Wrap it Up

To every beginning there's an end.

But, sometimes, as humans, we like to milk the ending. Make sure the moment lasts "forever."

We see people doing this at wedding, trying to keep their memories "safe & sound" paying the photographer & videographer thousands of dollars to make sure the moment...

lasts

F  O  R  E  V  E  R

In Arabic, we have a word that means "to spoil" or "to touch and/or treat kindly or tenderly."

Delal is the word.


So, today, capture the moment, and spoil the world.

Touch someone's life and live with #noregrets.


eph432/bekind,tenderhearted,forgiving,lkjesus

#myDNA mvmnt.

Despair. Integrity. 

The last stage of life, according to Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development.

Will you despair at your life, while reflecting on it from a ripe age of 65+?

Or will you have lived a life full of integrity; wholeness!

#myDNA says I will have lived a life full of love and intention. Knowing that there is a God who loves me and is for me. Who literally changes the lifespan of society AND makes me feel the pain of others as a sign of his coming.

>>><<<<

A technique used to manipulate mass audiences is fear. A weapon against fear is simply putting up your shield of faith. [eph6] Believing the lies of the enemy is so easy, especially if we have found ourselves spending time with him.

>>><<<<

What does your DNA say? What were you born for? Will you stay true to your calling? Or will you >>>FADE AWAY<<<

Join the #myDNA mvmnt. Ask God what you were born for.

Esther was born for such a time as this. And so are you. Belong. Believe. Become. And remember, if God is with you, he is for you (thanks Pastor Judah!).

<3 p="">
#praylikejesuseveryday

Participation

In our culture, we so highly encourage participation. But, what if you are just meandering through life. For example, you are walking through the busy New York City streets after a haywire day at the JFK airport. You really do not want to talk to anyone, and if you do, it's the person you accidentally brushed shoulders with while speed walking to the nearest subway station. You never think of engaging someone in a conversation or looking up from texting to find the man of your dreams standing right at the corner bakery where you get your morning espresso.

STOP.

Do you ever feel like you are observing life instead of participating in life? 

How much of our life do we actually count? Does all of our life count? Or are there some days where we can slack off or pretend we don't care? How many days have you spent crying out to God about the same sin you have been struggling with for years, when he is more than capable to fulfill your every need and set you free?

The manna that sustained Moses and the people of Israel in the desert will also sustain you! Jesus tells us that he will take care of us. He even uses an addendum,"Oh, you of little faith!," to make himself more clear.

So, what's your excuse for not marrying that girl, not writing that book, or not starting that startup? Think LOUDER. Allow your life to speak volumes to other people not only as a testimony of God's goodness, but also the case for Christ.

This also begs the question: What is my purpose in life? What I am here for? Who on earth would put me on this planet to just eat, sleep, drink, socialize, party, skate, and then die? Oh, I forgot work.

Beauty from Ashes

Giving them a garland instead of ashes...

Isaiah 61:3

What if I told you the World Trade Center Towers were still standing today?

We (as a people) would be celebrating and rejoicing. We have seen pictures of the rubble that was left of the towers on that horrific day. But, imagine if you saw the same towers restored. For example, when you are browsing Google Chrome and you lose all your open tabs due to an unexpected crash, Google Chrome has an option where you can choose to restore the lost tabs due to the crash. Google Chrome makes me happy.


Imagine if you could go back in time and make one last memory by someone you love or once loved. It's as if time never passed. It's as if everything in the world has stopped for this moment. If I could make one more memory with my dad, it would be at my wedding, if I ever get married.

#thanksforthememories
https://youtu.be/onzL0EM1pKY

Isaiah 58.12

Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.

Imagine a slave girl in rags, dirty, filthy, abandoned, and naked. Now, this woman was caught in adultery, having sex or something like that with another man that was not her husband. The religious leaders said matter of fact-ly to Jesus that the law commanded to stone such a woman. Jesus let her go and told her to sin no more. She now had the opportunity that she would have never had, to be pure, unadulterated, fully alive and fully free in the kingdom of God. Her value was restored. She was not a used piece of ass anymore. 

This is the Bride of Christ, fully free from sin (John 8.36). Bill Johnson mentioned in his Sunday evening message, that Jesus will come back for a bride the is equally yoked to him. He will not come back for a bride that is unequally yoked to Him. Equally yoked is a fancy term for someone that mirrors the very image of God. God is pure love. Pure love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13. Imagine a bride adorned from head to toe in magnificent wonder. Full of love for her bridegroom, as her bridegroom is filled with adoration for her.

