This Never Fails

This morning I was graced with 3 great things that reminded me of God's grace, love, and faithfulness! As I am typing this, I am realizing that I forgot about the other things that he has graced me with aside from those 3....

1.waking up

2.waking up next to my loving husband
3.the gift of sight-something I am grateful 4 each day because @ any point God could allow this ugly eye disease to take that (ALTHOUGH I am believing for healing)
4.for my son who woke up
5.for the ability to walk without pain (my Aunt Shannon is not always walking in that blessing)
6.for the great news that my bestie shared with me-THE IMPOSSIBLE! ha!
7.for my mom who prays for me daily
8.for my family who have loved me in the bad and the good
9.for the awesome package that arrived for my family this morning
10. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD THAT NEVER FAILS. THIS WORLD AND THE SIN IN IT DEFINITELY WILL BUT THE LOVE OF GOD WILL NOT CEASE AT THE END OF TIME. IT WILL PROTECT, BELIEVE WHEN I DON'T, IT IS THE ARMS THAT ARE HOLD ME.

LOVE NEVER FAILS ME! IT IS SEEN IN THE ENDEARING EYES OF MY HUSBAND, IN THE MIDST OF THE WAITING SEASONS WHEN I LONGED TO BE MARRIED, LONGED FOR A SON. IT IS AND ALWAYS WAS THERE! JUST HAD TO EMBRACE IT! LOVE, NEVER GAVE UP ON ME EVEN WHEN I CHOSE MY WAY, MY TIME, HOW I WANTED IT.

Thank you Lord for your love that sent your son Jesus to a cross to suffer and die for me. That rose him from the grave to show the defeat of death, and ascended into Heaven sending your spirit in love's place as another form of your love.

Love is what sent me to my knees on January 17, 2009 as I cried out for better than the love that walked out on me. I cried out for real love, the love of a Savior and that very love has never left me and is sailing me into my bright future when I not only get to share his love with others BUT I get to be his love to a broken world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP8isf9PVz4&feature=related

Waiting

Wanted to share a little something special with you today to give you hope

Ever since surrendering and allowing the Lord to take control of my life and to be my guide, I have found such fulfillment. For the first time in my life, I not only have 2 of the biggest desires of my heart BUT I feel so loved. Don't get me wrong, I still have to make choices that cause me to wait for things that I cannot have now and this can be frustrating. It is frustrating living in a World that tells you that if you cannot have it NOW then it is not worth it.

So with that said, I will choose to be a good steward and be grateful for the many things that I have been blessed with from my relationships to my finances, to my time to my car. I will choose to wait because there is one thing that I have found in the waiting, in the not being able to see the miracle but being the miracle, is that....


When I wait on him, and allow him the time to work behind the scenes in my defense and on my side, I get more than I could have ever hoped for, imagined, or gotten for myself. Trust Him!

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

UNGLUED AGAIN-BUT THIS TIME IN TRUTH!

Can I just get real with you and share something on my heart???!!! I wanted join an egroup that my Pastor's amazing wife leads alongside another amazing woman of God that helped start our church-Heather Bishop (great examples of Godly wives and mommies) and when I got in touch with her she told me that she was not going to be able to lead a group anymore and 2 days later at church I found out why.

At church we found out that Heather Bishop and her family were moving to Toronto, Canada to start our new campus Elevation Toronto. Funny how I got an answer and explanation within days of each other...

It gets better.......

So, my Pastor, Pastor Steven, makes a comment (paraphrasing here) that they are leading the way and we should follow their example and pick up where they left off (the campus that is and the Bishops). We should go and start something ourselves if we see a need for it and want it. The Lord at that moment said-"Angelina, since you cannot be in that group that you desired to be in and cannot seem to find one (for young married women/with or without kids) then step out and do it yourself!

It gets even better..........

 At the end of the sermon, they make a call for people to step out and lead an egroup! YEAH, GOD WAVING A BIG OLE YELLOW SIGN NOW!

The plane is about to land........

 So, I am asking God which study that I should do either "Greater" by my Pastor Steven Furtick or "Unglued" by Lysa Terkeurst (both NY Times bestselling books with awesome mesages). The next day-a sunday my husband and I decide to drive over 30 minutes away to another church campus not to the one 10 minutes away (we have 7 church campuses) and GUESS who is preaching about Unglued, Lysa Terkeurst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, here I am without all of the resources that I need for the study on the day that my group begins SEPT 20, 2012 (meet and greet day) (mind you, we start the study in the 1st week of October), and I am discouraged because for the past 24 hours I have lost over half of my egroup members :( and I am doubting it all. In my devotional I read Psalm 42:5
 ⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

I then go to my favorite blog by Pastor Holly Furtick on the very same day to find this http://hollyfurtick.com/giveaway-time/..A blog about her giving the UNGLUED dvd set and resources to a commenter who is leading an egroup or is in one! ON THE DAY I START THE GROUP!!!!!!!!!!TODAY!!!!!!!

Now did I win it, yet ;)  ????

-no BUT, I am reminded about one huge thing-HE IS A GOD WHO KNOWS YOUR NEEDS AND DESIRES AND IF HE CALLS YOU TO SOMETHING YOU BETTER BE SURE TO REMEMBER-REMIND YOURSELF OF HIS PROMISES AND REMEMBER THAT HE COMPLETES WHAT HE STARTS! HE HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN AND TODAY, WITH ALL MY PERHAPS', I TRUST HIM AND I WILL MAKE MY BOAST IN HIS GLORIOUS NAME! HE IS A GREAT BIG GOD WHO LOVES ME!

