That is one thing Satan is known for-deception. And I caught myself today being almost caught up in one of his traps. It’s election day-a very very important day. To my agony, I cannot vote (not old enough), but I have been keeping up with the debates and the news coverage and plan to watch TV all night to find out who wins. But back to Satan..:)..so in my government class we are supposed to read this article and write a response to it. It is entitled, “The Decline of American Greatness” and the whole point was how if Bush gets re-elected America is going to fall into a huge pit of economic decline. Being part of the huge middle class and with finances being tight around home, that scared me. And then I was hit by something. I am a Christian-I have the Holy Ghost on my side. I was able to see that Satan was trying to deceive me and get me to think that Kerry would be a better president by playing off my fears. So what about the thousands of people in our country who aren’t Christians. When someone writes something negative about Bush what’s stopping them from believing it. For the most part, they don’t have a moral code or standard they live by so they aren’t going to re-focus on the issues of marriage or abortion. No wonder so many people dislike Bush. The media doesn’t like him so they portray him in a bad light. Kerry doesn’t have a stand on anything, but he also doesn’t have a record as president, something that, sadly, might play in his favor.

As Christians, what should our response be? Well, with everything we need to be evaluating what we hear in light of truth and the scripture. I can start a blog and write that Bush had an affair and probably get some people to believe me-but I would hope that any Christian would be wise enough to check what I was saying against a credible source and ultimately the bible. We also need to vote-granted, but the time I finish this blog the election will be hours from ending, but we still need to be exercising that freedom. And we need to be voting Godly men and women into office. I was tempted to think Kerry might do a better job, but I realized that whoever wins is going to lead our country for the next four years. I will be almost finished with college, perhaps married, and further along in life when the next election comes up. Do I want the issues I care about to be addressed now, or do I want to wait four years until more damage has been done? George W. Bush will do an excellent job. He will stand by his convictions and he knows his bible:) Ultimately, God’s will shall be done, and I know He will reign supreme. However, as Christians we must be doing our job. So think about what you hear-talk time to evaluate it against scripture. Don’t let the media dictate your thoughts-remember Satan’s game is deception.

Ne 8:10 “Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

I love that verse! And lately, it has been a huge encouragement to me. A lot has happened lately..whether it be in my lives or in the lives of those that I care deeply for. But God has shown that His joy will be my strength. He has given me a smile and an enthusiasm about life that I haven’t know in a long time. There are literally times I can’t stop smiling..I have so much to be thankful for. And while I am tempted to run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off and get stressed and overwhelmed-God gives me joy and peace. He gives me the strength to carry on. Even sometimes when it’s hard..or even impossible in my eyes. Yes, I’ve shed my share of tears. I’ve been mad, and hurt, and frustrated..but I gave it all to God. I just decided to trust Him with my life. And in return-He gave me joy. A joy that no one can take away-no matter what they do. So go ahead-ask God for joy..He’ll give it to you if your willing to give Him your life. It’ll be the best thing you’ve ever done..

I visited two colleges(that will remain nameless) over the weekend. Initially, I was really interested in attending these colleges-however, they are both Christian and therefore, a lot more expensive then the state college I’m looking at. I knew if that was where God wanted me He would provide a way..but I don’t think that’s where He wants me..

Christian-I claim to be one. Most of my friends claim to be one. I go to a Christian school. I go to church. I’m even looking at Christian colleges. But does that make me a Christian? I think it goes much deeper then that. I think there has to be a point in your life where you decide you are going to follow God with 100% of who you are. And you are going to yield your desires over to His will-regardless of what others think. I met so many people over the weekend that claimed to be Christian. And while I’m not one to doubt anyone’s spirituality, I got to thinking. Why claim to be a Christian if you aren’t going to live like one? As I listened to several college students sit around and complain about some very good, but very lax rules I realized that there’s a reason Christians aren’t more active and a bigger force in our country. It’s because they are lazy and want to be like the world. They want to live like everyone else, dress like everyone else, talk like everyone else-but know we have assurance of heaven and can tell everyone else they are wrong. We want to live as close to the line of the world as we can. Heaven forbid anyone tell us that drinking is wrong and that it’s not ok to do certain things. I had one girl tell me she wished this college didn’t have a dry campus. And another was upset that guys weren’t allowed in the dorms 24/7 ,but only during certain open dorm hours. See sadly, our culture has taught us that it’s ok to do what we want. But it’s not-you can’t take a break from being a Christian–and honestly, if we had the right view of things we wouldn’t want to take a break. If we really saw sin for sin and God as God-we wouldn’t desire the things of the world so much. Jesus died for us. He suffered for my sins. Why then would I rather have the momentary pleasures of this world? No one is missing out by abstaining from drinking or sex or drugs or cussing or watching immoral stuff..the world will pour it down your throat that you are…and even some of your Christian friends might..but we need to step back and look at what God says. He says to not even have the appearance of evil. He doesn’t categorize sin and He is just-sin will always have consequences. For those girls I met, they may never realize the affect their testimonies had on me. They will probably never think they are doing anything wrong and their friends will probably never say anything. They have decided that it was ok to be a Christian and do these things. As I am sure some of my friends will do when they go off to college. But I wonder..what is it that we think we’re missing? It makes me thankful for the friends I do have who are willing to stand strong on issues. There is such a thing as black and white. The key is: Are we going to obey God now or are we going to fudge a little and “experience life” before we decide to obey?

