The Movement is the dance ministry I was apart of within DURAG Ministries on JMU's campus. DURAG is an acronym for Divine Unity Righteously Apply God. I love love this particular dance because its so honest and true. I'm in the skirt. :) If you want to know more about DURAG check them out at http://www.duragministries.org/, check their channel on YouTube at DURAGJMU, or like them on facebook! The song is "All I have to Give" by Mali Music (he's great check him out too!)



It takes a while to start so you can just click to start watching at about 2:18

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20: 22-24

This morning I read this chapter and was immediately comforted by this scripture. In this new stage/chapter/season (whatever you want to call it) I have had so many emotions. In some moments, I feel anxious about what's happening and what's going to happen. The infamous questions of "so what are you going to do now?" (yes I'm still getting that one) or "what's next?" and my attempts to explain my "plans" all tend to weigh heavy on me. I'm here and there with my ideas all the while thinking...ugh I don't know and I'm OK with that. At night I think about all the things that seem to be so important. Things I think I need to take care of or consider...securing a full time job, paying back these loans, car? apartment? *shrug* Its so much... I was asked today in one of my attempts to explain the position I'm in, "what are you passionate about?" Can I tell you? I thought. Will really you understand that the cares of this world me nothing to me in comparison to knowing God and living/serving/dying for Him? You want to know what I want to do? I want to Glorify God with my whole life. I desire to see people come to know Him. I want to help build up the kingdom. I want to "finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me." Even if it means me not having what I think I need. To many people it may sound crazy but this is the one accomplishment I know that I will find true satisfaction in. It is where I want to place my energy, it's my true motivation. God I trust you. I'm just ready to get busy for you and with you.

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4

This is the Post Graduate Series. I have decided to try something new for a while. It is now November and we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving. I graduated six months ago and so much has happened. I have so much to be grateful for. I have seen God working and moving in my life and in the lives of my family members and friends. There is so much I want to share. I want to update you and keep you updated. I will share some journal entries and the lessons I have learned. *disclaimer: there are pieces of this story I have chosen not to reveal, at least not yet* I will still post some of my random thoughts and conversations but this series will be one that continues throughout. Think of it as me documenting this stage of my life. That's how I see it.




So I'll start in August...



I came home (Richmond) August 15 2010 from another GREAT summer at Summer's Best Two Weeks CitiKidz. In that month (July 8- Aug 15) God definitely pruned me and taught me so much about his love, patience, and trusting Him. I was able to learn at camp and in the days immediately following what it meant to allow God to Satisfy Himself at my expense. Before and off and on during camp I arranged with my mom and dad a trip to visit my aunt and her family in Huntsville, Alabama. There, I would spend time with them, job search a bit, and maybe do some networking.



8-12-2010 Journal Entry

Well its Thursday of the last week of camp. What have I learned? I guess I realized that I'm soaking in more than I thought. Before camp I felt dry and complacent. However, after seeing how God has used me I realize that He's been working all along. In speaking about Him, connections are made that I never knew were there before. Ministering to these girls has shed light on both my weaknesses and my strengths. There were great weeks and then there were times were I encountered great resistance. In different ways the girls acted out and God revealed to me how similar our behavior can often be towards Him. That realization definitely opened my eyes and allowed me to gain a better understanding of the level of compassion and grace God has and gives to us daily.

My assertiveness (something I once viewed as a negative aspect) has become somewhat of a tool in this walk and during this experience more than I thought. God identified for me ways to use it; the appropriate time and the intensity. I was able to speak to the young girls in love and encouragement but also firmly when necessary. I can now see its value growing in me. I also learned the importance of waiting and loving God->not wishing my time away but lingering in it with Him; eager to hear and understand what I need to learn. I have no idea what to expect when I get back home but I know I'm ready for your will to be done in my life. It's the same enemy at home and the same God that has been here with me these five weeks. I’m taking the discipline, zeal, accountability and purpose home too.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The same warfare...Continue to pray that He moves and it's not by my own strength but His.



The day after my arrival home there was a disagreement with my parents regarding my future...my life plans both immediate and future



8-15-10

Had a feeling it would be this way. I was asking myself how will I explain what I've learned to them and what I expect. God, I hate it here so much sometimes. I am trying, God, to be patient but I have no idea what's going on. She says that what I am saying when I'm trying to talk about what you have shown me is all gibberish. I have an idea of my future and they don't agree and now I'm being shunned and ridiculed. What is this? I am begging you to make your presence known in this situation. That your will be done. I realize that I can't make sense of this and I will not dumb anything down. I pray you will be glorified. I surrender my heart, my mind, my future and my family to you understanding that the power to change hearts and move mountains lies in your hands and not my own. I rely wholly on you. You are sovereign. You are active. I know that through this I will come to know you more and I thank you for that. Mark 5:28-29, 2 Samuel 13:12-13, James 1:2-4.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”





Our disagreement escalated. I found myself frustrated with my family, my own actions, and all of the confusion. Still I was preparing to leave for Alabama on the 18th. Our focus almost immediately shifted to getting my younger brother to college and me to Alabama, just as we planned.



