Overthinking...

So I think way too much, way too often.

so we talkin'...

I sent this to myself as an email on September 26, 2013 and I wrote "I needed to vent. (h.c.) I probably wont know who I'm taking about when I read this in a year or two... It's cool, they probably weren't really worth it." And I'm right, it wasn't worth it. So I post this now in hopes to re-encourage myself and others to know that dark season only last for a little while. Keep pressing though.

So we talkin’... we frands...

I don’t get it. I don’t expect you to give me the world.. Nor do I really expect you to make me yours.. or do I? I’m pretty sure I just established the truth about our friendship, that anything more wouldn’t be worth it. Our values... Our way of living... They wouldn’t mesh, wouldn’t merge, wouldn’t make it. We’d explode eventually, but are you willing to help me pick up our pieces? Am I willing to pick up yours?

This doesn’t make sense. I shouldn’t care as much as I do. The fact that you lied to someone else about our simple little friendship... it just gets to me. What did I do to be in your lie? I really do believe if you have to lie you’re wasting your time.

But who am I to tell you about how to live... how to conduct yourself in front of other s or while in secret... I’m not your maker, I’m not your keeper. I’m not your lover, that’s for certain. It’s all about love though. The unfulfilled longing to be loved. To be wanted. To be certain that I am his and he is mine.

We frands... we talkin’...

Love..... something that isn’t worth giving up on. I’ve learned that recently... But who I’m fighting to love may need some reconsidering. Because loving someone who doesn’t love you back would just be a set up for burn out. It is really worth it for me to invest my time into you? What are my motives? What are yours? Will this amount to nothing... just like the rest have thus far?

God’s love is so different though. His love is so “there”, so perfect, overwhelming, really.  When you least expect it and when you need it most, it’s there. His love has come to me in the form of protection! In the reassurance of my worth! In the promise and hope of going to something better and greater than I could ever imagine when I finally leave this world! But in the meantime, while I am still here...

God I ask you to keep me close to your heart, for me to sense your love even when I don’t feel it. Please give me wisdom in this situation, guidance in my speech, let Your Holy Spirit fill me. Teach me Your ways, cleanse my thoughts, help me to stay pure and holy. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Note to self:

Get the focus right.

Remember where you’ve come from, and how He’s brought you here.

Work out your salvation.

Never give up on love. REAL love.

Free will

free will

noun

1. 1. the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; 
2. the ability to act at one's own discretion.
3. (as per Google search "define free will")

What about my free will?

If anyone ever questions you, oh fellow Christian, about "free will", this should help in answering. Remember be gentle... "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) 

Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 (NIV)

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

We've all been given the ability to make our own decisions, aka free will. 
The choice here is between life and death;

between one or the other

there is no "best of both worlds"

Should we choose death, a life without God, we will be given it. 
But in choosing life, life will be given and that to the fullest in Christ Jesus!

brief note: now, someone may question "the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate"... No one is forcing anybody to choose the way of life versus the way that leads to death. It is ultimately our choose as individuals to choose the way in which we want to go. Hence, the free will part. 

John 10:10 (NIV)

"The thief [the devil, the one who lives for death...] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they [us, humans] may have life, and have it to the full." Emphasis mine.

Romans 6:23 (NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Choosing life is like selecting the best gift ever! 

The choice is ours, so we might as well choose what's best for our souls! 

A gift has to be received before it can be rendered effective. 

For more information on how to understand and receive the gift of eternal life, check out the links below:

How to Know Jesus

Thanks for reading,

Amanda

...and a video for those that want to be refreshed and reminded this is not a religion.

Quote from "Close Enough To Hear God Breathe" by Greg Paul

Each time I find myself in a new phase of life, I become aware that the period I have just passed out of -the period in which I thought, "This is it! This is what I'm here for!"- was really mostly a preparation for where I am now. By this, I become aware that redemption is at work in me, turning the junk of the past into treasure. This is the power of redemption. It doesn't merely release me from slavery,but sets me on the path to a true home. It not only heals, but gives a previously unknown strength too. The very Locus of suffering becomes a place of glory. 

I wonder, sometimes, should I be aware at the last there I haven't long to live, if I will be delivered into a moment of awesome clarity, the understanding that the whole journey up until now has been for the purpose of bringing me to this moment. In that moment, I will here it; no longer a quiet breath, but a joyful summons, deeming me-

My Beloved.

mission accomplished

we are done

completed

perfected

finished

successfully accomplished

flawlessly executed

polished off

concluded

all wrapped up

carried out to completion

done

finitio.

it's over

but we made it

:)

**making it to the end of a successfully executed group project is such a good feeling; but honestly, i'm glad it's over!!

Skit Guys Jesus Memo

There is this amazing duo. A duo of amigos that make amazing skits with intense messages. Although I don't know their real names (never really looked into it), they still have a major impact on my spiritual life.

