To Love & to Be Loved...

More frequently than not, my morning reading hits circumstances in my life right on the nose.  This morning it hit these circumstances right in the face.  Our church has been, and continues to go through, some very rough times.  Though I don't always understand why or how these things happen, I do know that God does allow circumstances to happen in our lives, good and bad, in order to help us grow into what He wants us to be.  It's our choice whether we allow God to mold and shape us through these circumstances.  We can choose to become bitter and hard and ignore what God has planned.  We do have free will to resist.  I fully admit to trying to do it my way many times, but it never turns out like I've planned.  Being a computer geek, I often turn to my computer and Google to help me find specific bible verses to deal with certain situations.  I type in, What does the Bible say about this.... What does the Bible say about that... and up pops the verses I was trying to find.  Today, at a loss for how to cope, I typed in, "What does the bible say about coming together.", and I was taken to 1 John 4:7-21.  I sometimes find a scripture that has so many commas in it that I lose the main point.  Does that ever happen to you?  I mean I know it's hiding in there somewhere in that beautiful King James verse, but for the life of me cannot separate it all out into something my brain can comprehend.  It's at those times that I turn to The Message.  It's a translation that speaks in modern day language, and although some may think it's not quite a accurate, it does hit the nail on the head 99.9% of the time.  Pay close attention to verses 11-12 and 20-21.  Those hit these circumstances we face right on the nose.  So here it is below.  I'll let it finish up this blog post because, I couldn't say it better myself.
Blessings.

1 John 4:7-21
The Message

God Is Love

7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.

11-12 My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love!

13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

To Love, to Be Loved

17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

A moment to reflect...

I finally have a moment to sit down and reflect on all the events of the last couple of weeks.  In trying to gather my thoughts as to what I’d like to say and to whom, it all still seems to be a big jumble.  So, I decided to just go ahead and start writing and see if anything intelligent comes out!  These past two weeks have been filled with so many big emotions...excitement, stress, elation, exasperation, enjoyment, exhaustion, anticipation, love, amusement, discovery, patience, impatience, appreciation & hope.  I have come to a point of being a bit numb from it all!  Not in a bad way...just in a completely, thoroughly exhausted kind of way.  But boy was it fun!  Trying to come up with an adjective to describe how I feel now is impossible.  I am so very, very thankful to God for bringing such a wonderful, sweet, beautiful, Christian, young woman into my eldest son’s life.  I prayed for her before I knew her.  I prayed for her when he was just a baby.  I knew she was out there somewhere, but I had no idea how their lives would eventually cross.  There are many reasons why God brought us to Wilmington, but this one, this particular reason, is absolutely the best by far!  Not only did we gain a daughter (finally!!), but we gained a wonderful extended family in the Turkals!  We are so very blessed to be close friends with Ann & Mark, and to say Alex’s brothers are stoked about having Sam as their brother-in-law and Laura as their sister-in-law would be an huge understatement!  Wow!  God is good!!  Now as I start packing up Alex’s room, it hasn’t quite hit me yet that they are moving so far away.  But, thankfully these days we have the internet, skype, facebook and texting to keep up with each other.  Unlike when I did the same thing nearly 26 years ago when I got married and moved to Ft. Worth, TX.  I’m very excited for them!  I know God has some wonderful things in store for them, and I can’t wait to see what He’s gonna do!  Thank you to everyone who shared in Alex & Laura’s coming together.  Thank you for sharing in their big day, whether it be with your physical presence or your prayers and well-wishes!  God used all of that to bring these two extraordinary people together and changed all our lives for the better!  And now...on to the next adventure!  Please keep us all in your prayers as we them up and move them to Columbus, OH in about 10 days!  

Genesis 2:18 - "The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Are You Disciplined?

Discipline....a word that many of us equate with punishment or consequences.  Yet, it also has another meaning.  When you say a musician or singer is very "disciplined", it means that they study and work very hard at what they do.  Most of us can say we are "disciplined" in something.  Perhaps you are a very disciplined teacher.  Perhaps you are a very disciplined runner, or physician, or student.  You could even be a very disciplined video game player, although I don't recommend wasting all your time doing that. Some people have made a career out of testing video games for companies, and surely they must be disciplined in the art of video gaming to do so.  So, at what are YOU disciplined?  What do you spend most of your time doing?  What are you perfectionistic about?  For me, I'd say my list is rather short.  There are very few things I'm perfectionistic about, unless you count the way I fold towels, but perhaps that's just more obsessive compulsive than disciplined.  I could list singing, parenting, my job...but in the long run those things are not the most important.  What I really want to be disciplined at is showing love, encouraging others, helping others, and giving joy to others.  As I think about it, all those things can be accomplished simply by being "disciplined" in God's word.  If you let His words truly sink into your soul; if you let His words truly become a part of who you are, understand them for yourself, believe them to be true, and have faith that what He said, He will do, then all those other things will fall right into place.  When you are disciplined at something, you are confident, strong and secure.  Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all were confident in showing love to each other, strong in encouraging each other through the tough times, and so secure in the joy of the Lord that it just oozes out of use and infuses everyone we touch?  That's the kind of discipline I long for, the kind that continually brings me closer to my God, the kind that can set me free from the worries of this world, and enable me to accomplish more than I ever dreamed.  Which leads me to a  favorite quote from one of my favorite people..."Discipline gives me the foundation that leaves me free to fly.  If I really know what I'm doing then I can soar."  ~ Julie Andrews

Let that be my goal, to be so disciplined in God's word and ways, that I am set free to soar, to do and to be all that He wants me to do and be.