Psalm 34

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God

A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
² My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel^[a] of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
¹⁰ The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶ The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
²⁰ He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
²¹ Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
²² The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

AMEN!

 
 

I AM UNGLUED!

I guess I just need to get this off of my chest....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ever have one of those moments where you just had to, it had to be done, you needed to say it to stay sane, and someone had to (help them Jesus) be on the front end of it? Looking forward to learning how to hold that in and make something useful out of it with Lysa Terkeurst's new book/dvd study "Unglued."

Buy it here @http://lysaterkeurst.com/unglued

You are Chosen!

This morning in my devotional I read from Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

As I read this, the word condemnation stood out to me and I realized, have I ever really looked at the word condemnation?  So I wiki-ed it! According to Wiki, the word condemned refers to "Damnation, the anithesis of salvation"-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condemnation. As I read the definition it hit me that whenever I believe the devil's lies, I begin believing that I am not saved, that I am doomed and will spend the rest of my eternal existence in Hell. WHAT A LIE FROM THE PITS OF HELL! I have a seat in Heaven!

So today, I am making the choice to believe the truth and not a lie. I am Saved, I am Chosen, I am God's! Christ made me worthy by dying on the Cross and rising again. Once the Benefactor died and rose again, I became his beneficiary and now get to walk in his Holiness, his purity.

So, instead of forfeiting your blessings today by believing the lie, choose to receive what the Benefactor died to give you, HIS LOVE, THE IMPOSSIBLES, THE MIRACLES, THE TRUTH!

"I have a beautiful booty!"

I used to be a lead teacher of a class consisting of 10-12 2 year olds and boy do you hear some interesting things. There was one child, Lilly who had recently begun sharing with me how beautiful she was or how gorgeous her clothes were as she'd twirl around. One month we conducted a classroom activity we called "our weekly prodigies" where we would choose a child and spend a few days learning about that child, posting pictures of the child and their family, and would discuss what made that child special.

Well, this particular week Lilly was our class "Prodigy." She got to wear her pretty Prodigy crown that her and I made together and the teachers and the rest of her classmates shared why we thought she was so special/a prodigy. When it came time for Lilly to explain what she liked about herself and what made her special, she replied, "I have a beautiful booty!"  Quite hilarious indeed and was looked so proud saying it (got to love a 2 year old's answers).

But a funny thing began to happen since her prodigy week, she began acting very different from the Lilly that I knew. It was great that she knew that she was beautiful and special, a prodigy but I started noticing that she would begin to use this as a way to get what she wanted. Yes, a 2 year old began manipulating and using what she had to get what she wanted. It was from that instant that I realized something, we should teach them that they are smart, beautiful, special, loved BUT we should also teach them that it was God who made them smart, beautiful, special, loved so that when someone tells them that they are wrong and makes them doubt themselves, they give into arrogance, something life altering happens (a tragic accident that leaves him/her wounded physically, divorce hits, their heart is broken, etc.) they can fall back on the truth that it is not them BUT Christ in them. They can remember that they were made in his likeness. They cannot take credit for something that you did not create.

So, to reel her back in a little, I spent time reminding Lilly that God was her source, that he "made her very special" and it was him that created her "beautiful booty." Constantly speaking him over her and giving him the credit along with edifying her in that she was smart because he made her smart, etc. changed the ways in which she acted, it was quite instant especially for a child that was not raised in a Christian family. Imagine if she did hear this everyday at home, imagine if everyday she was reminded that God made her smart, loved, special? If at 2 years old it has that much of an impact, imagine the adult that she would one day become? What she could one day accomplish due to this confidence in herself and in her God?

What does scripture say.......

Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Psalm 139:13-18

¹³ For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well^.15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God! How vast is the sum of them!¹⁸ Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand —when I awake, I am still with you.

You Are Not Just a Mom!!!!!!

Great wisdom for mom's who feel like they just cannot get it together, for parents who understand that they are training up our grandchildren's mommy and daddy, who want their children to know they are loved, and for those that see other women who seem to got it together so much better than we do.

Every mom should be able to relate to this. Great broadcast from Focus on the Family. Guest Tracey Eyster blogger and author of the book- Be The Mom. Here is the broadcast below...

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={A3A07FDF-1A54-4B45-9C76-88623994A860}

Also, you can follow Tracey on her blog at http://traceyster.com/ and buy her new book at
http://family.christianbook.com/overcome-attitude-traps-enjoy-your-kids/tracey-eyster/9781589976849/pd/976849?p=1158279&event=ORC

Unhappy Wife=Unhappy Life

Have you ever felt guilty that you could not take the time to go see a friend or go to a function because of the responsiblities awaiting you at home? As a new mom and as a wife, this is something that I experience almost daily. There is this feeling of guilt and dread that surrounds me when I have to tell someone no.

The people pleaser in me, screams! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! So, I prayed about, tried some things and here is what I have found....

Scenario One- I commit to go see the person, go to the event, etc. anyway.
Conclusion-Frustrated on the day or 2 before, frustrated and rushing the day of, frustrated afterward
                                              =Unhappy Household!

