One of my favorite wedding gifts I received was my husband's journal, one which he had been writing in for about 6 years, and in which he wrote all he was learning about in life, his relationship with the Lord, his relationships with girls and other friends, his up and down moments for the past 6 years. I have had the privilege to read through it and am always so encouraged by all he wrote, whether he realizes it or not. He gave it to me the day before our wedding, and said, "Here is all of me-the good, the bad, and the ugly-from the last 6 years. I want to keep nothing from you, and want you to know everything, so here ya go. Enjoy." I so appreciated his transparentness with me, and I have loved that about him from day one, always being completely open and honest about everything. In reading his words today, I was very encouraged and also hit hard by something I've been dealing with recently.
2 Peter 1:3-15--"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by the way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things."
Now I know that's a long passage, but it has some great stuff in it. I am definitely guilty of not always reading a passage of scripture all the way through. I guess I skim it to read what I want to read and get what I want to get out of it, but that isn't how I should be perceiving it. Scripture is meant to be taken as a whole, not just the "good" parts that make us feel good about ourselves...but I digress.
Recently I've been dealing with a lot of changes in my life, getting married, finding a job, trying to find a house, moving cities, learning how to be a wife, keeping up with old friends and yearning for a community...and I keep thinking life will slow down, but in all actuality, life won't slow down, so I should stop waiting for it to do so. I have found that I have become complacent in my faith, which I feel like I experience more often than I should. The fact of the matter is, I have to make time for the things which matter most--the Lord, my husband, my family, my friends, and then all other things-in that order. I've found myself finding other ways to consume my time, none of them necessarily being bad, but I've found that I have wanted to do them more than spend time with the Lord. And I hate that! I mean, really, a TV show, or a book, or social media, or, dare I say it, Candy Crush, is not more important than time with the Savior. It should be one of those "well, duh!" moments, and it is. I feel kind of silly admitting all of this as well, but I know its something I should do. I am going to work towards ensuring that I am spiritually filled so that I can help to fill other people up, and be an encouragement to those around me rather than missing an opportunity to bless someone because I am distracted.
Christianity is not just a religion, its a relationship. I'm glad to be reminded of this and realize that the Lord is working in and through me. He is faithful even when I am not, and I know His plan for me is bigger and better than I can imagine. I hope you know that His plan for you is incredible as well. He takes care of those who love Him, and I hope you can experience His joy and His love today.
Cheers,
Amber
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Pouring rain in mid July
Praise the Lord that it has rained in Duncan, Oklahoma the past few days. Such a nice change from the 100+ degree weather, and a chance for me to blog! Happy day!
As all of you know I'm sure, I said I do to the love of my life on May 25, 2013. It has been a little less than 2 months of us being married and it has been so fun! Such a joy of a journey learning more about my selfishness and how to grow my selflessness for the sake of my husband and my relationship with the King. I would be lying if I said there haven't been times I've just wanted to be selfish and do my own thing, but that's not what marriage is about, and I knew that going into it. If there is something that I've learned more in these 2 months thus far, it's that I have to die to myself daily so that I may better serve my Lord and my husband.
Marriage is such a blessing and I have been able to have some time to myself to reflect on the past but press forward into the future. Nick and I are currently looking for houses in Oklahoma City. He is leaving his community that he has been a part of for almost 3 years, starting a new journey with me in a city that neither of us is very familiar with. Another thing I have been learning is patience. God's timing is never late and He knows exactly when and how things are supposed to happen, even if we disagree. But He is faithful...(I'm sorry if a lot of these seem like cliches, but sometimes those cliches are necessary to be reminded of, however simple they may be.