^{Joshua 1:8:8} Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

I'm Cracked!

I goof up.  I make mistakes.  I make bad decisions.  I say the wrong things.  I’m flawed, cracked, imperfect, scarred.  It’s not a matter of if I will let you down, but when.  Knowing all that, God chooses to love me anyway, completely and without condition and, He’s forgiven me completely.  I have a clean slate.  Therein lies my hope, my optimism, my reason to forgive the flaws in others.  Sometimes, for a moment or two, a cloud moves over my vision, and I lose sight of this hope.  It’s at those times I need the ones who love me most to help me find it again, to sweep away the clouds and find the sun (or the Son) on an otherwise gloomy day.  God puts those people in my life for that very reason at the perfect time.  He knew that, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t be happy, smiley and optimistic all the time.   He certainly knew I wouldn't be able to behave myself all the time!  Some days it’s more of a struggle than others, but I am profoundly grateful for the blessings He’s given me.  I am very aware of how blessed I am.  I have a husband I love beyond measure.  A Godly man, who is gentle and kind, sweet and funny, and my very best friend.  I have three boys who have turned into wonderful, talented, dedicated, Godly young men.  They make me realize there are at least three things in this life I’ve done very well!  I have music, a true gift from God I believe, and it often is the only thing that carries me through a gloomy day.  My entire life has been filled with music, every kind it seems, and though it hasn’t brought me fame, it has brought me so much more.  I have loyal friends who love me warts and all.  Some who have been more like family, and carried me through some of the darkest days.  Some I’ve known for many years, some I've only known a short while, but are not any less a part of my heart.  God has blessed me beyond measure.  These blessings can’t be bought, yet they are worth far more than anything money could buy.  So remember, when I do goof up, if I disappoint you in some way, I warned you it would happen.  But please do try to remember that I am trying.  God is still working on me, and He will be until the day I see Him face to face.   I promise until that day to do my best to keep my eyes on the Son, push away the clouds when they get in your way, and give you a smile of encouragement.  I thank you in advance for the days you need to do that for me.   It is my goal in life, although I do fail at it miserably sometimes, to be an encouragement to others and to give them a smile when they need it most.   If you're reading this, SMILE!  God loves you….even when you goof up!!  J

·      **   I have no idea what provoked this blog today.  I've not made anyone mad (that I'm aware of), or goofed up today (yet).  God just put it in my heart and out if flowed through my keyboard.  It often happens that way and I am always profoundly humbled and grateful when He chooses to use me in that way.  I hope that it touches the ones who needed to hear it, whomever and wherever they may be! 

     Much love & blessings,

     Amy

__________________________________

·     ** Romans 5:8 –
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

26 years later....

This particular blog post has been a while in the making.  I'd say, about 26 years or so.  That's how long I've been in the Ministry with my husband...the first year as an engaged couple and the next 25 years married.  Yes, he's the one with the title, he's the one listed as the Minister of Music, but we are, and always have been, in this together...a team.  And, once we added kids to the mix, they too became a part of the "Ministry team".  I know when I became a Minister's wife, I really had no idea what I was in for.  I had some lofty ideas of how it would be.  Boy were they wrong.  Don't get me wrong, I've loved almost every minute of it, but it has been absolutely nothing like what I thought it would be.  I want my words to cause you to stop and think.  I'm giving you a glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak.  Being in the Ministry, we're up there in front of you, week after week.  You see us each week do what we do for the church, whether it's preaching, or leading the music, or performing it, and you have a perception of who we are and what we're like.  Unless you are a very close friend, those perceptions are based on just what you see up there in public.  It's a huge responsibility really, knowing that people are looking at you, your attitudes, your actions, your moods and making an assumption on who you really are, what you're really like.  It's a tiny bit like being famous, so to speak.  We are not by any means "famous", but a lot more people "know" us, that we actually know personally.  It gives you the feeling that you're always being watched, judged, even when you don't know it.  I'm not complaining, so don't get me wrong.  I cannot image being truly famous and never having a moment out in public to just be anonymous.  We're in a  small "fish bowl" thankfully, not the public aquarium!

