I am going to take a winter break from xanga. It has been layed on my heart. I'm not sure what He has in store for me, but I know it will be wonderful. I will still check in on everyone from time to time. I wish ya'll a wonderful holiday season. My wish for each of you this season, as well as yours truly, is that we would each "live a praying life". A life filled with intimacy only God can give. Nothing in your life will ever satisfy such, so except no substitutions! His love is a love like no other, unfailing and encompassing. When you are weak, His strength will suffice. Be not dismayed! Be not afraid! Get to know Jesus.

Peace, love, &(most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick  --out

“The pursuit of any goal requires a narrowed focus.”

-         Jennifer Kennedy Dean , Live a Praying Life (Bible study)

So, I was feeling a little discouraged this morning. I felt a little remorse over dismantling my myspace account. (Even though I have been debating this for awhile for various reasons.) I knew I was doing the right thing, but sometimes it bites. One of the scriptures that had been on my mind was the one about stripping off what holds you back, basically getting rid of distractions. I now realize Myspace has been a distraction for me in many ways. Since I was feeling a little down, I decided to turn to my Bible study for comfort and what I read has totally comforted and confirmed that I did what was necessary. I wanted to share, so here is a tid bit of what I read:

“As God works to reproduce His heart in us, we will find that many things that are not technically “wrong” are still encumbrances that keep us from effectively running toward the goal. “      -Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Now … how awesome is that?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying myspace is the devil. I’m just saying it took up too much time and created too much drama. (I still don’t agree with having to number your friends. It seems too unfair.)And I do still have a private family account set up to connect with “family.”  I’m grateful for the friendships it rekindled and getting to hear how life has been since high school. Xanga is my home and all are welcome to visit me here.

Peace, love, & (most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick  --out

Flipping coins backwards

into the fountain

Making wishes,

no doubt.

Do you dare

to be you?

Wishing to be

someone else?

Are you chasing

your dreams

or the worlds?

What is your motivation?

Do you reach

for the stars?

Perhaps you don’t,

stretch that far.

Or you are bent

out of shape.

What is your desire?

Where is He leading you?

Are you surrendered?

Or straining to keep hold

Bold in your faith?

Or cowering in fear

of  the unknown?

Don’t resign,

There is a time

for everything.

Seasons come

Seasons go

Be still and know

He is God.

You are declared

Unforgettable

In His eyes.

Peace, love, &(most importantly) Jesus,

Amy --out

L * O * V * E

It’s what Jesus preached.

Give me your weary.

Don’t believe me?

Take a refresher course of the Gospel

What I fail to understand is simple mindedness. It spreads like a disease. It is the festering of ignorance.

After all we are all sinners and unfortunately, I have found myself on both sides of this fence. And my friends ignorance is not always bliss.

** This is a message for those, where ignorance was spoken, when love was the answer.

Jesus says,

Give me your weary.

Give me your burden.

I will give you rest.

I am hope for the hopeless.

I am the Way,

The Truth

The Life.

I am the Resurrection

I am Light.

I am for you,

Who can be against you?

I am the Shepard

To all

Even the lost sheep

If you are hurting

I can heal

My plans for you

Are good.

I want what is best

I can take any mess

And bring good out of it

Let My love

NOT be misunderstood

Seek and you will find

My love can conquer

And unbind

Come rest

At the throne

You are embraced

In love.

Your heart I know.

Peace, love, & (most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick   -out

From all angles,

Even kicking me

While I was down,

Discouraging my heart

Opposition was found

And it is guilty.

A week of constant battery

Opposition rang loud

And clear

Trying to keep me down

Testing my fears.

I survived

I took the bruising

It strengthened my faith.

Constant battles

Many invisible

Whether I see them or not

Opposition does not stop

It preys to make you weak

It fears the strength you seek.

Persevere

Keep the Faith

Stay afloat

Do not sink.

What a week I was having! Just the littlest things became obstacles. Hopefully this one will be more encouraging.

 This book I am reading is SO good. Here is a little tidbit:

"Some of your most significant acts will be those you did not think twice about. The fact that we do not know if a project will be successful or not is not the point. It is not for us to know the results; it is for us to do our duty.."

"The pessimist is in danger of being paralysed; the optimist in in danger of being unrealistic. The Bible is realistic, but tells us to press on regardless."

"The believer in Christ walks by faith, not by sight, but he is still to walk, to do his duty, and to persevere in what is right and good. Life has purpose under God."

Peace, love, &(most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick --out

EDIT ADD****

I really think this quote is beautiful:

"(At Pentecost) they were not submerged into God, nor did God override them. God was God and they were they; but Person flowed into person, Will into Will, Mind into mind, and they could scarcely tell where they ended and God began. He was closer than the blood in their veins and nearer than their own heartbeats. If they should reach out to touch Him, they would reach too far."  -E Stanley Jones, Mastery: The Art of Mastering Life

This was quoted in my current study, Live a Praying Life. I think it is so beautiful and such a vivid illustration. Had to share!!!

