Say it loud...

I have felt God impressing upon me in the past couple days that we may not have all the time we think we have to do all the things we'll "get to" someday. For example,getting serious about sharing my faith with friends and family. My dad is a non-practicing Greek Orthodox Christian, who mailed me my Thea (Aunt) Maria's plaque of "Saint Nicksomething" and told me that if I pray to him, my prayers will be answered (especially 'cause we're related in some way). My stepmom is a non-religious Jew. Their son, my kid brother, is fourteen and I am not close to him. I don't know what he believes. I know that God has a plan for my life. He told me (audibly) that I was to move to Richmond. That conversation went like this..me on the verge of sleep and a big voice saying "Go to Richmond"..me saying "what?" and God saying "Go to Richmond". Now, I talk to myself in my head all the time, I dream all the time. This was not my voice and it was no dream. I also know that "He who has begun a great work within me will not abandon the works of his hands" (paraphrasing). But how many opportunities do I put off thinking that there's always tomorrow? I am way more vigilant in my relations with coworkers and those whose "rejection" I can handle. If my family and unsaved friends think I'm weird..it hurts. And then I feel like I'm already defeated the next time I broach the subject of God with them. What if I became a radical Christian? I know that I grow everyday in Christ. I know my hearts' desire is to glorify His name with my thoughts, motives, actions, and words..but do you believe that even with that sincere desire I still hold onto stuff? I still think that I need to be perceived as "not totally boring", and today at work I even found myself telling a story of when I wasn't a Christian with a little "hee hee I was bad" attitude. Yeah, that's a good way to be a witness. I am not on the fence, I just keep a picture of it in my back pocket. I need my life to be lived in a way that allows me to grasp every opportunity, to bring hope and light into this perpetual darkness. What is in my way? Me. I'm scared, not able, apprehensive. I have to learn to trust. I have to do one of those cliff jumps my friend Edie posted about recently (trusting God to catch me). Because I don't have all the time in the world. God appointed me for this time, for these people, and I don't want to look back and mourn opportunities lost. We are his mouth, to proclaim his mercy. Give me courage, Lord, to step out of this comfort zone and into a great adventure with you.

Psalm 40:9
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Some kind of Award

“The “Arte y Pico” award was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative abilities, whether it be writing or artwork in all media. When you receive this award it is considered a special honor. Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others.”

I have found the creator of the Arte y Pico award to be a blogger named Eseya who lives in Paraguay. She created a blog for the sole purpose of giving this award to other bloggers who’s art she admires. The award has sincerely been given to many bloggers. Some, I consider worthy of receiving this award and I do not see they have been given. So, it is not that the person's blog is unworthy, they have just not been discovered by the barer.

Here are the rules:

1. You can copy the picture from my page and save it to your picture file on your computer. Then when you are ready to present it on your page, you may find it is easier to use your page elements function to paste the award to your page. And now give thanks to the person you received this award from by posting a link back to the award presenter. This award was granted me by James Leasure at Journaling for Growth.
2.Link to the originator of this award.
It originated here . The expression is difficult to translate to English accurately. It translates to say something like, “Wow! The Best Art! Over the top!”


3. Please pick 5 blogs that have artistic accomplishment of some sort, for inspiration, design and creativity. Pay this award forward to these five persons by stating their blog title by link on your acceptance statement. Notify that person and ask that he/she accept your request to allow you to honor them. Then ask that they link to five blogs they wish to bestow the award to in the following manner on their page.

1. Edie at Rich Gifts..she makes the prettiest scripture tags..and gives them away for free! Art and heart all in one sweet lady!
2. Diane at Meyers on the Hood because her hobby is butter and she posts terrible pictures of cats wearing hats.
3. Pamela at Pinkshoelady because her storytelling is an art form. She gives me lots to think about.
4. DeeDee at Fiddledeedee. She makes milk squirt out of my nose.
5. Kathy at Blessed Builder. She posts gorgeous pictures and is very creative.

I am blessed to be able follow the walk of these women and am thankful for their creative ways of showing Jesus to others.

