The Daily Planet

October 24, 2009

Peace Like A River

Published in Published Articles, Reflections of a 19 year old, What the Bible means to Me- A 19 year old

“I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.”

Growing up that was a song I always loved to sing. Everyone wishes to have peace in their lives. Everyone is searching for:

Philippians 4:7
“Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.“

People want to have a peaceful life. There are different ways people try to get peace from: watching streams or waterfalls, watching the sun set, reading a book, listening to music, drinking their favorite beverage, watch the snow falling, or listening to the rain, taking a drive, etc. Each person tries to find a way to receive peace in their lives. We all know those will never really give us the peace we long for. They are not the way to have peace in your life. They will not last!
Scriptures tell us that peace is a fruit of having the Holy Spirit in our lives:

Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.“

Letting the Holy Spirit in our lives gives us so much fruit and peace is another one of those wonderful fruit! We will have peace and life when we live in the Spirit and have a mind of the Spirit:

Romans 8:6
“Having one’s mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one’s mind controlled by the Spirit is life and shalom.“

I don’t want to have a flesh-ly mind. I don’t want death. I want everlasting life and peace that passes all understanding. Before you can have true peace in your life, you have to know Christ.

John 14:27
“What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.“

Jesus is the only one who can give us true peace. His peace is something that only He can give. It is a peace that is like no other. The world’s peace will not last. It is a temporary fix. If you do things to get peace, they are just temporary… You can only watch a stream or waterfall for a while. You can only read a book til its over. You can only listen to music til the song ends. You can only watch the sun til its down. You can only drink your favorite beverage til its gone. You can watch the snow falling til it stops and melts. You can only listen to the rain til the sun comes out. And you can only take a drive til the road ends! There is only one way to have peace and a peace that lasts and that is the peace that you can only find in our Savior… its eternal! It is everlasting, and it is perfect!

Isaiah 26:3
“A person whose desire rests on you you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.“

When we trust in the Lord and do what He wants from us, then we shall have peace! I have found that it doesn’t matter what we are going through in our lives… no matter what it is… we can find peace. Even in the midst of the hardest time of your life and you cannot see the end of the anxiety you have, its already there in our Savior. He has it!

The only satisfying peace that we long for comes from God. He wants to give us peace.

Psalm 29:1 1
“May ADONAI give strength to his people! May ADONAI bless his people with shalom!“

Not only will the He bless us with peace, but when we have peace its much easier to make peace and that is another blessing:

Matthew 5:9
“ How blessed are those who make peace! for they will be called sons of God.“

We all know how much we need peace, when you have it, don’t you want to make sure everyone can have peace too? When Jesus gives us His peace, our lives will be so enriched! When you have peace in your life it is very easy to share peace with us and live in peace.

Hebrews 12:14
“Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.“

See? When we live in peace the world shall see that it is from God. What a wonderful testimony to the salvation of Christ! When people see us living in peace and have peace in our lives, people will want it and wonder what makes us so peaceful. We can share Christ with them and tell Him that we have His peace. And sharing the salvation, love, and peace that comes through Christ is our mission as a child of God.

Everyone wants peace to flow like a river that never stops moving! I think the true meaning behind the song is to have the peace that will never end. Rivers don’t usually end… they are always flowing with water. I want my life to be flowing with peace all the time!
Shalom to you!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: bless, blessed, children of God, drink, driving, Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23, God, Hebrews 12:14, Holy Spirit, Isaiah 26:3, Jesus, John 14:27, lasting, life, Matthew 5:9, Messiah, music, peace, Peace Like A River, peace that passes all understanding, peaceful, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 29:11, reading, Romans 8:6, Savior, Scriptures, shalom, song, sunsets, temporary, Torah, watching waterfalls

Comments (9) : Leave A Comment

September 12, 2009

On Being Bullied

Published in Blogging Friends, News and FUN Stuff, Published Articles, Reflections of a 19 year old, Too True, What the Bible means to Me- A 19 year old

*Originally posted January 2009 at Growing In Grace Magazine*

Once again, my family has been dealing with online friend problems. I don’t understand why God keeps allowing us to go through this but He does and we believe in His sovereignty and that something good will come out of this if not only to find out who our REAL friends are. Unfortunately not only have we been dealing with being having these problems, but we have been somewhat bullied through this. Webster defines a bully as:

BULL’Y, n. A noisy, blustering overbearing fellow, more distinguished for insolence and empty menaces, than for courage, and disposed to provoke quarrels.

