Truth

In an age of moral relativism, where absolutes are seemingly non-existent, and where Truth is said to be determined by the individual, I found this quote from Joshua Harris's Dug Deep Down encouraging.

Actually, Harris quotes Wayne Grudem in his book Bible Doctrine when points out that in Jesus' prayer in John 17:17, he doesn't say, "Sanctify them in the truth; your words are true." Instead he prays, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Grudem further writes, "The difference is significant, for this statement encourages us to think of the Bible not simply as being 'true' in the sense that it conforms to some higher standard of truth, but rather to think of the Bible itself as the final standard of truth."

God. Is. Truth.

Isn't it so comforting to know that God is The final source of Truth, and not the whimsical ideas of man?

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Only a Word Fanatic

I really don't know why, but I have this odd fascination with words. I love words. I love how they're spelled, I love how they sound, I love what they mean.... It's amazing that something so simple as a word can convey a message with meaning. Language is the coolest thing ever!

Hence, being the word fanatic that I am, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite words with you. (Yes, I keep a list of all my favorites.)

Scoured - it's better than just "searching" (rummage works well too)
Chortle - you've read "Jabberwocky", right?
Connoisseur - you've gotta admit: French words are pretty awesome
Tenacious - one of those sophisticated sounding words
Provocative - fun to say in a German accent
Prolific - I just like it
Ostentatious - if you like to show off your vocab
Inevitable - change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
Abominable - just too fun to say!
Discombobulated - means confused
Utterly - use for a dramatic effect
E-quaintance - that's what you all are: a person know only through online communication
Hakuna-Mathata - it's a real word in Swahili meaning "no problem"
Skidaddle - a very cool word indeed
Tweetox - tweet + detox = to take a break from Twitter
Plethora - instead of saying "many"
Indubitably - say it really fast
Hullabaloo - it's just as crazy as it's meaning
Nifty - my synonym for "cool" (spiffy works too)
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis - I'm still working on pronunciation


So, is it just me, or do you all have favorite words too?



I'm so sorry you have to watch this, but I just couldn't resist! (Since we are on the subject of words and all...)



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Beauty for Ashes





Isaiah 61:3

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

 
"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

Gain. There are many things that are "gains" to me. I have numerous things that I take pride in, many things I put my confidence in. My accomplishments, my talents, my abilities, my knowledge - all of these are gains for me. Loss. But how can I lose my gains? How can I count them as loss? These are the things that define me. These are the things I've worked for. And yet I'm called to count them as loss.

"I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

However, when I count all these things as loss, I'm actually not losing anything of value. In reality, my gains are all nothing without Christ. I am nothing without Christ. But, I can trade my nothingness for His fullness, my rags for His righteousness, my worthlessness for His surpassing value.

"For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

He gives me beauty for ashes.

It's not a fair exchange, by any means. I do not deserve it, nor will I ever deserve it. When I count all things loss, I gain Christ. So why is it so hard? Why do I struggle with this everyday? Why do I cling to everything that's of myself? Because I'm trusting me. My confidence is still in myself. Therefore, I need to crucify myself so that Christ can live in me. I lose myself, but I gain a priceless treasure beyond all measure and worth.

He gives me beauty for ashes.

I lose my social status, but I gain Christ.

I lose my good works, but I gain Christ.

I lose my possessions, but I gain Christ.

I lose my reputation, but I gain Christ.

I lose my accomplishments, but I gain Christ.

I lose my relationships, but I gain Christ.

I lose my life, but I gain Christ.

He gives me beauty for ashes.



(Philippians 3:7-11)

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Freedom: A Call to Action

We are free. But for 27 million people in the world, freedom is not a reality. Slavery exists today - even more-so than any other time in history. As we remeber our freedom today, let us not forget those who are enslaved. We must continue to fight for freedom.


So now I give you an important call to action from IJM (International Justice Mission). Please go to their website now and send your Senators a message asking them to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This crucial bill will renew the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, which established the State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, authorized the annual Trafficking in Persons report, and established a global minimum standard for confronting trafficking and slavery. Your action is needed! Go to this website to send the message. The message is already written for you - and it takes less than a minute!

For more info on this bill, go HERE.

Happy Independence Day blogging buddies! Remember the One who truly makes us free!

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. - John 8:36

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Vision: Where I'm Going (post #2)

Sometimes, writers get their point across by gradually and indirectly introducing their subject. Other times, writers may poetically verse their point so masterfully that the point is made through effect. I, however and in this particular instance, am going to get my point across in clear, concise, straightforward way:

You should have a vision for your life because it is very important.

(There. Now let me elaborate.)

In my last post, I talked about vision. Vision means looking beyond what is now and becomes the aspiration of what could be. For instance, Joshua and Caleb were visionaries because they saw things differently, they envisioned taking the land of Canaan as God described they would. I shall now get personal and directly ask you a question: What's your vision? Do you know where you are going? Where are you headed?

I told you vision was important. You see, without it there's not one specific goal to direct your life towards. And if your life is not directed anywhere, how do you expect to do anything significant? John Piper says it better: "The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered my one great thing." What's your thing?