Scenario Two- Don't go and give a long explanation of why it cannot happen.
Conclusion-They ask me the one question that causes me to doubt myself and my daily decision making,"What do you do all day?" They still don't get it.
                                            =Doubt, depressed feelings, rough day
                                            =Unhappy Household
In just these 2 scenarios alone we find that UNHAPPY WIFE=UNHAPPY LIFE!

So here is what I plan to do...

Consider
1-Does this effect my husband, if so, ask him if it is something that he wants to do.
2-Why am I going? Is it out of guilt? Because I generally miss this person?
3-Consider if this is the appropriate time for it or do we need to consider if another time would be more appropriate, SIMPLY take a rain check?

If I based my decision out of guilt, then it is not going to happen. My heart is not in the right place and the those closest to me will suffer (husband, children, even the family dog). My family and well being comes first, not someone else that I am placing my worth in that in a few years may not even be someone I speak to.

The people pleaser in me wants to make everyone happy But that isn't possible, so I need to be the best me that I can be and that starts with being Christ's daughter. I need to choose and acknowledge that my worth is in him and out of that overflow I can BE the best Angelina and fullfil the roles that I am first and foremost called to as Christopher's wife, Israel and Princess' mom.

That is it, that simple. Now, there is way more to this people pleasing stuff that I need to dig deep and deal with BUT for now. I need to acknowledge these situations and ask God to reveal his truth to me and why I am allowing these people to dictate my worth?

Join me on this journey! :)

Labor & Delivery-My Should Have Could Haves

Before having your baby, because there is so much information to overwhelm you before your little one arrives go ahead and right out the top 3-5 things that you consider priority and really spend time learning about those things. I ended up knowing what was important to me and then in the end only focusing and spending most of my time on the things that, in the end, didn't mean the most. Keep your eye on the prize!!!

My list would have went like this.....
1-Pitocin (did not want and now have had a difficult time breastfeeding due to it)
2-Breastfeeding (let too many people tell me that-"oh, who knows if you will even be able to"-haters!)
3-Epidural (could have went without it longer and could have pressed the button less-should have set boundaries before listening to everyone stuck to my guns before going into full steam ahead for one-not to say that I wouldn't have gotten one just that I would have known that the less I pushed the pump for more, the more feeling of pushing that I would have had).
4-The essentials for him (diapering, bedding, stroller, car seat, a few onesies, detergent for him, etc.)
5-Essentials for me/hubby (moby wrap, breast pads, quick dinner ideas, nursing bras, comfortable tops and bottoms, small/quick healthy snacks (since you burn calories, you snack more between feedings), relaxing music, great water bottle(personal water pitcher, GOOD SNACKS FOR HUBBY-HE WAS SO TIRED AND UNDERFED THAT HE ALMOST PASSED OUT), etc.
.

Turned out more like this...
1-Need this, that, and the other for him (everything!!!!!!!!!-I made sure that he had everything-everything that he barely even needs right now)
2-Clean house (messy by 1st day)
3-Organization of his stuff/my apartment (so much of it that forgot where most of it went and was so tired that it didn't matter)
4-Labor pains-techniques for coping
5-Researching when to know when you are in labor (dude, you know!)

You know you and what is important to you- Stick to that. People have plenty of opinions and will continue to even once he is here (they will confuse you-yes, even the medical staff will have opposing opinions and ideas). You were meant to do this, trust the your maker knew your baby and you and placed you together for a reason! Remember that!

!Everything!

Disclaimer: This topic will probably make you feel uneasy and it is meant to because in order to walk in God's freedom and receive the exceedingly, abdundantly, above in your life-you need to hear this!

Every Friday my husband and I sit down and look over our budget because we know that in order to be good stewards over what God has given us we need to account for every dollar that he has placed in our hands. The first 3 things that we go over in our budget are "how much have we brought in, how much did we gross, what is 10% of our gross?"

Are you tracking with me??

So, this morning as my husband goes off to work, I sat down to give our tithe because we believe that God gets his 10% first. There are so many reasons why we do this. We do this because we have seen and we have experienced the Lord as our Jehovah-Jireh: God who Provides. He has provided in so many ways for our household and there has never been a time where we have lacked to the point of being without food, or housing, or anything that the Lord has promised to provide us. God has provided, even when we cannot see how or even when it has made no sense and we still cannot figure out how he did it-where did the surplus come from? How did the bills get paid?

Before I tithed this morning, I wanted to visit the website of the church that we tithe to (our home church)-Elevation Church (Elevationnetwork.com). We have an online site where there are constant sermons and music and so I went to the site to see what God is doing with the very money that belongs to him, that we are privileged to give back into his church. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HE WAS PREACHING ON! It was on giving, and he spoke of these people in Uganda who have nothing but as he spoke God's word were throwing all the money they had at his feet to honor the word of God coming from him and I tell you, I just cried.

God has been so faithful over our giving and he has never never never never not shown up in the midst to provide our needs. He has provided financially and it is so much bigger because his finacnial blessings are nothing in comparison to how I now know him.

I now know God has a trustworthy Father who loves to bless me and loves to pour into me. I know him on a level that most of you will not because you refuse to trust what he says when he says...

"¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:10-12

We have tested him, we have seen him, we now know him because we simply gave him what is already his-our lives and our heart-Everything!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_M0H5nrY8E -Check this out!

Jabez Who?

