Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

lyrics by Nichole Nordeman.
photos by me.
tree in our front yard by God.

With Every Season’s Change is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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I told you I wanted to do a healing post soon. As I started thinking about it and as my dh and I discussed what it is we “believe” about healing, I started realizing, it’s not just about that one aspect of my faith. To say what I believe about something like healing starts with what I believe about God.

So, if anyone cares, here’s part 1 of ??? posts about what I believe. This is not by any means an exhaustive list, nor is it in order of importance. I’m not doing this to start an argument…I mean, feel free to disagree in the comments. I just doubt I’ll be able to “prove” myself “right”. I did go to Bible College, but that doesn’t mean I like to argue. I don’t have the corner on understanding God and the Bible. I just thought this would help me sort out my thoughts on this subject.

So, if you’re interested, read on…

#1: God is Good

I believe every good and perfect gift is from God. (James 1:17) If something is good, it’s from God. That means families, humor and enjoyment are from God.

The opposite is then true. I do not believe that bad things are from God. Sickness, disease and death are NOT from God. God does NOT give sorrow, despair or poverty. This bad stuff comes from evil in the world. Possibly directly from the devil as a weapon (Ephesians 6:12). Or possibly like a broken clock that gets more and more off, the world just gets worse and worse, the farther from Eden it is. Or maybe it is a direct result of sinful actions (James 1:14-15).

[sidenote: I know what you're thinking, "But God still ALLOWS all this stuff to happen! Isn't that the same thing as doing it? He's so powerful He could stop it!" Yes, He does allow it. Just like He allows me to watch whatever I want, think whatever I want and do whatever I want.]

#2: God’s Will Versus Human Will

I don’t think God’s will is always accomplished.

Yeah. I just said that.

I think when God created the world and then Adam & Eve, he gave them CHOICE. They could choose to serve and obey Him or not. I DO NOT think it was God’s will for Adam and Eve to sin. In fact, I think their sin caused God HEARTACHE.

Before they left the garden, God whispered a promise to Adam and Eve: “It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I’m going to do battle against the snake. I’ll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I’m coming back for you!” And he would. One day, God himself would come.

-The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones

This choice has continued in all of us. We can choose to follow and obey God or not. God wants us to choose Him. (2 Peter 3:9) He does not MAKE people follow Him. (I do believe He pursues us, but that’s another topic.)

So, if God doesn’t MAKE people come to salvation which we would all agree is God’s #1 desire, why would anything else God desires come to pass in the blink of an eye? For example, we hear people say, “Well, I just can’t believe in a God that would let kids die of AIDS in Africa. Why is He silent? Why is He still?”

BUT what if He did come in? What if he wiped poverty/hunger/sickness away in a second? Would you be happy when He MADE you become a martyr? Or *snap* MADE you serve your selfish boss? Or MADE you forgive your mother-in-law?

If we believe in a hands-off God, then you have to believe it across the board. If we believe He’s moving and changing and doing to make His will accomplished, then we have to believe it across the board.

But wait, Amanda! I thought you believed good stuff came from God. How is that possible if He’s hands off? Are you a deist? No, I’m not. Let’s go on to #3…

#3: Why God Acts
I do not believe God is moved to action because of great need. I don’t believe God acts inconsistently or on a whim. I believe He acts because of prayer.

If God acted on every need, there would be no AIDS, no miscarriages, no pre-mature deaths, no disease and no sorrow. (That’s the new heaven & the new earth, people! Revelation 21.)

If God acted on a whim or even as the leader in a cosmic-chess game, we’re basically living on destiny and/or fate.

I believe God is moved by His people. Their prayers. Their actions. Their reliance on Him.

NOT their “good deeds” or their “righteousness”. No, by their response to His promises & His person.

Here is an example from CS Lewis. I’m not quoting it to say CS Lewis has it right and to prove that I’m right. It’s just a very perfect example of what I believe.

It’s from the book, The Magician’s Nephew. In the story, Diggory & Polly have been given a task by Aslan, (a type of Jesus). They are accompanied by a winged-horse, Fledge. As they settle down for their first night of their journey, they realize they have no food to eat.

Polly and Diggory stared at one another in dismay.

