A Remodeling of the Heart

This past week has truly been crazy in my house. We have been remodeling and moving things around everyday. There have been workers here from 8am-6pm, dust and noise. I can’t find anything. I have been wearing the same shoes for the whole week (If you know me, you know what a huge deal this is). I had to take a shower at my best friend’s house. On top of all that, I was sick! Worse than that, we had to finish everything by this past Friday, because my boyfriend’s family is coming over for the first time on Sunday! All this to say, it has been a crazy week.

We weren’t planning on undergoing any sort of remodeling when we decided to invite them over. We just bought a whole set of new furniture, because our old ones were already ripping and wearing out. We had been wanting to buy them for a while, and used this opportunity as a reason.

Time to Stop the Denial

Recently, 60 Minutes did a segment entitled “Battle Over History” about the Armenian Genocide. Oh, wait. The “genocide” didn’t happen, right? Well, according to President Obama and the Turkish government, it didn’t.

Before stepping into office, Obama made a great deal of promises like most politicians do while they are campaigning. On January 19, 2008, he gave a speech on the importance of US-Armenia relations. He said,

Paul’s Ministry Model: Sharing the Load

In my Prison Epistles class today, we were going over Ephesians 4 and what it means to walk according to the calling one has received (4:1). As we were discussing the part about the different gifts (4:11), my professor pointed out something that was very interesting. Here is what the text says:

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Did you catch what it says about those who have received the gifting of apostleship, prophet, evangelist, and pastor and teacher? What is their purpose? Is it to take over the ministry? Is it to do all the work?

The T Room in Montrose

I just came back from a bridal shower at the T Room in Montrose. It was an adorable place!

Although it was kind of small for the amount of people there, it was so cozy and chic. The decorations are the perfect fit for the “tea party” atmosphere. I felt like I was a little girl again, replaying all the times we would wear our cute dresses and pretend to have a cultured tea party. The inside is decked out with beautiful paintings and colorful decor. There is also an outside covered patio where you can enjoy your time also. Even the bathroom was tea-i-fied!

Changes Coming!

So, I’m getting really excited, because some really cool changes will be coming to my blog.

1. Layout: I’m in the search for a cool layout- something that will define me. WordPress.com is so limited, so I will be switching over to WordPress.org and get some hosting. That way, I can be more free to be creative. The layout will be something that fits me!
2. Name: My URL will probably no longer be http://anisblog.com (http://anidemirjian.wordpress.com) anymore. It will most likely be http://anidemirjian.com. This is the domain I originally wanted, but it was taken the first time around. I recently checked, and it is available now!
3. Posts: I am going to be updating much more often. Also, I finally added a list of categories. My posts will differ in variety and will include a host of new topics. I am going to be more versatile.

With all these changes coming, I am getting excited. I really hope you will subscribe to my blog and we can form a community where we can be free to discuss all that we want!

Some Frustrations

I’m just going to be venting in this post. So, sorry if I sound like I’m whining- it’s because I am.

These past couple of days have been really annoying. I’m realizing I’m technologically illiterate and that makes me fall really behind in society. Sure, I know how to check my email, Facebook, I can send out tweets, install things, check online banking, and all that jazz- I can even write this post! But, I still feel so inadequate. My blog is mediocre, my skills are average, and my understanding is mundane. In a world that is run by technology, this puts me far behind.

I’ve been trying to make my blog look cool for forever. And I know it’s not the appearance so much as the content that makes a blog great, but appearance affects a lot. The worst part is, because I’m so behind on technology, I feel  like I’m missing out on a lot of great opportunities. I’ve been trying to hook up with companies, such as Book Swim, in order to make some money on the side, but I’m finding it really difficult to understand things. It’s even hard for me to learn it, because things like this don’t come easy for me.

A Different Perspective on the Abortion Debate

Before the great controversy and the debate begins, I want to clarify that I am not here to take a side or argue a point. I am here to bring up a different perspective on the issue that some may not think of.

Regardless of if you are pro-life or pro-choice (or anything in between), there are very few people that would agree that abortion is a good thing. You may believe that, at some point, it may be the best choice for women; however, even those that think it should remain legal would not argue that it is an easy choice, or one that is made with a great deal of joy.

Dealing with Gender Differences

I’m at a dilemma. We all know the differences between male and female brains. Some of these differences include that men are more compartmentalized and women are more connected; women relate everything to each other, while men can separate easily; and women usually run more on emotion, while men on logic. Here is a great video that would help explain it a bit better…

God’s Unimaginable Pain

There is something that I realized lately that I think is very helpful in trying to understand God.

I want you to do something. Close your eyes (after you read my instructions, of course). Think about the worst pain that you have ever felt. This could be from losing the closest person or thing to you. It could be from being betrayed or hurt by someone that was very dear. It could be a physical pain. Anything. Just make sure that it is the worst pain ever experienced. Then open your eyes.

Does the Bible Support Women in Leadership?

As a woman, this has always been a sensitive topic for me. Culturally, I am opposed to it. Being an Armenian, which is a culture very heavily influenced by Middle Easter culture and is extremely chauvinistic, I have always been used to seeing men in leadership roles. Men run the government, men run the household, and men run the church. This is what I have been raised in and have been comfortable with. Never once did I think to go against this, for it would be highly shameful.

However, as I got older and became a Christian, I noticed that the Bible was very gender inclusive in many areas. In Joel 2, the Spirit is poured out on all peoples, regardless of age, gender, and social standing. Jesus came to save all people. Furthermore, He and Paul included women in their ministries. Yet, there are some areas in the Bible that oppose women as being pastors. In 1 Timothy 3, those who are the leaders of the church (overseers and deacons) are instructed to be men. Women, on the other hand, were to “learn in quietness and full submission” (1 Tim. 2:11). Also, Paul says, “I do not permit a women to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent” (2:12).