Plug it in, Plug it in

We have the power and the protection of a mighty God behind us..so why don't we believe that all things are possible? I was at my Dad's birthday party this weekend, and my Aunt Ann (not the one of pretzel fame) was talking about a healing mass she attended at her church recently. My mom's side of the family was brought up Catholic, but many have become non-denominational Christians, which in my limited experience are more focused on relationship and less on ritual. Aunt Ann still attends Catholic services, and at the healing mass they brought forth an eight-year old boy named Austin who is in a vegetative state due to asphyxiation in the womb when the placenta separated prematurely. They prayed over him, and the priest announced to the congregation that he is certain that God would heal Austin; that one day the boy would come to the healing mass not on a gurney but on his own two legs. Aunt Ann thinks it's a bunch of malarkey, and that they are giving the parents false hope and putting the boy through unnecessary trauma. She also said that a woman there said her feet, which had been hurting, claimed that she was feeling much better after they mentioned "feet" from the altar. She thought that was nonsense too (and it very well may have been). But I think sometimes we sell God short, as well as the power of our own prayers. We are to be persistent..if God just answered prayer right away (and sometimes he DOES) all the time, then we would take him for granted, and I think we would lose much of our wonder and our gratitude. I listened to this sermon by Dr. Michael Youseff this morning, and it reminded me that we, by our own power, are so weak, but with God we can experience amazing results..people saved, people healed,the protection of our loved ones. We can't expect trouble free lives, but we can live victoriously as we call on the name of Jesus. There is power in that name. We are the lamps, he's the light source. Plug it in, plug it in.

Mighty to Save

My heart opens up in worship when I hear this song, and I love his version. Enjoy!

Psalm 116:1-7

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the Lord:
"O Lord, save me!"

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion,
The Lord protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

Hey Friends,

I got tagged! I am being tagged by Pamela R. who always has a worthwhile read waiting for you at Pinkshoelady.

Here are the rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you (see above)

2) Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading)

3) Write 6 random things about yourself (see below)

4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (humm...whom shall I tag)

5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog. (quick go look)

6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.


Six random things:

1. I am half Greek. My dad has been in America for 30 years and it's still hard to understand him. Especially when he's trying to pronounce "prosthesis" while recounting a joke about an ex-pirate.

2. I like to learn at least a couple words in as many languages as possible. Anoong ganagawanmo means "what are you doing" in Tagalo.

3. I just saved money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

4. I wish life was more like a musical. I break out into song whenever possible.

5. I biked across Florida twice during my youth group career. It took a week each time, and it was one(I guess technically two) of the most fun things I've done so far.

6. Not a big Chuck Norris fan.

And here are the lucky winners!!!

1. Edie at Rich Gifts.

2. Penn Tomassetti at All of Grace.

3. James Leasure at Journaling for Growth.

4. Kathy S. at Blessed Builder.

5. Diane at Meyers on the Hood.

6. Mariel at Growing in Godliness.

Okay, if I tagged you you can end here but I thought it would be neat to find six random things about me from the Bible..to make it more interesting I will flip to random pages and find something that fits,so here goes...

1. Ecclesiastes 2:13
I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
2.Ezekiel 47:12
Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
3.Matthew 8:12-13
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
4. Psalm 16:8
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
5.Job 7:17
What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?
6. Ok, now I'm cheating cause I used this yesterday but I love it so much..
Psalm 61:5
For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
May you know God more intimately with each day that passes.
Angela

A New Outlook

I am rereading Max Lucado's "In the Grip of Grace",(very good book) and I think I have come to a new realization. I was having a thought about how I have been learning about God and growing consistently in my walk for about 3 years now, and that I will be able to tell new Christians many things I have learned or experienced..and then I thought, you know, three years isn't very long..but I'll bet in twenty years I'll be really wise..and then I realized that I am never going to be wise. I'm never going to know it all. I am going to have to go to the Lord each and every day and lean on him all over again. And it's enough. I can be obedient and I can be thankful, and I will certainly tell people about God and who he is, and how much he loves them. I want to make a lifestyle of thanksgiving and praise and trust. I have to learn to forgive, daily, hourly when people hurt me or are rude, and I am reminded that they don't have the peace that when this is all over, it's going to be okay. I get that. I would be cranky too. God forgives as we forgive. So, I have just had a thankful, kind of introspective day. It's been sweet. I prayed Psalm 61 and 62 this morning..verse 5 stuck out to me.

