tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102258352011-08-20T05:08:24.495-07:00Jesus didn't die so we could have a religion.Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-76938207442475495232010-11-22T21:56:00.000-08:002010-11-22T21:57:43.269-08:00

Life is short. We of all people should know that. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. It's today. Today, this moment, the present choice that counts. It's not what you plan to do when you grow up, retire, get "that" job, have a family, have kids, move. It's all now that matters, this moment. But what about my friends, my relationship, my coworkers? What about school? I have too much going on. My

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1127882054104876812005-09-27T21:33:00.000-07:002005-09-27T21:34:14.116-07:00

It’s a fine line to walk, God. It looks the same on the outside, but it is where the focus of the mind and soul is at. That’s why we can’t judge others. I am pretty sure I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, but my fears are being played on. What if the uniform isn’t worn? In the Baptist upbringing, the guys parted their hair, wore polo shirts and khakis. J always had his goatee,

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1127191997247354202005-09-19T21:48:00.000-07:002005-09-19T21:54:13.393-07:00

The Apostles knew the Lion of Judah. We Gentiles relate mostly to the Lamb of God.The Apostles knew the Lion of Judah- The Judge, The Holy One. The God who took out a giant, shut the mouths of lions, parted seas, destroyed Pharoahs, brought judgement on a whole nation, resuced teens from a blazing fire, whisked people to heaven, took down and set up kings, controlled the clouds, rain, oceans, sun

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1126545182463206192005-09-12T09:39:00.000-07:002005-09-12T10:13:02.503-07:00

Maybe you have been there?Last night before I went to bed, I sent a confidential E-mail to a distribution list instead of the individual it was intended for. Talk about egg on my face. I started getting that gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach. The E-mail was private about a circumstance that has been going on that was supposed to be sent to the youth pastor. I think next time I will

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1125954364561261782005-09-05T13:13:00.000-07:002005-09-05T15:12:10.083-07:00

I have been writing here since the beginning of the year, and I have had a lot to say. I wanted to highlight my favorite posts- the ones that really ring true to me still. Therefore, to the right of your screen you will notice the heading, "Best Articles". Listed are my votes for the best articles. If you want to save some time and get the meat of what's here, that's probably a good place to

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1125942938401976192005-09-05T10:45:00.000-07:002005-09-05T13:11:30.696-07:00

I suppose if I updated this blog more regularly, I might have a more regular readership. :) I digress because that isn't even close to the point of this blog. I am not here to write to or about others. I am here to write about what God is doing in my life and the truths He reveals as my relationship with Him grows. Lately I find it hard to get all the excitement and promises across to the new

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1124421355362101822005-08-18T20:03:00.000-07:002005-08-18T20:29:11.383-07:00

The trap we fall into is thinking that we have all the answers. We think that if we just say the right thing it will be a magic pill to help that person up when all it does is burden them more and push them further down. After we express what we are sure the cure is to another's ailments, we walk away feeling elevated and superior because we know better and are more spiritually enlightened and

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1120617198013627442005-07-05T19:26:00.000-07:002005-07-05T19:33:18.036-07:00

Why do we rarely meet the "real deal" person who is the same Sunday morning as Tuesday afternoon? We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are given wisdom through our Spirit. We live a fully free life when we make the decision to be transformed. We have to take the step to follow Jesus and then take the next step after that. We never "arrive". Going to church on Sunday

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1119336965388680382005-06-20T23:52:00.000-07:002005-06-20T23:56:05.393-07:00

It's true- Life has gotten a bit hectic. Don't worry. There has still been plenty of time for me to spend with God, just not with you. Sorry 'bout that.My husband is going to start running a Wednesday night for the youth at our church. We are excited. I was at the point where I was ready to start making my own plans because I really felt God wasn't making any for me. I was frustrated to the

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1116265745130153882005-05-16T10:30:00.000-07:002005-05-16T10:49:05.176-07:00

"Jesus' blood never fails me."Simple songs from a song chorus, but powerful words.Faith can grown and expand until the day you die. You can know God more fully and intimately tomorrow than you do today. Each year should have a marked difference in your experience with God. And my faith is filling up like a helium balloon right now. I am starting to understand, however slightly, that this new

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115789956294415432005-05-10T22:36:00.000-07:002005-05-10T22:39:16.296-07:00

Romans 8- There is a new power at work. It is God in me. It is his Spirit in me. That is so much bigger than I could ever put words to, much more than I could explain or display.So what's coming? What's possible? What isn't possible? What is God growing me up for? What is he shaping me into? What will he use me for?