What I'm trying to say, and being way too wordy in doing so, is that "this ain't no piece of cake".  Our goal is to do our very best, to be a good example in all situations, even when we don't know someone is looking, and to show the love of Christ to everyone we come in contact with.  We do not always succeed.  We make mistakes just like everyone else.  We fall down.  We get discouraged.  We get angry, and frequently frustrated.  We don't always feel like smiling or being nice...that's just life....but we do try.  There's not a single minister, or minister's family, on this earth, that doesn't deal with these same things.  So, the next time you are tempted to talk badly about the ministers in your church, I want you to stop and think for just a minute.  This man God has appointed to minister in the church has given up a "normal" life to do this job.  What has this man and his family given up you may ask?  Most don't get to live in their home towns, near the families.  They raise their kids far away from their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles & Cousins and only get to see their own parents a couple times a year.  They give up any real negotiations on salary and benefits to take care of their family, because most churches take offense to a prospective minister even asking how much the job pays. Would you take a job that you knew didn't pay enough, didn't provide adequate benefits for you, much less your family, caused you to have to pay huge amounts of self-employment taxes, yet expected you to be the best dressed person at church, drive a nice car and live in their neighborhoods?  No...I dare say most of you wouldn't.  Who in their right mind would?  A Minister, that's who.  Why?  Because God has called them to do so.  There are very, very few churches out there that actually take care of their staff the way they should.  I'm not saying that the church should pay them big $$, so they can live in luxury.  There are basic things a church should do for their Ministry team.  They should pay them enough to live relatively comfortably in today's economy.  They should provide both health & dental insurance benefits for them and their family.  They should pay at least half of the enormous self-employment tax that is levied against ordained ministers.  And finally they should contribute to a retirement fund.  This is something many of you expect from your employer.  This isn't anything extravagant.  I can honestly say that of all the churches we've served in, only one has ever taken care of us this way.  I've heard people say, "Well MY employer doesn't take care of me.  Why should YOU get taken care of that way?".  That kind of attitude is exactly what is wrong with churches today.  The church is called to a higher standard.  We are not to be like the rest of the world.  We are to be the finest example of love.

Your minister's entire family is affected by how he is treated.  Don't whisper and murmur behind your pastor's back!  Don't block every new idea he brings before you because "you never did it that way before" or because you "don't like him" or you "are afraid of change" or you're just plain ol' grouchy & bitter.  STOP and THINK.  What is the church there for?  Is it so that YOU can be happy in your own protected little world where nothing ever changes?  Or is it there to reach OUT to a lost world and show them the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE that is in a relationship with Christ?  HOW can you show them that, if you cannot even show it among yourselves?  HOW can you expect anyone to look at your life, and how you treat your MINISTERS, and expect them to want to know the God you say you serve?  So, what can you do to show love to your Ministers and their families?  Pray for them daily.  They face just as many difficult issues as you do each day.  Love them.  That seems simple, but it seems to be one of the hardest.  Love them by actually getting to know them, and by taking care of them & their family.  A well-loved, prayed-for, Minister can concentrate better on doing God's work in the church and the community, instead of constantly worrying how he's gonna pay the rent, get his kid's cavities filled and fix his beat up old car.  It's biblical.  Just read 1 Timothy 5:17-18 or 1 Corinthians 9:14. Support them.  That also seems like an easy thing, but for some people it's not.  Your pastor is going to have new ideas, he's going to want to try new, biblically based things, and if all you do is constantly resist his efforts, well eventually he may just stop trying.  That is the sign of a dying church my friends.  If you wall yourself off from the outside world, cater only to your own needs and wants, and you don't try anything new to reach the lost, your church will DIE.  There are thousands and thousands of dying churches out there today.  Churches that haven't had one person baptized all year.  Churches that have zero young people attending.  Folks, if you don't have any young people in your church....your church is going to DIE.  They are the future, not the enemy.  Embrace them.  Remember what it was like to be young!  Be good examples for them to follow, not bitter, old grouches they want to avoid....but that's a blog post for another day!  In closing, I just want to say that, for me and my family and my minister husband, we cannot imagine doing a different job.  We are all in this together, for better or for worse, and we have experienced both in church.  It's not a job for wimps.  In my eyes, Ministers are Super Heroes!  Able to SMILE in the face of hurtful words, able to PREACH God's word in the face of sin, able to SING His praises in the face of adversity, and able to STAND against satan's attacks.  I leave you with this....if you would just pray for your Ministers and their families, love them and take care of them, come along side them with a willing heart and cheerful attitude helping them bring the lost ones home, support their new adventures in ministry instead of resisting, and really get to know their hearts for God, then that church you belong to would bloom, and grow, and thrive and reach the lost in record numbers!  The only thing holding it back....is your willingness to serve cheerfully along side your Ministers.

Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Listen!  Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.  When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.  Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.  The Lord has shown His holy power before the eyes of all the nations.  All the ends of the earth will see the victory of God.   

Jarod's Open Door...

