I can appreciate thankfulness, but why do we say thank goodness? Who's goodness? Did I miss an introduction! I think its time we thank the real provider of good! Thank you God! Why is that so hard? Are we that scared to thank the creator of the universe? I can understand that because thanking God is like acknowledging his role in your life, and for some people that can be terrifying but don't let it be.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
That means not only is God the creator of the universe, but he's the creator of the goodness! He's the one to whom the thanks is owed! Next time those two words, Thank Goodness, are on the tip of your tongue....loose an "O" and thank God!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Shall we walk. . .
You've probably noticed I haven't written in awhile, but I was waiting for something fantastic to share so hopefully this doesn't disappoint. :)
Since I last wrote I have continued to read my bible daily which has been a really fun journey so far. I'm about mid way into Job and felt the need to share. Everywhere Job looked there was cause for pessimism, and we can relate but only until we take the time to look up. Looking up helps bring things back into focus. The God of the entire universe works out his plan from the perspective of all of eternity. In the end all accounts will be settled justly, wait did I say some or most? No ALL accounts will be settled justly. But for now, God calls us to trust him, leave vengeance in his hands, and walk by faith.
A lot of things are going to happen that just don't seem fair. People will do bad things and seem unpunished, and often that makes us furious! Good news is it isn't our problem. It's not worth our time to get all upset. God will take care of them, and don't think because weeks and months or even years have passed that God has forgotten them. He promises to come through for us, and our responsibility is to trust that he means it.
So are you ready to walk? By faith that is?
Since I last wrote I have continued to read my bible daily which has been a really fun journey so far. I'm about mid way into Job and felt the need to share. Everywhere Job looked there was cause for pessimism, and we can relate but only until we take the time to look up. Looking up helps bring things back into focus. The God of the entire universe works out his plan from the perspective of all of eternity. In the end all accounts will be settled justly, wait did I say some or most? No ALL accounts will be settled justly. But for now, God calls us to trust him, leave vengeance in his hands, and walk by faith.
A lot of things are going to happen that just don't seem fair. People will do bad things and seem unpunished, and often that makes us furious! Good news is it isn't our problem. It's not worth our time to get all upset. God will take care of them, and don't think because weeks and months or even years have passed that God has forgotten them. He promises to come through for us, and our responsibility is to trust that he means it.
So are you ready to walk? By faith that is?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Never shaken! Definitely Stirred!
"We are the chosen generation! Rise up holy nation!
God we live for you!
You have called us out of darkness into life so glorious!
God we live for you!"
God we live for you!
You have called us out of darkness into life so glorious!
God we live for you!"
Passion rocked my socks. In anticipation of the 2011 Live Link on Monday, I am very excited to get some details for next year. Despite the fact that I'm too old to attend I will definitely be there as a volunteer. I also rally behind the idea that those of us 18-30ish are a part of a generation ready to make some changes. We've got our work cut out for us, but we're prepared to wake up this nation around us. It's time to show everyone the awesome God we serve! I'm ready to live for God, time to make him famous! Besides like the song says if we can't figure it out my God can't be moved or shaken, and I'm convinced he has big plans for us! Do you feel the stir??
"Our God will not be moved. Our God will never be shaken!"
If you're interested in hearing some of the music we experience at Passion this year check out this link:
http://new.music.yahoo.com/programs/earlyedition/#
If you're interested in hearing some of the music we experience at Passion this year check out this link:
http://new.music.yahoo.com/programs/earlyedition/#
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Michelle needs a piercing!
Ha! Ha! This blog is going to be fun. ;)
Okay so I was looking back through some of the things I've read so far in the Bible and one part stuck out to me. Moses was talking about how after a servant has served for a six year period you are to let them go in the seventh year. If for some reason the servant chooses to stay to remain under his masters protection, the master would pierce the servants ear to show the strength of their relationship. It says, "This is my beloved servant or I am perpetually his beloved master."
In the daily walk section it says, "Have you pierced your ears for the Lord yet? Are you the property of the father, ready to do his will as a living servant? If not give God your ears--and life--right now."
I'm not in anyway doubting Michelle's dedication to living for God. She's the most faithful servant of God that I know. It's just her ears. I'm pretty sure one of them closed up on her, but that doesn't in anyway reflect on her "piercing status" where it comes to Jesus! Just couldn't resist!
Okay so I was looking back through some of the things I've read so far in the Bible and one part stuck out to me. Moses was talking about how after a servant has served for a six year period you are to let them go in the seventh year. If for some reason the servant chooses to stay to remain under his masters protection, the master would pierce the servants ear to show the strength of their relationship. It says, "This is my beloved servant or I am perpetually his beloved master."
