I know it has been literally months since I have written. I don't believe in New Years resolutions but I have a few changes to make for 2009! Anyone want to join me??
Okay, first and formost lets make it a Jesus year! Be hungry for God's word, soak it in, love it and learn from it.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Do his work, do it humbly, do it without fanfair and rejoice in the fact that you were able to help God's children. Look at everyone you come into contact with each and every day and think of what you could do for them...then do it. I want to hear about it and I will do the same. Let's post it and make 2009 a year of the Lord! Amen? Amen!
Okay, now I am about to fall over because I am so tired so I am going to do for now and I will write again soo! Oh..don't forget to post your prayer requests here if you have any! Love ya! Angie
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Grilled burgers anyone? NOT!
Okay, the last day of my kids spring vacation I thought I would make burgers on the grill. I mean, what better way to celebrate the end of summer. Plus it would be for lunch and it is much less clean-up for my daycare children's lunch too. You know, kill two birds with one stone. But, I love animals so let's make it bugs instead. So I go out and start the charcoal grill about an hour before it was time for lunch. I am used to a gas grill but my wonderful friend Angie had a charcoal grill that she and her hubby decided they didn't anymore and I didn't have a grill at all so perfect, right? I put the little new charcoals in the grill all pretty and spray them with the starter fluid and light it. Easy. Small flame...then it goes away. Okay, we will put more starter fluid...ooohhh, a better fire...then it goes away. Okay I'll douse it good (kids, don't try this at home) nice big fire. I tell Sierra to stand back, it's going crazy...then it goes away. Hhhmmm...maybe if I stand there and slowly spritz the fire with starter fluid, it will turn the coals white and I can cook. Tried that tactic for about 10 minutes and the corners were white...about what they were about 3/4 of a starter fluid bottle ago. I let it sit there for awhile, hopefully burning off the way excess starter fluid. Decided that I would go ahead and try some hotdogs on the grill. After all, no one would get salmonella from them, people eat them uncooked sometimes! Put them on, went inside to cook the rest of the lunch. Come back 10 minutes later and find them still raw. By then it was 1:15pm, kids were suppose to be taking a nap at 12:30! So, lunch was cooked inside on the stove.
Ironically though that I may never be an arsonist, an expert grill starter but I can ignite a whole house if given the chance. I couldn't start that grill if my life depended on it. But back in January, my gas furnace wouldn't stay on. We had to light the pilot light every night. One sleepy morning just like every previous morning it was freezing when I woke up. Went in to light the pilot while the girls slept and BOOM! It exploded in my face. Burned my extra long wood match to pure carbon just like on cartoons! Blew the clock off the wall and burned my face, my finger and my eyes. I was really upset when that happened because I was literally praying, "God please let this light and nothing bad happen...then BOOM!" I thought, God where were you? Why did you let that happen? I could've been killed. I asked for your help. But a friend of mine said it perfectly. God was with me. I couldn't have died, but didn't. It could have killed all of us and the neighbors, but it didn't. God was truly there protecting us as I prayed. Wow, was I blessed at that second but didn't realize it at the time.
Have you ever been like my charcoal grill? I have. On fire for the Lord for a while...then it goes away. Off and on in your spiritual walk. Lukewarm at times but on fire others. Then maybe no flame at all sometimes. God says in Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So, then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." It goes on to say in verse 17, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-"
How many times, when life is going well, we become "cold" in our spiritual lives. Then when things get tough we pray, "God please help us". Be on fire for the Lord at all times...in good and in bad. Do not be lukewarm. Why do I think I have a right to tell you what to do? Because I have been a lukewarm Christian and although you don't realize it at the time, it is a scary place to be. It is a very vulnerable place to be.
Okay, time to close for now. But if any of you out there want their gas furnace lit...give me a call. I'll bet we could have a lit furnace and a cookout all at the same time! Love ya!
