" A Family of Freedom Fighters"

The story of Tamar is one of great scarafice and purpose, though any means necessary. Tamar was a direct decendent of Noah, and family of great pride and purpose. She was given up for marriage to the son of Judah, Er. Together they lived for awhile yet Tamar remained barren, this was often seen as a punishment from God. However God found Er displeasing and took Er's life away. Judah then told his next eldest son Onan to go forth and have relations with Tamar so that his brother's name may carry on. Onan was not up for this idea because he knew the child would not be considered his own. So Onan defived his father's orders and Tamar remained bareen. God found Onan's actions to be displeasing. God then took Onan's life. Judah then told Tamar to go live in her father's house as a widow until his youngest son was of age. A long time passd and no sign of the youngest brother Shelah was seen. Word passed to Tamar that Judah would be passing her way on his way to Timnah. Tamer then took off her widow's garments and pput a veil over herself. She met Judah on his way and had realtions with him; Judah not knowing that this was his daughter-in-law. After their relations Tamar asked for some type of pledge that would gurantee their child's place in the family. Judah gave his seal, staff, and belt to her. Time passed and Tamar became noticeably pregnent. Word reached Judah that his daughter-in-law had become pregnent. He charged that she be burned for her crime of un-chastity. When she was brought before Judah she presented him with the tokens he had given her when they had their realtions. Judah was dumb-founded and gave into his pregent daughter-in-law. She gave birth to twin sons, Zaragand Pharez, giving her a place in the family and an inheritence to her children.

By including Tamar in Jesus' geneology, Matthew is attemping to show us a key message in Christ's teachings. This is that no matter how down and out times may seem, God will always fulfill his promise to bring life to the Jewish people for generations and generations, no matter how steep the odds may be. Also, it is a story of love and devotion to our loved ones and their legacy. Tamar not only wanted children to love and cherish, but she also wanted a piece of her husband that could grow and thirve in the world. It was her devotion that pushed her through, much like the devotion of love Jesus taught. It also, like Jesus, teaches us that we must sometimes put ourselves and what we believe in on the line to get what is right done. Although the means by which Tamar had to secure herself and her family's well being may seem odd and not like the teaching of Christ, they still have a foundation of love and devotion, two of the main callings of Jesus. Another aspect to look at is that Jesus did not simply come up with his teachings all on his own, he used family stories and experiences to move forward in his life's mission.

"Portfolio 1: What I think I can Achieve."

This semester in Parables, I shoot for nothing less then an A. I feel that with the class we have and all the possible discussions to come, this class will almost be impossible to fail. I find our open forums to be very insightful and helpful in our task of learning. Also, blogging helps each person to be able to express whatever they need. The class in itself, without the blog or classmates, is set up to really engage students in the art that is storytelling, which makes sucess in this class that much more attainable.

I declare that every Parables assignment will be done to my utmost ability, and that learning will be my true drive to success. Whether I reach the A or not, as long as I have achieved a strong hold on the subject, I will come out ahead.

Portfolio 1: "Who is Jesus, Really?"

Growing up a grandson of a priest I've always been around or near written and oral teaching of the Chirstian Faith. From a young age I have always been told that it's not about the mysticism and awe of the "supernatural" Jesus, but rather the physically and spiritual impact of the words that were spoken and written. To me Jesus is much more then a man who lived, he is a way of life. Through the many Gospel readings I've heard, and sermon after sermon, it has become clear that Jesus is the idea of a life filled with love, compassion, and overall right. In a sense, its perfectly just to call Jesus the 'Greatest Story Ever Told'. As we have learned in our first couple of classes, stories teach, Jesus taught, we learn. So in essence, Jesus is a story, that teaches us to live and love. As we listen to stories of Jesus, we are not literally replaying an event that happened persay, however we are creating a scene that helps understand and evaulate ourselves as we grow and live.
I feel that at times I stray away from what is right as Jesus taught, however, its not about following Jesus' word to the letter. To live a life a through Chirst you must decipher what you find to be Christ. When I say this I mean, you must decide what you know in your heart and mind to be right.

Portfolio 1: Why We Tell Stories

One story that has really stuck with me for my adolencent and young adult life has been the story of my grandfather. Every family get together there comes a new story about the amazing person that is my grandfather. It all starts with him living as a young boy in England during WWII and how he was seprerated from his eleven brothers and sisters. This story has a particular place in my life because it was through the church that my grandfather found a peace during such times of war. When the air raids began in England, Grandy was put on a train will thousands of other chirldren heading for the most Northern parts of the United Kingdom. As the children were seperated he became lost in the confusion and was seperated from the ones he loved. During these first weeks he felt alone and affraid. However, during his second month of living away he came across a small chapel just outside of Edinburaugh. Here he was comforted by the images of saints and religous relics. It was also here that he met some of the most influencial people of his life. To keep his mind away from the troubles of the War, he began a life of prayer and study. It was in and around that chapel that he learned the physics that would soon lead to great discoeries and invention. It was here that he would be called by God to work and live as a priest of the people. This story really sticks out in my mind because it was the Church that led my grandfather to be the person he is. It really give me a stronger sense of faith, not only in God and religion, but also the perseverance of the human spirit.