Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Everything I am






This is me! and my son Jenson.  Yes, I am the police. 
                                           
My handsome husband, which by the way is a fireman
These are my gifts from above! Oh they make me melt!

This is just what makes my world go around!

For by Him all things were created: things in heaven an on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him~Colossians 1:16

Blessings
Amanda

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Call to Persevere

As I struggle to write these blogs, I have to tell you, I find it a little narcissistic. "No?"  Why does anyone care who I am, or what I think!  But, then I think, "wow!" I am being convinced by the enemy that  no one wants to hear me talk about the Lord (Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men~Matthew 16:23).

So with the above said and the Lord as my pilot, I am reminded by one of my favorite verses; Galatians 1:10, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or an I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."  I love this verse!  It is powerful, alot of Truth!  I love Truth!  Christ is Truth!  There is only "One" truth!

Now, since the Lord chose me as His servant several years ago, with a gentle nudge in the form of a car accident (another story for another blog) I have been on a journey of self-control (grace).  I have to be reminded daily by the Spirit that not everybody is at the same place with Christ as I am.  Let me give you an example;  When the Lord gives me an opportunity to talk about Him,  either at small group setting or at work.  I cant believe people either refuse Him or cant believe through the trails & burdens in my life, or circumstances in my families life, I am closest to our Father.  People look at me like I'm crazy!  A freak!  Even other Christians don't understand.it!

I get frustrated, "How can you not realize we can have a intimate relationship with the all mighty creator!"  Think about it!  A relationship, released from sin because what happened on the cross!  I'm so amazed that He would do that for me and you!

Then it happens again, the Spirit, Comforter speaks to my heart and reminds me that I was once a non-believer, I lived fully in the secular world and I  once called "Christians" freaks! Hahahaha! Yes, I was like that!

I can look back on my old life with no regrets and know now I'm reborn because of His blood.  I can declare I am a new creation in Him.  My life and the journey I am on, with all the trails and burdens placed upon me only to glorify our Lord and Savior always.

Jude 1:22 Be merciful to those who doubt.



Grace & Truth
John 1:17

Friday, August 26, 2011

Relying on the Lord

If you know our family, you know that my husband Rob had eye surgery last Thursday to correct muscle damage from his brain tumor.

This surgery was scheduled at the last minute while Rob was on vacation.  So with much dismay on my part, because we had a scheduled vacation to Mammoth,  I rolled with it with kinda a sour attitude.  I didnt want "my" time interrupted by taking care of him.

With this horrible attitude I had, I truly was not happy with Rob's decision to have his surgery.  With this said and being a child of the Lord, He began to work on my heart through the Holy Spirit.  And I always know when I'm wrong cause I hear the Lord speak to me.  "Amanda, really! is it all about you!  The so called (big shot) Amanda who wants the world to revolve around her, you are my child and you are my light.  I LOVE YOU!"  I had to sit down, I was so ashamed of myself and my motives.

I immediately got on my knees and prayed!  And at this point my boys where in the living room with me and saw what I was doing.  My little Jenson, who is always asking questions said to me, "Mom, what are you doing?  Why are you on your knees crying?"  I got up and hugged both of our boys and told them that my heart was not in the right place and I was convicted by the Holy Spirit on my attitude.  I hugged them little tighter and cryed a little more and said, "Mommy is not perfect, and because of what Christ did on the Cross, my actions & attitudes are forgiven.  So when mommy is wrong, I go before our Savior and ask for forgiveness and ask for guidance on whatever situation I'm struggling with."

Aiden & Jenson hugged me and said, "We know Mom your not perfect, we are just glad Jesus loves you."  I giggled a little and wiped the tears from my eyes.  I just realized in the midst of my sin I showed our boys the need of a Savior and without Him we are not capable of living this life the way He wants us too.

If wake up in the morning without prayer and the need for Him, my day is pretty empty.  I need constant reminders from the 'Comforter" who works in so many forms, my husband, my kids, a friend, the radio, a devotional.  I need to completely open my heart and rely on Him everyday.  I didn't that day and I payed for it by my nasty attitude.

Rob's surgery went great and we prayed together, cryed together and laughed together while at the hospital . We  had a great mini vacation in Mammoth that brought us closer to the Lord and closer as a family.

Thank you Jesus! For gently disciplining me and directing me on the the right path to serve you better.

     

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Fan or Follower?

This summer I have been reading some amazing books,  such as "Weird" by Craig Groeshcel and "Radical" by David Platt.  But I am currently reading a book called "not a fan" by Kyle Idleman, this book has totally convicted me as far as my commitment to Christ and  my walk with Him.

Let me explain what I'm talking about.  Pastor Idleman explains the difference between the Christian fan and the Christian follower.  Let's define a fan;  Websters ditinary defines fan as "an enthusiastic admirer"  you know the guy at the football game with no shirt and a painted face and chest.  This fan who sits in the stands and cheers for his favorite team.  He has a signed jersey and multiple bumper stickers on the back of his car.  But he is never in the game, never breaks a sweat or takes a hard hit in the open field.  He knows all about the players and can rattle off their latest stats, but he doesn't know the players.  He yells and cheers, but nothing is required of him.  There is no sacrifice he has to make.  And the truth is, as excited as he seems, if the team he's cheering for starts to let him down and has a few off seasons, his passion will wane pretty quickly.  If the team continues to have a bad season, expect him to jump off the band wagon and begin cheering for another team.  He is an enthusiastic admirer, a fan.

Pastor Idleman continues to say that Jesus has a lot of fans these day.  Fans who cheer for Him when things are going well, but who walk away when it's a difficult season.  Fans who sit safely in the stands cheering, but they know nothing of the sacrifice and pain of the field.  Fans of Jesus who know all about Him, but don't know Him.

A follower is described as this; "The person who accepts the leadership of another" a disciple.  We tend to define belief as the acceptance of something as real or true.  But biblical belief is more than just an intellectual acceptance or heartfelt acknowledgment; it is a commitment to follow.  Following by definition requires more than mental assent, it calls for movement.  If you read through the four Gospels that tell of Christ's life you'll find that Jesus says "Believe in me" about five times.  But care to guess how many times Jesus said "Follow me"?  About  twenty nine times. 

Pastor Idleman is not saying that following is more important than believing.  What he is saying is that they are firmly connected.

A follower is a person who listens to what the Lord says whether it is all so quiet or very loud, and acts on it.  A follower puts himself or herself out of the comfort zone to do the work of the Lord.  A follower gives up everything he/she has for the Lord.  A follower forsakes his/her relationship with family or friends for Christ.  A follower puts Christ 1st in everything.

So I put this in front of you, as it was put in front of me.  Are you a fan of Jesus or a follower?

Blessings to You