Revolution...

OK...so...I have been reading this book that is just absolutely phenomenal! It is called Irresistable Revolution by Shane Claiborne. He is a revolution and is truly striving to live out Biblical truth no matter how radical it may seem. Every bit of the profits made from his book goes to several charities, ministries that are listed in an appendix in the back of the book along with websites to those ministries.

I am not even halfway through this book and it is causing me to ask serious questions and to make changes in my daily walk. If you don't want to change, don't read it...

I have been on what i consider both extreme ends of the spectrum of Christianity...I have been completely lost in the pit of sin and I have felt God's presence so closely that I though I could never fall again.

There have been thoughts and feelings I have had that many people might think have been crazy or not well thought out (i.e. selling my house to go to China). This book is showing me that those things are not crazy and that GOd has called ALL believers to follow Him as closely as possible. He talks about "radicals" and how many people in the Western church see him and the ministry he has started for the Lord as being radical. He says:

"I think that if what we are doing seems radical, then that says more about the apathy of Western Christianity than about the true nature of our discipleship. And this is why 'radical' has to be coupled with 'ordinary.' Our way of life was typical in the days of Marthas, and Peter's family--houses of hospitality, which was the standard call of early Christians, who abandoned their personal possessions to a new family. This is to say nothing of the countless others who gave up everything and left their homes with no money or food or even sandals to follow Jesus. Christendom seems very unprepared for people who take Christendom that seriously." (p. 30)

I don't know about you guys...I am so tired of being apathetic and settling for the things that we Westerners see as being best for us. Maybe that is why God is sending me to an EASTERN country! I just had to share this with you all and hope and pray that we can continue growing toward being radical for Christ...

Believe me...there is more blogging to come from this book!!!

In Him,

Amber

Friends and China!

I just want to say that I am so blessed by God and friends who speak clearly and in love! Actually those friends that have spoken to my heart most recently probably don't know how much of an impact that they have had, but I intend to share with them ASAP. The problem is that I have been working such crazy hours that time hasn't permitted me getting together with them. But...I am so VERY thankful for them and for the God that has put them in my life!

That being said, I have a brief China update...I have had my newsletters written for quite a bit but haven't actually mailed them all out yet because I have hand written notes and hand addressed them all....so, the official newsletters will hopefully all be mailed out by midweek this coming week. Some got early copies because I was really excited, but you will all get "official" newsletters too!

Also, if anyone out there wants a one on one meeting with me to learn more about what I will be doing with my Father in China, let me know! I will also be calling within the next months to set some meetings up with folks so I look forward to getting to share the passion my Father has given me for His work in China!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Fabulous...

I am just feeling so blessed to be alive and to have a Father that loves and adores me so much!

I began my day by joining the gals for Bible study this morning...God's GRACE was the topic and the conversation was perfect and I was blessed by it!...then I went to the Creation museum...I enjoyed trekking through creation and the planetarium which is a MUST SEE....

Then my friends Geri and Rich preformed Gomer, a play that is about Hosea's wife...it is written and preformed by Geri, who took creative license to interpret the story of Gomer. It is a fabulous testimony about redeeming love and grace and mercy...I had seen it before but this time I was not with a date and was able to truly feel and experience the emotion that comes with knowing and feeling the grace that God extends to us.

So...I am blessed and continue to try and live under God's grace daily, realizing it is a day by day choice...

In Him,

Amber

P.S...watch for my newsletter via mail/e-mail
If I don't have your mailing or e-mail address...let me know...I will add it!

freedom...

OK, so it has been quite a while since I have blogged and I am at a friend's house who is having a Halo 3 party...a new video game that is out...and I am here to socialize, which isn't happening since everyone is playing the game...so I decided to blog...

Anyhow...I am really striving right now not to complain or "belly ache" about how my life is going...the tears are flowing which actually feels great and I am absolutely striving to find some bit of wisdom or comfort...I know my Father is here and I know that He is totally strengthening me but life just stinks tonight you know?

I actually have good and bad things that have happened today and as I wrote the last bit, I know it was my Father that brought the following bit to mind! :)

So, I was at my grandma's tonight (my dad's mom) for dinner. Well that side of the fam is very liberal and they in no way want anything to do with religion and have no concept of what a relationship with my Father is about...either that or they blatantly choose not to have one. So, I was sitting on the couch with my uncle and we were watching football and he began asking me about China...I had the chance to discuss with Him the things that I would be doing and more importantly the reasons.

My grandpa was in WWII and earned a bronze star while there. He served the US postal service for over 25 years after that and was pretty high up though I am not sure of his actual title. My family absolutely places him on a pedestal and we all are just proud of where he has been and how he has served. I am VERY proud to have my last name because of Him...

I say all of that to tell you that God led me to relate what I was going to be doing in China to my grandpa. My grandma has been kind of discouraging in my preparation and coming move to China and she says that I don't appreciate the government or the freedom that we have...

I was able to tell my uncle today that I DO appreciate the freedom I have here....but what I appreciate and absolutely love more is the freedom I have in my Father. People in China don't know my Father and don't know the freedom that they can find in Him...They don't have the opportunities to know Him that we have here in the US. And I, more than anything just want to tell them how they can be free...

Glory to the Father for writing this blog because I totally got on to complain and wrote it exactly how the thoughts were coming to my brain...hahaha....even that last bit...the end.

Love ya'll!

All things are made possible!

Friends...Somedays I am just so free through Christ and I can't help but just be excited about what God has done and how He is moving and providing! He is completely faithful, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is in control. At the same time I am struggling with the fact that my computer is broken and I have to rely on going to the Library or other people to use their and it is a time that is VERY important to have one! I need to write my first newsletter this week and it is due Thursday however I do not have the usual convenience of using my computer whenever I have freetime...so, that is a challenge and I appreciate ANY and ALL prayers because it really and truly is a struggle!

I have an amazing praise though and it overshadows the computer problem a thousand fold! My mom and I have come to an agreement concerning my house! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I will be able to move to China debt free, assuming all goes well with our plan, AND keep my house! He has proved to be amazingly faithful and I am just blessed to see Him work after so much prayer!

Thank YOU all for your prayers! I am blessed to be surrounded by such a fab group!

Love ya'll!!

Amber

During the past months, God has placed this Scripture on my mind and heart A LOT!!!


“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God[d] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. '"

Matthew 6:25-34

Pray for my meeting today!

Hey friends! I have a phone meeting today at 2:30 to go over a huge box of stuff sent to me from the agency I am going to teach English in China with...the call should take an hour or more, just ask my Father to continue to be evident in His leading and that my heart is open to listen to Him during the preparation to go, so that I am ready!

Love ya'll!

Praying God's word...

Father,

You are God, Creator of everything, compassionate, gracious, abounding in love, redeemer, Father, Friend, wonderful Counselor, Physician,...You are EVERYTHING that I could ever want or need! You are more than I deserve!

Lord, I desire to glorify you in EVERYTHING! Please forgive me for failing to make good decisions and for allowing my sin to transform in to footholds. Deliver me from evil so that I can glorify you in my life! Allow me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I can know what your will is for my life. Show me how to throw away detestable idols so that I don't stray from you ever again! I want to be a blessing to the nations of the world so that ALL people will come and praise YOUR name!


YOU ARE GOD, HELP ME TO RECOGNIZE THAT WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT!

In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,

Amen