Cover to Cover... our shepherd

I am still trying to keep up with the Cover to Cover readings of the Bible chronologically. I get tempted to quit more times than I'd like to admit. Some days I skim through the readings, but I'm pretty sure God forgives me for that and is just glad I haven't quit yet! I will NOT quit, especially after this week's readings. It was no accident that I came across these two portions of Scripture...

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. (Ezekiel 33:31-32)

Lord, I pray You invade my life and get Your Word in the depths of my soul. May I hear Your Word and put into practice what I learn every single time I open Your love story to me! May I be sincere, genuine and authentic.

" 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. (Ezekiel 33:11-16)

Lord, I thank you for being my Shepherd and for leading me in ways that I know are in my best interest! It's easy to get discouraged by the leadership I see in this world, whether it is in my workplace, government or in my family. Thank you for being the head of my life, for searching for the lost and for never giving up on me or my loved ones. Thank you for bringing me back to You when I tend to wander. I'm in good hands when I follow You!

I'm Blessed by His Word and I know if you decide to join us, you will be Blessed as well. It's not to late to join us in reading the Bible together!
Much love,
Angie xoxo

He was with me

...in Aruba a couple of years ago.

It's been quite a week since I got home from Houston/San Antonio. I heard a message at church that I don't ever want to forget. Since this is my journal/blog and it has been lingering all week long, I decided to share it today, this Thankful Thursday.



I Don't Want To Go
by Avalon

You changed my world,
When you came to me,
You drove a passion,
In my soul down deep.
Lord, to follow you in everything,

I don't want to go somewhere,
If I know that your not there,
Cause I know that me without you, Is a lie.
I don't want to walk that road,
Be a million miles from home,
Cause my heart needs to be,
Where you are,
So I don't want to go.

So come whatever,
I'll stick with you,
I'll walk, you lead me,
Call me crazy or a fool.
For forever I promise you that:

Without your touch,
Without your love,
Filling me like an ocean,
For your grace is enough,
Enough for me,
To never want to go somewhere,
If I know that your not there.

Considering God's Presence in my life this week I thought I put God in a box, but in reality He was with me all of the time. I was more aware of Him in the good times and the bad. He was with me on the plane coming home and I thanked Him for bringing me home safely (and right on schedule). He was with me when my husband greeted me in the garage and told me he missed me! He was with me when I drove to work through the construction traffic when I was stressed out because I was almost late. He was with me when I shuffled through the pictures of my trip and I thanked Him for the opportunity to meet so many of you. He was with me when we celebrated my son's birthday on Tuesday and I thanked Him for allowing me to be John's mother. He was with me when I discussed "The Shack" with a friend I didn't think had even heard of the book, let alone bought it for my son. He was with me when I did a video chat with Meghan in New York and I thanked Him for the intelligence he gave His people and for the technology to make it possible to see my daughter's sweet face and hear her voice through this computer screen. He was with me when I bought some new sheets and I thanked Him for the money to buy them to make our bed cozy! He was with me when I cleaned all of my patient's teeth and I thanked Him for giving me a job I still enjoy after 24 years! He was with me when I was upset with my husband for disappointing me about something stupid. He was with me when I held my friend's new grandchildren (twins) and I quietly thanked Him for the miracle He showed this amazing couple. He was with me these past couple of days when He woke me up early enough to do my daily devotional (Jesus: 90 Days with The One and Only) that I haven't opened since last October. He was with me when I learned my mom is still having a tough time and I know He has everything under control. The truth is, I don't want to go anywhere without Him. I'm so much better with Christ in me. I love our relationship!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

He's with you, too!
In His Love,
Angie

My baby is 22 years old!

I am pretty sure my son has a lot more important things to do right now than read my blog. (Yesterday was his first day of classes as a Senior in college!) But just in case... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN! I am so honored to have the privilege and responsibility of being your mother!

I love you,
Mom

A Taste of Heaven... and my notes.

These women are as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. They are my sisters in Christ and I thank God for the opportunity to meet them face to face!


Much Love,
Angie xoxo

My notes:
THE INHERITANCE

Psalm 16:5-6 (English Standard Version)

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

From Genesis to Revelation our Inheritance from God always involves 3 elements...

1). Presence (Himself. He will always be with us.)
2). People (Relationship. Fellowship with one another.)
3). Property (Our Lot).


