A New York State of Mind

Less than a Latte

2008-05-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

A soft glow of a brilliant sunset stretches across the plains of Zambia, Africa. The persistent rushing of a waterfall calms the spirit of young workers putting their blistering, working hands to rest. Meanwhile hundreds of children roam the dirt roads longing for nourishment gazing up at the sky talking to the stars. Some of them will not make it home tonight.

A Manhattan sunrise awakes businessmen in a high-rise apartment complex as the light peaks in their windows. The glimmering flash of sunlight bounces off the massive glass planes on seemingly every skyscraper. New York City looks flashy, especially today. The population is out spending money on the latest fashions and their morning cup of coffee at Starbucks.

The walk to work is tedious and anyone stopping a New Yorker’s stride is quickly thrown to the side like a dead animal. A man dressed in a button-down shirt and khakis with a lanyard that reads “Dylan” desperately tries to catch even an eye’s peripheral of attention. He is friendly, outgoing, and funny and attracts even the most stubborn of individuals. His mission is simple, to reach the hundreds of children in third-world countries across the globe by recruiting New Yorkers to adopt a child who needs 70 cent a day. 70 cents a day will provide the child with better healthcare, a nutritious meal, an education, and a higher self-esteem.

Dylan Marshall Chapman was born October 5^th, 1983 in Amite, Louisiana. His accent is heavy, but so is the weight he must carry in order to carry out his mission. With two children, both of them girls, a 19^th month old and a 2-week old, Chapman hardly has the strength to stand on the corners of New York City all day and get ruthlessly denied. Chapman’s role model is his wife of 3 years, attributing most of his outstanding qualities to her.

Chapman grew up in the church, attending a small private school K-12, Oakforest Academy. He is heavily involved doing volunteer work for his church to this day plans to be a regular staff member. His pastor of his church, whom he spiritually and personally relates to, moved to New York City. Chapman followed in this righteous path and worked at Orpheus, a drugstore in New York City.

Working retail at Orpheus, although a meaningless job to most, actually attributes to most of Chapman’s desire to help people. “I loved working with people, I always was in some kind of sales getting people to take action with something,” he said. Chapman returned to his hometown to work at a plant. After spending some time in Louisiana, Chapman moved back to New York to job hunt online.

Dialogue Direct, a fundraising company affiliated with other organizations appeared under Chapman’s job hunt. Chapman needed a job to support his wife and his two little girls and Dialogue Direct seemed to fit his need. “I figured I could be much more passionate about helping children than selling clothes…,” he said. Children International was Chapman’s epiphany.

Chapman’s mission is to try to recruit individuals who would be willing to sponsor a child living in a third-world country. For less than the daily trip to Starbucks, a New Yorker can step outside their urban mindset and give back to the world. To put the numbers in perspective, 70 cents is $22 per month and $264 per year. Or, as Chapman so New York-ly put it, 2 martini’s a month.

Hundreds of beggars and salespeople flood the jungles of New York every day, so Chapman expects rejection. New York’s fast paced, money driven nature makes Chapman’s task a hit-or-miss. “They may dressed in the business suits, but that doesn’t mean everything’s going great for them.” “They are nice people, it’s a numbers game, and you present yourself in such a way when a nice person sees you they can’t help, but stop.”

With the hustle and bustle of New York City, charities hold a spot in the back of the heads of even the best of people. “Since working here it has opened my eyes a lot, so I can identify with people on the street that I meet on the street that aren’t bad people because they never thought about it, I’ve been in their shoes,” Chapman pointed out.

Chapman supports his family with his job at Children International and is able to expand the dreams of hundreds of children all over the world. “There’s a difference between believing in it and actually stepping out and doing it,” he said. Chapman’s passion for helping people came from a little retail store and for just a fraction of the cost of a little cup of coffee, New Yorkers can change the world.

The City of God

2008-05-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Who ever thought New York City could be so spirit-filled? A man by the name of Dylan Chapman was just another bystander trying to get people's attention on the corners of New York City's most congested areas.

This one, was unique.

He attracted my attention because of the way he approached me. It wasn't threatening, it was friendly and personable. His accent was clearly not of New York City and it looked like he might have been standing on the corner for awhile. God puts certain coincidences in place and this was a prime example because I was actually on my way to the site of a different story.

At first it was just small talk, but his speech, which he probably rattled off to hundreds of people a day, caught my interest. He was speaking about a foundation know as Children's International, which kept children in third-world countries alive and well. As WJI students, we recently heard of a different approach known as micro-financing. The process is a little different, but basically the same idea.

