of bank accounts and (probably) nonsensical ponderings

You know those incredible experiences that grow you and change you, yet at the end of it all, you're left with more questions than answers? I do.

I've been reflecting on the last several months of my life. Although I didn't realize it then, I can see that God has done SO much in the last year. I've changed. I'm not the same person I was 12 months ago. Yet, in spite of all the life-changing experiences I've encountered, I don't have any more answers. In fact, I may even have more questions than I began with.

I'm left with new perspectives, new ideas, new options, new possibilities, and new opinions. I've grown, but everything is even more uncertain than it was before. When the door is thrown open to endless possibilities, the daunting task of making a choice becomes even heavier.

In the midst of my indecisive feelings and ever-growing questions, I have somehow managed to hold on to peace. Peace that comes from God. Peace that surpasses all understanding.... even my own understanding! I should seriously be freaking out right now. But I can have peace because I've given my anxiety over to the Lord.

Why am I worrying over the future, as uncertain as it may be, when I have no control over it whatsoever?

That's right, I don't have any idea either. I serve a God who never takes risks. At all. Therefore, I can afford to take risks. I can risk because God never does.

I have gained so much these last few months.... from people, from God's Word, from life experiences. And while I may be left with more questions, I have been prepared to face these questions in light of God's sovereignty. I have so many questions. But I feel prepared. I'm ready to face the future. Because God is sovereign.

Like a bank account, I have been filled up. Each new piece of knowledge, each new step with God, and each new relationship made has been a deposit into my "bank account." The more I seek God and equip myself for His service, the more deposits I make.

But....

Money in a bank doesn't do any good if it's just left in there. Neither are my "deposits" of any benefit if I don't eventually "withdraw" them.

Serve. Influence. Encourage. Challenge. Comfort. I must used what I've gained and put it into action, pouring into others' lives what has been poured into mine. I want my life to have a healthy, balanced cycle of "deposits" and "withdrawals."

This is what God requires of me. Sure, I don't know all the details, but I have a God who does. There's a whole lot of unanswered questions, but it's all the more opportunity for God to show Himself great in my life. If I'm faithful in the small things, God will show Himself great in ALL things.

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I Cannot Believe It!!!

I can remember the night when I asked my mom if I could start a blog. It was thrilling to think that I was going to have my very own sight where I could post anything I wanted! I had so many plans, ideas for making it unique and insightful. I created my blog so carefully...I wanted everything to be perfect! After much thought, I named my blog and posted the first post. Exactly one year ago, Blooming In Christ began.

Okay. Hold on while I let out some excitement.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOOMING IN CHRIST!!!  =)

I can't help but smile when I think about how God uses the simplest things to grow me, like my blog. I originally began it with the purpose of encouraging others in the Lord. But, of course, God has used it to grow me. I thought that it might be fun to take a look back where Blooming in Christ has been over this past year....



My "whys" of starting a blog. Ahhh, good memories.

I began my posting in October of 2009 with a study I had done on the roots of Halloween. I'll admit - it wasn't the lightest topic, but it was something I wanted to know because it is a controversial holiday among Christians. There were four posts in this series, and if you'd like to read them, go to the posts in the month of October in 2009.

Then there's November. Yes, each November another page of my life is turned. That year was a special time for me.

Oh yes. The waffle. I never will forget that one!

My life seems to be destined for embarrassing moments. This is proof.

God is so good. Whenever I begin to doubt His sovereignty, I can go back here, to a record of His amazing faithfulness!

Good times with family! That is definitely something I love to share on my blog! =) I love pictures too!

Wow. I started playing tennis last year. That seems ages ago! lol

How could I forget the disease? You know, Affluenza. That video was a huge eye-opener for me!


There's not a ton of posts. I'm not the expert in grammar. Humor is something I lack. Sometimes I get busy and don't post. My blog is not perfect, but it is a journey. God is the guide, I am His follower, and I will go wherever He leads. I pray that this blog will be a testimony to God's goodness and faithfulness as I record what He is doing and how He is growing me.

Blooming in Christ.



Pressing On

It is exciting that a new school year is almost here! I can't believe how fast the summer has gone by! Now it's time to settle down and get back into that good ol' school routine!