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115681112256719482005-05-09T16:23:00.000-07:002005-05-09T17:50:56.533-07:00

Is it common for churches to run themselves in a manner that provides a great, moving service with the mentality that somehow the lost people in the community will just somehow find them and end up in a pew? God will magically move on them and transport them to the church if that's where they are supposed to be? Are we relieved of pro-actively reaching the lost because God will find them and

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115653427982607482005-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:002005-05-09T08:43:48.100-07:00

Sin was calling most of the shots as the old law code hemmed me in. And this made me all the more rebellious. In the end, all I had to show for it was miscarriages and stillbirths. But now that I'm no longer shackled to that domineering mate of sin, and out from under all those oppressive regulations and fine print, I'm free to live a new life in the freedom of God.Is that statement my

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115484250964596562005-05-07T09:38:00.000-07:002005-05-07T09:44:10.970-07:00

For those keeping track of such things, yesterday was the last day of the forty days of prayer as a congregation. We have devoted five minutes a day, three times a week for the past forty days to prayer. Today is the first day of a ten day fast. The pastor said that he wasn't asking the whole congregation not to eat for ten days, but it is another dimension to add to the prayer life. For those

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115317992719922942005-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:002005-05-05T11:33:12.850-07:00

I have been praying that God would show me my heart where there are things that need to be exposed and taken care of. That the places where I harbor junk that would get in His way would be shown. And so it has happened in a most unlikely way. There is another blog I keep. I have a decent readership and I circulate among many of them. Yesterday my sister was harsh in her comment to another

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1115055727322872892005-05-02T10:41:00.000-07:002005-05-02T10:44:13.840-07:00

Last night I was reading out of Romans in Chapter Four where Paul talks about how Abraham was blessed not because he was circumcised but because God chose to bless him before Abraham had done anything noteworthy. God set everything up for Abraham but Abraham's lack of faith caused him to take the blessing into his own hands and "help" God.Abraham didn't have to do anything to help God. And when

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114718996742986722005-04-28T13:09:00.000-07:002005-04-28T13:09:56.746-07:00

I have had a hard time concentrating on praying lately. My mind wanders. So I shall use the next five minutes as my prayer time and write it.Lord, I think you for your hand in my life. You show me where to go so clearly. Thank you. Continue to pour yourself into me so that I can be ready for whatever you have. Give Jeremy and I discernment and wisdom about where to go next and what you want from

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114634502881060812005-04-27T13:25:00.000-07:002005-04-27T13:41:42.883-07:00

My vision for teens comes from David in the Old Testament.David was strong in the Lord before he ever showed up in the Bible. He had already won God's heart before he was anointed. God was looking for the heart of a king. When David stepped on the field where Goliath was, the victory was in his heart because he was able to build upon the victories against the lion and bear that God had already

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114564382263202382005-04-26T18:11:00.000-07:002005-04-26T18:13:02.263-07:00

I am joyful. I do not have to move! The church we were considering did not offer the job to my husband and me. We were at the place where we saw how the church needed us so badly that we told God we would go to do his work if they asked. They did not. And it boiled down to the lack of full-time ministry experience for my husband. Our vision was what they thought they needed and every other

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114173115038755912005-04-22T05:24:00.000-07:002005-04-22T05:31:55.040-07:00

I woke up after having a dream about people coming to my house to talk to my husband and I about the ministry job. I wasn't ready. I was in my PJs and there were stacks of stuff scattered all over the table. The rest of the house was clean. So I am up at 5 am today. I walk over to my computer to turn it on and check on all you fine people and there is a sticky note on top of my computer-"

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114122631413998262005-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:002005-04-21T15:30:31.416-07:00

I need someone to just vent to. Pity parties don’t last long in the presence of God. He knows my needs and concerns because I already dumped them at his feet.But I am starting to understand how something can look the same on the outside but it is the subtle differences on the inside that make all the difference.I am afraid of legalism. I am not going to minister to legalism. I cannot be under

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1114109914558830212005-04-21T11:56:00.000-07:002005-04-21T11:58:34.556-07:00

This morning in my devotion time, I read that God is in this moment. We shouldn't be waiting for a huge revelation in the future. We shouldn't camp out waiting for a revelation of God. He is revealed now. And it helped me because I am at a place of limbo in my life right now. I see the writing on the wall, but I am still waiting. I need to move in God whole-heartedly right now with what I

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113327462718122572005-04-12T11:36:00.000-07:002005-04-12T11:17:33.573-07:00

I have questions, people.When I read the New Testament, I get confused sometimes.Peter and John were outside the gate Beautiful and a crippled man asked for money. Peter said, “I don’t have a nickel to my name but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Messiah, get up and walk.”And that’s exactly what happened.My question is, why doesn’t stuff like that happen anymore? (I

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113329769168394352005-04-12T11:15:00.000-07:002005-04-12T11:16:09.170-07:00

