"It's How I Worship!"

I've decided to start posting some of my favorite pictures I've taken and write about them. Whatever the Lord leads, I'll write and so, I decided I'll just go through the album (on my desktop - BLOG PHOTOS) in order and, this was the first one :)



This picture was taken on my iPhone and I remember taking it one Saturday night at The Well, not long after Krislyn started painting during services. I didn't have my camera that night but there was something about her hands, covered in paint that sparked my Spirit. That night, instead of painting with her brushes, she painted with her hands and there was something so powerful to me about that.

I remember when she was posing for the picture, or possibly after I snapped it, Krislyn said, "It's how I worship," and it stirred my Spirit even more. When I sat down to edit the picture (because it was a no brainer that it would be edited) those words kept stirring over, and over in my heart. Editing it was easy as pie, the Lord led me the whole way and editing this picture changed my photography in every way...I looked at it as a way to worship, not just a way of earning a living. There where the "Uncommon Photography" watermark is, I put a fire flame...The Well and their "fire" infected my life. I used it on all The Well pictures after that, until Photoshop came along...but that fire flame changed my life forever (due to the fire that changed me at The Well).

"It's how I worship," was a powerful statement, and really got me thinking. How many times we go through our days, doing the same old, same old and not seeing it as a blessing from God in a new way to worship. I was enjoying photography, doing my regular gig at The Well, taking portraits, learning all about my DSLR and here comes "worship" in to the picture. Krislyn jolted something awake in my Spirit...I couldn't continue to look at photography as an art, or a way of life in the future...it's a way to worship! I began taking pictures (at events/services) that would uplift believers (just like one of Krislyn's paintings would)...you'll see them later on in this blog series ;)

So I challenge you to see what you're doing as a way to worship...drawing, skating, dancing...whatever! Do it for the glory of the Father! Do it to worship Him!

What do you do to worship Him?

Skype.

Hey guys! If you want to keep up with me, come on over to Skype :)

Not only will I be posting regularly on here but occasionally I'll be on Skype! I've taught the parentals how to use it and I talk to my best friends on it so...add me :)

Crimsntidegrl is my screen name :)

Much love and many blessings.
Amber :)

Content.

I've learned in my life that God really doesn't like contentment.

When I was 12, my dad decided to pastor and to be honest, I was perfectly content with my life at that time. It took me a while to become content with my life for the next two years but by the time I had become content with it, it was time for another change. When contentment finally came with my college situation, it was time to move to Birmingham...driving back and forth from Gadsden wasn't going to cut it anymore. By the time the first boyfriend rolled around, 9 months in I was so content I couldn't stand myself but that fall, everything changed!

Fall 2009 was when EJM came to visit (after their 2007 visit [an entirely new team]), I moved from Birmingham back home to Gadsden, my boyfriend broke up with me and I realized I was called to The Well with my spiritual leaders Blake & Stacey Sitz. Over the next four and a half months, my life drastically changed and by January 2010, I was back at SEBC...

The summer of 2010 I went back to The Well and by then, boyfriend number two had come into the picture. Before I knew it, he had walked out on me and I was letting people take advantage of my bitterness and hurt, which led me to leave The Well again. In the midst of all this, my dream of traveling the world, ministering the Gospel never died out. Prophecies over my life from people such as Blake, his brother Lane, and other people I've known who walk in the gift of the prophetic had all confirmed that was the Lord's plan for me - I just had to be patient and wait on His timing.

In February 2011, I went back to The Well part-time and by May I was full-time. I went back just to sing and ended up dancing again...which put joy back into my life that I thought I had lost. I finally began making deep friendships and really becoming content and things started to change. People started disliking my involvement at The Well, people were trying to pull me away and I started making some not so Amber-like decisions. Because of that, I got into some trouble with my parents but, things were made right and my life went back to semi-normal! Within days, I had a text from Eddie James, a dear family friend, inviting me to join EJM. I always told God, no matter what, when that door was opened that I'd walk through it...so I did.

