I'm a Ravenpuff???

Lately, my friends and I have been discussing Harry Potter with all the fervency of a pre-book season. But even with the ending of this series, the discussions go on and consume our thoughts. On Sunday, we began with a simple discussion of the House colors, which then turned into all of us wondering, "What house would we be sorted into?" I had taken a quiz once that said I was Ravenclaw. I don't really know much about the houses beyond the simple "Gryffindor's are brave, Slytherin's are mean (I mean cunning), Ravenclaw's are smart, and Hufflepuffs are, well, they're just the rest." Michael then confirmed to me that I was Ravenclaw.

"Morgan, you're Ravenclaw" Michael states with certain knowledge (as he does with all of HP).


"Really? That's what the quiz said. Why do you say that?"


"Because you ARE."

Well, that settles it I guess. I tend not to disagree with most of what Michael says about HP, so, maybe I am Ravenclaw. But, let's do a bit of research, eh? There's many good sites out there that gave some insight into not only the houses, but the dorms, characters, etc. Of course, there's the most info on Slytherin and Gryffindor. A great site I found is here, and gives lots of really interesting info on all the houses. Ravenclaws are described as thus: "Ravenclaw values intelligence, creativity, wit and wisdom. 'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure' is an oft-repeated Ravenclaw proverb." I do value knowledge and creativity. I would like to be known as an intelligent being, one that desires knowledge, and willingly passes it onto others. I believe in a creative God, and think he endowed each of us with a different capacity for creating, and for beauty. To me, Ravenclaw is a noble house. I like that I would belong in Ravenclaw.

But it's never THAT simple. I took a couple more tests, and a few put me in Hufflepuff. Okay, more research time. While Hufflepuff is unfortunately known as the house that had the idea to "put all the appalling duffers in one house, calling it Hufflepuff, and giving it the sign of a badger".


They're generally known as the rejects, or the "kind" ones (which makes kindness sound a bit pathetic next to bravery, cunning, and wisdom). But I found this definition, and really like it. "Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, values hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play above all else." Wait, that sounds like a really cool house. And let's not forget the most notable Hufflepuff of all time, the courageous, wise, loyal Cedric Diggory. I don't think anyone would dare call him a duffer. In fact, Cedric is one of my top 3 favorite characters (following only Snape and Sirius Black). Who wouldn't love a friend like Cedric? Who doesn't appreciate those people that are loyal to a fault, kind to all, and willing to befriend the rejects. To me, it sounds like Jesus would be a Hufflepuff, and we go and make fun of this house! I think Hufflepuff is the most noble, simply for the reason it is seen as the furtherest from that. This world honors that which elevates mans own power and wisdom, not that which values putting others before you.

So, which am I? I think Michaels right. I AM Ravenclaw. Don't think I'm here, stroking my ego, boasting in my own intelligence. I think I'm semi-smart, have a desire to learn, and I really do love school. I revel in creativity and the beauty that it reveals. But do I value those traits above people? Yes, I probably do most of the time, becoming a bit (okay, a lot) judgmental of those that don't have those traits...those Hufflepuffs, perhaps? But all that judgmentalism is simply a jealousy that they can love people more than theories, and I'm stuck in the corner with my books.

Hopefully, as I grow in Christ, I'll become more Hufflepuff, and less Ravenclaw. God made me who I am, and I doubt he wants me to forsake all knowledge and learning. But I can give it a rest at times in order to love those he's placed in my life. So everyone be patient with me as I LEARN to be Hufflepuff. :)

The Places in Between

The Places in Between by Rory Stewart has to be one of my favorite books. Rory has this gift to tell stories in such a brutally honest way that you find humor in even the most mundane life experiences. Although, I wouldn't generally categorize walking across Afghanistan 2 months after the Taliban fell, mundane. Yet, nothing about this book was breathtaking. Nothing was romantized, nothing placed on a pedestal. He spoke openly and honestly of all the people he met, those friendly, and those that would've preferred to rob him and leave him dead in a ditch. He's truthful and humorous, and I found myself walking alongside him, a sort of ghost following his rugged trail through mountains, valleys, and Buddhist monastaries.


Rory Stewart is now living in Kabul, working on a project called Turquoise Mountain. He (and his sponsers) are re-creating the "downtown" river district and restoring it to it's former glory. They're opening schools for people to re-learn the ancient arts of carving, weaving, architecture, etc. They're restoring city blocks that have been covered in 7 feet of trash, and restoring homes where families have lived for centuries. And all for free. The Afghan aren't quite sure what's going on still, wondering why someone would be doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, but that's what so great about it. Look it up online at http://www.turquoisemountain.org/ and go through the picture gallery for some fun shots.

So, Jon and I want to go to Afghanistan. Not sure when, not sure where, but once you get the ache to see it with your own two eyes, you can't deny it. Just ask Rory.

Mark of the Lion

I just read the best books, man oh man. They were the first two in the Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers. Now, I was a little apprehensive because they were (cough, cough) "Historical Christian Romance" novels. Hmmm. But everyone at church kept going on and on about them. Including Kari Way. Now, Kari isn't the super girlie mushie lovie dovie type, so I concluded that they must be decent and not super cheesy. Which they weren't.

They followed a young Jewish Christian girl named Hadassah as she is taken captive to Rome after Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed. She is then sold into the household of the Valerians, a very well to do family in the Roman Empire. I won't tell you much beyond that because: 1) I don't want to spoil ANYTHING, and 2) There's a lot to these stories and you'd probably be bored reading my recap.

What I do want to tell you is how interesting it was to read these books and understand what it meant to be a Christian in ancient Rome. It meant being sold as a slave because you were considered worthless. It meant being attacked and eaten by lions in the arena for the entertainment of the masses. It meant being crucified as your Lord was. It meant utter hatred and disdain from not only the Romans, but your fellow brothers and sisters, the Jews. As I read Acts, I see what risks were taken as people proclaimed Jesus the Son of God, and the consequences that than ensued. It encouraged me to see what boldness Paul and Peter had as they spoke of what would surely get them killed. And it encouraged me to read a fictional story of a girl with a belief in the Messiah that led her places I can never imagine being in my whole life. I know that I'll never be persecuted the way most Christians are as long as I live here in America. I may be mocked, or laughed at, maybe even one day spit upon, but never tortured to death while someone tells me to deny Christ. And there are hundreds of Christians around the world right now that are.

So, please read these books. It made me realize the extreme extent of how blessed I am and how easy it is for me to be a Christian. I hope you see the same thing!

While you're at it, go to www.persecution.com and sign up for the free monthly magazine, The Voice of the Martyrs. Also, click on the left on Prisoner List and read about Christians around the world that are in chains for the gospel, and then send them a letter of encouragment! We can all do our part!