Vulnerable Post

Whew... I've needed to do this post for a couple of weeks.

I haven't been able to shake a conversation I had with someone whose belief system is completely the opposite of mine. This guy believes in several gods, not just one God. Money is a god to him and he wasn't afraid to tell me! He explained his belief that we put too much emphasis on relationships...

It seems that on several occasions my faith has been challenged. Tonight at church our pastor had an interview with someone who doesn't believe in God. Does not believe in Heaven. Thinks God is..."make-believe". He brought up some good points! He made me think...

I can think of at least two other conversations I have had lately with people who feel just as strongly about their belief system as I do in mine. I've also heard people say they are freaked out by the way Christians say things like, "Saved" and "Born-again"... words that used to scare me not too long ago. And that Christians are just hypocrites! Tonight's church service troubled me. I have always been comfortable with my faith. I've been confident that the Bible is the truth. Why is this happening? I wish this kind of stuff could just roll off me. I couldn't wait to get in the car and listen to my praise and worship music. Oh, and another thing... I was talking with a friend of mine recently who hasn't had access to any of her worship music for the past couple of months. If I didn't have my music would my faith be watered down and weak? It's a scary thought!

The truth is... I don't know why, but I believe. That's all I can say. I don't need to be convinced. I believe the Bible is 100% truth. I just do! I can't explain it, but my faith cannot be challenged.

Will you please pray for me? I need the Holy Spirit to fill me with some peace.
I hope this post wasn't too authentic! I still love Jesus and need Him more than my next breath!

In His Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... in Tribeca with Meghan

Hey, Girlfriends!
It's Monday and I just got back home from New York where I spent the weekend with my daughter at her new apartment in Tribeca. It was absolutely beautiful! I honestly think I could live in New York. We had such a nice time together. We ate at fabulous restaurants and walked so much! My legs are still sore. We ran across the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday, too! She lives so close to Battery Park overlooking the Hudson River. We could see the Statue of Liberty! The best part was spending time with Meghan!

I was also able to see my good friend, Sandy who moved there this past Summer! We had a great time together! We also had brunch with Meghan's friend, Sarah and her mom.

Believe it or not, I did my Cover to Cover readings. I am loving this so much that I just didn't want to miss out this week. But, the only problem is the wrap up! There were so many things I read that made me cringe and get convicted. I loved Matthew chapter 6. A lot of what I read is still lingering... especially the part about not judging others, loving my enemies, turning the other cheek, forgiving so I can be forgiven, praying for those who mistreat me, giving to others, doing unto others as I would have them do to me... and MY MOUTH.

Also...

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 6:41-42)

And...

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Matthew 6:43-45)

When I think of fruit, I always think of the Fruit of the Spirit... Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control.

I loved people watching in New York and thinking about this song...


Have a great week no matter where you are!
In His Love,
Angie xoxo

"all girls are... even if..."

First of all, I want to thank you all for those special prayers yesterday! I am grateful beyond words!

I'm so excited that tomorrow I'm going to be visiting my daughter in New York! She moved to a new apartment, and I can't wait to see it. There's something about a mom needing to know where her daughter is sleeping at night. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure you understand! And... I'm hoping she takes me to her office so I can see where she sits at her desk and works. The last time I went there she didn't want to take me and said, "Mom's don't really go to work with their kids." I laughed and agreed that she was probably right, but I am hoping this time I'll get a chance to check it out!

I asked her if she wants to see any plays while I am there and she told me she just wants to do some shopping, take walks, eat some nice meals together and hopefully watch some of our favorite movies. I just love how I found my favorite one online tonight.

If you have never seen this movie, it's called, A Little Princess. If you fast forward this starting at the 5:15 mark, you'll see my favorite part. Actually, it's all great! I'm hoping you feel beautiful and loved by Him tonight!

I can't believe I am on this computer when I should be packing!
You all enjoy your weekend!

Much love,
Angie xoxo

Prayer works...

I come to you with a special prayer request for someone who is extremely private. I can't go into any details, but there is only one more thing I can do, and it's ask you to pray for this friend who will need extra prayers these next few days!

Thank you!

In His Love,
Angie xoxo

walking through the neighborhood...

It's my day off and I just got home from a walk through my neighborhood without my iPod. I know some of you can't imagine I could do such a thing. Let me just tell you, I highly recommend you try a walk in silence once in awhile. So nice!