All I knew was this man had to walk into my path for some reason and it hit me, a story. I made him a deal, I would sponsor one of these children if I get a solid interview out of the deal. He ran it by his higher up's and it was a symphony in progress. Here was this random man, on a random street corner, and I firmly believe God put him there.

He was a fascinating man. He didn't experience anything fantastic in his life, but his ordinary story turned into an inspirational one for everyone. God was truly a part of him as God has been a part of me this past week. And, as an added bonus, I got some serious experience with on-the-spot questions and on-the-spot angles. Nice.

Falling in Love with Purpose

2008-05-15T23:57:00.000-07:00

“Sitting silent wearing Sunday best/The sermon echoes through the walls/A great salvation through it calls to the people/who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls.” These are the lyrics to a song entitled “Love Song for a Savior” By Jars of Clay. It is 2:21 AM so you may assume I picked this song at random to whip out 250 words and somehow tie in Jerram Barrs' The Heart of Evangelism. I’ll blame that on The Holy Spirit.

Evangelism is such a touchy subject to write about because the meaning will dramatically change from person to person. Yet, in The Heart of Evangelism Barrs exposes our role as Christians in how to approach evangelism without passing out flyers that read “the end is near.” As I was playing “Love Song for a Savior,” the words “love” and “song” really jumped out. And, as if God comically mapped this epiphany out, my book was open to Chapter 32: Revealing the Heart’s Secrets. Barrs reveals evangelism also involving knowing the heart of a person citing “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” where Jesus is tested. We cannot get into heaven by just picking up the Bible and expect a set of guidelines to follow. Instead, we must know and love The Lord our God and sustain a personal relationship with Him.

Essentially, we must fall in love with Him. Our mission as evangelists is complete when we successful introduce God to someone as a friend, not as a ticket to heaven. When we truly understand the love God has for us and the love we have for Him that is when we understand the world.

G.O.D

2008-05-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

I feel like I wrote this forever ago!!! This was actually wrote probably around the first time I realized I had a passion for writing. The inspiration of this came from constant reminders of those who defined God as a race rather than a person. I heard Common's G.O.D (very good song listen to it when you get free time) and was inspired to create my own version. I thought it was appropriate to bring up considering our focus on evangelism at WJI.

Listen, understand denominations are created by man
The separations of religions were never formed by God's hand
Teenage years I start to question my feelings and religion
Like do the saints exist and what exactly is considered sinning?
But it's up to me to explore this vast denomination
And remember it's not always God's word what the preacher is saying
So why our feeling of superiority in these infinite degrees of separation
Why live with ourselves that Catholics and Baptists have no relation
One love so there's one God, one choice to believe
One time to show up on judgment day and our choice to leave
God doesn't send people to hell, we choose our fate
Adolf Hitler chose to murder, he wasn't born with hate
In the soul of an atheist burns a light just as bright as our own
Just because they can't see the light doesn't meant they can't eat at our home
No religion is right, it's only Jesus or not
And don't tell people to change because in hell their soul will rot
When you sin yourself you’re contradicting the reality of your human quality
A perfect person is non-existent so we must unite in equality
We speak the holy word and it's up to them to listen
Being a hypocrite will never make you a Christian
I don't force my religion but I feel God's voice is got to be heard
And faith cannot be told its something to be learned
So questioning God's existence will make your faith grow
You'll understand your own beliefs and reinforce things u already might know

Between the questions and answers I still look for God's face
Seeing Him as a way of life instead of a race....(2x)

Yeah, and so you call God black when you've never seen Him face to face
In the other words you’re separating your religion by color, in other words your religion’s disgraced
Jesus could be black or white but in God's family color is not restricted
So God as a color symbol should not be what He is depicted
Rather a religion is a way of life more then the cross on your neck
Got to be personal with your God in order to resurrect
Actions speak louder then words, practice your preaching
Notice I don't call people sinners because you’re listening to a sinner's teaching
I don't have all the answers but I realized God is living
Woke up from taking and started giving
Curiosity didn't kill the cat it killed the hate
Because when we discuss our religion we learn that God is great
And if God's face is our face then we all have potential
And remember are sins aren't permanent they're written in pencil
We aren't humans trying to be spiritual but spiritual trying to be man
And none of us are perfect I try to be what I can

Between the questions and answers I still look for God's face
Seeing Him as a way of life instead of a race....(2x)

