Cover to Cover...giving thanks

I'm still loving our cover to cover readings of the Bible. The most difficult part this week was deciding which verses to add to this post! Wherever you are on Thursday I hope you take time to Thank God for all of your blessings. Remember, you have a friend in Michigan who is thankful for you!

Thank you for...loving me!
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Gal 5:14)

Thank you for...carrying my burdens and for your gentleness!
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:1-2)

Thank you for...your encouragement and for always building me up!
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Thank you for...your kindness!
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Thank you for... being such good roll models and for praying for me!
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I pray this for all of us...
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:9-10)

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my family and friends! I wish we could enjoy a meal together! It would be sooooooooooooo good!
Love you,
Angie xoxo

The way I love you

Not really sure why I have the urge to tell the whole world, but I have had the worse case of PMS today. I need more of the Holy Spirit.
Please More Spirit...
" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." (Gal 5:22-23)



I heard this song at yoga tonight and felt it was God singing to me...

"You don't know what it's like, baby
You don't know what it's like
To love somebody, to love somebody
The way I love you."

I don't think any of us can really comprehend how much He loves us. I needed to hear that tonight. I know there are a lot of hurting people who just may need to hear it, too!

I feel a lot better...
Love,
Angie xoxo

My Pecan Pie and a song

A very dear friend of mine sent me some special pecans yesterday and it was such a treat!! I had told her in passing that I am considered the "pie lady" in my family and am always asked to bring the pecan pie to our holiday dinners! She remembered! Some people are SO thoughtful!
Thank you so much! xoxo
I thought I would share my recipe today! As you can see, it's simple!

Pecan Pie

9" unbaked pie crust

Filling:
4 eggs beaten
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup (or more) pecans
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients and pour in shell. Bake 55-65 minutes. (I had a note to cook it less, because I always seem to burn it.)



For some reason, I decided to add this song to my post. It has always been a favorite and reminds me to cherish the moments with my kids and family. Time passes too quickly! I miss the good old days. If you need the reminder today, listen very carefully... always make time for the people you love!



Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... Proof~Perseverance~Powerful Tongue

What lingers from our readings this week? I could tell you all about doubting Thomas. Well, after reading again, I better since too often I am just like him.

"...But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:25-27) Then he goes on to say in verse 29... "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

If I'm ever in a tough spot, I want to remember these next verses. I need to read them S-L-O-W-L-Y every time I face a difficult situation!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6)


These next verses about taming the tongue are the story of my life. So many times I have hurt people with my words. Probably more often than I am aware. I tend to speak before I think and blurt things out, only to later regret what I have said to someone. I know how important my words are and realize they can either hurt someone or bless them. It's weird how I remember something a loved one told me nearly 30 years ago and the thought still makes my heart sink. On another note, I wrestle with tongues all day long at work. I have to be very careful. (In case you didn't know, I am a dental hygienist.) A strong tongue can make it almost impossible to take xrays and can cause a severe gag reflex. If I can get my patients to relax their tongue, it makes life a whole lot easier! The tongue is very powerful. I can only tame my tongue with the help of the Holy Spirit.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. (James 3:3-9)


If I've hurt you by anything I've said in the past, I want to apologize. If you need to hear some encouraging words, please go to Bev's blog and you will be blessed beyond measure! Have a great week!
Love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. By the way... it's never too late... :)

Best of the Best... Lincoln

I am very proud to be the wife of the Best of the Best Veterinarian in our area for 2008. Someone from the local paper came in to my husband's office today to tell him the news. I am speechless (well sort of, hence this blog post) knowing it was totally God working through him since he opened his doors last February. It's been almost a year since his small group wrote Scripture verses on the wall before the final paint was applied. He was surprised to learn of this amazing honor. God deserves the Glory today and always!

I wanted to share this with you because God is worthy of Praise. He is blogworthy of Praise!

Congratulations, Lincoln!



Thank you for celebrating with us tonight!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Thankful Thursdsay... a hero.

Tonight I am on my knees thanking God for an answered prayer. I am also thankful for someone I know who was obedient to God in a huge way this week. I know his decision glorified God. Some need the approval of man, while others only need the approval of God. I am honored to have a friend who chose God. He is humble and would never want credit. Just for tonight, he is my hero... and so is his wife!

I experienced a miracle and don't take it lightly!


Shaking my head,
Angie xoxo

Hallelujah! Amen.

We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God!
For Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior,
And scattered our night.

All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins,
And hath cleansed every stain.

