-
What freedom is most important to me? ( I think this was our English blog topic)
I think I would have to say the freedom of religion because it has impacted my life the most. The school I attend, the church I am a member at, and the daily time I spend with God would not be realities if we were not guaranteed this freedom. I thought of the war in Iraq..and the oppression those people lived under, and Paul and the disciples-they underwent a ton of persecution for their beliefs. The worst I’ve ever had to deal with is being made fun of…and that pales in comparasion to what other believers must endure for the cause of Christ. I am thankful I don’t have to worship in secret, or worry when I go to church about the police coming and arresting us all. I am thankful I have the right to pray before my classes, and to talk with my friends about God openly. I wish I could say I have never been ashamed of my faith, but that would be a lie..however, when I think about the amazing freedoms I have, there is no way I should be ashamed. I have nothing to lose, at this point, I’m not going to die for sharing the love of Christ. I am also thankful the government doesn’t have the right to enact a state or national church. Even in my own class at school there are different churches and different beliefs represented, but they aren’t a source of contention or arguements, instead, they have provoked some very interesting conversations with my friends. It’s neat to listen to what other people believe and why they believe that, I have even learned a thing or two. And thanks to our founding fathers, we have the freedom to have different beliefs and attend whatever church we may choose. So for all those reasons, and for many more, I am thankful and I value the freedom of religion the most.
You May Also Like
Being Brave Everyday
-
Friends..
Sometimes, or in my case, most of the time, I take my friends for granted. I don’t often take the time to thank them for who they are..but I have a few minutes and I thought I would seize the opportunity. If I fail to mention you specifically, please accept my utmost apologies, I am thankful for you, I probably just ran out of time.
I have so many friends, and I am thankful for each one of you in different ways.
Brittany-I don’t know where to begin or what to say! Thanks for being there throughout the years. I am so glad we have stayed friends, and for all the times we’ve spent together. Thank you for confronting me and for encouraging me. Thanks for listening, and for laughing!
Emily R.- Girl, I am so thankful for you! I do wish you were still in BQT, but I am glad for last year and that I took the time to get to know you! You rock! Thanks for listening and for always being there.
Emily W.- BQT rocks. Thanks for being my friend, and for confronting me. Thanks for the laughs and the memories. Keep following God with all your heart.
Eve- My oh My..how much I could say! But since I already devoted a whole blog to our cedarville experience, I will just say thanks. Thank you for being a cheerleader and for cheering with all your heart! I admire your faithfulness and willingness to stick to it! Thanks for all the many many laughs!
Kelly- You have grown and matured so much. I admire you in so many ways, and am so glad that you are at Faith. I am so thankful for you, and pray that you continue to grow in the Lord.
To all my senior friends..you have surprised me. You have all stepped up to lead our school with excellence. Rachel, Laura, Abri, Amanda, Danielle, and Deborah-I will miss you so much when your gone. I admire and respect each of you in so many ways. Keep leading our school!
Micah-ah..the many things I could say, but THANK YOU pretty much sums it all up. Thanks for listening and for pushing me to grow closer to God. Thanks for letting me hang out with your family..and dote on your little bros..:) thanks for being such an amazing friend, and for not letting the rest of the world get to you. Keep following God and trusting Him to direct your paths.
Jordan- Girl, I enjoyed going to the soccer games with you. It was nice to be able to talk..and I respect you and Will so much. Thank you for always being there and for sticking up for me. Keep following God.
Angela-Texas, grasshoppers, lip-gloss; and the jokes go on. Thank you for everything! You have been there for the past 5 years..and I am so thankful for you!!
To all my other Junior friends..I am so thankful for you all! Our class has so much character and fun, and it wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you. I hope you all keep growing in the Lord, and stay true to who you really are. Don’t ever let anyone change you..you are all unique and amazing people.
To Mr.Harmless, Miss Weibe, Miss Syroteuk-thanks for being awesome teachers and for challenging me to grow spiritually.
To Mrs. Hume, Mrs.Harmless, Mrs. Kessler, and Mrs.Woodall-you have all helped chisel off my rough edges, and challenged me on why I believe what I believe. You have listened to my stories, and shared in my tears. You have always been willing to chat, and just be there. I am so thankful for you all. Your examples have continued to impact me, and help me grow into a more godly person.
Ok-I know I used the word thank like a million times above..but I am truly thankful for all my friends and teachers!!