As I'm looking ahead at the plethora of classes and activities that are about to fill up my weeks, I realize that I need to set some goals so that I can make the most of my time. One of them is to go to be early. The morning time is when I'm the most productive, so I plan on getting up extra early this year. Family are excellent accountability partners, and I've asked mine to keep me accountable.

Do you have any goals for this year? I would encourage you all to set one or two. Why? Goals give direction, an end to pursue. Without goals, it's easy to get distracted and not to care when you start to lag behind. Without goals, you can give up without feeling any guilt. When there are no expectations set, you can't let yourself down because you have nothing to live up to.

If goals are important for our daily life, how much more important they are for our spiritual life!

"...Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 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 3:12-14

It makes me excited to think that Christ has a goal for me to reach! The goal: Christ likeness; conforming to the glorious image of Christ. The prise: Christ likeness obtained in heaven. We will never "arrive" in our spiritual life here on earth, but when God calls us to heaven, we will finally receive the prise that was an unattainable goal on earth.

Though we will never reach the goal of Christ likeness in this life, it keeps our lives focused on Him, so we can live a profitable life for Jesus. It's impossible to reach the goal just yet, but Christ can help us grow closer and closer to that goal.

So now it's time to get focused. What are you pressing on for?

I'm Back from BABR!

When I looked up into the vastness of the night sky and saw it covered with stars of endless number, how could I but think of eternity in heaven with the God who created it all? Although it is nice to be back to my " home-sweet-home," I enjoyed my week working at Broken Arrow Bible Ranch so much! Living outside the city limits is an awesome experience - I can just look around me and know that nothing is impossible with my God!

Throughout the week I was dwelling on part of Isaiah 40:

26Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. 27Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? 28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

God changed me in so many ways during my stay at BABR - but not in ways that I expected. I guess I was expecting God to do some marvelous work in my life, to radically change me. Rather, He reminded me of the "small" things that I had forgotten, but they were very important. And He did change me! Just not in the way I expected. I've found that God's ways are so much better! Aren't you glad that God doesn't always give us what we expect? Aren't you glad that our expectations cannot even compare to God's wonderful plan? I am.

Praise God for a week I will always remember! A week where I saw God's family grow just a bit larger; a week where I received new brothers and sisters in Christ; a week where I had the opportunity to serve Christ alongside fellow believers.

Thank you to everyone who was praying for me and the team! To God be the glory!

My youth group (I'm the one on the far left).

One of our projects was to scrape and repaint this water tank. Some of the guys built the shed behind it.

The perfect verse for dry New Mexico! My friend Michaela did most of the artwork. Isn't it amazing?

I wasn't a counselor, but I was assigned to a group!

The Cure

A terrible disease has been sweeping the nation - and the world. It's affluenza. And like I said in my previous post, it's a disease that God hates, and it strikes the most u8nexpecting victims. What exactly is affluenza? It is derived from the words influenza and affluence. You're probably familiar with influenza, but possibly not affluence, which means "an abundance of material wealth and possessions." Affluence itself is not a disease in itself; but when it becomes dissatisfaction and a constant desire for more, that's when it becomes sin. It doesn't just end with a want for more possessions, however; affluenza is the whole sense of entitlement to comfort, luxury and convenience.

Why is this? Why can't "enough" be "enough?" Maybe it's because our perspective is distorted. If we actually set our minds on things above, not on earthly things, our personal comfort will have little value to us. Ouch! That is convicting for me! In a world that feeds us lies and tells us that we need more, it's hard to live a life focused on storing up treasures in heaven! That's why we need the cure. You guessed it! Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that we are dead when we are living for our own pleasure. Jesus wants to be our sole satisfaction. As John Piper said in his book, Don't Waste Your Life, "[God] is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" (36). I will ask you a question that always convicts me: Am I satisfied in Jesus? If He asked me to give up everything I have, could I do it? glorified

"Jesus Christ reveals Himself to those who follow in His steps. He draws near to those who build their entire lives around His pattern. If we feel far away from Him, it is very likely that we aren't truly building our entire existence around Him; that we are living far more for self than for the glory of His name....The moment that we actually deny our self, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus Christ...is the moment we are surrounded with the power and presence of His Spirit - not just every once and a while, but every moment of every day" (Leslie Ludy from Set-Apart Femininity, 68-69).

