The Problem of Priorities

I'm pretty sure this has been the busiest year of my life thus far. My schedule feels full to the top (but probably not compared to the lady in the picture, haha)! Needless to say, my time with God has unfortunately fallen to the back-burner. It's not that I don't do it, it's just that I feel rushed. Have you ever felt so busy that you rush your time with God?

I justify my snappy "quiet time" by saying that once this year is over I'll have more time to devote to God. But is that really true? If I'm honest with myself, I'll admit that life will always be busy. But I have to develop the habit of sacrificing my time in order to spend it with God. If prayer and Bible are a priority in my life, I'll make time for them, no matter how busy I am.

This is one area that God has convicted me of: I need to be still before the Lord. Not rushing to get going on all my work, not worrying about the day, but still. "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7).

So I have to ask myself, What are my priorities and what do I spend the most time doing? Am I willing to give up "my" time to sit still in God's presence? Would I give up extra sleep, facebook time, watching that TV show, time with friends, etc.? My desire is to make God a priority in my life - but it's easier said than done.

Yes, the modern lifestyle is one of business. But I want God to be my priority in the midst of it. What are some ways that you make God and His Word a priority in your life? What are some things you've had to sacrifice in order to spend time with God?

This Thursday - Join together to reach the world

Every 5 seconds a child dies of starvation.
That's a startling number, yet most of us are comfortable living our lives indifferent to the fact that people are dying from hunger.

But it's time to get uncomfortable. You CAN do something!
I was been introduced to the One Day, One Lunch Project by Lexi over at Choosing to Wait.

The Average American spends between $2.00 and $8.00 a day on lunch. If everyone who reads this blog post would simple choose- on February 3rd to give up their "lunch money" and then donate what they would have spent on lunch that day to Lifesong For Orphans for the Adami Tulu preschool in Ziway, Ethiopia. Can you image what Jesus could do? A mere $3.00 feeds a child for ONE MONTH.

So, on Thursday, February 3rd, you can make a difference in the life of a child. This is such a simple yet powerful way to change the world.

Here's how you can help:

1} Donate your lunch money
Donations can be given online at: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html - please indicate it’s to go to the Adami Tulu Preschool.

Or mail checks to:

Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
*Indicate for the Adami Tulu Preschool

2} Spread the word on facebook
Join the One Day, One Lunch Project on facebook, and then invite your friends to join too.

3} Post about it on your blog and share it with your family and friends


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Okay guys. I know I'm posting this a little late, and by the time you read this Thursday might be over. Even if you do this after February 3rd, I still challenge you to join in. It doen't matter on what day you help to change the world. You can donate $3 any ole day and feed a child for one month.

Forever n Ever n Always Giveaway...

This is just the greatest shirt to give away on a photography blog. Too cool! To enter to win this cute camera shirt, head over to Forever n Ever n Always Photography! Seriously, this green shirt is so adorable! =) If you're interested, go HERE to find out how you can win.

~Chloe

P.S. Happy February! =)

Get the word out: Human trafficing needs to be stopped

On 22 December 2010, President Barack Obama and The White House proclaimed January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

"Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice."

- President Barack Obama

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/12/22/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevent)

Please take advantage of this opportunity to educate yourself and educate others on the problem of human trafficking and modern slavery. The fight against injustice is a long and tedious fight. But victory is possible! In short, education leads to awareness, awareness fights demand, and reduced demand reduces supply.

READ the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" which included the USA in its findings for the first time.

DO ONLINE SEARCHES FOR ORGANIZATIONS like...

The International Justice Mission
Free the Slaves
Abolish Slavery (w/ Aaron Cohen)
The DNA Foundation
Love146
Amnesty International
Polaris Project
Not For Sale Campaign
Shared Hope International
Loose Change to Loosen Chains
The U.S. State Department, etc.

FIND OPPORTUNITIES to work, intern, and get involved.

READ BOOKS like "A Crime So Monstrous" by E. Benjamin Skinner, "Modern Slavery" by Kevin Bales, "Good News about Injustice" and "Just Courage" by Gary Haugen, "Slave Hunter" by Aaron Cohen, and others.

TELL OTHERS.

SPEAK UP. SEEK JUSTICE. Proverbs 31:8-9.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE TO SPREAD THE WORD! :)

BE THE CHANGE.

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P.S. - Charity is having a special challenge to spread the word about human slavery. Check her BLOG out to find out more!

To Make God Smile

There is just way too much to do in life! The problem is, I can't do it all and so I actually have to make a choice! Decisions. Options. Details. Preferences. Alternatives. Selections. Possibilities.

One life.

