Manna

This week I ran out of coffee. I like to buy Starbucks for home so I won't be tempted to buy it when I'm out. I'm thinking Dave Ramsey would be proud. Anyway, I bought BOLD. I have no idea why I did it. At first it tasted way too strong, but since I got a whole pound, I decided I better learn to like it. I must have too much time on my hands. I got to thinking about back when I didn't drink coffee. I decided I wanted to be "mature" like my older husband, so I had to drink coffee. But I had to drink it with cream. Then before I knew it I decided sugar made it taste better...then flavored cream! I used to like it weak. Now bold? It's the strongest coffee they make! I can't help but compare it to my walk with God. Anyway, there is a point to this story. I like my God Bold! What does this have to do with my weekly readings of the Bible you ask? Absolutely nothing... :)

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it." (Exodus 4:10-13)

When I read about Moses asking God for help in getting the people to believe the LORD, I couldn't help thinking I feel a lot like Moses when I am trying to either write a blog post or talk to someone to share my faith and testimony. My words are far from eloquent. I want to tell them where God has brought me over the years since He invaded my life. I want to tell them God can be trusted and give them hope. I am not a good story or joke teller. I'll hear a cute joke and am sure I'll remember it to share with someone else. Then, when it comes time to tell it I freeze. I can only remember the punch line. The details in the middle get totally lost. People laugh, but there is no way they could possibly understand it the way I tell the story. I love that He promises He will help me and teach me what to say! And... I'd be lying if I didn't admit that sometimes I wish He would send someone else to do it for me!

Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. (Exodus 16:4)

The people of Israel called the bread manna... (Exodus 16:31)

He gives us just enough of Himself everyday to see how we'll do. It's not enough to go to church once a week to get filled up. I need another (bold) dose of Him on Wednesdays. I need to be in His Word every day in my quiet time with just the two of us. If I get a huge dose of Him and think that will be enough, I'll be starving the next day. Consider eating a huge Thanksgiving dinner and expecting it to sustain us for a whole week or sometimes longer! I'd rather just graze. Graze in Him daily. They say that's the healthier way to live. I'm Believing God to give me just enough every day.




With love from His student,
Angie xoxo

I want more. ;)

Hey, Friends!

I had a conversation with someone close to me almost a week ago and I can't stop thinking about it. She asked why I question my faith so much on my blog (and in life in general). She wondered why I can't just have "blind faith". She reminded me that everything has worked out just fine in my life and I should just trust that in the future everything will still be okay. I told her that I am trying to build my faith in case I get the dreaded diagnosis my sister and dad received.

What I didn't tell her was this... There's so much more. I know I believe in God, but I have a deep desire to know Him and Believe Him. I want to trust Him in the big things and the small details. I believe He wants to have a relationship with me ...and you. He wants to be involved in the day to day events in our lives. He wants us to talk to Him when we are freaking out about this or that. I love how Beth Moore says we should "tell on people" to Him. I get so tempted to gossip. I know it isn't right. Our secrets are safe with Him.

I want to know Him in a way I wasn't able to know my own father. I knew him, but I didn't know him as well as I could have. He was a quiet man and I regret not having more time alone with him to appreciate him more. My sister told me my dad heard this song on the radio and it made him tear up at the thought that his kids would feel this way. He never heard the words, "I love you" from his parents. Isn't that sad? I don't want to miss out on having a relationship with God.

"My determined purpose is that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person..." (Philippeans 3:10-Amplified version)

I guess what I'm trying to say is "blind faith" is just not enough. I need a relationship. There... I feel better!
Have a great weekend! Tell your kids you love them!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Oh, so sweet!

My friend sent this to me this morning. Oh my goodness. It really is a Wonderful World. I'm praying God reveals Himself to each of us in some small way today and makes us grateful.

It's another freezing day is Michigan. Make it a good one no matter where you are!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Baylis Animal Hospital... Happy Birthday!

God is SO good! Today's devotional in Walk With God was titled, "Representing Jesus". It was very appropriate for this First Anniversary of the opening of Baylis Animal Hospital.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)

This has been quite a year for us. With a humble heart, we are very excited for the success. (Remember how he was voted the best Vet in Ortonville?) God has brought many animals to my husband's hospital and many people who trust him to take care of their pets! We are grateful. Very grateful! I pray God continues to get every single bit of the credit. It is only by the Grace of God. My prayer is that my husband continues to represent Jesus in the coming year!

With gratitude and love,
Angie xoxo

Thank Goodness for Mondays :)

1 Corinthians 6:12
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)



Needless to say, I'm taking those leftover Brownies to work this morning.
It's a new day!

Happy Monday!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Scripture Memory verse #3

I am going to start out by testing myself on my first two verses. I know I choose simple verses, but I want them to stick in my brain in those times I need them most either today or in the future. It's difficult to decide on the scripture to memorize, but when I saw this today I knew it was for me. I don't always like the power I have in my relationship with my husband. It seems that when "I" am good then "we" are good. It's in my own hands... When I take every thought captive to make them obedient to Christ, He won't disappoint me. I don't want to be a fool!

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." (Romans 5:5)

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor 10:5)

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." (Proverbs 14:1)

His Word continues to bless me and is music to my soul!



Have a great Sunday!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Project 365... #4 (not too exciting)

This year is going so fast. I cannot believe it's already February 1st! My week was not very exciting as you can see by my pictures. Some days I was searching... :)

Monday I signed up for unlimited yoga visits.
Tuesday I was grateful the sun was shining on the newly fallen snow.
Wednesday's New Community was my highlight. It felt kind of awkward taking a picture of the video screen as our pastor gave his message.
Thursday I begged the girls at work to let me take their picture. They were so sweet!
Friday we all remembered it had been 4 years since we lost our dad.
Saturday Linc and I almost bought a new couch and loveseat at Costco or a new television for downstairs. We rented the truck then decided we didn't feel right spending the money on something we didn't "need"! We had fun in the meantime!!

Well, that's about it! Have a great week, friends!
Love,
Angie xoxo