Issue 6 | December 10, 2015

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Editor-In-ChiefNatasha Jones

Assistant EditorsTrenton CanadaAshton Rector

Faculty Adv isorJeremiah Massengale

Sta ff WritersLiz Guillermo

DJ HiteLydia Jay

Shyann NorrisChristin Rottenberger

Sta ff PhotographerEric Ford Edwards

Jay Sanksakulchai

Editor ia l Rev iew BoardLisa Bartram

Marianne Worthington

- 7000 College Station Drive Williamsburg, Ky 40769

(606-539-4172

/patriotnewspaper @UCThePatriot

*thepatriot@ucumberlands.edu

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The Patriot is the biweekly student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timelyand original content by highlighting campus news and views.

Award-winning member of the Kentucky Press Association.

CONTENTS

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“Polar Express is my favorite Christmasmovie. It encourages you to use yourimagination and the hot chocolate sceneis the best!”-Shyann Norris

“Three Days, which is a more unknownmovie, but I love the story of trying tofind the perfect and ultimate gift forsomeone that you love and the lessonthat money does not buy happiness.”-Liz Guillermo

“My favorite is Rudolph because it bringsme feelings of nostalgia. I rememberwatching it repetitively with my auntswhen we were kids!' -Ashton Rector

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) ismy favorite Christmas movie. It shows howyou still can have Christmas cheer withoutthe gifts. It also shows why we should bethankful for friends and family!” - DJ Hite

“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeerbecause it's a fun twist on a classic song. It'sactually a really weird movie, but it's totallyhilarious and has catchy songs. It's a moviethat I grew up watching and absolutelyhave to watch each Christmas season.” - Christin Rottenberger

“Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas cause it'sthe story of many of our favorite cartooncharacters in a story that teaches us a valuablelesson about giving gifts and where the truejoy behind it is.” -Natasha Jones

“My favorite holiday movie is theclassic It's A Wonderful Life. It plays onthe tones of love, loss, and appreciatingthe life you have. Every time a bellrings, an angel gets its wings!”-Trenton Canada

“Christmas with the Kranks, because it’sfamily oriented, funny, and gives a goodfamily christmas time vibe!” -Lydia Jay

The Patriot staff’s favoriteChristmas movies

Liz, Unglued

Knowledge, it’s your onlyhopeComplimentary WrappingPaperTwas the night beforefinals

Believers in a dark world

Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Patriot!

Ready, set, go: A Q&Awith Randy Greer

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Photo by Ashton Rector

Two males assaulted a University of the Cumberlands student behind theRobinson- Cook dorm between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday, December4. 2015. The victim was taken to Baptist Health Corbin and then later flownto UT Medical Center where he received facial reconstructive surgery. Accord-ing to a news report from WKYT, both men have been charged with second-degree assault and first-degree robbery.

Cole Parson, a UC freshmen who first located the victim and transportedhim to the emergency room, said he was shocked. Parson said, “Just going todo your normal day-to-day things, you don’t expect that to happen. It was justcompletely random and unthinkable.”

While this information is alarming to many UC students, one of the biggerconcerns is why the university did not notify students an act such as this hadtaken place on campus. University officials have spoken to news outlets suchas WKYT and WYMT about the incident, but no announcements have beenmade via the emergency notification system or email.

The emergency notification system sends important information aboutcampus through text messages, web pages, RSS, PDA, email, text pager,Google, AOL, or My Yahoo Page.

Parson added, “I feel like the school should have notified us themselveswhether it be from an email or the emergency notification [system] rather thanstudents spreading it to other students. I feel like the staff should have notifiedrather than figuring out from other people.”

Kyle Gilbert, UC’s vice president for operations, is the university officialwho determines whether an incident on campus is to be considered as an im-mediate threat to students or faculty.

Gilbert said, “This was an isolated incident and all three of the parties wereacquainted with each other and it just so happened when their altercation beganthat they were there behind the dormitory. It does not raise any security con-cerns or safety concerns whatsoever.”

Gilbert further explained that students were not notified because the sus-pects of the assault and robbery had exited campus and police were immedi-ately on campus.