 Jabez' s prayer is a prayer that you never hear about and yet within 2 quick verses you learn the heart of a man and of a God who can take our broken lives, past, even our name, and create something amazing out of it.

⁹ Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez,^[a] saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” ¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested (1 Chr. 4:9-10., NKJV).

When I first began reading about this verse in a book called "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson I was encouraged and taken aback by the simple truths pointed out in this verse But as I began reading it for myself, something stuck out to me......

"that I may not cause pain!"

It instantly hit me, the connection that is. Here was a man who from birth was given this name that meant something negative. He essentially went his whole existence constantly reminded of what he was/had meant/had been to someone (and not in a good way).

So what about you? What from your past keeps pulling you back, reminding you of what you shouldn't have done, shouldn't have said? For me, it is debt, for someone else it may be a person that you didn't forgive, a bad alliance that you made that cannot be undone. Whatever it is, God is the God of the impossible and can take our broken lives, what the doctor reports, what the world may say, and turn them into miracles.

What is your pain? What bad alliance did you make? I dare you to pray audaciously as Jabez did and ask the Lord to intervene and cause miracles that only he can receive the credit for in Jesus' name. I don't know about you, but I plan to pray this daily over the next few weeks and see God intervene in only ways he can. Prayer and expectation!

Blessings!

:

Waiting On A Promise....

Great reminder on @elevationnetwork.com today..

I got to hear the sermon that I remember hearing on 1/17/11 before God prophesied my husband into my life just a few weeks later. God reminded me in that sermon to make my waiting room my work room by digging a ditch because rain from Heaven was coming. One of his biggest promises to me was on the way. He reminded me to get busy even more so becoming THAT person for THE person that God was preparing me for.

I believe that this sermon is even applicable to my current season of Promise as my son is right now 2.5 weeks away. You see, it is so easy to get busy getting upset about our waiting periods when we are still waiting on that promotion, that great guy/gal, the pregnancy, the freedom from debt, the house, for the diagnosis, etc. I urge you, that while you wait, get busy, stay focused. It is going to take some work on your part, in some situations more than not. And, simply doing what needs to be done may not mean that you have to get up and go go go but pray pray pray, spend time in his word, visiting others, volunteering, attending the conference.

For me, in this moment I simply want to get my house packed, find a cheaper place to live, etc. BUT my body will only allow me to do so much so I am making the choice to get busy praying for my son, for my husband, reading, relaxing, enjoying this part of the season that I am in. Easier said than done but this is where God has me.

So dig, dig deep and allow God to fight in your future on your behalf.

"Ask the Lord for rain in the spring,
for he makes the storm clouds.
And he will send showers of rain
so every field becomes a lush pasture."
Zechariah 10:1 NLT

Where is my time Spent?

"I will seek to devote the best of myself, my time, and my talents to the primary roles the Lord has entrusted to me in this phase of my life."


I will be getting to the other resolutions that I missed shortly but wanted to share this one:

The next resolution in my courageous women's study (for women book) is about Godly priorities...such great timing! There is such peace in acknowledging that this is the season I am in, these are my roles, and although I may want to do this, see this person, go there, here, etc. "there is a time for every season" (Eccl.3:10). God's word brings such peace! No pressure, just walk in obedience and be who and what I have called you to in this time. When the time is right, you'll know.

As women, our roles change so much and so often. And not even our roles, as much as how much we are to dedicate to each of the many roles that we play. In this portion of the resolution book we were asked to color in some boxes, each a different color with the different roles that we have and fill them up (color wise) with the amount of time we dedicate in each of those particular roles/boxes. Pretty neat way of looking back and prayerfully examining which roles are primary and which are not.

Also, great for those like me who realize that although I may not be giving as much to friends/family but I am dedicating a lot of my time (as I am supposed to) to the Lord, my marriage, and my son. Funny thing was, I had forgotten to make myself a box as well. How easy that happens for us women.

With that said, I have decided to dedicate some more time for me. Not necessarily a whole lot of it but enough of it to where I am not left being a leaking, empty cup, but an overflowing vessel (a peaceful one at that).

Go ahead and try this exercise, see what you think, what you find out about yourself. It is pretty eye opening.I promise you, in the end, you will find such peace in embracing God's priorities for your life.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

I've Accepted Jesus But.....

I think one key thing that many believers miss is the face that we come to know Christ believing in him and what he did but there is also the a piece where we fall to our knees and acknowledge that our plans will fail but his plans will not. Where we surrender to his plans, his ways, fully, open and ready to do what he calls us to do, who he calls us to be, where he calls us to go. Why does my life not seem to be changing, why do I not sense his presence in my life? Have you surrendered to his way? Have you decided that whatever it takes, whatever?! It wasn't until I reached that place of surrender on January 17, 2009 that things really started changing. It wasn't until then that the changes started. It has been a journey with some bumps in the road and some mistakes on my part But old sins that I struggled with I am now free of, things/people, sins that I never could seem to be delivered from and would continue to stuggle with-when I surrendered they began to melt away because it is much like Israel Houghton spoke about at church yesterday,

"The atmosphere of expectation is the breeding ground for miracles!" It wasn't until I surrendered to God and stood firm in the belief that, he was going to take me places far better than I could have ever gotten to on my own. Surrender, that is what it is. So, stop fighting for your will and your way and simply surrender to the God who came down to Earth, suffered, died and rose again to set you free. Surrender and walk FULLY in that freedom!