In my transition to adulthood, I have been to 4 weddings.

At the first one, I felt overwhelming love for the bride. The second one, I felt a supernatural peace. Finally, at third one, I felt joy unspeakable. The word in Hebrew is Hephzibah, meaing my delight is in her. The 4th one, I was just happy to be there.

There is still much work to be done.

God really can change the world through His Bride.

Beauty from Ashes is a huge deal for the Lord. He loves seeing his humans made new in Christ Jesus, born again, born of His will. (John 1, 2 Corinthians 5.17)

The same word "beauty" is used for what the bridegroom adorns himself with the brides beauty.

The Jesus people are being built together into a spiritual house. (Ephesians 2.22; 1 Peter 2.5) That means we are always one with Jesus, so he can live together within our bodies. (Haggai 2.9) This verse explains no building can contain the love, joy, and peace of the Holy Spirit that is in believers today.

People on the streets and other places need to believe that we are in it to win it. #kingdomcome


Imagine a heart full of puzzle pieces, Jesus wants all his children do what he wants them to do, which is the funnest, most creative life you can choose to live. Being sold-out for Jesus is a term used to mean that nothing but Jesus can fit into your little human body. In this puzzle-piece heart, Jesus is looking for all his family. The family of God is the best family ever. We are known by our love for each other. If you ever go out and become a full-time minister, look for the the person worthy of having a family member living there and stay there until persecution or until you are ready to go out to the next city. I want to find as many missing puzzle pieces that complete the heart of God. The thing is, guys, is that God chooses us all the time, but some of us choose not to love him back. Conditional love says, I will choose you if you choose me. God will always love us, even if we do not choose him back.




Believe that God has made you in this image is the first step to seeing people the way God sees them. Follow Jesus and he will teach you how to catch humans hearts, souls, and minds, and save them from the death that is coming for all those who do not believe in the Holy Spirit (resurrection life) of Jesus. #gottacatchthemall

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

When you have a big test tomorrow, and the test counts for a huge portion of your grade, what do you do? You can: A) Be the good student and start studying 2 weeks in advance as though the test was the next day or B) Be the procrastinating student and start studying the night before the test.

Either road you choose, you pay the price. Choosing to be student A could get you better results, but you will have to make sacrifices and be self-disciplined. How desperate are you for a good grade? Choosing to be student B could result in crashing after the test day. Again, how desperate are you for a good grade?

The reward for the student's work is an A. Simple.

Another example is from Crossfit Hoka Hey...

People want to reach their fitness goals. How desperate are you? Do you want to get fit for a wedding? I am. So, I am working out. The best thing I can do is go every day. Costing me time and money. I also have to be self-disciplined. Just as a bride makes herself ready for her wedding day, so should Christians make themselves ready for eternity.

When you are facing eternity tomorrow, and your whole life will be judged by God, what do you do? You can: A) Choose to accept Jesus as Savior to cover your sins and save you from eternal death (mercy) or B) Choose to reject Jesus as Savior and face judgment from God for your sins and face the consequence of eternal death.

How desperate are you to be with Jesus forever? Some people want their rewards on this earth. Again, there is a cost to save your life on Earth. There was a cost for the Rich Young Ruler inherit eternal life: he had to sell all his possessions and give to the poor. Let's just say, he walked away from the deal Jesus put on the table.

What makes you tick? What makes you desperate?

You can choose to run from your problems, like I used to... or train yourself to fight the good fight of faith.

My reward will be in heaven.

"Welcome home, my beloved Child." is better than any A I have earned.

He loves me, he loves me not...

I'm sure we have all played the game of "He loves me, he loves me not..." at one point in our lives. I sure did when I was a kid. Little Amy Lou (as my friend's mom called me) plucking leaves from the honey locust tree in the front yard, wondering what the heck life was all about. I would grab a stem of leaves when rushing out the door for another day as a student in the Lake Central School Corporation. [#lcindians]

Today, Love has found me. Yesterday, I was still looking for love. Tomorrow, I will be sustained by His Love.

You may also remember the game of Wheel of Fortune. In this game, you spin a wheel and where the spinner lands, you get the amount on the wheel. In Jesus' game of Wheel of Fortune, all the spots are already filled with Love. The spinner will always land on LOVE because it is impossible for God not to love you.

