2 Corinithians 3:4-6

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (New International Version)




4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


What are your thoughts on this verse?

In God we Trust

I was reading this blog by Leanne Rice, who works for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Take a look, and please visit the web site mentioned and cast your vote. Many people would be happy to see God removed from our country completely, and that, my friends, would be the scariest thing imaginable. You don't have to look too hard to see what is going on in places that don't acknowledge the One True God. Let's make time to pray for our nation and our leadership, also. I found this Prayer for the Nation at Shonda's blog, and it is pretty awesome and specific. Praying to remain one nation, under God-
Angela

Me, from A to Z

Tagged!!
I've been tagged by Kathy of Blessed Builder.
I’m supposed to share an Alphabet story, the A to Z 's of me.

Attached or Single? Single

Best Friend? Jesus

Cake or Pie? Cake..and ice cream

Day of Choice? Sunday..it's my quiet me-time day.

Essential Item? Laptop.

Flavour of Ice cream? Mint Chocolate Chip.

Gummy Bears of Worms? Worms.

Hometown? Centreville, VA

Indulgences? Bubble baths.

January or July? July...January kind of a let down after December.

Kids? No, unless you mean baby goats, and then my answer is no.

Last Movie I saw in a Theater? Wanted. I left with my mouth hanging open because of all of the violence and cursing. I have made up my mind to really censor what I watch.

Middle Name? Catherine

Number of Siblings? 2

Oranges or Apples? Oranges.

Phobia or Fear? Fear.

Quote? a new favorite: "One out of ten Americans think Joan of Arc was Noah's wife"- Dinesh D'Sousa

Reason to Smile? Seeing God in everyday life.

Season? Autumn.

Tag five more: Edie, Jennifer, Mariel, Stephanie, and Jim.

Unknown Fact About Me? My favorite scent is "Moonlight Path" from Bath & Bodyworks.

Vegeterian or Oppressor of Animals? Meat. It's whats for dinner.

Worst Habit? Correcting people when they use the wrong word...and laughing at them.

Xrays or Ultrasounds? Oh, don't make me choose...

Your favourite Food? Anything spicy..

Zodiac? Aries.

So there you have it, a snapshot of me, written quickly, A to Z.

My Passion: No, really.

After tonight's Bible study, I think I can say that one of my biggest passions is being able to understand and accurately convey God's message to others. We had our second meeting tonight, and Babs came. She is a girl we work with, who has a very limited knowledge of who Christ is; she said she wasn't brought up going to church or hearing about God. She didn't know what to do when we prayed before our discussion time. It is easy to take for granted that everyone in America has SOME background knowledge of God, but that is not the case. After our discussion time (about temptations) I felt it was important that Babs know what the whole back story on who Jesus is, and why we choose to live our lives the way the Bible tells us to. So, it was left to me to tell her about God's plan of redemption for mankind. I felt inadequate, and like maybe I didn't explain it as thoroughly or as structured as I could have, but I did my best. I know that kind of thing takes practice, but I kind of felt like she would think I was crazy to believe a story like that. I explained that if we look at our lives as miracles in themselves, then it's not as hard to accept a miracle maker (though not in those words). Hopefully I didn't leave anything out, and I know that God can speak through any willing mouth, so if anyone wants to back up that message to Babs in prayer I would certainly appreciate it. Pray that God would construct my words in a way that makes sense and touches her heart, and that she would come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. Also, more and more opportunities present themselves at my job; two non-Christians have a wager going over a game of spades: loser has to go to church with me! Um..mysterious ways, anyone? Greg, who is gay, is coming to me with his spiritual questions. God is being talked about. A lot. It is pretty darn exciting. My passion is to help these people in their journey to know God by answering their questions, and saying just the right thing that will open their eyes..I know that prayer is going to be the main propellant in that area..He is the one that removes the veil, I just want to help him tear it down!!

What's Your Passion?