All glory and praise
To the God of all grace,
Who hast brought us, and sought us,
And guided our ways.

Revive us again;
Fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above.

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! I don't know about you, but this makes me want to get a lot accomplished today!
Ready... Set... Go!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover...not just a story

While on my 12 hour drive to see my family this week I listened to a book on c.d. It made the time pass quickly. I listened to a story very unlike THE story I read in God's Word this week in our cover to cover reading of the Bible. Although it was very entertaining at first, it bothered me to hear the voices of someone who portrayed God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit. I finally had to turn it off! If I were being completely honest, I would tell you for a little while it made me question God's Word. I wondered if it was also just a story. Satan was messing with me. Then God immediately convicted me, saying He couldn't believe I could let ONE book on tape allow me to question what I've become SO passionate about for the past several years!

This weeks readings were intense. You can probably imagine how difficult it was to read of Jesus' crucifixion. We all know how it went, but this time it was different. I guess reading the Bible chronologically makes it that much more meaningful to me.

Mark 14:35-36
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Lord, I cannot imagine where I would be today if Jesus had not trusted His father in Heaven. Thank you for loving us that much. You knew what He would have to endure and you did it anyway! I'm thankful for the movie, "The Passion" so I can picture clearly what it was like for Him. I've heard it was a lot worse.

John 19: 26
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"

Lord, I cannot imagine having to watch my son or daughter go through that kind of torture...for me and all of mankind. This is not just a story someone wrote to entertain me or help time pass quickly on the way somewhere. I look forward to the day when I will hear Your voice for myself and look into Your eyes face to face. Your Word is all I need!

I Pray for my friends and loved-ones who are tempted to not believe, especially when life gets hard.
In Christ Alone,
Angie xoxo

Top 10 things I'm Thankful for this Thursday...

In no particular order... :)

10). I'm thankful that both of my kids made it a priority to vote this week.
9). I'm thankful that today while driving to North Carolina (to visit my family), the weather couldn't have been more perfect!
8). I'm thankful for books on c.d. I am listening to The Shack. I'm also thankful for my iPod.
7). I'm thankful for a nice hotel room with clean, soft sheets (and wireless internet) to get a good night's sleep for the rest of the drive tomorrow.
6). I'm thankful for technology. One day this week I talked with a friend on the phone in Houston, Texas. That evening I was chatting on the computer with a friend in England, while chatting with a friend in South Carolina, while chatting with my sister-in-law in Wisconsin, while chatting with my daughter in New York... all at the same time!!! Our world is so small.
5). I'm thankful that God convicted me for not chatting with my husband who lives in the same house (because of the above chats).
4). I'm thankful that I actually cooked 3 meals this week. (Chicken Noodle Soup, Stuffed Green Peppers and Enchilada Casserole).
3). I'm thankful for gas prices being the lowest I've seen in months ($2.18/gal)!
2). I'm thankful that my husband just called to tell me I am his best friend!
1). I'm thankful that at our church service last night, our pastor reminded us of these verses while we were praying about the election...


Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
...But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength....
(Isaiah 40:28-31)



Living a life of gratefulness changes everything!
Have a great weekend!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Sweet peace

At the end of the day, I am praying for PEACE in this country...
I am grateful to live where we are ALL free to cast our votes!
Let's all play nice...



But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:26-27)

Let's keep looking to Jesus for our peace!
In His Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... My desperate prayer

I am enjoying our cover to cover readings more than I thought possible. I have never read the Bible this way and to say I am blessed is an under statement! There were so many familiar verses this week, so it was difficult to choose what lingers. I'm loving the gospels.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:22)

Recently I found an old prayer. It was in a drawer I had saved since 1975. I begged God to save me a place on the JV basketball team. His hand was on my life back then. I must have believed I could only make the team with God's help. I did end up making it and I hope I gave Him the credit!

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)

This sounds so simple. It really is simple, yet I make it complicated.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. (Matt 23:25-26)

These verses convicted me big-time. They made me think about how much God cares about my heart! If my heart is like His, the world will see the truth and they'll want Him too! I keep reading it over and over again. I am still digesting those verses. I don't ever want to be called a hypocrite!

"As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (John12:47-48)

Honestly, this is one area I struggle with in my life. I am so relieved that I am not the judge! I am NOT the judge!

I'm praying for our country this week and that we all make wise decisions on Tuesday! God won't be surprised by the outcome! I pray His will is done!
Much love,
Angie xoxo