Love is not romance, just a chance. Love is purposeful. God has purposed in His heart to love you to the END. Jesus died on the cross ON PURPOSE. It wasn't heaven's accident.
God isn't like, 'Woops, I accidentally sent my only Son into the world just to die.'  or 'Woah, I didn't know that he was going to die for the sins of the world.' God knew very well what He was getting Himself into.


In fact, John 3:16 CLEARLY states, "For God 'so loved' the world, that he GAVE his ONE AND ONLY SON JESUS...so that ANYBODY who believes in HIM will not die, but have LIFE FOREVER."

This is love. God knew very well Jesus was going to be handed over to Pilate. Jesus also knew as well. But, didn't let the cup pass from Him. (Luke 22:42) He did the will of his Father. Jesus loved God, until the end of his life on planet Earth.

Listen to: "Strong Love" by Jon Thurlow

Likewise, in Jesus' version of the game of "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not...," the Mighty King only gives us one option to choose from: He Loves Me. There is no other option except for Him to love us. This is why the church sings:

We won't stop pouring out our love to Him

'Cause He loves us every time

Yeah He loves us every time

Jesus Culture - Heaven is Here

God is the very essence of Love. God is Love.

This is the first verse that my aunt, Sofi, decided to teach her daughter, Cristina. Cristina memorized it pretty quickly at the age of two! (1 John 4:8)

God cannot NOT love. He only gives us one option in the end: to love.

#jesusislove

The last traditional game I played of "He loves me, He Loves Me Not....," was at Bellevue Square Mall. I was at the counter checking out, and I decided to prepare the daisy I bought from the store for this blog post. As I started plucking the petals to prepare the daisy for the picture, the palpable presence of God's love was felt across the counter. People noticed the SHIFT in the whole store!

'Amy Lou' shyly tugs at a flower petal, while wondering to herself, "Does this picture look good for my blog?"

CAUTION: FLOWERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS BLOG

Glory Daisy!

As we grow in His Love for us, confidence grows in who He is and who He has made us to be. In worship, I feel confident singing to him. Ask some of the people who sit next to me in church meetings.

Even as you read Song of Solomon (signifying the bride's love for her bridegroom), the beloved grows more confident in her understanding of the lover's love for her. In marriage, your spouse will open up more and more to you, as he becomes one with you.

"But, Amy...," you ask, "...what about

Those leaves. Those petals. Those pretty little lies.

The disappointments, the hang-ups, the break-ups, the heartaches? What do they all mean? Why did I have to go through that if God 'so loved' me? What is 'so love' anyway?"

We need to find our satisfaction [or identity] in Jesus' 'so love.' To be more secure in the love of God in Christ Jesus. To really know that God has a plan for our good. To remember Him. To be employed with the King of Kings. And to dance in step with the greatest song ever composed. To believe is the answer.

In early 2012 in Waco, Texas, [#wacotown] God whispered to me, "Believe in My Love," as I desperately searched for a drop or snippet of HOPE. The greatest encouragement I have received from Jesus is just that: "Believe in my Love." And those four words will forever mean the world to me. Forever. Believe in My Love, Child. Believe in My Love, Beloved. Believe in my Love, Amy. Believe in My Love, Daughter. Believe in My Love, Princess.

Believe in My Love, ______.

God's Love is not based on the way we think he works. His Love is going to operate in its way (constant, unchanging) whether or not we believe in His Love.

Hopelessness and heartache could be the result of failed or unmet expectations. Sometimes, we put our hope in expectations we put on others. As people, God will not take his unfailing love from us. Because of His Love, we are made to be set free from all condemnation and fear. He calls us to a Higher Place in Him. Because of His Love, we can be set free of everything that hinders his love from resting on each and every one of our lives. He makes all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

Remember:
You are the One He Loves. @judahsmith

I was introduced to the song below from Shaina, a friend of mine from Waco, Texas. She posted the link below on her facebook page back in January. The song so deeply moved me that I proceeded to message her asking her for prayer. She prayed for me and gave me a prophetic word:

1/10, 5:09pm (Amy to Shaina)

Shaina,
I need help from God. Do you have a word or something? I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Amy

1/11, 1:24am (Shaina to Amy)

