Sincerely Amanda
The Writings Of Amanda Read

I‘m amazed…I’ve been sincerely praying for McCain to choose a wise and godly Vice Presidential Candidate, and it never occurred to me that the choice would be a one-of-a-kind Deborah that is a mother of five children, the eldest of which is in the Army serving in Iraq and the youngest of which is a Down syndrome baby that was born in April.  WOW.  Imagine a woman of political power in our day and age that is still feminine and still has SENSE.  In other words, she’s still a woman and not of the monstrous regiment.  She has fulfilled a need without a feministic agenda.

Such a position of civic power is not a position that all women can handle, and thus neither is it a position that all women should aspire to.  But if there is a woman that is in such a position, this is the way she should be.

The Republican ticket is 100% more wholesome and pro-family than the Democratic ticket.  The McCains and Palins are large, pro-life conservative families!  It’s time to kick the jokers out and let the American family reform the nation, and McCain Palin represents this beautifully.

~Amanda~

{Post Scriptum: While on this crucial subject, please read my mother’s thoughtful blog post.}

A significant part of story telling is retelling true stories.  From news articles and headlines to ballads and epics, the tone of conveying history is vast from generation to generation.

Webster’s New World 3rd College Edition
drama: greek roots/1. a literary composition that tells a story, usually of human conflict, by means of dialogue and action, to be performed by actors; /2. the art or profession of writing, acting or producing plays.

dramatize: to make into a drama; adapt (a story, events, etc.) for performance on the stage, in a movie, etc.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary
DRAMA: [Gr. δραμα, from δραω, to make] A poem or composition representing a picture of human life, and accomodated to action.
DRAMATIZE: To compose in the form of the drama; or to give to a composition the form of a play. At Riga in 1204 was acted a prophetic play, that is, a dramatized extract from the history of the Old and New Testaments. Tooke’s Russia.

The stage and screen have a way of presenting history to a wide audience - the young, the old, the illiterate and the inarticulate. Of course, a medium so effective for communication is, like the internet, excessively flawed in many ways. Freedom of speech is often abused, morality mutilated and “artistry” sickening.

Many proper Christians throughout time have decided that avoiding such a potentially tentative industry would make things better. Unfortunately, with few believers actively protecting and improving the field, it is now largely governed by an elite and wealthy group of people that abide by a liberal code with a vengeance. No, there is no need for generalizations and stereotypes, but the facts are cold and hard. Non-discerning people produce material that becomes a hit thanks to a non-discerning audience. The vicious cycle continues, and everyone in the industry begins a limbo challenge: how low can you go before the audience simply can’t bear to watch it anymore?

I heard that not too long ago some atheists stated that “Christians aren’t very creative”.  Us?  The ones that read the History Book of the Universe?  The ones that understand the awesome story of creation, corruption and redemption better than anyone else?  The ones that see history as CHRIST’s excellent plot - more intricate and beautiful than anything a novelist can conceive of?

These past two years I worked on writing a historical screenplay, and during that time I learned a lot about not only history, but the artistry of telling it.  I would like to share what I learned and perhaps make that the main theme of my blog.

Dramatizing history can cover a wide range of topics and styles.  Sometimes it covers historical events with fictional characters (historical fiction), and other times is actually covers historical characters and historical events.  The latter is often more challenging because it requires you to harness your creativity within a pre-set plot.  The fun in it is that it is similar to an artist painting from reality and a photographer taking and enhancing a photo - the writer gets to show the audience his or her perspective of the whole picture and enhance the shades and details of the story that they find fascinating.

By the way, the Christian authors are - or should be - the best.  They are the people that see important meaning and themes of history and understand why it is worth remembering.  If you think they aren’t creative, it is because there are too few of them in comparison to the non-believers that have taken over the professional story telling industry.  Those people have, as Geoff Botkin said, worked extremely hard to get to where they are while many Christians have been lazy and thus surrendered the creative industry to them.  Furthermore, the devil has been around long enough to make up some pretty convincing stories himself - and he wants to retell history in a way that glorifies him rather than the CREATOR.