I was packed and on my way to Alabama August 18th 2010...to be continued...

Joshua Harris describes in his book Boy Meets Girl the dynamic of relationships/courtship and allowing God to guide you with his wisdon (instead of our feelings alone) by using the analogy of a kite and a string.

 He writes, “The relationship between wisdom and romance is like the one between a string and a kite. Romantic love is the kite that catches the wind and tenaciously heads to the sky; wisdom is the string that holds it back. The tension is real, but healthy. Without the string, the kite would quickly come crashing to the ground. In the same way, romance without wisdom will soon take a nosedive… Like a string on a kite, wisdom enables romance to really soar. It anchors it, disciplines it, and brings it to its highest potential.”

Passion based in ignorance or haste can invite disaster (Prov. 19:2)

Don't let your feelings say "I want this right now!" and forget about patience or seeking the reality and wisdom provided by God's incorruptable word. Our feelings should be based on the information we have recieved from God, controlled, and shared in line with what he desires and what will ultimately glorify him.

Just thought this was a cool analogy and wanted to share

In His Love,
Miss Amanda ♥

Some say: "Oh...well, God knows my heart"

Yes He sure does ->“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:9-10

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:1-13

NOW HERE'S THE PROMISE ->"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses...." Ezekiel 36:26-28

How can you keep a heart that's clean ->"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:9-11

Just some thoughts...
 
♥ Miss Manda

I am sitting Indian style just looking ahead of me. I have climbed this entire mountain. I have gotten so close to the very top., all I need to do is walk over to the other side. But I don't. Instead I just sit there. I can see the light shining inviting me to explore all that it has to offer. I think about how wonderful it must be over there. I don't know what to expect, but He's telling me He has my best interest in mind. He's reminding me how He traveled with me this whole way; even when I didn't want Him with me. He let me know that He is going to go over to the other side with me. "You don't need to worry love, I will never leave you," He says. "But I like this little spot I found. It's comfortable. I don't know if I can get over to the other side. My equipment may not be able to make it," was my response. He looks at me and reminds me that He's there to help. He wouldn't let anything bad happen to me. He loves me. His encouragement causes me to stand. OK I trust you I am going to make my way forward. "I believe you love me, and I know you will never leave me." I began to walk forward. As I come closer to the top of the mountain of life I am stopped at a cliff. Before me I can see the vast world of so much possibility and depth. Like an ocean horizon that has no end, it continues as my eyes search the expanse. I get closer to the edge and I look to see how high I am. So high. A fall would be forever from here. My life would be in pieces. I see what's before me but how can I get there? Once I'm there what am I supposed to do? How will I know where I am supposed to go? I liked my spot I think I'll just stay there; this is way too much to handle and navigate all alone. I am leaning further on the cliff as I look before me and I felt a gentle push on my back. I lose my footing and search frantically for my balance.

"I told you I will never leave you. I love you so much, just trust me."

"I am so afraid! I don't even know what I'm doing. Besides what is the point anymore my equipment isn't good enough. What can I add out there what can I do?"

I felt another push

"I have it planned. I will finish what I started in you. Put your faith in me; let my love and your love for me be what compels you to keep going. Don't worry about anything, but trust in me. In whatever you do, do it in Love for me."

"But God, I can't I just can't. I don't have what it takes."

I felt another push now I am on my toes leaning over the edge

"Do you love me"

"I love you"

"Do you trust me"

"I trust you God"

"Don't let your thoughts put boundaries on your life in me. I see you for who you are and I know who I have called you to be. You are lacking nothing and in me you can do all things. I have given you new life and I renewed your strength. I will stay with you and we will grow closer to each other. I have been with you this far. There is no fear. Listen, love me and let me love you, seek my face, fill yourself with my word, come with me where ever I go. Keep your faith. Believe these things I tell you. I love you so much."

"I love you, too." Hesitant with tears welling up. "God" I sigh in between heavier breaths. "I need you closer I want to believe but I need to get pass these insecurities and my uncertainty. Help my belief God. I want to live for you alone. Leaning further now. Love me God, teach me, lead me....God I need you to push me."