My passion is..I'll let you know when I don't have writers' block anymore. I have written and erased several times the answers I've come up with because I don't feel my heart in this post right at this moment. So, I'll just tell you that I went to the park today with a blanket, my mp3 player, a bottle of sparkling Strawberry-Kiwi water, and Beth Moore's Believing God, which I just started today. I picked a spot in the middle of an empty field that is encircled with a drive that loops around the grass and past the small lake with a large fountain in the middle. There was a man sitting in his car while his small child played with his scooter nearby in the gravel overflow parking lot. I was parked there also, and thought it was strange that he was sitting in his car. About five minutes after I was situated and reading, the man was out of his car and running around with the child about ten? feet from me, which was not necessary because it's a BIG field, and I was the only one out there. I was listening to music as I read, but I heard him say "Looks like you're having fun", he said it again before I realized he was talking to me. I looked up from my book and smiled and said "just reading" as in..leave me alone, please! He mumbled something like "ain't nothin wrong with that", but I chose to ignore him. Frankly, he was weirding me out. So I closed my eyes, turned up my music, and said a little prayer for God to send me protection, just in case. I didnt look up for a few minutes after that, but it was quiet and when I did look up, the man and the child were gone..as in they had gotten in their car and drove away. I turned a little further and I was very surprised to see a car parked in the field beside a pair of trees..a county police cruiser! It hadn't been there before.
I will answer the question "what's your passion" from Edie as soon as my brain starts working again..it's hard to narrow it down!

Isaiah 43 ... Verse 1

Isaiah 43
Israel's Only Savior
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

There is so much that I love in this chapter of Isaiah. Verse one speaks to me, because I identify so much with being redeemed.
re·deem (r-dm)
tr.v. re·deemed, re·deem·ing, re·deems
1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
2. To pay off (a promissory note, for example).
3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange
4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example
5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks.
6. To set free; rescue or ransom.
7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.See Synonyms at save1.
8. To make up for: The low price of the clothes dryer redeems its lack of special features.
9. To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of: You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one.

He loves us more than we can fathom. We can trust him. He has kept his word, fulfilled his promise, set us free, and restored our honor. He alone is worthy to be praised.
Jesus is the love of my life. I know that no one will ever know me as well and love me so completely as he does. I now know what people mean when they say they are "in love" with Jesus, because I find myself with that faraway look in my eyes, and that slight smile playing on my lips as I go through my day, and we share things, he and I. He has won my heart, because he is a million times better than any hero in any story. He died. For me. He is jealous for me. He wants only the best for me. He fights my enemies. He restores my honor. He provides for even my smallest prayers. He is listening. He is speaking to me through his word, and through other people. He died. For you. He is jealous for you. He wants only the best for you.He fights your enemies. He restores your honor. He provides for even your smallest prayers. He is listening. He is speaking to you through his word, and through other people. He loves us. Do you love him?