I am terrified of losing out on God. I am terrified that I won’t feel his presence like I do now. I am terrified that I won’t be able to walk in his power or enjoy a congregation that welcomes his presence like I get to experience now. I am afraid of walking away and settling for less of God than I have now. I am afraid that I will be surrounded by dull people; people that are dull towards

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113241613228816452005-04-11T10:36:00.000-07:002005-04-11T10:49:14.186-07:00

I have a lot going on in my head today so I am posting again. There might be more. If you like to keep up, there will be plenty of reading material for you here!I am continuing to mull this church move over in my head. I have come to several conclusions.1. The church we are at now prayed us in. They were specifically looking for a young(er) couple with specific capabilities and viola! here we are

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113228340688811922005-04-11T06:58:00.000-07:002005-04-11T07:05:40.690-07:00

Someone had asked for an update on the prayer and fasting that is going on at the church.We have been committed to praying for the past 14 days as a church congregation. (As part of the leadership team, it has been since January.) What we have committed to doing is praying for a total of forty days. Each day, three times a day, five minutes is set aside in prayer. At the end of forty days, we

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113196313603657272005-04-10T22:04:00.000-07:002005-04-11T07:22:58.573-07:00

Into your hands I commit my life.My flesh is screaming at me to stress out. My flesh is trying to push into the front ground of my thoughts all the things I would miss, all of the reasons not to go.But I will go where you want me to go. I will do what you want me to do. I'll do anything for you. My life is yours. I am your pawn, your vessel, your creation, your servant. I say it. I believe it.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113111734062496962005-04-09T22:40:00.000-07:002005-04-09T22:42:14.063-07:00

During fasting, may my physical hunger would be less than my spiritual hunger for you. Where there is lack in the physical, let me be filled beyond measure spiritually. Where I have weakness, be my strength.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1113075759436106572005-04-09T12:41:00.000-07:002005-04-09T12:42:39.436-07:00

I woke up with a strong sense for a need to pray and read the Word today. I checked my blogs, chatted with my dad on MSN Messenger and sat down, picking up where I left off in Galatians. I read about 2 chapters. Then I had a “Well Duh” moment.I grew up as a blonde. I can tend to be a stereotypical blonde. Things that are obvious to everyone else come to me in great ephiphanies. When I share

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1112727382675005272005-04-05T11:39:00.000-07:002005-04-05T11:57:32.886-07:00

I read a really good synopsis of Galatians last night. I am going to copy it here for your reading pleasure.When men and women get their hands on religion, one of the first things they often do is turn it into an instrument for controlling others, either putting or keeping them "in their place". The history of such religious manipulation and coercion is long and tedious. It is little wonder

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1112561061804472072005-04-03T13:44:00.000-07:002005-04-03T13:44:21.806-07:00

Sometimes I can't put a finger on what I mean. Especially when God uses my whole life to teach me something, by the time I learn it, it is such a part of me I can' t explain what I mean.I have never heard my heart's cry vocalized. I have never had my whole life's purpose summed up. Until this morning. It made me cry. Sometimes I feel like I am an island when it comes to how I view things. I

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1112323178603151142005-03-31T18:36:00.000-08:002005-03-31T18:39:38.603-08:00

It is a simple concept, really. If we really have an understanding of Jesus, we will not make a practice of sin. Sure, we will stumble. We will fall. But if we have a relationship, we won't live in it. We won't indulge it. It will not be something we are "okay" with. If someone really knows Jesus, they cannot help but to be completely enamored with him and completely sold out. And that

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1112158238005039662005-03-29T21:49:00.000-08:002005-03-29T20:50:38.006-08:00

My feelings and perceptions surrounding Josh’s death don’t fit into my picture of God. I John 2:6 says, “Anyone who claims to be intimate with God out to live the same life Jesus did.”Jesus is my measuring stick in my relationship with God. What’s the shortest verse in the Bible? “Jesus wept.” I knew that for years. I recently learned what he wept over: A friend died. Jesus wept over

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1112078205508219132005-03-28T23:35:00.000-08:002005-03-28T22:36:45.510-08:00

Just to mark the day, I should let you know today is day number one.It is the first day of about 500 people in my church starting to pray three times a day, for five minutes each time for 40 days.Buckle your seat belts.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1111864113102498502005-03-26T00:06:00.000-08:002005-03-26T11:08:33.103-08:00

2 Chronicles 20:12-22 “O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel….He said, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1111723567806726072005-03-24T21:06:00.000-08:002005-03-24T20:06:07.806-08:00

I think it is interesting that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. A kiss is an expression of love. God is love. Jesus was the fulfillment of love. And he was sent to the beginning of his death with an expression of love.Of course, this got me thinking. How many things look like love or an expression of love but are really just the opposite? How many of those things are a betrayal of love?