From my point of view, some of these choices (like jobs, collages, majors, cars, classes, when, and where) seem so pivotal. I feel like the whole future of my life depends on my decision.

Fortunately, God has a different view. He sees reality, the way things really are. The reality is, God has a plan for my life... even to the end. Because He's sovereign, God has my life under control. My choices won't be a surprise to Him.

I know this is true, but in the midst of life's craziness it's often hard to believe. Sometimes, I start believing the lie that I actually plan my life. Although I do have choices, and although my choices do effect my life, I'm not the one who directs it. I'm tired of worrying over the future, so I'm giving it over to the One who has it in His hands anyway. I will seek Him for every decision, and I will trust Him.

God delights in being trusted. Want to make God smile? Then trust Him. Trust Him with everything. Trust Him with your life. I can't see the road ahead and I still don't know what all of my decisions will be. But I'll leave the answer to God. After all, He's written all of history - I'm sure He can write my life.

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Officially Official

What kind of blogger am I? I haven't posted since the beginning of the year! *tsk, tsk, tsk* If you can pretend that this post was posted two weeks ago, then I shall consider you the most wonderful blog followers ever! =)

So, I figured, as I am seventeen years of age, that it might be about time for me to go through the process of obtaining an automobilist's certificate of authorization to operate a potentially hazardous vehicle. In other words, I decided to get my driver's license.




This is what I looked like before I took the drivers test. I wasn't really nervous, just... uncertain.





After waiting for nearly two hours past the time I was given, this is almost what I looked like (but I didn't fall asleep).

Finally, my moment of destiny came.

A very rigid and intimidating-looking man introduced himself as my evaluator. At least he smiled. Still, he looked strict; but my hope rested upon the fact (other than my mad driving skills) that since it was the end of the day, he would be tired and pass me just to get done.

A nugget of advice: If you are about to take your driving test, pray that you don't get an instructor that mumbles, because it is quite hard to hear exactly what you're supposed to do.

I finished my drive without an major mishaps. When I stopped, my instructor informed me that, to pass my drive test, I had to score at least a 75. Then he told me that I scored a 1. As I could not perceive how that was possible, seeing that I did not crash, I assumed he was kidding. (My assumption was fortunately correct.)

End of story: I passed. 





This is what I looked like after I passes. It was a great day.



Hurry! iheart's giveaway ends Monday!

You could win Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris PLUS and $10 gift card to a store of your choice! All you've got to do is go and enter at iheart's blog.

But hurry, it ends on Monday, January 10. Click HERE to enter.

And while you're there, go ahead a follow their blog - it's so encouraging and inspiring. Becky, Jessica and Madison all have a heart for the Lord, and it's obvious from their blog. Go and check it out! =)

~Chloe

Teach me to number my days...

At some point in my life I guess I'll have to stop being so surprised at how fast the year goes by! (And from what I hear, the older you get, the faster it seems.) Oh. My. I was just getting used to writing "2010" on all of my school papers. So... is it just me, or does the new year mess up your dates too?  *grins*

I am convinced that life is like a freight train going downhill: it seems to start out slow in the beginning; but then it picks up speed as it goes along, getting faster and faster! Then all of a sudden, the ride is over.

Because the new year comes so quickly, it reminds me of how short life on this earth is. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (according to James 4:14). I think that so often we get so caught up in life that we forget that it's going to end. And since we don't know for sure when our lives will end, we just take it for granted that we have plenty of time. But our time is short.

What if you knew that 2011 would be your last year to live - you only had 12 months left.... Would you live it differently than any other year? Some people might do the things they've always dreamed of doing, like sky diving, getting tickets to the Super Bowl, touring France, recording an album, or even [insert your own life dream here]. But if you believed what the Bible said, you'd probably strive to do things that are of eternal value. (Of course, it's just plain sense to plan for the future, but there's a lot to be gained by living like your days are numbered.)

New Year's is filled with expectations, resolutions, and goals - all of which are very helpful. But more important than New Year's resolutions is how you actually live. Here's some great ways you can make 2011 count for eternity:

• Begin praying that God will use this year to equip and prepare you for His purpose for your life.
• Find a local Christian ministry where you can volunteer and invest your time - even it's only once a month.
• READ. It challenges your worldview and "expands your horizons." Go to my FAVES page for some good ones to start with. =)
• If you've never studied in-depth a book of the Bible, this year would be a great year to do it! I studied Philippians this past semester and I'm still amazed at how much I've gained from it!
• - Find a way to specifically serve someone each month and record what you do and learn in a journal. Jesus came to earth to serve, so it should be important to us too!

Those are just a few. There are SO many other ways to make your year purposeful. What are some of your ideas? What are some of your goals this year?

 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)