My Name Is Legion, For We Are Many

Who was Legion?

Legion was a man from Garasenes, a place on the border of the Sea of Galilee across from Nazareth. The bible records him as being possessed by many demons or evil spirits, which from our better understanding of mental illness today most likely meant he would be considered a paranoid schizophrenic. He was cast out by the people of his village to live in the mountains and the tombs – a pariah of his own people and even his own family. From his mountaintop he watched the Roman legions, their swarms of fearsome warriors marching into war. For that, he named himself, “Legion,” a description of the conflict of company of demons, or voices, which lived within him.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown of thought processes and by poor emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social or occupational dysfunction. Legion’s feeling of being possessed by demons displays these traits.

What happened?

Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee in a boat and Legion ran from the tombs and worshipped him. He beseeches Jesus, begging him to remove the demons from him. The demons begged Jesus not to return them to hell, so instead he sent them into a large herd of swine (pigs) grazing on a nearby hillside. The pigs then threw themselves off the cliffs of the Sea of Galilee’s banks and drowned in the Sea. The man was healed and then, no longer Legion, returned to the village and the villagers, upon seeing the man in his right state of mind and the swine had hurled themselves into the Sea, were afraid. The pigs had been a main factor in their economy so their deaths were devastating to the village. They sent the man away again and when he had gotten into a boat to cross the Sea he prayed to God. Jesus then told him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He hath had compassion on thee.” He went back to the village and told them what had happened and they marveled.

Mental Illness in the Bible

In biblical times, the people considered mental illness to be demonic possession. They did not understand what we now know to be emotional and genetic disorders and chemical imbalances. According to scholars, there are many probable cases of mental illness documented in the bible. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon went into a state of madness after extreme cases of loss. He was kept alive by God’s mercy and relieved of his mental illness. King Saul displayed cycles of depression and anxiety, and manic states consistent with manic depression/bipolar disorder. Many cases of depression are accounted including Moses, Jonah, David, and Job, all of whom experienced periods of depression and were delivered from their struggling by God.

The story of Legion is told in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

(Mark 5:15-20 KJV)

"5 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Garasenes.

2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him from out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs. And no man could bind him, no, not even with chains, 4 because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him and the fetters broken in pieces; neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped Him, 7 and cried with a loud voice, and said, “What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure Thee by God that Thou torment me not!”8 For He had said unto him, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is thy name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he besought Him much that He would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought Him, saying, “Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep place and into the sea (they were about two thousand), and were choked in the sea.

14 And those who fed the swine fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And the people went out to see what it was that had been done. 15 And they came to Jesus, and saw him that had been possessed by the devil and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told the people what had befallen him that was possessed by the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray Him to depart from their borders. 18 And when He had gotten into the boat, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. 19 But Jesus suffered him not, and said unto him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them what great things the Lord hath done for thee, and how He hath had compassion on thee.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him. And all men marveled."

Did You Eat My Doritos?

^{Acts 2:42-47 "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke breadin their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."}

^{Acts 4:32-35 "32} All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need."

TFM?

Fraternity men can be some of the most driven and successful leaders in our society. The greek system teaches them to work hard to achieve success. It teaches them the importance of philanthropy and service. Roles of responsibility are thrust upon them and so many of them flourish in those roles. They find networking and a strong sense of loyalty and community with other men across the nation.

So how come misogyny is rampant in so many of these fraternities? Misogyny’s a big word so let me break it down for you: it means the hatred of women and girls. It can be manifested in sexual discrimination, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women. And much of the “frat” culture encourages this behavior. They tend to have a “boys will be boys” attitude. 

Much stereotypical frattyness can be defined by the term, TFM, meaning, Total Frat Move. Now, I’m speaking stereotypical here. There are plenty of wonderful greek men who treat women with respect and whom these generalizations do not apply to. But  so many fraternity men place on a pedestal this idea of coinciding with this principle of “TFM.” TFM, similar to the FML or MLIA websites if you’ve ever heard of them, is a website with a prodigious following, through their site itself, and through email subscriptions and their twitter handle. Actual fraternity men (and sorority women as there is also a TSM page) post on the site and those posts are open to comments from any members of the site. TFM describes itself as “The #1 college comedy destination on the internet. It embodies the hilarious “frat” comedy that we at GRANDEX came to love back in college. TFM offers a satiric and often unabashedly blunt genre of comedy from the perspective of America’s privileged youth.” Unfortunately it seems that much of the satirical intentions are lost on “America’s privileged youth” and a vast number take these posts which should be taken as jokes, to heart and strive to live by their standards. Their subjects are partying, drinking, sex, money, hazing, and more, all of which are unsupported by the bylaws and creeds of fraternities. Many of these posts are hilarious and relatable, while others simply frighten me that my peers could actually behave and speak in such a manner. 