The painting in the banner is of a scene from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.  It is the scene in which his uncle, the king, is convicted of his sin while watching a play that Hamlet produced about a character who acts like the king himself.  That is where Hamlet’s line, “The play’s the thing - wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” comes from.  It reminds me of the time Nathan told a convicting parable to King David (2 Samuel 12) - but King Claudius was not nearly as repentant (ala King Saul).  I’ve read that even Hamlet is supposedly based on an actual historical character.

Well, I’ll begin my research, analysis and writing and see what comes of it.

I have no doubt that Satan thinks he has set up a similar challenge for American believers this year.  The adversary most likely thinks he has found our “weak spot” – and that we will abandon political responsibility because of our high ideals and thus let the fluff-brained people elect a suave winder.

After watching the Saddleback Forum last night, I think the devil has overstepped himself once again.  GOD knows what kind of man John McCain really is – and HE knows what kind of man Barack Obama really is.  Now we have seen the stark contrast better than ever before.  If you haven’t seen it, watch it now.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account…”

~ Hebrews 13:17

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from GOD, and those which exist are established by GOD…therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake…rulers are servants of GOD, devoting themselves to this very thing.”

~ Romans 13:1-6

WE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

In this country, we have the privilege to choose who those leaders are.  To whom do you wish to be in submission?

As my father said, Americans will be held more accountable in judgment because we are not under oppression in any way, but have complete freedom to exercise our world view through voting and freedom of speech.  We have choices and power, whether you acknowledge it or not, that many other citizens of the world do not have.  With great freedom and power comes great responsibility.  To stretch this further, I would say that Christian Homeschooling Americans are perhaps the most liberated people of all.  We must not fall slack and abuse our liberties, lest they get taken away.

YOU VOTE TO CHOOSE A LEADER

Like it or not, you do not vote to make a statement.  You do not vote to punish someone.  You vote to choose a leader.  If you vote for John McCain this Election, I assure you that you have nothing to be ashamed of.  If you do not vote simply because you do not “like” McCain, then – and I do not say this lightly, since I know that there are probably people I hold in high esteem that would not – but if you do not, you have every reason to be ashamed.  That would not be a mark of honor, but a mark of a surrendering and complacent world view.  Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee and the other former Republican candidates rally behind McCain.  What reason do you have to be so stuck up as to not do what these fine men are doing?  Every vote you don’t give for John Sidney McCain III increases the chances of Barack Hussein Obama II being your President.   After the 2004 Election, I started praying that the LORD would begin preparing a new leader to take President George W. Bush’s place in the Election I would be privileged to vote for.  Something makes me think that Obama isn’t that leader.  But something makes me think that McCain is.

BEING RIGHT ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH

Henry Clay once made the admirable statement, “I would rather be right than be President”.  However, saying, “I would rather be right than vote for President” doesn’t make very much sense.  Sometimes just being “right” isn’t good enough.  As American citizens, we are born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.  Remember?

We must act upon the opportunities we are given, whether we “want” to or not!

When I was a young child and my father was assigned to a brief diplomatic tour at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, I was at the age in which I thought being right was good enough.  There were several instances at that time in my life in which I did some pretty foolish, irresponsible things because I thought I was “right” and thus had a free pass.

One such instance occurred at the time Tajik war refugees came across the boarder and knocked on doors asking for money – including the large front door outside that opened to our courtyard.  Daddy told us the new rules: Don’t open the door, don’t touch the door, and don’t go near the door.

When Rachel and I played outside we knew that the door and front yard were off limits, so we abided by that…most of the time.

One day when we were awaiting the arrival of our Russian babysitter, Maya, we heard a knock at the door.  Maya never knocked, but for some strange reason we thought that it might be her.  Maybe we thought we heard the sound of her driver dropping her off (women didn’t drive in Uzbekistan).  Immediately we rushed toward the door.  Luba and Olga, our Russian-speaking maids, came running after us, calling “Nyit! Nyit! Amanda! Amanda!”