You are an Amazing God

Joshua 3:5
5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

You know how God will put a certain verse in your path several times in the course of a week? This is one I've heard a couple times recently, and usually that means God is trying to tell me something. I read it once in "The Beloved Disciple" by Beth Moore, and it stuck out to me then, but when I stumbled upon it a second time (don't exactly remember where, I read my Bible and I read tons of blogs about God), I got excited. How many verses are in the Bible altogether? Hold on, let me find out. According to this, 31,102. That's a lot of different verses. So, I know that God speaks to us through his written word, and I know that when the words grab us, it is because something has struck a resonant chord within us, and our hearts feel that tug that says "This is for you". I think it is an awesome verse, very exciting, and pretty simple. Consecrate means to "set apart, to keep holy", and the rest is pretty self-explanatory. If we are setting ourselves apart as holy to be used by God, then he will do amazing things among us.
For example, I attend a church that has a lot of people who used to be down and out, as in: drug use, homelessness, gang life, many people that others would look down on. They have seen alot of trouble in their lives, admittedly much of it self-inflicted. I have to say, though, that I feel a sincerity in the love for Jesus at this church that outshines many I've been to, and they also sincerely love each other. One lady that has been coming for a year, Zakiyah, stood in front of a crowd of 2,000 tonight and gave her testimony of what God has done in her life recently. She has been coming to church about a year, and gave her life to Christ shortly after she started attending. She has, in her own words, gotten closer and closer to Jesus during this time, getting up at 5:30 each morning to spend time with her God.
She has had a hard time finding work, she told us, because she has five, count em', FIVE felonies under her belt. She didn't say for what, but she does have three daughters to raise, so it would suck not to be able to provide for them. She recently wrote Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia, and praise God, she found favor in the governor's eyes, because she has been officially pardoned of ALL FIVE FELONIES! I am not an advocate of soft crime punishment by any means, but her heart has been transformed by a powerful God, and he saw fit to pardon her here on earth as he surely will when she stands before him in heaven. She set herself apart for him, and he did amazing things in her life. It was apparently a "God Rocks" kind of night at my church, because we have also been granted permission to send 8-10 people in to work Monday through Friday in the PUBLIC school system here in Richmond. We will have our own office, and kids can come for mentoring, tutoring, and I'm not sure what else, but I know that when the kids get in trouble they will have to do community hours at our church..I know it will be the best thing to happen ever in some kids' lives. Thank you, God, that you are so big!
I have still been having a rough time at work money-wise, and my attitude hasn't been great, but it is changing. I am not singing Zippadeedooda, but I am kind of "so what"ing bad situations instead of getting upset about them. God is teaching me to trust him through good and bad, and it is important to me to learn that.
Bible study on Tuesday night was completely awesome, it was my co-leader, Heather and I, and two girls from work: Amanda and Stefanie. Both girls are not living Christian lives currently, but praise God, they have the desire and Amanda at least is making huge changes in her lifestyle after dedicating her life to Christ two weeks ago. She even told Stefanie, who was a strong Christian at one point but has fallen away, that if Stef wanted to call and discuss things she learns in her quiet time, she would love to be there for her to talk with! You go, you new little Christian! We had awesome conversation and really opened up to each other. What a blessing to be able to take part in sharing God's love for these girls.
God gave us free will. We can do things our way, conforming to this world and taking its' empty pleasures as our profit. Or we can say "NO" to the the things that keep us in bondage to unholiness. That is when God can work in our situation. It takes faith to set yourself apart, because you have to believe that there is a reason you are doing it. God operates on the faith of his people.
Zakiyah set herself apart from her past, choosing a bright future with the Lord. He has done amazing things for her and through her, as she ministers to others in the body of Christ. Amanda is choosing to set herself apart, and is transforming before our eyes.
So, this week let's consecrate ourselves- set ourselves apart as holy, so that the Lord will do amazing things among us! Amazing means you'll be standing around with your mouth open, by the way. Maybe with a letter of full pardon from the governor in your hand.

Who cares about a title?

1 Samuel 24
David Spares Saul's Life
1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi." 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said [a] to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.' " Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." 7 With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.

14 "Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand."

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, David my son?" And he wept aloud. 17 "You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 18 You have just now told me of the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family."

22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

David had the chance to kill Saul. Saul certainly had tried to kill David, numerous times, in fact! He was jealous of and afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and he was a mighty warrior. Saul was out to get David. He knew God was planning to give David the throne of Israel, which was bad news for Saul, as he was the current king. But David chose to obey God, and not to kill Saul, even when he had the perfect opportunity. No one would have thought him wrong to do it, but David cared more about what God thought. So, he spared Saul's life, and postponed his rule as king of Israel. He waited on God's timing, even though he could have ended his immediate problems, which included living on the run, always fearing a knife in the back. He life was in danger. Every day. He could have justified his actions, but he chose to let God handle it. And God got the glory, because Saul and all three of his sons died on the same day a little while later, clearing the throne for none other than merciful, obedient David. David also had the opportunity, after this encounter with Saul, to write more of the book of Psalms, which have spoken to peoples' hearts for three thousand years.
I am struggling with God's seeming inaction in my current circumstances. I am finding myself falling for a man who is not a Christian. I am becoming discontent in my job. I KNOW KNOW KNOW that I absolutely cannot go down that road with this guy, but some attention sure seems better than the none I have from my "Mr. Right" that God is taking his sweet time bringing around. Friends, please pray for me to find my strength and self-control in the Lord, and for peace and intimate relationship in the waiting time. I am feeling a bit left behind, also, as friends move on to other jobs (to places I DO NOT feel called, so it's not jealousy), but as I wait for God to call me elsewhere, I feel..forgotten about. I could see how hard it would have been for David not to just kill Saul, take the throne and forget about his anxiety-filled life on the run. Wouldn't it have been nice for him to feel peaceful and taken care of? But he chose obedience over expedience and ease, and was greatly rewarded. His relationship with God was strengthened, and you just know God's heart was pleased by his trust. God, give me a heart like David's. I get tired of waiting for God, and feel like maybe my own way isn't so bad. This is where I must battle feelings with truth. That's been my struggle the past week or so, but I know that I will continue to trust God, because there is no other way.
This sermon, by Dr. Michael Youssef, is what I draw today's post from.

