Church was amazing today. All week I've been thinking about my need to trust God with everything--my fear of the future, of the unknown--and now this mornings message was on trusting God.
Miracles do happen, people.
"Can we trust God to [till] death?"
We focused on Psalm 20. David's posture is amazing. I guess that's what its all about; our posture.
Then I ask myself, "What is my posture? What does my posture, my faith, look like to those around me? Especially during difficult times? Am I really a good role model?"
I want to look like David. I pray that I do or will someday in the near future. Hands lifted high to the Father during every thing in life.
"Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
Have you ever thought about what your posture might look like? Have you read Psalm 20 and pondered such things? Am I the only one?
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Help!
So I've been trying to brainstorm a new name for this blog. Something that fits, that I love, and that is catchy (to a point). Please comment with some ideas!!!
Here are a few that I've come up with thus far:
Here are a few that I've come up with thus far:
- Prone to Wander
- In Christ Alone
- Live. Love. Faith. Purity.
- Dear Amy
- When Given a Pen...
What is your favorite? Have any suggestions/other ideas? Please comment below! <3
Saturday, July 23, 2016
A New Novel Idea...
Lying in bed, putting my brother to sleep, I allowed myself to dream. Or rather, I couldn't keep myself from it. As a result, a new novel idea let loose:
A girl, around 16 years old, has had heart problems since she was twelve. She's been wearing a heart monitor on her belt since.
At youth group one night, a new kid, a boy around her age, showed up. New kids show up all the time; there wasn't anything curious about it. Until her heart skipped again. As usual, she fell to the floor, unconscious. Upon awakening this new boy pulled her aside. Apparently one of the other kids there had told him what happened and how it was nothing unusual. The youth pastor knew what to do and took care of it, so it was no big deal. After all, he was a doctor before becoming a youth pastor. The boy asked her, "You don't actually have heart problems, do you?" A shocking question, coming from this new kid. She stared ahead, refusing to answer. "I checked your heart monitor after you fell. It didn't show any signs of your heart skipping a beat--like they said it does." He looked her in the eyes. "I know what's happening to you and I can help."
...
So what do you all think? Don't steal the idea. I'm declaring copyright. ; )
I'm really excited about this idea and I'm ready to get started with the plot. Though I won't be completely abandoning the Darrion Marine story. <3
Have a blessed weekend!
Amy Kathleen
A girl, around 16 years old, has had heart problems since she was twelve. She's been wearing a heart monitor on her belt since.
At youth group one night, a new kid, a boy around her age, showed up. New kids show up all the time; there wasn't anything curious about it. Until her heart skipped again. As usual, she fell to the floor, unconscious. Upon awakening this new boy pulled her aside. Apparently one of the other kids there had told him what happened and how it was nothing unusual. The youth pastor knew what to do and took care of it, so it was no big deal. After all, he was a doctor before becoming a youth pastor. The boy asked her, "You don't actually have heart problems, do you?" A shocking question, coming from this new kid. She stared ahead, refusing to answer. "I checked your heart monitor after you fell. It didn't show any signs of your heart skipping a beat--like they said it does." He looked her in the eyes. "I know what's happening to you and I can help."
...
So what do you all think? Don't steal the idea. I'm declaring copyright. ; )
I'm really excited about this idea and I'm ready to get started with the plot. Though I won't be completely abandoning the Darrion Marine story. <3
Have a blessed weekend!
Amy Kathleen
Translation Comparison
I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from the mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1-2 (MSG)
This is how the group, for King and Country, begin their song, Shoulders. One thing I've noticed about this group is that they like The Message Bible translation, using it in several of their songs. Mom says she doesn't like that translation as much because it is paraphrased rather than word-for-word:
I agree.
Though I like seeing it side by side with other translations. And sometimes I like this one more. Like now, for instance.
Psalm 121:1-2 MSG brings me comfort as apposed to it in another translation:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
And maybe its just how Joel says it in the song with the music in the background that makes it so touching--but I don't really know.
The translation that my family most often uses is the New International Version, but lately I have been reading from New Living Translation.
I agree.
Though I like seeing it side by side with other translations. And sometimes I like this one more. Like now, for instance.
Psalm 121:1-2 MSG brings me comfort as apposed to it in another translation:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
And maybe its just how Joel says it in the song with the music in the background that makes it so touching--but I don't really know.
The translation that my family most often uses is the New International Version, but lately I have been reading from New Living Translation.
Friday, July 22, 2016
What's New...
So hopefully everyone knows by now, we are indeed moving. All the way across the country.