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1111253593573912692005-03-19T10:35:00.000-08:002005-03-19T09:33:13.576-08:00

The most disappointing NASCAR races are when the last laps are done under the caution flag. Everything seems to move in slow motion but the drivers are still striving for the finish line. For the guy that was in 2nd place and taking over the 1st position, it must be frustrating. Yet, we are all called to finish well. Psalm 62:1 (MSG)- A David psalm. God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1111161748810794562005-03-18T08:01:00.000-08:002005-03-18T08:02:28.813-08:00

How do we overcome the discouragement that is bound to hit when we are truly following Jesus? Sometimes the service we are called to seems overwhelming. Sometimes the goodness we see in the Word is no where to be found in our surroundings. Rom 1:12 What I am saying is that we can encourage each other by the faith that is ours.And yet the key to be encouraged is getting together with

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1111001116648480412005-03-16T11:24:00.000-08:002005-03-16T11:54:25.133-08:00

We get restless. When we are almost there, we want to be there. We can taste it, see it, feel it and we want it. Paul said to not give up the race but to finish strong. You are almost at the finish line. Who would tell you to stop running? Don’t give up. Finish this last leg of the race with pride. Don’t give up your prize. Be encouraged. Have hope. The end is near. The finish line is at hand.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110823089329307852005-03-14T09:56:00.000-08:002005-03-14T09:58:09.333-08:00

..I would rather have never been born. I would rather not have breath because I would never have life. If Jesus didn’t come and I still was born, I would rather be a vessel of shame and ugliness just to display all the more clearly the absence of holiness. I would rather point to his glory in my lack than to try to be good without a Savior. Without Jesus I am nothing but chaff. I am nothing

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110482994373238162005-03-10T11:29:00.000-08:002005-03-10T11:29:54.376-08:00

The sun has finally come out. The rain started in Mid-October. The dreariness set in. We were hit on all sides, financially, physically, spiritually and emotionally. We saw teens robbed, violated, beat up, kicked, and hurt. We felt despair. We felt sadness. We felt hopelessness at times.But even thrown about by the waves, I clung with every last shred of strength to the rock called Jesus.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110343480228466482005-03-08T20:34:00.000-08:002005-03-08T20:46:24.836-08:00

"Satan's angel did his best to get me down. What he in fact did was push me to my knees." 2 Corinthians 12:8 MessageIs that my response when I begin to feel overwhelemed? When life is pushing so hard I feel like I am going to snap in the face of it all. I feel sometimes that the life of a devoted Christian is kinda like rolling a huge stone wheel up a gently sloping hill. If I break then the

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110222031867223912005-03-07T10:55:00.000-08:002005-03-07T11:00:31.870-08:00

"Taste me and see that I am good."I was getting ready this morning and thinking of people like Greg who are agnostic who don't believe in God or any spiritual doctrines. I wish I could explain to Greg how much God graces me and favors me and what a difference that makes in my life but it is quite unexplainable to anyone except the person it is happening to. And I thought, if Greg could ever get

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110171852887330092005-03-06T20:56:00.000-08:002005-03-06T21:04:12.890-08:00

I am never embarrassed about God. I will tell anyone who will listen everything I can about God. I do not like to tell people I go to church. I just realized today that I am embarrassed about church. I feel that people would judge me about being a church-goer but I am not so worried about being a Jesus freak. I believe that a widely held notion people have is that everyone who goes to church

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1110037794227528522005-03-05T07:35:00.000-08:002005-03-05T07:49:54.230-08:00

The Bible makes so much sense to me. I can look at the teens and make observations of life in general, like an insatiable appetite to feel fulfilled and then I start reading my Bible and WHAM-O there it is in black and white written down almost two millenium ago.James 4:4-10 MSG "You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109869523639373892005-03-03T09:03:00.000-08:002005-03-03T09:05:23.640-08:00

Reminder:We do not war against the flesh but against things unseen. Our weapons are the Sword of the Spirit (the Bible) and prayer.So, let's be sure to devote an equal amount of time pointing our fingers at the media, rock stars, pop culture and society in general as we do picking up the tools that will actually conquer these influences in the lives of our loved ones.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109825049573150352005-03-02T20:16:00.000-08:002005-03-02T20:44:09.576-08:00

Diet soda usually tastes funny the first time someone tries it. It has to grow on us. Most diet sweeteners are only substitutes for the real thing- sugar. There are many varieties of these sweeteners and all sorts of things we can put them in and mix them with.And there are artificial sweeteners in life that our teens are poisoning themselves with. It is the world's view of life's sweetness:

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109775144610851232005-03-02T06:47:00.000-08:002005-03-02T09:41:39.656-08:00

My life is a love letter back to the Lord. How do I love you, Lord? Let me count the ways. From my rising in prayer to laying down in prayer tonight, let me express my love for you through what I do:Let my mouth be kind in the words that pour forth. Let me be discerning about what I allow my ears to listen to. Let me have wisdom and self-control in what I will see with my eyes. Let my feet