I have realized more and more that my community keeps changing as I get older...and that is how it's supposed to be, but I just didn't expect it to go so fast. Don't get me wrong, I still keep up with my close friends from different phases of life, but it's not like college where everyone is in the same spot and you can just go get an HBCB from Whataburger at 1 in the morning. It's now come to the time where you have to schedule seeing people when you are in town, or setting aside time for a Skype/phone date. Maybe sending letters, but most likely just keeping on via facebook or Twitter (gotta love social media) Of course, this is just how our society is, but since my primary love language is quality time, it's always been a stretch for me, not being able to see in person the people I would like to...But maybe the Lord is challenging me with coming more and more out of my shell and learning that friendships and relationships take work and that He is shaping me to find a community in which my strengths are realized. I'm not sure, but I am excited for the future with Nick and with my life personally. I know the Lord is going to reveal what He wants me to do with my life soon and I am excited!
Cheers,
~Amber
Monday, September 24, 2012
A friend is a friend to the end of the end...that's forever
So I don't post very often on this thing at all...shame on me, considering I have a lot more time on my hands since I only work and don't go to school anymore...but anyway, that's beside the point. I want to share about a person that is near and dear to my heart and is about to make a pretty big life change, so hopefully she will get to read this and know that it comes from the heart. I know that a lot of people can claim to have several best friends, I have found this to be true in my life simply because I keep up with a lot of people (or at least try to) so I would say I have several best friends. However, there has been one who has stuck by my side through thick and thin, through long distance and right down the street, through rain and shine, etc. etc. Her name is Stacie Lynne Homeyer.
When I first met Stacie, we were in 1st grade at Lake Country Christian School. She had just moved to Fort Worth from Nebraska, her dad was a pilot, her mom was a teacher (just like my mom) and we became instant friends. Stacie would claim that my "signature thing" from when we were growing up was the big bows my mom used to always put in my hair (but really, what 8 year old has a signature anything?) Anyway, we would play on the playground together and always included other people in our adventures (we continue to do that today.) That's one of the things I love about Stacie--she is so great at including everyone, even the awkward people that no one can understand. I learned that from her especially once we got into middle school, the awkward phases when people are figuring out their bodies, emotions and acne. Stacie always sought out the people who were sitting alone at a table or who felt excluded by being picked last in a kick ball game. She was never afraid to say, "hey, let's all play this together" (or something to that effect.)
One of the things I remember most about her in middle school was how we went to church together every Wednesday night. Her church was awesome and I loved having a friend to go with, so we did that together which only helped our friendship grow. Something that she probably doesn't remember much but that I have very fond memories of was when we made a singing group called the Criztals (yes, its spelled with a Z because we thought we were cool back then) We even made a recording of the classic kids church song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh," hand motions and all. We even had an older sister be our manager, oh how we had such big dreams...
Speaking of middle school, specifically the summer before 8th grade, was the year that I was in a boating accident. Her church had a lake day, and we decided it would be fun to go and it was conveniently very close to my house. We were having a good time and it was our groups turn to go on the banana boats. Stacie had a lot of other friends at the church, so I didn't get to sit behind her on the banana boat, and I was very sad about that and I (regretfully) sat as close to her as I could, infringing on the girls space in front of me, but I didn't care because I wanted to be close to my best friend. The boat started going and we hit a big wave and I don't remember much after that...I remember waking up in her mom's car with a bag of ice on face, feeling that two of my teeth had been knocked back into my mouth, still attached. I was so close to the girl in front of me that her head came back and hit me in the face--how's that for trying to sit close? So they called my parents and long story short, I had to have a wire put on my teeth and a few root canals...but the thing I remember was that Stacie came to see me the next day after it happened and had an I love lucy card, back when those singing cards had first come out, and it sang a funny little song and said get better...I tell that specific story just to demonstrate how much of a friend Stacie was, because she would also call almost every day to check in on me since she couldn't drive herself to come see me, we were only 13 after all.
