SATs

SATs are the best way to ruin someone’s confidence and future plans. One bad day and you are stuck going to a community college studying the art of folding clothes. It’s like-who cares. Colleges should pick a new equaller-one that is actually possible to do well on if you are not a genius. You can be a staight A student..but get a lousy SAT score and be marked forever. Not to mention that once you take them the first time, it kinda ruins your desire to ever take them again. 4 hours of doing the same thing over and over-talk about boring. So to all of you who have not taken them yet-good luck. May you defeat ETS or perish in the attempt. 🙂

*By the way-I’m sure you will get into college no matter what you get on them*

I decided I hate moving on. I know it is a necessary part of life-people must move on and so must I-but that still doesn’t mean I like it. Sometimes I question God’s doing in things-it’s as if, I have all this knowledge-I know God is good, His way is perfect..but then, BANG-someone decides it is time to move on. And of course, it is usually someone very near to my heart, someone I respect and look up too. But it is not my place to question God..and while I still don’t like it, I will have to put my trust in God and learn to rely on Him.

This was kinda sprung from reading Mr. Harmless’ blog. I was struck once again with the fact that he is leaving. But like he said, God is good. And has a plan for all of us.

God’s grace is amazing! Do you realize that? Lately, I have been overwhelmed by the presence of God’s grace in my life. I am amazed that I can get up every morning and trust that God has my life in His hands. Yes, I’ve shed my share of tears lately-but I am over and over reminded that God is enough. He has provided for me in some awesome ways. And although my dad is still jobless-I know this is part of His plan too. If for no other reason then to bring me to a place of utter reliance on God. Right now-I have no idea how things are going to turn out. I have no idea where the money I need is going to come from or where my life is going to go. All I am sure of is that my God is good. And He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him. Is it easy? No Can I say I have been joyful in all things? No But I have been reminded over and over that my joy comes from God. As the psalmist said-“The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!” I heard a saying the other day; it went something like-God may not always be on time but He is never late. In my mind-I would have liked my dad to get a job the day after he lost it. But I guess God had a different idea in mind. And I am glad that He has-I truly am. I have come to a place of reliance on God and He has continued to humble me. I hate asking for help-knowing I’m on the receiving end of aid..but it is my pride that causes those feelings. Instead of being ashamed, I have learned to be thankful. I have learned that only God can provide. Even if He is providing through others-He is still providing. So I am praying and waiting-God will not fail. He promised to never leave nor forsake me. I am hiding in the shadow of His wings and trusting in Him as my rock.

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!:)