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109635764413117782005-02-28T16:07:00.000-08:002005-02-28T16:09:24.413-08:00

Sometimes we pray for a miracle and ask the mountain to be moved when we are simply supposed to act in faith and go up the mountain.I pray for perseverance. My life is easy, but my heart's burden for the teens is hard sometimes.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109635510219565612005-02-28T16:02:00.000-08:002005-02-28T16:05:10.220-08:00

More information on Terri Schiavo. I don't think these changes are a coincidence. Please keep praying!Thanks to Bud for the victory notice.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109562699867651992005-02-27T19:40:00.000-08:002005-02-27T19:57:44.130-08:00

This winter started in mid-October with unusually cold weather and lots of rain. It is usually cold for a total of five weeks here, and the sun is shining for all of them. It has rained since October and has not really stopped until today. Today felt like Arizona. It was sunny and warm. My large dog got his first bath since October. I know that is gross, but you try lifting a 125 pound dog

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109456815363944362005-02-26T14:23:00.000-08:002005-02-26T14:26:55.363-08:00

I have been thinking and I get in trouble when that happens.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109375021409455502005-02-25T15:31:00.000-08:002005-02-25T15:43:41.410-08:00

I'm not giving in. I'm not giving up. I will not let discouragement take hold. I am not here to prove that I can fix things. I am here to prove that I am a servant of God and I will obey him. He knows what people want and what people need to have a better relationship with him. He can discern the heart and know people's motives. He can decipher what the teens need.I know that most people

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109369538281078002005-02-25T14:10:00.000-08:002005-02-25T14:12:18.283-08:00

Terri is getting more national recognition. Her case is the first article on msn.com today.See this article for more information.Keep those prayers coming, people. This is a landmark case for any one of us when we get elderly or incapable of fending for ourselves.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109304250749989662005-02-24T19:46:00.000-08:002005-02-24T20:04:32.516-08:00

This is a "Tag! You're It" kind of excercise except you have to volunteer to be tagged.Carmon started a Interview Game as part of a “Blog-a-thon” at Buried Treasure Books to raise money for an Ethiopian orphan named Azanou who needs eye surgery. I volunteered at Michael's site, Chasing the Wind. Anyway, here are the interview questions he’s asked me:1. What about you has changed the most since

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109297429210177162005-02-24T18:08:00.000-08:002005-02-24T18:10:29.210-08:00

Since I started reporting on Terri, I think it is only fair to keep you up to date.So, Lucid Moments has some more pertinent information. I am so very glad this is getting recognition on a national level.KEEP PRAYING!!

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109209350316077532005-02-23T17:40:00.000-08:002005-02-23T17:42:30.316-08:00

Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea!I have not had time to check this out myself, but Amy is reporting that the judge is now reviewing whether her husband is fit to be her advocate!!!HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD. People, if you need proof that prayers work, here it is.Who needs to appeal to the govenor or the judge when we can appeal to the Creator? I am so very excited and I wanted to share this

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109087130660379872005-02-22T07:40:00.000-08:002005-02-22T20:31:50.566-08:00

Update- Things you can do!Write a letter:The Judge's Information:George W. GreerRm 484 315 Court StClearwater, FL 33756The Prosecuting Attorney's Information:George J. Felos, Atty595 Main StDunedin, FL 34698-4972Phone: (727) 736-1402The Governor's Information: (He can actually DO something immediately to change the situation)Jeb Bushjeb.bush AT myflorida DOT com (Email him!) (850) 488-

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109052988801860502005-02-21T21:44:00.000-08:002005-09-05T14:38:52.226-07:00

"We cant keep quiet about what we have seen and heard."Do you ever feel that way when you run across a sensational story or something wonderful happening in your family? Somehow the topic just comes up in every conversation, even when getting groceries at the store or paying for dinner at the drive-thru. Some things in life are just too good to hold in and not share with everyone.And of course,

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1109029506561279392005-02-21T15:32:00.000-08:002005-02-21T15:47:32.640-08:00

It never stops, does it?A girl got saved in the youth group this past summer. She is now pregnant. When teens fail (the teens I minister to), it always causes me to reflect on the ministry we are running. I realize life is all about choices we make and I can't make choices for people. They know right from wrong. They know about God. But it still causes me to stop and ask, "Is there

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108874438167779462005-02-19T20:18:00.000-08:002005-02-19T20:44:18.836-08:00

A girl was new tonight. She came with a friend and smelled strongly of alcohol and cigarettes. She was overweight, dressed in boy clothes, complete with trucker hat. During praise and worship time, her group of friends stood in a row in the back of the room. I watched as they talked. At one point, the new girl's cell phone rang and she answered it. One of the guys who comes regularly told