I am an heir of God.
My life is not left to chance...
Fate has NO power over me. My life is full of choice, not chance. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

I am an heir of God.
I am inheriting a Kindgom...
The kingdom is in us! We are going to be wealthy but He won't give us everything now or we wouldn't be able to handle it.

I am an heir of God.
He is my portion.
and I am His...
He is our prime and choice portion and all we need. A gift to a very dark world. My heart might fail, but He is my portion. I may lose my job, but He is my portion. I may get cancer, but He is my portion. HE considers me His inheritance. What? I have never thought about that. He will inherit His chosen people. God Loves presence and people and they need property to live in! In my weakness, I am His Glorious inheritance. Something about me reminds Him of Jesus!

I am an heir of God.
The down-payment has been made...
Our inheritance is guaranteed! He works out everything.
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will," (Ephesians 1:11).
Jesus changes lives! Note to self: Quit trying to be someone else!

I am an heir of God.
My boundary lines form a pleasing place...
God wants intimacy with us through our past (He knew I could get through of all I've had to go through in my life.), life experiences and gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is no place for the devil on our property according to Ephesians 4:27 "...and do not give the devil a foothold." Is God invading all of my life? He wants intimacy through the Gift of the Holy Spirit so we can do things we cannot do on our own. (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-control.) Our past, life experiences and the gifts all form boundary lines to make us compassionate!

I am an heir of God.
The will has been activated..
Time is coming. He puts His Holy Spirit in us. We are just beginning!

I am an heir of God.
I can be secure...
He has made my lot secure. He is my counselor! I should never depend on people to affirm me, only Him! "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Col 3:23-24)

I am an heir of God.
I have a beautiful inheritance...

Isaiah 61 (The year of the LORD'S Favor)
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs." (Isaiah 61:7)
Joy defines receiving the inheritance because we are co-heirs of Jesus Christ and He is the first-born! We have to fight the good fight with sweat dripping off of us! It will be SO worth it when we cross the finish line! We must keep Believing God. We are a Glorious Inheritance!

Are you coming?

To San Antonio for the Siesta Fiesta? I realize some of you are new to blogging and don't even know what a "Siesta" is. It's a term Beth Moore made up by accident. She meant to say, sista (sister in Christ) and made a mistake and the rest is history! Anyway, a lot of the women who have a blog will be meeting each other for the first time face to face this weekend at the Living Proof Conference in San Antonio. It's going to be SO much fun putting faces (AND VOICES) to some of the most beautiful women I know. It's amazing how I know so many of your hearts, but don't know what your voices sound like. If you won't be there this weekend, know that we wish you could be and you will be on our hearts and minds while we are together.

So, who is going? Can you let me know so I'll be sure to look for you? I'll be the one who will be smiling from ear to ear!



I love my Sisters, Sistas, Siestas, or whatever else you want to call us...
We are Family!

I love you!
Angie xoxo

The Karnowski Family

The Karnowski Family (My dad's side of the family).

Katie, 11... Alex, 11... Zack, 9... and Jordan, 10.

These are two of my niece's daughters and my niece and nephew from North Carolina. (Jordie is my oldest sister, Vic's granddaughter. She looks just like her mother, Jen and has the same personality. She shared that she is getting baptized next weekend and wanted to sing a song for us. It took a little time to find her favorite song! Of course her sister wanted to sing a song, too. I had forgotten how kids love to entertain. I miss those days! She wanted to get her picture taken by the piano and wanted to look like she was singing in this picture. Oh, and when she sang the song, there wasn't a dry eye in the house! I enjoyed spending time with these kids.
Randy, Josh, Loren, Christopher & John

These are some of my nephews and my son. It's amazing to think about genetics. There is no doubt these guys are related. I just love how they are getting older and enjoying each other as adults! They are not only family, but friends as well.

We had a lot of fun, but I have to admit it was difficult NOT to miss my dad yesterday! I wish my mom could have been there (and the rest of my family). I am Blessed to be a part of a family who has the biggest hearts I know! I treasure this precious family and don't take them for granted!

Much love on this beautiful Sunday,
Angie xoxo




Thanks, Jordie ... :)

Urgent Prayer Request

I have no idea if this is Biblical or not, but I heard this yesterday and I'm going to go with it today!

God doesn't hear the words of our Prayers as much as the INTENSITY of them! Regardless, please Pray for CJ!

This precious little boy is the grandson of my friend, Annette's friend! You can read about him on her blog. I don't know him personally, but God does!

Thank you so much!