In His precious name,
Angie
Ironically though that I may never be an arsonist, an expert grill starter but I can ignite a whole house if given the chance. I couldn't start that grill if my life depended on it. But back in January, my gas furnace wouldn't stay on. We had to light the pilot light every night. One sleepy morning just like every previous morning it was freezing when I woke up. Went in to light the pilot while the girls slept and BOOM! It exploded in my face. Burned my extra long wood match to pure carbon just like on cartoons! Blew the clock off the wall and burned my face, my finger and my eyes. I was really upset when that happened because I was literally praying, "God please let this light and nothing bad happen...then BOOM!" I thought, God where were you? Why did you let that happen? I could've been killed. I asked for your help. But a friend of mine said it perfectly. God was with me. I couldn't have died, but didn't. It could have killed all of us and the neighbors, but it didn't. God was truly there protecting us as I prayed. Wow, was I blessed at that second but didn't realize it at the time.
Have you ever been like my charcoal grill? I have. On fire for the Lord for a while...then it goes away. Off and on in your spiritual walk. Lukewarm at times but on fire others. Then maybe no flame at all sometimes. God says in Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So, then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." It goes on to say in verse 17, "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-"
How many times, when life is going well, we become "cold" in our spiritual lives. Then when things get tough we pray, "God please help us". Be on fire for the Lord at all times...in good and in bad. Do not be lukewarm. Why do I think I have a right to tell you what to do? Because I have been a lukewarm Christian and although you don't realize it at the time, it is a scary place to be. It is a very vulnerable place to be.
Okay, time to close for now. But if any of you out there want their gas furnace lit...give me a call. I'll bet we could have a lit furnace and a cookout all at the same time! Love ya!
In His precious name,
Angie
Where has time gone??
Wow, I haven't written in ages! Lets play catch up...
My two youngest daughters went on vacation with their dad to Branson, Missouri the week of Aug 3-8th. I was really upset that they were not only gone but because I fear that they are safe. I guess it is a "mom thing". You just never think anyone can take care of them like mom does. The more I thought about they being gone and me being upset, the more I think it is because I am not the one who got to take them. I guess that is the jealous part of me. As their mom, I work so hard to provide the everyday things they need. With school starting this past week, there was another $50 + to spend. I want to have those good memories with my kids. I've never gotten to take them on a vacation of any kind. I have to worry about providing food, clothing, electricity, a home while their dad gets to be the good guy. It hurts because I know they have so many fun memories with their dad. The memories they have with me is the house is always full of daycare kids that tear up their stuff, they only get the necessities because mom can't give them the cool things their friends have and mom saying, "is your homework done?", "did you brush your teeth?", "feed your cat!".
But then I stop and think...I have tried my hardest (with the occasional big speed bump due to my own stupidity) to give them a stable life, unconditional love, hopefully instilled the love of the Lord down deep in their soul, that your family is very important and even when you don't like each other at times, you still love each other like crazy. They may not have memories of getting money spent of things just because, or going to cool places, getting at the most upstanding restaurants and whatever else goes along with a great vacation. But when they are grown and need someone to talk to, they know they can always come home to me. They know they will always have the unconditional love that they have known all their lives.
Life hasn't been easy for us four girls, but we love one another...and always will. And if we can love one another that much, just imagine how much our creator loves us. Talk about unconditional love.
Nobody said life as a Christian is easy and wow, has it every not been easy. But the hard times only makes for the even stronger bond that we already have. Just knowing that God has gotten us through yet another hard is even more reason to know that He is not only real, but very powerful and ever present.
So daughters, if you read this...sorry when I'm grumpy, sorry when I cry, sorry when I'm not paying attention to you (like right now as Brittany and Sierra are sitting here in the room with me and Cody is in the living room watching tv. I know you are leaving to your dads soon and I will miss you like crazy), when I yell when you say you want something that I say we don't have the money for, when your dad gives you things that I can't and I get jealous, and everything else that a single mom feels. It isn't because I am mad at you. It is because I am disappointed in myself. I am upset because I can't get you everything that I want to give you. I love you 3 more than you will ever know and I want only the best for you. I am disappointed in myself for not being able to do more for you. I'm disappointed in myself for marrying someone that I should have known wouldn't work.
