar to our walk with God, we must be willing to face the trials and challenges that face our way when learning to be good at any instrument. We must learn to be persistent and patient. Giving up is far too easy to do in this world. It is never too late to ever start a real challenge. 

A View Upon Missions

Nothing has had as great of an effect upon my life as missions. As mentioned previously in the post before, I believe as a Christian, we should have a globally knowledgeable mindset. God wants us, through all of our gifts, to be able to reach every nation and spread the great news about the Gospel. Here at CBU it is great to hear that they try to emphasize the global mindset. This may seem very similar to the previous post, but this a reflection in a much different angle. This is an explanation upon the various responses people can have about missions trip or any form of ministry. Some exampled responses to being involved are good, and some are not as good. However, no matter who we are, God wants to grow us and mold us into something we never thought.

            To start off, it is easy to say that many students have a hard time developing that idea that they may be able to be part of a mission team. People are generally afraid the unfamiliarity because it is risk. Sure you could create excuses such as, finances, uncertainty that God wants you there, or even that your schedule is too busy. However, when it comes down to it, it would be easy to say that we can make excuses for almost anything with the fine art of rhetoric and persuasion. Sometimes it is easy to think the faith-filled risk is way too much to think about due to our tendency to not observe the great possibilities of a matter. However, God wants us to put our 100% into whatever we do, whether we are comfortable. The Christian walk is not about maintaining a good comfort zone. It is about surrendering and realizing that you cannot do it without the help of Christ to give you a hand.

            To continue back to the idea about CBU’s main mindset about mission, they are right to say that being involved with a project like ISP or USP will be guaranteed as life changing if you are willing to put in the work necessary to reach the goal. Though I have never been involved with ISP or USP, I have been on six previous missions trips with my church in the past six years. Honestly though, I can say at full confidence that thes missions trips have helped shape my overall worldview as well as help me grow to be the person I am today. However, there is always room for improvement. Many students who have had an experience with either programs have had very positive things to say. 

            It is easy that there are missions groups that complement most of students’ interests. Ministry teams that focus upon student ministry, orphanages, intercultural studies, surfing, and much more are aimed to help any student learn how to use their gifts for the benefit of God and his kingdom. This could give even more reason why it is good for a student to be involved with missions on campus.

            Not only will these mission projects will strengthen your walk with Christ, but they will help you build strong friendships with those who are on your team, as you learn about unity in Christ. These strengthened relationships with God and friends are not worth holding back on. These are all goals worth shooting for. 

Vision from the Campus

Though this is only my fifth week here at the California Baptist University, I can obviously say that for the most part it has been a very positive experience. It is my first semester attending this school. I am transferred junior who is focusing upon a journalism program. So far after the few weeks I have spent here I can say that amount of open sociability and global mindset among students has been drastically different to what I am normally accustomed to.

Before my arrival here at school, I was attending a community college in Oceanside, CA called Mira Costa College. Sociability was drastically different than here at CBU. After almost every class session at MCC was finished, about 85% percent of students would leave class and take out their cell phones while pretending that their other classmates did not exist anymore. Hence, the title of 'Community College' was not living according to its name. Here at CBU it is very refreshing to see that students generally care about the friendships they are making right now. I have had talks with friends in the Cafeteria about what they wish to do once they graduate. More than half of the students I have talked to wished to work for a global organization. Many students here generally care about their future, their plans, and hoping that God will be the center upon it all.

Interviewing students for both The Banner and Angelos has gotten me to see some students’ true love for a global mindset regarding what he or she wishes to do. Last week when I was interviewing two different students about why they wished to obtain an Anthropology degree when they graduate, you could see their global mindset upon the issue. Both of the students I interviewed believed it was very important for us as Christians to have a Global mindset that was ready to preach to all cultures. This included having a good culturally intelligent background that focused upon learning to adapt to cultures as well as having a respect for them. They believed that Americans develop too much of an ethnocentric viewpoint upon the world. Through hearing this, it was re-determined that it was very important for all Christian globally educated mindset. We were called by Jesus to preach to all the nation of the good news. These students do not just wish to talk to their classmates, but they wish to work alongside other Christians and make huge global difference.

In addition to hearing these students and their concerns for global issues, it was great to hear about the USP and ISP programs that occurred around campus. As mentioned earlier, students upon this campus have spoken with great passion upon being globally minded as a Christian in this world. The school has put great emphasis upon how important and life changing these programs can be. I have spoken with quite a number of students who have told me about how much growth they have experienced while being a part of USP or ISP.

I hope to grow here and develop a good global mindset as I continue my studies here at CBU. I hope that my Global focused Journalism will be used to write for mission trips and bring awareness to all.