The Dark Side of Chocolate

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12754%22

This week in Chapel, we were made aware of the child slavery in Africa.  Young boys ages 12-16 are sold to the Ivory Coast where they are told they will make money.  Instead, they are bought and sold to work cocoa plantations that is sold to many major chocolate companies which then sell their products to consumers like you and me.

The first step in making a difference is being vocal.  Raise awareness and make a change.  Help make and end to child slavery.

It is then that He carries us.

Footprints
Also Known As "I Had a Dream"

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. 

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. 

There was only one set of footprints. 

I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. 

This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way.

 But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints.

 I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. 

When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

---

Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964

He knows our struggles.  
He knows our weaknesses, yet he loves us regardless. 
Who are we to say that we can handle the trials and troubles of this world by ourselves.  
We don't have to do it alone.  
He does not forsake us when we screw up, He carries us--that is how faithful He is.

The Ultimate Valentine

Jesus paid it all..All to him I owe.
Sin has left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.






Happy Valentines day! 

Lay down his life for a friend.

Over Christmas break, I found a book that I got for Christmas in 1999.  It's called "Jesus Freaks" written by the former members of DC Talk.  It shares the life stories of those who have been killed for their faith or those who have sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others.  
One story that stuck out to me particularly was the the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado on April 20, 1999.  I was 10 and I remember hearing about it--about the girl of incredible faith and courage.  Her name was Cassie Bernall.  She was held at gunpoint and asked about her faith.  She responded "Yes" that she believed in God, and was murdered for her faith. 
It seems easy when you're not in the situation to tell yourself that you would proclaim the name of Christ if held at gunpoint.  But some people try to justify it.  "What if you say no, live, and spend the rest of your life preaching the word.  If I would have been killed, I would not have been able to reach these people".  
Don't justify it.  
³² “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.³³ But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-33


Be a Jesus Freak.

change.

Change is good. Although not usually comfortable, change is good.  This is the start of a new year, a new semester, new classes, new expectations, new methods of procrastination. Starting something new gives us a chance to be different: to try harder.  Change gives us the opportunity to be stretched and to grow.  Don't be afraid of change..Embrace it.

Roseville.

A new beginning.

My best friend Andrea came to my school last year.  After spending just a year together as roommates, we became extremely close.  When she told me that she wasn't going to be coming back and instead staying in Roseville, it crushed me.  The closest person to me wasn't going to be coming back.  Through God's faithfulness and his comfort, He brought certain people in my life at the optimal time.
Lesson learned: God's timing is impeccable.  In Roseville, Dre met this girl Kas who she worked at Starbucks with and became close to.  After talked to Dre about wanting to go to school in San Diego, Dre told her about SDCC.  In a few short weeks, Kas had applied and got accepted to the school, applied and was approved to move into my apartment and moved to SD.  God is good.  He brought  Kas here for a reason and the coolest part is that she is also good friends with Dre.
He has a plan.  A lot of times we're so focused on the things we want to happen and things that are in our plan.  Let it go. We're in His palm and he allows things to happen in our lives for a reason.
Let go. Let God.