Deanna On Board- Tenn/Al Edition

As some of you may or may not know. My first year out of college I went on up to Chattanooga, Tennesse to attend Bible College for a year. I didnt live in the dorms I lived with my godmother and godfather Sharon and Kenny. They truly treat me like of of their own and I had cause to go see them this past weekend.
It was a quick trip and unfornately not for a happy situation. See, when I lived in Tennesse it was mandatory to attend church (school rules) but I really didnt want to attend Highland Park which was the church for the school. Instead I got permission to go to church with my godparents. Kenny works for TVA (huge powerplant for the Tennesse Valley Area) and its located in this tiny town of Stevenson, AL, right next to Stevenson is an even smaller town called Bridgeport Alabama. Kenny and Sharon were attending at the time the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. So yes me and my godsis Tiffany would pile into the car with them and drive 45 mintues and a time zone away to go to church.
Here enters Brother Jim. I never ever met a pastor that went by Brother and not Pastor or Reverend before. hmmm....I mean he was a head taller that most everyone with piercing happy blue eyes a smile on his face and a constand WHOO HOO for all things Wonderful and Christlike. He was pretty amazing. He was known to ask the choir to sing the song again and requested me to sing a lot in church. I saw something in that church I havent seen before, that was driven by the gentle giant that oversaw the church. Depth of Compassion.....
Never before had I seen a pastor call down people to touch agree and pray over people at the altar call. I remember thinking. Wow this is Biblical and hes acting this out! I became passionate about serving. I did Childrens Church every other Sunday (Sharon made me) I was on the Youth Staff and Sang Solo's and in the Choir. I LOVED going to church! I havent been that excited about a church since that time.
Over the years I have to admit I havent always fosterd my relationship with God as I should have, but as God is now teaching me more and more the depth of who he is and how to be more like him. I have to admit that the beginning of that for me started at First Baptist of Bridgeport Alabama Where I saw God Acted out. I learned to Love God there, because I saw how Brother Jim loved Him so transparently. His impact on my life is lasting.

RIP Bro Jim......I know you are much happier in the arms of God.


Signing Out,
Deanna Amarica

Just a Little Pensive

Hey Guys,

Sorry its been so long since the last time I wrote something substantial, I realized that my problem with blogging is that there's just way to much to share!! My Second Mom says something major happens in my life on average every 5 hours.... I think shes right!

I am writing tonight because I cant sleep, and because I have been dealing with a lot of anxious feelings recently. Which brings me to really what this blog will be about. In the last month there has been a LOT that has happened, way too much to share here and a lot more coming. I feel like I have been in constant transition, for someone that is a homebody and loves the feeling of concreteness its so uncomfortable, and I am not talking little change I am talking major changes.

There are stress tests that you can take online that judge the amount of stress you may be under due to specific and major life changes. Mine immediately said...High Stress and the following.

Take action now to reduce and manage your stress. Stabilize the amount of changes in your life, and avoid unnecessary stress. Evaluate how you communicate, manage your commitments, and prioritize your time.

Um Hellloooo! Who said I asked for change??? Psychiatry can be really dumb sometimes.

With all of this being said, My devotions this week have been kind of geared toward the consistency of God and how his Word is Accurate, Real, Truthful and Everlasting. And I had to remember that what He promises He will see through.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Its so easy to feel alone when things are going crazy around you, but sometimes you must ask yourself. Why is God putting me in solitude right now. I mean even my radio went out in my car...Ummm Deanna the music queen with no radio???? Even in that I must remember to be thankful.

Its very important that when we read the Bible we are not "part B" readers. ( You remember when you were in Sunday School and they only made you memorize the second half of the verse because the verse was so long??)

It seems that I run into people that always want to quote part of a verse. Its great to say, Yes the Lord Said Be anxious for nothing! but theres more to it than that. He also tells us in EVERYTHING through prayer and Petition.....ok STOP!

pe·ti·tion [puh-tish-uhn] Show IPA

noun

2.a request made for something desired, especially a respectfulor humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority; a supplication or prayer: a petition for aid; a petition to God for courage and strength.

Wow, even Dictionary.com got it right. So we must humbly ask, AND give thanks. Its just an awesome reminder to me that its not just prayer, it’s the way we ask, and what we give Him (praise) that actually helps ease the anxiousness. Isn’t it good to read an entire verse?

Now I do believe that God also was the author of Xanax and Lexapro (joke people), but no really, there are times when our physical bodies just can’t keep up, and its so very ok to ask for help. But in moment of freaking out when we don’t know what to do next, or feel stuck and alone. Next time you ask God for help… Follow the steps and see how it works for you.

1. 1. Remind yourself not to be anxious
2. 2. Pray for strength and courage
3. 3. Humbly ask for your hearts desire
4. 4. Remember to ask His will be completed through you
5. 5. Praise and Thank Him (Its ok to thank Him in advance)

That’s all I got.

Signing Out,

Deanna Amarica