I just want everybody to know that I will be taking a break from blogging for a while. I have started writing my story like I said I would and will post it in parts as time allows. Until then, I am pouring myself into my studies, work, being music coordinator, and loving on people at Father’s House Church.
If you sign up for my blog feed, you will be notified immediately when I resume amberglory.wordpress.
Thanks to all of my readers – you are appreciated!
Amber
I received a copy of “The Shack”. I was told it is a good Christian novel. Since it had been so long since I’d read a novel, I thought I’d give it a shot. Ever since, I’ve wanted to write my thoughts on this controversial book. But I could never make up my mind if I should be diplomatic or go with my gut and spill political incorrectness!
If you read the book and liked it, please do not be offended by this post. Rather, I encourage you to return to your foundation (if you are a Christian) of why you believe what you do about God. If “The Shack” were truly SOLELY a fiction novel, fine. Unfortunately, many are using it as an allegory of the Trinity and as a source for theological explanation of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Who is God, anyway? What does the BIBLE say?
Or do I just believe whatever makes me feel better?
Here’s a very short video from one of my theological heroes of today. He doesn’t mention every point needing addressing (such as God becoming human through Jesus (not in the Biblical sense); Jesus using all religions to lead people to the Father, etc.), but definitely the most important.
…. my thoughts to inspire yours …
*People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
**Forgive them anyway.
*If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
**Be kind anyway.
*If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
**Succeed anyway.
*If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
**Be honest and sincere anyway.
*What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
**Create anyway.
*If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
**Be happy anyway.
*The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
**Do good anyway.
*Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
**Give your best anyway.
*In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
**It was never between you and them anyway.
*Mother Teresa*
OK. I think it’s time to start writing my story. My husband has been telling me to do this for years. But you know, thoughts of insecurity, inability, and “there are enough stories out there already” can keep you from doing something that could help people. Besides the thought that it’s probably not the most exciting thing to read up until the great green gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts. Where I am today is a miracle – not that I own two cars and a yellow house with a white picket fence – but that I am free from all the gunk the world, environment, and experiences bound me with. I honestly couldn’t even begin to describe adequately in a known language the soul operations I’ve had – without anesthesia, mind you. But, I’ll do my best to tell as much as needed without boring you to tears.
And maybe my thoughts will inspire yours to seek freedom in any area of life where you may need it.
Coming Soon… My Story
I’m changing up my blog a bit. There have been a lot of changes in the last year, I’ve had to focus on other stuff for a while, and now, I’m back. For now, I’ll continue to use WordPress as my blog host and link Vlogs to You Tube. I’m also in the process of creating a German/English blog/vlog called “SPARKS”.
There are so many things I encounter on a daily basis to which I wish I had the answer in the moment. Know that feeling? Brandon & I often have the most awesome conversations (I’m not ashamed of saying that 🙂 ). And later, I wish I had recorded it. So, for both reasons, I will be carrying a video camera around with me just about everywhere. I want to capture the moment, the momentum, and the “revelation” and share it with you – A SPARK… JUST TO GET YOU THINKING… and hopefully doing.
Here’s my first attempt at “vlogging” (not flogging) – unedited, which is how I’d like to keep it – just plain real (even though I don’t like the way I look on camera).
CLICK HERE AND ENJOY MY LATEST VLOG ON STINKY FEET AND HEAD CHEESE!
Someone recently brought a subject worth reading and talking about to my attention: Time Robbers
Here was my response to their question…
*1.* Believe it or not, it’s not really the devil who steals our time with distractions. The Bible says that our own sinful lusts entice us to sin. Of course, not every distraction leads to sin. Some just lead to other things. “Only SIN is sin.” Many things are just things of preference. But, if I allow myself to get distracted from taking care of my family or from not putting God first in my life, then I am an idolator, worshipping my own selfish desires. This is not necessarily the devil’s fault….. blame shifting is simply not taking responsibility for our actions.
*2.* So, that would mean he really doesn’t derail our priorities either. Discipline is vital. Disciplining ourselves to spend qaulity time with the Lord is vital for many reasons. But if you don’t do it, is it really SIN? Most people who think so are depending on their own works to feel accepted by God. Others just feel guilty, because they think it is something they SHOULD be doing. Even then, they are setting their personal standards according to what they think, not what the Bible says about it. Besides, He knows our hearts better than ourselves. Even when we think our conscience is clear, Paul says only God can really judge that.