Within 24 hours I had packed up everything I would need for 3 months and left for Hamilton, Alabama. I only had enough time to say goodbye to my parents, Blake, Austin, Mandy, Krislyn and Cayson (all dear friends and fellow leaders at The Well) and the people at Family Christian (I still had to work that day - lol). It was a very emotional time for me and here, a week and a half later, I still miss home. Listening to people who have been here 6 months, even a year, I don't think that sentiment ever goes away. You always miss home.

God uprooted me and replanted me for a season, I don't know how long, but I'm going to learn all I can in this season to be able to go on to my next assignment when He's ready. I'm not sure as some others that my time at The Well is completely up...I feel there is going to be an in between stage between EJM and my next step and that The Well will be that resting place. That return home...whether for a month or a year...but for now, I am singing with Eddie James Ministries and ministering to people I only dreamed I would reach. This has been a dream in my heart/Spirit since I was 15/16 years old. To be able to live this out, is just a God thing. Only He could open the door and only He can shut it. So I ask that you pray for me as I am on this EJM journey. I left photography, I left dancing, I left a job I loved, I left my parents, I left a Spiritual family that I love and hold dearer than most of my family...for a short time I've even left singing (no singing until I learn all the music - lol). It's been painful and very uncomfortable but God doesn't like it when we are comfortable! Just remember, when you are comfortable, something is probably fixing to change!!!

"Say goodbye to my father, my mother, turn my back on every other lover but I press on! Yes I, press on! I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU - THERE IS NOT COST! I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU - THERE IS NO LOSS!" - Misty Edwards

My Story - in light of Exodus

This week for school, I had to write part of my testimony in light of 4 themes we see in Exodus and still compare things in my story to the Israelites. So, I thought I'd post it here on my blog! Enjoy :)

Redemption –

I remember vividly crying out to God back in 2009 for deliverance from depression. Like the Israelites, I allowed myself to become overtaken by the enemy and I became bound by a bondage I never thought would enter my life. My first boyfriend (we were together almost eleven months and I was promised to him) decided to breakup with me because I obeyed God in a certain situation in my life. At first, I kept my face set like flint on God’s face and wasn’t swayed by the circumstances but over time, the enemy crept in my mind and I was defeated (as the Israelites were when Moses hit the scene). It was a long three month battle until finally…

Liberation –

One Sunday night at my dad’s church in little Attalla, Alabama, I was set free! I had spent the weekend begging and pleading for God to move – I had to have freedom – and He heard my cries! Alter call was just for me and He used a dear friend to help lead me out. Just like Moses had to pray like there was no tomorrow for the Israelites – this wonderful woman of God prayed for me like there was no Monday! She did not really know what had been going on in my mind, but she began pleading the blood over my mind and it was not long before freedom came!

Sanctification/Identity –

Once I began walking in my freedom, I had to learn who I was in Christ all over again. I had to learn the simple things such as, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” all the way to the big things such as hearing His voice and ministering for His glory with no selfish ambitions/thoughts. I am sure the Israelites had to re-learn when their freedom came just as we have to today! They were so accustomed to slavery when their shackles were loosed, I am sure they had to learn to do things without fear. In Egypt, one wrong move or glance could get them beaten; even speaking while working could earn being whipped. It was in the “re-learning” process I realized that all I truly needed was God! Through my depression, I had turned to TV shows, food and people…when all I needed was to keep drawing near to God! After being taken into captivity, the Israelites eventually lost sight of God and started looking at things and situations around them. Once they were released from captivity, it took a very, very, very long time for them to find their identity in God and to trust Him again. Even after every miracle He performed for them – they would not trust Him. Trusting God after the miracle He performed for me – to pull me out of the captivity I was in – was easy! I still haven’t figured out how the Israelites could not REALLY get out of Egypt. I guess the old saying reigns true…

Revelation –

You can take the Israelite out of Egypt but you can’t take Egypt out of the Israelite. After freedom, the enemy tried to bind my mind more than once, but my relationship with God was so different. My focus was Him and His plan more than it ever had been! My life was not centered around TV shows or people – it was all about God. And now, two years later, my face has stayed fixed on His and He’s opened doors that I never dreamt possible!