-
God’s LOVE
Have you ever thought about the magnitude of God’s love? This week, I have been continually reminded of His love for me. I didn’t really do anything out of the ordinary this week, but it was really long and really rough. A lot of old hurt kept coming back, and i couldn’t shake some memories I regret..but it seemed like every night in my devotions and every day, God kept bringing back this idea of His love. And I took one night and read through Christ’s last days, and realized how much He sacrificed for me. I began to think about the things that had been dragging me down, and how none of them mattered to God. He loves me, not because of anything I do, but because that is His nature. It is in His character to love. On the other hand, it is not in my character to love all the time. It is a choice I must have to make sometimes. But it’s not so for God, He always, 100% of the time Loves me. When I’m failing him miserably or when I’m serving Him, He’s still loving me. And He loves each and every one of His children. No matter what you’ve done, or do, He still loves you! That is an amazing thought. And it’s one that has changed some of my thinking. I’m so thankful I have a God that loves me, no matter what.
I’m out..
Amanda
You May Also Like
Being Brave Everyday
-
State Champions
Our soccer team won-they defeated #2 ranked Heritage Hall to win state! It was a great game..even with the cold and rain..and the guys played awesome! Congratulations guys!! Our first state championship win..it was sweet!
-
Pondering..
“Covered by your love divine
Child of the risen Lord
To hear you say this One’s mine
My heart is spoken for”
Take this world from me
I don’t need it anymore
My Heart is Spoken For-Mercy Me
I’m supposed to be working on my homework, but I’m listening to music and this song happened to be playing and I started to ponder what the words were really saying. It talks about our hearts being spoken for. I realized that through my salvation Christ has spoken for my heart, He’s claimed it for his own. And I realized that so often, I follow other things and my heart is fully focused on God. Why it isn’t will forever remain a mystery. As I ponder All Christ did for me, I can’t help but realize how much I lack and how often I treat His death as just another sunday school story we’ve heard a million times. But the sacrifice He made, and the priviledge I have to talk to God, and to know I’m going to heaven is more then anything this world has to offer. It’s better then any material thing, or boyfriend, or even friend for that matter..(not that any of those things are bad) My heart is spoken for, and I pray that I can always live in light of that. That I will never let the mundane schedule of life cloud the awesome power of God.
You May Also Like
Being Brave Everyday
-
Take a minute to ponder this..
I got this poem on my e-mail, and it struck me hard. It’s kinda long, but I thought I would share it with all of you as a plee to you if you aren’t saved, talk to someone about it, and if you are, to go out and witness.
I had on new clothes,
New sneakers on my feet.
I was there for class on time,
Went to the back and took my seat.
Yeah, I’m moving up,
I’m already grown.
Soon I’ll be graduating,
And out on my own.
I talked to some of my friends,
We were all having fun.
Said some things I shouldn’t have said.
Did stuff I shouldn’t have done.
I knew I was different.
I felt God touch my heart,
I knew I should set a standard,
But then I’d be set apart.
Walking to the bus, I was not looking for strength.
I heard the car tires screeching,
But now it’s too late.
I’m standing in this room,
And I can see the heavenly gate.
Oh no! I never prayed.
I thought I had time to get it straight!
An angel walked to me,
He had a book in his hand.
I knew it was the Book of Life,
When would this dream end?
I told him my name,
And he began to look.
Then he looked at me sadly and said,
Your name is not in this book.
Angel, this is a dream,
No, I can’t be dead!
He closed the book and turned away,
He whispered – You cannot proceed ahead.
No…no this can’t be real,
Angel, you can’t turn me away.
Let me talk to God,
Maybe he’ll let me stay.
He led me to the gate,
Jesus came to me.
He did not let me in but said,
Beloved what is your need?
Jesus, I cried, please,
Don’t cast me away from you.
Tears ran down his face as he said,
You knew what you needed to do.
Lord, please I’m young,
I never thought I would die.
I thought I’d have plenty of time,
Death caught me by surprise.
Lord, I went to church,
Please Jesus, I believe.
He said you would not accept me,
My love you would not receive.
Lord, there were too many hypocrites.
They weren’t being true.
He took a step back and asked,
What does that have to do with you?
Lord, my family claimed to be saved,
They weren’t real. You know.
He said, I died for you,
Now I have to go.
I fell to my knees crying to Him,
Lord, I planned to be real tomorrow.
I couldn’t make Him understand,
I had never felt such sorrow.
Then it hit me hard, I said,
Lord, where will I go?
He looked into my eyes and said,
My child you already know.
Please Jesus, I begged,
The place is so hot.
It seemed to trouble and grieve him,
He whispered, DEPART FROM ME,
I KNOW YOU NOT.
Lord, you’re supposed to be love,
How can you send me to damnation?
He replied, with your mouth you said you loved me,
But each day you rejected my salvation.
With that in an instant,
Day turned into night.