In the daily walk section it says, "Have you pierced your ears for the Lord yet? Are you the property of the father, ready to do his will as a living servant? If not give God your ears--and life--right now."
I'm not in anyway doubting Michelle's dedication to living for God. She's the most faithful servant of God that I know. It's just her ears. I'm pretty sure one of them closed up on her, but that doesn't in anyway reflect on her "piercing status" where it comes to Jesus! Just couldn't resist!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Holy Blog Worthy Batman!
Today I was finishing up my reading in Deuteronomy and I felt like every time I turned the page I thought I need to write about that! So here it is my random thoughts as I finish Deuteronomy (finally)!
I found this verse very motivating and felt everyone should make notice of it:
Deuteronomy 31:8
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
God doesn't just plan to say Hey go ahead figure it out, I'll catch up. He says don't worry I got this. I got your back and your front! :) I'm bizarre I know!
In chapter 33 Moses was delivering a message to each of the tribes expressing how God felt about each of them or telling something about what God plans for them. For instance Moses said this to the tribe of Reuben, "Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number." Or to the tribe of Benjamin, "The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside him." Or to the tribe of Naphtali, "O Naphtali, you are rich in favor and full of the Lord's blessings; may you possess the west and the south." What would he say about me or my peeps? Puts a little perspective on the way we live.
I've heard so many people refer to the idea that God is unfair and controlling when it comes to the Ten Commandments. People think he's all rules and no fun! I challenge those people to think about the Highway Patrols expectations of drivers. They require drivers to drive within the speed limit, not to endanger other drivers, keep their car under control, and have a valid license. No one says they are unfair or controlling. Their purpose is to ensure that everyone can use and enjoy the highway to the fullest. That is God's plan too. He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. He's not just this overbearing killjoy. His commands are for ultimate good. He wants to give "a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10).
I think those were all the points I hoped to make! Hopefully I didn't make anyone too dizzy trying to follow along! :)
I found this verse very motivating and felt everyone should make notice of it:
Deuteronomy 31:8
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
God doesn't just plan to say Hey go ahead figure it out, I'll catch up. He says don't worry I got this. I got your back and your front! :) I'm bizarre I know!
In chapter 33 Moses was delivering a message to each of the tribes expressing how God felt about each of them or telling something about what God plans for them. For instance Moses said this to the tribe of Reuben, "Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number." Or to the tribe of Benjamin, "The people of Benjamin are loved by the Lord and live in safety beside him." Or to the tribe of Naphtali, "O Naphtali, you are rich in favor and full of the Lord's blessings; may you possess the west and the south." What would he say about me or my peeps? Puts a little perspective on the way we live.
I've heard so many people refer to the idea that God is unfair and controlling when it comes to the Ten Commandments. People think he's all rules and no fun! I challenge those people to think about the Highway Patrols expectations of drivers. They require drivers to drive within the speed limit, not to endanger other drivers, keep their car under control, and have a valid license. No one says they are unfair or controlling. Their purpose is to ensure that everyone can use and enjoy the highway to the fullest. That is God's plan too. He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. He's not just this overbearing killjoy. His commands are for ultimate good. He wants to give "a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10).
I think those were all the points I hoped to make! Hopefully I didn't make anyone too dizzy trying to follow along! :)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Where are you camped??
As Moses and his people were traveling from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land it was necessary for them to travel through the wilderness. The trip should have only taken 11 days, you figure if they are slow travelers maybe 12 or 13, but because of their disobedience they would end up camped their for what became a 40 year nightmare.
Wilderness is never pleasant. It's not usually comfortable. Everyone will experience it. Moses did. David did. John the Baptist did. The apostle Paul did. But its not necessarily a bad thing. Something I recently discovered was that during a dry season in the wilderness it causes the roots of the trees to go down deeper in search of water, which usually causes the tree to be stronger and better able to weather a storm. Is that true for us? When wilderness strikes and it will, how do you react? Don't let it make you bitter or disobedient toward God. Use your wilderness to give you deeper roots, and to make you better able to weather the storms of life!
If you're in the wilderness right now, where are you camped these days? In Disobedience or at His feet?
Wilderness is never pleasant. It's not usually comfortable. Everyone will experience it. Moses did. David did. John the Baptist did. The apostle Paul did. But its not necessarily a bad thing. Something I recently discovered was that during a dry season in the wilderness it causes the roots of the trees to go down deeper in search of water, which usually causes the tree to be stronger and better able to weather a storm. Is that true for us? When wilderness strikes and it will, how do you react? Don't let it make you bitter or disobedient toward God. Use your wilderness to give you deeper roots, and to make you better able to weather the storms of life!