Sunday I got baptized. The water was freezing cold because someone forgot to fill it. I didn't get the full effect until the dunk. It took a few hours for my ears to defrost. But, it was great! And I'm glad to finally have done so. I'd like to say that I should have done it sooner, but the timing was rather perfect. It means more to me now then it would have then. Like I have typed before in previous blogs, this year has been a year of new beginnings. I'm loving it! Thanks to my family and friends for being there for me and my special event.

Actually, roughly the past two and a half years have been so eye opening. Life has been very different in such a super fantastic way! So many truths have been revealed and have made me more passionate about life. I am so incredibly grateful. I just can't wait to see what God does next. (Even with the valleys, because He is so good to turn them into mountains.)

Now time for RANDOM RANTING....

Today has been one booger of a day. I am trying so hard to illustrate why obedience is so important. But all I can think to myself is...PERSEVER Amy... you can do it! Thats right, because I've decided that any Woman, who has raised Toddlers, totally understands this word!!! ACK! Help... even as I've typed this message I have had to reclean what I already cleaned this morning!

So, while I struggle to survive my day of simple problems. There is one more random topic that I wish to address. A few times this week I've heard christians referred to as having religion or being religious....

It's so not about religion or being religious. Being a christian is about having a personal relationship with Christ. My God is not some higher being who just sits on some extravagant chair tossing down orders somewhere. My God is with me all the time. Christ personally lives in my heart. Christ walks with me daily, encouraging, renewing, molding, and giving me strength. It is about a relationship with the God of the universe, not about church. I don't go to church to feel good. I don't go to church to get religion. I go to church to get to know God and identify with other christians.

Peace, love, & most importantly, Jesus,

Amy -- out

To all of those

Whom I rarely hear from

Or contact

I miss you

I hope you are well

To all of those

Who have weathered

The storms of life

Along with me

Thank you

To all of those

Who dare to dream

Never give up

Persevere

To all of those

Who love

Never stop

People need it.

Jesus preached it.

To all of those

Who get lonely

This too shall pass

It is only a moment

Until then

Lean on God.

To all of those

Who read this

Love with all your heart

Saturate in His word.

Bless and be blessed.

Live deep.

Peace, Love, &(most importantly) Jesus,

helmschick --out

P.S. I will be catching up on comments and subs this weekend!

Today I awoke

Dragged myself out of bed

Rummaged through the closet

And made it to the gym!

I listened to praise music

Getting energized and refreshed

I walked

Engaged in positive thoughts.

I returned home

Ready for the day

What a difference it has made.

Today has been a wonderful day!

I feel so surrounded by His goodness.

So excited about His plans.

Ready for more wonderful days!!

As He leads me on

Molding and renewing

Giving me glimpses of His beauty.

 I was really distraught over the death of Steve Irwin. I know I did not know him, but it really seemed personal. I still can't believe he is really gone. My heart and prayers go out to his family. I still want to know why? I know that somethings I will never have the answers to. It certainly makes you take a look at life and remember how short time really is...

My husband and I celebrated seven years of marriage, over the weekend. It was really nice to get away. He got us a room at the ZaZa hotel in Dallas. It was a very nice hotel and a very nice room. The best part was just getting to be with him. We rarely get time alone these days. Plus he is usually very busy with work. Thanks sweetheart for taking a break and letting me know that I am important to you!

Today really was a wonderful day. The funny part is that it was so wonderful despite my sinus and allergy issues. Not everything in the world has to be perfect in order to be joyful. Because let's face it, these days the world is far from perfect.......

A grateful heart,

Amy --out

To a man I never even knew,

Because his death,

I take personally…

Sept. 4, 2006

This weather reflects

My attitude

A constant down pour

Of emotions

My grief for someone

I far from knew

Except for different

Frames on TV

How shocking

So young

So full of life

Filled with adventure

Much he had accomplished

Yet strangely it feels

Unfinished

I mourn this man

So ambitious

Passionate about life

His love for animals

And his knowledge

He freely shared

His joy reached out

To many

A great loss

For this world

Even greater a loss

For his friends and family

Thank you Steve

For your legacy

It is so shocking and surreal to me. I cannot believe he is gone. I’m not sure exactly why I am taking it so hard, because again I never met him. What I’ve witnessed on tv, I would describe as a sincere character. It sure seemed like what you saw was exactly who he was. His passion was inspiring and he wished to share it with everyone. He was who he was and perfectly comfortable with it. I admire that and his strive for goodness.

However with media comes criticism and I do wish they’d just leave it out. It makes me mad. Mad to tears. But, then I think some people feel threatened by those who are passionate and dare to make any difference or strive for good in this world of chaos and cynics. Besides people lets face it, who really wants to make a list of all the good and all the bad, for fear of the results. We’ve all made mistakes in life let’s just leave it at that.

Steve Irwin’s death is tragic and shocking. The world has lost a great man. Thank you Steve for the legacy you leave behind. God bless your family.

Sincerely and Respectfully,

helmschick

I am in total shock. I cannot believe Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin is dead. This just isn't right. My prayers are with his family. He will be greatly missed.