Recently, I was listening to the CD People Need the Lord by Steve Green, and the song The Mission began to play. It has been a long time since I had listened to this CD, so I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. I love the words to The Mission, and thought I would share them with you:
"There's a call going out across the land in every nation
A call to all who swear allegiance to the cross of Christ.*
A call to true humility, to live our lives responsibly,
To deepen our devotion to the cross at any price.
"Let us then be sober moving only in the Spirit,
As aliens and strangers in a hostile foreign land.
The message we're proclaiming is repentance and forgiveness.
The offer of salvation to the dying race of man.
(chorus)
"To love the Lord our God Is the heartbeat of our mission,
The spring from which our service overflows.
Across the street or around the world,
The mission's still the same:
Proclaim and live the truth in Jesus' name.
"As a candle is consumed by the passion of the flame,
Spilling light unsparingly throughout a darkened room,
Let us burn to know Him deeper, then our service flaming bright,
Will radiate His passions and blaze with holy light."
~ Written by Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis
*I put in all of the punctuation in order to facilitate reading it.
As I listened to these words being sung, I almost got goosebumps from the challenging they presented! The author of this song doesn't beat around the bush as to who this "call" is for: this call is for "all who swear allegiance to the cross of Christ"! Very staightforward and right to the point, isn't it? This not just for anyone. However, on the other hand, it also isn't just for those who are called to be a pastor or a missionary or any other full-time Christian service; no, this is for all who claim to follow the cross and claim the One Who died on it to be their Savior! If you and I hold to the message of the Cross, this call is for you and me!
The mental picture that the final stanza depicts gives a new angle as to how I am to live my Christian life: am I so passionate about God that my life is literally consumed by it? Does my whole life revolve around my love and passion for Him? Do I unashamedly spill my light in the midst of this world darkened by the shadow of sin? Am I deliberate about this, or is it simply by chance that my light is ever even seen by the world?
As you can see, this song is packed with meaning. How have you responded to this call that God gives to every believer?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"Sharing God's Gift"
"Sharing God's Gift" -- that is the name of the class at church that I will begin on Saturday. As you may have already figured out, it is on sharing God's Gift--the Gospel, the Good News of Salvation! I received yesterday the material we will be going through, and have briefly looked through it. Please be praying for me throughout the next ten weeks--this is definitely one area that I need to work on! I know that God has commanded us to share His great Gift of Love with those around us, but oh how difficult that is for me to do! Yet I don't want to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! I know, because of what Christ has done for me, I have every reason to be bold, every reason to be on fire to share the Gospel, but instead, I have allowed my human nature of fear to overcome such motivations. Consequently, God has been working in my heart and convicting me of my failure to share the Gospel, so when the opportunity to take this class arose, I felt that God was telling me to do it, even though it is definitely out of my comfort zone! Please pray that I will stop relying on my own strength to obey this great commandment Jesus gave and instead, begin trusting in Him, and Him alone, to give me the boldness and confidence to reach out to those who have yet to hear of His wonderful Plan for sinful mankind!
In Him,
Angie
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Discontent? Who, me?
Wow! Are you surprised that I'm posting again already? Well, I wasn't really thinking I would post again so soon either, but. . . I just had to!
Sunday School this morning was really good--it was exactly what I was needing. You see, it was on the subject of discontentment. Lately, I've really been struggling with that--while I'm glad that I'm back in the US, things are just a lot different than they are back in Brazil. I've been complaining (in my heart) to God about all those things that are different and wishing that things would be different; that I could be back in Brazil, or even better, that I could have "the best of the two worlds." Those who have been around me recently probably haven't noticed anything, but those feelings were all there inside of me: I really was, in all honesty, discontent with where God has put me, for the place in my life that I am now, and just a lot of other things.
As the video session by Jim Berg that we're going through in Sunday School played, I began to realize the truth of what he was saying. My discontentment is a result of my unbelief of Who God is; I been allowing those many "if onlys . . ." to resound in my heart and to create a desire for something I don't have or a change of circumstances. Something he said that really stood out to me was that if God is enough for me, I won't be tempted to be discontented! That is, if I really, truly, and honestly believe that God is everything that I need, then no matter where I am, what I have, or who I am with, etc., I can always be content! I already have everything I need! And you know, he also pointed out that you really cannot be tempted by what you don't want or desire! Isn't that wonderful to know? Now, the only catch to it all is that I now need to live it out in my life!
Wanting to truly live out the truth that God is everything I need,
Angie
Sunday School this morning was really good--it was exactly what I was needing. You see, it was on the subject of discontentment. Lately, I've really been struggling with that--while I'm glad that I'm back in the US, things are just a lot different than they are back in Brazil. I've been complaining (in my heart) to God about all those things that are different and wishing that things would be different; that I could be back in Brazil, or even better, that I could have "the best of the two worlds." Those who have been around me recently probably haven't noticed anything, but those feelings were all there inside of me: I really was, in all honesty, discontent with where God has put me, for the place in my life that I am now, and just a lot of other things.
As the video session by Jim Berg that we're going through in Sunday School played, I began to realize the truth of what he was saying. My discontentment is a result of my unbelief of Who God is; I been allowing those many "if onlys . . ." to resound in my heart and to create a desire for something I don't have or a change of circumstances. Something he said that really stood out to me was that if God is enough for me, I won't be tempted to be discontented! That is, if I really, truly, and honestly believe that God is everything that I need, then no matter where I am, what I have, or who I am with, etc., I can always be content! I already have everything I need! And you know, he also pointed out that you really cannot be tempted by what you don't want or desire! Isn't that wonderful to know? Now, the only catch to it all is that I now need to live it out in my life!