Examples of this surrender in his word..
1-The Surrender of Simon Peter after denying Jesus-  "Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:18-19


2-"¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. ¹⁶ I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

*Lord, I pray today that those of us who have not surrendered and don't understand why things are not seeming to be any different. They don't understand why they accepted you and years later cannot seem to break those old habits and cannot see the miracles that other believers speak of in their lives. I pray today that they get to a place on their faces, bent on their knees, to a place fully open to you and your plans realizing that it their plans are not going to work but that your plans are far greater and they trust you fully in those plans.  I pray that they surrender. In your precious name Jesus! Amen!*

Deep Ditches!

January, 2011 I wrote to a roommate on our fridge "Ask the Lord for rain in the Spring for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture..." Zechariah 10:1. "Dig deep, rain is coming."

I wrote this to her because I heard a sermon and story about Digging a ditch. I was in a season of singleness and a season where I was about to be responsible for paying on my college debts, a season where I had this calling placed on my life finally and I had yet to see how and where that was to transpire because I couldn't see it. The situation didn't call for it.

I felt like Noah when he was given this call to build the ark and he had never seen rain. But it was this day that I specifically remember God saying, "Angelina, dig a ditch. Not just any ditch, but a big ditch because rain is coming." I didn't know in what form it would come, I didn't know what package it would come in. I didn't even know when (at this point).

Then a day or two after my birthday, God told me that I would be married by January 23, 2012. I couldn't believe it, so I asked for a sign of sorts. Welp, after getting one sign, I needed more. So, about an hour and half later, a friend told me that she had a feeling that I would be married by this time next year (it was February 2011).

Welp, I am now married. I dug a big ditch. I spoke it into existence and let everyone know. I worked on getting to know God more and learning to fall in love with him. I even went to see my father, who I had not seen in over a decade and who I thought I had forgiven, I worked on getting healthier, spent time investing in others, and simply got busy digging ditches everywhere. We were married on September 23, 2011 and by July 2, 2012 we will be having our first child-Israel. Which is kind of cool because his name means "one who wrestles with God and man and wins." Israel was a man in the Old testament who fought for his blessings. He dug ditches-not always healthy ones, not until he became Israel.

I tell you all of this because, I am here again. In a different season about to dig some more ditches. And I can say with full confidence, that God will provide rain. He will give you beauty for ashes, He gives the weak power, He gives the faint the ability to walk, He renews our strength! He is a great big God! As you wait on him, dig your ditches! Spend time falling in love with him. I promise, you will mount up with wings as an eagle.

You'll become that parent
You'll have the baby
You'll get that job
You'll become that employee
You'll become that person made for them
You'll meet that person made for you

Just dig a ditch, rain is coming!

Calling, Purpose, and the Mundane

It was like God purposefully brought it all together for my good, for me to become my best. I love that I serve a God that refuses to allow me to be complacent, that wants me to be better, more content and even provides the tools that I need to get there AND ON TOP OF THAT- It is not I that changes me but Him! He does it, I need him to do it, I just follow along and love him, and seek him, and he does it!

Why am I so excited? Well, Resolution #1

"I DO SOLEMNLY RESOLVE to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it.  I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey but will live with a spirit of contentment."

Since I began this journey, which actually began 2 weeks ago, I have read through the chapters for Resolution #1 and while doing so have not been alone. I have been sharing my thoughts with my husband, spending time seeking God for guidance, and trying to make the resolution everyday in the current season of my life. I have heard God say so many things but want to narrow down what he has taught me which can all be summed up by this exerpt- blog post by Amy Carrol….

“Every diaper changed, every knee kissed, every book read, every late night listening, every dying to self, every lesson plan made, every story crafted, every presentation made, every meeting attended, every spreadsheet created, EVERY THING...

It all counted.”   

The words spoke to me like never before and for the first time, I felt so understood, so set free, so content in saying that “this is where am I and I am only here to grow into that woman that God has called me to be, to step into that calling(s) that God has placed on my life. It could all be summed up-Contentment.

I have said it before, I have not arrived. Going from being that woman of discontentment and stepping into that woman of Contentment, meekness, joy in the midst of it all will take some time…BUT, I now have something to look forward to and as I am in the seasons that are not what I would have asked for myself, I can embrace that season expecting and anticpating that it all counts. That all of it is for my good and as I change and grow, I am becoming more of who he wants me to be, stepping that much closer to carrying out the callings that he has placed on my life! So exciting! Yet, so challenging. Yet so right!

1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)- ^“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

*Encourage you to check out this blog post and do the reflect and respond located at the end.

Exerpt from Amy Carrol’s  Blog-Unfolding . Full blog can be found at - http://www.proverbs31.org/devotions/unfolding-2012-04/

The Resolution-Let's Do This!

My husband and I have been so blessed lately to bless some other couples with some great marriage strengthening resources. Before getting one particular resource for the women, I wanted to check into it myself. I never want to pass on something that I have not first experienced. So, here I was with a book by Priscilla Shirer- The Resolution for Women. I had 2 weeks (in my mind) to read it and pass it along.