I came across this video the other day; it was a good read, I must say. Hope you enjoy it! 

Heavy Rain 2013

Ordinary people giving ordinary praise to an extraordinary God, and He absolutely loves it when we give Him the praise that He so rightly deserves. We love Him because He first loved us; we weren't even looking for a Saviour, but He still showed up and extended His hand in love!

Wonder where God is? He's right here with you.









Notes from the Friday night service
on January 4, 2013

Speaker: Anthony Maclean



Watch it here








Deep thoughts: if God was here before
the beginning of everything what was He doing? If there is a God, what made
God?








There is nothing in the world that is
self sustaining (or existing), everything that exists relies on something else.
However, there has to be a starting point. There can't be a continuous cycle of
this depending on that depending on this and so on. So what came first, mind or
matter? Mind. The mind created the matter. 








Genesis 1:26-27




Blog post: Seth Godin. No one is
going to pick you. Pick yourself.




Bed rest! Be still, relax, and slow
down. In the stillness you will find life, or at least save it. 




If you always see yourself as sick,
or in pain, all you will be is sick. Unless you see yourself the way God see
you.... Think positive.








Romans 8:5

It's your mind that will make you
spiritual or carnal. What are you putting into your think-box?

Walk by faith, not by sight, but we
don't drive that way. 

We need to fill our mind will
spiritual things rather than carnal things.

We shouldn't turn off our
relationship with God when we watch movies; He's with us always.








James 1:13-15 (NIV)

Jesus set us free, we need to renew
our mind to live our in the freedom He's given us. Our desires are usually on
our minds, and hearts, so if you're envisioning the carnal thing, you'll soon
fall into that temptation. 

(Philippians 4)








Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

Blessed is the one who does not walk
in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the
company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who
meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by
streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not
wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)








Dry seasons never have to happen.
There are different seasons, but being dry won't happen when your roots are
deep within the riverbank, soaking up the water from the river. 






Read the bible till you can take it
with you, not memorizing, let it be life changing. (Pearl in an oyster, the
grain of sand is turned over and over in the clam, and over time it becomes a
pearl). 








Isaiah 55:1-2

Sudoku: why labour for what does not
satisfy?






Ignorance. Knowledge. Wisdom. Understanding.








Movie clip: Inception... In the safe deep down
inside you, God wants to plant a truth that will totally change your reality.

Scramble // Little Children

It's Sunday morning, 9:45 AM. 


I hear my dad announce that he and my mom are ready for church. I spring up out of my bed hoping it's a dream, but it's not! I have less than 15 minutes to get ready, oh boy oh boy. After the brief scramble to get changed and fix my hair, I make my way downstairs. Upon reaching the kitchen mom gently reminds me that I'm teaching the kids this morning; freeze pane. Teaching the kids, aw crap, I had totally forgotten, and she reminded me earlier in the week too, twice. And so another scramble begins.

 Arriving at church I hurry upstairs debating on whether or not to keep my day job and give up on the kids.... But as I type this, I remember the time where they gave up on me when I was younger, and how that kind of broke my heart. So I can't give up on these kids, I can't be selfish like that. 


Ironically, the lesson for today is about when Jesus encouraged the disciples to let the little children come to Him (Mark 10:13-16). Sadly I'm very much like the disciples right now. So as I take a break from typing this I shall teach the children about Jesus' love for them. 

The Year of the Lord's Favour

Day 4 

Today was.... I don't really know. Neither good nor bad, it wasn't too stressful or really all that fun.  

I just finished reading Isaiah 61; it's entitled the year of the Lord's favour. All of it is really special, it provides us with the reminder that God is righteous, and magnificent. It also encourages those who believe in God that He has a great love for us and wants to bless us and see us progress and prosper for His glory. 

My prayer is that this passage of scripture be taken seriously for me and my church in 2013. God has equipped us to do amazing things in His name, Jesus even tells us so! The year of The Lord's favour; let it be so!

As I type this my family is in the other room singing praises to God, dad on the accordion, mom and Nonna singing. We're so blessed to have the freedom to worship Christ wherever we are in Canada. I think I should go join in, after all, I wouldn't want to rob God of what He rightfully deserves.  

Let everything that has breath, praise The Lord! (Psalm 150:6)
Amanda on December 29, 2012 at 9:23pm

Hold Your Anger

Day 3

It's amazing how the littlest things can get on my nerves, things that don't or eventually won't even matter... But honestly, when I don't meditate on what's caused me to be upset, the anger just fades, and when I think about it again it all seemed sort of pointless. Thankfully I didn't do anything stupid while I was angry that I might regret now...  