I know God feels us because he died with the murderers and thieves
On his left and right breathing the same air He breathes
So why give up on God even when your life is at the lowest
Miracles happen everyday but we never bother to notice
People want to see God as the physical because they can't believe the biblical
So I'll depict God in my rhymes so they might believe in the lyrical
Don't confuse this with a Sunday morning homily that's not what this is
And remember love is powerful because that's what God gives
Love to the thieves and the man who killed innocent people
They all stay at the top, they all pray under the same church steeple
Remember God doesn't choose hell for us it all comes down to us
We choose our path on our journey and victory isn't always a must
Trial and error, filled with mistakes and low times
Talk to God every night and you'll end up with no crimes
God lets everyone into paradise from the rich to the meek
But I wonder if every time someone chooses hell a tear falls down His cheek?
Because he lost his sheep in a fiery grave
What ever happened to the happiness and gifts he gave?
What ever happened to the death on the cross so everyone could be saved?

Between the questions and answers I still look for God's face
Seeing Him as a way of life instead of a race....(2x

Young Journalists on the Rise

2008-05-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

The line-up of prominent speakers and teachers for The World Journalism Institute were announced at a press conference last night.

The city that never sleeps is bringing well-prepared young journalists into the newsroom. A press conference in the basement of the Empire State Building in New York City revealed Michael Gerson, former White House speech writer for President George W. Bush, will speak at the closing dinner at The World Journalism Institute. The press conference was held by Dr. Robert Case, former news announcer at KBIQ/KGDN radio and institute director at The World Journalism Institute.

To have Gerson at the institute is a great opportunity, according to Case. Since 1999, The World Journalism Institute, held in New York City during the early summer months, has rigorously trained young, college level journalists in all levels of multi-platform media in the increasingly competitive field of journalism, Case said. Graduates of WJI typically end up with internships and/or jobs in networks such as FOX, ABC, or World Magazine. WJI can even provide a stipend if the internship is unpaid, Case said.

Applicants must have some journalistic experience and be Christian in order to apply being the institute supports a Christian worldview in secular news, Case said. WJI is an intensive course because it separates those who are unsure about journalism from, “Who’s got the fire in the bag to be journalists,” Case said.

In addition to Gerson, Todd Starnes, FOX News, and John Wilson, New York Post, will also be speaking at the institute.

The Pen Factory

2008-05-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

Take a walk with me to the pen factory, where they’re crafted and sent to me
Blessed be the pen, weekday and weekend, a hundred lines where emotions run their courses
Especially nighttime where raging knights charge full speed pens like gavels on armored horses
My best work from Bic factories and Papermate facilities
Peaceful tranquilities, smudge my ink with tears from eyes who admire the construction of writing utensils
Trace my world like stencils, my art form involving syllables and stressing vowels
I’ve been fighting round after round even after boxers threw in their towels
Now get louder, pens get exhausted when the vocabulary’s in bold
Now darker stories are told, mouths open wide when ink spills from inside
The pen collides with college ruled lines and its limitations are infinite
So when I write, everything ends abruptly so I never really finish it
Take into consideration the construction of a writing tool
Some grips are soft, some harsh on the thumbs, redness comes right after school
I embrace the pain from the pen and it explodes on spiral bound loose-leaf
The pen can’t fool me; it’s true to its proclamation
I ask the notebook pages to yield to the words I’m saying
Cramps and sore fingers, eyes squinting, note taking, sloppy scratch-outs, white-out stenches
Strolling through campus, pen in hand, headphones blaring, staring in space sitting on benches
I’m venting, blowing off steam so other things might matter
Rather express my problems in ink so cut the small chatter
Instrumentals for nourishment, speech I furnish it, negativity eliminated from my lyrical bladder
My pen like my first son, without existence my purpose would fade out
So I begin my day in the best way so I know exactly what this life’s about
Alarm clock ringing the pen’s erected ready to report my feelings
My eyes not even adjusted to the light yet and I’m ready to begin my healing
Prescription medicines and alcohol hardly substitutes to the pen
My friend, so before I begin I have to thank God for crafting its existence
I feel my religion speaks through it, digging deep to spark my persistence
The pen closes contracts and danced on the American constitution
It wrote the first Bible and we wonder why we use it
Not to be abused, its purpose is up to our discretion
Who knew a household item would make the stress start to lessen?
Undressing sugar-coated things, look at what glittering brings, not gold
My pen’ so soulful, a blanket for comfort, no ink? so cold
Tomorrows already foretold, So you really want to understand? Quit asking me
Just open your mind and take the time to visit the pen factory

From the Womb to the Woods

2008-05-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

A young boy ventures into the woods for the first time embracing traditions he was only able to view from an outsider’s perspective. Now, at only 10 years of age he is ready to participate in hunting traditions that will push him into manhood. The woods, where the hunting traditions take place, is a spiritual development breeding ground where the youth embraces maturity. There are some who enter the woods that do not respect nature and use unjust means to get what they want.

