God is calling, will I pick up.........

I know not many will read this but that is okay. These words are mostly between my Heavenly Father and myself and a few followers. Thank you again for your support! I love to read all your words in your blogs I find so very encouraging in my walk in Christ.

As I have mentioned before I feel God's calling in my heart and have yet to figure what it is. As surely as the grays in my hair I find at times, teehee, that voice in my heart has brought me to my knees in prayer, all with tears and thanksgiving. I am overwhelmed God is pulling me and yet I feel so honored for his stamp in my life to feel I could make a difference. I prayed for His way, not mine, His path, not mine and mostly how to get there..........

One day about a month ago I was listening to my Christian radio station in my car, I heard a segment from Proverbs 31 Ministries and loved it. I wrote down the website at the stop light girls, hold on! When I got home I logged on and was changed. I have read Proverbs 31 before and was like wow what a blessed woman, how could I be like her?

Through the Proverbs 31 Ministries website you can find many women with websites/blogs that just magnify what the ministry is all about. I have started to read the Bible everyday instead of just once in a while, and I pray more. I grew up not going to church, believed in God, didn't know God intimately and sadly never saw my parents read from the Bible. I didn't start attending church or read a bible until I had married my wonderful husband Tom. It changed my life, wow I couldn't get enough! Fast forward 16 years later and I attended an Extraordinary Women conference last October. I felt the tickle of God then because I was in awe the impact these women had on thousands of women every day! The question: Could I do that? Could I be used by God as well? Now here I sit today, God has put these experiences in my life, he has dialed in and I am answering. I was scared, did I have enough life experience? What could I offer?

I attended my first online conference at A Woman Inspired last week. I was so encouraged by the message those 20 speakers said. You should see my notes!!! I highly recommend attending one of them to be uplifted and encouraged as well! I now walk with a heart of reflection of Christ. This bag I carry around is filled with sunshine that pours out through all the holes to others because I just can't keep it in.

I tell you right now I have asked God to put in my life what I need, and I trust him. I love to give, I love to serve my God because it feels so good. Being a sensitive gal, I can cry at the little tugs at the heart, you know those instances girls!! I have been crocheting prayer shawls, I just love it. Our church has a chapter and those ladies are so fun and I find their spirit of giving magnifying! I feel this tug makes me so happy, my heart sings at the thought of helping others see God, feel his Holy Spirit change them. So when I look back on the last six months, I think "God, wow you were there, guiding ME, your daughter, on a journey she didn't even know she was on till now. I am so drawn to ministry for women, it captivates me because it is making a difference, it is taking the "me" out of this world and putting GOD there. How wonderful! I read about the She Speaks Conference , and thought wow another call, nudge, a tickle from God so to speak. Well I was captivated by their mission: To help women like myself discover their calling, how to figure it all out and encourage, inspire, and lead you in the direction you need to go with great learning tools through the word of God. Wow, sign me up!!!! Can you hear the brakes????? I did! Negative thought: "It is too far away, what are you going to do with your girls?", "How can you afford to go?", " You may have a calling from God, but is it really big enough, or are you important enough to go?" So many of Satan's lies entered in my mind, so I prayed some more. Yesterdays reading from my bible was:

Psalm 37:1-6

Trust in the Lord and do good,
dwell in the land and enjoy safe
pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of
your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine
like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the
noonday sun.

I wept, because it was God wrapping me in His arms and letting me know to trust HIM, let HIM, and let HIS desires be my desires and he will bless them, he will pave the way. He will in time let me know what it is he wants this "God's girl Angie" to do for HIM and it will shine like the dawn. Ladies, I asked the words to come out through my heart today. I pray they make a difference to someone out there.

The big reason for this post today is because Lysa Terkeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministry is hosting a give away for a She Speaks Conference Scholarship. Wow another tickle from God! Yes, my first thought was, "How in the world are they going to pick me out of all those women screaming, "pick me, pick me"? Well again it is a prayer my ladies, if it is God's will, then He will provide a way. I truly trust that as I knock down Satan's lies that enter my head. God will reign in my life and so will his mission for my life. If it is not this year, then God will provide for another. I truly cannot afford to go so I prayerfully ask the judges who read this to hear my heart. I know God will provide the means to pay for travel expenses if blessed with the scholarship.

For those of you out there that have a tickle in your heart, you hear the Lord calling please consider going to this conference. It is held in Concord, North Carolina July 30 - August 1. Prayerfully consider how it will change your life as a woman of Christ. Trust HIM as your navigator, I know I am so amazed by the power His word has had in my life and the people He has put there.

Pull for me, teehee, I mean pray for me that I may be blessed with this scholarship. It is so hard to be selfish with this request, but I know that is ultimately for the Glory of God and how much more could I ask for?