Psalm 61:5
For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

P.S. One of my closest friends called me this morning and told me she got married in a private ceremony to her boyfriend (whom I haven't even met yet). He is in the Navy and is shipping out for six months in August. I cried. He is a nice guy, but not a strong Christian. Not exactly the best choice, considering that she's not strong in her walk, either. I wish she would have given it more time. I think people rush because they don't want to give it time to go wrong..but if that's the case, then why would you want it? I pray that God would take over in both of their lives and that they would have a solid, loving relationship. Also, we held our first Bible study. It was great, just four of us, and all Christians. We didn't all know each other well, so it was a good time for us to share our testimonies and just get some good God talk going, which was a blessing because we will be having unbelievers join us and they probably wouldn't have been able to relate yet.

One more:
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Any thoughts on Young's Literal Translation? I want to get as close to the actual text as possible.

Our way and God's way

Which barnyard animal would have the hardest time if it were deaf?

I'll tell you the answer to my terrible joke at the end of the post. I am having a hard time accepting just how much God is going to use me..the very thing I have been asking him for. I feel like I am being pushed out into the open and that I am not going to be able to just be me anymore. I had a long talk with the bartender at work yesterday about God. He believes in "energy" and that if someone's religion gets them through the day, than why isn't that acceptable as "their truth". I asked him that if thinking I was a cat got me through the day, is it acceptable to think that way? He kept restating that truth was relative and asked me if I thought that the Chinese were wrong for believing in their gods for centuries..I said I absolutely thought they were wrong. His eyes got wide on that one. I was able to make clear points and walked away feeling as though I had presented the case for absolute truth as accurately as I could, and I was certainly respectful, as was he. I will really need to be praying for him. This is the reason I'm feeling out of my comfort zone. I am evangelizing and it makes me feel weird. I also have been having a hard time praying without feeling fake and routine the past couple days. I want the warm fuzzies back. I was peaceful and felt more natural as today progressed, but now as I write I still feel out-of-whack. Is is doubt or what? I am not sure what is going on. Help! The answer to the joke is, of course, a chicken. They can't read each others lips.
Angela

Not my problem

Things that have been on my mind this weekend..

1.It's God's fight, not mine.(2 Chronicles 20) My job is to praise him, to be obedient, and to give him all the glory. He will do the rest. That really makes me breathe more easily.

2.I took a girl that I know from my neighborhood pool to church with me. I noticed that she wasn't as in to it as I had hoped for. And then the guy that she brought with her went to the front of the church to receive Christ. It's not my job to make them have a great experience. It's my job to invite them. God will do the rest. Praise you, God.

3. My heart has been aching for those who are misled by false religion. I have been reading this blog , actually I read the whole thing yesterday, and I want to tell this girl not to throw Jesus away with the rest of her beliefs. I think that is a common occurrence, just to be so frustrated by being misled that you just give up on everything. I also found the link to this page documenting 20 facts about Mormonism on her page, and I found it very helpful. I almost want to start an outreach for those coming out of these types of situations. If God wants me to.

4. I want to be a counselor. I have put off going to school because I didn't know what career path was right for me. I am not hard-set on having a career, and certainly won't put a job above family, but I think maybe this would be the right choice for me..I like to listen to people's stories and give them (hopefully good)advice. I care about people. I would like to have comfy couches and maybe cookies at my place of business, make my own hours. So..we'll see.

5.Bible study started...next week? No one but Heather and I were there tonight, but we had a good prayer time and were able to solidify some goals and thoughts we had on our group. I know in God's timing he is going to use this group to drastically change lives and I am so grateful to be an extension of his love to those who are dying (I know, it's harsh) without it. So,here I go waiting. Again. God's Bible study. Not mine.

