#readingassignment

𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 - 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘕𝘨 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨ Another read for a literature class and I liked this one even if the ending was too open for me as I like books to tell me what the ending is and not leaving it open for interpretation.

✨ I liked how the characters were challenged to grow but I do have to admit that my own viewpoints and opinions sometimes made it hard to remember that the book is set in the 90s and a lot has changed since then.

📚Goodreads-Synopsis:
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned—from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren—an enigmatic artist and single mother—who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town—and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia’s past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.

Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood—and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster. 📚

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘜 𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 - 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨ Had to read this one for a class that talked about books and their movie/film adaptations so while I usually try not to read a book close to watching a movie I had to do it this time and while I liked both I felt that some key elements and characters from the book where missing from the film. And I could not take Anthony Mackie serious as the villain because of some Marvel interviews I had seen where he kept goofing off and seemed like a very like-able person.

✨ In general I really liked this book and can only recommend it but beware that it is not an easy read in terms of the topic.
I thrifted this book from worldofbooks and I was very disappointed. The prices were great but I had to pay extra customs even if it came from another country in Europe, which then would have made it cheaper to buy new and it was not in the great condition it was said to be in. So that was the last time I will order from there and will stick to my usual sites when thrifting books.

📚Goodreads-Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.📚

𝘌𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘧𝘰 - 𝘊𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨This one was not a pleasure read as I had to read it for a Literature Teaching class and it is the first graphic novel I have ever really read. 
It is a sweet story about a hard of hearing girl trying to find her place in the world with friends and school while learning to live with her hearing aid.

𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘋𝘢𝘺 - 𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯
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✨ This one was not a pleasure read as I had to read it for a Literature Teaching class and even present on it.
At first I was intrigued and wanted to like it but the main character of A made it hard for me to get into the book after a while but I forced myself to finish it because of school and because I actually don’t like to DNF books, even if it was a thrifted one.

⭐️Summary of Imagine (The Mind) pages 100-115:

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This chapter focuses mainly on the mind and how Christians view different topics through a biblical lens (100). Because Christians have the Holy Spirit actively living inside, our behaviors and perspectives are different from others who don’t claim that Jesus is Lord of their lives (100). So with this, the topic of perspective arises. Christians are “aware of an eternity ahead and spiritual realms around...” (101). Christians live through a lens of biblical truth, so everything we see and encounter is set in perspective through how our Creator views it. For secularists, they “think within a frame of reference bounded by the limits of our life on earth...” (101). For someone who does not believe great limits are placed in their mind about life. They are basically forced to only think about life and nothing else. To Christians, our mindset is to look to our life on earth but to also, above all, look to our future spent in heaven with our Father. And with different perspectives we live life looking at topics differently. The chapter gave the references about: “trees, leaves, rain, bad housing, animals, food, money, sex, social standing, leisure, and poverty” (102). Christians and secularist can understand what each of those topics are but the meaning can be drastically different. When putting art into the mix it can make people think differently even if words aren’t being expressed (105). For a Christian in the art realm, we have often been seen differently because on how we view different things. Because we know who we are in Christ we have different standards on how to create (106). If we are to be a light and set Christ-like example’s then we don’t want are art clearly violating that standard we have for ourselves. A main topic that was discussed was when Christians create art. I guess people think that it is done with a sense of naiveness (108). Apparently, Christians have a stereotype that we believe nothing is wrong in the world (108). Which is false! We know specifically that our world is filled with—evil, we are just called to be the light in these perilous times.

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🤔What I thought about Imagine (The Mind) pages 100-115?:

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I thought this chapter gave great insight on how Christians and secularists view things differently. I like how the author mainly touched on how Christians ultimately think about things. My favorite part of the chapter was on page 105. It was talking about “a sense of awe.” Basically, as we create and cultivate the talents God has given us, we can minister to others through our art. The affect of our God given talents can change people without even saying a single word. Which is amazing! 🙌🏽

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⭐️Summary of Matthew 25:14-30:

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In these specific verses relate to the parable of the bags of gold. In this story we have three men that are entrusted with their masters money. The master gives out the amounts of money based on their ability. The man that received five bags of gold was wise and put his money to work and gained much more. And the one with two bags gained two more as well. Both of them used the money so that it would grow. But the last man hid his one bag and gained nothing.

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🤔What I thought about Matthew 25:14-30?:

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These verses are very interesting! These verses can be applied to so many areas in my life. My main thought about these verses is how we are giving/sharing with others. Sure, these verses are in correlation with money but I definitely think that this can be applied to our talents. In art terms, if we aren’t using our talents to share God’s gift then what’s the point? We end up with no reward because no one will ever see what God gave us. We need to use and cultivate our talents because we are in a harvest. And if we use our Godly gifts for Him then we will reap great rewards! Which is what He wants for us!

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⭐️Summary of the video “What Makes a Masterpiece?”:

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The term “masterpiece” can convey many different meanings. Back then a masterpiece was where one demonstrated mastery in a certain way. It proved there confidence and showed off their skill. For Christians we often relate a masterpiece to the having some correlation with God. But it also can mean, your best work. Something that one is most proud of. A masterpiece isn’t just a work represented as “the best,” a masterpiece also needs to be set apart an unique in some way. Overall, an art work is mainly qualified as a masterpiece by the viewer. The viewers should all have an agreement that the work is created with high quality and demonstrates great technique and skill. A masterpiece must also receive the popularity and critical attention. The word master holds a strong meaning of control. But today a masterpiece is seen differently because we are always changing the meaning of mastery.