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108798843829580942005-02-18T23:39:00.000-08:002005-02-19T13:32:09.796-08:00

Please read this. Terri SchiavoIf there is ever a "Bloggers Unite" cause, this is it! (In my mind anyway.)Here is the family's offical website for more info.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108798343174456492005-02-18T23:02:00.000-08:002005-02-18T23:32:23.180-08:00

Since my main objective here is to have an arena to expound my spiritual thoughts so I don't drive everyone I know crazy by talking incessantly and so I can go to sleep when I go to bed.........It's time to fess up. Life is feeling kinda heavy right now. I feel guilty even mentioning it. I feel (and yes, I know this isn't true) like if I am a good Christian, that I will always feel like

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108700288040580462005-02-17T20:15:00.000-08:002005-02-17T20:20:46.343-08:00

Ephesians 4:1-7 NIVAs a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108621576249965672005-02-16T22:07:00.000-08:002005-02-16T22:43:32.403-08:00

How many times have you had a day that was horrible (or a month or a year) and you just wish that you could sit with Jesus face to face and have a conversation with him? How often have you had a question because things in life don't make sense and you wish that your time on earth coincided with Jesus' time on earth just so you could get a glimpse of him. Sure you have heard the promise, "

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108525934022758152005-02-15T19:31:00.000-08:002005-02-15T21:43:04.053-08:00

There are a lot of blogs out there. There are many blogs belonging to Christians dedicated to discussing topics of Christian interest. The quality blogs really point me back to focusing on Christ, to spurring me on towards good deeds in God, to help me to consider my relationship and life with Christ and how I can do better. Steel sharpens steel and there is some steel out there. There is

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108407354959007332005-02-14T10:43:00.000-08:002005-02-14T11:08:22.003-08:00

So the question has been posed, "What is the best way to be salt and light in this world?" See here for an already on-going discussion on the issue. Amy has put a thoughtful and thought-provoking post up.How do we live in the world and not lose our saltiness and yet still be effective in reaching lost souls and pointing them back to Christ?Some people would like to discuss how salty or how

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108144342865802772005-02-11T09:43:00.000-08:002005-02-11T09:52:22.866-08:00

I believe that churches do not dream big enough. We do not dream outside of our four walls. We talk about what could be different in the world, what's wrong with people in our pews, bicker over theology and fine tune our Sunday morning programs. We gorge ourselves on ourselves. We give a nod to the outsiders but do we really do anything meaningful for them?Isaiah 54:2- (The Message) Clear

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1108051642296464932005-02-10T07:58:00.000-08:002005-02-10T08:07:22.296-08:00

What's so special about Phoenix First Assembly? It is a mega-church in America but that is not what makes it special. I just got back from the Pastor's/Leadership Conference there. The church is packed with extraordinary talent in all departments from youth, music, drama, preaching, deacons, prayer, marriage builders, etc. But the special thing that I noticed there is the ability for the staff

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107905024820500832005-02-08T15:19:00.000-08:002005-02-08T15:23:44.820-08:00

I am at a Leadership Conference in Phoenix, AZ at Phoenix First Assembly. So far it has been really good. Has anyone heard of the Dream Center? I went to a break out session with the leader of that organization. It is a ministry in downtown LA that reaches out to homeless kids, prostitutes, drug abusers, the very poor and needy. The testimonies from the people who have been touched by the

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107636146623369502005-02-05T11:44:00.000-08:002005-02-05T12:56:41.433-08:00

Jeremiah 17:5-7 This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107585255428695152005-02-04T22:27:00.000-08:002005-02-04T22:34:15.426-08:00

Okay...FINE! It's confession time. I have a bit of jealousy where this sisterhood of moms is concerned. God has placed a whole different perogative in my life and being a mom doesn't hold a whole lot of appeal for me. But I admire these strong women I have been reading about. Wow! I am happy for their happiness but doubt mine would be achieved the same way. God set my beat to a different

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107534406094045132005-02-04T08:17:00.000-08:002005-02-04T08:26:46.093-08:00

Lily is such a smart lady! Recently her family was completely violated in the worst way. I had sent her family a card with a bunch of verses about God's love, healing and perseverance. I saw her at church on Sunday. Lily was very thankful for the card and verses. She read the card to all of her kids. I explained that the verses stemmed from a study I had done late in 2004 because I was trying

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107448241769478402005-02-03T08:15:00.000-08:002005-02-03T08:30:52.423-08:00

As I am sitting here writing this, I am hearing birds chirping outside the window. Things like that just bless me beyond belief. What a creative, beautiful God we serve! And speaking of serving, that is what I wanted to write about today. Many times I forget that worship is such a bigger piece of pie than I realize- it should be the whole pie. Worship is anything we do as an act of surrender