I didn't believe simple women like myself could have a calling, big or small, now I know God made us all disciples for HIM. What part can you be for the body of Christ?

Blessings to all!
Angie

Being filled with the Spirit

I must say, this online conference is so wonderful. I have been filled with God's message for three days now and it is like going to church three days in a row. You know how great you feel after you walk out of that building, you want to grab someone and tell them about Jesus and share the love HE gives all of us.

The speakers have been amazing. The conference is "Get Revived" and that is exactly what it is doing. I am writing down scripture passages that are speaking to me. It is amazing how the word of God can speak so clearly. There is so much knowledge in HIS words, comfort and grace! Everything you need is in the Lord's words. How can anyone not hear God speak.

I encourage you to open the bible everyday. Since I have done that it has empowered my life so much. I have started a bible study in which you read the bible in a year. It takes 15-20 minutes of your day. Spending time with the Lord, absorbing his presence and seeking his will for my life has been a great journey. Walking with the Lord can be hard too because he points out your disobedience, prunes you and convicts you. Through that, God listens to your repentant heart and celebrates the growth and love that abounds in His presence, and you become a better person because of it.

A great website to go to read the bible in a year is http://oneyearbibleonline.com/oneyearweeklychrono.php?version=51&startmmdd=0101
There are many others out there, and that is one option. It so nice to be given daily scripture to read and learn from the word every day.

I pray God will become a part of your everyday life by reading his word and letting it penetrate your heart and soul to be more in the image of HIM! Pray for the Lord to guide you in your journey with HIM.

hugs, angie

I am so excited

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads the words of his prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Starting tomorrow I will be attending a women's conference. But get this, it is totally online, so I can enjoy it totally in the comforts of my home! You can see the link button to the right there to check out what I am talking about. The best thing is it is so affordable~ $12.95!!! So I will be listening to countless speakers through the entire week. I am ready for the spirit of the Lord within these women to move my spirit, change my life and enrich my faith in the HIM!

If you missed out on this next weeks' online conference, there are previous conferences you can purchase for $9.95. There are many different topics to choose from that can relate to your life.

I have started a bible study that involves reading the Bible in a year. I love it and look forward to it every day. It is like a gift from God waiting to be unwrapped every day in His word. I get my highlighter ready and use it to catch those verses that really impact me that day. Now wouldn't that be a hoot if I eventually highlighted the entire thing! I know not every verse is highlight worth but many verses do. You never know when you have an issue in life that needs some scripture help.

I pray your weekend is enriching, powerful and peaceful, and you are surrounded by the love of your family and God's!

Angie

Psalm 32:8

If ever you need words of encouragement or words to live by always read Psalms or Proverb's. The "middle of the Bible" really "talks" to me on many occasions.

Within the last year I have closed my business which entailed selling handmade items (primitive dolls, etc.) to shops around the country. With many shops going out of business due to a sagging economy doors have closed for good. I think I was ready myself because it truly took many hours away from my family.

I lost a dear nephew (17 yrs old) in a car accident this last summer. My stay at home mom "best friend" that I did business with has moved on to a day job. No lunches together or fun day trips here and there, or even a great chic flick movie day. My life has changed. Through change, which is a great way to say God is pruning, I am reflecting on how these changes have affecting my daily life, my new purpose so to say.

I am happy to report that through the loss of my nephew last summer, I put my family 1st again above many things it did not before. You don't know how long they are on this earth. Closing my business did free up a lot of time. My house thanks me too because it is kept up so much better.

I even worked part time at a restaurant in the evenings which made no time at all with creating during the day to spend with my family. I would stand up eating while hot gluing or eat while sewing. Now that is over I am so glad that a new opportunity has come in my life. TIME!!! What do I do with my time?

Besides getting more into reading my bible I have felt the need in my life to serve. It is like this quiet voice of God is telling me to go in this direction. This new light in my life has brought much joy. I have enjoyed a new life project making prayer shawls. My girlfriend who is working days now is doing in home health care. I gave her a shawl a few days ago in a pretty bag with a card of encouragement and letting them know I will be praying for them. She has the special task of listening to her call of that special someone she shall give it to. I have requested she take a photo of the special lady with the shawl on so that I may think and pray for her when I see her photo. It brings much joy to hear the voice of God in doing this.

I would love to serve in bigger ways someday, but we will see where God takes me. I do have a passion for helping others. I went to my first Women's Conference this last fall called Extraordinary Women's Conference. It changed my life. I would love to reach out like those speakers and authors. I don't know if that is God's plan for me, I will continue to pray for guidance. There are classes of instruction on DVD that is offered. They cost alot so my hesitation is my hold back right now. I will again, pray for God to provide what I shall do. Which brings me to
Psalm 32:8. I read this in my daily emailed devotional and it spoke so loudly to me. I pray it has great deep meaning for you as well. Blessings all! ~Angie

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the
way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

Most popular verse of 2009

I was playing around on different websites, and was led to biblegateway.com . On that website it posted the 25 most popular read verses in the bible. The #1 was, drum role please.... 1 Corinthians 13 which talks about LOVE and what LOVE is....