Then came high school, which had its ups and downs, dealing with jealousy of each other having boyfriends or getting a role in a musical or play or getting a better grade on a test. It became about comparison with each other, and one thing I've been taught over the years is that comparison is the thief of joy (so true!) and we experienced that the hard way. I compared myself to her a lot, and I don't know if she even knew I was doing it because I was really good about covering it up. Being the overachiever that I was in high school, I'm sure she had times of comparison too. I would put myself in literally anything I had time for, no matter how packed my schedule was. Looking back now, I have no idea how I managed to still have a social life and get good grades, but the Lord knew how much I could handle. He also knew that I would need a best friend to help through all of that. So despite our comparison of each other, we put that aside and chose to stay besties (not to say there werent hard times, but we always worked through them and figured them out together.) And we were able to enjoy high school with our other friends, as well as making time for each other.
Of course, we went to 2 totally different colleges, her to Azusa Pacific in LA, California, and me to OU in Norman, Oklahoma...and despite that distance, we were still able to maintain a "bestie" status with one another. That was the thing that truly tested our friendship though, being able to see each other when we were home for holidays, catching up on skype or on the phone, and writing occasionally to one another just for a check up. We went through different classes, dated different guys, studied 2 different majors and realized the different gifts God had given each of us as well as taught us new things about ourselves.
I know that I have merely scratched the surface of what all we went through in our friendship with each other, but she really knows me. She knows my fears, my dreams, my hurt, my joy and oh so much more. She has been a faithful presence in my life and I don't know how I would've made it from first grade to now without her. She is wise beyond her years, she understands me when I fail to tell a story right, she is forgiving, she is beautiful inside and out, she has constantly pushed me toward the Lord my whole life and has always been a great encourager, she is an excellent listener especially when I call her at 2 in the morning her time, she's the best new years eve date ever (we spent many a new years together), she's so much fun to be around, she's a wonderful accountability partner (which she would deny) and she has a beautiful heart...and on top of all of that, she is marrying her other best friend this weekend and I am so excited and happy for the both of them and know that the Lord is going to do awesome things in and through them both. He may be her other half, but I get the lucky role of being her best friend for life. Stacie, I will always cherish our friendship and encourage you the best way I can. Know that you can call me any time day or night to laugh, to cry or just to have a good conversation. You have been such an important part of my life and I can't wait to see what happens in these next few years for the both of us! I love you bestie!
All that to say, make sure your best friend knows that you appreciate them. I know there have been times when I've taken her for granted and that makes me sad, but I hope she knows now how much she means to me.
Cheers!
~Amber
When I first met Stacie, we were in 1st grade at Lake Country Christian School. She had just moved to Fort Worth from Nebraska, her dad was a pilot, her mom was a teacher (just like my mom) and we became instant friends. Stacie would claim that my "signature thing" from when we were growing up was the big bows my mom used to always put in my hair (but really, what 8 year old has a signature anything?) Anyway, we would play on the playground together and always included other people in our adventures (we continue to do that today.) That's one of the things I love about Stacie--she is so great at including everyone, even the awkward people that no one can understand. I learned that from her especially once we got into middle school, the awkward phases when people are figuring out their bodies, emotions and acne. Stacie always sought out the people who were sitting alone at a table or who felt excluded by being picked last in a kick ball game. She was never afraid to say, "hey, let's all play this together" (or something to that effect.)
One of the things I remember most about her in middle school was how we went to church together every Wednesday night. Her church was awesome and I loved having a friend to go with, so we did that together which only helped our friendship grow. Something that she probably doesn't remember much but that I have very fond memories of was when we made a singing group called the Criztals (yes, its spelled with a Z because we thought we were cool back then) We even made a recording of the classic kids church song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh," hand motions and all. We even had an older sister be our manager, oh how we had such big dreams...