If you're in the wilderness right now, where are you camped these days? In Disobedience or at His feet?
The final score is...
Imagine this:
With eyes riveted to the television screen, a group of Cardinal fans yell with excitement as they watch the game. When the Cardinals fall behind 2-0 in the third inning, the fans are delighted. When the score goes to 3-0 in the 5th inning, the excitement grows. As the team moves into the 8th inning the Cardinals still trail 3-1, and the fans go crazy with joy. Okay you're probably thinking what in the heck?!? It's because they are watching a videotape of the game, they already know the final score is going to be 4-3 in favor of the Cardinals. The fans are confident their team is going to win. So where am I going with this? It's just a reminder that when the battle is the Lord's the outcome is already certain and we should assume the same confidence!
With eyes riveted to the television screen, a group of Cardinal fans yell with excitement as they watch the game. When the Cardinals fall behind 2-0 in the third inning, the fans are delighted. When the score goes to 3-0 in the 5th inning, the excitement grows. As the team moves into the 8th inning the Cardinals still trail 3-1, and the fans go crazy with joy. Okay you're probably thinking what in the heck?!? It's because they are watching a videotape of the game, they already know the final score is going to be 4-3 in favor of the Cardinals. The fans are confident their team is going to win. So where am I going with this? It's just a reminder that when the battle is the Lord's the outcome is already certain and we should assume the same confidence!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Grandma Move It or Wait Stay Right There
Okay so my reading today encouraged me to look back at the first part of this year to see when God's sovereignty was at work. It said Sovereignty was God reigning in the affairs of his people. He often does this by guarding, protecting, and keeping from harm. Just in our trip to Passion alone we made it there in Melissa's car which apparently had issues, but gave us no problem. The weather was beyond cold, but we avoided the snow by less than 24 hours. As far as the past few weeks go, I'm not sure of EVERYTHING God has kept me safe from, but on a side note there was something I was curious about. Do you think when that annoying old lady cuts you off on the highway forcing you to do like 50ish in a 60, that God is trying to keep you out of harms way? Earlier this happened to me, and my first instinct was C'mon lady are you serious? But then I started thinking about today's reading. What might I have just been spared from, and suddenly I was actually a little thankful. I don't know that its true, but what if it is. God can put slow old ladies in front of me, whenever he would like if that's his intention!
Future Tennis Pro
Okay so the other day I posted a facebook status that said,
It really helps me focus. It's not about making a ton of money, or having a bunch of friends or things, but its about serving God. More often than not serving God happens by serving others. When we were at Passion 2010, Louie had a meeting with all the volunteers before our job assignments were passed out. He basically said its not about the job, because whether our job was to watch the forks behind a curtain it would be just as important as holding the door that 21,000 college kids were walking thru. I was on the touch team, but more specifically the directional team. I thought no big deal I can tell people where to go, I'm good with directions. Little did I know that I would really just be an insanely cold sign holder. I held a few doors, screamed loudly about bags, acted as a human orange cone, but my main job was The No Bag Line Sign Holder! Sounds pretty lame right?!? Well it freaking rocked! It was an amazing experience, and it was nice to serve God and all those kids in that way. I knew that by giving them the directions getting them from place to place, I was playing a small part in the awesome things God was planning to do thru them as a result of the conference.
But what now? What is the next step for me to become a future tennis pro? How can I serve best?
"Life is a lot like tennis- the goal is to learn to serve best!!"
It really helps me focus. It's not about making a ton of money, or having a bunch of friends or things, but its about serving God. More often than not serving God happens by serving others. When we were at Passion 2010, Louie had a meeting with all the volunteers before our job assignments were passed out. He basically said its not about the job, because whether our job was to watch the forks behind a curtain it would be just as important as holding the door that 21,000 college kids were walking thru. I was on the touch team, but more specifically the directional team. I thought no big deal I can tell people where to go, I'm good with directions. Little did I know that I would really just be an insanely cold sign holder. I held a few doors, screamed loudly about bags, acted as a human orange cone, but my main job was The No Bag Line Sign Holder! Sounds pretty lame right?!? Well it freaking rocked! It was an amazing experience, and it was nice to serve God and all those kids in that way. I knew that by giving them the directions getting them from place to place, I was playing a small part in the awesome things God was planning to do thru them as a result of the conference.