“Well, I do think someone might have arranged our meals,” said Diggory.

“I’m sure Aslan would have, if you’d asked him,” said Fledge.

“Wouldn’t he know without being asked?” said Polly.

“I’ve no doubt he would,” said the Horse…”But I’ve a sort of idea he likes to be asked.”

I think God likes to be asked. Now, this might not sit well with you. “So you’re saying, all I had to do was ASK God for me to have a step-dad that didn’t hit me? ASK that my miscarriage not happen? ASK that I not have cancer?”

Well. In my opinion, the only other option is to NOT ask. I don’t think God will act on your behalf just because of your need or superior-value, so I choose ASKING over NOT asking. (1 John 5:14-15) I think many people just assume that whatever happens happens & it “must” be God’s will. I disagree.

I’m not suggesting we can CONTROL God or DEMAND something from Him. But I DO think He LIKES to be ASKED. And I think He responds when we ASK according to His will.

***

This is getting too long. There’s more to all this of course. I still want to talk about if/why bad things happen, what is our response to God’s will, and what God’s “will” actually is.

This is just my first go-round. This is kinda hard to do…

Feel free to comment. But like I said, this is for me, too. I’m not trying to argue or say that I’ve got the corner on understanding God. I don’t. Please hear me.

And please don’t jump the gun, this is only Part 1. Hopefully I’ll get to Part 2 this century…

***
I’ve had this written for a couple of days and have just been stewing about it, adding a word here or there to make sure it’s ok. Then I read Heather’s post. As someone who has recently been through a tragedy, hearing what SHE believes about God is amazing. I agree with every word. It’s a perfect post.

ps–I’m responding to the comments IN the comment section. I never do this, but just wanted to respond  there as opposed to doing a “rebuttal” post, you know? I didn’t do this to further an argument, but to involve everyone in the conversation! Thanks! 

Oh Theology Part 1 is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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I don’t remember the first time I heard the Chronicles of Narnia. Mama used to read them to us on vacation. I loved riding in the car and listening to her read about Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. As soon as I was old enough, I began to read them. I remember being in an after-school program (probably in the summer, actually) at a local daycare. I brought The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe to read during our rest hour. I thought it was magical to read it at that mundane place.

As an adult, I’ve read them upwards of 10 times. One of those times being when Lydia was a newborn. I’ve listened to the Radio Theatre version (which is a MUST for everyone). And now seen both of the movies.

There’s just something about Narnia. To me they are heaven. Literally. I so want to be in Narnia. To dance with the trees. To have tea with a faun. Or go on an adventure to save a prince. To talk with a star. And fight in a battle alongside leopards and giants. To talk with Aslan. And I think that part of CS Lewis’ purpose was to give us a picture of what he thought heaven was/is like. (see The Last Battle for more on that…)

To say I’m a Narnian purist is an understatement. I have to remind myself that Aslan is actually fictional and not really Jesus. I try to remember that every word CS Lewis wrote isn’t supposed to be exegesis-ed and turned into a sermon.

*sigh*

So, my interaction with Prince Caspian the movie is a little biased. I’ve already seen it twice. It’s been out for 4 days. On one hand I LOVED it. I love the costumes (please, oh, please, let me be Lucy or Susan for Halloween!)

I love the creatures: fauns, minotaurs, centaurs, mice and great cats. The scenery was amazing. The actors were great. The CGI was even good.

But the story. Oh, the story. They added so much MADE UP stuff and took away some of the BEST parts! The parts that I think are the most…well, about God.

My favorite part of the whole book is when the four children (or Kings & Queens) plus Trumpkin the dwarf are walking through the woods to find Prince Caspian. They are going around in circles and can’t find their way. Finally, they lay down for the night. Lucy wakes up and sees Aslan in the forest. He wants them to follow Him. He asks Lucy to wake the others…

Chapter 11: The Lion Roars

When the whole party was finally awake Lucy had to tell her story for the fourth time. The blank silence which followed it was as discouraging as anything could be. “I can’t see anything,” said Peter after he had stared his eyes sore. “Can you, Susan?” “No, of course I can’t,” snapped Susan. “Because there isn’t anything to see. She’s been dreaming. Do lie down and go to sleep, Lucy.” “And I do hope,” said Lucy in a tremulous voice, “that you will all come with me. Because-because I’ll have to go with him whether anyone else does or not.” “Don’t talk nonsense, Lucy,” said Susan. “Of course you can’t go off on your own. Don’t let her, Peter. She’s being downright naughty.” “I’ll go with her if she must go,” said Edmund. “She’s been right before.”

