The exceedingly high cost of adoptions

Go here to read a great post on this topic.

Biblical Worldview Student Conference

The Biblical Worldview Student Conference - also known as BWSC - is a student conference that'll be going on the first week of June in Tennessee. Lord willing, I will be in attendance. If you are also attending, let me know! If you are unfamiliar with BWSC, you can go here for more information.


In Him,

There's a New Guy In Town. . .

... and he's making jewelry! A friend of mine has started his own jewelry business, Rivers and Co. He does both ready-made jewelry and custom pieces. Check it out today, and enter to win a $50 gift certificate!

In Him,

Google Reader

I remember the old days of bookmarking blogs. Often, I would forget to check or when I did check, there would be nothing new. Those days are now past! I introduce to you my favorite blog application...drum roll please...Google Reader! Forget blog rolls and bookmarks, Google Reader just beats them all. All your blogs are kept on one site, accessible from any computer, iPod or phone that has a mobile connection. You can share your favorite posts with friends (See my shared items on the right). Any blogger blogs that you follow can be automatically added to the reader. The down side is that you don't get the hits on your blog. But for me, the ease of use for Google Reader greatly outweighs the objections. If you aren't using Google Reader, I urge you to try it out today!


Soli Deo Gloria,

The Sentinel

The latest edition of The Sentinel is out! Go here to read it!


Another of my favorite websites is Goodreads. It's a great place to keep track of books you've read, are reading, or want to read. You can also see what your friends are reading, read reviews, and keep track of your favorite quotes! If you join, be sure to add me as a friend.

In Him,

It's a Bird, It's a Plane . . .

... It's a post on Jessica's blog! Shocking, eh? LOL! Instead of the Saturday Psalm and Hymn, think of this as something to carry with you through this week. I am posting the lyrics to "Great is Thy Faithfulness", for I have truly seen His faithfulness in my life. Thank God for His faithfulness to us!



Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

Do Hard Things

I would like to introduce to you an organization called "The Revolution". I've been following the work of the Harris brothers, Alex and Brett, off and on for several years through this, their website. The articles are always helpful and pertinent to me as a young person. For those of you who don't know, they have also written "Do Hard Things", which I highly recommend for both young and old. Their writings encourage me to do hard things. The bar needs to be raised for young people - we are expected to fritter away our teenage years in parties, proms and friends. With the the expectations set low, it is no wonder that not many are willing to reach beyond it. But that's not what we young people as Christians should be doing - and neither should we expect to do it. The teenage years need to be taken advantage of as time to build our character and gain experience. The bar needs to be raised, and we need to be willing to do hard things.

They're are two basic types of hard things - big and small. It's easy for me, especially, to want to do the big hard things and change the world - but I have been shown that it is every bit important do the small hard things, too. Things often overlooked or taken for granted, like cleaning my room or doing a good job with my work. It is so easy to fall into lazy, old habits, but with the reminders I receive from the Harris brothers, I am encouraged to continue in doing hard things and breaking the culture's mold for teenagers. Be sure to check out The Revolution for yourself. I leave you in closing, 1 Timothy 4:12: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12