Quote from Charles Stanley:
"God has created a place in each of our lives that only Jesus can fill, and until He is invited to fill that place, man searches for something that will satisfy his need for love, acceptance, and satisfaction. Mankind turns to what he can sense and know in the physical and natural realm, and his restless search is endless until he invites Jesus to fill his life"
Are you on an endless search? Do you know anyone who is on an endless search? What a sad place to be: on a search with no end, no fulfillment, no promise!
The search ends when you find what you have been searching for! You can rest assured that any person in your life who does not know Him is searching for Him whether they know it or not. They may look at your live and be skeptical and leary, but something deep inside of them hopes you're right. Every other thing they have tried to fill that space has left them empty and searching!
For those of us who have invited him in already, it is a daily conscious effort to keep him in his rightful place: on the throne of our hearts. Whenever I start to feel anxious and unsettled and unfulfilled, I know that I need to return to letting his presence fill my needs!
"For he himself is our peace" Ephesians 2;14
If you need peace, this is where it's found. Search no more.
If you have someone in your life who needs peace, tell them where it can be found so that their search is not endless!
Angela
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Stand
We're doing a series of sermons right now at my church about being up against the wall. I don't feel it's an accident that I just wrote about that! So my ramblings about "the wall" continue". If you've ever been against one, you know exactly what I'm talking about!
The wall can look different for every person: addictions, loved ones being addicted, sickness, emotional or mental illness, financial hardship, relationships, children who make unwise decisions, difficult marriage....the list goes on and on.
As I listened to the sermon yesterday, I sat with my nose pressed against my own wall. Never since Michael was born have I fought hopelessness and helplessness regarding his well being and especially his future like I'm fighting it now.
For a couple of weeks I've been thinking on this passage about Eleazar, one of David's "mighty men":
"Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day."
2 Samuel 23:9-10
The phrase that keeps running through my mind is: "The Lord brought about a great victory that day."
Eleazar stood when others retreated, he was tired and his hand literally froze to his sword. But it was the Lord who brought the victory. It wasn't Eleazar's willpower or physical strength or genius warfare tactics or flawless decisions in the battle that made the difference that day.
For me this is encouraging. I too often think that the solutions I come up with will make the difference. I even look back and wonder what decisions I could have made differently that would have made the difference.
The truth is that we have a Savior who rescues us. He simply rescues us. He rescues when others have pushed us against a wall, when sickness or circumstances beyond our control have driven us there. He rescues even if we've done it all wrong, even if the wall we're against is of our own making!
When our strength is gone we can call out to Him and look to Him for widom and guidance and answers and even miracles!
I hope this is encouraging for you today if your nose is pressed again a wall. For some reason it must bring God glory for me to understand and live in this place. I can tell you with all confidence that God is faithful, He does bring victory.
But you may have to stand when others retreat and you may get tired and to the end of your strength and it may feel like you've got a sword frozen to your hand as you stand! And you just may have to cling to the hope that He is at work in ways you cannot see or imagine when all seems lost!
God is faithful.
May you have courage as you choose hope today!
Angela
The wall can look different for every person: addictions, loved ones being addicted, sickness, emotional or mental illness, financial hardship, relationships, children who make unwise decisions, difficult marriage....the list goes on and on.
As I listened to the sermon yesterday, I sat with my nose pressed against my own wall. Never since Michael was born have I fought hopelessness and helplessness regarding his well being and especially his future like I'm fighting it now.
For a couple of weeks I've been thinking on this passage about Eleazar, one of David's "mighty men":
"Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day."
2 Samuel 23:9-10
The phrase that keeps running through my mind is: "The Lord brought about a great victory that day."
Eleazar stood when others retreated, he was tired and his hand literally froze to his sword. But it was the Lord who brought the victory. It wasn't Eleazar's willpower or physical strength or genius warfare tactics or flawless decisions in the battle that made the difference that day.
For me this is encouraging. I too often think that the solutions I come up with will make the difference. I even look back and wonder what decisions I could have made differently that would have made the difference.
