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    3 things I would take on a deserted island-extra credit

    A satellite phone, Eve, and food.

    Yep-that’s what I would take. I would have food, company, and a way of escape. Can’t think of much else. A bible would be nice, but between Eve and I we could probably come up with enough scripture to keep our spirits up. I have always wondered why this seems like a popular question. How many people actually get deserted on an island and live to tell about it. And I doubt people plan to be deserted so they probably don’t have any of the things they want to have. But oh well..it’s still a fun question and one that will forever remain popular. I certaintly hope I am never on a deserted island..unless I make survivor..then being on an island would be cool. well, that’s about all I want to write about that-I have real homework to work on!

    I’m out..

    Amanda

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    Hello?!

    Sometimes I want to scream..are you listening?! My mouth is moving, but somehow the words must get lost before reaching your ears. I feel like this a lot with my family..don’t get me wrong, I love my family. They are some of the coolest people in the world..but lately they seem to be having issues listening. I will tell them something a million times and they will call an hour later to find out what I’m doing and why I’m not home. It is rather frustrating. But God has a reason for everything and I think He is using this to humble me. All of a sudden, I am not the most important thing around my house..(not that I ever was, but I liked to think that) Then I started praying to God-asking Him to humble me. The thing is, God likes those kind of prayers and is answering mine over and over. He’s listening, and He’s teaching me that I need to listen..and that I need to be humble. So what my parents aren’t listening, it becomes my problem when I am rude and curt with them. Not that it always feels the greatest..my ego has been cut down a lot lately..but as Wilbo said is one of his previous posts..it’s not about me! So I am thankful God is humbling me..It’s the cry of my heart and while the answer isn’t easy, I know it is best.

    I’m out..

    Amanda

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    A cool guy

    I found this guy from a link on Mr. Harmless’ blog. His name is Dan Meyers. Check out his blog here. But the coolest thing is he also writes the best music..at least I really like him. I was listening to some of his stuff..you gotta check him out. My favorite song is Audience of One. You can listen to it here-just click on the name of the song to download it.

    I’m out..

    Amanda

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    What is it gonna take?

    Well, I just got home from my final retreat-it was a bittersweet time. I am going to miss it a lot, but I think it was by far one of the best retreats I’ve been on. Mr. Grass challenged us on what was gonna make this year different. I thought about that a lot-this is my senior year..my last chance to make a good impact, my last chance to be a high-schooler, and my last time being a student at FCS. Which is a sad thought..I have learned so much in my years here. But I know there are a lot of areas in my life I need to change-a lot of ways I want to grow this year. And I think the thing I am going to do to make it different is spend everyday in His word..and weed out the worldly things that fill me up. I want this year to be different-but more then that I want this year to be awesome! I want to end with no regrets.

    On to another aspect-Pastor Helmer spoke on Noah-a story we all know so well. It has always fascinated me, but He brought new light to it. I really enjoyed his energy and emotion-you could tell he truely cared and wanted us to get his message. I go to Faith-but honestly, more often I live in doubt then in faith. More often I question God-wonder why He allowed things to happen. Noah built an ark for 120 days-He’d never seen rain, but He had faith. As I go throughout my year, I want to develop faith like that-I want to have a faith that is strong and unwavering. I want my excitement and energy I have now to last all year.

    Finally, I want to say thanks to my class-you guys are great. As much as I love being a senior and am looking forward to graduation, I am going to miss you all. Each of you has made some sort of impact on my life. I can’t wait to get to know you all a little better-we’re only going to be seniors once-at least highschool seniors. This year is going to be great! I can’t wait! I am praying for you all and I hope you continue to grow in your walk with God.

    I’m out..

    Amanda

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    A Song..

    “God is God and I am not

    I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting

    God is God and I am man

    So I’ll never understand it all

    For only God is God”

    I was listening to that song by Stephen Curtis Chapman and it struck me. Lately a lot has happened in my life and in the life of some of my dear friends. I remember telling one of them, “I don’t know what I think..I’m so confused..” Then as I was listening to this song it hit me. I’m not God. I can’t see the whole picture so of course I might be a little confused..but I just need to learn to trust. I probably won’t understand everything until heaven-but God wants us to learn to trust Him. Even in the little things or in the things we think we have screwed up beyond repair. I just need to learn to trust God today-that has been a constant struggle in my life. I think God keeps placing circumstances in my life to teach me that. And I encourage you-don’t forget you aren’t God. I know so many times I try to play God in my own life. It doesn’t work..it just leaves me confused. But when I trust God..things work out much better. Even when I screw them up..

    I’m out..

    Amanda

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    Lonely

    Lonely..

    I have always wondered why so often it seems the times I am the most lonely are the times I am surrounded by the most people. The times when I need my friends the most are the times they seem to pull away. The times I know I should be relying on God are the times I’m tempted to rely the least. It’s so easy to take things into my hands, to make my own decisions…but sometimes God brings along someone unexpected. A friend who happens to be willing to listen at exactly the right time. I am thankful for times like that..it’s neat to see all the ways God works through my friends..And even though I am tempted to think I’m all alone..I know God is right there. And I am working so I’m gonna go..

    I’m out..

    Amanda

  • Faith

    A sprint or a marathon?

    I have been part of a bible study this summer and we have been studying through the book of Psalms. (which in all reality has nothing to do with my post-just some background info) But anyways, we meet on Wednesdays and this past week we were talking about what God has been teaching us. As a lot of you know, some of us recently returned from a SMITE trip to the Bahamas. A dear friend of mine who went made a comment about how it was so easy down there to be on fire for God, but coming home has been hard. And I must say I am right with her. But my youth pastor’s wife gave an illustration that put things into perspective and helped so much. She was talking about how so often we go on trips and experience these amazing highs-we’re so on fire for God we don’t see how we could ever go back to the way we were. But then a few weeks later the excitement has worn off and we’re back to our normal lives, no different then we were before. But the Christian life isn’t a bunch of sprints-the trips we take, though they are high spots, are not the highest. The Christian life is a marathon-a very long marathon. And if we run it one step at a time and take each experience and use it to change our daily life we will see growth. As much as we would like it, we can’t live in the highs. Eventually we have to come back down. All the training we’ve done since January wasn’t just to prepare us for our trip-it was to train us for life. To help us grow in our daily walks-not just be on fire for two maybe three weeks. I don’t really think this was a new concept to me-but rather one I had forgotten about. I came home expecting to be different-but I realized being different doesn’t have anything to do with a missions trip or a week at camp or a school chapel..being different has to do with your daily life. Being different means I do my devotions every day. Being different means I love everyone. Being different is a daily struggle-not a one time experience. The experiences are great-often times they are springboards. They give us momentum-but what happens when it wears off. What happens two months down the road when that one person you don’t like just pushed your buttons, or when that teacher gave a ton of homework? Not a million experiences will help that unless you make a decision to live everyday different. I know this is one thing I am going to really work on and I hope you all will too. How awesome would life be if everyone got serious about their daily walk with God. I think it would be radical and get people’s attention..but then again..that’s just what I think.

    I’m out..

    Amanda