In Faulkner’s The Bear, the woods is a metaphor for the world in which a newborn baby enters. It is the loss of innocence a child experiences as they grow apart from their parents. The destined path of a college student is a journey we must walk in order to break away and utilize the gifts God blessed us with and find our place in the world. Perhaps some things in the woods were not meant to be hunted and killed, but sought after to further mature and educate the young boy. The bear out-smarted the hunters every year until they abandoned their usual methods of hunting and physically killed the bear with a knife. Taking the easy way out may not always be the best solution so being mindful of the bears in our lives is vital to our maturity. These are the lessons Faulkner teaches us while we venture the woods to find clarity.

Listen and Open Your Eyes

2008-05-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

“There are no devils left in hell, they’re all in Rwanda,” said a missionary stationed in Rwanda who viewed the genocide firsthand. The short, popular statement left by the missionary paints a picture of what exactly what was going on because our minds could only vividly construct the outrageous violence that occurred for several months. Years after the genocide, the world has not seen anything comparable to this magnitude of murder, or has it? What fueled Rwanda, especially the cases outlined in Phillip Gourevitch’s book was ignorance. The Hutus killed because that is what the government told them to do. Sound familiar? The government, media, and our friends and family tell us to do things all the time and we do them because we trust them or are accustomed to them. Buying the right clothes to look a certain way, shopping for the right foods, deciding what causes cancer, whether or not to keep The Ten Commandments in a courtroom, and many other examples are all ways in which we listen and obey and sometimes the results are disturbing.

We are all victims or promoters of genocide in the respect we hardly ever question authority. Part of being adults is to construct our own opinions and actions about the world and those around us. An open mind is probably the most powerful tool we can have as critical thinking adults. Rwanda could have been easily prevented and it is extremely unfortunate we needed to experience so much bloodshed in order to open our eyes.

Live like Sinatra

2008-05-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Sinatra was not strictly for entertainment, but to construct the American dream. He was not born, but created in the midst of an ever-changing, ever-conforming America. His music pumped energy and excitement into older couples as they slow-danced to his songs, while his sarcastic personality kept a smile on the faces of even the most prominent celebrity figures in America. Sinatra was a role model for the world and carried himself as if the world did not exist. He is a prime example that dreams do come true and even the most ordinary of people can shock the world and come out wearing a crown.

Frank Sinatra represents the youth of today. Sinatra began his career making $25 a week and sometimes singing free-of-charge just to get noticed. He was born of a Sicilian family and lived an ordinary childhood with fantasies to eventually become a singer. This ordinary standard is what Frank Sinatra overcame and what attracted crowds of people to his presence. The youth of today undergoes similar trials as they carry outrageous dreams and struggle with minimum wage paying part-time jobs. Sinatra carried the weight of the world on his shoulders as he fought off the media and fans prying into his life when all he really wanted to do was take off his crown, do things his own way, and enjoy himself. It was his personality that kept the world on its toes wondering what he would do next and it’s the presence of the youth of today that keeps the world guessing who will be the next Frank Sinatra.

The Shawls We Carry

2008-05-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Ozick presents many symbols in this powerful short story about a young mother's experience in the Holocaust. The shawl the mother wraps her baby, Magda, in is the comfort and life support for the child. It represents all that is good in a place where everything that is evil exists and prospers. Jealously rips the shawl from Magda's grasp and the child panics. Evil can now penetrate Magda because the shawl no longer serves as a guardian. I see the shawl simply as the little things in life we never bother to notice. We live in a world where it's hard to find the good in anything. It's people, certain songs we like, our favorite hobby, or simply the wind whistling through the trees that serve as our shawls. Magda fell into the hands of the Nazis because her innocent mind focused on the shawl and she panicked.

We can't focus on our shawls, instead we must focus on the road ahead and realize one day our shawls may not be there to protect us. The evil tendencies of this world tend to temporarily take away or change our shawls in the times of our lives we need them most. If we keep an open heart God reminds us He is the shawl that will never leave us and cannot be taken away by the darkness.