Idol Worship

The Super Bowl party at our church showed this video. I thought it was very fitting (not to mention funny)!

Book Review - And the Word Came with Power

Summary
"God, show yourself stronger than the spirits!"

This is what Joanne Shetler, a missionary to the Balangao tribe in the Philippines, had prayed for years. She was translating the Bible into the Balangao language, but the people just weren't getting it! The spirits had too much control on the people's lives. They always knew when they had angered a spirit because someone in their family would get sick. The only way to keep them from dying was to sacrifice one of their animals to the spirits. The people wanted to believe in God, but what would happen if they stopped sacrificing?

What I Learned
And the Word Came with Power is the touching story of how God changed a people forever. I have really gained a lot from this book. Because we don't usually deal with confrontations of evil spirits, I often forget how real they are and that there's a constant spiritual battle going on. This book shows that spirits really do have power--but it's nothing compared to God's!

Each chapter of this book is filled with miracles of God! When someone mentions "miracles," I usually think of the New Testament miracles of Jesus and the apostles. But this book was an awesome reminder that miracles still happen today--and the BIG, supernatural miracles too!

The Word of God is POWERFUL. That's something I too often forget. Joanne Shetler has an amazing testimony of how the Bible works wonders and changes lives.

What I Love
I love the way that Joanne describes the great work God did in the Balangaos lives. Many people might relay it as God working through them. But in her book, Joanne gives the idea that she's just obeying and following God, but HE'S doing all the work!

The summary on the back of the book has this sentence, "Be careful when you read her book, you might catch the vision, too." And it's true! This is an exciting and inspiring story! I would encourage you all to read it! I loved it all!

In Conclusion
This book is a quick, easy read, but packed-full with lessons and spiritual truths. It's a great story for all ages, to be read aloud, or alone! I would recommend this book to all of you! You'll be inspired and encouraged through this true story of God's mighty power!

Find this book on Amazon

Humbled on the Telephone

Have you ever got one of those recorded phone calls? You know, the kind where you say "Hello" and then the message starts playing. Well, we are always getting those phone calls from our library, letting us know that we have books ready to be picked up. The caller-ID always just has the name of our city on it, not the name of the library.

So today, when we received a call with our city as the ID, we just assumed it was the library. Mom asked me just to answer it so we wouldn't have the message to delete later from our answering machine. I thought it would be kind of funny to be real silly when I answered (with it being a recording and all), so I picked the phone up and said, "HeeeeLOOO!" in the craziest voice. What I didn't expect was the voice on the other end laughing a little, then asking to talk to my dad. What?! Someone actually heard me say that?! I barely heard the guy as I tried to compose myself.


"Oh, um, he's not here right now."

"Okay. Can you take a message?"

"A . . . Sure."

I still could hardly focus on what he was saying because I was so embarrassed at what had just happened. Maybe he thinks I'm like 8 years old or something, I hoped. I clumsily got his name and number written down and hung up the phone to find my mom and siblings laughing at me, and telling me I was blushing. I was just relieved the whole thing was over!!!

Needless to say, I don't think I'll ever answer the phone like that again! =D

Purity Challenge - Week 1

Hey everybody! Lexi at Choosing to Wait has a neat-o challenge for the month of February: a purity challenge! All her posts for this month will be focused on purity - but she doesn't want it to be just her! She challenges all of us to post about why waiting for our future spouse is important to us. I encourage you guys to check out her blog and even join the challenge! (If you're interested, check out the challenge rules first.) Anyway, here's my first post....


Getting married. Isn't that what every girl dreams about? That handsome prince who will gallantly ride up and sweep you off your feet =), someone who will love and cherish you--and even risk their life for you! Dreaming about our future husbands can be exciting, but it's important that these are not the thoughts that consume our minds. Marriage is a special gift that God blesses some people with, but to others He gives the gift of singleness. Whichever situation you find yourself in, God wants us to keep focused Him.


1 Corinthians 7:25-28 (ESV)
So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

Paul is saying here that marriage is not a sin, but his personal opinion is that a person can better be focused on the things of God as single person, than a married one. When reading this passage, though, we must keep in mind the Corinthian culture. Corinth was a city where the Christians were persecuted for their faith. It was hard enough just being a Christian, but having a marriage partner would be even harder! You'd have another person to care for, provide for, and worry about. Your attention is divided.