*3.* Discipline and well set priorities do bring Success and a form of peace. But our goal is never to feel a sense of pride for our self image – that’s humanism and can lead to idolatry. The Bible says that the joy OF the Lord , so HIS joy, is our strength for life, not our healthy self image. (Don’t misunderstand me, it’s important to think positive about ourselves and life. I just get bugged at the word “self” and the way “self image” is so imbalanced sometimes, because, quite frankly, God just gets left out of the picture.) And besides, real godly peace is found even in the midst of the worst scenarios.
*4.* Here are some quotes from “Shopping for Time” by Carolyn Mahaney:
We often throw away our time as if we had an endless supply and miss out on the best deals life has to offer and end up paying big time in guilt, anxiety and a lack of confidence that we’re really doing the will of God. We get overwhelmed by life’s choices and demands and sometimes lack fruitfulness in Christ’s kingdom. Eph. 5,15-6 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Look backward and ponder our mistakes so that we do not do them again.
Look forward to see where the course will lead.
Look inside to question our motives.
Look around to measure our fruitfulness.
Look beside us to receive critique, help and wisdom.
Most of all, look up and seek guidance from God’s Word.
In all of this, it is absurd to think that we can grow in godliness, conquer sin, or spend our time wisely all by ourselves. And this is one reason why we need to seek God. Choosing not to sit at His feet is basically saying: “I can do it without you. I don’t need to read your Word or pray or listen to your voice. I am competent all by myself, thank you very much.”
Life doesn’t always conform to our plans.(!!!!!!) Minor inconveniences disrupt and major trials can completely derail the best of goals and intentions. So, what do we do? C.S.Lewis wrote: “The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s “own” or “real” life. The truth is of course that that which one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life – the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s “real life” is a phantom of one’s own imagination. This at least is what I see at moments of insight: but it’s hard to remember it all the time.”
Separate the most important from the not so important. a)Spouse (if you have one) – What one thing could I do today that would really bless her/him? b)Simplify – How can I make certain tasks easier – like use paper plates for lunch, so there’s no clean up. c)Size up our limitations. Only God accomplishes everything he needs to do, in exactly the way he intends. This truth helps us see the arrogant absurdity of expecting to complete our own to-do list. It frees us to humble ourselves and draw upon God’s strength to simply do what we can in busy seasons. (part quote, part me)
Might I add: A step would be to look inside and ask: “What do I cherish the most?” My actions are proof. This helps us make wise decisions. Why am I pressured to do certain things? It may be because my love for certain things or people is misplaced. It may also be because I’m believing lies. When you go shopping, you buy the best for the buck. Same with time. Distractions won’t enslave us, because of the things we CHERISH the MOST. It means just saying NO to a thousand other needs and/or options.
Last, but not least – It’s important to not see interruptions as negative, but as opportunities for God to sanctify our character, another opportunity to trust God, giving Him the reigns. He is big enough to see the ultimate purpose prevail.
Ps 118,24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
YOU CAN REST IN THE FACT THAT EVERY DAY HAS BEEN ORDAINED BY GOD AND IS FULL OF PURPOSE.
I just want to express my gratitude to all my readers who have emailed, commented and called us here in Germany. It has been such an encouragement to know friends, family, and even people we don’t know personally are thinking of us and praying for us.
I was so blessed by the responses I received to my latest post. It seems the more transparent I’ve been with people in the last few years, the more I’ve been able to minister to them. Over and over again, I hear how people express their relief, finally hearing someone say how it really is, letting them know that even people in full-time ministry have the exact same problems, emotions and challenges, but that it never has to end there. Someone I was talking to the other day told me how she wishes she were stronger, never again to question God’s faithfulness or to stay humble without situations to keep her humble. You read biographies of certain people of faith, and they never seem to mention the negative side of life, so it can leave you thinking that there is something wrong with you, because you’re not “as strong” as they seem to be. That’s just not the sort of thing you write in books, you know. I told her that she has already reached the strength she’s looking for – because each time she seems to fall, she turns to Jesus. HE is her strength. Our strength is found in our weakness.