“This is a sad, unfortunate situation,” said Leslie Ryser, UC’s director ofcommunications and marketing. “In general, we have a safe campus so inci-dents of this kind are extremely rare. The university is committed to safeguard-

ing the security and well-being of our students. Violence of any kind directedat any member of the UC community will not be tolerated.”

Dr. Emily Coleman, vice president of Student Services, said, “I do notthink there was a threat to students. It was very clear it was an altercation be-tween three people specifically.”

Coleman also added, “We didn’t feel there was an immediate direct threatto campus. If there was we would have utilized our emergency notificationsystem and we would have notified students, but we found out very quickly itwas an altercation specifically between those three students.”

Anna Hoekstra, a UC junior, commented, “Basically I think that not onlywere they risking the safety of all their students but it concerns me about theuniversity in general because this happened…in the afternoon whenever I’mgenerally out on campus still. There’s no reason that they shouldn’t have atleast notified us in the emergency system because that’s what the system is for,to let us know that somebody or something is happening on campus that weshould be concerned about. So that definitely concerns me as to whether ornot this campus is a safe place for me to stay.”

Another UC student, Landry Woods, said, “I think the university couldhave sent an email out to the students to notify them what happened and thenalso maybe give them helpful tips…like if they saw something or heard some-thing about it, what to do.”

Tedarrious Teasley, a resident assistant at the Robinson-Cook dorm saidthis does raise concerns for him because of his job. While he says the residentassistants of Robinson-Cook have not received any notification from campusofficials, he is confident that the issue will be addressed at their next meeting.

Teasley said, “Our job is supposed to keep the dorm safe and it happenedat the dorm; so it does kind of raise questions of how can we be making a moresafe environment, but at the same time we do a lot as far as walking halls andpeople being on call, and that was honestly an unfortunate type of thing.”

Teasley added that he understands why the university chooses to makesome matters private but he also adds, “When something is that widespread Ithink that definitely as students… this is something that needs to be madeaware of just from the standpoint that it’s happening on your campus. If it hap-pened on your campus you don’t want to wake up and turn the news on andsee it for the first time.”

BY ASHTON RECTOR

Assistant Editor

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Liz, Unglued

The strong smell of coffee wafts in the air as Liz Guillermo takes her seatacross from me. Dressed in a red, floral design as bright as her lipstick, she sipsher coffee as Adele plays in the background. She appears calm and ready, seem-ingly un-phased by the fact that in just a few days she will be taking her collegefinals for the last time. This last year came as a long process for Guillermo.She’s a fifth-year senior and will be graduating with a bachelor of science intheatre arts, a degree she didn’t originally plan on.

“My first year, I met with Dr. Broome and he asked me what I wanted tobe my major, and I came in knowing that I wanted to go into pharmacy,”Guillermo remembers, “but I told him theatre. He said that I didn’t seem sure,but I said that it was what came out, so let’s just go with it, and I’ve stuck withit since.”

The theatre is certainly a place where Guillermo seems to come to life. Sherecently finished starring as the female lead in a production of “The 39 Steps,”a retelling of an Alfred Hitchcock tale. On stage, Guillermo dominates, provingthat she chose her area of study very well, but few know about her dedicationto the theatre while off stage. Behind the curtain, Guillermo worked with thecostume designer to ready the actors for opening night, a dedication that isechoed in past productions.

Brody Nolan, who has been close friends with Guillermo for the past twoyears, says of her work in the theatre, “She’s been the stage manager in pastproductions and she freaks out about everything, but her hard work pays off.She worries about everything even if there is nothing to worry about… For thisplay, every time I saw her, she was reading the playbook, rehearsing her lines,and her hard work paid off. She nailed it. She knows what to do.”

Truth be told, Guillermo would be graduating later in life if an opportunity

at the University of the Cumberlands hadn’t presented itself in the fall followingher high school graduation. She had planned to take a year off before enteringcollege, but life had other plans, and since that first moment at UC, Guillermohas become a recognizable face not just with the faculty and fellow students inher department but with those across the campus.