Now, of course, things are different than the Corinthian society, but we can still apply Paul's main point to our lives: we should be devoted to the Lord right now. "Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called," is Paul's instruction is 1 Corinthian 7:20.

Looking forward to marriage is not bad! But we (as young singles) shouldn't be looking for or seeking out attention from the opposite sex. Boyfriends/girlfriends and "crushes" aren't things we should be thinking about. God wants us to be content with where we are right now. One of my small group leaders gave an awesome illustration of this, and so I drew a couple simple pictures to help illustrate it.

In our life, we should be solely focused on Christ, running with all our might toward the cross. We let go of every distraction and burden and let Jesus become our only passion. Our eyes are fixed on Him.


But as we're running, out of our peripheral vision, we see someone else running straight for the cross too...

God designed marriage and blesses many people with this gift. If this is the plan God has for me, then I want Him to be the initiator of it. Instead of constantly dreaming about when I'll get married and who it might be, I want to stay focused on God. I will be waiting. I won't be chasing other guys. I won't be giving my heart away. I am choosing to wait because I want to honor the Lord and a future husband God might bring me. My mind and body is not my own, and I my Savior to be honored with it. And someday He might bring me someone else who is focused on God too, and we can run the race together. Until then, I'll be focused on the cross, running toward Christ.

Bless the Lord!

I know I haven't mentioned this on my blog before, but my dad has been out of work for over 6 months. Yes, that's a long time! It's been hard on our family (mostly my parents), but I knew God was going to use our situation for His glory.

I was praying for my dad from the start. And I kept praying, and praying, and praying (or so it seemed). It soon got to the point where I was tired of praying for the same exact thing every day...for months! I knew that God knows our every need, and I had prayed so much before - I was beginning to feel like I had done all I could do and that prayer wasn't needed anymore.

Around this time I began reading Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy. Chapter 6 changed my view of prayer.

In that chapter Leslie talks about how she had learned to worship and let God speak to her through His word, "But the idea of wrestling, importunate, persistent prayer was completely foreign to me." (152) I knew exactly what she meant when she said that sometimes we pray, "God, if it's your will, please do this," or, "Please do that, if it's your will." Then, if God doesn't answer after a few times of praying, we assume that it's not His will. But maybe, just maybe, God doesn't answer right away to teach us faith and perseverance.

Our praying needs to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which will not be denied, and a courage that never fails.

-- E.M. Bounds

James 4:2 says, "...you do not have because you do not ask." Christ teaches that He wants us to be "relentlessly persistent" in our prayer: Luke 11:5-9, Luke 18:1-8, John 6:23-24, and so many more!

Here's what Leslie Ludy says, "God asks us to have the kind of faith that asks boldly for specific things. Instead of vague, general prayers that don't demand faith, we must begin 'putting it all on the line' and take the risk of laying our precise needs before the King." (160)

After reading that, I was convicted about the way I had been praying - especially for my dad's job. I began to change that. It's probably one of the boldest prayers I've ever prayed, but I prayed that God would give my dad a job in one month. One month. I struggled with myself at first, thinking, What if Dad doesn't get a job in one month? What would happen if God doesn't answer this prayer? I don't want to become like the "name-it, claim-it" people who think that they'll get whatever they pray for!!!!

But I prayed that God would give me faith in Him, that He is more than able - and He delights in giving us good gifts! I began praying with fervency everyday: Okay God...give me faith. One month.

Now, since this is all written in the past tense, I'm sure you all know what I'm about to say! =D

My dad got a job!!!!

I'm sooo amazed at how God has answered this prayer! On January 10, 2010, I prayed Dad would get a job in a month, and on January 28, 2010 he did! Praise the Lord! All glory to God! He used a trying situation to teach me an important lesson about prayer! Bless the Lord!

Teens 4 Orphans

Hey guys! I wanted to tell you all about a neat organization that needs your help to get it off the ground!

Kade started a blog called the looser (see his blog button above). He based his blog name off the verse Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." It all started because he wanted this year, 2010, to be a year of doing big things for God. Well, he's already started!

He has created Teens 4 Orphans International. His goal is to raise enough money to build an orphanage in Myanmar this year! How cool is that?!

So how can we help? Well, you can visit the site to get all the details...but the word needs to get out! You can follow his blog to get all the updates on what's going on, and then you can post about it on your blog! And of course, you can donate some of your money to help if you feel God is leading you to do so. If not, please spread the word and pray that God will take this ministry to something that no one ever dreamed could happen!