I never knew such torture could be, Now too late, I know the Bible is
right.
If I can tell you anything,
Hell has no age.
It is a place of torture,
Separated from God and full of rage.
You know, I thought it was funny,a joke, But this one thing is true.
If you never accept Jesus Christ,
HELL IS WAITING FOR YOU!
So please, ask Him into your heart.
You May Also Like
Being Brave Everyday
-
My Favorite Season
Hum..I don’t have one favorite season, I like the end of spring, summer, and the begining of fall. I love the beginning of fall because it’s so pretty. I love when the leaves change, and the days are still warm. I love raking leaves and jumping in the piles. I love carmel apples, and wearing sweaters, yet still being able to wear shorts. I love the smell of bonfires, and soccer, and school starting. I hate cold weather, which is why I skipped the end of fall, winter, and the begining of spring. I love the end of spring, because most of the rain is gone, and the weather has started to warm up. Spring is a time of new beginings and all the flowers are starting to open..the birds have come out and started to sing again. And School gets out!! And then Summer, which is probably my most favorite season(ok..forgive the English)! I love the warm weather and the bright sun! I love NO SCHOOL!! and day camp! I love swimming and hanging with friends. I love the smells of summer..BBQ’s, pool’s, the flowers, and sweaty kids. So those are my favorite seasons, “little brown packages tied up with string, snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelases.these are a few of my favorite things..” (sorry, broke out into song there-Sound of Music):)
-
We’re Off To Cheer for the Eagles
So..that’s kinda how my afternoon went on Friday..wacko! I went on the fan bus to cheer on our eagles at their last soccer and volleyball games. and I had a blast!Sadly, only our JV came away with a victory-but good job to all the teams! and Good luck at State!!
So many memories..but I must say something about Amanda #2..aka Bosma. We worked at day camp all summer, and I am convinced it messed up our biological maturing cycle. Either that or we still know how to enjoy life..we had so much fun. Who else could find enjoyment in kids’ meal bags or in the toys you get inside..nice hamtaro’s are still better! It was a blast..and I know, everyone gave us weird looks, but you know what..we were having a blast! and some people have grown to old to enjoy the little things in life. So thanks Amanda for still acting like a kid sometimes..it was a blast!!
-
The Weird Ways God Works..
The weird ways God works..
Isn’t it funny sometimes how God seems to know just what you need when you need it? Today I was driving home from school, and dwelling on the rather low points in my day, when I tuned into the song playing on my radio. It happend to be the chorus from a song on my new FFH cd..I love them. But anyways, it went like this..
Hey hey, it’s a good day, even if things aren’t going my way
Jesus is born and I am saved
Hey hey it’s a good day
As I was listening to it on my short drive home, I realized that it was wrong for me to be thinking about those bad or embarrassing moments in my day, but that i needed to be focus on God. Like the song said, I am saved and that is a thought that can turn any bad day into a GREAT one. So tomorrow, if you start to think your day is going wrong..just remember it’s a good day no matter what cuz you’ve got God and your heading to Heaven!!
You May Also Like
Being Brave Everyday
-
My Dad
I love my dad so much..He has always been there for me. I can’t ever remember a time when he turned his back, or walked out, even if I had failed him. He’s been my biggest fan and supporter since day one. And also been there to dry my tears. When I was little, we had our little rituals that are etched in my mind. I can remember countless Christmas’ sitting around the tree reading stories, watching the lights flicker around the room. I can remember every spring the flowers he would bring me before my ballet recitals. He never failed. And although he was gone a lot, he always made sure he was home that night. I remember the excitement of him coming home after a three week business trip..I love yous’ said over the phone just aren’t the same. I remember all the times he told my mom how much he loved her, and all the times I caught them in each others’ arms. He promised me he would never leave her, and I have trusted him with my whole heart. I can remember so many times crawling into his arms after a bad day, a break-up, or just to say I love you. He’s always been there. He cheered me on in basketball, even though I never played that great. He supported me in cross country, and always wanted to see me to my best. I remember falling into his arms after a horrible meet and just crying. He told me, “Amanda, your a fighter, and you’ll do better next time” He was never disappointed in me, no matter how good or bad I did. He was there when I got my driver’s license. I remember all the movies we went to see, the ones mom thought were too bloody. We have always had the same movie tastes, which has brought many memories. He has always pushed me to succeed in everything, and to do my best. He has always had faith in me and knows I will fulfill all my dreams if I put my mind to it. I have a ring on my finger as a constant reminder of his love, and 6 journals that all begin with letters from him.
He’s always been there..and I will always love him no matter what.
I love you daddy!