A bully is just a person who has to hurt others in order to make himself feel better because the bully has no confidence or self esteem in himself. Bullies are just people who don’t have or want peace in their lives! They are an unpeaceful people. They preach grace, yet they show no grace. They are just Users.
Bullies are not a new thing in our world. They have been around for centuries. The Egyptians who enslaved the Israelites were bullies. They were afraid of the Israelites. Many times fear makes a bully.

Exodus 1:8-14
Now there arose a new king over Egypt. He knew nothing about Yosef but said to his people, “Look, the descendants of Isra’el have become a people too numerous and powerful for us. Come, let’s use wisdom in dealing with them. Otherwise, they’ll continue to multiply; and in the event of war they might ally themselves with our enemies, fight against us and leave the land altogether.” So they put slavemasters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built for Pharaoh the storage cities of Pitom and Ra’amses. But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, until the Egyptians came to dread the people of Isra’el and worked them relentlessly, making their lives bitter with hard labor -digging clay, making bricks, all kinds of field work; and in all this toil they were shown no mercy.

Pharaoh was afraid of the Israelites, and he thought that by bullying them they would be afraid of him. Satan often uses fear as his main attack. Fear is a powerful thing, and it is very important to not be fearful.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline.

Anyone who oppresses you is a bully, and it is wrong. Anyone who pushes you to do what they want, whether physically, emotionally or mentally is a bully. Bullies are so manipulative, because they use their strength to get others to do what they want. They give the bullied no choice but to do what they want.

I have never been physically bullied, but our family has been virtually bullied on the internet many times. Like IRL bullies, virtual bullies try to make you do what they want, by gossiping about you, turning friends against you, going to your friends and befriending them, by hacking your websites and stalking you. They try to make you do their will, because you can’t do anything about it. They make you be the bigger person because they know you won’t go do the things they do or tell the world about them. You get stuck between a rock and a hard place; that is exactly where they want you.

But, even Jesus was bullied, so we can take the comfort that we can suffer through the same thing as Christ did even though it is hard to be bullied. I believe that bullying in a way is persecution and Jesus said:

John 15:20
Remember what I told you, `A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours too.

If Jesus was bullied and persecuted, you will be too! We are so blessed to have Jesus come to earth to endure these things for us and to tell us what we can do when they happen to us! Jesus also told us what to do to do those bully us:

Luke 6:27-31
Nevertheless, to you who are listening, what I say is this: “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
“If someone hits you on one cheek, offer the other too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well.
“If someone asks you for something, give it to him; if someone takes what belongs to you, don’t demand it back.
“Treat other people as you would like them to treat you.

Matthew 5:38-42
“You have heard that our fathers were told, `Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too!
If someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well!
And if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, carry it for two!
When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.

We are to love the bullies, and do good to them, bless them, and pray for them! Believe me, that is no easy task. There are days when I just want to come out and say what REALLY happened and want everyone to know they can’t trust those persons, but that is where we just leave the situation to God and let Him handle it. He is the righteous judge and will repay the deeds that are done.
All we have to do is what those verses, tell us: turn your cheek, give them your shirt, go the extra mile! So love those who bully, do good to them when they are horrible to you, bless them when they curse you and most importantly pray for them. Show Jesus to your bullies, even those bullies who are Christians, by doing those things because Jesus is the only one who can change them and prayer works!

Those who bully are spiteful and hateful! Love and kindness do not treat others like that. Jesus is love and kindness and if you don’t have Him in your life, you can’t love and show kindness to people and all you can do is be spiteful and hateful!

So remember to love those that bully you and by doing that you are showing Jesus to them! THAT is the mission of a Christian! To show the love of Christ to those who know Him not!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: 2 Timothy 1:7, A slave is not greater than his master., backbiting, bullied, bullies, bully, Christians, Do good to those who hate you bless those who curse you pray for those who mistreat you., editorial, fake friends, For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity but power love and self-discipline., friends, friendship, gossiping, grace, hateful, If they persecuted me they will persecute you too, Israelites, Jesus, John 15:20, kindness, love, Love your enemies!, Luke 6:27-31, Matthew 5:38-42, online, online friends, oppression, persecuted, persecution, Pharaoh, real friends, righteous judge, spiteful, The Users, turn the other cheek, Users, Webster's dictionary

Comments (36) : Leave A Comment

August 25, 2009

In so much loving memory…

Published in Prayers, Wordless Wednesday

Christian “Dozer” Drews

Forever in our hearts! Always a star!

Prayers and Loves to Mr. Drews, Marshie, Austin, and Noah and all the extended family! Waiting with you til the glorious day that we will all be reunited with him!

