enough

I remember this song helping me several years ago when I was in the midst of a different kind of change. When I really thought about the "what ifs" I found comfort in the fact that He really was (and is) enough for me.


"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..." (1 John 4:18)

I'll be saying these 5 statements tomorrow:

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's Word is alive and active in me.

I'm. Believing. God!
By faith... Angie

I'm looking forward to being intentional about counting the "moments" in this next phase of life. I spent a good part of this weekend reading Ann Voskamp's book on my iPad. It's awesome. I know that word is way over-used, but I cannot find a better one to express my gratitude for Ann sharing her wisdom. I'm going to read this book with a community of people being intentional as well. I'm excited to see what God shows me as I count the ways He loves me. I don't ever want to stop counting them.

The name my parents gave me is Angela. Just for fun I looked up what it means. Here's what I came up with in my google search: Angela is of Greek origin, and its meaning is 'messenger; messenger of God'.

I hope I can adequately share what I learn.
Angie

I've loved them all (& I'll miss them all)

Today was one of those days when nothing seemed to help except Selah. I tried eating a great big "Freak Out" cookie from my favorite lunch spot this afternoon. It didn't help. I can't believe how emotional it's been to leave my office. I came to the conclusion that it probably would have been easier to just disappear when I learned my boss didn't need me anymore if I couldn't agree to working a 40 hour week. I felt like I could start crying if anyone looked at me wrong today. One of my co-workers told me tonight after work that I seem different. I'm trying to be perky, but I'm having a hard time hiding my true feelings. I have one more week before I'm done.

I love my job.

I was trying to get to the bottom of why it is affecting me this way. After all, it's only a job! It's not that I'm overly close with my co-workers. There are only a couple of the original staff left. I just met the new dentist a year ago, so I barely know him... and don't get me started. My former boss is only there one day a week. It's not really the money (although I'm sure this will change very soon when reality sets in). On my way home I was reflecting on the fact that the money was always just a bonus. I didn't work for my paycheck. I know most people cannot even come close to relating to this fact and I probably shouldn't even admit it. I'll stop right here and thank God that money hasn't been an issue for me. I appreciate it SO much! I believe all of us have different kinds of challenges and money isn't really one of mine. I've always had what I need.

I love my patients.

Cleaning their teeth and taking care of their oral health was just something I did on the side while we were getting to know each other better. (But don't get me wrong, I am a perfectionist!) I cared more about their hearts than their teeth if I'm being honest. We killed two birds with one stone. It's kind of like playing a game or doing an activity while spending time with a friend. Over the years they were ALL like family to me and I treated them as if they were my family.

I only told a few of my patients that I'm leaving. I didn't have time to explain the situation; I didn't want to get all emotional and I wanted to keep it professional. But this morning I had to tell one of my favorite patients. She said, "Oh no, I don't want to go the rest of my life never seeing you again." Who says that to their dental hygienist? I don't think anyone has ever given me that kind of compliment! I also had another tell me that I am really the best hygienist and I didn't even tell her I was leaving.

I'm going to miss the relationships with my patients. All of them. I'll never forget praying for so many of them when they shared something that was heavy on their heart and I never told them. We've laughed together and cried together. So many times I've felt like I should pay them when they leave instead of the other way around.

As I drove home from work tonight, this song came on my iPod and it was absolutely perfect. I know it sounds silly to ask for prayers, but next time you go to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned, realize what a gift you are to the hygienist who may care more about your heart than your teeth.



With love and gratitude,
Angie RDH

"pausing... and paying attention to the moments"

She makes me want to start counting my blessings again...
I bought Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are for my iPad and immediately started reading it. Trust me, you need to read it, too!

reassurance

This was in my daily devotional today...

"Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us." ~Billy Graham

I hope my anxiety isn't a result of making the wrong choice in my work situation.

Faith is the appropriate response to my situation. At 4:00 this morning, He reassured me that everything will work out fine.

In His Grip,
Angie

Changed my mind... again! :)

I know. My hand looks really old and that's not my right hand. My right hand was taking the picture. I was trying something with my new camera. I can't remember what it was, but hopefully the black and white makes it not look so noticeable.