Speaking of middle school, specifically the summer before 8th grade, was the year that I was in a boating accident. Her church had a lake day, and we decided it would be fun to go and it was conveniently very close to my house. We were having a good time and it was our groups turn to go on the banana boats. Stacie had a lot of other friends at the church, so I didn't get to sit behind her on the banana boat, and I was very sad about that and I (regretfully) sat as close to her as I could, infringing on the girls space in front of me, but I didn't care because I wanted to be close to my best friend. The boat started going and we hit a big wave and I don't remember much after that...I remember waking up in her mom's car with a bag of ice on face, feeling that two of my teeth had been knocked back into my mouth, still attached. I was so close to the girl in front of me that her head came back and hit me in the face--how's that for trying to sit close? So they called my parents and long story short, I had to have a wire put on my teeth and a few root canals...but the thing I remember was that Stacie came to see me the next day after it happened and had an I love lucy card, back when those singing cards had first come out, and it sang a funny little song and said get better...I tell that specific story just to demonstrate how much of a friend Stacie was, because she would also call almost every day to check in on me since she couldn't drive herself to come see me, we were only 13 after all.
Then came high school, which had its ups and downs, dealing with jealousy of each other having boyfriends or getting a role in a musical or play or getting a better grade on a test. It became about comparison with each other, and one thing I've been taught over the years is that comparison is the thief of joy (so true!) and we experienced that the hard way. I compared myself to her a lot, and I don't know if she even knew I was doing it because I was really good about covering it up. Being the overachiever that I was in high school, I'm sure she had times of comparison too. I would put myself in literally anything I had time for, no matter how packed my schedule was. Looking back now, I have no idea how I managed to still have a social life and get good grades, but the Lord knew how much I could handle. He also knew that I would need a best friend to help through all of that. So despite our comparison of each other, we put that aside and chose to stay besties (not to say there werent hard times, but we always worked through them and figured them out together.) And we were able to enjoy high school with our other friends, as well as making time for each other.
Of course, we went to 2 totally different colleges, her to Azusa Pacific in LA, California, and me to OU in Norman, Oklahoma...and despite that distance, we were still able to maintain a "bestie" status with one another. That was the thing that truly tested our friendship though, being able to see each other when we were home for holidays, catching up on skype or on the phone, and writing occasionally to one another just for a check up. We went through different classes, dated different guys, studied 2 different majors and realized the different gifts God had given each of us as well as taught us new things about ourselves.
I know that I have merely scratched the surface of what all we went through in our friendship with each other, but she really knows me. She knows my fears, my dreams, my hurt, my joy and oh so much more. She has been a faithful presence in my life and I don't know how I would've made it from first grade to now without her. She is wise beyond her years, she understands me when I fail to tell a story right, she is forgiving, she is beautiful inside and out, she has constantly pushed me toward the Lord my whole life and has always been a great encourager, she is an excellent listener especially when I call her at 2 in the morning her time, she's the best new years eve date ever (we spent many a new years together), she's so much fun to be around, she's a wonderful accountability partner (which she would deny) and she has a beautiful heart...and on top of all of that, she is marrying her other best friend this weekend and I am so excited and happy for the both of them and know that the Lord is going to do awesome things in and through them both. He may be her other half, but I get the lucky role of being her best friend for life. Stacie, I will always cherish our friendship and encourage you the best way I can. Know that you can call me any time day or night to laugh, to cry or just to have a good conversation. You have been such an important part of my life and I can't wait to see what happens in these next few years for the both of us! I love you bestie!
All that to say, make sure your best friend knows that you appreciate them. I know there have been times when I've taken her for granted and that makes me sad, but I hope she knows now how much she means to me.
Cheers!
~Amber
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Mediocrity is not cool
Mediocre: to be moderate or inferior in quality; average
Ouch, that definition is kinda harsh when you think about it. No one likes being told, "Hey, that was an average job" or "Way to be moderate"....um, no! We want to be told, "That was an awesome job! Keep it up!" I'm sure there has been a point in everyone's life where they have felt mediocre...whether its a test they don't really study for, not really doing the dishes, not fully investing their time into something they are presented with, and the list goes on and on...
The truth is, it is really easy to get sucked into a life of mediocrity, which sucks itself because living an average life is not how I want to live my life. And I feel like its a neverending cycle that we can get caught up in, because we can go through the motions of life: going to class, work, church and Bible study...but there's a difference in going through the motions and purposefully living out your life and putting your best foot forward when it comes to a relationship with the Lord.