Nolan offers light to this thought by recalling a recent encounter betweenGuillermo and Ms. Carter, UC dean of student life: “Ms. Carter was just talkingup to her, saying things like, ‘How’s your life?’ and ‘I’m so glad you’re grad-uating. I’m so proud of you!’ Ms. Carter is a busy woman and has been herefor years and has seen a lot of students, and yet she knows how hard Liz hasworked and took the time to talk to her.”

Strong willed and independent, Guillermo didn’t come from wealth. In fact,it’s quite the opposite. Whitley County, Guillermo’s home county in Kentucky,is known for its location in rural Appalachia, and Guillermo’s story demon-strates the poverty in this area.

Guillermo recalls moments from her childhood saying, “I came from a veryimpoverished place, but I’ve always been told to just work my hardest. I’vewatched my mom work job after job after job just to provide for me as a kid.She was gone a lot because she was always working. My family has alwaystold me, ‘Go to college. That’s your way out.’”

Yet, poverty wasn’t the only obstacle Guillermo had to overcome. Her lifehas had its share of tragedies, one in particular that seems to have left its per-manent mark.

Sydney Freeman, one of Guillermo’s closest friends, recalls, “Her cousin,her best friend, killed himself. That was a turning point for her. That’s whenshe decided that she wanted a better life, a life that he would be proud of.”

Unmasking Liz Guillermo in these, her final days as a UC student

BY TRENTON CANADA

Assistant Editor Photos by Trenton Canada

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That moment left a hole in Guillermo’s life, a hole that she encountersdaily. That memory coupled with her own struggles with depression and anx-iety serves as a constant combatant against her, pushing her down, and yetshe still somehow finds the courage and the strength to rise each day and pur-sue her goals, her passions. She does so with caution, shielding herself behinda mask of her own design, as her struggles have come with a cost.

“Sometimes it’s very exhausting,” Guillermo explains. “I’ve built up thispersona of being the strong one, so when something goes wrong in my life, itfeels like I can’t take off that mask. I really don’t have any of the answers.” Still, following Guillermo around campus, you may notice that she is alwaysthe first to smile, the first to offer a wave, the first to honestly inquire, “Howare you? Are you doing ok?” Her close friends describe her as selfless andloyal, always willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of those dear to her. Allof this while remaining behind that shield, behind that mask to protect herself.And yet, if given the opportunity to peek behind it, you will find a youngwoman- struggling with insecurities, yes- but somehow resilient enough topush past them.

“What I always tell people is that it’s easier to be in front of a crowd andbe scripted, than it is to be in the middle of a crowd on your own,” offersGuillermo.

Despite those circumstances, personal or otherwise, Guillermo has shakenoff the restraints to become the first in her family to pursue a college educa-tion, and yet, her time spent at UC hasn’t solely focused on classes. Her play-ful tone and stern work ethic have helped to solidify that she will long beremembered here if for nothing other than teaching her professor, John Varley,how to longboard.

About her work in college, Guillermo offers, “I want to be in a placewhere I’ve worked hard these few years. I’ve been consistently doing a lot ofthings so that I can be in a place after college, a place that I enjoy… I’vefought to prove that I’m not what people think I am. I’ve fought to prove thatI am educated, that I’m stronger than people think. I’ve fought to prove thatI’m not a woman who’s weak… It’s always exhausting to push toward yourdreams, especially if you’re coming out of a situation that is less than amazing,but it’s a good exhaustion. I’m always glad that I’m tired because I’m working

toward something.”On a more personal note, I have known Liz Guillermo for quite some

time now, yet I didn’t become acquainted with the true Liz until this semester,her final semester here. That in itself, the discovery of a person with whomyou share so much, is inspirational. Yet, knowing that this is her last semesterat UC and that I will have to make my own strides across campus without heris somewhat bittersweet. She truly is one of the strongest people I have met,filled with a passion nearly unmatched by those around her. She has servedas a fortress for her friends, those to whom she is fiercely loyal, and while Iam incredibly joyous that she is graduating and will undoubtedly be pursuingbigger and brighter things in a world that needs her infectious spirit, there isa moment of melancholy in knowing that she won’t be a face I see every day,a sentiment shared by all of her close friends. Still, she leaves behind part ofherself behind at UC.