I know God is going to use this for His glory! Will you join me as a "fighter for 2010"?

What I'm Learning

Have you ever heard any of Laura Story's songs? I got her CD a year or two ago, and I loved it so much that I got the songbook too! Currently, I'm learning to play her song "Grace" on the piano (and I like singing it too =D). I was gripped by this song the moment I heard it! It's one of those songs I can sing and play with all my heart and soul.

God is beginning to teach me more about His grace. Yes, I know it's a free gift, and I know I need it everyday - but how often do I take it for granted? Each night, I can kneel down and ask God to forgive me of all my sin and mistakes, but I tend to forget how much God HATES my sin. Do I take His forgiveness lightly? Every sin that I commit is what nailed Jesus to the cross. Every selfish action is what killed my Savior.

But. God. Is. Gracious.

I don't want God's grace and forgiveness to be taken for granted in my life! And that's what God is teaching me. I'm learning "Grace" and grace.

Wanna know what a waffle looks like after it's been on the griddle for 2 hours?

Yup. Real crispy.

Last Wednesday Mom made waffles for dinner right before we went to church. In our hurry to get out the door, it somehow slipped our minds that we still had a waffle on the griddle--and the griddle was still on! Needless to say, when we got home a smoky aroma filled the house. This crispy waffle is what we found!

Negative side: The house smelled bad and it's one less waffle for us.

Positive side: We're so grateful nothing caught on fire! God was definitely protecting us!

Set-Apart

Have you read any of Leslie Ludy's books? What did you think?

I'm reading one right now, and all I can say is that it's convicting, inspiring, and eye-opening.

I would highly recommend her books to all my friends! She encourages us to lay aside self, and pour our lives into living for Christ! (I would suggest that you are under 13 years old that you have your parents read the books first, as she does address some topics geared for teens.)
Set-Apart Girl website

Lemonade Anyone?

I have been awarded by Eldarwen AND Lexi the Lemonade Stand Award! (I've just been a little slow in posting it!)

Thank you so very much Eldarwen and Lexi!

The Lemonade Stand Award is awarded for being a
blogger who shows great attitude and gratitude.

And the Lemonade Stand Award goes to....

Allison @ Daughter of the King

JessicaMae @ Life in the Shoes of a Country Girl

Emii @ Girlz 4 God

Karis @ Winsome Compositions

Zoe @ Joyful Sounds


Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (New King James Version)

Well...

This is my first post in 2010. Yeah, I know it's a little later than most everyone else's. . . but that's a sign that school has officially started up for me! (I haven't gotten it into my brain yet that it's 2010, because on all my school papers I keep writing "2009." lol!)

I have made some goals for this year. But already I have not been consistent in them! When life gets so busy, I tend to set my goals aside, thinking I've done so much today, I just want some time for myself! But then I'm reminded of this:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)

I need to forget what's behind, all my mistakes, and press on towards THE goal: the upward call of Jesus Christ!

Oh, how I see I will need help in the days ahead! Looking at my calendar, I see more and more activities approaching (which means less and less time for me in my day). I've decided that in order to be consistent and diligent in my goals, I'll need accountability!

Would any of you consider being accountability partners with me? There's a little button on my sidebar that says "email me." All you have to do is click it and say, "Chloe, how have you been doing in reading your Bible?" Or waking up earlier? Or spending more time with your siblings?

I know that it will motivate me a lot!!! Even if you just did it once, I'd appreciate it. I wouldn't mind if it was once a day, once a week, once a month, or even once a year! And I'm willing to help keep any of you accountable for something--if you want me to. =)

Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Here's a list of some of my goals that I need to be held accountable for...

• Reading my Bible every day
• Spending more time in prayer
• Spending less time on the computer *winks* =)
• Waking up earlier (which means going to bed earlier!)
• Eating healthier
• Spending more time with my siblings
• Keeping my room clean (no matter how busy I am!!!!)
• Reading at least 50 books this year
• Learning to cook better by helping Mom out in the kitchen
• Staying diligent in my science, the hardest subject for me
• Diligence in Bible memorization
• Diligence in practicing for my piano and voice lessons

I know those are pretty much just basic things, but those are becoming the hardest for me. If you do send me an accountability email, just pick a few of those things to ask me how I'm doing in them--I don't want you, or me, to get overwhelmed!!! lol!

I want to thank you all for your encouragement in the Lord! I've been so blessed by starting this blog and I pray that you all have been too. =)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

Your sister in Christ,

Chloe