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:9.)



When Jesus is our All-in-All, we don't need anything else. Is He your All-in-All? Is He more than enough?

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24.)

Today I Am 9...

Nine years old as Your child. Nine years ago today I was brought to my knees in realization of my sinfulness and Your holiness and grace. Because of Your great love for me, I stand here today, forgiven. I don't even want to imagine where I would be right now without Your sacrifice! I don't think I can ever grasp the full extent of Jesus' sacrifice. For me. Never in a million years could I deserve it! Yet He came and died in my place, took my shame, and has now given me new life! I am a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor 9:15)

As I think back over the years, I can't help but be overwhelmed by Your faithfulness. You were with me through it all, You never failed...even when I did. Your mercies never came to an end, they were new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! (Lam 3:22-24)

So, I am nine years old. But I'm still constantly struggling, God. Sometimes I get distracted. My sin gets in the way. I think I can do this on my own. But I can't. After growing in You for nine years, I feel like I should have learned this by now. Thank you for Your unending grace that picks me up each time I fall!

God, I don't want anything to come between our relationship. I want every day to be a new opportunity to deepen my love for You and continually seek Your face. In Your presence is fullness of joy! (Ps 16:11) I pray that You will become my the love of my life, my number one priority, and my sole satisfaction. Remind me every day of how unworthy I am. Instead of people noticing me, may they only see You. You must increase, I must decrease. (John 3:30) May my boasting be in You alone (2 Cor 10:17) because it is only You who can do anything great with me.

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

- From "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell

Year after year, Your grace is sufficient - and it still amazes me. Somehow, in Your sovereign plan, You chose me and are growing me and molding me to become more like You. Take me and use me; I am Yours. My deepest desire is to be used by You, for Your glory. I know that You will, as long as I am fully surrendered to You. As I surrendered my life to You for the first time nine years ago, so I surrender my life anew to You now. I have decided to follow Jesus.

No turning back.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:6

Purity Challenge - Week 2

When people talk about purity, they usually talk about saving yourself for your future mate, or not doing certain things, keeping your body pure because it's the temple of God, making your thoughts pure, etc. All those things are wonderful things that God commands us to do; but as I was thinking about what I'd write for this week's purity post, God showed me something that had never occurred to me before.

Last night at church, we had a night specifically of worship. After our worship through songs, we broke off into small groups and discussed what worship was, what it meant to worship. We concluded that any way that we honor, serve, magnify, and bring glory to God is an act of worship. Then I thought, my purity can be an act of worship too!

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, ESV)

When we present our bodies as holy, living sacrifices to God, that is worship! The world tries to get us to conform to its ways and deceive us by saying that purity is not a big deal--in fact, it's un-cool. But when God renews our minds, we then see the corrupt thinking of this world. Even though it's often difficult and many times awkward, God wants us to live pure lives in a filthy world, full of impurity. But God's will is good and acceptable and perfect, and by His strength, we can keep ourselves pure and offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him.

Worship is not just singing and praise. I can worship God through the purity of my mind, body, and heart. I can't do it on my own, though. I must daily sacrifice myself, my desires, my thoughts, so that He can renew me and my mind. I want to save myself for my future husband, if marriage is the plan God has for me. But most of all, I want to remain pure for God, and spend these years learning to serve Him, glorify Him, and worship Him.

So I would encourage you all, keep your minds pure as worship to God. Keep your temple pure as an offering of worship to your Savior. May HE be glorified in our purity!

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If any of you are interested in participating in Lexi's "Purity Challenge" this month, visit her blog Choosing to Wait to find out more. If you do a post about purity, make sure you link up on her site by Thursday (11th) night to be eligible for an awesome giveaway!

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!

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.

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

Don't Waste Your Year

It's. Nearly. 2010. That's a scary thought (and I feel the same way every coming year)! And you know what New Year's means: parties, New York, the countdown, and "new year's resolutions."