I just love you and I hope that if you learn anything at all from your life...it will be to love Jesus with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. If we went through tough times every day, it would all be worth if you take that one piece of advice...make Jesus your best friend and cling to Him every second of the day!!
I love you BUNCHES!
Okay, time to get out of my pity car, dust myself off once again and love the Lord and my life. My goodness, the girls made it home safe and sound. They still love me (haha) and they have all of their limbs still firmly attached! Once again...life is great and I praise the good Lord for that!
My two youngest daughters went on vacation with their dad to Branson, Missouri the week of Aug 3-8th. I was really upset that they were not only gone but because I fear that they are safe. I guess it is a "mom thing". You just never think anyone can take care of them like mom does. The more I thought about they being gone and me being upset, the more I think it is because I am not the one who got to take them. I guess that is the jealous part of me. As their mom, I work so hard to provide the everyday things they need. With school starting this past week, there was another $50 + to spend. I want to have those good memories with my kids. I've never gotten to take them on a vacation of any kind. I have to worry about providing food, clothing, electricity, a home while their dad gets to be the good guy. It hurts because I know they have so many fun memories with their dad. The memories they have with me is the house is always full of daycare kids that tear up their stuff, they only get the necessities because mom can't give them the cool things their friends have and mom saying, "is your homework done?", "did you brush your teeth?", "feed your cat!".
But then I stop and think...I have tried my hardest (with the occasional big speed bump due to my own stupidity) to give them a stable life, unconditional love, hopefully instilled the love of the Lord down deep in their soul, that your family is very important and even when you don't like each other at times, you still love each other like crazy. They may not have memories of getting money spent of things just because, or going to cool places, getting at the most upstanding restaurants and whatever else goes along with a great vacation. But when they are grown and need someone to talk to, they know they can always come home to me. They know they will always have the unconditional love that they have known all their lives.
Life hasn't been easy for us four girls, but we love one another...and always will. And if we can love one another that much, just imagine how much our creator loves us. Talk about unconditional love.
Nobody said life as a Christian is easy and wow, has it every not been easy. But the hard times only makes for the even stronger bond that we already have. Just knowing that God has gotten us through yet another hard is even more reason to know that He is not only real, but very powerful and ever present.
So daughters, if you read this...sorry when I'm grumpy, sorry when I cry, sorry when I'm not paying attention to you (like right now as Brittany and Sierra are sitting here in the room with me and Cody is in the living room watching tv. I know you are leaving to your dads soon and I will miss you like crazy), when I yell when you say you want something that I say we don't have the money for, when your dad gives you things that I can't and I get jealous, and everything else that a single mom feels. It isn't because I am mad at you. It is because I am disappointed in myself. I am upset because I can't get you everything that I want to give you. I love you 3 more than you will ever know and I want only the best for you. I am disappointed in myself for not being able to do more for you. I'm disappointed in myself for marrying someone that I should have known wouldn't work.
I just love you and I hope that if you learn anything at all from your life...it will be to love Jesus with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. If we went through tough times every day, it would all be worth if you take that one piece of advice...make Jesus your best friend and cling to Him every second of the day!!
I love you BUNCHES!
Okay, time to get out of my pity car, dust myself off once again and love the Lord and my life. My goodness, the girls made it home safe and sound. They still love me (haha) and they have all of their limbs still firmly attached! Once again...life is great and I praise the good Lord for that!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Is it Friday already??
Well, this week sure flew by! I think it's because I didn't want it to go fast. You see, my two youngest daughters are leaving on vacation with their father and their step to be family on Sunday. I know, it doesn't sound like much to worry about, well, to me it is. I won't get into the whys and what fors because I don't believe in that. But please just cover them in prayer because they will need it.