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🤔What I thought about the video “What Makes a Masterpiece?”:

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Overall, I really liked this video! Especially towards the beginning when she was talking about how the idea of a masterpiece brings uniqueness. As we know that everything is a masterpiece from God I particularly look to how humans were created. We all are unique! Not one person has the same finger print or relationship with Him! What more of a masterpiece is there?! When I think about it more it hurts my brain to think that we are all different. Like how is that even possible?!?. With all of the people in the world you would at least think that a few are alike. But...No! We are all so uniquely created by Him which is so awesome! I makes me feel so loved knowing that God created me with a specific unique purpose, far different from anyone else’s. Like for real! He thinks about me?!?!!. It really shows how God cares for His art! Wow! Don’t ya just love Him!

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⭐️Summary of “Emerge” pages: 22-29:

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In the book Emerge, today’s topic was about the mandate we as humans have. Perini started the section by illustrating a picture of how we receive gifts on Christmas (23). He uses the illustration to then connect how God gave us the gift of life by comparing it to a LEGO set with instructions and different correlating pieces (24). He then related his analogy to the LEGO set coming with “warnings” just like God warned Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of Knowledge (25). Pernini then expands by telling the reader that the cultural mandate still applies to us (25). And by fulfilling the cultural mandate we are doing Gods will (25). Overall, we need to look to God for direction and not heed to things that only satisfy us in the moment (26). But the main purpose Perini wants to convey is that we can only please God through having “pure and clean hearts” (27).

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🤔My thoughts on “Emerge” pages: 22-29:

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I thought this weeks reading in Emerge was very interesting! I love how he compared how God created the earth through a common occurrence of Christmas morning. God did give us life with instruction on how to best use it. I often find myself evaluating my life, seeing if what I am currently doing is pleasing to God and if it lives out the commands He has for me. I definitely agree with Perini, when talks about how we need a pure clean heart (27). That is so true! Times when I have gotten caught up in the worldly things I find that it only darkens me. And I feel the weight of the bad things in this world. But when I have God as my focus through my trials I often come out of those struggles feeling lighter and more pure/closer to Him. I think Perini is trying to tell us that the commands of God are far more important than the worldly “quick-fixes.” Our journey with God takes time but it is far more greater than the things of this world.

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⭐️Summary of “Art as a Valid Christian Activity” Chapter 9 PDF:

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The chapter first addresses how Jesus lived before anything (69). Then it goes on to talk about how Plato refers our existence as a prison-house of the mortal body (69). When the platonic worldview was established people thought is was biblical because a lot of the principles align with biblical principles (69). The principles mainly relate to how we are not to be of the world or make the world our master (70). Currently, our world is in the hands of the enemy, but we are called to cling to what is true and not things of this world (70). The book defines a “dualistic” worldview as a life that is “split into two clearly divided realms—sacred and secular” (70). And then the book elaborates how we mainly live in the secular portion (70). We mainly, need to understand the damage the idea of “dualism” has caused because that’s how we will see a change in this corrupt world (71). In relating art to this concept, to the secular world, people are often unimpressed when it comes to Christian artist’s and Christian art (72). When in reality, we need to learn from each other and essentially work together and not fade apart (72). Also we as Christians have a stigma about us that we mainly use logic to help convert people to Christianity (76). It can be difficult to help convert people because we often use our “Christianiese” and often it’s hard to articulate the gospel in a way others can understand (76). Also, the chapter then states how Jesus did not call us to do the salt and the light, rather to be the salt and the light for others (78). Therefore art is necessary for Christians so we can express ourselves and our faith so in turn, it can reach others and potentially lead them to Christ.

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🤔My thoughts on “Art as a Valid Christian Activity” Chapter 9 PDF:

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I thought that this PDF was very descriptive on how the worlds principles have been formed. I like how there was descriptions of many different people, and how they all coincided with one main worldview. I definitely connected with the chapter when it was talking about how Christians art is definitely held at a different standard. Often Christian art has the stigma as “not as good.” But why? Isn’t anything art? See if we say “yes” then why is Christian art suddenly “unimpressive?” Concepts like these boggle my mind because we as artist’s should be able to express themselves in any way but it makes it kinda hard to when you already have a stigma over you saying that you are not good enough.

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⭐️Summary of “Genesis 1:28-29, 2:15; Matthew 28:16-20:”

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These scriptures mainly talk about how God has commanded us to take care of this earth. One way to take care of this earth is by cultivating the land so that the ground is prosperous. God is mainly commanding us to share the gospel with other s so that more people will have fellowship and relationship with Him. This is highly important because earth is not our forever home and we needed he witnesses and beacons to people all around so we can effectively share the gift God has given us!

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🤔My thoughts on “Genesis 1:28-29, 2:15; Matthew 28:16-20:”

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I Love these verse because it shows the love Hod has for us! He wants us to share the amazing gifts He has given us with others so that we will all be in Heaven together! But with this gift comes a very important command, and that is to share the gospel with everyone and make disciples of ALL nations. We need to not be timid because this is truly important! I definitely struggle with this but of course I want everyone to be in heaven so I definitely need to step out of make comfort zone and just share Him! Because that’s all that matters in the end!

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