This post is a bit of a "way to go" for my youngest son Jarod.  He's 14 and a freshman in High School.  As a minister's kid, he was practically born in church.  He gave his heart to Jesus when he was 4 1/2 years old.  He's always been a little bit ahead of the usual milestones.  I think this is because he's the youngest, and always wanted to be like his older brothers, so he's always been in a hurry to grow up.  He has grown into a fine young man, and we are very proud of him.  Not long ago, we had the opportunity to go out to eat with just Jarod.  The other two boys were busy.  As we had dinner, Jarod told us about his History class.  They had been discussing religions in history and his teacher was trying to describe the different beliefs.  He started out by saying that "Christians believe that if you're good enough, you'll get into heaven."  Jarod started shaking his head and raised his hand and told the teacher that wasn't right at all.  So, the teacher then said, "Ok, explain."  And Jarod.....walked right through that open door without hesitation.  He was able to explain what Christians believe, and share what salvation is with his entire class (and the astonished teacher).  Moving on, the teacher then stated that it was Christians in the Middle Ages that persecuted and put people to death for not believing as they did.  Once again, Jarod raised his hand and the teacher called on him.  Jarod told him that those were not Christians, but rather people who were twisting God's word for their own purposes, calling themselves Christians doesn't make them Christians.  True Christians would never do such a thing.  It was then that the teacher moved his discussion to Catholicism in history, ha ha!  His story really spoke to me, and so I thought it might speak to you as well.  Doors like that get opened to each of us every day.  How many times have we stood there staring at that open door, afraid to even approach it, much less walk through it.  Sometimes we get brave enough to walk up to it and peek in, but rarely walk on through.  I want to be someone that sees that open door, and boldly walks right through it as quickly as I can before it shuts again, because we never know when a door could slam shut and never open again.  Heaven forbid we should miss the last opportunity we ever have to share Jesus with someone.  Even if you walk through it and get thrown right back out, at least you have planted that seed, and can say you tried.  So way to go Jarod!  I pray that you get many more opportunities to share God's word through the way you live your life, your music and by walking bravely through those doors of opportunity when they swing wide open!

Matthew 5:14-16

Good News Translation (GNT)

¹⁴ “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

THINK before you speak...

Satan loves to use this time of year to cause as much pain as possible.  He uses us against each other, stirring up selfish thoughts, past hurts, or presumed wrongs.  The bible says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”, 1 Peter 5:8.  He loves to turn our thoughts selfishly inwards, and away from being thankful for the loved ones God has placed in our lives, whether by blood or by friendship.  Remember that this season, as you celebrate Thanksgiving.  Make a list of all the things about each member of your family that you are thankful for.  Remind yourself that carrying around a grudge or a hurt from the past only makes YOU miserable.  When you lash out at the ones you love over past hurts, it makes you look like a fool, and makes Satan laugh with delight.  The word of God says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  This is how we are to love each other.  So remember this at Thanksgiving and Christmas when you get together with your family and friends, even the ones who get on your nerves sometimes, to love them the way God says to love them.  No, it’s not always easy, but I would much rather bite my tongue and keep from hurting someone, than cause them pain and in the process, Satan joy.  The acrostic below is something I keep in mind when I am hurt or angry, and honestly you can’t get very far down this list when you’re thinking selfishly.  What you want to say might be true...but words spoken in anger are seldom ever helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind.

THINK before you speak.
T - is it true
H - is it helpful
I - is it inspiring
N - is it necessary
K - is it kind

The Message - Ephesians 4:31b
“Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”

Advice...

My Advice...

If I were to give advice to the young folks in my life

I'd have to start by saying that this life is filled with strife.

It is not always easy, it is not always fair,

and there are times you really wonder, does anyone out there care?

You will fall down, you will get hurt, you will get angry too.

But everything that happens, well, that helps to make you, you!

They say what doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger.

And sometimes you will think that you can't go on any longer.

But listen child, I've been where you are, and there is always hope.

Keep looking up, keep moving on, don't waste your time and mope.

For if you place your hope and trust in God's unfailing hand,

you will get up, you will go on, and once again you'll stand.

The secret to this life you see, is not a secret at all.

It's simply trusting God because He will not let you fall.

There's so much more to life than what you see with your two eyes.

And you might find that what you see will fill you with surprise.

In order to be happy, and fill your heart with joy,

Share the love God gave to you, with every girl and boy.

Giving, caring, loving, sharing, and making someone's day,

will fill your heart to overflowing and that's all I have to say!  

By:  Amy York

He KNOWS me - Do you KNOW Him?

But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: "The Lords knows those who are His..."


Think about that for just a minute...let it sink in.  He KNOWS me.  The creator of the universe KNOWS me.  The One who hung the stars KNOWS me, and cares about me.  He knows me better than any person ever could.  He knows my every, single thought.  He knows my true nature.  He knows every thing I've ever done, and yet, He loves me anyway.  As hard as it is for a mother to imagine...He loves me even more than I love my own children.  The knowledge that God, Himself, knows me, loves me, cares about every detail of my life, gives enormous hope and peace.  I do forget sometimes and start worrying about things, but then I remember....He knows my name.  No matter what you are going through, whether it be the best times of your life, or the worst, the God of the universe wants you to know that He knows you by heart, that He loves you unconditionally, and His love for you cannot be shaken.  He's always with you...whisper His name...He's as close as the air you breathe...and He loves YOU. 

There is only one way to get to heaven.  ONE.  I'm not being racist, judgmental or narrow-minded.  The bible puts it very simply... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, so that whomever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16 
Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but by me."  John 14:6
 

Goodbyes...

