I seem to have run out of the blogging juices-they just aren’t flowing. But yet, I am still inclined to write. So when I do think of something to say I will write..right now I have to eat or I would finish my thought..

This was the title for this weeks blog, and as I was thinking about it, one thought came into my head..will I ever make it to heaven? It honestly doesn’t seem like it’s coming fast enough. not that I want to die tomorrow..but I really can’t wait for heaven. there have been some things lately that in my mind seem like they went really wrong..I know God has a perfect plan, but I really can’t wait to get to heaven and never have a problem again. It’s going to be beyond words. To echo a song by Mercy Me, “I can only imagine..” Seeing Christ face to face is going to be so awesome. I really can’t wait until this life is over. But I know this life is our preparation-our training. God will give me the grace to handle it. and I have the greatest thing to look forward to. unlike soldiers training for war, i’m training for heaven! So will I ever make it? You bet I will! But until that day I’m going to put my focus on pleasing Christ and loving God!

ugh..I just wrote this long post and now it is gone. oh well, guess it wasn’t something that was supposed to be posted. (not that is was bad or anything..)

Just want to leave you with a verse I’ve been working on applying to my life. I struggle with gossip and I hate it when I know other people do it, so I figured I should probably be working on it myself.

Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight

Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.:

I hate gossip. I hate it more then a lot of things. But I was reading my bible last night, and I realized I am so often at fault for doing the very thing I hate. I cannot stand it when my “friends” talk about me..it is just not friendly. But how often am I talking about them? more then I care to admit-although not all of it is gossip. Matthew says to take the log out of your eye before you look at the spec in anothers. I can’t get mad or confront other people on gossiping when I myself am doing the same thing. Not that I will ever fully conquer this area but.. God revealed to me the sin in my heart and how hypocritical I was being. I memorized Psalm 19:14, which says, “Let the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” If I hate gossip, then I need to stop gossiping. Not that I am then going to go condemn everyone else..they have to deal with their sin on their own. But I don’t want people to see me as a gossip. and I know God is not pleased with it. so I have committed to work on it. I probably won’t grasp ahold of it anytime soon, but the sooner I start working on it, the sooner I will see some victory in the area.

I’m out..

Amanda

Prom!

Well-I got the chance! For so long I have wanted to go to prom, and I finally got to go. Honestly, I can’t tell you what attracted me so much to it-perhaps the allure of it all or the fact that my school doesn’t have one. But regardless, it was one of those things I’ve wanted to do. And I had so much fun! :)Well, I’m not going to expand on anything else here. I don’t want to bore you all with the details!

Have you ever gotten in one of those sentimental, mushy moods where everything seems to make you tear up? (I know guys, you probably can’t relate!) Lately for some odd reason, it seems like there are a lot of things in my life that I miss. Things that aren’t good or bad, right or wrong, just things that have come and gone over my life. and lately, whether it’s been conversations, other people, or even just a thought-I start to miss things.. I sit and ponder over why things have happened the way they have..how come things couldn’t have just turned out perfectly.. or at least what I thought would be perfect. but then I realize that the things I miss so much are also the things that have taught me the most. The things I remember with tears are the things that have brought me closer to God. The people whom have come and gone in my life are the ones who have taught me some priceless lessons. and I sit back and thank God that He is the master and creator of all things-even my life. He can see the big picture..today, yesterday, tomorrow and 20 years down the road. He knows why things have happened, and why they will happen. Perhaps I may never fully understand His reasoning, but I can trust that it is perfect. So I am going to pick up the memories, tuck them back away, and move on. I’m going to let God teach me what He wants and accept His plan. Yeah, sometimes I don’t like it. Sometimes I am so confused I couldn’t tell you right from left..(wait, I can’t do that when I’m not confused:) anyways..you get my point.) But “God’s word is a light unto my feet, and a lamp unto my path.” And I will never have to walk in darkness.

It’s Not Over Yet!

I think most of us are in the “Can’t wait to get out” mentality. There isn’t much of school left and most of us are so ready for it to be summer. I know I can’t wait. But you will never know or realize how much of life you will miss by always looking forward to the next great thing. Matt. 6:34 says, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Every day is a God given chance to glorify Him and grow to become more like His Son. But so many times we are always looking forward to tomorrow. We can’t wait for summer..I am right there, I am so excited. But there is a lot of this year left, and a lot of time to make a difference in this school and in the people around you. You will miss so much if you are never looking at today and always looking for tomorrow. One of my camp counselors pointed out to me that I can be narrow focused..not looking out for all the needs around me. I have been working on this, although it isn’t easy..but one thing that God has been teaching me is that it starts with living today for Him and taking comfort in Lamentations 3:22-23, “The Lord’s lovingkindness indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new Every morning, Great is your faithfulness.” God will give us enough grace for today and then He will do it again when tomorrow comes. You will never live in tomorrow, but you are living in today. Take the time to make a difference today, to reach out and meet needs, and to make it your goal to please God in everything. Summer is coming..but it isn’t here yet. Don’t check out of school just yet. But more importantly-don’t check out of God’s plan. He has given us today-so let’s start living like it!:)

Relationships

Relationships are a huge part of life. Perhaps that is why God devoted most of the New Testament to talking about them. But why are they also often the source of trials and hardship. God has been teaching me a lot lately about what’s important in life. I am so quick to look out for #1 and forget that there are other people in my life. Sadly, my family usually gets the short end of the stick too. I was reading in my devotions last night, and I decided to read Psalms. I love that book, and I love how often David cries out to God. I realized that I often get so worked up with my schedule and my busyness that I forget about the people around me. I forget about serving them and being interested in their lives. I hold things against them and seem to think they are there to serve me, not vice-a-versa. I seem to always be asking God’s forgiveness-sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything right, but I am continually being reminded of God’s amazing grace and His never-ending forgiveness. How much I need it! So, goal one of the rest of the year-people! First, my family, since lately they have been getting less and less of my time. And then the people around me. I’m not going to hold past things against them. Even if that means I have to forgive them everyday and pray for them every time I pass them. It’s so hard to hold something against someone when you are praying for them. One of my teachers talked today about Christ coming back and it reminded me of the brevity of life. Who knows how long I have left, but I want to reach as many people as I can while I’m on earth. Thanks to all those who have not given up on me even when I was rude or hard to get along with. I am so appreciative of my friends and my school. I pray that you all finish strong. There isn’t much left, but it isn’t over yet either. You can still have an impact-the only choice is-will it be positive or negative?