Articles written by Shannon Rayford

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Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Why does God appear to be turning away from people sometimes: 1 of 28
When my parents taught me to ride a bike they held the bike steady as I nervously gripped the handlebars and sat on the banana seat. As I wobbled down the road, one of my parents held on to the back of the seat while the other waited down the street for me as if they were waiting for me at the finish line of a marathon. I ped... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues The Trinity: How God takes three forms: 3 of 73
"My God, my God, Why have thou forsaken me?"(Matthew 27:46)I have heard many people ask, if the trinity is true, then was Jesus talking to Himself? It would seem so, wouldn't it? Well, in a way He was and in another He wasn't. I have considered this myself, but I found a passage that answers many of the questions I had about ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > African-American Issues African-Americans are really free: 2 of 33
As an African American woman, I believe that we are free in the Constitutional sense of the word, but this freedom comes with consequences. Today's African Americans are capable of getting jobs, homes, and educational advantages that African Americans in the past were denied, but this comes at a cost.In order for African Amer... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Bible Study Your favorite Bible story: 3 of 42
"A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into g... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues How will God judge us?: 2 of 21
How will God judge us is a question often asked by people of many different religions. Some of us wonder if our many good works will get us into heaven, while others of us wonder if our many bad works will keep us out. Is there a formula to determine who God thinks is too bad or who is good enough to let through the pearly ga... More..
Society & Lifestyle > African-American Issues Banning the "N word" slur for African-Americans: A good intention butts against free speech: 5 of 44
I am as confused over the controversy over the use of this word as those who are confused over the appropriate time to use it. Why is it so hard for people to understand the reason black people use this word, but are angry when a person of another race uses it? I have heard gay people refer to themselves as queers. I have hea... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Could Christianity survive without the Bible?: 10 of 86
Once, I purchased a small entertainment center from a department store. Rather than read the directions on how to assemble it, I looked at the picture and my roommate and I decided to wing it. After we completed putting it together, it looked almost exactly like the picture. We had a few nuts and bolts left over, but we were ... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Video killed the radio star: Assessing MTV's effect on music in the early '80s: 2 of 17
Comparing listening to music on the radio to watching music videos is like comparing reading a novel to watching the film. Many people say the book is always better than the movie, and I'm sure many feel as the Buggles did when they released their song "Video Killed the Radio Star." So what is the big difference? Who cares if... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Your definition of a sin: 11 of 89
Sin is any action or thought that is done while knowing in one's heart that the thought or action is wrong and going against what God wants from you. This is not Webster's definition of sin and I am no religious scholar, but I base my belief and definition of sin on the book of Romans. In Romans, Paul is addressing Jews and G... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Non-Christians' chance in Heaven: 18 of 138
At first, I was tempted to respond to this article by saying a non-Christian has as much chance in getting to Heaven as a non-football player's chance in playing in the Superbowl. Then, I put my sarcasm aside and began to wonder what a non-Christian is. Is it someone who does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or is it... More..