I knew they were serious, because otherwise they liked to call me by the nickname they gave me, “Amandichka”.  But I had everything planned out in my mind.  I wasn’t going to open the door, but rather just stand near it ready to greet Maya (surely that could be an exception, right?).  Finally, frustrated that they didn’t seem to understand, I wheeled around with my hands on my hips and shouted in my American accented English, “I’M NOT GOING TO OPEN THE DOOR!” (I was “right”, remember).  The confused foreign mutterings just outside the door were met with Luba and Olga placing their fingers to their lips and telling me to hush.  By now I noticed that Momma was holding baby Joseph and had Rachel standing next to her, sternly waiting for me to follow suit.  The maids tried to negotiate with the visitors (two of which were veiled women), and fortunately Maya did show up at the same time and gave them some money.

One evening we were eating supper on the patio (as usual) and Dad and his drivers were cleaning out the swimming pool (they didn’t use chlorine in their pools – instead it was cleaned frequently).  Someone turned out the outside lights, and I wanted them turned back on.  I got up from the table (despite my parents and maids telling me to sit back down) and began walking in the dark towards the pool.  Olga started following me, once again trying to get me to turn around.  But I was “right” – I wasn’t doing anything bad, I was going to get those lights turned back on.  A few seconds later I felt myself fall – I got tangled in pipes and felt my feet touch water and my back bang and get scraped against cement.  I had fallen in the 4 foot deep cesspool that controlled the draining of the swimming pool.  All for the price of being “right”…when it would have made more sense to be obedient and responsible.

A MESSAGE TO MY YOUTHFUL GENERATION PEERS

A tip from horseback riding:  If you are an inexperienced rider setting out on an uncharted trail, do not choose an inexperienced horse for the adventure in the excitement of having a fresh outlook and growing up together (a.k.a. recipe for disaster).  We have a lot of experience and knowledge yet to gain.  We don’t need some celebrity in the White House that has to grow up with us.

I don’t know what gave you the idea that Obama is the ideal candidate to lead us through this new century.  He is more style than substance.   He has the amazing ability to use a thousand beautiful words to say absolutely nothing.  You can tell from the recent forum.  He droned on for so long that he didn’t even get to answer as many questions as McCain did.  Charles Krauthammer referred to him as having a “post-modern” style.  Come to think of it, Obama reminds me of one of those abstract pieces of modern art that everyone is so enthralled with and yet I simply can’t get into it.

 

RESOLVE vs. IDEALS

From examining my journals of world events, etc. from years past and from studying history, I tend to see two basic types of leaders; those of resolve and those of ideals.  Some propose many fine-looking ideals, but have very little resolve to carry anything worthwhile through, while other leaders have such firm resolve that they refuse to let ideals woo them and often have a hard time conveying their own, preferring instead to just get the job done.  People are naturally enamoured with ideals, but they are so intimidated by resolve (perhaps because they themselves lack it) that they tend to view leaders of resolve as shallow, gruff and narrow minded.  Thus, caught up in a political romance, they quickly swoon from idealist to idealist, thoroughly enjoying the experience of almost witnessing a great change, but alas, since their attractive leaders lack resolve, nothing ends up getting done.  Or, in the case of totalitarianism, the people surrender their souls to the idealists in the anticipation of change and thus the nation tragically crumbles.

There is one significant historical fact that has been forgotten in the midst of the swooning.  Socialist leaders throughout history have repeatedly attempted to bring about “change” through all their genius philosophy.  All the times they have tried, it has never worked.  What makes you think it will work now?  This nation was not founded on socialistic ideals that insist that ”Nanny Government” must take care of every aspect of its citizens’ lives through millions of dollars worth of cutesy programs.  Nay, fellow Americans, you have too long expected to be spoon fed! 

AMERICA’S DNA

As John McCain said last night, this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and values.  I think of it as our nation’s DNA - it is the way it was constructed and established, and thus any attempts to manipulate that DNA and insert Marxist/Socialist/other anti-Biblical formulas causes an auto-immune disorder.  It will begin to self-destruct.

“WE NEED JOHN MCCAIN MORE THAN HE NEEDS US.”