As a family that has been in the ministry together for 25 years, we’ve said a lot of goodbyes over the years.  They’ve never been easy.  When it’s you that’s leaving, often it’s a little easier simply because it’s tempered by the excitement of a new adventure, a new challenge, and a chance to start fresh and new.  It’s a weird combination of sadness, happiness, excitement and nervousness, all rolled up together.  When you are the one sending someone else off, saying goodbye is a little harder.  It’s not that you feel like you’re being left behind, it’s more the feeling of losing something that you’ve come to take for granted, something that was warm and comfortable and always there.  Now we must get ready to say goodbye to our Youth Minister, James Strickland, and his beautiful wife, Donna, and send them off on a new adventure.  They’ve become more than just friends...they’re family.  I’m at a loss for words when it comes to trying to find a way to say thank you for the friendship, support, love and Godly teaching they have given my family, especially my three boys.  The impact James has had on their lives has changed them for the better, forever.  There are no words to explain to you the blessing of having someone you can completely entrust your children to like James.  When Donna and I first became friends, I shared with her that each time we’d moved to a new church, I prayed that God would send me a “heart” friend, someone I could open up my heart to, and trust.  I have someone like this in nearly every state we’ve lived in, and they have remained my heart friends no matter the miles between us or the time that has passed.  This will be true of Donna and I as well.  I am so very thankful for her friendship, encouragement and trust.  James & Donna, as you set out on this new adventure in life we want you to know that we love you, we are blessed to call you friends, we think of you as family, and there is no distance between us that will ever change that!    

Blessings & Love,
Amy, Scott, Alex, Taylor & Jarod York

Friends by Michael W. Smith

Packing up the dreams God planted,
in the fertile soil of you.
I can’t believe the hopes He’s granted,
means a chapter in your life is through.
But we’ll keep you close, as always.
It won’t even seem you’ve gone.
Cause our hearts, in big and small ways,
will keep the love that keeps us strong.

And friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them.
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.
Though it’s hard to let you go, in the Father’s hands we know,
that a lifetime’s not too long, to live as friends.

Endurance

The last few months have been a struggle.  I've really been feeling ragged.  The journey God has laid out for me, and for my husband and children, has never been an easy one.  Don't get me wrong, we are indeed, very blessed in so many ways.  But I'm not gonna lie....the life of a Minister's family is not for wimps.  You have to be very tough, and at the same time very sensitive, keep your anger under control, but not be a push-over....balancing life in a "fish bowl" is never easy.  Sometimes I just want to run up to the glass and stick out my tongue at the world, haha!  But, I know that no matter what I'm feeling, be it exhausted or energized, depressed or encouraged, happy or sad...that I'm not doing it alone.  I have the One who placed every star in the sky walking with me, and if I fall down, He is right there to pick me back up every time.  Sometimes, you go through something that you simply don't know how to handle.  Just remember, if you place your trust in God, He will never leave you and with Him by your side, you can....Endure.

Endurance by: Amy Hartman York

This life sometimes throws things at me I think I can’t endure.
I think I can, I think I can, and then...I’m not so sure.
I try and try and try again, and fall down every time.
I long to just sit down and rest, yes that would be sublime.
But I can’t give up, I must press on, I need to run this race.
Because I know when all is done, I’ll see His precious face.
Yes, when I cross the finish line and my time here is done,
Into His precious arms I’ll walk, the race here, finally, won.


Hebrews 12:1-3

Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because He knew that later on He would be glad He did. Now He is seated at the right side of God’s throne! So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.

Forever...

This life is but a vapor, you blink and then it's gone. Treat every moment as a gift. Do your best to show love to others, so that when you're gone and they think of you, the memories make their hearts smile.


Forever - by: Amy Hartman York

I’m tempted to be sad and blue
every time I think of you.
Because time swiftly moves along
and soon, I fear, you will be gone.
I find my heart so filled with grief
on thinking you, too soon, shall leave
this earth behind and so me too.
I just can’t fathom losing you.
But then my heart doth smile again
when memories of you begin
to flood my heart and mind, and then...
I realize tho time is swift
I need to treat it as a gift.
And you, indeed, a gift of love
sent straight to me from up above.
So when my heart starts feeling blue,
I’ll simply smile and think of you,
and how your smile lights up my day,
and all my blues will melt away.  
Yes, tho I hope you’ll leave me never,
one day these earthly ties you’ll sever,
Yet within my heart... you’ll live, forever.

Facing a Giant?

Have you ever had to face a giant?   I’ve been there, and I wish I could say that I didn’t run away, but I did for a while.  It was just better, I thought, to run away and not deal with it.  After all, I hadn’t caused it....so why should I be the one to deal with it, to “get over it” and move on?  Yes, it was much more comfortable to avoid dealing with it.  But, the fact was....it was STILL there.  It never left.  Always nagging at the back of my mind as something unfinished, something that should have been fixed.  Maybe not now, but eventually you get to a point where you long for resolution.  You NEED it, even if the result is not what you expected.  I did eventually face that giant head on because I couldn’t stand to be thought of as the one who ran away....the weak, scared one....because I’m not that at all.  I faced it determined that what I needed to do was to simply forgive, because I knew without a doubt that is what God wanted me to do.  It’s a life lesson our children need to learn early.  Face that giant, don’t run from it.  You are a child of the MOST HIGH GOD.  You are not insignificant.  You are not weak.  You are immeasurably important to God and He will never leave your side, even when the going gets tough and you feel like running away.  It’s something I’ve tried to teach my children, and definitely something to think about, no matter how old you are.  Facing a giant brings about character, wisdom, and most importantly of all dependence on God.

Noah could have run away when God told him to build the ark.  But he didn’t.
Abraham could have run away when God asked him to sacrifice his only son.  But he didn’t.
David could have run away when he saw the giant.  But he didn’t.
Joshua could have run away when God told him to march around Jericho 7 times.  But he didn’t.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego could have just bowed down.  But they didn’t.