 I thank God that His anger only lasts a moment and He remembers we are but dust... Nobody's perfect except God, so I really shouldn't be expecting anyone to fit the role of perfection except God. 

Lord, God, forgive me for my failures, thank you for making me whole though your Son! Continue to mould me and shape me into who You want me to be, I trust You. 

Amanda on December 28, 2012 at 1:45pm & 7:22pm

Already Given

Day 2 

Oh my goodness... So I worked produce today from 8 to 4... So much heavy lifting my back is hurting so bad, especially my tail bone! Well anyway, I ending up taking a two hour nap or so - much needed, and I feel better now (: 

I downloaded the YouVersion bible app today and read John 1:1-18 to my mom and dad. It's a good reminder that us humans need a Saviour, that we aren't kinds of the world (the creator created it all, we have just used what He's created!), and that God is extremely gracious. Extremely seems so small compared to how gracious God really is.  

In verse 16, it says: Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.  

While I was reading it, I honestly paused to taken in what I had just said out loud.... 'Grace in place of grace already given'. Wow.  

In 1 John 4:19 it says that we love because He first loved us... and through faith it is by grace we have been saved (Ephesians 2:9). My understanding is that God, in His unfailing and divine love, has allowed us to receive His grace through our faith in Christ Jesus. And then has graciously given us even more grace. The fact that I'm alive and that I know God has amazing plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) is because of His grace. I have nothing to fear, God will see me though every good time and every bad (Joshua 1:9), He is with me wherever I am. I can do anything I need to do through Christ who strengthens me. 

I should get some sleep now, thanks for reading.
Amanda on December 27, 2012 at 11:50pm

New iPad

Day 1

First full day complete... This is fantastic, I really love this thing! It's super neat, so many things to do, so many games to play... Speaking of games I'm addicted to one called Mega Run, there's a little dinosaur thing and you have to make him jump over other Dino's and get the coins and gems... I think it's quite fun, at least for now. 

Typing this out is much easier than writing my thoughts in a journal, although tangible things can be nostalgic er sentimental...

Anyway, I want to dedicate my iPad to my Heavenly Father, and I think this is the appropriate spot to do so. I bought this iPad for a few reasons, but the first and possibly most important one is that I will be using this iPad for the remainder of my university career for classes and group work and so on. 

Dear God, I thank you so much for allowing me to even own one of these incredible devices, and for providing me with the financial comfort to purchase it. I pray that as the blessed user I will be responsible in using my iPad in a way that is pleasing to You and to effectively assist me in completing my school work. Give me the faith and courage to press on through the remaining year and a half, may I be your light, love, joy and peace wherever I go and to whomever I encounter. You're so faithful and mighty, Your name be praised! In Jesus' name, amen. 

And gooooooooood night (:

Amanda on December 27, 2012 at 12:36am

I said I loved puzzles

1000 pieces of under the sea beauty.
Took 6 days, probably around 14 hours, to complete.  Apparently it's 3D! 

This puzzle's so small!
500 pieces, although 3 were missing...
so I guess it's only 497 pieces =P

Beautiful Venice!
500 pieces, finished it in 2 hours...
Don't worry, I have a life, too.

Self explanatory.

More to come ;)

What's Your Relationship Status?

What's Your Relationship Status? - Casual / Convenient / Committed

Speaker: Michael Wallace
Date: August 17, 2012



James 2:14-20

V.19 -- We want to believe in something that will remain true. Time and time again we cry out to God but time and time again we fall into the pattern of disbelief.

Causal - a person who does something irregularly, lack of consistency.
- You are more like a practical atheist; meaning you believe in God but you live to a practical stand point. You don't allow the teachings to affect you

Convenient - fitting in well with the persons needs, involving little trouble or effort.
- Jesus came to serve, not to be served. It didn't say He came to serve to receive something in return.
- You are the kind of people that care more about their personal gain, rather than the gain for the Kingdom of God.
- You do things to please people, what good is it for?
- You might say you're part of a church.. But you don't give a single dollar, any time or anything..
- Don't abuse God's grace.

Committed - to be bonded or obligated to a particular cause, action or attitude.
- Jesus asked "Would you like to BE my disciple?" Then he said "Alright, you argeed to it. Take up your cross, died to yourself, and follow me." This is a lifestyle.

6.5 billion people in the world, 2 billion have heard The Word... 4.5 billion haven't heard the truth yet, they have no hope, no destiny, no knowledge of the only way that will lead to God.

What holds causal and convenient believers back is doubt.

Jesus came to Thomas, asked for Thomas to follow Him... Thomas willing went - dropped everything and went with Him - he was the bottom of the barrel, he had nothing.
Then after Jesus dies Thomas turned away... Read John 20:25.. It was hard for him to believe in a Messiah who died.. "How is it possible?"