Guillermo glances at her coffee before offering this final statement:“When I think of Cumberlands, I know that the campus functioned before meand will function after me. I think that’s the great thing about it. The campus,no matter who comes in or who leaves, will always function in a way thatmakes everyone feel special intheir time here, but I definitely feelthat everyone leaves a part ofthemselves here. When we leave,we leave behind friends. It’s im-possible to have a friend withoutleaving a piece of yourself withthem. It’s impossible to have anexperience without leaving a pieceof yourself there. There’s a changethat’s been made; there’s a spiritthat’s left, an expectation, someknowledge, there’s something thatis different because we existed onthis campus.”

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You may be surprised to find out that I am obsessed with “Star Wars,” andby surprised I mean that if you have ever met me you know that as a bonafidefact. This also means that I am beyond ready for the release of “Star Wars: TheForce Awakens” and that I bought my ticket the day that they went on sale. Theofficial release date is December 18 but, like most major motion pictures, thereis a “midnight” premiere the day before on December 17, AKA the last officialday of the semester and my last official day as a college student. I mean, real-istically that is a coincidence, but illogically I want to thank Disney for treatingme like a princess and releasing the movie in celebration of my final day ofcollege.

For those of you who may be worried about what it will be like for Disneyto take over the Star Wars franchise, and from what I’ve gathered that is a lotof you, I want to calm your fears with reasons why Disney is actually a won-derful choice of company to make these movies. While I’ve perpetuated thestereotype that Disney is just princesses and fairy tales, you might be surprisedby some of the things that they actually have control over and this realizationcan help you get through your pre-”awaken” nerves. Here are three surprising(more or less) assets owned by Disney as shown on nasdaq.com.

1.) MarvelThis one is probably the least surprising but it still is a great example of a Dis-ney-owned asset that is doing well. If you don’t know what Marvel is, it is thecomic book giant behind greats such as “Iron Man,” “Captain America,” andof course “The Avengers.” The release of big name comic book films startedwith the same uneasy nerves that surround Star Wars currently. People wereunsure that Disney could make something that would stay true to comic books.However, most of the Marvel movies that have come out have been box officesuccesses. It may be similar to the happily-ever-after endings that come inprincess movies, but their superhero successes have clearly shown they can dosomething more than a singing prince and animated dance numbers.

2.) ABCUnder this falls ABC Family, which covers family-friendly entertainment thatincludes Harry Potter weekends at least once every few weeks. But this also

covers several shows that may surprise you on the regular ABC station, showssuch as “Scandal” and “How To Get Away With Murder.” If you are unfamiliarwith the premises, these shows are thrillers for the mind that deal with murderor politics. Both of these are mentally stimulating shows that have been suc-cessful in the world of television, and both of them have a less than fairytalefeel to them. All things that air on ABC Family and on the ABC network are apart of Disney, technically.

3.) ESPNOkay, this one might be the most surprising of the three but it is true. Disneyhas an 80 percent ownership over ESPN (the other 20 percent is owned byHearst Company who shares many assets with Disney.) This means that thesports network and all of the sports type activities that they produce is also apart of Disney. It feels a little strange to know that “Monday Night Football”is ran by the same people who made “The Little Mermaid” but we live in astrange and wonderful world. All of the shows, the games that are broadcast,and the commentary are under the Disney franchise.

Disney is more than just a princess portrayal, a mouse with a pet dog, orwhatever is happening in “Fantasia.” In fact, they have a hand in some of themost popular things that are on air to date, from political thrillers to sports balland everything in between. This being said, do not fret so much about the newStar Wars. Disney is doing a stand up job in a bunch of other things that aremore than just the fairy tale adventures they are most known for. Go see “TheForce Awakens,” if for some reason you were hesitant, and if you see me onDecember 17 for my last day of college and on my way to see “Star Wars,”feel free to call me “Your Highness” or something like that. Your call. Also, asin most things in life, I wish you the best of luck going into these finals, maythe Force be with you.