But what now? What is the next step for me to become a future tennis pro? How can I serve best?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Who's name did you just say??
Last night as I was reading the last few chapter of Leviticus, there were a few verses that got me thinking.
Leviticus 24: 10-16
10 One day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father came out of his tent and got into a fight with one of the Israelite men. 11 During the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the Name of the Lord with a curse. So the man was brought to Moses for judgment. His mother was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan. 12 They kept the man in custody until the Lord’s will in the matter should become clear to them. 13 Then the Lord said to Moses, 14 “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and tell all those who heard the curse to lay their hands on his head. Then let the entire community stone him to death. 15 Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin. 16 Anyone who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel.
Some people now a days use Gods name without thinking. They think so what its just words. Or they tell me it shouldn't bother me. Well really it should bother me so much that I want to throw rocks at you. I wonder how well that would be received on the streets. (It might actually be kind of fun minus the "to death" part!)
Leviticus 24: 10-16
10 One day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father came out of his tent and got into a fight with one of the Israelite men. 11 During the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the Name of the Lord with a curse. So the man was brought to Moses for judgment. His mother was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan. 12 They kept the man in custody until the Lord’s will in the matter should become clear to them. 13 Then the Lord said to Moses, 14 “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and tell all those who heard the curse to lay their hands on his head. Then let the entire community stone him to death. 15 Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin. 16 Anyone who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel.
Some people now a days use Gods name without thinking. They think so what its just words. Or they tell me it shouldn't bother me. Well really it should bother me so much that I want to throw rocks at you. I wonder how well that would be received on the streets. (It might actually be kind of fun minus the "to death" part!)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bloggity Blog Blog Blog
Okay so no promises here... I have from time to time thought man I really want to have a blog. So then I sit and write and think this is going to be so much fun. Then the excitement ends and month go by and I forget all about it. So here is my plan: I will blog when I want with no guarantees to do it ever again. So enjoy it when and if it comes.
Okay so here's me. I am officially 27+ years old despite the fact my family always seems to think I'm a year younger. I've battled a bit in life with losing friends, losing love, etc. But I've recently turned a new corner. I'm determined to be happy. Unfortunately getting there comes with a few changes. I ended my almost two year relationship with my boyfriend, because I needed more. I need someone who can stand beside me and scream passionately from a rooftop that He's a Jesus Lover! Chris may never get there, I pray that he does, but I can't settle for less in the mean time. God has a plan for me and wants someone that will encourage and build me up. I need someone that is going to be the spiritual leader for my family, and that will pray both with and for me.
Another change I've made to try to increase my happy is that I'm making it a point to spend a little time every day in Gods word. So far so good! I am officially 40 days into the year and haven't missed a day. It's crazy some of the things I am learning as I read. I will say that the material in the beginning of the Bible is a bit weird and rather repetitive but it's there for a purpose. I don't totally understand its purpose, but if nothing else it has made me very grateful to not be living in those times. A lot of things had to happen to clear your sin debt back then, but we have a different way now. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for God to see his son having to die for all of us, but I'm very glad he did. I want to make sure he didn't do it for nothing, and I want him to be proud of what he and I accomplish with my life in the end.
Maybe the title for this blog would have been more appropriate as "Watch Angie Ramble", but here you go!
Okay so here's me. I am officially 27+ years old despite the fact my family always seems to think I'm a year younger. I've battled a bit in life with losing friends, losing love, etc. But I've recently turned a new corner. I'm determined to be happy. Unfortunately getting there comes with a few changes. I ended my almost two year relationship with my boyfriend, because I needed more. I need someone who can stand beside me and scream passionately from a rooftop that He's a Jesus Lover! Chris may never get there, I pray that he does, but I can't settle for less in the mean time. God has a plan for me and wants someone that will encourage and build me up. I need someone that is going to be the spiritual leader for my family, and that will pray both with and for me.
Another change I've made to try to increase my happy is that I'm making it a point to spend a little time every day in Gods word. So far so good! I am officially 40 days into the year and haven't missed a day. It's crazy some of the things I am learning as I read. I will say that the material in the beginning of the Bible is a bit weird and rather repetitive but it's there for a purpose. I don't totally understand its purpose, but if nothing else it has made me very grateful to not be living in those times. A lot of things had to happen to clear your sin debt back then, but we have a different way now. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for God to see his son having to die for all of us, but I'm very glad he did. I want to make sure he didn't do it for nothing, and I want him to be proud of what he and I accomplish with my life in the end.
Maybe the title for this blog would have been more appropriate as "Watch Angie Ramble", but here you go!
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