Your vision might change. You might find a new vision. But having vision is what's important. Have a goal that you're reaching for. Ask yourself questions like, "Where do I see myself in one year? Five years? Ten years?"

Your vision should encompass something you're extremely passionate about AND something you're good at. Personally, I am passionate about music (writing songs on the piano and singing). It's something I've been doing nearly my whole life; and if I may say so, I feel like God has given me talent in this area to use for His glory. I have a vision to bless others with my music and glorify the Lord through it, whether by participating in my youth group's worship band, performing for others, or maybe even recording some songs. Although I don't have all the answers, I have a vision; and if God so wills, I will pursue that vision and reach my goal.

Now it's your turn to share. What's your vision? Discipling younger believers? Writing a book? Becoming a fashion designer? Starting a Bible study? Teaching English? Serving God in another country? Running for representative? Learning another language? Whatever it is, I wanna hear it! Leave a comment and share the vision God has given you! =)

P.S. I highly suggest reading John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life for more about vision.

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Seeing Things Differently (post #1)

"Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith."

 ~ Stephen S. Wise



We've all heard it. "God has a great plan for you." "Follow God's purpose for your life." And we know it's true because God says, "For I know the plans I have toward you..." (Jeremiah 29:11). But, I'm still left with one question: What's my part in God's plan for me? Will God's purpose just "happen" or do I need to be doing something?



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"The spies are coming! The spies are coming!" shouted the people of Isreal. In the distance, the figures of several men appeared on foot, carrying large bundles of... something. Eagarly, the people awaited the spies' reports and curiously tried to figure out what they had brought back with them in those bundles.

Finally, Moses and Aaron had quited the Isrealites. Moses addressed the spies, "You have been forty days in the land of Canaan. Tell us, is the land good or bad? Are the cities fortified? How is the fruit? Are there many trees?"

With much excitment, the spies began describing the richness of the land. The bundles which they had carried contained the sweet, delicious fruit which grew in Canaan. The land was fertile and lusch.

A wave of excited anticipation rushed over the Isrealites. Was this really the land that God was going to give them? They couldn't think of a better place! But then the spies continued their description.

"Nevertheless," they went on, "the people of the land are big and strong. They dwell in heavily fortified cities."

Another spy came forward and exclaimed, "Not only that, but we saw the descendants of Anak there! The Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites all live there!"

"We don't stand a chance against them!" Another spy added.

The people gasped and began murmuring amoungst themselves. With their enemies (who just happened to be giants) well-armed in fortified walls, the Isrealities truly didn't stand a chance. The spies convinced the people that it was hopeless.

Then Caleb and Joshua stepped up.

(See Numbers 13:17-32)
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When everyone else saw the giants, they saw the fruit.
When everyone else saw the fortified walls, they saw the potential.
When everyone else saw the curses, they saw the blessings.

Caleb and Joshua had vision. Visionaries see things differently.

God calls you and me to be visionaries. He wants you to have a vision, a holy ambition. John Piper defines holy ambition as "something that you really, really, really want to do - and that God wants you to do also."  Like Joshua and Caleb, God wants you to see beyond the world's expectations and dream big.

Maybe you're thinking, well having a vision is great and all, Chloe, but I still don't know what God wants me to do. If I don't know what His calling for my life is yet, how can I have a vision for what He wants me to do?

Introducing post number two....

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The Two Best Ways to Start Your Summer

Imagine the entire ocean. It's vast. It's huge. It's got a lot of water. Now imagine that the entire ocean represents all the attainable, knowable knowledge there is. How much of that knowledge do you know? After considering all the history, statistics, facts, equations, trivia, lives, names, laws and other knowledge that's available, I've come to the conclusion that my knowledge would amount to about a drop.

These past few weeks I've learned a lot. A ton. But the more I learn, the more I realize exactly how little I know. Still, these past weeks have been life-changing for me. I can't even begin to describe how incredible this past month has been... but I'm gonna try.

Three words: TeenPact National Convention 2011. (Or is that four words?) First of all, let me just say that if you've never been to a TeenPact state class, you are missing out on one of the greatest experiences of your life. Check it out. National Convention is a whole week spent on focusing on God with teens from around the nation. Imagine worshipping God with 500 other people, having a quiet time in the middle of His creation, participating in a national ultimate Frisbee tournament, watching TeenPact's election campaigns... not to mention hearing amazing speakers like John Stonestreet and Brett Harris!!!  At National Convention, I was encouraged, strengthened, and challenged in the Lord. I'm already looking forward to next year! 

Next on my life-altering list is Worldview Academy. Again, if you haven't been to or heard of Worldview, you must check it out! I can sincerely say that it was one of the best weeks of my life. Worldview Academy is not your average camp. For most of each day there I was being lectured on subjects concerning worldview, apologetics, evangelism, and leadership. Of course there was still ultimate Frisbee, small group games, team competitions and worship. And it all adds up to equal the ultimate camp experience. But it was more than an experience; Worldview Academy was a launching pad.

So you see, I've learned a lot, but this new knowledge has given me the desire to continue to learn and to press on in my search for Truth.

God is so good. There is no better way to start summer. I can't wait to learn.

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A Surreal Reality

I. Am. A. Senior.