My oldest daughter Brittany gets upset because she says, "I wish you would miss me once in awhile". When reality is, she is with me all the time, which is a great thing, but I don't have time to miss her. What she doesn't realize is that I did worry about her, I worried myself sick sometimes when she was little. When I thought she was going to go to her fathers house, I would literally be sick and I would cry my eyes out. I don't have to miss her now because I don't have that fear anymore because she is nearly 19 and if she wants to be with me, she can be with me. But the younger ones don't have a choice, they have to go.
If there was one thing that I could teach my daughters, it would be to constantly seek Gods will and guidance in choosing a husband. Which is going to be the subject of my next blog here in the next day or so.
Well, I just wanted to say "hi" for a moment. My day has begun, my first precious little daycare child has arrived for the day. It is quite difficult typing with one hand with a little baby on your lap trying to add their own editorials to your blog! Brings back memories of when my girls were young...sigh.
Love and blessings,
Angie
My oldest daughter Brittany gets upset because she says, "I wish you would miss me once in awhile". When reality is, she is with me all the time, which is a great thing, but I don't have time to miss her. What she doesn't realize is that I did worry about her, I worried myself sick sometimes when she was little. When I thought she was going to go to her fathers house, I would literally be sick and I would cry my eyes out. I don't have to miss her now because I don't have that fear anymore because she is nearly 19 and if she wants to be with me, she can be with me. But the younger ones don't have a choice, they have to go.
If there was one thing that I could teach my daughters, it would be to constantly seek Gods will and guidance in choosing a husband. Which is going to be the subject of my next blog here in the next day or so.
Well, I just wanted to say "hi" for a moment. My day has begun, my first precious little daycare child has arrived for the day. It is quite difficult typing with one hand with a little baby on your lap trying to add their own editorials to your blog! Brings back memories of when my girls were young...sigh.
Love and blessings,
Angie
Monday, July 28, 2008
True Friendship!
Wow! If you are an animal lover this one will make ya cry! What incredible display of dedication, love and never ending friendship! Are we that kind of friend? Have a wonderful Monday!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Happy Sunday!
Hello! Hope you had a great weekend! Ours has been eventful! We all got up to go to church this morning knowing we were going to have to get our pictures taken for our church directory. So between making sure the little one got a shower 45 minutes before we were suppose to be leaving, dealing with my middle daughter finding clothes to fit her very choosy taste in clothing and my oldest making sure her hair is just right...we made it with 1 minute to spare!!
Cody began not feeling well but held strong during the service. We got our pictures taken but she she was devastated when we told her I had to stay for a Vacation Bible School meeting afterwards. So, Brittany took her home while Sierra and I stayed, ate pizza and waited for the meeting to start. Brittany came back and all went well.
Our Pastor is on vacation for a few days so we had one of our small group coordinators to do the sermon. It's funny, sometimes when you hear things from someone you aren't used to hearing it from, it really hits home. He made some great points, we are to get out of our comfort zone and do Gods work here on this earth. They set up a booth in People's Park here in Bloomington a week or so ago. And if any of you are from Bloomington, you know that People's Park isn't the same place that it was when I used to go there and sit on the wall as a teenager and watch the cars go by and talk to friends on a Friday night. No, this place is not for the faint of heart. There are many homeless folks there and probably even more drug deals going on. It isn't a pretty place to be. Well, these saints from church (including many teens) set up a booth with a sign that read, "How can I pray for you?" They gave away free pizza and water as well. The outcome was phenomenal! People approached them constantly, some angry, some beaten, some hurting, some addicted, some homeless...but one thing they had in common; they were all in need. Not in need of pizza or water. But they needed something to fill a void inside them that only Jesus Christ can fill.
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them." Acts 5:12-15
Is your shadow casting far enough? Mine isn't. I admit, it's easy to live our lives each day without stopping to see the hurting, the sick, the homeless, the addicted and so much more. I do it too. But we all need to get out of our comfort zone and cast our shadows unto the world! There's no better time than now! Go out and make a difference in someones life. Then put those comments on here. Come on, you can and will be an inspiration for others reading this blog!
