wishes ...or prayers for next year

2010 has been a crazy year and in some ways I'm glad to see it go. It was the year we lost our mom. Nothing prepares you for the loss of both of your parents and the reality is just beginning to sink in.

Without sounding too dramatic, it was also the year of change in my job situation. I think I'll just leave it at that for now.

For Christmas my sister gave us all a box to write 25 of our wishes for the coming year. With expectancy she told us to "just wait". We won't believe how many of them come true. When trying to come up with 25 wishes, I quickly learned that 25 wishes are a lot different than 25 prayers. I found myself wishing for things I would be embarrassed to pray for.

When trying to pinpoint my one prayer for this next year I still have a few hours to figure it out... as well as my first Scripture Memory Verse for 2011.

I'm excited and looking forward to what God is going to do in my life next year!

Happy New Year!
May God be even bigger than anything you can imagine. Invite Him into those secret places that you're too embarrassed to share with the whole wide world.

Keep.

Believing.

God for the impossible!

By faith... angie

It's so much more...

It's really all about the Cross.


I'm so grateful for a friend sharing, "Go Fish" with me this past week.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Angie

As a result of 12/18/10

This morning on my way to work I listened to I Surrender All no less than four times. I prayed all the way there for God's approval before I made my final decision... this time.

I'll never forget the text I got from my dear friend:
"I'll follow your lead." I am so blessed by all of my friends.



Surrendering it all and following His lead.
By faith...
Angie

"God sees"

...and He knows and He is never surprised. I look forward to what He's up to in this next chapter.



I'm still Believing God.
Angie

it doesn't get any better than this

I can honestly say, there is nothing in life more precious to me than watching a sweet sister open her very first Bible. She gently opens it (a paperback version) with such tenderness and respect.   She turns the pages slowly and carefully as if she is handling her brand new baby for the very first time.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

You should give it a try sometime!
With love and by faith...
Angie

LOVE Tuesdays

My friend, Sharon gave this to me when my mom passed away. It's the perfect ornament for 2010.

The view out my window as I get ready to write my Christmas cards. 

Have a Peaceful Tuesday!

By faith...

Angie xoxo

A Labor of Love

I have always loved the song, Silent Night but I agree.  I'm not so sure it was a silent night...

 I hear the same Christmas music on our radio station at work over and over again. Everyone who knows me knows how I feel about it, especially the hippo song.  It drives me nuts! Most of what I hear during the day has nothing to do with Christmas! I wish they'd play this song. It's authentic... and real.  Any mother who has given birth to a child knows the truth.  It is a labor of love, but I cannot fathom if I were giving birth to Jesus.

In His amazing Love,
Angie

flat tire

Last weekend I heard our pastor say something that I had probably heard before, but this time it not only stopped me in my tracks, but I can’t get it off my mind. I’m positive it was not an accident.

He said, “Some people use God like a spare tire. They only use Him when they need Him and when they are in trouble.”

As I laid in bed this morning trying to force myself to sleep in I thought about this past year. I’ve been one of “those” people but I’m even worse off. I had a flat tire, but didn’t even think to use the spare. I kept it in the trunk. Have you ever seen someone driving a car with a flat tire? It eventually wears down the rim and does major damage to the wheel and causes the car to swerve off to the left or right. If everyone drove around like that there would be chaos and accidents everywhere.

Some might think it’s best to hold it all inside, but I don’t believe it’s healthy. What am I hiding anyway? I’m going to take a risk and let you in on some of the “stuff” that probably started with a slow leak, but turned into a blow out.

It started in January when I went to the Siesta Memory Celebration weekend in Houston. I recited all 24 of my verses but can’t remember them today. I guess I knew them in my head, but obviously not in my heart.

“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” (Matthew 13:20-21).

In January I also learned that my boss had sold his practice. I had no idea what kind of changes were in store. I was scared about my future. I thought about a million “what ifs”!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

In February I had a major falling out with one of my best friends. It was over our sons. I felt sorry for mine having to move to a new apartment right in the middle of his semester and it was complicated. Instead of calling her to discuss the situation I took the easy road and wrote her a letter. To say it got ugly is an understatement. I still regret it today. She's not the only person I've hurt with my words.

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.” (Psalms 103:13 ESV). “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

In March I was told, “You can teach a monkey to clean teeth. You are a s****person whether you like it or not.” I also learned about “think sheets, clarifications and goals.” Are my priorities in the right order? Do I have a clean conscience? Am I trusting God for clarity and the real goal?

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14).

This past Summer I went to a couple of weddings. I watched a couple of marriages completely fall apart and one that is still hanging on by a thread. Did I really get on my knees and pray for them and did I do what I could to encourage them? What about my own marriage. Did I put in the effort to respect my husband even when I didn’t think he deserved it? I have fallen short, and I’m sure I haven’t gone to God.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 10:24).

Change...
We had a tree fall on our house and it caused us to make some necessary changes. At work there have been so many changes. I miss my old boss and my former co-workers. I recorded at least 50 hours of continuing education. My brain has been stretched but I’ve learned so much. I have had all of my old amalgam fillings changed to white and hardly recognize my mouth when I open it. My body is changing in front of my eyes. What used to be right on schedule is very unreliable. There have been new additions to our family and in September I lost my mom. It’s hard enough to lose one parent, but to lose the other one is completely different.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).

Lord, You are not my spare tire.  I can't fool You. I don't want to keep driving with a flat tire. It's too exhausting and has caused too much chaos in my life. Please forgive me and heal those places that I’ve damaged because I tried to go it alone in 2010. Help me look to Heaven in 2011. You’ve given me the gift of Your Word and I believe with all my heart that it keeps me on the right road. It’s a smoother ride with You. Thank you!

In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

the ONLY one...

I was blessed by seeing him sing this song yesterday. Best unexpected gift ever!

Starry Night

From the Birds that Sing, In the Tallest Trees.
To the Human Life, of you and me.
From the Desert Sands, to the place we stand.
He is God of All, He is Everything.

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the Autumn Leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the Painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

Waohhh

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything.

Ohhhhhhh (everything)

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe
Ohhh
Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun
On that Starry Night, He changed my life.
I'm giving it all to the only son who gave me hope when I had none.
So let the praises ring,
Ohhhh Let the Praises Ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the Moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night, that was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son, who was and is and yet to come
and the Angels sing, that he is Heavenly

So let the Praises ring
'Cause he everything



and... Point of Grace was AMAZING!