The truth is that we have a Savior who rescues us. He simply rescues us. He rescues when others have pushed us against a wall, when sickness or circumstances beyond our control have driven us there. He rescues even if we've done it all wrong, even if the wall we're against is of our own making!
When our strength is gone we can call out to Him and look to Him for widom and guidance and answers and even miracles!
I hope this is encouraging for you today if your nose is pressed again a wall. For some reason it must bring God glory for me to understand and live in this place. I can tell you with all confidence that God is faithful, He does bring victory.
But you may have to stand when others retreat and you may get tired and to the end of your strength and it may feel like you've got a sword frozen to your hand as you stand! And you just may have to cling to the hope that He is at work in ways you cannot see or imagine when all seems lost!
God is faithful.
May you have courage as you choose hope today!
Angela
Monday, February 6, 2012
Not Lovable
This morning I saw a story on the news about a gorgeous and successful actress who has been hospitalized for depression and anorexia. The news reporter was perplexed. How can someone who "has it all" fall into such despair?
What haunts me from that interview is this quote by the actress from a recent interview:
“I would say what scares me is that I’m going to ultimately find out at the end of my life that I’m really not lovable, that I’m not worthy of being loved. That there’s something fundamentally wrong with me… that I wasn’t wanted here in the first place.”
That should seriously disturb those of us who are aware of the love of Christ for every person.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
I wonder if there are people I pass everyday who feel the same way she does, who just don't know how immensely they are loved and wanted. Why do they feel separated from love? Is it because no one has told them? Is it because no one has shown them that they can be loved unconditionally just as they are?
I'm praying that this beautiful women will discover God's eternal love for her. But I'm also praying that I won't grow cold and unaware of desperate people who need a glimpse of a Christ whose love drove Him to give His very life for them.
I cannot become so content and comfortable in my own sense of God's love for ME that I forget that there are those who do not yet know. And most of them will never walk through the doors of the church, I will have to show them in their world, right where they are.
My son, Brian, recently said to me, "Mom, I don't think Jesus came all this way and went all the way to death so that we could be comfortable."
May we be uncomfortable as long as one person feels unlovable and unwanted!!
Angela
What haunts me from that interview is this quote by the actress from a recent interview:
“I would say what scares me is that I’m going to ultimately find out at the end of my life that I’m really not lovable, that I’m not worthy of being loved. That there’s something fundamentally wrong with me… that I wasn’t wanted here in the first place.”
That should seriously disturb those of us who are aware of the love of Christ for every person.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39
I wonder if there are people I pass everyday who feel the same way she does, who just don't know how immensely they are loved and wanted. Why do they feel separated from love? Is it because no one has told them? Is it because no one has shown them that they can be loved unconditionally just as they are?
I'm praying that this beautiful women will discover God's eternal love for her. But I'm also praying that I won't grow cold and unaware of desperate people who need a glimpse of a Christ whose love drove Him to give His very life for them.
I cannot become so content and comfortable in my own sense of God's love for ME that I forget that there are those who do not yet know. And most of them will never walk through the doors of the church, I will have to show them in their world, right where they are.
My son, Brian, recently said to me, "Mom, I don't think Jesus came all this way and went all the way to death so that we could be comfortable."
May we be uncomfortable as long as one person feels unlovable and unwanted!!
Angela
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Up Against a Wall
I like to write when I am on the other side of a time I needed to see God be faithful and He came through! Today I'm writing in the middle of needing to see God's provision and help.
My Michael's behavior has spun out of control and yesterday I spent most of the day restraining him, talking to doctors, attempting to give him some kind of peace. The docs think it's neurological and we've started meds that should get him to the other side.
What I'm writing about today is being up against a wall, at the end of your own strength, unable to come up with the answers and falling before God and placing all of your hope in Him.
In 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat also found himself in that place. He was told that "a vast army" was coming against him and he knew he could not fight them and win. The Bible says, "Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance."
So instead of quickly gathering the troops and weapons and scheming with officers, he called the people together and fell before the Lord and fasted and prayed. His prayer is beautiful.
First he remember who God is. Then he remembered all that God had done for them in the past. He then presented God with the crisis at hand and said, "We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
The Spirit of the Lord then spoke through a guy named Jahaziel and he said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."