Have a blessed Sunday,
Angie
Cody began not feeling well but held strong during the service. We got our pictures taken but she she was devastated when we told her I had to stay for a Vacation Bible School meeting afterwards. So, Brittany took her home while Sierra and I stayed, ate pizza and waited for the meeting to start. Brittany came back and all went well.
Our Pastor is on vacation for a few days so we had one of our small group coordinators to do the sermon. It's funny, sometimes when you hear things from someone you aren't used to hearing it from, it really hits home. He made some great points, we are to get out of our comfort zone and do Gods work here on this earth. They set up a booth in People's Park here in Bloomington a week or so ago. And if any of you are from Bloomington, you know that People's Park isn't the same place that it was when I used to go there and sit on the wall as a teenager and watch the cars go by and talk to friends on a Friday night. No, this place is not for the faint of heart. There are many homeless folks there and probably even more drug deals going on. It isn't a pretty place to be. Well, these saints from church (including many teens) set up a booth with a sign that read, "How can I pray for you?" They gave away free pizza and water as well. The outcome was phenomenal! People approached them constantly, some angry, some beaten, some hurting, some addicted, some homeless...but one thing they had in common; they were all in need. Not in need of pizza or water. But they needed something to fill a void inside them that only Jesus Christ can fill.
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them." Acts 5:12-15
Is your shadow casting far enough? Mine isn't. I admit, it's easy to live our lives each day without stopping to see the hurting, the sick, the homeless, the addicted and so much more. I do it too. But we all need to get out of our comfort zone and cast our shadows unto the world! There's no better time than now! Go out and make a difference in someones life. Then put those comments on here. Come on, you can and will be an inspiration for others reading this blog!
Have a blessed Sunday,
Angie
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Are you full of dead man's bones?!
You are thinking, "what on earth are you talking about lady? I'm alive! I don't have dead man's bones!" Do you really? You see, when I was a teen and young adult on more than one occasion I was called "goody two shoes". I was the girl who everyone thought would have it all. I was loved and spoiled by my parents. I had every toy and gadget the day it came out. I had friends and family. I was respectful and treated others kindly. I was sweet, quiet and naive.
Matthew 23:27 says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead en's bones and everything unclean." Still to this day I haven't even been close to drunk, I've never tried any kind of drug, not even a cigarette. On the outside I appeared clean and lovely when in fact I was quite the opposite, my inside still housed dead bones! Friends, that was me, still is at times but I fight like crazy now for it not to be. I wasn't who everyone thought they knew on the outside. As a matter of fact, on the inside I was pretty much the opposite. I have made more bad choices, had more failed relationships and and have had more despair and hardships than any of my friends. Was I saved? Yep! Did I truly rely on God to guide and control my life? Nope! I was a Christian...I believed in God. Was I going to let Him control my life? Why? I was doing okay on my own right? Not hardly. Was God trying to get my attention by allowing me to go through trials? You betcha! I am a firm believer that because God is our Heavenly Father, He will not hesitate to spank our bottoms when necessary. I feel as though I have suffered for the most part of 20 years in various aspects of my life like my failed marriage, dealing with a husband with drug and alcohol addiction, an uncle who was touched children inappropriately including myself, a father with an explosive temper among many other problems, 2 husbands infidelity, my mom who way my best friends tragic death 2 days after Christmas, financial problems to the point of bankruptcy, having to move my children to many times to count and I could go on and on and on. Do I regret these trials? No way. They make me who I am today. More importantly, God was trying to get my attention and HE DID! I obviously need to be sifted and shifted and He knew just where to hit me to get my attention! I'm not saying God will intentionally hurt us. I am saying He will allow satan to put us through these things so that we will realize that we need to reevaluate our lives and adjust them to be more in line with God's plan. You see, God had and still has plans for my life. I was relying on the world and myself to make me happy, not my Creator. Just as the inventor who has just created a brand new invention. Who else knows this item more than the one who created it! The One that created you, knows what is best for you. We all need to listen to what He is telling us!