YEAH RIGHT! Within the first paragraph of chapter one, I put the book down and thought to myself. Awesome, she gets me. Then I share this thought with my husband who so eloquently challenges me with a question that had me wanting to toss the book at his forehead (yeah, the conviction was that strong). Then I hear God speak to me in a way he always does-"he's right my love." Urgh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I read on and Priscilla confirms a fear of mine that I hoped would pass me along unlike it had in my family...I have a problem with being content especially in my current season. I am always looking forward to the next season, the next job, the next financial breakthrough, the next car, the next year, the next the next the next. I needed to learn to be a woman of contentment and thus RESOLUTION #1...

"I DO SOLEMNLY RESOLVE to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it.  I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey but will live with a spirit of contentment."

Over the next few weeks (there goes my goal of finishing in 2 weeks) I plan to spend time reading through each of the book's short 2-3 page chapters (there are about 3-4 per resolution) and see where it takes me. In the end, I expect to have not already arrived to that place of being that Perfect wife, mom, daughter of a King-have to be realistic here BUT I do expect/anticipate a better me-a better wife, a better mom, a better Daughter of the Most High God!

It's time to be that Courageous Woman of God that I am called to be...

The Journey Begins....

Check out the book trailer....http://www.goingbeyond.com/store/books/resolution-women

It's Time!

In scriptures it talks about Christ and what he went through in the Garden before enduring the cross, how difficult it was for him. It was so difficult that scripture tells us that he sweated blood. I don't know about you but I have surely never sweated blood. I have had my share of panic attacks back in the day but sweating blood-never! I've seen my body react to stress in negative ways-yes but never wiped blood from my brow because of what was lying ahead of me.

Have you? Have you ever gotten to the point, waiting on God and enduring so much in the wait that you began to sweat blood? Or, did you give up before you even got to that point. Threw in the towel and said, "you know what? this is too much." If we are honest, at some point or another, we each have. Big or small, some of you have threw in the towel too early, stopped praying for the person in your life that needs a relationship with Christ, gave up on a dream because the cost was too high, stopped being obedient in an area of your life because you couldn't see the purpose in it any longer (why where you still here waiting, being obedient, giving it your all and not seeing what you wanted to see come out of it just yet).

I challenge you to examine those areas in your life, those dreams deferred, that person that you prayed for so diligently one week and then just stopped slowly over time. Did you give up too soon? Were you supposed to simply reexamine what God told you intially and meditate on that? It is so much easier to throw in the towel then to face the reality of ourselves, our situation, or fears. Pick up today where you left off and remember that there was one before you that knew what it meant to go through and he is there with you giving you everything you need to get through this time.

It's time!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Counting the Cost

I made a life changing decision recently that I knew I would one day make but had no idea I would get the opportunity to make so soon. It all started after a conversation that I had with a coworker. We were talking about the things in life that people want and how it often it takes you sacrificing something to have what matters the most to you. Something clicked at that moment and it was then that I realized that God was finally revealing to me what I had been so desperately asking him for-wisdom. So I sat there and considered the cost of making a big decision that I desired to make but it was up to me to decide if it was worth the sacrifice that it was going to take.

You're not always going to get what you want-take this as a blessing and not a curse. If we had everything we wanted, we'd be in some serious trouble. But think about your dreams, your call, your desires. In order to achieve them it is going to take sacrifice. The question is, is what you are hoping for, dreaming about, desiring, worth losing the time you spend with your spouse and your kids, worth losing friends and sometime family over, your favorite car, the large house you live in, etc? It comes at a cost-but so does anything worth fighting for.

Really gets me thinking about God and the sacrifice he made for us, his son. He sacrificed him knowing what they would do to him, knowing that there would still be many who would reject that very sacrifice/that gift. But he loved us so much more. He loved even the few of us that would receive him so much more that he said -you are worth more than the sacrifice. Wow! What love!

To my son Israel who will hopefully get to look back at this post and smile and feel the love that I have for him so much more. My son, you are worth more! Mommy and Daddy love you!

John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Stop Fighting Them!

There is one thing that I have struggled with while working in the childcare field and that is this Passion to see children become their best. It is a struggle because as a childcare provider, I can only do but so much for each child. It is really up to their parents- they are the ones who ultimately set the foundation for these children. There have been so many who do not give their child/their family their best effort and they refuse to see the truth that they are broken and that their children are having to suffer because of it.  It finally got to the point where I would go home crying because I couldn't get these parents to see that what they were doing/not doing. I was tired of seeing children become the broken people that their parents were.

So, what did I do? I asked the Lord for wisdom. Why did it bug me so much and why am I in a place were I can do nothing about it? I asked the right question because a day later God so plainly spoke to me and said
"it's because of the lack in your life as a child. You feel you didn't have  the great examples of a Godly marriage, Godly parents, etc." "You care so much Angelina because you want children and their parents to walk in truth, the truth that has been made so plain to them but that they refuse to follow."

So, my next question for God was-What then do I do?

God's Answer-"Be the example. Be me. Be my light. Embrace your place and STOP FIGHTING FOR YOUR WILL TO BE DONE. It is up to them to choose life or death, truth or lies."

"TRUST ME ANGELINA!" So, I stopped fighting them and began the fight against sin in my own heart and through prayer in theirs. It is not easy to keep quiet, to sit back and watch as people choose to disobey a God who only wants their freedom But I have great confidence in knowing that my God is an all consuming fire and that in the end, his plans are far better and his ways are far better than my own.