BY LIZ GUILLERMO

Sta ff Writer

Knowledge,it’s our only hope

Reasons why Star Wars going the way of Disney isn’t the same as going the way of the dark side

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Photo provided by Will iam Turner

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Music can shape and change the way we feel, which means it’s only right to have a playlist designed to help get you through some of the hardestseasons of your life. One of the hardest times of the year for college students is finals week--the one week where we try to retain everything we’velearned in the past semester, for a two-hour exam that accounts for a large part of our final grades. Never fear; your finals week playlist is here:

“Carry on my Wayward Son” - KansasCarry on my wayward son.There’ll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don’t you cry no more

“Eye of The Tiger” - Survivor Just a man and his will to survive.You trade your passion for gloryIt's the thrill of the fight Rising up to the challenge of our rivalAnd the last known survivorStalks his prey in the night

“Livin’ on a Prayer” - Bon JoviWoah, we're half way thereWoah, livin' on a prayerWe've got to hold on to what we've gotIt doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

“The Final Countdown” - Europe It's the final countdown...[This song relies heavily on its almostminute-long instrumental intro, but the beatwill certainly amp your adrenaline and helpyou finish the semester strong.]

“Help” - The BeatlesHelp, I need somebodyHelp, not just anybodyHelp, you know I need someoneHelp!When I was younger, so much younger than todayI never needed anybody's help in any wayBut now these days are gone I'm not so self-assured

“Stronger” - Kelly ClarksonYou think you got the best of meThink you've had the last laughBet you think that everything good is goneThink you left me broken down

BY NATASHA JONES

Editor-in-Chief

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Twas the night before finals and all through the dormsNot a senior was sleeping, not a freshman did snore.Textbooks were opened by bedsides with care,In the hopes that some cramming would prove to be fair.Notecards and papers were scattered atop all the beds.Students were stressing as knowledge slipped from their heads.With flashcards in hand, my tears fell to my lap.My mind was begging, “Please, allow me to nap.”Then, out by the street there came a great noise.To myself I thought, “Tis just some rowdy boys.”Down flights of stairs, I ran and I ran.I threw open the doors and there I did stand.The streetlight shown down for my eyes to behold,There was Beyoncé, standing out in the cold. My mouth dropped open as she did approach.She reached out her hand as I let go of my notes.A chariot of fire did appear from the sky.“Come with me,” she said. “Into the night we will fly.”With excitement in tact, I stepped right on board.“Up, up I say,” Beyoncé sang in B chord.Up and upward we rose in Beyoncé’s great sleigh.A wild great wonder, the clouds parted our way. Beyoncé called to our driver, she did seem to tease,

“Driver, oh driver, roll up the partition please.”As the partition did rise, so too did my hopesThat Beyoncé would take me to a land without notes,Without classes or tests or professors who teach,To a land of pure bliss, to a life within reach.To think of it now- no paper, no final,Not having to beg professors for survival.I wished and I wished for my wish to come true,To live a full life with no assignments due.Yet as we parted the heavens, much to my dismay,“Well, hey there, Ms. Carter,” Beyoncé did say. Sure enough, there she did sit, perched atop a great cloudMs. Carter beamed down, her eyes shone bright and proud. She opened her mouth, and I became alert.“Awake, awake I say,” she did boldly assert. My eyes quickly flung open, and there I did layI was in my bed, not Beyoncé’s great sleigh!My clock flashed the time: Twas two in the evening. Panic rose in my throat as my body stopped breathing. “Dear God! I’ve missed my finals!” I did exclaim.I had only myself and my tired soul to blame. As I cried in distress, my patience was tiring. Forget all of this for McDonald’s is always hiring.