1 Corinthians 13
Love
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

It got me thinking, surely everyone knows what love is right??? But I must say when you read this you do see a bad reflection in the mirror when it comes to showing loves to others, all others. You too can read this, absorb it, and come to the conclusion everyone needs help in what love truly is. By definition I see God. God is LOVE. How do you rank? I bet not as well as Jesus and our Father in Heaven, not as long as we are sinners here on Earth, but we can surely try. With knowing what it is you are held accountable.

I pray for wisdom and strength when showing others love, true love, the love that God happily and joyfully gives each and every one of us.

Just plant the seed

Going to church today was different, good different of course! We had a Jewish Christian speak today instead of our pastor. He told an incredible story growing up Jewish, until he met his wife. When he went to her church he asked another church member how would one approach and talk to someone who is Jewish and share the gospel of Christ? Now granted this was a long time ago!!!! So the reaction he got was stunning. He was told we don't say anything.

Can you imagine dying without knowing Christ? His parents shunned him and refused to see him after becoming a believer in Jesus. You could tell it broke his heart to tell the story even though told for many years. His Dad died knowing and finding Christ 4 days before entering heaven because someone else beside his son talked to him. They planted the seed, God did the rest.

His mother still lives, refuses to see her son, even after over 20 years. He has a mission ministry called The Apple of His Eye. Their mission is to present the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles who are facing Christ-less eternity. His story touched my heart because through his yearning to save his family, it brought him to found this mission ministry so that someone else's mother, father, aunt, uncle, sister, brother or friend may be saved. Even a perfect stranger!

We truly are not strangers to anyone really, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ! Someone may not accept that day after your words spoken, but your seed planted will be watered by your prayers, support and God's power! I have not had the opportunity to plant the seed (at least not by my awareness). But I can only imagine the uplift of my own spirit to feel God's presence in that moment. We can lead by example which may change some one's life too. Just remember, people like to watch other people. What are you doing/saying today that someone else is watching or listening to? Your child, neighbor, friend, coworker, boss, the list goes on.

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Paul also talked about this in 1 Corinthians 3

How he planted the seed along with Apollos watering in Corinth, but God made it grow!!! So don't be scared, for you are God's servant to do His task, speak the word of Christ and he will make it grow from there!
I don't know about you, but I pray for God to be in my garden of life!

Blessings to all, Angie

I have lost it!

Don't be too alarmed, I haven't lost my mind but feel like I have! LOL. Actually I have lost my cell phone. I am not a freak to texting or using it all the time. I just fear someone else getting a hold of it and using it as their own.

I know I need to call my provider and report it lost so that can't happen. I even used my house phone and called my cell phone # embarassing amount of times hoping to hear it ring. Even went outside in the complete dark to my car and held my ear inside the car to hopefully hear my awesome little jingle. To no avail it wasn't even heard in the trunk or sticking my head in the coat closet.

Jesus I know would stop anything to find you and me if we were lost, according to the Bible he would leave the flock to find the one sheep that is lost. How reasuring is that! We all get lost in some point in our lives. Wether it is in the beginning in our walk with God or years into it. We all fall short of the glory of God. That is why we need Jesus. I may give up trying to find my phone if it seems helpless but knowing that is not an option for Jesus with the children of God that is a glorious blessing to all!

See how just simple everyday things in life can teach you about our wonderful Father in Heaven? I know I have more worth than a cell phone, even the bill it brings every month! Praise God today for his little reminder He is always there, no search team required, and He listens after the first ring!

Blessings, angie

And the journey begins..........

I have Friday off, yeah! My youngest daughter wants to start cheer leading classes. Which is making me so happy. I am elated one of my daughters wants to be a part of something outside school. I usually always work Friday evenings so this is such a nice change of pace.

So this makes me think of growth for my daughter. It is a big step for her to involve in something where she will know no one else there. It is always scary starting something new. I myself can relate, starting something new means making a commitment and putting it in stone. Alas, me doing this personal journey blog would be my big step. It is more than just the blog, it is truly a journey to involve God more in my everyday life, thoughts and actions, and even my words. I want to be more disciplined in opening my bible and praying for the message God wants me to learn and have it help me in my day. Wanting it is not enough, making the time and making that daily appointment is what really matters.

I know God has so much for me to learn and I look forward to growing closer to Him. I will also post other blogs, websites, and written material that speaks to my soul I find inspiring and growth provoking!

"No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those
who love him" 1 Cor 2:9

Wow, to think that what growth God has in mind for me is not even comparable to what I could ever think!

Blessings, Angie