Have you ever made any resolutions? If you're like me (and you're probably not), then you'll have many excellent, challenging resolutions. The beginning of the year will start out great! You'll keep on schedule, stay on track, prevail in diligence, and keep yourself accountable. But slowly, very slowly, as the months go by, your diligence starts to decline, and procrastination starts to set in. With all the activities and responsibilities you have, your resolutions slowly move to the back of your mind. Eventually they're forgotten. Until New Year's. Then you look back on your year, a bit guilty that your resolutions have not happened . . . once again.

So why is it so hard to keep resolutions (or am I the only one who finds it difficult)? I think there's probably many reasons; but ultimately, resolutions fail because people (including me) try to do them in their own strength. And I know from experience that things done in my own strength never succeed. But take a look at what God says:

Proverbs 16:3

NIV
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
ESV
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV, emphasis mine.)

By committing my way to the Lord - doing it in God's strength - meditating and applying God's Word, I can have success in what I do! Of course I must make sure "my" plans are not my plans only, but God's promise is clear: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."

The below lists are Sunday school notes from a few years ago, adapted by yours truly.

10 Ways to waste your year

10. Don't commit to anything

9. Do things on your own (and in your own strength)

8. Expert in putting things off

7. Spend lots of time on the Internet, watching TV, etc.

6. Choose wrong vs. right

5. Center activities and your life on yourself

4. Go with the flow (of the world)

3. Don't take your parents' advise

2. Use your time for your own benefit

1. Have no goals

10 Ways to make the most of your year

10. Commit to something

9. Have an accountability partner

8. Don't procrastinate (in other words, "procrastinate later" =D)

7. Manage your time, make God your priority

6. Chose Truth over tolerance

5. Center your life on Christ

4. Fight peer pressure

3. Take your parents' wise counsel (and ask for counsel)

2. Be servant-hearted

1. Set a goal!

Joy

You all have probably seen this acrostic of joy before:

Jesus first
Others second
Yourself last

And, while serving the Lord and others does bring joy, service and ministry is not the source of our joy. But before we get into that, let's go over what joy actually is.

How would you describe it? What does it look like? It's probably important that we know what it is because God commands it of us in Philippians 4:4. :) Is it that feeling of "delighted contentment" that you get when you're together with your family huddled around the Christmas tree? Or maybe the excitement you feel when you learn that your family is going to Hawaii for a week (now that would be awesome!!!)? Or maybe even the satisfaction you feel about getting an "A" on your test? I once heard someone describe joy as "an emotional response to something that brings great delight and excitement." I think that's the idea people get in their minds when someone says, "joy." That just leaves one question in my mind: Is there a difference between joy and happiness? And, if so, what is the difference? Well, I think many of us know there is a difference between them, but pin-pointing the difference is a little harder. Let's go back now to the source again and see what the Bible says.

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"
Philippians 3:1a "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."
Galatians 5:22a "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . . ."

Both verses say that we are to rejoice in the Lord. So, the source of our joy should be from the Lord. Joy isn't being "glad" when something bad happens, when you have a terrible day, or things just don't go your way. Joy is totally separate from circumstances. It's based on god's unchanging promises and knowing your relationship is right with Him - no matter what's going on in your life.

Unlike joy, however, happiness is the result of favorable circumstances. When things go your way, it's easy to be be happy; but rejoicing in the midst of trials is something that can only come from God. This is why joy is such a great evangelistic tool! When non-believers see our joy - through annoyances, through troubles, through misfortunes - they will know that the joy isn't of ourselves. Our joy is in the Lord!

So how do we get joy? It's one of the fruits of the Spirit and therefore a gift from God, but that doesn't mean we just sit around waiting for it to come! Though God is the One who brings it into our lives, we have to work and spend time in His Word, and get to know God. Remember, though, that it's not a knowledge about Him that brings joy, but our hope and relationship with Him!

Our rejoicing in the Lord is commanded! Did you notice that? God not only commands it, but He says we are "always" to rejoice. Wow! That means every day, every minute, anytime I'm thinking or working, whenever I talk. I know that this is not true of me! I would encourage you all, along with myself, to make a more conscious effort to place your joy in the Lord. "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."