And then amazing things happened and God came through in HUGE ways. Read it!
So I don't know if you've ever been in a place where you look at the challenge or crisis at hand and say, "I think this thing just might kill me!" But if you have, you are in good company. Jehoshaphat and I have been there too. And in the past I, as he, found God to be faithful and able to do what I cannot.
May the God who fights your battles be very near and huge in your life today. And may you find peace in remembering who He is and laying it all at His feet as you place your eyes upon Him!!
Pressing On
Angela
My Michael's behavior has spun out of control and yesterday I spent most of the day restraining him, talking to doctors, attempting to give him some kind of peace. The docs think it's neurological and we've started meds that should get him to the other side.
What I'm writing about today is being up against a wall, at the end of your own strength, unable to come up with the answers and falling before God and placing all of your hope in Him.
In 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat also found himself in that place. He was told that "a vast army" was coming against him and he knew he could not fight them and win. The Bible says, "Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance."
So instead of quickly gathering the troops and weapons and scheming with officers, he called the people together and fell before the Lord and fasted and prayed. His prayer is beautiful.
First he remember who God is. Then he remembered all that God had done for them in the past. He then presented God with the crisis at hand and said, "We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
The Spirit of the Lord then spoke through a guy named Jahaziel and he said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."
And then amazing things happened and God came through in HUGE ways. Read it!
So I don't know if you've ever been in a place where you look at the challenge or crisis at hand and say, "I think this thing just might kill me!" But if you have, you are in good company. Jehoshaphat and I have been there too. And in the past I, as he, found God to be faithful and able to do what I cannot.
May the God who fights your battles be very near and huge in your life today. And may you find peace in remembering who He is and laying it all at His feet as you place your eyes upon Him!!
Pressing On
Angela
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Listen
“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.”
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:39-40a, 41-42
I have been upset and worried about many things lately. I’m not sure why I keep waiting for the day when I have nothing to be worried and upset about, or a day when there aren’t preparations that have to be made. I can relate to Martha.
But Jesus didn’t seem bothered that Martha was busy or getting things done. The words that stuck out to me as I read this morning were: listening and distracted.
Mary was listening and Martha was distracted. Jesus didn’t address the fact that one was sitting and one was preparing. He seems more concerned about that fact that Martha was worried and upset and distracted and Mary was peaceful and paying attention to what he was saying.
I try to have a regular quiet time. But I’ll be honest, it doesn’t happen every day! I can’t always pause life to sit quietly to listen.
But I CAN listen. I can determine not to let what worries me DISTRACT me from who my Savior is and the peace and wisdom he gives in the midst of all of my preparations. Today as I do what the day presents to me, I am going to try to listen. I’ll listen as I cook, as I drive, as I clean, as I answer emails, as I wait to see doctors with my son, etc.
And the peace and strength he gives as I listen cannot be taken away from me.
Let’s face it, laundry and dishes have to be done, little runny noses have to be wiped, appointments have to be kept, work has to be done! But in it all there is a Savior who is nearer than our next breath and longs to give perspective and peace!
The question is: Are we listening?
Angela
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:39-40a, 41-42
I have been upset and worried about many things lately. I’m not sure why I keep waiting for the day when I have nothing to be worried and upset about, or a day when there aren’t preparations that have to be made. I can relate to Martha.
But Jesus didn’t seem bothered that Martha was busy or getting things done. The words that stuck out to me as I read this morning were: listening and distracted.
Mary was listening and Martha was distracted. Jesus didn’t address the fact that one was sitting and one was preparing. He seems more concerned about that fact that Martha was worried and upset and distracted and Mary was peaceful and paying attention to what he was saying.
I try to have a regular quiet time. But I’ll be honest, it doesn’t happen every day! I can’t always pause life to sit quietly to listen.
But I CAN listen. I can determine not to let what worries me DISTRACT me from who my Savior is and the peace and wisdom he gives in the midst of all of my preparations. Today as I do what the day presents to me, I am going to try to listen. I’ll listen as I cook, as I drive, as I clean, as I answer emails, as I wait to see doctors with my son, etc.
