Sam's Schoolwork - Religion - Term Project

I was able to benefit the school community with 5+ hours of work on creating the yearbook. I photographed people, sorted pictures, edited pictures, did layout design, page design, cover design, journalling, copy, previewing and finishing. I worked with Nicole Dacre, Kris, Sabrina, Liam, and Mr MacMullen. This affected the school community as if nobody worked on the yearbook, we wouldn't have one. It helps me as I practice the skills needed to design my own projects, I learn what goes into creation of a book like this and I gather experience. I will not be doing much different come spring with this except that I will have more work put into this and will be working much more steadily on it.

Sam's Schoolwork - Religion - Guiding Principles (Matt 5-7, 1 Thess 1:2-10)

    The principles that guide my life, or at least are my ideals and goals, can probably be summed up by 'I am one of His people, one of His children, who is growing up to look like Him, so I better act the part.' I am one of His children, and He is teaching me to grow into His image. Thus, while I might not have much, if any, of His spirit, lifestyle, and personality, I will grow into it. I will not sin, and will have overcome, become His perfect kid, in every respect being how He want's me to be. (Though, frankly, I'm a long way off from that goal.)
    Like I said, this is my goal. Most often, I don't actually know what I'm doing, and make a halfhearted decision, or somehow find myself doing the exact opposite of what I know I should, God help me. Often, or more than often, I choose to go the way that benefits, usually short-term, myself, which is disregarding of anyone else, and end up hurting them, and later myself once I find out how it affected them.
    So, all in all, I try, or want to try, or want to want to try (Yes, that is possible) to be as much of a mirror being to God that I can get. I know that is what He wants me to be, and has helped me a lot on that path, but it will take a long time.

Sam's Schoolwork - Religion - Discussion, pg 28

Would it be better if God were to remove all possibility of doubt?

    I don't think so. I think that it is one of the factors that allow for choice. If God were to remove all doubt, then we would thus be left with a very clear understanding of what route we will take, not necessarily the route we should take, whether for good or ill. If doubt was removed, we still may not know the truth, and so miss out on what God wants for us. Doubt allows us to seek help from God and others, and get different viewpoints on a choice.

Sam's Schoolwork - Religion - Practical Application Phase 2 Page 13

    For me, realizing what God has done for me makes me much less harsh, mostly on myself, but also on others. It provides the basis for all of my moral character, or at least my envisioned moral character, and allows me to actually have a goal to get towards. When I realize that Christ died for someone else, something that is rarely taught as most people say Christ died for you and they leave the other guy out of it, it makes me attempt to treat them better. Usually, I only remember it after I did something nasty to someone and they aren't near anymore, unfortunately. The realization makes me become knowing of the right way to go, and usually allows me the strength to overcome what I'd normally do, thus allowing me the choice. I think that the understanding that Christ has died for me not only makes me realize where I am wrong, but also allows me to decide upon the best action, contrary to my personal nature.
    The principles of God's word have been taught to me since I was born, and I try to live the principles that my parents have taught me. I hope that even if I do not realize it, those principles appear in my moral character. I know that they don't always appear, but then my conscience gets a hold of me and makes me remember how I should behave. They are certainly my ideal for myself, but I have times when I do not live those principles.

Sam's Schoolwork - Religion - Semester Goals

    My goal for the semester is more like my goal for the next two semesters. My job requires me to complete a 20-50 page manga (graphic novel) by June, and even though it for my job, it is my goal as well because it is what I want to do later in life and so I want the practice. To actually do it I will need to have the time to draw and more of the paper needed. (There is a special paper with nonreproduceable guidelines on it; I have some, but it won't last me the whole time and I'd like the larger size.) I may need a few more pens, and also for my boss to finish writing the script. Really, I just have to actually sit down and draw it.