But wanna know the best part? The Lord knows this about His creation, and that's why He gave His Son...He knew that we would struggle in this depraved world with sin and struggle, but we can be covered by His constant grace and perfect peace, if only we accept Him. It says in John 10:10-"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I love this verse, because it shows the reality of sin and how the only thing the devil wants is for us to fail and not accept our Heavenly Father...but He sent His only Son in human form to come so that we could not only have life, but live it abundantly! I don't know about you, but that's quite possibly the greatest encouragement I could ever realize!
So even when I feel like I have messed up royally, or fallen from the path, or whatever else may come up, the Lord is faithful and constantly molding His children into who they are meant to be. He has a perfect plan for each and every one of us. I am still constantly learning this, just from thinking about the future and how uncertain it is, but I know that the Lord will reveal what He has for me when I need to know. He is good like that.
I hope this has been an encouragement, and I'm sure more will come as I continue to grow and learn from my Heavenly Father who is constantly breaking down my pride and reminding me that I am His beloved daughter.
With gratitude and His grace,
Amber G.
Ouch, that definition is kinda harsh when you think about it. No one likes being told, "Hey, that was an average job" or "Way to be moderate"....um, no! We want to be told, "That was an awesome job! Keep it up!" I'm sure there has been a point in everyone's life where they have felt mediocre...whether its a test they don't really study for, not really doing the dishes, not fully investing their time into something they are presented with, and the list goes on and on...
The truth is, it is really easy to get sucked into a life of mediocrity, which sucks itself because living an average life is not how I want to live my life. And I feel like its a neverending cycle that we can get caught up in, because we can go through the motions of life: going to class, work, church and Bible study...but there's a difference in going through the motions and purposefully living out your life and putting your best foot forward when it comes to a relationship with the Lord.
But wanna know the best part? The Lord knows this about His creation, and that's why He gave His Son...He knew that we would struggle in this depraved world with sin and struggle, but we can be covered by His constant grace and perfect peace, if only we accept Him. It says in John 10:10-"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I love this verse, because it shows the reality of sin and how the only thing the devil wants is for us to fail and not accept our Heavenly Father...but He sent His only Son in human form to come so that we could not only have life, but live it abundantly! I don't know about you, but that's quite possibly the greatest encouragement I could ever realize!
So even when I feel like I have messed up royally, or fallen from the path, or whatever else may come up, the Lord is faithful and constantly molding His children into who they are meant to be. He has a perfect plan for each and every one of us. I am still constantly learning this, just from thinking about the future and how uncertain it is, but I know that the Lord will reveal what He has for me when I need to know. He is good like that.
I hope this has been an encouragement, and I'm sure more will come as I continue to grow and learn from my Heavenly Father who is constantly breaking down my pride and reminding me that I am His beloved daughter.
With gratitude and His grace,
Amber G.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Pine Cove Shores Edition
I realized how long its been since I've posted a blog...a lot has happened since then, I'm kind of shocked. The Lord has been moving in my life and it is so evident. My last semester flew by. One of my dear friends graduated and is now studying at SMU law, I'm so proud of her, accomplishing one of her life goals. My other dear friend has still been here with me, but she is graduating this month to go student teach and live in Tulsa...not too close to Norman, but still Oklahoma. They have both been and truly are loved and missed, and I'm sorry if I never tell the two of you that, but you have meant a lot to me over my time at college. Thank you!