During this Christmas break I found myself stressing over my future. *sigh*

May 8 2010 I will be a graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology.
Upon entering College I remember seeing a reality show on a popular channel. This show followed a few young women working in the public relations field. They were sucessful powerful young women moving about the entertainment and fashion industries. After seeing these women I knew that that was the type of career I wanted. It was exciting, fabulous (lol), and more. I noticed aspects of myself that went hand in hand with the type of work I wanted to do. After 4 years at JMU and three majors (Business Marketing, Communications Studies:Public Relations, (now) Sociology) I have reached a point of uncertainty. My perfect plans have been shifted and now I will be graduating with (what I believe and am afraid of) a lack of the necessary knowledge for my prospective field.
With graduation quickly approaching (AND I MEAN QUICKLY) I am nervous about the next huge step. Graduate school? What jobs are out there? How come everyone else has it figured out? Do I have what it takes for the real world? All of this worry and fear has been on my mind...until I realized...I'm modeling my life after the world. I have found myself to be ranking myself based on my gpa and the weight of my degree. I want to obtain a job so I can have the nice car, the nice condo, the cutest clothes, the "good life." In realizing this I am reminded that none of this matters in the Kingdom of God. In all this worry I haven't been able to practice my complete faith and trust in Christ. My aim has shifted from trying to be Christ like to trying to be accepted and by the world! Well I cast it down in the Name of Jesus! I speak against any insecurities, any doubts and all fear. I bring the cross of Christ against it all. I trust the Lord with ALL of my heart and allow his peace to comfort me. I know He has my best interest in mind and I am trusting and waiting on Him. In the meantime I plan to please Him in all I do, my attitude, intentions and more. I plan to continue to seek his heart and allow his loving arms to bring me rest. Allowing Him to have His will and His way in my life because I know what He has planned is far greater than what I can imagine. Forgive me Father for being so distracted with the cares of this world. Thank you for being born for me. All Glory and praise to the King of Kings, my refuge from even myself, the love of my life because He gave me back my life, Jesus Christ.

*singing* Remedy by Ayiesha Woods...next...Lord I Give You my Heart/Great is our God by Anthony Evans *singing*

Phillipians 3:14, 4:19, 4:13
1 Peter 5:7
Luke 11:9-12
Deuteronomy 28:13
Jeremiah 29:11
1 John 2:15
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:37
II Timothy 1:7

*The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that "Christ is formed" in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me.* Oswald Chambers

This is my nephew Cameron. He started talking to me about God one day so I recorded him. He's so cute!!! lol He had the hiccups a lil but he's speaking some good stuff!

My prayer for the past week has been for focus. I have been asking God to help me not to be distracted by the worries of this world. Things like school work, friends, etc. When I'm alone I want to be able to completely make time and focus on God. In my prayer, God took me to Luke 10: 38-42. This is the story of Martha and Mary in Martha's house and how even though there was so much work to be done Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to what he said. Martha was distracted by all the preparations and asked for Mary's help.

Jesus replied by saying, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary Has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Ultimately it is up to us to decide what is most important in our lives. Too often do we think that things such as school work are our priority but God is always the best choice. Putting God first and above all things shows the trust that he will teach us management and place our lives in perfect order.

Also what I gained from this message was that the word is our daily bread and Jesus fills us with living water. we all know that if you don't eat or drink water for a week or so you may be a tad bit hungry and even weak. Our immune system becomes weak and we are more susceptible to geting sick. The same applies to our spiritual diet. Without our the word we are weak and things like sickness, worry, stress and worst of all sin are given the room to move in.

We have to stay full. Choose whats better for us. The benefits of that choice will never be taken from us.

Thank You Lord!

God revealed to me some truth behind the Bronze Snake story in Numbers 21:4-9. I am in love with this story and the faith that was taught through it....so here it goes....

When the Israelites were once again complaining about what they don't have and how miserable they were, the Lord sent venomous snakes among them. Many people were bitten and some died.

They begged Moses to pray for God to take the snakes away. The Lord told him to make a snake and put it on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live. So Moses did so and when anyone was bitten and looked at the bronze snake they lived.

For some this story may seem strange. But the point of this story is to illuminate and show the importance of faith.

God gave them (us too!) a way to be saved from their complaining and their sins. It shows how we should put all of our trust in Him. By simply looking up and believing we are all saved.

This story is brought up again in John 3:14-15 which reads:

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

So Jesus' death on the cross is what we should continue to look to. We should take our focus off our situations and try not to let them determine how we live and worship. In the midst of any situation we should look to God and have faith.To be saved from sin, to be healed, to be victorious.
I'm trynna see more of Him in my life. And you should too. Lift Him up above your emotions your issues and circumstances. Make Him the head of your life and be saved. Have a faith that keeps you looking at him!