And the peace and strength he gives as I listen cannot be taken away from me.
Let’s face it, laundry and dishes have to be done, little runny noses have to be wiped, appointments have to be kept, work has to be done! But in it all there is a Savior who is nearer than our next breath and longs to give perspective and peace!
The question is: Are we listening?
Angela
Thursday, January 12, 2012
For Jen !!
"Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means "the stone of help"), for he said, 'Up to this point the Lord has helped us!'" 1 Samuel 7:12
As the holidays approached this year, I felt especially exhausted and down. I finally wrote out all that happened in 2011 and I understood why! We had a year packed with actvity; challenges and celebrations.
It is easy for me to get focused on the challenges in my life. It may be more accurate to say that I even panic at times. In the Old Testament, God often had His people hit the pause button on life, stop and REMEMBER. They would stand before the next challenge, often something that they knew might wipe them out, and remember how God had been faithful to them in the past. Remembering gave them faith and hope for what they were facing. They remembered who their God was and how He had provided for them before.
As the holidays approached this year, I felt especially exhausted and down. I finally wrote out all that happened in 2011 and I understood why! We had a year packed with actvity; challenges and celebrations.
It is easy for me to get focused on the challenges in my life. It may be more accurate to say that I even panic at times. In the Old Testament, God often had His people hit the pause button on life, stop and REMEMBER. They would stand before the next challenge, often something that they knew might wipe them out, and remember how God had been faithful to them in the past. Remembering gave them faith and hope for what they were facing. They remembered who their God was and how He had provided for them before.
I keep a little stone on my desk. It's my "Ebenezer stone". It reminds me that up to this day, God has been faithful to me. I have absolutely no right to panic and carry on as if God didn't have me in the palm of His hand and will continue to be faithful to me, just has He has in the past!
2012 looks it could hold many challenges; things that without God's help could overwhelm us! But I'm pausing and remembering all that He has done for us in the past and celebrating that "up to this point the Lord has helped us".
I pray that you too will be aware of His faithfulness to you and will remember all that He has done for you! I pray that remembering will give you peace and hope, regardless of the challenges that come your way!
Happy New Year!
Angela
ps...my friend Jen is now going to remind me every Thursday to update my blog!! Thanks Jen!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
I Get It!
Psalm 68:6
God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like I often “get” what God’s up to. Most of the time I am choosing to trust Him in spite of not really understanding. Many times I “think” I know, only to get to a point and realize that He was up to something totally different than I thought!
Yesterday was one of those few times where we got a glimpse and really understood for a moment what He was doing…..and it was GOOD!
I first saw Marida when she was walking down the street with her mom near the house we had just moved into. I’m not sure what happened as I sat at the stop sign and watched them walk, but something happened. I felt drawn to her and said to the Lord, “please send people to love that sweet young lady.” I knew nothing about her life, but felt connected to her instantly and could feel that she must have pain in her life. Melissa felt it too. She was in the car with me and as we sat there for that minute or so, she said, “Mom, what do we do?” We decided to pray for this girl and her mom, so as we drove away Melissa prayed out loud for them.
A few weeks later I went to the hospital because a nurse called the church and asked for someone to visit this family. I walked into the room and there was Marida, only this time her mom was in a hospital bed fighting for her life.
When her mom died a few weeks later, Marida was all alone in the world. We started doing as much as she’d let us do for her; laundry, a meal here and there, she started going to church with us, etc. Finally the day came when she moved in and she instantly became part of our family.
In the 2 years since then, Marida has graduated from high school with honors, been accepted to a 6 year medical school, gotten severe scoliosis corrected (which included 12 weeks in the hospital and 2 major surgeries), started college, and grown in her faith. We feel like we have been privileged to have a front row seat to see God working in her life!
Yesterday we stood before a judge and she changed her name to Marida Beise! As I thought back to that day when she was walking down the street with her mom, I realized that God answered my prayer. Our entire extended family adores her and loves her as if she’d been one of ours all along.
When I prayed that prayer, I had no idea that God would allow us to love her and to be loved and blessed by her!
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