About Amber

What is Christianity to me?

In my life, Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with a living God, a God who created me, who loves me, and who wants the best for me.  I believe in a God who created me so that He can draw pleasure from my existence.  I believe that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God who lived on earth in the form of a human before being crucified on a cross, lay in a grave for three days, then defeated death (and in turn, Satan's plot for complete death and destruction on the earth) after three days.  I believe that the Bible is God's word, written to me like a good friend writes a letter of instruction, guidance, and love.  I live in expectation of the return of Jesus, when the believers (including me!) are taken up into Heaven and are able to live in the very presence of God.  In extreme gratitude for what He has done for me, I choose to serve Him with my life.

The Blessing of Missions

Telling the world about God’s love for them, what could be better?  I consider it a great honor to be a disciple of God, chosen to be His hands and feet.  “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere…” This verse really tells what the Lord wants me to do.  I feel that it is my job to spread the news of the Lord, and the most exciting and exhilarating experiences I have ever had were the times when I was able to lead someone to meet God as their Savior or when I personally grew closer to God.

No matter what job I do, no matter what country I end up in, I will serve God. Whether it is as simple as smiling at someone, or as hard as leaving my family to serve in a foreign country, I will serve God willingly, cheerfully, generously, and diligently. God has given me the privilege of being able to serve in whatever I do. Whether I become a teacher to orphans, a Bible translator, or a graphic designer, or if God has something entirely different in mind for my life, that is only a temporary job title; my true title is servant to Jehovah, questing to be like the Messiah.

A Short History of My Relationship with God

October 9, 1994 was the day that I personally accepted Christ as my Savior and the relationship with Christ that I had seen in so many other people became real to me.  I have attended the same church since the week or two after I was born, and am very fortunate to live in a family of Christians.  As a young child, I watched how God worked in and through those who have a relationship with him, and I wanted to have the same thing in my own life.  On that Sunday, I went to my Sunday school teacher and asked her if she could help me to have God in my own life.  Then we prayed together and I was a new creation in him.  I didn't understand many of the facts of Christian life, and I, like so many children, saw Christ solely as a Friend, and a Brother, but not so much as a Savior.

Since that day, I have continued to learn about my Lord and Savior by reading my Bible, and talking to him as much as possible.  I have had my "ups and downs" and grown closer to God as well as pushing Him away, but each experience in my life has helped me to change my relationship with Him.  By attending multiple church camps and retreats, my life has grown stronger in leaps and bounds.  In between the leaps and bounds however is a steadily growing relationship.  Even before I was saved, I was a member of a local program that encouraged the memorization of scriptures and the learning more about the Lord.  Following my completion of that program, I joined the church’s youth group where I continued to learn about Jesus.  It was during that time that my faith became truly real.  I began doing my personal devotions on my own, as well as being a member of a group that helps keep me accountable.  Through my devotional times and times I take just to listen to the Lord, I have developed my relationship to a high point.  It has not all been a happy increase.  There have been times of struggles and pain, but now, looking back, I am able to see that those low times were times of strong growth, and times of learning more in depth about my God

What I'm Doing Now

I have an unquenchable desire to spend every moment of my life learning more about God.  Right now, I am drinking deeply of the never ending well of knowledge by continuing my education at college.  I am majoring in missions, which is allowing me to study the Bible, the history of Christianity, modern day beliefs and religions, cultures, languages, and other important lessons that will be extremely helpful on the mission field.  As of right now, I don’t know where God is going to lead me.  As of right now, I plan to attend college for fall 2008 and continue there until I receive my Bachelor’s Degree, but there is a longing in me to travel the world and to spread His news to others.  Next spring, I may travel with my college's study abroad program which would help me even better prepare for the mission field. I will post updates about country location and other information about this as I know more.