Anyway, I got to thinking about an upcoming vote our neighborhood is having regarding a decision to either fix our roads or make a nature walkway in the woods behind our homes. In my opinion, I thought it was a "no-brainer". Our roads are overdue to be fixed. You only have to drive through the neighborhood once to notice they totally need resurfacing. It would probably help our property values. They've tried to patch them too many times and are an eye sore, not to mention the damage to our cars! There are cracks and holes everywhere. Our long cold Winters here in Michigan along with the changing seasons are hard on our roads. Anywhere you drive these days, you see construction. Trust me on this one! Who doesn't want to ride down a nice new, beautiful, smooth road as opposed to a bumpy one? (I would even vote to get matching mailboxes. I know, I have issues!)

I talked with neighbors with opposing views...

The first guy I talked with recently was very passionate about the roads (like me) and reminded me to go to the meeting in October to vote. I told him I'd see him there. The second guy at a different party told me he thought it was a much better idea to have the walkway, especially since he has kids who would enjoy the walkway and frankly, our bad roads slow drivers down! He likes them the way they are! Hmmm...

As I thought about it this afternoon I think I like our roads the way they are. They remind me of my life. Instead of a perfectly smooth journey through life that "looks" nice to strangers driving by, they don't know the real story and the truth that each of those bumps along the way have a story and are what made me the woman I am today. All of my cracks and imperfections force me to slow down, cherish my life and make me grateful. Knowing me, I'd be speeding through because I tend to be in a hurry most of the time anyway! They keep me obeying Him. Without them I honestly believe I wouldn't have learned that I need God in my life. They got my attention. He got my attention! One more thing, those holes cannot be filled with anything but God. We try to stuff anything and everything else in the void, but Only God can fix, heal and satisfy!

Whatever the outcome, I am glad God helped me realize today that there are always two ways to look at things.


I loved my walk with Him today!
Love,
Angie xox0

Cover to Cover...Blessed

Are you kidding? I am supposed to write down what has been lingering in my Cover to Cover chronological readings of the Bible? I could write the never-ending post today, but I like to narrow it down to what really hits me smack dab in the middle of my heart. This week I felt like I read the Bible for the first time.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)

I want to share His Light, His Hope with anyone who crosses my path. There is so much darkness in this world and it seems to be getting worse every day! So many people try to find hope in other things besides God and it's scary!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

When I think about all of the Blessings I have received in my life, nothing has meant as much as the Love I have received from Christ. He died for me... and for you! There is not one person this side of Heaven who is willing to die for me! He has given me one blessing after another and I don't take Him for granted!

The other thing that really spoke to me this week was the fact that right after John baptized Jesus He was tempted by Satan for 40 days. (Click on those words and read it for yourself!) He kept saying to Him... "If you are the Son of God..." And each time Jesus was tempted, it didn't work, ... so the devil finally left him! He was tempted too! There is a battle going on today and it's against the enemy not each other! I have seen it SO many times when Satan gets worried that he has lost one of his followers, so he tries extra hard to cause doubt in a newly baptized person or in the life of someone doing good for God's Kingdom. He won't win!

I cannot do this post without adding The Beatitudes. Before my sister passed away back in 1998 from Breast Cancer she planned her own funeral. It meant the world to her to have these verses read to all of the people who mattered most to her in her life. As I read them today, I know that Blessed Am I... for I am Loved beyond measure!

The Beatitudes

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12)

I'm ready! Much love,
Angie xoxo

Rest in Him...it's okay.

Sometimes I wonder how many of us are wide awake at 3:00 in the morning? I had dinner with some loved ones tonight. They watch a lot more news than I do and explained a lot of the issues I've chosen to avoid concerning our government. It's a scary world out there. I don't have to tell you these times are so uncertain. If I let my imagination go wild, I can get into a worry frenzy and it really does intensify in the middle of the night. I am especially concerned about our kids, who are just out of college or about to finish in the near future. What will happen?

I need to be still and know that God has it all under control. What would Jesus have to say at a time like this? I bet He would tell us to keep trusting Him and we will be okay if we stay close to Him and His Word.

Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Some of you have other concerns that keep you up at night. I recommend you be still and listen to Him. You'll be okay.
He promises...

I hope you all have a restful sleep tonight!
Love,
Angie xoxo