I feel like He wants you to know that He created you for His good pleasure. That He picked you. He chose you. He wanted you. He adopted you. And He is saying, "Will you trust Me more?" I feel like He wants you to give Him your all. Soul, spirit, mind, body, heart. Yield everything you are at the feet of Jesus and look into His eyes. Spend a few days just gazing upon His beauty as He holds you. Rocks you back and forth. Saying, "I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you. I've got you now, right here in my arms. Will you trust me? Will you give me your heart? I will give you Mine in exchange. Will you look into My eyes? You fill find peace and healing. Will you lay against my chest. I will hold you. I will embrace you. I will kiss your little rosy cheeks. Come away with Me. Come away."
Read Hosea 2 Amplified Version

1/11, 1:35am (Amy to Shaina)

Shaina, I want to be intimate and spend time with Jesus so badly. And I felt his loving arms around me while I listened to Through and Through by Will Reagan that you posted. Yes. I need this. You are so generous in giving me a word. I am so thankful. I just didn't want him to let me go when he was holding me in his arms when I was listening to that song.

&& I pray you KNOW you are HELD SAFE in the ARMS of LOVE. Welcome to the Family. (1 Peter 2:9)

HE LOVES YOU! 

It's a Waste..... really....

& wherever the gospel is preached, her story will be told...

She didn't have to do that. 

She REALLY, REALLY didn't have to do that.

She is f____ out of her mind.

They start to scorn her:

WHY are you doing that?! You're a f------ whore!
(and the voices around her get louder & louder)

Did you f___ see that, bro?!
Yeah, still a whore- doesn't change who she is.

***

based on Mark 14:3-9 

   One morning, I opened the pantry to find some sort of sugar or spice or SOMETHING else nice. As I was frantically searching, my hand hits the bottle of vanilla and you guess it...the cap was loose. I didn't notice the cap was broken/loose, until there were ounces of vanilla on the countertop. The smell of the vanilla started seeping through the whole kitchen. All my room mates could totally tell that something in kitchen was happening. Recklessness. Ugh, what a waste from a stupid accident.

     ....But this woman's perfume poured out was no accident. This woman recklessly gave all she had at the feet of Jesus. She knew what she was giving away- she was giving away everything that gave her security in her life. Did she know how Jesus would react after she gave she was to him?

But, she had faith in the Messiah.

She knew after she offered what she had from her life, she would become new in his presence. When she gave all she had, she arose from Jesus' feet clean & forgiven. She did not consider her life important apart from Jesus. (Revelation 12:11) Jesus became her new life & hope. After all she had desired, Jesus became her pure desire. (Haggai 2:7)

     Now, imagine yourself in her situation. Do you feel the fragrance of your love on his feet? Do you want to give your life fully to Jesus? Are you afraid of losing your security, a relationship, money, job, or a reputation? Are you afraid your offering to Jesus is not enough? Good, because your offering is not enough, but he will take whatever you have to give him. He offered his life in exchange for your life. He gave himself to bring another person (you) into his glorious presence, with no shame or condemnation.

Now, make your life count. He has given us another chance. If you wish you can press the "reset" button, you can look to the cross of Jesus.

 If all you have is your pain to offer him, pour out your bottled-up pain. He will turn your pain into beauty. It's the great exchange, the only exchange that matters.

God took all our sin and exchanged it for a new life in His Son (Jesus Christ). This is our story. It was her story.

Was her act of giving her perfume truly a waste? Or was it just an exchange?
It was a exchange, a glorious one at that.

HELLO, my name is:

David. David was a camper at the first annual KidzJam Spring Break Camp, Catalyst, in Waco, Texas.  Click Here to find out more about Catalyst. I definitely fell in love with his sweet heart. I remember when I got extremely stressed out for about 2 minutes, and he came up to me, took my hand, & just looked at me and loved me. It was so humbling. Beautiful mercy. Beautiful memory.
David means beloved in Hebrew.

A name. Meaning.
A name. Existence.
A name. Given.
A name. Expectation.

John 10:3 (NIV)

The watchman [or gatekeeper] open the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
concept from New Women's Devotional Bible, 2006, pg. 1300:

What are the favorite names I know for God? 

The Good Shepherd

He will never leave us or forsake us. Psalm 23.

Lover of my soul

He will teach me how to love. Psalm 37:4.

He will love us to the end. 

He will stick closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Son of God

He will dwell with us; Immanuel. 

My Beloved/His Beloved

He will be One us.