My weekend

I'm ready for a nap.

Gragh

My coworker Babs told me tonight that her sister was in school to be an anesthitician, and that she was going to visit her sister and they would practice on her by giving her a free eyebrow waxing and facial. I was confused. Do they have to knock you out to do that? Apparently anesthetician doesn't have anything to do with anesthisiology. It's a beauty thing. Oh.

Babs is going to be coming to our Bible study, which we have decided to switch to Tuesday nights, which will work better with peoples' schedules. Amanda, who I wrote about last time, is coming also. The time it is taking to get this thing rolling is kinda driving me nuts.

I had a tough night at work, money-wise. I feel like I may be under spiritual attack, because I never make consistently bad tips like I did tonight. I have been reading Beth Moore's "When Godly People do UnGodly things", which is all about arming yourself against demonic attacks. I know I am going to learn how to put on the full armor of God, and I also am sure satan is not happy about that. I know that one night of bad money does not mean God has forsaken me, and I choose to praise him and thank him for his faithfulness. That is what he wants from me, to trust when things don't "look" good. I know He is good. It was hard to keep a positive attitude, but I am learning. I really want to learn to be content no matter what my circumstances look like. It's a scary thing to want, but I know that God values my heart and my character, and I want them to reflect Him. So, if I need to be refined, then let's do it. If I don't write again anytime soon, it's because he's sent me to a third-world country and I'm staring down a camel. But don't worry, I'm content.

Arm in Arm

Do you ever get overwhelmed with the amount of Godlessness that is all around? I do. It's scary out there. It is amazing to me that just a few years ago I was running around with the same mentality..doing whatever I wanted, trying to fill the God-sized void in my life with junk, and being numb to the poison that seeped in with each sin. Everyone else was doing it. I made so many mistakes, fell so many times, and I didn't let God catch me. I hit pavement time and time again, covered each scrape with some makeup and grimly marched on my own merry way, my drummer playing a death march. Alcohol, drugs, sex, all things I tried to find an escape from the harshness of the world. The emptiness, hangovers, and inevitable loneliness were my closest friends. I lost a baby I didn't know I was carrying when I was 23. That shook me up pretty badly, and I think that's when I finally allowed God to little by little start speaking to my heart. But it was still a good two years before I gave myself to him. I was pretty hard-headed and rebellious. So I know that road. I've been there, done that, not going back EVER. All around me, people are hurting. They act like life's ok, but I know better. I see them trying the same things I tried, having the same empty laughs and accumulating their scars. They are sinning, they are reaping the consequences. God is waiting for them, but how many will turn to Him? He is the only one who can patch us up. He wants to hold us and quiet us with his love, to show us the way. He is literally the light in this darkness, as if we are stumbling around blind in the pitch black, and here comes God with a flashlight to show us the way home, and what rocks to watch out for so that we don't fall. Jesus came so that we might have life. We have to choose, though! We can choose life! Precious God, soften the hearts of the people that they might cease stumbling in the dark and see your creation in your wonderful light, as you intended. Has God put a hurting person in your life? Do they need to see Jesus? How will you show Him to them? God wants to use you! You! Praise God who has shown up to take us arm in arm and lead us home.
Angela
P.S. My coworker and friend Amanda rededicated her life to Christ. She was 9 then, 22 now, and is gay, and struggling with how to change her life. Praise God that she wants to change! PLEASE pray for this sweet girl, that God would be her strength as she desires to follow him. Thank you.

Happy Monday!

Have a great day, everyone!