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107382423156496332005-02-02T14:04:00.000-08:002005-02-02T14:13:43.156-08:00

I learned something new about God today. I suppose that's what it is all about, but this was learning about his character. Ali: "You never really know what you are going to do when you are in that situation." Me: "I couldn't even imagine." Ali: "I always thought if it ever happened I would know exactly what I would do but when it actually did, there were so many factors. You love the person,

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107246870625546722005-02-01T01:25:00.000-08:002005-02-01T00:55:03.953-08:00

I am going to try to keep this post up for a little while before I do another post. Wish me luck on that as I tend to post about three times a day. I Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107197719104823922005-01-31T10:33:00.000-08:002005-01-31T10:55:19.103-08:00

If I have my life all together (Not that I do, just an IF statement. Please continue reading.) but do not have LOVE I am worthless. If I have a nice car, a great job, dress the correct way, do things in the church the way I am expected to, do things for God and keep all the rules but never do any of this out of God's leading, then it is all a big ol' waste. This is what Jesus got so angry about

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1107032022610307692005-01-29T13:41:00.000-08:002005-01-29T12:53:42.610-08:00

I am very excited! I was helping the youth pastor write a contract today to buy a home. (You can be praying that it works out.) We started talking about how when our eyes are on Jesus, he brings to light the issues in our lives he wants to work out. We don't have to go "devil-hunting". If we look for sins in our lives, we will find them everywhere. But when we just focus on God, he brings

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106981859962844232005-01-28T22:48:00.000-08:002005-01-28T22:57:39.963-08:00

Here's another update. I am keeping with the five minutes a day three times a week commitment. That is amazing. I am actually going out of my way to make sure I get it in. I even prayed w/ 2 five minute sessions tonight. One was all about me and the next one right after was for the teens. I have to miss tomorrow night's youth group. My wonderful sister has a birthday and we are having a

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106931671583698942005-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:002005-01-28T09:01:11.583-08:00

I sometimes get caught up in wanting to fix people. I worry about them, their issues and want to see them get all better. I think most Christians approach people this way. We care about the person in our own way and want to patch up all the shortcomings we see. We are excited about our joy and hope that God gives and want to give that to the person. Our own personal experiences have been ones

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106895445126223382005-01-27T22:31:00.000-08:002005-01-28T09:28:30.303-08:00

I started surfing blogs tonight. I kinda wish I hadn't really. I was sifting through a sampling of Christians blogs and I am now sick after reading some of them. One Christian man was criticizing Christian songs on a blog called Missionary Joe. It was all about how a song written by Hillsong is perverse because it says that "Jesus stole my heart and I am in love with Jesus" or something to that

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106800354202585722005-01-26T20:30:00.000-08:002005-01-26T20:32:34.203-08:00

When I pray for my five minutes, I take a timer into the room with me. When I tell my husband I am going to go pray (so that he doesn't come looking for me), he jokes that I am going to go pray for my timer. I think if I had spent all this time praying for my timer these past weeks, it would have turned into a clock by now.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106778287527710782005-01-26T13:32:00.000-08:002005-01-26T14:24:47.526-08:00

People sometimes inquire as to why I would enjoy working with teenagers as if I am a candidate for the mental institution based soley on that fact. I like teenagers because they are very giving and loving as long as you are not their parents. They need good people in their lives and are looking for direction and help whether they would ever admit it or not. They are fully capable of understanding

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106716062091572602005-01-25T21:04:00.000-08:002005-01-25T21:07:42.090-08:00

Isaiah 46:5 "Can you picture me without reducing me?" (God asking) Isaiah 49:23 "No one who hopes in me ever regrets it." (God speaking) And the most exciting one. I think this is really something that is a promise to the church. Jeremiah 29:11-14 "I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out- plans to encourage you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106715765051805052005-01-25T20:58:00.000-08:002005-01-25T21:02:45.053-08:00

Isaiah 45:18-20 I am God. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right. Only when sin remains hidden can it thrive. Like a first grade Science Project, where does mold consume a healthy piece of bread the fastest? Keep it hidden, warm and away from light and within a few weeks, what was nourishment is now unrecognizable except as something that belongs in the trash and the

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106698873591342312005-01-25T16:09:00.000-08:002005-01-25T16:21:13.593-08:00

I was asked to write about a regular day. What is it like to live life as a Christian? So, here it is: It's life. I woke up this morning with a really bad headache. I took a shower, put on makeup, got dressed, blow-dried my hair and talked to my sister. Someone got mad at me. I wrote a contract for a client and delivered it to the appropriate people. I talked to a girl at the office, saw

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106629396170755302005-01-24T20:38:00.000-08:002005-01-24T21:14:49.133-08:00

I Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible-but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Let's get a clear picture of what we are being told here. I am going to define the 2 words beneficial and constructive. beneficial- advantageous, favorable, contributing to improvement, receive