Some common unsettling phrases used on this site, showing up again and again in comments are “GDI” standing for “God Damn Independent” or a non-greek college student, “I’d pee in her butt” when referring to an attractive girl, or “slampiece,” the degrading term for a woman they are having sex with, and they are constantly saying women have no place outside of the kitchen and should “make them sandwiches.” I promise there are hundreds more, just as bad. But there is one phrase which is particularly upsetting to me: “No means yes and yes means anal.” Otherwise known as rape. TFM, extolled by numbers of Greek men across the US, blatantly supports rape as “hilarious ‘frat’ comedy.” Let me tell you this, TFM: it is not and never will be funny. Rape is not a joke. 

Studies have shown that men who are in fraternities are more likely to commit a rape than those who aren’t and as many as 70-90% of gang rapes reported are committed by fraternity members. As many as 1 in 4 college women become victims of rape during their years in school and a startling 10% of those were believed to have been taken place in fraternity houses. (Do Fraternities Cause Rape Culture).

These statistics are horrifying! But I really do feel that they can change. The majority of my male friends are members of fraternities. I hate for this horrible reputation to represent the fine, upstanding young men whom I love. I want to call you men of the greek system to stand up to this and fight to win back your good name. Show the pigs around you what a real man of character is. Lead by example and speak out! Take back the “frat” lifestyle for the longstanding tradition of leaders and gentleman.

Disturbing video of pledges of Yale's chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon chanting 
"No means yes, yes means anal" in front of the campus women's center.


Some examples of good fraternity men!

Sigma Chi supports my chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha in Zeta Boot Camp
raising money for our philanthropy, breast cancer education and awareness

Dylan Brewer, member of Alpha Gamma Rho (my boys!! I'm chapter sweetheart<3) 
rides mechanical bull for Buck Off to raise money for their philanthropy

They made me ride too. I lasted like 12 seconds...


Florida Southern College: Chapters and positive involvement

Tell Us How You Really Feel!

We have lips to kiss

Not to spit and hiss;

Tongues to embrace

Not to deface.

Mouths, who are fire's sister,

Likewise can burn and blister

When they should instead be speaking Love.

James 3:3-10 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."

Remember these two things:

"You can never be overdressed or over educated" - Oscar Wilde

and

"Speak kind words and you will hear kind echoes." 

"If only closed minds came with closed mouths."

Femme Fatale

When God created Adam, God saw that he was alone and so God made from Adam's very flesh and bone, Eve. Woman. God calls her "ezer kenegdo." This is usually translated to English as "helper" or "companion" but it is so much more than that. In her book, Captivating, Stasi Eldredge notes that "the word 'ezer' is used only twenty other places in the entire Old Testament. And in every other instance the person being described is God [Herself], when you need [Him] to come through for you desperately."

Both Man and Woman were made in the image of God. And we weren't made to be the same! This means that both characteristics we recognize as masculine and as feminine illuminate part of the great mystery of who God is. 

Genesis 2:18-25 "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make an (ezer) suitable for him.' Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable (ezer) was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman" for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame."

Issues of feminism are always present, but with the upcoming presidential election taking a turn towards women's health and sexual health, they have been brought to the forefront of all of our minds, no matter where our positions might lie. One of the capital platforms of the Republican party is their anti-choice stance on women's health and abortion. (Though they prefer to use the inaccurate verbiage, "pro-life," as though pro-choice were synonymous with anti-life). Candidate, Rick Santorum, would even have his own daughter bear the child of her rapist so as to defend the life of an unborn person, while the dangers of pregnancy alone could kill the already living one. His blatantly sexist views are expressed time and time again. Here are just a few of his quotes pertaining to women that set me on edge:

"Respect for stay-at-home mothers has been poisoned by a toxic combination of the village elders' war on the traditional family and radical feminism's misogynistic crusade to make working outside the home the only marker of social value and self-respect."

"Radical feminists have been making the pitch that justice demands that men and women be given an equal opportunity to make it to the top in the workplace."

That's radical?? 

Women, this is your body, your health, your life. Men, this is lives of your wives, sisters, mothers, daughters, friends. Be outraged. Fight back. 

Image by Julie Mains of Hot Liberals via Being Liberal on Facebook.

"I am a woman and no man, no group of men, and no institution 

holds dominion over me, my mind, my body, my life, 

my choices, my vagina, or my uterus."