Jesus could have given up, and refused to take the punishment for our sins on the cross.

But He didn’t.   



"Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV).


By: Amy York

Handwriting on the Wall...

  Several years ago I was involved in a Beth Moore Study about Daniel. Of course the study talked about Daniel's faith and trust in God, and that even when he was in the Lion's Den, he still believed that God would keep him safe.  At this time in my life I was in a Lion's Den.  It was an intensely difficult time in my life and I really, to this day, don't think I have ever experienced such spiritual warfare, or such turmoil and angst.  I don't feel the need to go into detail about it, other than to say that I had been horribly betrayed and mistreated by someone who had claimed to be my closest friend.  During this time, I was given a verse by a friend, who was in the bible study with me, but didn't know what I was going through.  She just came up to me one Sunday and said, "God laid it on my heart to give you this passage.  I don't know why, and it kind of worried me.  I hope you're ok."  I assured her I was doing ok, and took the passage from her.  I didn't read it until I got home.  The passage was Psalm 55.  I won't write it all here, you can go look it up, but it was exactly what I was dealing with and I was floored.  I shouldn't have been, because God has promised to never leave me.  Then, later in the week, when I was at my Beth Moore bible study we read some verses in Daniel 5 which talks about a hand suddenly appearing and actually writing a message from God for the King on the plaster walls.   I commented to the lady sitting next to me that I so wished sometimes, especially at that moment in my life, that God's hand would appear and write on the walls to tell me everything was going to be alright.  Our class then went to the sanctuary to watch the video that always comes with a Beth Moore study.  As the video began, she looked right into the camera and said (and I'm paraphrasing), "Listen beloved sisters, I have a message for you from the most high God.  You may be in the Lion's Den but God is not going to leave your side"....and up there...ON THE WALL of that sanctuary....was Psalm 55!!  My mouth fell open, I came out of my seat and onto my knees, and the tears started streaming down my face.  It was a moment I will NEVER forget, and one I have shared with very few people, mostly because it was so very emotional then, and even now I get teary thinking about it.  Due to circumstances beyond my control that was the last night I was able to attend that particular bible study, but I had heard what God needed me to hear loud and clear.  And you know what?  He did get me through it, and although it was one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with, it made me a much stronger person.  It also solidified my trust in God's provision.  So let me just tell you, like my sister in Christ, Beth Moore, told me that day.....Listen to me beloved brothers and sisters, I have a message for you from the Most High God!  He loves you unconditionally, and He will not forsake you.  He will place your sins as far as the East is from the West and remember them no more.  He will write your name in the Lamb's Book of Life...forever sealed as a child of God.  The life we have on this earth is but a vapor, and then we will enter into eternity.  If you don't know that you know that you know where you will be spending that eternity...don't wait another minute.  If I'm wrong...I've got nothing to lose.  If you're wrong...you've got everything to lose.

By: Amy York

Psalm 55

Who am I?

I was just thinking today about my next birthday, coming up on September 3rd.  I will be turning 45!  I remember thinking (when I was 20 something) how old that sounded, and that it would be forever before I got there, and yet...there it is.  The funny thing is, it doesn't bother me at all!  I have arrived at a point in life where, I am truly happy.  Trying to find the words to explain it, I am at a loss.  I'm confident in who I am, and although I could stand to lose several pounds, I think I look pretty good for my age.  I am truly, extremely blessed with a husband whom I love with all my heart, and with whom I will celebrate 25 years of marriage to this January.  I'm blessed with three of the most amazing, talented sons a mom could ever ask for.  I have an amazing family, wonderful friends, and a job that I love (most of the time, haha!).  It's not been the easiest of roads to get to who I am today.  There have been things along the way that brought me to my knees, to the very depths of the valley.  But God has been with me through it all.  I know there will be even more good times, and bad times, in the next 45 years, but I also know that God will never leave my side.  How anyone could get through life without Him, I cannot fathom.  So as I celebrate being "middle-aged", I want to thank each of you that have had a part in my life, because it is you who have helped make me who I am today.

Who am I?


I've often asked myself
who are you really now?
Can you describe in words
the who, what, when and how?

Of how you came to be
the one you are today.
This person I call ME,
Can I find the words to say?

Well I will certainly try
and start with just a few
words that tell you why
and perhaps give you a clue.

I'm happy, sparkly, sunshine.
I'm pink, and black and white.
I'm peanut butter cracker time.
I'm music, bright and light.

I'm tom boy, and I'm girly.
I'm barefoot all summer long.
I'm quiet, peaceful, joyful, curly.
I'm a quiet thoughtful song.

I'm laughing deep and hearty.
I'm camping, painting, fun.
I'm not the life of the party.
I'm the shy and quiet one.

I'm decent, patient, caring,
I'm polite, and calm and kind.
I'm strong and sometimes daring.
I'm a Christian, by Him designed.

I do not drink, or smoke or...well,
I do my very best
to be a good example
whenever I'm put to the test.