JT, Mirrors- Song of Solomon version:

Beloved

His biggest seat is set in His heart
There's a space, but now we're home.

Lover

My biggest seat is set in my heart

There's a space, but now You're home.

& God knows my name.

He is with me.

He knows how I function.

He wears me like a robe. (comments?)

He speaks to me.

what about the NEW name in heaven (revelation 2:17):

Shekinah

 The King is Here, manifest Presence of God. 

aka---the name of my future daughter :)

HELLO my name is:

"Catch Me if you can" - JESUS.

I don't got a name, lady!

And it finally happened. I never thought it would. What, you may ask? Take a look at this video, then read on:

I just finished my first bike ride - and I was at the trail's water fountain getting a drink. My friend had went back to help our other friend catch up. So, I was waiting at the end of the trail alone. My drink was one of refreshing to me savoring the few gulps I took after a hike up the last hill. Just as I finished, I glanced up aspiring my next destination, home. Just on the other side of the street, there he was, the man with no name. He was approaching the water fountain. So, I watched him take his soda bottle and fill it with water. I was a little confused thinking, "Why would he want a half bottle of pop and a half bottle of water?" Then, I decided to ask the question...
"Are you hungry?," I asked.
"No..." he said.
"Oh, you sure?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
SILENCE...
"What's your name?" I asked. As I asked, Micah's line wrapped through the crevices of my mind, and with a nanosecond of warning, I knew what words were coming.
"I got no name, lady." he remarked.
I had no response for a good 20 seconds, and by that time he was walking away. Thoughts were running through my head, and I grasped onto one. I remembered that Heidi Baker gave someone a name that had no name. So, I shouted out to him, your name is beloved. I don't know if he heard me, but I know that he was loved by God, and that's all that mattered. As I went home, I needed to watch Micah's poem again. Was the man afraid what I would think if he told me his name? Did he have some regrets? Who was this man without a name? Beloved.

Isaiah 54:10 (MSG)

For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won't walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won't fall apart." The God who has compassion on you says so.

Maybe, just maybe, everyone walked away, and there was no use for a name anymore.

Iron Man 3 | Robert Downey Jr.

I was recently looking back at a project from 10th grade.
I was so happy to find Robert Downey Jr.'s face in this setting:
This is what I wrote while I was attending Lake Central High School, Spring of 2007...
Under "Famous People I want to meet"

5. ROBERT DOWNEY JR.- Just give the man an Oscar already. I think he is a great actor and a down-to-earth person. He has actually went through rehabilitation for drugs and I think he has changed dramatically after that. He is also really handsome. 

I wanted to meet him! I still do. This time to tell him about Christ, the hope of glory. I saw Iron Man 3 with my cousin, Omar, this past Friday. It was full of action. My favorite scene was when Iron Man goes into Air Force 1 situation. People are falling towards the earth towards death at an unstoppable speed, but Iron Man comes in and has each one hold another's hand, creating momentum. This reminded me of God's love... he is constantly pursuing us with momentum. 

Another scene that reminded me God loved me was at the end when Iron Man wins the game and fireworks (of all the other Marks versions) go off. I love fireworks!

Go see this movie, and pray I meet Mr. Downey...soon.

We win, Gracie!

We have all heard the saying, 'Stop and smell the roses.' Do you remember a time you said this to someone you cared about? Do you remember a time this was said to you? If you don't, that's okay.

The phrase's systematic use is to change a persons' perspective on his day/life, not necessarily to offend the party.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege to sit-in on a 2nd year BSSM (Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry) class with Kris Vallotton. After the class, I met with the hero (friend) of my story.

In a good story, when the character gets confused, the writer brings in a friend or mentor. Heroes rarely figure out the path alone.
— Donald Miller (@donaldmiller) April 27, 2013

Her name is Olga. After Kris spoke, I met her in the parking lot. She shared with the pain of my unchanging circumstance. She encouraged me that we are not supposed to make life harder, it is already hard enough. During this time in the car, I recollected memories of where I thought I would be in life... and what these memories of the heart surprisingly brought in was JOY in the midst of my pain. 

A scene-by-scene lifespan ran through my head:

One of me smelling roses, one of me running through a wide-open field of grass (Psalm 23), and finally, a scene of Grace (Liz Taylor) in Armageddon hoping against hope. 