After I finished the spring semester, I went and worked at Pine Cove Shores for a third summer, this time as a lifeguard/band member...I can honestly say it was one of my favorite summers I worked at PC. I made lasting friendships, got to pour in to more campers, got to be out in the sun for 5+ hours a day (and for those of you who know me really well, you know I get dark in the summer). Besides all that, the Lord moved in my life. I figured I would learn the same old thing, like I had from previous summers...but I was definitely wrong. It was there I realized how much I had missed leading worship, having fellowship with other believers, having deep conversations while star gazing, talking about real life issues and how the Lord brings us through the good and bad times, being able to pray fervently without any distractions, being able to bless those around me because I had been blessed...for my fellow PC staffers, you know what I'm talking about...despite all the craziness of camp, (jumping up and down, doing the birthday rap, the awesome cheers, the count 'ems, never stop jumping up and down, ropes, the lake, the pool, never ever stop jumping up and down, club, Pit 'n' Palace, etc.) there was one thing that remained...and that was the Lord moving in each and every camper that came through. It wasn't because there were so many amazing, Godly college kids working there or because of the ridiculous stuff we were doing. We just let go, and let God...
Needless to say I am going to miss Pine Cove Shores, but I have learned so much from being a staffer there...after all, it is where I re-dedicated my life to Christ my freshmen year of high school, its where I found dear friends who will encourage me and aspire me to be better than I am because of the Lord, its where I was able to lead worship and literally get to watch kids worship on their knees to bring praise to our Heavenly Father...It was a life-changing experience, and I never will forget it.
There will be more posts to come with specific stories from camp...but I'll offer a verse that has been an anthem in my life
Philippians 4:6-"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God."
We are blessed, so we can be a blessing...
Cheers,
Amber
After I finished the spring semester, I went and worked at Pine Cove Shores for a third summer, this time as a lifeguard/band member...I can honestly say it was one of my favorite summers I worked at PC. I made lasting friendships, got to pour in to more campers, got to be out in the sun for 5+ hours a day (and for those of you who know me really well, you know I get dark in the summer). Besides all that, the Lord moved in my life. I figured I would learn the same old thing, like I had from previous summers...but I was definitely wrong. It was there I realized how much I had missed leading worship, having fellowship with other believers, having deep conversations while star gazing, talking about real life issues and how the Lord brings us through the good and bad times, being able to pray fervently without any distractions, being able to bless those around me because I had been blessed...for my fellow PC staffers, you know what I'm talking about...despite all the craziness of camp, (jumping up and down, doing the birthday rap, the awesome cheers, the count 'ems, never stop jumping up and down, ropes, the lake, the pool, never ever stop jumping up and down, club, Pit 'n' Palace, etc.) there was one thing that remained...and that was the Lord moving in each and every camper that came through. It wasn't because there were so many amazing, Godly college kids working there or because of the ridiculous stuff we were doing. We just let go, and let God...
Needless to say I am going to miss Pine Cove Shores, but I have learned so much from being a staffer there...after all, it is where I re-dedicated my life to Christ my freshmen year of high school, its where I found dear friends who will encourage me and aspire me to be better than I am because of the Lord, its where I was able to lead worship and literally get to watch kids worship on their knees to bring praise to our Heavenly Father...It was a life-changing experience, and I never will forget it.
There will be more posts to come with specific stories from camp...but I'll offer a verse that has been an anthem in my life
Philippians 4:6-"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God."
We are blessed, so we can be a blessing...
Cheers,
Amber
Friday, February 4, 2011
When things don't go the way we plan
Jeremiah 29:11-"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I'm sure all of you have heard this verse at some point or another. Teachers, mentors, pastors and parents quote this verse before you ever make a big decision in life, like choosing a college. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me this verse during my senior year of high school, I would be a freakin billionaire.
This verse has begun to have a whole different perspective on me since being in college. Now I have to think about my future even more...what job I will have, who I'll marry, where I'll be living, what I'll be doing after college...The sucky part about the future? You can't predict it.
Wanna know the cool part about the future though? God already knows what's supposed to happen, when it's supposed to happen and how it's supposed to happen. We may not always know why things happen the way they do, but He has a plan.