- Rudy Giuliani

Think about that.  McCain has accomplished much in his life time.  His family is successful.  He doesn’t need to become President for his sake.  He is making a tremendous sacrifice.  Why do you think this is?  Does he really come across to you as someone running for President just for recognition’s sake?  For political power’s sake?  He doesn’t come across that way to me at all.  What kind of person would be willing to spend years of his life in a prison camp when he was given the option of release?  Someone with the self-sacrificing resolve that makes a good President. 

 

UNDECIDED PEOPLE MAKE THE DEVIL PROUD

McCain is pro-life, acknowledging last night that life begins at conception.  Obama is pro-choice, whose speech is seasoned with innuendo suggesting that unwanted infants don’t have human rights, stating that the answer to whether or not life begins at conception was “above his paygrade”.  McCain recognizes that evil must be defeated.  Obama thinks evil must be cautiously confronted.  Have you considered the dilemma of Supreme Court Justices?  Once again, they are shockingly different.  The list goes on…what is there to be lukewarm about?

“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of MY mouth.”

~ Revelation 3:16

So, do you plan on honoring the devil?  He’s stalking you, you know.  He is probably watching you intently to see what choice you plan on making.  The question is, is he trembling with fear or laughter?

PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD,

~Amanda~

“You were born to privilege, and with that comes specific obligations.”

Those were the words of the Queen to her son Prince Henry in the movie Ever After. Henry was in the typical dilemma that I’m sure all royalty through the ages has faced: the challenge of having an inheritance and duty that they would rather not be burdened with so they could follow their heart’s desire instead.

That little conflict came to mind as I recently contemplated why I plan on studying college.
Do not presume for an instant that I have been convinced that college is the prescribed way to go. My reasons are not a result of peer lust or school board agenda drive. Rather, it is a result of certain privileges.

I find it amazing to see the different ways in which our CREATOR and SAVIOR chooses to bless different people. I have been blessed with a college scholarship to any college in the State of Alabama. Often times I have thought that I would rather be blessed with that kind of money in hard cash or in a barn and fence for our property. But for some strange reason the LORD chose to give it to me this way. Why me, LORD? There are so many others striving for college financing and YOU have given it to me when I didn’t even ask for it!

Do not presume for an instant that I have enmity towards college for college’s sake. You might say I descend from collegiate royalty ( ) actually, since my grandfather was President of the University of Alabama. Thus, college is held in high esteem in my extended family and I am privileged to have much expected of me. Furthermore, we live at a reasonably close driving distance away from the college my aunts once attended, so I am blessed to remain a stay-at-home daughter while acting upon the specific obligations that come with my privilege.

“And JESUS kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with GOD and men.”
~ Luke 2:52

I’ve actually pondered that verse quite often…wondering how in changing societies you are to live in a way in which you are in favor with both GOD and men. I suppose that if we accept the challenges and opportunities given to us and multiply our talents with righteous motives and discernment then there will be little for the world to legitimately find fault with.

“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”
~ Titus 2:7-8

“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to HIM.”~ 2 Corinthians 5:9

There are some extra benefits to this college privilege.
Since I am by government standards an adult, I must be a college student in order to remain a dependent in my father’s household and thus receive health insurance, etc. (I haven’t seen the doctor or dentist in many years, but still…). ‘Tis rather absurd, but that is the way the contemporary government reasons. Even though I am an active stay-at-home daughter, they might think that I’m just a young adult trying to remain in Never-Never land that should have already flown the coop. So, ironically, college is actually helping me avoid being forced into the work force and having to provide for myself.

Though certainly not an educational requirement per se, having at least a Bachelor’s Degree will provide more legal security for homeschooling my own children in the future (if it be my LORD’s will that I marry and have children). In light of the recent California cabal, such security might be worth having.

Though we all know that it isn’t necessary, a college degree does enhance an author’s credentials. It may help me with selling screenplays or getting published in the future. Ultimately, I refuse to buy into the world’s myth of college elitism - and now days the public is admitting that the conventional 4-year college degree is declining value.

But I still have been blessed with surprising privileges, so I will do my best to bring glory to my GOD and honor to my family in my unique circumstances.

~Amanda~