skip a few pages…

And so at last they got on the move. Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan. He turned and walked at a slow pace about 30 yards ahead of them. The others had only Lucy’s directions to guide them, for Aslan was not only invisible to them but silent as well. He big cat like paws made no noise on the grass…For a long way Aslan went along the top of the precipices. Then they came to a place where some little trees grew right on the edge. He turned and disappeared among them. Lucy held her breath, for it looked as if he had plunged over the cliff; but she was too busy keeping him in sight to stop and think about this. She quickened her pace and was soon among the trees herself. Looking down, she could see a steep and narrow path going slantwise down into the gorge between rocks, and Aslan descending it. He turned and looked at her with his happy eyes. Lucy clapped her hands and began to scramble down after him. From behind her she heard the voices of the others shouting, “Hi! Lucy! Look out, for goodness’ sake. You’re right on the edge of the gorge. Come back-” and then, a moment later, Edmund’s voice saying, “No, she’s right. There is a way down.”Halfway down the path Edmund caught up with her. “Look!’ he said in great excitement. “Look! What’s that shadow crawling down in front of us?” “It’s his shadow,” said Lucy. “I do believe you’re right, Lu,” said Edmund. “I can’t think how I didn’t see it before. But where is he?” “With his shadow, of course. Can’t you see him?”…Treading delicately, like a cat, Aslan stepped from stone to stone across the stream. In the middle he stopped, bent down to drink, and as he raised his shaggy head, dripping from the water he turned to face them again. This time Edmund saw him. “Oh, Aslan!” he cried, darting forward…

Aslan without hesitation led them to their left, father up the gorge. The whole journey was odd and dream-like–the roaring stream, the wet gray grass, the glimmering cliffs which they were approaching, and always the glorious, silently pacing Beast ahead. Everyone except Susan and the Dwarf could see him now.

skip a few pages…they’ve arrived and everyone is standing before Aslan…

Then, after an awful pause, the deep voice said, “Susan.” Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying. “You have listened to your fears, child,” said Aslan. “Come let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?” “A little, Aslan,” said Susan.

***

The movie gave a shout-out to this scene. But it certainly didn’t show the depth of this.

When Daddy was going through cancer-surgery-chemo-radiation, I was reminded of this story. Our family believed God was healing/had healed Daddy. I know other people didn’t believe with us. But I felt like we were Lucy. We could see God moving in Daddy’s life. We had to follow him even when others couldn’t see what we did.

It’s easy to listen to our fears and not listen to what God and His Word has for us. And hey–it’s scary to do so. It’s scary to follow Jesus sometimes. Other people might not believe, they might ridicule and it’s easy to question yourself. What if you are seeing things? What if you aren’t really seeing what God wants?

(this might be the start of my healing post, too…)

This is what I love about CS Lewis’ books. They make me evaluate and contemplate my relationship with God. I don’t look at them as children’s novels, or fantasy books. They are amazing stories of faith.

And I just wish I could have seen that in Prince Caspian.

In conclusion: Go see the movie. You’ll love it. But first BUY the book. Read it. You’ll ADORE it.

***

speaking of books, the winners of Healing Promises are…

Kate @Just Another Day in Paradise

and my new GA bloggy friend,

BooSheep @Wooly Peaches!

Send me your snail mail and I’ll get it to you asap!

Don’t Judge a Book By Its Movie is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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I didn’t have a pen with me at church today. I wish I did because I really wanted to take notes. This was actually a 2-parter and I missed the 1st week. (Why? Well, it had something to do with my bed and me sleeping in it. But I don’t want to get into the details.)

The title was “What Went Wrong?” and was focused on King Solomon’s life. I’ve always liked King Solomon ever since I heard the story of the two mothers. Not only was he wise, he was brave! He was incredibly wealthy. He had 700 wives and wrote Song of Solomon so he must have been quite the heart throb! But if you continue to read about Solomon, you find out his life ended in shambles–his kingdom was torn from him and God viewed him as one who’s heart was turned from Him. How sad. How could the wisest man that ever lived be so stupid?