That is ultimately what it comes down to...my own selfish desires, my own wants, my own PLANS do not even COMPARE to what God has for me...so what? weekend plans get ruined, I accept it and move on, knowing that God has something even greater planned, though I don't know what those plans may be for the time being. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion. So I fully intend on embracing that mission this weekend and be the best encourager I can be, and love the people who are around me.
God is sovereign in all He does. I take HOPE in that fact, that He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give hope and a future for me...
so what are YOU putting your hope in? Your own ambitions or God's ambition for you?
Cheers,
~Amber
I'm sure all of you have heard this verse at some point or another. Teachers, mentors, pastors and parents quote this verse before you ever make a big decision in life, like choosing a college. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me this verse during my senior year of high school, I would be a freakin billionaire.
This verse has begun to have a whole different perspective on me since being in college. Now I have to think about my future even more...what job I will have, who I'll marry, where I'll be living, what I'll be doing after college...The sucky part about the future? You can't predict it.
Wanna know the cool part about the future though? God already knows what's supposed to happen, when it's supposed to happen and how it's supposed to happen. We may not always know why things happen the way they do, but He has a plan.
That is ultimately what it comes down to...my own selfish desires, my own wants, my own PLANS do not even COMPARE to what God has for me...so what? weekend plans get ruined, I accept it and move on, knowing that God has something even greater planned, though I don't know what those plans may be for the time being. As long as God, who knows the future, provides our agenda and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean that we will be spared pain, suffering, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion. So I fully intend on embracing that mission this weekend and be the best encourager I can be, and love the people who are around me.
God is sovereign in all He does. I take HOPE in that fact, that He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give hope and a future for me...
so what are YOU putting your hope in? Your own ambitions or God's ambition for you?
Cheers,
~Amber
Saturday, January 29, 2011
I think I'll go to Boston
What a catchy song by Augustana...
Ponder this...Living in the here and now and taking one day at a time...How often do we tend to rush things and want everything to work out how we plan and on the time schedule that we have created? I tend to do this too much. The Lord has been working with me on this, because He knows how much of a planner I am. He knows the hairs on my head and He ordained me before I was even created. That thought alone floors me everytime I hear it. I mean, think about it...the Most High God cared about YOU and me enough to intricately and individually design us so that there is no one else like us because He loves us that much...whoa!
While on that topic, have you ever thought about how we even came into being as Christians? Because God sent His one and only Son to die for us, we are able to live with Him in eternity in Heaven if all we do is accept Him. Living, He loved me, Dying, He saved me, Buried, He carried my sins far away, Rising, He justified freely forever that one day He is coming...Because a Sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me...that last line always does it for me. God sent Jesus to die an excruciating death on the cross for my sake, and He pardoned my sin for it...I'm sorry, what? What was God thinking? I am worth nothing, yet He still loves me that much. God just blows my mind. I feel that I will never be able to fully comprehend just how significant that is
Oh how He loves us...
Let me know your thoughts
Cheers,
~Amber
Ponder this...Living in the here and now and taking one day at a time...How often do we tend to rush things and want everything to work out how we plan and on the time schedule that we have created? I tend to do this too much. The Lord has been working with me on this, because He knows how much of a planner I am. He knows the hairs on my head and He ordained me before I was even created. That thought alone floors me everytime I hear it. I mean, think about it...the Most High God cared about YOU and me enough to intricately and individually design us so that there is no one else like us because He loves us that much...whoa!
While on that topic, have you ever thought about how we even came into being as Christians? Because God sent His one and only Son to die for us, we are able to live with Him in eternity in Heaven if all we do is accept Him. Living, He loved me, Dying, He saved me, Buried, He carried my sins far away, Rising, He justified freely forever that one day He is coming...Because a Sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me...that last line always does it for me. God sent Jesus to die an excruciating death on the cross for my sake, and He pardoned my sin for it...I'm sorry, what? What was God thinking? I am worth nothing, yet He still loves me that much. God just blows my mind. I feel that I will never be able to fully comprehend just how significant that is
Oh how He loves us...
Let me know your thoughts
Cheers,
~Amber
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