Here's another awesome image taken from Being Liberal on Facebook.

 "If I wanted the government in my womb I'd fuck a senator!" 

Betty White is the best. 

"Why do people say 'grow some balls'? Balls are weak and sensitive! 

If you really wanna get tough, grow a vagina! Those things take a pounding!" 

We are the majority! 

We are the 52%!

This is a random really offensive game site. This is what we're teaching our daughters?

Security Violation

I've discussed this topic previously in my post "The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Pants Off", but when the situation reappeared to me yesterday at the Orlando International Airport and I had an actual physical response because of the strength of my objections to the full body scanners used in airport security, I knew I had to readdress it. Though I understand our nation's concern with airport security after the attacks of 9-11, that we could have strayed so far from our founding principles disgusts me. As Americans, as Christians, and as humans we should always stand up for our rights. 

Per usual, the bible's stance on Christians and their governments is a complex one to interpret. Romans 13:1, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...," makes it clear that we should submit to our civil governments, however we are also commanded to obey God rather than men. Therefore it is up to us to constantly compare our government with the word of God and determine if they coincide. That can be terrifying though because it is done so wrong so often! So many who act in unjust and oppressive ways do so in the name of God. So we have to be the other side. Be the ones to use the teachings of mercy, love, and compassion even in our political views.

Acts 4:18-20 "And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.'"

Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

There is a really cool article I found about the relationship between government and the Christian religion. Check it out.

Be Still

This was posted by "Being Liberal" on Facebook.

Like their Facebook page!

Happy New Year! There are a few traditions associated with New Years: a champagne toast, a New Years kiss, fireworks, good luck black eyed peas, and New Years resolutions. Well, I didn't get some of these this year... But I am making resolutions! My first one is to do 75 crunches a day with my best friend, Mackenzie. We live in different cities so we plan on being on speakerphone while we're doing them. My other one is to spend more time with God. This past year, I let myself get so busy I had no time to even breathe. I was painting constantly and when I wasn't I felt like I owed it to myself to let loose and have fun. So I worked hard and played hard. But I had no time to be still! I want to have a more peaceful year in 2012. I want to rest. I want to listen to God. It's a brand new year! Let's make this one a good one!

Pinterest!

The Dream Isaiah Saw

The advent season is a season of waiting. Yes, waiting isn't typically our favorite thing these days, but as we wait, anticipation builds. We get more and more ready, excited, anxious for what is to come. And our waiting is finally over! Christmas is here! And what have we been waiting for? A baby. A king. A messiah. And He came! We live in a warring world, a world of sin and hate and pain. And God came as a tiny child amid smelly livestock to bring peace to our world and to our hearts. So let's go forth and live our lives with this knowledge and in awe of God. 

Lions and oxen will sleep in the hay,
Leopards will join with the lambs as they play,
Wolves will be pastured with cows in the glade,
Blood will darken the Earth that God made.

Little child whose bed is straw,
Take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
Life redeemed from fang and claw.

Peace will pervade more than forest and field:
God will transfigure the Violence concealed
Deep in the heart of systems gain,
Ripe for the judgment the Lord will ordain.

Little Child whose bed is straw,
Take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
Justice purifying law.

Nature reordered to match God’s intent,
Nations obeying the call to repent,
All of creation completely restored,
Filled with the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Little child whose bed is straw,
Take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
Knowledge, wisdom, worship awe.

—Thomas  Troeger

The "Barefoot Pastor," in her blog post speaking about this same moving song put it beautifully: 
"In the 6 or so minutes the song lasted, it brought me out of Advent longing and straight into Christmas. The low, steady, military beat of the snare drums marched through the song gaining speed as the chorus, singing of Isaiah's dream of peace, gained momentum too. There was such motion and then in the end, a glorious breakthrough of pure singing. Peace descends.
As I sit here writing my sermon for tomorrow, I'm nearly undone by this song and the way it captures the miracle. In the midst of the powerful forces of this world: armies and marching orders and all the violence that's woven into our lives, God came to us as a baby to bring us peace."

http://thebarefootpastor.blogspot.com/

Nothing feels quite like being a part of the music, but this song will move you. Here it is as performed by Alma College's combined choirs.
The Dream Isaiah Saw Video

Sleeping

I survived finals week. Barely. I took 18 credit hours last semester and it about killed me. And right before "dead week," the week leading up to finals during which every student is studying/working until their brains leak from their ears, was Zeta's initiation week. I was stressed out. And then, when I'm stressed, I eat poorly, I gain weight, I get sick, my skin breaks out, I lash out at people so I have conflict in relationships. Everything is bad. I went out one night the weekend of finals and somehow managed to lose my keys. That means my car keys and my swipe to get into my building and to eat. I spent the whole day the next day looking for it, the knot of anxiety winding tighter and tighter as the day waxed on. When about ten drunk girls filed into the building yelling some lyrics to some rap song, I'd had enough and I called my mother. Mama's response after listening to me fume for a while: "Have you prayed about it?" I hadn't, and so I did. And everything started to get just a little bit easier. (I found my keys on my friend, Abby's, desk, btw). 