1 Kings 11:1-11 gives us the basic outline of Solomon’s decline. Solomon decides to marry Pharaoh’s daughter. It was a good plan—it would be a political alignment and he’d get a wife! Well, God had commanded Solomon (and all His people) not to marry from foreign lands because these people worshiped false gods. He didn’t want their hearts to be turned from Him to these other gods.

I can just imagine Solomon contemplating this, “Hey, God appeared to me and gave me WISDOM!” I can handle it! Marrying an un-godly woman isn’t a big deal for me! Like I’d turn away from God!”

However, this one step is what brought Solomon down. After Pharaoh’s daughter, he married 700 other women from royal birth (meaning they were from OTHER lands/countries/people MEANING they did not worship God). He also had 300 concubines. (That doesn’t mean anything other than, HELLO! 1000 women? yikes.)

Solomon followed these women and began to worship their false gods. He put up idols and “high places” to gods like Molech, who demanded child sacrifices. God was angry with this and promised that Solomon’s kingdom would be torn from him and given to one of his subordinates. Which is what happened.

Isn’t that the most awful story ever? It sounds like one of those depressing movies where you follow a guy’s life and he trades his wife and kids and happiness for the next buck. *shudder*

The problem is that we do the same. One little decision can be pivotal to our relationship with God. We say, “It’s only one time.” OR “I can handle it.” OR “It’s no big deal.” And the next thing we know, we find ourselves a million miles from God and the blessings He has for us. And it starts with one step—one step away from God’s Wisdom is one step toward the world’s “conventional” wisdom.

If Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived can turn his back on God (“fall away from God” if you will), how much easier would it be for you and me?!

In this scenario, wise Solomon is not our example. It’s his father, King David we should look to. King David had his issues, too. He was lustful, murderous and adulterous. On the surface, his sins seem almost worse than Solomon’s! But David had 2 things that brought him back to God–accountability and a contrite heart.

Nathan, the prophet showed up and called David on the carpet when he was disobedient to God. And David listened. David was mournful of his sin. He knew something Solomon never figured out–you can always go back to God. Just like it took one decision and one step to walk away, it only takes one step to come back!

My take home from the sermon was this:

I want to be accountable to someone! I do not want to mistakenly believe “I can handle it.” I’m NOT the wisest person that ever lived. I’m not even the wisest person on my street! So, how do I find that person (those people)? How do you become accountable to them?

Do you have someone to keep you accountable? Is it an active accountability (as in do you talk to them all the time? do they really call you on the carpet? do they know you?). I’m really interested in this. What do you think?

(oh, and the 50 words or less thing? I tried it. No can do. Sorry.)

The Sermon in 50 Words or Less is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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I told you about my “God is like laundry” analogy yesterday. You have to admit, it’s true. You think I could copyright that? Anyway, I’ve actually been thinking about another theological analogy. Being pregnant has got me thinking about faith. You know, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”? Or a more current version says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Go back and actually read it word for word. I know you just skipped over it because you *knew* what it said. I do it all the time.)

OK, back to my analogy…

I cannot see my baby. Obviously. In fact, there are times when I wonder if it’s really in there. I mean, yeah, I did get a positive pregnancy test. Yes, the nurse did an ultrasound (scanner still NOT working!) and I saw the baby move. Yes, my bump is growing, my body is changing slightly. But no one has asked when I’m due. I haven’t felt the baby kick or seen one of it’s elbows move my belly!

What if I’m just putting on a few pounds? What if I just have the flu? What if??!!

Why in the world does it have to take 9 long months? 40 whole weeks to see this little thing face to face? Good grief! Wouldn’t it be easier to pick her up at the hospital? Or have the stork deliver him? Or even go pick it up from the cabbage patch?

Well, yeah. It’d be easier. But what about the preparation? Oh, I know, you can paint a nursery in a day. You can stock it with one trip to Babies R Us. But the real preparation is in those 40 weeks.