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106584949342190812005-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:002005-01-24T08:42:29.343-08:00

Mark 2:7 The teachers and leaders said, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Funny that they should ask that question and not have the revelation that Christ was God. They were concerned with the packaging. Christ didn't look or act like their expected Messiah. When they saw the miracles and heard, "Son, your sins are forgiven," they were scandalized instead of being stirred to faith. They had

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106541991992733642005-01-23T20:17:00.000-08:002005-01-23T20:46:31.993-08:00

I belong to God. He called me by name to be His. I am nothing outside of Him. I can have my own life apart from God, but I know it is an ugly, broken life and the eternity is one of damnation. God never created people to be seperated from him, it is nothing but a wasted soul. God's people need to be on the look out for wasted souls. We need to be sensitive to the absolute dispair and

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106513806902777832005-01-23T13:25:00.000-08:002005-01-23T12:58:07.816-08:00

Well, honesty is the best policy, right? Okay. Then here I go! The song set for this morning's praise and worship time was not my favorite. Just goes to show that God doesn't need what I think is good to work. I was speaking the words to the songs and letting them work on my spirit and giving them as a sacrifice to God, but they just aren't my favorites. I am so well adjusted to church I even

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106428430970661052005-01-22T13:43:00.000-08:002005-01-22T13:13:50.970-08:00

A group of women committed ourselves to fasting all day yesterday and then getting together this morning at 11 to finish in prayer together and then eat. God blessed me financially yesterday. I have been waiting awhile for financial relief. People that know nothing about me are seeing something different about me. Praying is becoming more focused and more of a joy. I am still waiting for change

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106331644979317832005-01-21T10:16:00.000-08:002005-01-21T10:23:59.900-08:00

Here's a story: The Game

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106266454026291142005-01-20T16:13:00.000-08:002005-01-20T16:14:14.026-08:00

So when a church prays and fasts together is it like firing off an emergency flare to heaven? I wonder what the rescue operation will look like.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106265049976637792005-01-20T15:14:00.000-08:002005-01-20T15:53:34.016-08:00

I didn't realize I could ramble so much if given the opportunity. I feel bad for anyone trying to keep up with all of this writing. I suppose if you are a glutton for punishment or your children were behaving badly, this could come in handy. I feel almost guilty about what I am going to write. It is about my issue with having a big head. Sometimes I have to turn sideways to get through the door.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106232969562824202005-01-20T06:55:00.000-08:002005-01-20T13:46:51.873-08:00

I think God is popping popcorn. It takes 3 minutes and 3o seconds for a bag of microwave popcorn to pop in my microwave. Almost all of the popcorn pops in the last 30 seconds. I think God has been expanding my bag and heating me up and I am now popping all over the place. I cannot seem to stop with the ideas and thoughts God is pouring into me. They are coming all at once and I can hardly sleep

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106206477968408372005-01-19T23:11:00.000-08:002005-01-19T23:37:33.743-08:00

This whole project of writing was prompted by an idea to journal what God could do with praying three times a day for five minutes each time. It is astounding to me, I already have changes to report! There is transformation of the spirit into a new and glorious thing personally and corporately in the church. My spiritual walk is hyper-sensitive right now. I think it is partly because of the

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106200948387624482005-01-19T22:00:00.000-08:002005-01-19T22:02:28.386-08:00

I don't want you to get lost in the shuffle here. What I thought was funny in a coincidencal kind of way was what you will read under "Standing on Giants". You have my permission to read everything here if you would like, but I thought you might want some direction about what I sent you here to read.

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106200224136575112005-01-19T21:22:00.000-08:002005-01-19T21:50:24.136-08:00

Tonight I was reading my Word and it flopped open to Ezekiel 37 in which Ezekiel had a vision of a valley full of bones. God told him to prophesy to the bones, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you and you will come to life." (Ezekiel 37:4) Then the bones were put together; skin and hair were slapped on and they

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106159416397753002005-01-19T10:23:00.000-08:002005-01-19T10:30:16.406-08:00

We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they. —Bernard of Chartres, 12th century This quote (or a version thereof) is often ascribed to Sir Issac Newton and used as a banner phrase for scientists doing gene research. Bernard of Chartres is recorded as using this some 500 years earlier. He was a philosopher in the church who started a university way back when

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10225835.post-1106112422766580332005-01-18T21:04:00.000-08:002005-01-18T21:27:02.766-08:00

My brain and I have been fighting. It isn’t a pretty war, as I am quite used to my brain. Proverbs 25:2 from the Message “God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.” Now, that verse to me is not really the most astute or impressive Proverb I have ever read. Last night, I read a whole bunch of them, and today, that is the one that brought revelation. As I

Amber Lynnnoreply@blogger.com0