For example, if my friend was in a difficult unchanging circumstance, I would say (at some point in the conversation) have you stopped to smell the roses? There is always good to be found despite circumstances. 

There is always rest to be found in the midst difficult circumstances. "Oh Great God, Give us Rest," by David Crowder  Band is a beautiful worship song to bless you. Psalm 23 is my place in God's story, running in open fields, where time and space seem trivial compared to God's vastness and beauty. (Thank you, Larena for this)

In the 1998 movie Armageddon, Harry (Bruce Willis) sacrifices himself for the sake of his daughter's future with A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck) and for the future of the world. In the final scene, A.J. Frost states, "Harry doesn't know how to fail." A.J. demonstrates faith in Harry. Of course, this is like God. The God of the Bible doesn't know how to fail. He never fails us, he is unfailing love (read the Book). Before Harry preses the button to detonate the asteroid that is about to destroy the earth, he states, "We win, Gracie!" Love knows no sacrifice that is "too big." It does not stop at "woah, that hurts way too much to give that part of me away." Love gladly gives the deepest part of it away, without stopping. Scenes of Grace's life pass before her eyes, and the mystery of God is revealed in this scene (2 Corinthians 4). Love always wins. 

God's goodness is ultimately shown when he sacrifices Jesus for the sins of the world to be removed, and for the world to know truly who God is: Our Father. Let his sons and daughters rise. (John 3:16; Romans 8; John 1)

Today, I want to ask you have you stopped to smell the roses? 

What have you done for someone else today? (John 15:13)

That's Something Else!

Last November, I was at Calvary Church in Naperville, IL. My friend Marie Fe (a Spanish Professor at Trinity Christian College) told me a pastor was going to minister to los Zetas, a people group, in Mexico. I didn't know who they were, yet alone what they are known for. (At first, I thought they were a "people group," but then I realized they were a drug cartel, who are still a people group)
She just told me this pastor was risking his life for the sake of the gospel. So, my first thought was, 'man, this guy is crazy!'
Then, I realized, dangerous people groups are important to God. Woah. [this has nothing to do with the recent terrorist attacks in Boston, Jahar is a different story]
I was sitting in lifegroup thinking, man, 'I know how these things work, but then I heard about this radical man of God going to risk his life for the sake of the gospel.'  Literally, he was saying I am ready to die for this, thinking to himself it has been a good race, if I die, I die.
***
I found myself back n Aurora about 4 months later.
So, she updated me last March (2013). It was amazing!
She said he went down there. When he went down there (Mexico), he was doing the work of Jesus. I asked her how did it go, is he alive? Then she went into the story...
He went down there, and los Zetas wanted a good story. They told him it better be a good story, or we are going to kill him. So, they put him in a van, and he was thinking that's it...I'm gonna die- this is crazy.
But, then a blind lady who got healed started looking for the evangelist. She came up to the window of the van and knocked on the window, los Zetas opened up. And she was testifying my eye is better! I can see. They decided what he was sharing was worth listening to!

At this point, I responded, "That's Something Else." Anyway, I realized that was Jesus! So worthy to be praised!

Really great! Until next time, do what you do.

The Grace of Obedience and Faith

Small indication of what Grace truly means:
I was at Family Christian Bookstore, and I had bought some journals for my disciplees. When I bought the journals, the cashier accidentally rung me up for 3 of the "Grace Journals." I understood then, instead of getting my money back- I could have counted the mistake as "loss" for the sake gracing 2 other people with a "Grace Journal."
But, did I do it? NO! I walked out of the store with $8.65 back in my account. Grace is having a new idea because of a mistake (new ideas=kingdom mindset), and after seeing the grace (in this case, seeing that two girls could have gotten a journal);
Don't expect the world to conform to Jesus, they cannot read your kingdom-mind. Obedience takes every compromise or distraction that will keep you from doing God's will. Lies of the enemy usually come in if a decision has been made in faith, but then the Lord puts in the mind of the Christ in you, and says if I already did this in faith; whatever comes against me, I know that I will have the promise. It does not matter how much you are troubling the other person. If I really wanted those other two journals and obey God, THEN I would have troubled no matter who (NO MATTER WHAT THEY THOUGHT) to get God's will done.

Guess who is going back to Family Christian Bookstore or maybe Mardel's?
The church needs to be a place where people will not find any place else like it (Presence of God, power of the Holy Spirt cannot be BOUGHT) When someone runs into you, they need to be running into the power and presence of God's love. No fear, no sorrow, no pain, no worries; just the powerful place of prayer in abiding in his Presence (Psalm 91).