I have 40 weeks to wait on this baby. I get 40 weeks to think about it’s name. I get 40 weeks to talk to God about it’s body, it’s personality, it’s desires. I have 40 weeks to get ready to lay aside my self for it. I get 40 weeks to sleep through the night before my new little person comes.

During these 40 weeks, I’m sure my emotions will run the gamut. I’ll be so excited to meet this little bundle of joy. I’ll be scared about delivery. I’ll be worried about how Lydia and our life now will change. But I also KNOW that when that little baby is in my arms, I’ll be ecstatic. My life will never be the same–in the best possible way. This baby will bring so much to my life that I will never want to go back to a time without it. In fact, I’ll probably wonder what I did before it was here.

This is how I want to be with God and His promises. I know He’s got good stuff for me–things I can’t imagine or even ask for. Not regular things like provision or even my family. I’m talking about the big miracles and the big fulfillment.

This pregnancy is reminding me to just wait for Him. The time I wait for Him to produce a miracle in my life is just preparation. It’s not punishment or withholding, it’s a time I get to use as preparation. The closer I get to my 40 weeks, the more obvious that my baby is going to arrive. The more I want to do to get ready. I want to see the preparation time with God the same. I don’t want to question or wonder, I just want to prepare myself for the amazing things God has prepared in advance for me.

There is not one specific thing I’m thinking about or preparing for. It’s just the whole process of being pregnant that has reminded me of God’s miracles that are brewing inside of me today…and inside of you. I pray you’ll prepare for them and then be overjoyed at what He brings you!

Faith is Like a Pregnant Belly is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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I usually keep up to date with Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer and Sophie aka Boomama. And I knew (and was insanely jealous) that they were going to Uganda with Compassion International. Live blogging about the lives of children who need love and Jesus? That’s my kinda gig.

For whatever reason, I missed out on their posts when they left for Uganda. I guess it was when my internet was acting all selfish. I glanced at their sites the other day but knew I didn’t have time to sit down and spend the time I needed with them. Now it’s Saturday, Les is playing golf and Lydia is napping. I knew it was time for me to visit Uganda.

I have now read all of Shannon‘s posts, all of Sophie‘s and most of the rest of the Uganda Bloggers.

And I’ve been sobbing.

Sobbing because although I KNOW that there is poverty and children living without parents and without food and without medical care and WITHOUT Jesus, I still complain about my bed. I still buy an extra set of dishes when they’re 50% off at Target. I still dislike Lydia’s plush carpet in her playroom. I still wish I had another pair of jeans that fit!

And I know being guilted into caring about poverty is not the point. But you know what? It is! If we don’t know about the poverty, we’ll never do anything about it! Playing on our emotions is the right thing to do! We are SO blessed and SO rich here it would be hard for even the most selfless of people to focus on someone 8000 miles away!

I heard an awesome quote from Sara Groves about this very thing. (It’s not a direct quote, it’s just from memory.)

When I see tragedy in the world, I no longer wonder, “Where is God?” I wonder, “Where are God’s people?”

WHERE ARE GOD’S PEOPLE?

I think most of us sit here and blame God for poverty. We do. We think if God was really loving, He’d do something about AIDS and hunger.

But what are we doing?

What are we doing?!

This is one of those things that can go overboard. Les and I have enough money we could sell half of everything we owned, including one of our cars and still live like kings in comparison to the kids in Uganda. I’m not suggesting God is expecting us to do that. (He might be…) But the point is, we CAN do SOMETHING.

And as soon as Les gets home we’re going to search through the faces of the children who need us. They need our money. Period. They need food, they need love, they need support, they need Jesus. And my 32 bucks a month can bring that to them.

THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS.

I think it will be 32 holy dollars. And I do not say that lightly or flippantly. I think God will use that money to make an eternal difference in the life of a child.

Please go read the blogs. Look at the pictures. Watch the videos. Listen.

The One In Which I Sob is a post from: ohamanda.com
Happy New Year! Here are some of my favorite resources to help you make the most of 2012! One Bite At A Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler, an ebook by Simple Mom!
Create Your Perfect Cleaning Schedule, finally get your house under control!
E-Mealz, online meal-planning with shopping lists! {20% off with code SKINNY when you choose one of their healthy menus}
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