One more thing, I will speak up when God allows but until then..to all of the Parents out there that settle for mediocrity and for the temporary pleasures of this sinful world, I will fight for you in my prayers.

Thank you Father for Passion!

Amen!




Security in life is not the promise of another person but the promise of God

Family/Marriage/Parenting Resources..

Wanted to provide some links/resources to some of the things that myself and my husband have found life changing in our marriage (before and during)

1-Family Life -They offer a wonderful marriage conference that my husband and I will be attending April 27-29 called "A weekend to remember"
http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.6703867/k.21D3/Stepping_Up_A_Call_to_Courageous_Manhood.htm

2-Chip Ingram's ministry..great marriage and parenting tools..here is the link to his new message on God's design for a dream marriage
http://livingontheedge.org/home/broadcasts/listen-online-daily.php

3-Focus on the family-Great article on Marriage and dealing with the issue of pornogrpahy and virtual infidelity
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/pornography_and_virtual_infidelity.aspx

4-Focus on the family has tons of broadcasts on issues from infidelity and how to overcome, parenting troubled teens, to divorce, etc.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com

5-Joseph Sangl has great approaches to paying off debt and budgeting amongst other things.
http://www.josephsangl.com/

6-Carol Kent is a woman who has been through a nightmare of a situation with her son and is still overcoming even though she is still in the midst of this. Her story of surrendering her child to Christ is remarkable and inspiring
http://www.carolkent.org/

7-Gayle Haggard is an awesome example of how to forgive your spouse in the darkest hour..here is a link to the interview her and her husband did a few years back at Elevation Church and a link to her page
http://www.elevationchurch.org/sermons/healer/part3
http://www.gaylehaggard.org/

Perfect Spouse, The Perfect friend, The Perfect Father

Many of us grew up without an example of what a healthy marriage looks like, what healthy relationships are and we had to learn and are learning the hard way because of this. This is something that I do not want for my children. The journey of learning through the eyes of God and through trial and error in my own relationships with others and with my spouse though freeing and rewarding in the end, has been tough.

BUT I want my children to be set up for success. I want them to come into a healthy, Godly marriage so that when they meet that someone that God uses to bring them closer to him, they will appreciate it and grow in it that much more. I want the blessing of a healthy marriage for their children and their children's children.

So my question to you is, are you setting your children, the generations after you up for success in marriage, in relationships? Are they learning through your example how to love unconditionally, how to let go of pride and humble themselves, are they learning to speak life into the lives of the others around them, are they learning what it means to sacrifice for the cause of Christ, are they learning how to stand strong when the circumstances look grim, are they learning how to endure when the mountains before them look so high, when the pit feels so lonely and dark?

They are learning, don't get me wrong. But are they learning how to be successful, are they learning God's way or the world's way?

"BUT BUT BUT, I am not perfect. I am never going to be perfect." I get that. We are not called to be perfect now. We wont reach perfection until we are with the Perfect one. But, we are to try (in God's strength) to be all that he has called us to be. This only happens in his strength, in his might, and when we make the decision to learn from and spend time with the Perfect Spouse, The Perfect Friend, The Perfect Father-God.

Let's seek him today, let's press forward, let's stray from complacency because in the end we will, our children will, and our bloodline will reap the harvest.


^"9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galations 6:9-10)

From the Bible to the Classroom

Over the last year, I have noticed more and more one amazingly awesome and simple truth- "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV).

It says it in his word but man oh man, when he reveals it to you up close and personal, it really penetrates deep. I have noticed even more so as I teach the children in my class simple manners and daily truths such as.....

-You only fail if you do not try.
("I can do all this through him who gives me strength"-Phil 4:13)

-When you make bad decisions bad things can happen and those bad things are called consequences; When you make good choices, good things happen.
(Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.- Galations 6:7-8)

-We can help our friends by offering suggestions but we cannot make them do what we want them to do. They need to make the choice.
^("Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor." -Galat. 6:4-6)

-You are special. There is not one person just like you.
("We are God's masterpieces"-Ephes 2:10)

-Keep trying, do not give up so easily. Some things take time
("Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. "-Galations 6:9/"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."- Phil.3:14)

-If you need help, you need to ask for help. I cannot help you if you cannot tell me what's wrong.
("Present your requests to God"-Phil. 4:6b)

-You need to choose to be happy no matter what you feel, it is a choice. But only you can choose how you handle it.
("For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances"-Phil 4:11b)

These are concepts that I teach and implement daily in my classroom and it is so neat to see how God takes these truths and implants them in my mouth during a given situation (it definitely does not come from me). The amazing part is not only seeing these truths being lived out in those 2 year olds but in myself and throughout scripture.

I get the most joy out of it when I get to share what we are learning with their parents-who may or may not know Jesus. I get to plant seeds in their children's lives and in their own because of God's living word. He really does convict hearts, we are just not always aware of it.

Potty Training 101

So, I have heard many different viewpoints on potty training. I would break down the whole process for you BUT there is no one way to do it due to the fact that every child is and will be different. I decided to instead give you some little brief side notes to help you when considering to and when potty training your children....

-If they are fighting you about it, do not force them! Now, this does not mean do not encourage them and try to help them get excited-especially when they are 4 and 5. At this point it may be more of a discipline issue.