His and Yours,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover...rambling

I am sitting here on the floor of the airport in Philadelphia (with my laptop plugged in the wall) waiting for an airplane to hopefully get me home tonight. My connecting plane was canceled. I'm so glad I don't have my mother's dog with me right now. I disappointed my family by not agreeing to bring "Baby girl" with me as a carry on! I'm feeling better about my decision now. :) Anyway, long story short I wanted to share what has been lingering from this week's Cover to Cover readings of the Bible.

This week I've been thinking about how much more I enjoy reading about Grace and Hope in the Bible than consequences for not obeying God. I haven't wanted to think about it. As I mature, I am beginning to realize I want more. I want to know the whole story, not just the parts I have needed so desperately. Until now, I've needed reassurance that He loves me unconditionally and I can finally say I Believe Him and His promises.

I realize the verse I am about to share is one most of you already know. I know it's a verse that some have claimed as their "life verse". By the way, I don't have one. Do you? I'm still a baby Christian. How long can you be one?

Jeremiah 29:10-13
This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.

I guess I'm right where I'm supposed to be. We go through life wanting to know how the story ends. We want to know the whole story. We want to "get it"! At least I do. I Believe the Bible is 100% truth. According to His Word, nothing we have to go through in this life was meant to harm us. Nothing. We will understand soon. This past weekend I spent a lot of time talking with my sisters. We were talking about our childhood and some of the not so pleasant memories. I'm glad we are forgiven, especially as parents trying to do our best!

We had a lot of fun doing a personality test and learned a lot about ourselves and each other. We had a lot of laughs, especially when (the first time) it said I should be police officer or judge. I didn't like the results, so I took the test again. I used the excuse that I took the test quickly. I guess when I am in a hurry, I don't treat people well and am not a good listener. I better slow down. The next time I took it, I was glad to hear I would make a good nurse or teacher. There was one question that asked if we believe life is complicated or simple. I believe it's simple. We are called to Love God and Love His people. I better listen to God's Word and seek Him with all my heart so He will reveal His will for my life!

PRAISE GOD for taking such good care of me every step of the way!

I better get back to my gate to see if I'll be going home tonight! Thanks for your patience and for letting me ramble.
Love and Peace,
Angie xoxo



p.s. Mom is going to a Nursing Home for rehab for awhile, so hopefully she'll learn to control her Diabetes. I'd appreciate your prayers for some miraculous healing in her life!

p.p.s. I SO want to change the title of this post to... There is a Drama Queen Sleepless in Philadelphia tonight. I'm stuck in the airport until 7:30AM. It could be worse. I could have a dog with me. And... I have SO much to be grateful for tonight! I'm praying for CJ tonight and all of you... one at a time!

Okay, I'll go!

Good Morning, Sweet Friends! First of all, thank you so much for all of your prayers for my mother. She is doing so much better. It turns out she didn't have the heart attack after all, but her blood sugar was SO out of control that she needed some immediate attention. We talked with the doctors this morning and discussed the next step concerning her living situation.

The reason I wanted to do this post today is tell you about last night. We got a call from the hospital at 2:00 in the morning. The nurse asked us to come help calm her down since she was having a panic attack. At first I told my sister to go alone (out of my selfishness). You should have been in my mind to hear how I was justifying not going. Something inside of me (The Holy Spirit) made me get my lazy you know what out of bed and go too. I picked up my Bible and went. Yes, I decided to obey.

I could not remember where to go to find the perfect verses that talked about fear and trusting God. (It was the middle of the night.) I looked in the back of my Bible and found Psalm 91. To say I was nervous is an understatement. The lights were bright. We were right outside the nurse's station. Mom was breathing fast and she was definitely panicking. I told her we would pray. We got a cold washcloth for her face and I began to pray. It was messy. God had me read Psalm 91 and we stopped several times to personalize it. On Eagles Wings came to mind and I now know it comes straight from there. It was a very familiar song to us. We sang that song and personalized it, too. It totally calmed her down. It was such a special time.

Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

I will catch up on reading your blogs when I get a chance. Know that I appreciate your prayers and am so grateful for the support of you all. Our God is SO BIG!

All my Love,
Angie xoxo

Prayers for my MOM tonight!!!