You see, when you are in the midst of doing things you shouldn't do, you just don't see the sin, you just don't see it.
I was trying to think of a good example of how to explain the Matthew 23:27 syndrome when it hit me...I was a Realtor for 2 years. You find your clients this wonderful home, fresh paint, new counter tops and cabinets, new hardwood! Wow, it is magnificent! You are excited that you found their dream home, they couldn't be happier and they decide they want to buy it. Well, for any of you who have every bought a home, your Realtor will advise you (or at lease they had better!) to get an inspection! So it is inspection day, he comes in with his clipboard and pencil, crinkled eyebrows and eye like an eagle! But your are smiling from ear to ear because you just know this one will pass with flying colors! After going through the home with a fine toothed comb, Mr Inspector comes over to you with a list that makes the smile no only recede, it falls right off your face! How can this be?! This must be the wrong inspection report! This house is perfect! It can't have mold in the crawlspace! Termite tunnels! A furnace that needs replaced! And the roof? How can it need replacing, I don't see any stains on the ceiling!
Friends, are you just like that home? I was, still have to fight to not be that home daily. Everyone may not be able to see your stains...but they are there and God can see them. We all have stains and mold. But what are you doing about them?
It's your turn...
Take a look at your life today. Is what you are portraying on the outside the same as it is on the inside? Are you a Sunday Christian only? I was. I called myself a Christian for years and rarely dusted off my Bible or said a prayer of thanks over the food the Lord diligently provided for me day after day. I listened to music that by the worlds rules were "normal" but by God's high standards, was shameful! Is that you? Would the words you use please God? Would your pages on the internet make you blush if Jesus was sitting next to you? You had better look and see because friends... He is sitting next to you. Do you have a myspace? I do, it's http://www.myspace.com/angellahall, does it glorify God? I try my hardest to make sure it does! Does your friends, classmates and co-workers know you are a Christian? If not, that's a problem. You shouldn't have to say a word for people to know you are a Christian. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." I love the quote I heard years ago, it said, "Go out into the world and spread God's word. And every now and then you may have to open your mouth!" Think about it, first impressions are very important.
Evaluate your life today. Make sure you aren't full of dead men's bones. It may be painful, but you won't regret it.
In His Name,
Angie
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His [own] glory, and [in His] Father's, and of the hold angels." Luke 9:26
Matthew 23:27 says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead en's bones and everything unclean." Still to this day I haven't even been close to drunk, I've never tried any kind of drug, not even a cigarette. On the outside I appeared clean and lovely when in fact I was quite the opposite, my inside still housed dead bones! Friends, that was me, still is at times but I fight like crazy now for it not to be. I wasn't who everyone thought they knew on the outside. As a matter of fact, on the inside I was pretty much the opposite. I have made more bad choices, had more failed relationships and and have had more despair and hardships than any of my friends. Was I saved? Yep! Did I truly rely on God to guide and control my life? Nope! I was a Christian...I believed in God. Was I going to let Him control my life? Why? I was doing okay on my own right? Not hardly. Was God trying to get my attention by allowing me to go through trials? You betcha! I am a firm believer that because God is our Heavenly Father, He will not hesitate to spank our bottoms when necessary. I feel as though I have suffered for the most part of 20 years in various aspects of my life like my failed marriage, dealing with a husband with drug and alcohol addiction, an uncle who was touched children inappropriately including myself, a father with an explosive temper among many other problems, 2 husbands infidelity, my mom who way my best friends tragic death 2 days after Christmas, financial problems to the point of bankruptcy, having to move my children to many times to count and I could go on and on and on. Do I regret these trials? No way. They make me who I am today. More importantly, God was trying to get my attention and HE DID! I obviously need to be sifted and shifted and He knew just where to hit me to get my attention! I'm not saying God will intentionally hurt us. I am saying He will allow satan to put us through these things so that we will realize that we need to reevaluate our lives and adjust them to be more in line with God's plan. You see, God had and still has plans for my life. I was relying on the world and myself to make me happy, not my Creator. Just as the inventor who has just created a brand new invention. Who else knows this item more than the one who created it! The One that created you, knows what is best for you. We all need to listen to what He is telling us!