I'd deserted my faith and tried to take on all of my struggles myself. I was asleep spiritually. My my mother gave me that nudge. She woke me up. 

Mark 14:32-42 "They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, Jmes and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Luke 22:39-46 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Sufjan Stevens, He Woke Me Up Again. A beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, and a beautiful man. I wish I could marry him. 

All The Single Ladies

I don't believe in soul mates exactly because I feel like that implies that it's going to be easy. I do believe, however, if you place your faith in God, She will give you a person who can be the perfect complement to our hearts. 

When our hearts are without that addition which will illuminate our own goodness, we ache for him or her. In the book I am currently reading, Captivating, John and Stasi Eldgeridge eloquently encapsulate the deepest desires of my heart: romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a shared adventure, and to have my beauty unveiled and to be viewed as captivating. 

Meanwhile, I simply (though it is far too difficult to seem simple) have to trust in God. I may date all the cowboys and rockstars and fratstars I please, but I am waiting for God to show me who is right. I am trying to trust because God will provide for me what I need.

Luke 11:11-13

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" 

Matthew 6:28-30

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that  not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, o you of little faith?"

Cats are the funniest things in the world. Please watch this video. It makes me cry.

alsoooooo

Justin Beiber doing the Single Ladies dance

Bed Hog

To Be Alone With You - Sufjan Stevens

I'd swim across Lake Michigan

I'd sell my shoes

I'd give my body to be back again

in the rest of the room

To be alone with you

You gave your body to the lonely

they took your clothes

you gave up a wife and a family

you gave your goals

To be alone with me

To be alone with me you went up on a tree

I'll never know the man who loved me

When giving nightly devotionals for my middle school campers, I tried to use soft, calming music as often as possible. Something beautiful and thoughtful to send them off to dreamland. Also because there was a better chance of them actually be quiet so I could get some sleep. Music can have such a powerful effect on our emotions. In the song, "Dumbing Down of Love," by Frou Frou, Imogen Heap sings, "Music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry." (And I do, in fact, cry as her voice climbs breathlessly to the word). Now, I don't know about all that, but I do believe that good music, like any good art, can evoke strong emotions in the listener. During one of my devotions, I talked about having a personal relationship with Christ and then I played the song, "To Be Alone With You," by my favorite musician, Sufjan Stephens (Soof-yawn, btw). I hoped that they would feel what I feel when I listen to it: special, loved, sought after.

God came to Earth in the form of a man to be alone with you. You. In case you weren't aware, "you" is a personal pronoun. God longs for you. To be with you, to talk to you, and to be wanted by you. 


Also! My best friend, Kaitie Loy, just joined me in nerdiness and started a blog of devotions and ramblings too! Check it out: 
http://normaloddity.wordpress.com/

Rubbernecking

So often temptation can get the best of us. We make decisions that, in our heart of hearts, we know are not right and many times, they were made upon the event of someone else's downfall. We allow others to drag us down. We see that chocolate lava cake on the plate that the waiter's carrying out for the table next to us, and it looks good.

One of the most prominent examples of this in my life is gossip. WIthin the grounds of a tiny college campus, word travels quickly. Everyone knows each other and therefore everyone knows each other's business. I can't help but slow down to listen when I hear which sloppy drunk did what at the bar Thursday night and if I find it interesting, chances are, a few of my sisters will hear the story from me by the end of the day. And then they'll tell the next person who might tell the next and soon enough, we've all stooped to the act talking poorly about one of our brothers or sisters in Christ. By turning my ear to the gossip as a passing car turns its head to an accident at the side of the road, I've allowed myself to falter, to slow down and remove my eyes from what is good. We have to try not to be rubberneckers. We have to set our eyes upon God so that we might not fall into temptation. We can't let someone else's accident slow us down.

"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." 

My friend, Tina, and I being fabulous at Melbourne Beach for fall break.

Here's my favorite Pixies song I was listening to on the ride home:

The Pixies - Debaser