6. Handing over the reins leaves your hands free to do other stuff. Also, God won't drive you off the side of a cliff.

Angela

Venting

I do not want to be a Christian that is always frowning upon others. I do not want to be a Christian who is passive towards ungodly behavior. Where is the balance? As I grow in my faith, I want every aspect of my life to honor God. I get excited and want to talk about him. All the time. Even my Christian friends seem to kind of zone out or just lose interest when I talk about God. So I find myself in a bad place, feeling lonely and judging them (which is not my place to do) for being more interested in temporal things than in a life dedicated to God. It's not fun. I know that I have sin in my life, and in no way do I think I am more holy than my friends, I just feel... different. I want to be used of God. I don't want him around just when I am having a bad day or want something. I want my life to touch others. I try to understand that my friends may have been in a close relationship before, but maybe they are in a dry period in their relationships with God. I am single, they are married and have more to occupy their time. I do realize these things, but I am still missing out on having another person to be excited about God with. Honestly, I am glad I have met some of the people out in blog world who are in love with the Lord, because it encourages me daily. On a happier note, our Bible study starts on Sunday and I am so ready to help bring other women to a place where they can meet and learn about God, and I know he is going to do some life changing. Can't wait!
Angela

Ha!

I work in a restaurant. It is usually a fun job, and I like and value the relationships I have with my coworkers. It can be tough sometimes when people are rude to you and you have to smile and just do what they want. Zac had a table of four people that sent back their smoothies..what could have been wrong with them? I think it is pretty hard to mess a smoothie up. Some people come in with the attitude that they are going to get stuff for free by complaining, and it is hard to deal with them because they are taking advantage of the restaurant. Of course, if something is wrong, we want to fix it, but don't make other people's lives harder for no reason. So I told Zac (an atheist) that I would pray for them not to complain about anything else. I was hesitant to tell him that because if they kept complaining then I would look foolish. They proceeded to send three other items back, called the manager over, and basically were miserable the whole time. I felt a little silly that I prayed about those people, obviously to no avail, until it started raining. Over their table. Inside. The ceiling started leaking...a lot! They had to get up and move. Luckily, they were almost finished anyway, but it was pretty hilarious, and I have to say I didn't feel bad for them. I gave God the credit, but I don't know if anyone believed me. Zac thought it was pretty awesome, but I guess they could just call it a coincidence. I know better.

Everything's In A Name

If you have half an hour, Check out this audio sermon on the names of God by Dr. Michael Youssef, who is the founding pastor at the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta. I love listening to him, and I love to hear and think about the names of God. Do you have a favorite ?

Truth Pt.2- The Rebuttal

So, if you haven't read my previous post, now would be the time. My coworker wrote me back regarding the verses I gave him to prove to him that Jesus is God, not just a man. Click on the pages to make them big enough to read.









I had some answers to his statements, such as if we believe the Bible to be God-breathed, uncontradictory truth, then why does he chalk some things up to human error and misinterpretation? It seems like he is just picking things that don't fit and saying that they were snuck in. Also, he thinks of Jesus as the son of God, so I asked him why didn't God just use anyone else, why did he use Jesus? He said that God could have used someone else,but he found Mary to be willing and sinless. Hmmmm..so what about all the prophecies? Maybe I could have been the savior..NOT! In our conversation after I read his letter, I also mentioned that Jesus is God's ONLY begotten son..so how could he just be a human like the rest of us. He asked, so you don't consider yourself to be God's daughter? Yes, but in a different way. It says ONLY begotten son. Maybe Caesar put that part in. There is a definite difference. I am going to be worshiping not worshiped in heaven. I didn't think to tell him that but I will next time. He asked how could God kill God (or maybe let God die..I think he said kill),how can God sit at the right hand of God, and I said, I don't exactly know all the answers, but the biggest answer is that God is GOD..he can do ANYTHING!!! I also said that I don't always think scripture is simple. There is depth, insight, and even mystery and symbolism throughout the whole Bible. As you grow as a believer, more things become understandable through life experience and the Holy Spirit ( another made up thing, as far as he's concerned, used to be "holy ghost", isn't hopeful that it was translated correctly). I asked him how he could say he's a Christian, did he know that Christians believe Jesus to be God incarnate, and he said that wasn't true, that Christianity is divided on this subject. He said that basically our conversation was done, because if I couldn't see from his clear message what the truth was, then we weren't going to get anywhere. I told him that that was the difference between us. I don't stop telling people the truth, even if they don't agree, because I want people to know the fullness of a life connected to the Living God, and I care about him and want him to be saved. He told me he is sure of his salvation. Can anyone help me..what else can I say to him?