-Do not go from diapers to underwear!!!!! This one gets me every time. Pull-ups are a stepping stone so they (1)they do not get used to going potty in their underwear (like diapers) (2) And at this point they are stil learning control. Going in their underwear may cause them to feel guilty and ashamed of themselves
IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU! IT IS ABOUT THEM! GET OVER- "I'M TIRED OF BUYING DIAPERS" & WELCOME TO PARENTHOOD :) - I mean that in love

-Consistency is key, especially if they are in child care. Make sure to try to be as consistent as possible at home and try sticking to using the same methods that the center is using.

-Learning to have a BM on the potty almost always comes last. Do not stress it if this takes a little time.

-No, you do not need to give them physical rewards every time they go potty BUT encourage them. Give them words of affirmation. Come up with a song and dance. Make them proud of themselves and let them know that you are proud.

-Allow them to be independent in this. Let them pull down their own pull-up, pull their pants down, wash their hands, etc. Get them excited about doing things for themselves. This is a big kid step for both you and them. Can't expect them to want to be independent if you are always taking this away from them. Allow them to be confident in their abilties. Then, they will be confident in doing other things.

-Help them out by getting them the pull-ups that they can take off themselves (velcro sides) and pants that they can take off themselves. No onesies please (this for them becomes a hassle and they'll have trouble wanting to go). This goes for when they are in childcare as well-keep the consistency.

-Talk about using the potty when they wake up in the morning before dropping them off at school. Get them excited!

-Let them watch you go potty and ask "do you want to try going potty like mommy and daddy?" Helps when you let the parent of the same sex as the child show them. What child doesn't want to be like mommy and daddy.

-If they are still going pee pee on themselves while you are changing their diapers-they have not yet learned that bladder control. You can still take them to try potty but they are not ready. BUT If you notice your toddler, 2 year old, etc. not going pee pee as often in their diapers this can be great or not so great (either means they have a UTI, etc. OR means that they have learned to hold it and can be totally ready to use the potty!).

-Suggestion-putting a pull-up on at night or during naps is not a bad thing as long as you are checking to see if they are waking up dry. I'd give it about 2 weeks of a dry pull-up consistently and then try allowin them to sleep in their underwear. Help them out though-don't give them tons of liquids before they go off to sleep (you are asking for it fi you do)

-Rule of thumb! I know that everyone loves to look on google and look at research to see what it says and some parents even go to great lengths to do everything that "the research" says- EVERY CHILD IS DIFFERENT! Research can really get you into some trouble and cause unneccesary stress for yourself and your child.

Hope these tips help you in some form or fashion. But remember, every person eventually becomes potty trained so please do not place your stress on them. Stress in potty training on a child is the best way to bring down their self-esteem and leave them feeling ashamed and guilty. We are raising champions, not animals.

Here are some verses to help you along the way..Happy Training!!!!

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 22:6

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Take Possession:RunNTeach

Recently my church home has had a revival going on called codeorangerevival. You can check this out at elevationnetwork.com. There have been amazing speakers from Ed Young to Christine Caine to Jentezen Frankin, and the list goes on. I heard a familiar theme from 2 speakers which keeps ringing in my ear-Take Possession because God wants to do something big and this will not only impact you but it will impact your children and their children even more.

So today, I encourage you to take possession of the land that God has set before you because if you do not, someone else will.  What does RunNTeach have to do with this???????? Great Question..

LET'S RUN THE RACE TO SET OUR CHILDREN UP FOR SUCCESS. LET'S BE OBEDIENT AND DO THE TOUGH STUFF SO THAT WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE READY TO WALK IN ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR THEM, WE ARE NOT THEIR HINDURANCE BUT WE ARE THEIR STEPPING STONE, THEIR LAUNCH PATH...THE PARADIGM SHIFT SO THAT THEY DO NOT LOOK BACK AND SAY "MY PARENT'S DIDN'T DO IT, SO I HAD TO BE THE ONE TO SACRIFICE AND MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS."

Take it from someone who had to be the paradigm shift in her family-it has been a diffifult road overcoming what my parents never overcame. But now I am taking possession of the promise land that God has for me and my family so that my Champions for Christ will look back and say "Thank you Father, that my mother/my father kept their eyes on you and overcame in your strength and power and might!"

Deuteronomy 34:1-9

The Death of Moses

¹ Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, ² all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, ³ the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. ⁴ Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

⁵ And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. ⁶ He buried him^[a] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ⁷ Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. ⁸ The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

⁹ Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit^[b] of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

They'll Grow Out of It!

You know, I here this comment an awful lot from the parents in the child care field- "Oh they's grow out of it one day." They tend to come up with this idea to not sweat the, what they consider, small things such as the use of bad words, hitting, tantrums, rolling of the eyes, etc. Now, do not get me wrong, some things we learn as we grow but every situation in your child's life is an opportunity to learn.

Those tantrums that they throw should not be okay. They are having trouble expressing their emotions. Is this how we want to teach them to express themselves? Or can we use this as an opportunity to teach them how to take deep breathes, relax, use their words, talk to them?

I know, you are tired, do not have the time nor energy BUT how about we raise children who cope effectively in healthy ways because believe me..A two year old can learn how to calm themselves down but taking deep breaths, etc. I teach it in my classroom often.

Let's take time to teach our children and not leave it up to other adults who God only knows, how they handle or express their feelings. Let's take the time to invest in the healthy adults that we want them to be instead of coming up with every excuse why we shouldn't.

Let's Raise Up Champions!

In his Grace!