So that is about the gist of it
I've done the best I can do
I hope that explains me a bit
and makes you smile some too!  :)

By:  Amy York


Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

Just Keep Smiling

Just Keep Smiling

When I was in Jr. High School, I was skinny, had crooked teeth, and very frizzy, curly hair.  I was teased a lot.  Whenever someone would tease me, I would just smile because I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of knowing they’d hurt me.  Because I was teased a lot...I smiled a LOT!  Thus I was given the nick-name “Smiley” by a girl who eventually became my friend.  Because of my experience, I have always done my best to be kind and decent to everyone whenever possible and “Just Keep Smiling”.  Those words have become my motto, and gotten me through some difficult times.  So, keep on smiling, even when you’re feeling blue, cause somewhere someone’s tired of trying, and your smile could help them through.  ;)  

People ask me why I smile a lot
Well it’s not that hard to explain.
I simply ask them well, why not?
Why frown, or sulk & complain?
I’ve always tried to be someone
Who brightened another’s day.
And when it’s all been said and done.
I hope I’m remembered that way.
So I’m gonna keep on smiling,
Even if I’m feeling blue.
Cause somewhere, someone’s tired of trying
And my smile could help them through.




By: Amy Hartman York


Proverbs 15:13
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."

My Mountains...

My family has always loved being out in nature.  
When I was little my playground was the forest.
I grew up camping with my entire family; 

grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles 

in the Great Smoky Mountains, in Elkmont Campground.
It’s a heavenly place and one of the few places on earth where I
am truly at peace.  It is inside of me, a part of my soul.  

They are, and forever will be....My Mountains.

My Mountains

Come with me to my mountains so lofty and high.
Listen to the trees and the winds as they sigh.
Feel the damp earth beneath your own two feet.
Never was there a more glorious retreat.
The creek how it laughs as it leaps over stones.
How I love to walk down to the water alone.
The sunlight it splashes into brilliant pools of light.
There simply is not a more beautiful site.
I’ve grown up here in these mountains you see.
My soul is a part of every stone, every tree.
Come with me to my mountains so green, so deep.
Listen to the mountain as it lulls you to sleep.
The sun as it rises through the trees evergreen
A more glorious sight has never been seen.
Come with me to my mountains and see,
What God has created for you, and for me.

By: Amy Hartman York

Psalm 95:1‑7

   Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

How many times I’ve thought, if I just had this or I just owned that, if I just had lots of money I’d be so much happier. If I was just as beautiful as her, or had his talents, my life would be so much better. But then I take a look around me, at my wonderful husband and my incredible children, and the loving, Christian family I was raised in, and I can see clearly how very blessed I am, and I wouldn’t change any of it for all the money, possessions or talents in the world! Sonnet 29 says it perfectly. It has always been one of my favorites by Shakespeare.  ~  Amy




SONNET 29

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

~ Shakespeare

I Wore My Body Out Too Soon

I wore my body out too soon,
My knees they moan and creak.
My ankles swell, my elbows ache,
My hips and legs are weak.

I guess I should have been more girly,
And had more cups of tea.
But what kind of fun would that have been?
That certainly isn’t me!

I do enjoy a cup of tea,
Though coffee I prefer.
But sitting pretty all in pink,
No that, I must defer.

I used my body up to soon
And now I’m middle-aged.
But oh what fun I’ve had you see
And my advice is sage.

Have fun, romp, jump and tumble,
Slide and run and play!
For one day you’ll be middle-aged,
And have to sit all day!

By: Amy York
© 2012 York, Inc.

As I have loved you, love one another...

If I disagree with you it doesn't mean I hate you. If I don't approve of your behavior, your choices or your particular lifestyle, it doesn't mean I'm prejudiced. It means I have an opinion. We all have our vices, our private and public sins. We all fall short of what our creator wants for us. God gives us guidelines on how to live in a way that is best for our own good, and in multitudes of ways we each choose to go against His wishes. I'm not condoning sin, so please don't think that's my message here. Just because we all sin doesn't make it ok. But we are also called to love sinners, which in all cases is everyone of us, and despise the sin. So, no matter what the sin is, the one who sins, again all of us, is to be loved with a Christ-like love.  Nowhere does God say that cruelty, meanness, or disrespect is ok. Nowhere does God say its ok to bully, tease or hate someone who is different than you are. We are simply to love them as Christ loves us. So no matter how you feel about a particular sin, remember that God loves us sinners unconditionally. It is possible to disagree with a lifestyle choice yet still treat the person with decency, love and understanding. The bible is very clear, purposefully, about the definition of marriage, and it is also clear about loving your neighbor as yourself. When deciding what's right or wrong, the bible is the final authority in my life, period. But also understand this, we are all created by God, loved by God, and each human being deserves to be treated with basic, human decency. Whether you are a drunkard, a liar, a thief, whether you curse every other word, cheat on your taxes, gossip about your neighbor, ignore the presence of your creator, or you're a drug addict. Whether your mean, nasty, rude or crude, sexually immoral or kill, God still loves you and expects us to love each other. So, I say all that to say this, I believe in marriage as defined by the bible, and if you don't, we'll that's between you and God. But this I promise, I may disagree with your choices but I will still treat you with human kindness, decency and love. Because God loves me, even with all my faults and sins,  I will show you love.  What kind of hypocritical biggot would I be if I judged myself better than, or more deserving of that, than you?     John 13:34 A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