No matter what all love stories whether in the movies or on TV always work out. Sadly, they are all full of sin and dishonesty and immoral things. Maybe because I’m sick or maybe because of other situations in my life, but as of late I’ve been rather sentimental. I was talking with someone the other day about life and more specifically guys. God showed me a very big character flaw in my life lately-I don’t like to trust Him. I want to find the guy I’m gonna spend the rest of my life today-I want to live that romantic love story we all watch on TV. But I’m 17..not really close to being at a point to get married. I’ve read the books, I know the stats..but there’s still that longing there. God is slowly teaching me that His plan is always right and that I need to trust Him. At this point in my life I need to be following the example of the Psalmist in Psalm 1- “But His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law He meditates day and night.” I need to find my joy in God’s word-not a guy or even some other desire. God is all the I need..but how often do I say that and not truly believe it? Too often..because if I truly believed it, there would be more in my life that backed it up. I am working on it..one of my friends said something on Friday that put things into perspective. She said, There are times when I walk through the kitchen and eat-not because I’m hungry, but because I’m in the kitchen. To transfer it over, the more I read my bible and spend time with God-I’ll get hungry. Hunger may not come first..but we aren’t always hungry when we eat..

I can see this in my own life..if I don’t feel like reading the bible..sometimes I just don’t..but I need to work at reading the bible all the time. The more I read, the more I want more. Granted, it’s not easy to see my friends in these “perfect” relationships..but my prince will come. Until then..I’ve got the maker of the universe as the lover of my soul..who could ask for anything better?

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

A King’s Daughter

That’s what I am! A daughter of the king. I never thought about it until my dad lost his job. All of a sudden the idea of God being my king seemed far out and non-realistic. What kind of king would put his daughter through suffering? Aren’t kings supposed to give them all they need and provide for them? Well, YES! and that is exactly what God does. He provides for me-although it is not always in the way I would like. Sometimes I think God should hand me a silver platter full of riches and fluffy couches and happy endings-no sadness, nothing hard. Just a life that is “perfect”. And then I get jolted back to reality and realize He’s given me much more then a silver platter-He wrote me a love letter that is 66 books long, He sent His son to die for me, and everyday He provides for my every need. He brought people into my life to help out-whether it was providing funds, dropping off groceries, or even just buying me shoes. It was in the little things-like friends praying for me, and people being there to encourage me. And God provided a peace that I have never felt. A calm that seemed to say-it’ll be alright. God has a plan. And He did and He does. It wasn’t my time table, it wasn’t my plan-but God had already orchestrated the whole thing. He knew when, why, how, and for how long before I was born. And everyday He plans everything. The older I get, the more life obstacles I seem to encounter, the more the decsions have life-long consequences and the more I see God’s hand in it all.

I am currently reading a book and I came across this quote today, “The Lord in His infinite wisdom and love places a high value on people’s faith that He does not shield them from those trials and difficulties by which their faith is strengthened.” He wants us to increase in faith. He loves us and He places the things in our lives’ to increase our faith. I think somewhere in Matthew it says, “If ye have faith even as a mustard seed, you shall move mountains.” That doesn’t seem like that much faith to me, but obviously we all lack in it. I’ve grown to rely on God for my needs-if I do my part, He does His. My summer didn’t turn out the way I planned, but I am so glad. I have been able to focus more on my savior. As the end of summer seems to be ever looming, I can’t help but wonder what God has in store. I am about to turn a new page in the story of my life. I wonder what lessons God has for me to learn, what experiences I will gain, and what trials I will encounter. I am confident nothing will come into my life that is not for my good and nothing that I cannot do with God’s strength. So as I continue my summer, my prayer is the God increases my faith in Him and opens my eyes to the wonderful things to be found in His love. I pray that you too will find the joy that comes from only Him.