Dearest Blog Sisters,

If you wouldn't mind, please pray for my mother, Theresa Karnowski this evening and tomorrow. Apparently she had a heart attack today and her blood sugar went up to 800 (Normal is 60-100). I am on a plane very early in the morning to go to North Carolina to see her. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

His and yours,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... boast in Him

Wow, I can't believe another week has gone by and it's already time for another Cover to Cover post about what lingers for me in this week's readings. I'm so excited that Nicole has decided to join us!

My favorite verses this week were easy to choose. Beth Moore's Daniel Study is still quite fresh in my mind. I want to be a Daniel in this Babylonian culture (of self-absorption and over-indulgence). We memorized these verses.

Daniel 2:20-23

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."

I want these next verses to more than linger...

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,

but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

I pray I don't boast about anything, but when I read this, I had to take an honest look at myself. Do I brag? Yes, I have to admit that at times I do. I so want to brag and tell you that I won the longest drive contest at the Hearts of Hope golf outing I participated in on Friday. I want to brag and tell you that I won a facial and massage. But I won't. Wait a minute, I just did! See what I mean? I SO need God in my life! I'd rather boast about one thing: God! He has been so kind to me! I do know Him, and I know He wouldn't want me boasting. He deserves ALL of the Glory for anything good that happens in my life! Dear Lord, please forgive me!

Have a great week!
He's all we need!
Love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. Please, whatever you do, don't congratulate me...thanks!

He REALLY does

Luke 8: 4-15 (The Message)

The Story of the Seeds

As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop. (100-Fold)

"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

His disciples asked, "Why did you tell this story?"

He said, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren't going to get it:

Their eyes are open but don't see a thing,
Their ears are open but don't hear a thing.

"This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.

"The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone.

"And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.

"But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.


I just wanted to share a few notes, so I won't forget what we learned from Beth Moore this weekend! It was such a Blessing to be one of the 70,000 women in 715 locations around the world via Simulcast!

In order for us to be a women of substance and have maximum impact (A 100-Fold Harvest in our lives and the lives of our family line), we must learn to discern God's voice. She gave us 7 Phrases to help us remember...

1). Treasure the Wonder.
God wants to reveal Himself to us through His Word. They are the "secrets" and we all know that when someone tells us their secrets, we have a more intimate relationship with them. He wants to speak to us, since all Scripture is God-breathed. He will keep showing us more. He wants us to be "Competently Competent"!

2). Protect your Heart.
...from the evil prey. God's Word is not up for grabs! It is hidden in our heart and we must protect it so there is no room for satan.

3). Expect the Test.
The Greek word for testing is "Peirasmos". It means trials (God) to make us stand and temptations (Satan) to make us fall. God's promise in Psalm 126:5-6 tells us that those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. God will prove true and genuine during the testing. He will get the fake out of us. She also reminded us that our children do not expect us to be perfect, just real!

4). Dig the Roots.
Roots are established in LOVE. My roots are as deep as how loved I feel. We must know that we know that we know that we know that we are loved unconditionally! She talked about 2Kings 19:30. "Take root below and bear fruit above". God loves us in the testing. We should always remember the song, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know... for the Bible tells me so". We should remember that song whenever we are going through life's most difficult trials... such as when our husband leaves us, or we get that diagnosis, or our spouse dies, or we lose our job.

5). Stop the Choke.
Anxiety chokes the Word out of us! We never need the Word more than when we are worrying! We cannot hear the Word when we are anxious because it gets choked out. Do not be anxious about anything... (Phil 4:6). Also, if we are immature and want the "riches" of this world we will be choked. We want life to feel good. He is the only one who can make us rich in every way!

6). Retain the Word.
She suggested that when we read the Bible, we ask God to show us one verse that can apply to our lives to sustain us throughout our day! She talked about sowing the seed in the morning because we have the capacity to learn more first thing!

7). Press fourth to your 100-Fold.
Persevere. It takes time to reap the harvest. We cannot quit! We can't be people who start things and don't finish before the harvest comes! We need to Believe God for finished work!


He Loves you so, sweet blog friends and Siestas!
Angie xoxo

p.s. At the end of the conference when we held hands and looked the woman next to us straight in the eyes (almost uncomfortably too long) for the commissioning, I noticed the woman I was paired up with was one of my patients! I had been sitting next to her all day long and never realized it!

It's all good!

What a day! I have no words... just a song in my heart, to show my gratitude for such a wonderful day, full of miracles, wonder and a secret Word that I'm protecting with all I've got! I know this doesn't make a lot of sense, but trust me, it was a good day!

All my love,
Angie xoxo