BY TRENTON CANADA

Assistant Editor

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12 Days of FinalsBY CHRISTIN ROTTENBERGER

Sta ff Writer

Twelve cited sources

Eleven-paged papers

Ten hours cramming

Nine thoughts of dropping

Eight gray hairsSeven days of cryingSix all-nighters

Five giant testsFour PowerPoints

Two heart attacksThree group projects

One ball of anxiety

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The University of the Cumberlands athletics teams have had a great season during the fall 2015 semester. As it comes to an end, there are some othersports that are starting up for the spring semester. One of them is Track and Field.

This is Randy Greer’s first season as the new head coach of the University of the Cumberland’s men’s and women’s Track and Field Team. He is also analumni of the school. There is a lot of hard work that goes into taking over any sport. In this interview, Greer gives some of his thoughts on what it takes tobe a great track and field coach and also what goals he has for the team in 2016.

Q: What are your thoughts about this being your first season as the University of the Cumberland’s head men’s and women’s Track and Field coach? Greer: I am very excited to be back at UC. The fact that I am an alumnus and that I started my coaching career here as a GA makes it even better to be ableto return home.

Q: What inspired you to take the position as the head Track and Field coach here at the Cumberlands? Greer: Having ran at UC and also being able to return to Kentucky was a big factor for my wife and I. We are both former student athletes from UC as wellas grew up in Kentucky. Taking this job really has been like coming home.

Q: What are some goals you have for the team to accomplish this year? Greer: This year I would like build upon the success that Coach Stroud and Coach Temple have fostered for so long. I would love to compete for theconference title on the men's side as well as defend our title from last year on the women's side. I also think that we can have multiple national qualifiers thisyear in indoor and outdoor season.

Q: What are some steps that the team is taking to prepare for the season opener on January 15 at the ETSU Invitational? Greer: Currently, we are just continuing to work hard every day to prepare for indoor. The workouts over Christmas break will be a huge factor in how readywe are in January.

BY DJ HITE

Sta ff Writer

Ready,Set,

Go!A Q&A with Randy Greer, Head Coach of UC Field and Track

Photo taken from UC Athletics webpage

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DeAndre Davis is a sprinter on the University of the Cumberlands Track and Field team. This is Davis’s first semester here at UC, as a junior, after trans-ferring from Ohio Christian University. In this interview he explains how excited he is for this upcoming season. He also gives some key characteristics aboutwhat it takes to be a good sprinter.

Q: Are you excited for this season and what are your thoughts?Davis: Very! Transferring in from a smaller track and field program at Ohio Christian University, I feel we have a solid team this year. It’s impressive theamount of skill level and talented runners and throwers we have this year. I also feel very confident under our new head coach (Randy Greer) and trust thathe can take our ability to the next level.

Q: What are some goals you have to accomplish this year during this track season?Davis: A personal goal I have set for myself is to lower my time in the 200 and 100 meter sprints. As for anyone, I strive to get better as an athlete and alsoa person. I am also aiming to build endurance and become a stronger runner. Until I came to this school I didn’t know my running form was out of whack,but now I am looking to perfect it as the season approaches. Every day is a chance to get better and I'm taking it one step at a time.

Q: What are some steps you and your teammates are taking to get ready for this first track meet when we get back from break?Davis: Well, in rain and even in the cold we are always practicing. We are also in the weight room three days a week and have been practicing since fall. Atfirst it seemed like a drag but eventually my mind got into the daily routine.

Q: What are some characteristics it takes to be a good track sprinter?Davis: I can name more than a few characteristics of becoming a good track runner or thrower, but to be honest it all comes down to self-discipline. Therewere many days that I wanted to call in sick from practice and just chill in the room. But you think to yourself, “How will I become better in bed or bywatching television?” There are many times in the weight room I think about skipping a workout drill but how would that make me a stronger or fasterrunner? Self-discipline may be the only way of becoming successful at anything you want to achieve in a sport or life period.

Q: What is your favorite thing about running track?Davis: I would say my favorite thing about running or track is the competition. I am a very competitive person and hate getting outdone or out worked inanything I do. Travel is also a plus and meeting new people at meets.