Heroes used to be people whom everyone else thought had everything together. Today, however, people expect their heroes to be honest about who they really are – but with the help of the Holy Spirit and others, TOGETHER stand up and help others stand up again. My historic idol has always been Joan of Arc. I want to go where no one has gone before and do what no one has done before. But it wasn’t until I recognized my own human weakness and focused on the grace of God was I able to become a hero to others. Until then, I could only present theories, and needless to say, without much fruit. It has been an anchor for me to hear people say, “thank you for your honesty. Now I know I’m not alone and how I can deal with my situation”, and one response was: “By surrender we win the victory” – yeap, that’s the idea. We surrender first to God in all things, then we receive strength to withstand the enemy, and as Brandon put it in his blog, we begin to recognize “God’s hidden wisdom.”
I’m so excited about God’s faithfulness and wisdom. He truly is sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing – He is OTHER. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, “thank God”!
Latest News> In the meantime, I have gotten closer to receiving official permission to get a job in Germany. There is a company waiting to hire me. This shouldn’t take more than a couple more weeks. This is a big answer to prayer! Thank you for your continued prayer support.
Firstly, there are things happening thousands of miles away from me with people I care deeply about – and I can’t just hop into the car and go see them for the weekend to be there for them. I have to remind myself that they are proud of me for being obedient to the Lord and fulfilling His mission where I am. Otherwise, I would be fearful of them thinking that I don’t care about them, because we have devoted our lives to another country. We are truly blessed to have family who accepts the weird and crazy lifestyle we’ve chosen – or I should say – has been chosen for us by you know who.
Check this out:
Romans 8:
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. – He put me in my place and showed me myself; I realized that I was self-righteous (like Job), cuz I thought “things shouldn’t be this way for me.”
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – no matter where the hardships come from, He is making sure He will be glorified in the end and that we are conformed more into his image.
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son… – um, I could get real deep here, but let’s just say “wow!”
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified…
31 What then shall we say to these things? – sufferings of this present time – If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. – I always struggled with this till lately. I always thought that if JESUS is praying for me, why is all this crap happening to me? Jesus’ prayers are perfect, right? He never misses the mark, right? This would mean that God is either ignoring Jesus’ prayers or not answering some of them. Jesus wants what is “best for me”, so that is what He is praying for – OR – it would mean that Jesus is praying perfectly in line with the will of the Father, so the Father is answering every single one of ’em. Sooo…. His idea of what is “best for us” is different than our idea. I trust that God is keeping everything in check.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? – No matter what happens, or doesn’t, HE LOVES ME. I couldn’t ask for more.
37 No, in all these things IN these things. God never promised immunity! we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – I am His forerver
2. Corinthians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
So, be generous and comfort others who are going through bad times. In all these years and having experienced such hurt, rejection and distress- when I have turned from looking at myself and focused again on the faithfulness and justice of God (everything he does or allows is right and holy and has a righteous reason) and have given of myself to others for His sake, I have conquered (yet not I, but Christ in me).
So, I boast in my weakness!!!!!!!! Yeah, eat your heart out, I’m weak!
2. Corinthians 12:
9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Ever feel like things could be different if YOU were different?
A few years ago I threw a lot of “what if’s” into the sea- literally. I wrote down a bunch of “what if this or that happens” on a sheet of paper and threw it into the body of water surrounding our city. (I guess that would make me a litter-bug; please don’t tell anyone.) In spite of this decisive action not to think irrationably about things beyond my control, every now and then the question of “what if” shows its ugly head. Ugh!
Lately, I’d been internalizing (without recognizing what I was doing at first) how “if” I were different, maybe this situation I am facing wouldn’t be an issue. “If” I just wouldn’t be myself, maybe any and all awkward moments could be avoided. Had I chosen a different route, I wouldn’t be where I am… had I just kept my mouth shut, we wouldn’t be having this conversation… had I only seen things differently at that time, I wouldn’t have led someone to believe what they do… had I, had I, had I just…
Everyone knows that if you internalize long enough, you end up vomiting your emotions on someone. And, usually, in my case, my husband is on the receiving end. Like umpteen times before, he prayed words that shook me out of my misery. This time, it was “Lord, help her stop condemning herself”. That’s it! I was beating myself over the head with a hammer of self-condemnation. What a trap. One thing always leads to another, and I was being led into discouragement – for what?!? Time to bury the hammer!
So, that’s what I did – but this time, I didn’t throw one into the sea, or even the pond around the corner. I just asked the Lord to forgive me for taking a yoke upon myself that wasn’t mine to carry, put my trust in his sovereignty (you know, he really is big enough to take care of stuff), and turned up my nose to lies based on vain imaginations.
Do you need to bury a hammer?
amber glory 