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!
Monday, July 28, 2008
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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