At least I'm consistent. Once again I changed my Scripture Memory Verse. Surprised? Nope. I'm not. As a result of waking up on a Sunday morning at 5:39AM I decided I didn't have a clue about how my new verse was going to help me fall back asleep. I just spent a lot of time online looking up Bible verses about panic attacks and how stress affects the human body.  I started clicking around and taking several tests. The results actually proved that I handle anxiety pretty well. I wondered why they asked how I handle worry about the flu, plane crashes and traffic jams? I don't worry about the big things, just mainly my security and the future. Apparently it proves a lot and since it told me I handle it well, I'm not going to worry. One thing lead to another and I took a test to see if I'm an optimist or pessimist. I was just realistic and answered the questions honestly. That got me in trouble. I got 9 out of 15 as an optimist, but that made me an overall: Pessimist. Hmmm... Did I tell you I also took a test to see if I am a Type A Perfectionist? Yes, I sure did and yes, I am one. Can you believe the final question was: Do you think you are a perfectionist? Pretty funny. I guess I know myself.

Anyway, the weight is off my chest and I have a new verse to pull out tonight. After a couple of cups of coffee, a couple of tests, a couple of laughs at myself and a couple of new verses I think I'll go wake up my husband and get to church. :)

Prayers for Joanne

Praying for our sweet blog sister in Christ, Joanne (on the far right).  

 

2011 Scripture Memory Verse #2

God really has a sense of humor.  I am making a major life change shortly.  When I first made the decision, I had SO much Peace about it.  I was sure it was the right thing to do, but now that it's almost here, I am questioning myself.  Did you notice how I said I am questioning "myself"?  I didn't say I was questioning God, just me!  Just yesterday the thought crossed my mind that I trusted God TOO much and now I'm freaking out!  I know it sounds funny, but those words actually came out of my mouth. Thus, please find my second Scripture Memory Verse of 2011. 

a not-so-private prayer

I've often wondered how people stay on fire for Christ when they grow up with God in their lives. Since I found God in the midst of turmoil and was in total desperation, I couldn't understand how others kept their passion when life was going smoothly. I think I finally get it.  At some point of their lives (and we have no idea when that will be) they will need God, too and have to make the choice to either "buy it" for themselves or "run away" when their faith is being tested. I believe God is a jealous God. He wants us to Himself and He will do whatever it takes for us to need Him.  When we have absolutely no other choice but fall on our knees and beg Him to intervene.  I believe He rewards those who throw caution to the wind and take the risk by begging.  It's hard to sit on the sidelines and try to tell someone that God is the only answer when they want to go running... the wrong way.

So Lord I beg You...

Invade the lives of these people I dearly love.  It doesn't matter whose fault it is or who hurt the other one worse.  When it looks to them like there is no other choice but run, please give them a little hope.  Help them see only the positive in each other and see each other like you see them. Help them to stop trying to figure it out.  Give them a break from the chaos and confusion and have a little fun together.  Help them to remember all of the lives that have been touched because of their union.  God, please do what only You can do.  You and I both know that it's only by Your Grace that we are still married. I'll never forget the day we fell on our knees and prayed that ugly prayer begging you to help.  Neither one of us knew what to do to make it better.  It was too much for us to figure out.  Tear down the walls between them.  Help them to see what made them fall in love in the first place.  Lord, make this test of faith be their own personal  testimony.  Lord, thank You for healing our broken marriage.  Because of the miracle You did in ours, I'm on fire for You.  I trust You with all my heart.  I trust that nothing is too difficult for You.  I know that I know that I know that I know that if they eliminate their pride and selfishness they can learn to love each other deeply and they will be giving encouragement to another couple one day.  Make this be the point of their lives when they draw a line in the sand. This is the time (January 2011) when You performed the miracle and the world saw that they made it past this major bump in the road, and it's only because You took over.  Show off for this whole family to see for themselves that it's not over.  Don't let Satan convince them to quit. Please help them forgive each other for the many things can that happen when "Hurt People Hurt People"!  Help them feel Your unconditional love, so they can love each other unconditionally. Thank You for being way bigger than this.  They need Your help.  Thank You!

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

Please listen to this song... :)

Soften their hearts, Lord.
In Love and Thanksgiving,
Angie

adjustments

I went to the chiropractor today and apparently my spine was way out of alignment.  He told me I was very tense and holding my stress in my neck. I don't know exactly how it all works, but I do know that when a car is out of alignment the steering wheel swerves to the left or right. It doesn't ride smoothly. You should have heard my back and neck crack when he did the adjustment. I was instructed to come back next week and for several more visits until we can get things straightened out.

