So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

an open heart

Happy two-week-a-versary to the blog! When I started this, I didn't have much of a clue what it was really going to look like. I had dreams for it of course, wanted to post a lot of cake decorating stuff and Bible verses, but beyond that, I just had a lot of ideas floating around in my head.

Two weeks later and God has given such a purpose that I can hardly contain my excitement.

A couple days ago I was chatting with my wonderful mother about a post she had read on Vicki Courtney's blog. She writes an amazing, real life, God-centered blog and I completely got sucked in looking for this particular post yesterday. Anyway, she worded, so perfectly, this quote:
“I have often stated that I’m not a fan of the “pretender game.” I played the game early on in my Christian walk and learned the art of painting a fake smile on my face even if my life was unraveling at the seams. It’s a miserable game to play and I gave it up years ago, opting instead for honesty and authenticity.” (source: http://vickicourtney.com/page/6/)
It hit me... ever so slowly. But the more I read it, the more I like it. How very often we put on that smile and think we have to act strong as Christians. I know I'm a pro at it. But that's not what we are called to! Christ's strength is perfected in our weakness, hallelujah! :D (2 Cor. 12:9)

So I'm taking a little bit of new direction, or rather, attempting answer God's call on my life to openness. I'm gonna pour my heart on here, Bible verses, stories.... and still some cakes of course. ;) but my commitment is to avoid that oh-so-ugly monster of self-centeredness, and fight the tempation to make it seem like I have it all together all the time, and just be me. Exactly how He made me.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

After all, it is all for His glory. :)

-Amber

5 comments:

  1. So true! After all if we're thinking about how we can be and act stronger, we are really just being self-centered. I've often found that I've found God better in times of hardship rather than easy times. It's hard to be thankful when it seems that the world falls apart but it's often in those timesthat God really reveals Himself to us. Thanks, Amber!
    ~Zoe

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  2. I love this. You go, girlfriend. :)

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  3. Thanks Alison! :)
    And Zoe, that is so true! He really is the only one who can hold it all together. I love how He is so strong and mighty through the good and the bad. There's a song that always gets stuck in my head called Fall Apart by Josh Wilson that talks just about this!
    -Amber

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  4. This really inspired me. :D I kind of have that problem a lot. Not as much as I used to but this was really awesome to read! I love your blog Amber.

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  5. Thank you so much Sarah! I'm glad to hear that I've inspired someone. :)

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