Cover to Cover... really?

We are halfway through our cover to cover readings of the Bible chronologically, so I don't dare miss out on sharing this week's lingerings. It may be a good time to join Bev and the girls?

This week's readings brought a new challenge for me. I had a very difficult time believing what I was reading. Yes, doubt set in big-time! I want to believe but it's been hard. I'm talking about the story of Jonah.
Especially these verses... (Maybe you know the story.)

But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17).

And this one...
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land (Jonah 2:10).

But, I loved his prayer...

Jonah's Prayer

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said:
"In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry. (Jonah 2:1-2)


I guess I am not supposed to understand...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5)

There's one thing I know for sure... I need Him in my life more today than yesterday! I am choosing to Believe God and His promises! I pray you join me in Believing!
This song says it all...


Much love to you today!
Ang xoxo

Thankful Thursday...More

It's Thursday for about 20 more minutes, so I have to hurry to tell you what I am thankful for today! I am thankful that I am officially on vacation! I have a lot on my plate and hope I am not spreading myself too thinly! I'm going to sip on a cup of coffee in the morning and plan my week. I hope to spend time with good friends, family and a few books I've been meaning to read.

I am mostly looking forward to spending some good, quality (uninterrupted) time with God. I read a post written by Beth Moore's daughter, Melissa and I can't get it out of my mind.... "It is like John Bunyan said, 'This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book”. It seems for some reason or another God has been a little distant and I've kept Him in a box on the top shelf lately. (Just being honest.) I need more of Him in my life! I can't wait to take some long walks and bike rides with Him and my iPod with my Praise and Worship music.

I'll be missing in action for a little while. I pray you are all doing well and enjoying this beautiful summer weather! I'll look forward to catching up with you soon!
All my Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover...trust

Wow. Another week has gone by and it's time for me to share what I've learned in our chronological reading of the Bible from cover to cover with Bev and the girls. Last week I told you how discouraged I was, being unable to keep everything straight and I must tell you this week has been the same. We have been in 2 Kings and I've been struggling. I am still not quitting!

This is what lingers...

2 Chronicles 20:15

He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.

This spoke to me, being reminded once again that my battles are not mine, but God's. He is in charge of EVERY detail of my life and knows the plans He has for me! What a relief that I don't have to worry or do everything perfect. He is the Only One who can be Perfect and Holy!

The readings reminded me that families have a whole lot of generational sin. Some hit closer to home than others for me. I was so touched by a dear friend of mine who told me her husband sat their kids down, admitting to a sin in his family that he wants to stop here once and for all! It was not easy by any stretch of the imagination, but I admire him for being a real man. I'm sure it makes God happy as well!

I pray you hear this as if it were the first time...

Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

I am so glad we have a God who knows exactly what He is doing and in His perfect timing. He does not call us to trust men, but to trust Him. Praise God. I never tire of hearing God speak to me through this song and I pray you are Blessed by it today!
Have a great week,
Angie xoxo

Love this version...

I absolutely LOVE this version of Amazing Grace... and it brings back some special memories!
Blessings to you all!
Ang xoxo

Communitas

This Thursday I am Thankful for the last message my favorite Pastor gave us at New Community last night before he leaves to start a church in New York City (Communitas). His message was awesome as usual and brought excitement and tears. It'll be sad to see him go, but I couldn't respect him more for recklessly abandoning everything to follow Jesus.

Craig longs to be able to say this...

Acts 20:22-24

"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to (New York) Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

He encouraged us to do the same! He reminded us to take ONE surrender at a time.
Jesus is all that matters and I before I die I want my life to matter and do all I can right here where I am planted!


My Glorious

I'm also Thankful that I am going to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Racine this weekend! I better go get packed before I miss my bus!
Much love to you all!
Ang xoxo

closer

God spoke to me through my friends this morning.

We are reading through the Bible chronologically as you may have noticed. I was very discouraged this week as I kept getting confused and distracted by so many different people and names I couldn't even pronounce. I really wanted to quit reading altogether.

I was too tired after work last night to read my friends' insights so I waited until this morning while I was fresh with a cup of coffee. When I heard this verse a light bulb went on. It sounds funny to even say, since God is light in the darkness.

2 Chronicles 15:2 "...The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."

He is a gentleman.


Honestly, I have been a little confused and distracted in my marriage this week as well. I have allowed some little things to annoy the you know what out of me. Satan had a hold on me and was trying to make me want to quit trying in my marriage, too!

God gave me a song this morning and I have to tell you, it changed my attitude. I'm back on track and am so grateful as I type this to you! I pray this song Blesses you like it did me today!



"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

My husband just left to go to the store to buy light bulbs. I am not kidding!

I want to be closer to the LORD and my husband!

Dear Satan,
I am not quitting!
In His Love,
Angie xoxo

Cover to Cover... crushing walls

Tomorrow is Monday and that means it's time to share our insights on the cover to cover readings of the Bible chronologically. If anyone wants to join us, we'd love to have you!

It's my daughter, Meghan's 23rd Birthday tomorrow!!! She was born on Father's Day in 1985. It has been a pure joy to have her in my life for all of those years. I can't believe this, but she is turning the same age I was when I had her. It has been an honor and privilege to be her mother. She has been so easy to parent. She was the first miracle of God I saw with my own eyes. I remember a moment when I was in the drive through line at the bank when I looked over at her with tears in my eyes in awe of what God had given me. I'll never forget that as long as I live.

Meghan has made me more than proud. I could go on and on about her but I think you'd think I was over the top! I'm just crazy about her and miss her so much living in New York City. Thank God for video chats. This afternoon we were able to talk through the computer and I could see her cute little mannerisms.

Meghan shares my love for music. I asked her what her favorite song was and she told me, "Walls" by Tom Petty. I decided I'd share it with you! She has such a big heart! I believe God loves her so much and He's the Only One who is capable of crushing down walls with His Love! I also need to remember all things are possible, even crushing down walls ...with God!

Oh, here is my favorite verse of this week's readings...

Not to us, O LORD,
not to us but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness. (Psalm 115:1)

God deserves every single bit of the Glory and I am so thankful for His grace and especially for my daughter today! Please pray God Blesses her this year more than ever and places people in her path who can show her His Love like she's never seen before!




Happy Birthday, Meghan!
I love you!
Mom
xoxo