There are some of you who are doubting... I believe that sometimes God allows those doubt to happen in our life so that we can see Him and then go after Him. God will never stop running after you, nothing that can separate from His love.

John 20:26-27 - Stop doubting and believe.
If you're willing to seek, your doubts will be followed by discovery.

Mutemath Tour 2012

I'm going to the Mutemath concert in September with one of my amigos and I'm stoked out of my being! 
These guys are awesome, even though awesome seems like such an insignificant word to express how great they are. If you like alternative rock then you're in for a treat!
Check'em out:
Blood Pressure [Live]
Typical (Video)
Prytania
Backfire (Video) 
And there's plenty more where that came from!

I like puzzles!

Confession: I have this crazy obsession with puzzles. I just love them! 

Here are a few pictures of puzzles I've worked on and completed in the last eight months. Enjoy!

This puzzle glows in the dark! 

It also has more than 2 polar bears in it... it actually has 10 in total! 

Can you find them all?

 
This one, although blurry, is actually considered 3D. The balloons pop out. See to the right, the shell of each balloon was connected by clips, there were number tabs that had to be lined up for the balloon to take proper shape.

750 pieces. 

The Grand Canyon. 500 pieces?

My momma picked this puzzle. It has 550 pieces. 

1000 pieces. Completed in less than 5 days.

To the left and right are Work In Progress pictures.
I did complete this one eventually.
It looked like the picture above.

  

I love this one!
Light houses are one of my favourites!
750 pieces

Sorry it's slanted.
Toronto skyline at twilight.
750 pieces

More to come... 

Descriptive Wallpaper

I stumbled this amazing wallpaper while checking out  this persons blog. So technically... I stole it... but technically... I'm not claiming it to be mine. Just sharing it with whomever stumbles upon this blog.  Feel free to do the same. Click and drag it to a new window to see/read it better.  

The Best Question Ever

Awhile back, maybe two or three years now, my closest friend sent me three pod casts, sermons, by Andy Stanley.  As the title of this entry notes the series is called "The Best Question Ever".  It's honestly amazing, a thought provoking message!  It has encouraged me to re-think my every decision: past, present, and future.  It's challenged me to set standards for myself, to stop living life so close to the edge.  

I encourage you to listen to it, but also to evaluate your own life and the way you've gone about making choices.  Don't take this lightly.  Allow God to change you through this message. 

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ircNnGrRpCg 

More about Andy Stanely: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Stanley

More about Andy's Ministry: http://northpoint.org

God's richest blessings!

walk it out

(July 6th - Fraser's last friday for awhile)

Philippians 3:12-14

If you wanna finish this race, reach the end goal, you're gonna need:

1) His Presence
- He inhabits in the praises of His people
- We need His presence every waking moment of our life, it's equivalent to needing gas in your car to go somewhere
- Exodus 33:15
- Ask Him daily to be with you and guide you through everything

2) To Recognize that God has a Plan for Your Life
- Jeremiah 29:11
- You might not have all the skills you need, but He's given you the ones you need for this moment.
-- Just step out, and serve.
- Philippians 2:13 - when God is with you, nothing can stop you.

3) People
- Relationship is everything.
- Need to find people who are going to be with you, not only in the good times, but when things get back. People who will encourage you, and call you out on your crap.
- (isolation is a sickness - it blinds all wisdom)

Run Forrest Run

Twitter: @TheCollective__ 
Speaker: Gerry
May 11, 2012 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." --Hebrews 12:1-3

Forrest had braces on his legs, he struggled when he first started running, but then his braces just broke off and he kept running as fast as he could.

1. Drop some weight.

Remove whatever is bringing you down.
If you allow temptation in your life, you will feel weight in your spiritual life. When you run you won't run as fast as you should be.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." --Matthew 11:28

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,  they will walk and not be faint. " --Isaiah 40:30-31

When we run towards God we are asking Him to help us through it. And after that we have to continue to chase after Him, only then will you live life to the fullest.
If you don't deal with it now, you'll have to deal with it later.

2. Cut the triggers off.

If lust is a temptation you struggle with cut off any access to it... If you pull the trigger the bullet will come back to you.
Don't idolize people, things, or anything that isn't God. We need to constantly run after God and nothing else.
Don't step into the ring - the ring is temptation - run away from it, let God fight your battles for you.
Story: Joseph. Read it here: Genesis 37:11-36

"Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."--Galatians 6:7

The reward out ways the cost to do what is right.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:19

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."--1 Corinthians 10:13

3. Don't forfeit your race for anyone/anything.

Persevere; keep running. 

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." --1 Corithians 9:24

4. Cross the finish line.

Finish what you started. Grace is empowerment.

Final thought: God is saying to you, "Run _insert your name here_, run! Run to Me! I will give you rest! I will give you strength!" Do it.