You see, when you are in the midst of doing things you shouldn't do, you just don't see the sin, you just don't see it.
I was trying to think of a good example of how to explain the Matthew 23:27 syndrome when it hit me...I was a Realtor for 2 years. You find your clients this wonderful home, fresh paint, new counter tops and cabinets, new hardwood! Wow, it is magnificent! You are excited that you found their dream home, they couldn't be happier and they decide they want to buy it. Well, for any of you who have every bought a home, your Realtor will advise you (or at lease they had better!) to get an inspection! So it is inspection day, he comes in with his clipboard and pencil, crinkled eyebrows and eye like an eagle! But your are smiling from ear to ear because you just know this one will pass with flying colors! After going through the home with a fine toothed comb, Mr Inspector comes over to you with a list that makes the smile no only recede, it falls right off your face! How can this be?! This must be the wrong inspection report! This house is perfect! It can't have mold in the crawlspace! Termite tunnels! A furnace that needs replaced! And the roof? How can it need replacing, I don't see any stains on the ceiling!
Friends, are you just like that home? I was, still have to fight to not be that home daily. Everyone may not be able to see your stains...but they are there and God can see them. We all have stains and mold. But what are you doing about them?
It's your turn...
Take a look at your life today. Is what you are portraying on the outside the same as it is on the inside? Are you a Sunday Christian only? I was. I called myself a Christian for years and rarely dusted off my Bible or said a prayer of thanks over the food the Lord diligently provided for me day after day. I listened to music that by the worlds rules were "normal" but by God's high standards, was shameful! Is that you? Would the words you use please God? Would your pages on the internet make you blush if Jesus was sitting next to you? You had better look and see because friends... He is sitting next to you. Do you have a myspace? I do, it's http://www.myspace.com/angellahall, does it glorify God? I try my hardest to make sure it does! Does your friends, classmates and co-workers know you are a Christian? If not, that's a problem. You shouldn't have to say a word for people to know you are a Christian. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." I love the quote I heard years ago, it said, "Go out into the world and spread God's word. And every now and then you may have to open your mouth!" Think about it, first impressions are very important.
Evaluate your life today. Make sure you aren't full of dead men's bones. It may be painful, but you won't regret it.
In His Name,
Angie
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His [own] glory, and [in His] Father's, and of the hold angels." Luke 9:26
Drum Roll Please...
I am thrilled to announce the newest Author to VWBW, my oldest daughter, Brittany! Awhile back, Brittany felt the Lord clearly tell her that she is to get into the Ministry. Well, she is jumping in with both feet. She will be posting blogs that may be issues for the young folks out there. If any of you have any questions for her, please post them anytime. Of course, the same goes for me too.
Now, as a mom, who has bragging rights...here goes. My daughters have been through so much, bless their hearts and a lot of it is their stubborn mothers fault who tried to do life her way. But still, so many people have told me what a great job I have done raising them. I get very embarrassed when being told that because friends, I didn't raise these kids, God did. When I was failing at my worst and walking through the deepest pits imaginable, God held them safe in His arms as a loving Father does. As I was making mistake after mistake, He helped them to grow and to learn from the mistakes. These girls have never, not for a moment, caused me a moments trouble. I have an 18 year old, a 14 year old and a 9 year old, all girls. And I know, it isn't over yet, it never will be because just as Jesus holds tight and never stops loving us, we never stop loving our children. But how many 18 or even 14 year old children do you know that aren't being consumed with peer pressure and going out to parties, drinking, doing drugs and just living the life of a "typical" teenager? How many teen girls do you know gets rid of any tank tops, shorts and any skirts above the knee because they want to be a good role model for not only their sisters but other teens out there and most importantly, just wants to treat her body in a way that pleases God. How many 14 year old children would stay up all night cleaning the house from top to bottom, making tons of beautiful artwork and hanging it throughout the house to the delight of her mom for her birthday? How many 9 year old's goes through her toys and takes them to school to a child in her class that has even less than she does?