I'm pretty sure my back isn't the only thing out of whack these days.  I need to make some major adjustments in my life.  God is on the brink of doing something huge in my life and I want to prepare myself so I can see what He is doing as clearly as possible. When I'm worried and stressed in the middle of the night I better remember to Pray for His Peace and Pray His Prayer.

"Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

I'm confident God is in the midst of whatever we are going through and He'll give us exactly what we need.  We must trust Him right this minute... today, tomorrow and the next day.  When He closes one door, He opens another.

notes

The last couple of evenings I listened to Passion 2011.  It made me wish I had been exposed to this when I was in my 20's. Here are just a few of the notes I want to remember. I didn't take enough, for sure. The thing I love about being a Christian is the fact that it doesn't matter how old we are; He keeps teaching.  I hope I keep learning when I'm 80 years old!  The following notes are very unorganized, but I wanted to get them down. Maybe you will be Blessed as well.

Beth Moore:
RENEWED MIND
2 Tim 2:26  Satan also has a plan for my life.
Eph 4:17-19 New Testament definition of addiction: with a continual lust for more. compulsion, substance- calls for more.
**Psalm 27:4 Renewed mind focus (reflect on Him) not multitasking. Shut off every other voice. Do one thing. Memorize a chapter. Phil 3:10 JUST DO ONE THING.
Luke 2:18 & 19 Think past the obvious, amazing will not change my mind. Think it through... Don't multitask. Don't just be amazed.
I have the capacity to choose how I want to think.
I can think a new thought about the old thing.
I can't change how I feel. No, I can change my mind and it will change my heart. You can't change how you feel but you can change how you think. And that will eventually change how you feel!
1 Cor 2:9-10 No mind has conceived... what God has prepared but He has revealed it by his Spirit.
Luke 24:45 He opened their minds so they can understand the Scriptures that I will love it more.
I want to love Him with my MIND.
Romans 12:1-2 But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN we will be able to test and discern His Will for our lives.

John Piper:
"You are precious to me. I will not let your preciousness be your God. I alone am your God." (I didn't hear his whole message. I wish I could have heard more.)

Francis Chan:
Does it make sense according to what I believe?  I want to have so much joy. Let my life match up with what I believe in. Please Lord, let me be bold.

I want my life to make sense in light of the Gospel.

Andy Stanley:
Our APPETITE... It can overpower our prayers... It has the potential to determine the direction and quality of our life. I will rule it or it will rule me.

There is an appetite for... Progress, Responsibility, Respect, Win, Love, Acceptance, Fame, Recognition, To be Envied, Things.
GOD CREATED THEM, SIN DISTORTED THEM. THEY AREN'T BAD, JUST BROKEN.
THEY ARE NEVER FULLY AND FINALLY SATISFIED!!!!!!! Same is true of all of those things. Our appetites always whisper NOW, never LATER.
Trade the ultimate for the immediate.
We eat things we shouldn't eat... Drink things we shouldn't eat...
My response to my appetite will affect God's Will in my life.
First sell me your birthright ... for a bowl of Stew!!! Jacob and Esau
I'm about to die... What good is the birthright to me?
Impact bias takes a simple appetite and magnifies it out of proportion. It exaggerates... Your brain lies to you. This is why you have buyers remorse.
Focalism... focuses our minds on one thing and blurs out everything else.
Surrender your appetite for HIM. The stew was gone and so was his birthright!!
Is it worth trading my...
Five years from now...
My appetite wants MORE and NOW.
What's at stake? I don't know because I have no idea what God could do through me. What's my bowl of stew right now?
You might be trading your future for...? My habit. My shortcut? It's my bowl of stew. REFRAME... REFRAIN.

I'm thankful for these obedient servants of God.  I'm also very convinced that there are no coincidences and that He wanted me to hear these messages this week.

Jesus, I Believe... You are all to me.

xoxo

2010 Scripture Memory Verse #1

LOVE...

2011 is the year Lincoln and I will celebrate our 10th Anniversary (in July).  We really are a miracle and I don't take it lightly.  This year I want to focus my Scripture Memory verses on us as much as possible.

Love,
Angie