*dramatic pause*
Yes, we are, once again, moving to Arizona. *happy dance* But honestly, I have mixed feelings. I mean, it's been three years living here in Minnesota-- I should have mixed feelings. In fact, when the news was much newer I felt bad by not having mixed feelings. I was praising Jesus all the way for this amazing and miraculous news.
But then it hit me.
I mean, things here haven't been great. Life at home has been extremely difficult. But outside of home? With my new writing friends? And the youth group (I finally started going!)? That was great. And I'm going to miss that. A lot.
I am honestly afraid of what life will be like again living in Arizona. I'm afraid of the influences. I realized something drastic the other day...
I have never been boy-crazy. I mean, I hope to get married one day, but I'm not pushing for that to happen. I trust that God will bring him into my life at just the right time and I don't want to screw that up by dating every guy I meet. Forgive me, but I hate the dating game.
I'm not even sorry for saying that. : )
Anyways, so when we last went to visit Arizona in February I was talking with a close friend of mine and he was trying to get me to say who I had a crush on. I didn't have a crush on any guy at the time, but my sister got it in his head that I did, so I had to come up with someone. Originally my answer was a guy I had a dream about marrying once whose name was Ryan. That satisfied him until he realized that Ryan isn't a real person. Then I went to my back-up guy, Fitz, from my favorite book series Keeper of the Lost Cities (by Shannon Messenger). Then he found out he was fictional as well. So, I finally gave way and said I was interested in a guy in my youth group (Lord, please don't let him be reading this!). Then he started asking all sorts of questions about this guy from my youth group. I answered them all and began thinking. Suddenly, I really did like the guy. I was becoming boy-crazy and I'm sad to say its been going on for a few months until I made this recent discovery.
And it wouldn't have happened if I never went to visit Arizona.
This is what I am afraid of; losing my purity because of the pressure/example/expectation that I face in Arizona. While I am here I can easily tell you I refuse to lose my purity, but there?
Is this me being afraid of the unknown?
Mom and I keep reminding ourselves; mosquitos and wood ticks--reasons enough on there own to make anyone want to leave.
Also, though, the memory of the difficulties we've suffered as a family over the past three years makes us want to leave.
But my friends here-- I don't want to lose them. Some of them I just made at a writing conference (more on that later) and some that have helped me through so much during these painful few years.
And then there is distant relatives. Most of my family (distant relatives) lives here (though I am happy to announce that my aunt, uncle, and their five children are moving with us!).
I keep telling myself that once we get to Arizona, everything will be fine. All my old friends will help us unpack and life will be as it was before (sort of). But I don't want to forget all of you up here. I'm afraid I will forget all of you in the busy/craziness in Arizona. I know I won't. But I'm still afraid.
But why is that? Why am I so afraid? I say that I trust God. But if I still have this ever present fear living inside of me, have I really put my full trust in Him?
Guys, this is heavy on my heart. Please pray that things get better--that I can put my full trust in God and his plan in all of this and fear no more. Thank you! <3
So what else is new with me? Well, earlier I said I was going to tell you about the writing conference, so that is a great place to start.
I went to a writing conference/workshop/thingy a few weeks ago and it has been LIFE CHANGING! I will be coming back to this next year!
I met one of my favorite authors-- Jennifer Nielsen.
And I made amazing new friends.
And I learned a lot and it inspired me so much! <3 <3 <3
Other new things-- my aunt (the one that is moving with us) had a baby!! <3
I recently met up with some of my writing friends from the conference (and from co-op).
And they inspired me to outline my novel and keep writing {cause I'm not alone in the battle}. <3
Well, that's all I have for you for now. <3 God Bless!
So I've Been Thinking...
...which can sometimes be scary. Ha!
Anyways, I'm thinking about posting monthly. I don't want to sign up for more than that though.
Cause I'm afraid if I "sign myself up" for anything more that I will feel too overwhelmed and not do it.
Sorry guys. This life... : (
But I CAN easily (I hope!) promise a monthly post. ;-)
I pray this works out! <3
God Bless, Amy Kathleen.
P.S. Oh, and 25 days till moving day! Yikes!
Anyways, I'm thinking about posting monthly. I don't want to sign up for more than that though.
Cause I'm afraid if I "sign myself up" for anything more that I will feel too overwhelmed and not do it.
Sorry guys. This life... : (
But I CAN easily (I hope!) promise a monthly post. ;-)
I pray this works out! <3
God Bless, Amy Kathleen.
P.S. Oh, and 25 days till moving day! Yikes!
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