I'm not bragging here folks, I'm just telling you the honest truth, when God says," Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. " in Proverbs 22:6, it is so true. I did train them, off and on throughout their lives. But never steady, and never as much as I should have. And I definitely wasn't ever the role model I should have been. But here they are, doing so much better that I did at their young ages. Now that's not to say they won't make mistakes, they will, we all do. And when they do, I will be there to hold them, love them and comfort them as we both sit firmly in the arms of our Father. But they have all they need to survive in their lives, they have their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I was saved as a young adult, but I didn't truly "get it" until last year. Yep, last year! I just pray that if my girls don't already "have it", they "get it" much sooner than I did and don't have to live through the pain (which is from the results of my own doings) and they live their lives to fully trust and rely on their ROCK...JESUS CHRIST!
Welcome Brittany, I love you. Cody and Sierra...can't wait till you are old enough to join. I'm sure you will and are always welcome to make some guest appearances!
Now, as a mom, who has bragging rights...here goes. My daughters have been through so much, bless their hearts and a lot of it is their stubborn mothers fault who tried to do life her way. But still, so many people have told me what a great job I have done raising them. I get very embarrassed when being told that because friends, I didn't raise these kids, God did. When I was failing at my worst and walking through the deepest pits imaginable, God held them safe in His arms as a loving Father does. As I was making mistake after mistake, He helped them to grow and to learn from the mistakes. These girls have never, not for a moment, caused me a moments trouble. I have an 18 year old, a 14 year old and a 9 year old, all girls. And I know, it isn't over yet, it never will be because just as Jesus holds tight and never stops loving us, we never stop loving our children. But how many 18 or even 14 year old children do you know that aren't being consumed with peer pressure and going out to parties, drinking, doing drugs and just living the life of a "typical" teenager? How many teen girls do you know gets rid of any tank tops, shorts and any skirts above the knee because they want to be a good role model for not only their sisters but other teens out there and most importantly, just wants to treat her body in a way that pleases God. How many 14 year old children would stay up all night cleaning the house from top to bottom, making tons of beautiful artwork and hanging it throughout the house to the delight of her mom for her birthday? How many 9 year old's goes through her toys and takes them to school to a child in her class that has even less than she does?
I'm not bragging here folks, I'm just telling you the honest truth, when God says," Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. " in Proverbs 22:6, it is so true. I did train them, off and on throughout their lives. But never steady, and never as much as I should have. And I definitely wasn't ever the role model I should have been. But here they are, doing so much better that I did at their young ages. Now that's not to say they won't make mistakes, they will, we all do. And when they do, I will be there to hold them, love them and comfort them as we both sit firmly in the arms of our Father. But they have all they need to survive in their lives, they have their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I was saved as a young adult, but I didn't truly "get it" until last year. Yep, last year! I just pray that if my girls don't already "have it", they "get it" much sooner than I did and don't have to live through the pain (which is from the results of my own doings) and they live their lives to fully trust and rely on their ROCK...JESUS CHRIST!
Welcome Brittany, I love you. Cody and Sierra...can't wait till you are old enough to join. I'm sure you will and are always welcome to make some guest appearances!
Prayer Requests
Please send us your prayer requests here. We will pray over them daily and as we add members, we can all pray for one another. Remember...that's why we are here, to lift one another up in prayer and fellowship with our Lord!
Welcome!
Hello! Welcome to my little spot in cyber space! I can't wait to get to know everyone. I will be posting my first real blog/message shortly. Please help me to spread the great news about our blog by sharing it with your friends and family. Everyone is welcome. So come in and introduce yourself! I can't wait to meet you!
In His Name,
Angie
In His Name,
Angie
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