Three's Company

Last night, Amara and Kenyai came to the Hearth (where Amara and I live) after worship practice. And they started, yes you got it, worshipping. After a while, I felt a familiar presence. Kenyai started worshipping, "I'm in my quiet place.....(~10sec later)....wait, wait, this is not MY quiet place, whose quiet place is this....(Holy Spirt: Amy)...Amy, this is your quiet place?" Phenomenal how Kenyai tapped in to my quiet place! But, yes my quiet place... {Psalm23}.

I was pondering on this thought a litte, and I thought to myself this is where you are ministering out of, your quiet place. When you worship, pray, or minister to someone you are inviting them in to your secret place. So, three is definitely company in my quiet place; that other person is Kenyai. (joke, goes with title of blog)

Amen.

Zealous without knowledge

So, I got a word from my friend, Alice, during a Rick Pino Concert at Acts Church that I was like a Lion going so hard after God with power and strength and zeal, but it is God moving me forward so fast; then, I hit the Presence, I was filled with JOY. (Rick Pino is having a 50-hour worship night from March 2-4 in Austin, TX) I got to talking to my Sociology professor, and he reminded me of a quote in The Chronicles of Narnia that describes Aslan as not safe, but good. I knew everything in the presence of God would be good. So, yes, I can trust God!

This also reminded me of being a trumpet for the Lord. Calling out the wicked to come into the light, as Ephesians 5:11 says, "not to have anything to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather exposing them." Elijah was very zealous for the Lord. I want to be zealous, but with knowledge. Zeal with a good purpose, not just when certain people are around, but because God is around. My friend Austin Murray said that lack of love for God is the root of the fear of man. The fear of man can be overcome by power evangelism. Today, when I was at Carino's the Lord touched a woman with the Father's Love. It was beautiful. If you are a Christian you are a soul winner because you trusted and asked God for wisdom.

This is how it (abiding, doing) should be everyday. Everyday, allow yourself to actually "do" something, instead of the rushing and hurrying and the plowing through the day. Take one moment and REJOICE in what the Lord has done. Those who preach the word of God out of love need to be CONTINUALLY abiding; there is no other way to preach the gospel out of love. Wait for refreshing before preaching the gospel; my discipler and good friend once told me that she needs to repent before she tells someone about Jesus (acts 3:19).When preaching the gospel out of love, the Holy Spirit becomes your Comforter shield and protector. His faithfulness is never ending, and his mercies are never ceasing, new every second. Also, you are in a continuous overflow of prayer or commune with the Father.
 Ignorant zeal is worthless; 
   haste makes waste. 
Proverbs 19:2

This verse came to me after I cut a chunk of skin of my ankle when I was shaving. I decided to shave my legs even though I was running late. Since I made the decision at the last second, I proceeded to shave my legs quickly. And, of course, I felt the sting. Then, the blood started running. All over. I literally take a pad to step on so that my foot would not get blood all over the bathroom rug and tile. Finally, I bandaged my wound. Do not go up to people without a good purpose to share Jesus. It's worthless. So, now I told God that I would share Jesus with anyone he told me to, and not in a hasty manner. I ONLY have one agenda, and that's God's: to love. God's love can come in so many ways, and who am I to limit His love and mercy? His compassions are never failing. 

Acts 17:11 talks about how the Bereans tested everything that Paul preached to them about Jesus. They studied it for themselves. I hear the Spirit asking, Who do you say Jesus is? I know that he is I AM! Also, when I preached to this one guy. He said he knew Jesus, but said he was not a Christian after I preached the gospel. But, in this moments, you can always pray for the person.

God is moving on Baylor's campus! :)

The Lord Loves Revealing Himself, Ways, Plans, and all he has prepared for us.

He loves it. He says if we seek Him, we will find Him, if we seek Him with all of our hearts. He also talks about fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding. Also, He said to boast in this: but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” So, I  think it's great. We get to search and understand matters of the Lord. I LOVE THAT. 