Burnt Taco Lessons

So, the other day I nearly set my house on fire while trying to warm up some Taco shells.  Seriously.  It all seems so funny now, but in the “heat” of the moment it was terrifying.  I had just finished preparing the taco meat, got the shells arranged on the cookie sheet, turned on the stove (which I admit I rarely use) and set it to broil.  I’ve never used the broil setting on this oven before, but I figured it would warm them up a little quicker.  I shoved the cookie sheet in the oven and shut the door.  My husband was sitting at his computer on the other side of the kitchen, so I turned to say something to him.  After about 60 seconds of talking, I smelled something.  I turned around and saw smoke billowing out of the oven and thought, “Oh great, I burned them!”  Boy was I right!  I opened the oven door and flames leapt out at me!  “It’s one fire!”, I yelled and Scott jumped up from his seat.  I quickly tried to think of a way to get the fire to go out....”grab the box of salt!” I yelled.  Scott reached into the pantry and pulled out a salt shaker.  “No!  Not that!”, I yelled and reached past him to grab the Morton’s Salt container.  I “feverishly” tried to pour the salt out onto the flames and smother them....but the stream of salt was nothing compared to the flames that roared in my oven.  My youngest son Jarod ran in and yelled, “Oh my gosh, what’s going on?!”  “The fire extinguisher!”, I thought, and jerked open the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink.  I pointed it at the fire and pressed the lever for all I was worth....nothing.  “Read the directions!”, Jarod yelled.  It was at this moment that I thought to myself, “Why on earth have I not read the directions on this thing BEFORE?!  I have no idea how to operate it!”  I was beginning to panic as the flames leapt higher and higher out of the oven.  I tried to read the directions, but in the panicked state I was in, I could read NOTHING!  Jarod grabbed a large pot from under the counter and ran to the sink to fill it with water.  “NO!  I yelled, that will make it worse!!”  Abandoning the pot, he yelled, “What do we do??!!”  Out of the corner of my eye I spied a beach towel that one of my boys had brought in and thrown in the floor and for once I was so very glad that they are slobs!  I grabbed it and handed it to my husband and said, “Here, beat it with this!”  So, Scott commenced to slapping at the fire over and over, and in between calling out, “Call 911!! Call 911!!”  I had no intentions of calling 911 unless the fire successfully escaped the oven.  I’d never live it down!  I could see it in the headlines, “Woman burns house down with Taco shells!”  Finally, after great effort with the beach towel, the fire died down, the taco shells reduced to ashes and a few tiny flames I put out with the spatula.  Coughing, exhausted and completely rattled to the core, the three of us slumped against the kitchen counter.  “WOW!”, I said.  That was exciting!  Having calmed down a bit, I looked at the fire extinguisher again, and it said “empty” on the gauge!  We’d never used it before, but it was old and evidently all the pressure had leaked out over the years.  Thankfully, the oven still works, nothing was damaged, no one was burned and the only casualty was my trusty old cookie sheet.  

Believe it or not, all that chaos took only maybe 5 minutes to play out.  Seemed like hours while we were in the midst of it.  I tell you all this because it made me think.  How many times have we neglected to read God’s word, to prepare ourselves, our hearts, for when difficulties come, so that we know how to handle them, know where to turn and what to do?  If we’re prepared for troubles, when they come knocking we have the perfect tool to “extinguish” them.  If we’re not, and we try to find a way to do it on our own, in a state of panic, we’re just gonna run in circles and our troubles are gonna get the best of us.  God left us perfect directions.  He’s given us all the tools we need.  But if we never pick up His word and read what He has to say, and we just flounder around trying to do it our way, we’re gonna get burned.  




"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." ~ Joshua 1:8

Local Teen's Senior Project to Benefit Stop-Human Trafficking Organization

Posting for my son, Taylor...

Taylor York, a senior at J.T. Hoggard High School, is doing his senior project on Human Trafficking. After attending The Passion Conference 2012 (a Christian-based conference attended by approx. 45,000 college aged young adults) in Atlanta, GA, this past January, Taylor was inspired to do his senior project on this over-looked issue. North Carolina ranks #10 in the nation for Human Trafficking! As part of his project, Taylor, along with his family & friends, will be using their musical talents (Taylor's dad in the Minister of Music at Pine Valley Baptist Church) to raise money to donate to a NC Stop Human Trafficking Charity. "We're hoping for a big turnout", Taylor says, "the more money we raise, the more we can give to help free those trapped in the modern-day slave trade." The concert will feature several local talents, including Kathy Snow (Williston Vocal Music Director), Kim Furtado (teacher at Myrtle Grove Christian), James & Donna Strickland (Pine Valley's Youth pastor & wife), the PVBC Youth Praise Band, College Praise Band, Derwin Hinson Ministries and last but not least Yorktown, which features Taylor's older brother Alex on lead guitar, younger brother Jarod on drums, Taylor on vocals & fiddle, his Mom, Amy, on vocals & his Dad, Scott, on auxiliary percussion. There will be music for every taste, from Gospel to Rock, so come on out, support a worthy cause, and enjoy a great night of music at Pine Valley Baptist Church, Easter Sunday night at 6:30pm. Donations taken at the door. Come early to get a good seat!!