BY DJ HITE

Sta ff Writer

Photo by Jay Sanksakulchai

Sprinting to the FinishA Q&A with UC sprinter DeAndre Davis

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Photo by Shyann Norr is

Believers in a dark world

BY LYDIA JAY

Sta ff Writer

As we know, the world is not the way that it used to be. Over time, the world has changed rapidly and has become even more of a challenge to live theway one believes each day than most of us would like to admit outside of our group of believers. On the other end of the spectrum you have those who don’tmind making their opinions known about the world. However, there is nothing wrong as a believer to have the privilege and right to voice your beliefs andopinions. We do have to be considerate and acknowledge that the world has the same privilege and right as well. Whether we have the same viewpoints ornot, both parties should be able to partake in being considerate and acknowledge the other's opinions. Although, as a believer we may not have the same view-points as the world, but how we go about voicing our beliefs and opinions makes the difference in regards to how the world responds. We have to realize thatwe are responsible for the way we handle issues on any manner as a believer or non-believer.

Does this mean as believers we sit back and say nothing? Does this mean we avoid walking on eggshells, to avoid the start of a conflict or tip toe anddance around topics that we are afraid will offend someone and make things uncomfortable? Do we allow people to bash our beliefs and way of life while theworld tries to make us accept their way of life? Is there any right way to go about these sticky situations that we face today? Yes. As believers, we need to readabout how Jesus and his disciples did things and how they handled these topics. What did Jesus do? He loved. He loved the sinner. Scripture says in Proverbs10:12 (KJV), “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” Believers, instead of being negative and trying to shove your beliefs down those who do notshare your beliefs, let’s focus on the deeper issue at hand. The problem is not solely on a person or their lack of being some sort of a “Christian.” There isnowhere in the Bible where it says, “Christian.” The problem is people’s lack of knowing the truth due to the fact that people are or have been deceived. Oneof the ways that believers are going to reach people is through love, being a servant and giving encouragement. Believers walk with them as they are seekingout the truth and show them how we are to live our lives. Underneath all of the debates and what not that is what we are all truly after. We help people in thisworld by loving one another. We need to daily rededicate our lives to being honest, upright examples for others. We need to rise up and show people how it’sdone. As believers, myself included, we are not perfect. We still fall short and sin, but since we have the man upstairs, we have the help that we need as wellas others to help us strive to become better each and every day.

So, let’s not degrade one another but encourage others to find the truth and pray they choose to respond to that truth accordingly and leave the rest to God.I say all of this not because Christmas is near, or that a new year is approaching, but as a reminder that the world is going to get even more uncomfortable.There is no clean slate, just a new year. I encourage you to try a new tactic: rise up and show people Jesus. Make it your goal to strive in loving one anotherand helping people come to know the truth this new year. 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitudeof sins.”

Be blessed.

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Often times Christians experience what seems to be a storm in the middle of the day-to-day lives. This storm is our test. We can eitherchoose to embrace the valley of our Christian walk with Christ and run with it in love or we can choose to react with anger towards our lovedones and God, our creator. Which would we choose? Though it is hard to say what our response would be until we are in the moment, we canprepare ourselves to respond the way we were commanded to before we encounter those dark clouds in our life.

When something goes wrong in your life, praise God. When others hurt you, thank God. When you start to get angry over the littlethings, ask God for a joyous heat and a generous spirit. He can and He will help us. Anger is one of the first ways we as Christians know torespond; however, is that what God commanded for us to do? Anger could come with a clouded mind, such as depression, anxiety, bipolardisorder, or something as simple as a discouragement. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV), “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: foranger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Let us be quick to act in love and slow to act in anger. God commands us to love one another andourselves. Acting in love towards others when in a spiritual valley is a necessity, but it is harder to do that when we are on the mountaintopon a “Jesus high.” Luke 6:35 (KJV) says, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward shallbe great and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

When our life is clouded, when our heart is angry, when we are hurting the ones around us by responding wrongfully while in the valley,we need to ask God to clear our pathway and continuously pray for a calm in the storm of our life. God will hear our need and soften ourhearts for Him.

Out of the darkness of anger and into the light of love

A devotional

BY SHYANN NORRIS

Sta ff Writer