Oh, also, READ 1 CORINTHIANS 2!!! Wisdom through the Spirit!! You know I'm reading this book, How Then Should We Choose?, and it talks about three views on God's Will and Decision Making! We are under the LOVE, GRACE, the NEW COVENANT. So, now, we have wisdom through the Spirit, which I think is the "Relationship" view of making decisions according to  God's will. He said that he would reveal Himself, we want to have more. It's great that he tells us we can have as much as we want! That's great. We can know and understand his will as much as we want! I LOVE THAT. dang. 

Decisions

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds...


Decisions have become my "trials of various kinds." That's crazy! I know God is producing faith purer than gold, and I'm thankful! Lord, please continue to guide and give me clarity and peace during these times. I thank you and rejoice in you! You are amazing, and teach me everything. YOU ARE SO FFUNNNYYYY!

Teacher, Rabbi

Lord, teach us how to pray. This required them unlearning ways. I am ready to unlearn ways that I have been stubburnly stuck in to learn His perfect way. The realization that your way of giving grace isn't perfect is fearing the Lord. That HIS way of grace is perfect. Jesus said HE was the way, the truth, and the life; and that no one comes to the Father, but by HIM. I'm sorry for making Christianiy something where I defined the rules of my obedience, trust, and compassion. That's enough for today. We need teachers to rise up in my church. (Hebrews 6) I can teach, and I'm willing. So, I'm willing to go, and like Paul, to beat my body into subjection of the teaching, that I myself may not be disqualified. Self-gratification is not a biblical teaching. WHERE ARE THE CRIES FOR ANGUISH? Who will go?
Let the world say of Christians, how do they teach with such authority? It doesn't start in you, it starts with a broken, contrite spirit.

Time

It's inevitable I can't control time. There is a time for everything, and I have to let the Holy Spirit take control with my time issues.
There's not enough time is a lie that many are following bait to. This is ABSOLUTELY not true, there is a time FOR EVERYTHING is what Ecclesiastes says. I will allow a time for laughing and a time for crying. Time is inevitable. We can't escape these times. I've tried to run out of the moment. It will come, just trust Him and his Spirit. Funny my love language is quality time. 

Bondage of Fear/Spirit of Fear

So, I realized this morning that fear had a huge impression on my life. I had a fear of sinning; and unfortunately, I measured up to my own religious standards. This put me in a horrible place, where I did nothing. My heart grieved the Holy Spirit, quenched it....told Holy Spirit... I can't feel you, so let me be my self-sufficient self to please God. The thing is without faith working through love, life is nothing. You can't please God, nor be in friendship with Him. I would be in this place, of what does this person think of me? Am I causing this person to sin? Am I being perfect? The trouble with this thought process is you can't get anything done! You spend your time thinking about things that need to be done to better yourself, but the Spirit of love, power, and sound mind has completely left in the sight of the Spirit of Fear.

Tuesday, I went to Christ for the Nations, and I met this prophet, let's just say he pointed people out in a crowd and prophesied over them. Anyway, I went up to him after service and he prayed over me. He prayed that the bondage of fear would leave, and that the Lord is not calling me to a comfortable life, but I life of adventure, but I had to take a leap of faith. He said it was like jumping out of an airplane. The sermon had been about going into deep, deep waters.

Saturday, I went to First Assembly of God Huntsville, and saw evangelist Sean Smith. His first sermon was about the spirit of fear and how it controlled us. I definitely struggled with the fear of man and fear of failure. Not good things. He told us that discouragement was the number one thing that steals dreams away from us. He talked about taking RISKS since that's the new way FAITH is spelled. God works when you take RISK. He doesn't when you are not acting because of fear. He reemphasized that it matters the way you live your life. Funny, he used the jumping out of the airplane analogy with God being your parachute.

He's whispering to me, Amy work with me, I'll give you the grace. I was telling God work with me, but God opposed me. I was taking upon my own yoke of selfish indifference or apathy and pride when I couldn't feel the authority and mindset of Christ. When you don't know who you are in Christ, you can't make eye contact with people, because you are under the law of sin and death, which is condemnation. If you try to back it up with a spirit of performance, or faking it, you will end up in a rut of a spiritual life.

My dear friend, Erica, spoke this over my life...unlocking this morning a new season in my life:
You are a woman of Excellence...you were born to be Great. You have such a charismatic/fun spirit about you. I see the Lord revealing the endurance you have always carried, and breathing life over areas of uncertainty in your heart. You are a carrier of wisdom, health, and power. I see you letting go of the need to manage how things happen or when, because I see you trusting your Father. 


god is good.