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: boy, Christian Drews, drewsfamilytx, drowned, family, Jesus, Lord, love, loving memory, Marsha Drews, missing, one year anniversary, star, Texas, three year old

Comments (12) : Leave A Comment

August 08, 2009

Morning Glory

Published in Reflections of a 19 year old, Saturday Psalm and Praise, What the Bible means to Me- A 19 year old

Exodus 16:7
“In the morning, you will see ADONAI’s glory.“

That is one of the gorgeous morning glory flowers that bloom every August on the fence by the well. As I was walking out yesterday morning and saw them the thought occurred to me about just what a beautiful thing they are.
In the morning, we see God’s glory in Morning Glories. Morning Glories only bloom in the morning just as the sun is coming up and they bloom towards the sun. I want to be like a morning glory and turn my face to the Son and bloom in His light, so that His glory can be shown to everyone. Glory is praise, honor and adoration and that is the goal of my life should be: to bring praise and honor to our Lord!

©AmandaDixon2009

Each Saturday join Jacque (Mama) @ Walking Therein, and many others who are taking their Saturdays and expressing their praise to the Lord. To participate, you can post a Psalm or a praise and tell what impact it has had on you. Make sure to link up your SP&P too! I hope to see you on there!

Tags: Adonai, adoration, August, bloom, flower, glory, God, God's glory, honor, Jesus, life goal, morning, morning glory, photography, photos, picture, Praise, Son, sun, Yeshua

Comments (18) : Leave A Comment

May 20, 2009

The Feelin’ Feminine Challenge Day Dos

Published in City Gal Living In The Country, Feelin' Feminine and Modest, I'm Photogenic, Me Myself and I, The Daily Life at The Daily Planet

I’m having so much fun taking part in Kristin’s Feelin’ Feminine’s “7 Days in a Dress”! Not only because I get to dress up a little more than usual everyday work clothes, but also I get to look at all my girlfriends who are doing it too!

Today’s outfit is definitely not something I usually wear. This outfit is not too dressy, but every easy to stuff in.

I really like this jean skirt. I’m not usually one for long and flowing, but I like the way this one is. I think the last time I wore this shirt was last summer on vacation. I dug it out of the back of my closet… I really should wear it more, tho! Its a parody to the Reese’s candy bar logo, which I like cause I like Reese’s. Under the Jesus, it says “Sweet Savior” then “The Only Real Satisfaction” and has the reference for

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.“

I would challenge all my readers… well excluding the guys, if I have any, to take part in wearing skirts all week long. It really is fun to be feminine! I can’t wait to mix and match and photograph my outfits this week and see all yours too!
Guess who’s feelin’ feminine,

©AmandaDixon2009

Tags: 7 Days In A Dress, Amanda Dawn, Amanda Dixon, attractive, challenge, cute, Dos, Feelin' Feminine, feminine, For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life instead of being utterly destroyed., Jesus, John 3:16, Kristin, Lord, modesty, outfit, photograph, photos, pictures, pretty, Reese's, Savior, skirt, Spanish, Sweet Savior, The Faithful Fashionista, The Favorite Things Event

Comments (16) : Leave A Comment

May 11, 2009

Vision Forum Reclaiming the Culture DVD Giveaway!

Published in Contests & Giveaways, Super Favorites

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED!*

Y’all know how much I love to enter giveaways and contests… well I love to give away stuff even more! Vision Forum has given me one of their 5 new DVD titles in the Reclaiming the Culture set to giveaway to you!
You have the chance to win one of the following titles:

You May Not Take Our Guns (DVD)
The Devolution of Law (DVD)
Top Ten Questions About Genesis and Creation (DVD)
The State of Parental Rights in America (DVD)
Christianity and Science Fiction: Reclaiming the Genre for Christ (1 DVD & 2 CDs)

To enter:

Leave a comment letting me know which DVD you would like to win.

That is a mandatory entry. For extra chances:

Twitter this giveaway @Super_Angel is giving away a Vision Forum DVD of choice! ends 5/13 http://superangelsblog.com/?p=2213
Facebook this giveaway
Blog this giveaway

Make sure to leave a comment with the link for each other thing you so I have a total count for your entries. There are 4 total chances you can have!

That’s it! So hurry and enter before May 13th so you have a chance to win one of these great Vision Forum dvds that will help us Reclaim The Culture for our Savior!

If you would like, Vision Forum is also offering this brand new group of DVDs for 33% off the regular price of $78.00 til May 15, 2009. For a limited time you can acquire them for $45.00 OR you can buy the entire 14 DVD set for $99.00. That’s a savings of 53% off the retail price!