Wanting to truly live out the truth that God is everything I need,
Angie
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas!!
Wow! It is Christmas already! It seems like this year just started, and here it is, Christmas Eve! Here are a few pictures of a new experience for us kids--the last time I saw snow was 12 years ago, and my brother had never seen it before now! So. . .of course, when it snowed a few inches, we had to take some pictures! :)
Snow balls!
Mom and Dad
Jared loved making snow angels in the snow!
"The Kids"
The snowman Jared has always dreamed of making!
The lights down at the Plaza in Kansas City. . .
It has been fun to have friends over during this special season!
Last weekend, my family and I also had the opportunity to help with the Christmas Dinner/ Theater at Avondale Baptist Church, one of our supporting churches. We helped make dinner for almost 300 people, peeling and cutting up 100 lbs. of potatoes for mashed potatoes, washing and tearing lettuce for salad, putting the salad on individual plates, and on the list goes! It was a lot of work, but it really was fun to serve others!
Tearing all that lettuce--what you see in the bowl isn't even half of what we had to do!
Putting it all together on the plates. . .
All ready. . .
Jared having fun pretending to be a waiter! :)
The final product, after many hours of work, ready to be devoured!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Angie
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Table for Two
He sat by himself at a table for two.
The uniformed waiter returns to his side and asks, "Would you like to go ahead and order, sir?" The man has, after all, been waiting since seen o'clock --almost half an hour. "No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer. How about some more coffee?"
"Certainly, sir."
The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centerpiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sounds of light chatter, inkling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He is dressed in sport coat and tie. His dark brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists on dropping to his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean-cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. Yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make others fell at ease with him. Still, he sits alone.
The waiter returns to fill the man's coffee cup. "Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"
"No, thank you."
The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosty. "I don't mean to pry, but. . . " His voice trails off. This line of conversation cdould jeopardize his tip.
"Go ahead," the man encourages. His voice is strong, yet sensitive, inviting converstaion.
"Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restauant other evenings, always paitiently alone. Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isn't acting much like it. She's stood you up three times just this week."
The man winces, and looks down at the table. "Yes, I know."
"Then why do you still come here and wait?"
"Cassie said that she would be here."
"Shes's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?"
Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."
The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the man again., The man slowly pours cream into his coffee. He twirls his spoon between his fingers a few times before stirring sweetener into his cup. After staring for a moment into the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him. He doesn't look crazy, the man admits. Maybe the girl has qualities that I don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musings to take an order from a party of five.
The man watched the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats. . . anything, really. He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much he loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. He sips sporadically at the coffee, and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping that she will arrive.
The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the man's table. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
The still empty chair stabs at the man. "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?"
"Yes, sir."
When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and sighs. He has enought money to have given Cassie a feast. But he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of coffee and the tip. Why do you do this, Cassie, his mind cries as he gets up from the table.
"Good-bye," the waiter says, as the man walks towards the door.
"Good night. Thank you for your service."
"You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide.
The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time ihe and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks.
"Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms.
"That's right," the man replies
"Do you think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the man many times alone at his table for two.
"Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulders are huched, but through the windows the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched against the wind or against the man's hurt.
As the man turns toward home, Cassis turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her nightstand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself. 7:00, it says. Spend some time in prayer. [Shucks], she thinks. She forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed that time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray toomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her.
And she's sure He doesn't mind.
~By Wayne Rice, from Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks, from the book Stories for the extreme teen's heart.
I think this little story pretty much explains itself. When I read it, it gave a very vivid illustration of how God must feel when I put off spending time with Him in personal devotions and prayer. I hope this story has encouraged and challenged you as it did me, as I know it is much too easy to think "Tomorrow I'll do it--twice as long even, to make up for yesterday." No! God wants to spend time with me today and tomorrow, and everyday of my life, not just once in a while!
Pressing onward,
Angie
The uniformed waiter returns to his side and asks, "Would you like to go ahead and order, sir?" The man has, after all, been waiting since seen o'clock --almost half an hour. "No, thank you," the man smiles. "I'll wait for her a while longer. How about some more coffee?"
"Certainly, sir."
The man sits, his clear blue eyes gazing straight through the flowered centerpiece. He fingers his napkin, allowing the sounds of light chatter, inkling silverware, and mellow music to fill his mind. He is dressed in sport coat and tie. His dark brown hair is neatly combed, but one stray lock insists on dropping to his forehead. The scent of his cologne adds to his clean-cut image. He is dressed up enough to make a companion feel important, respected, loved. Yet he is not so formal as to make one uncomfortable. It seems that he has taken every precaution to make others fell at ease with him. Still, he sits alone.
The waiter returns to fill the man's coffee cup. "Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"
"No, thank you."
The waiter remains standing at the table. Something tugs at his curiosty. "I don't mean to pry, but. . . " His voice trails off. This line of conversation cdould jeopardize his tip.
"Go ahead," the man encourages. His voice is strong, yet sensitive, inviting converstaion.
"Why do you bother waiting for her?" the waiter finally blurts out. This man has been at the restauant other evenings, always paitiently alone. Says the man quietly, "Because she needs me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Well, sir, no offense, but assuming that she needs you, she sure isn't acting much like it. She's stood you up three times just this week."
The man winces, and looks down at the table. "Yes, I know."
"Then why do you still come here and wait?"
"Cassie said that she would be here."
"Shes's said that before," the waiter protests. "I wouldn't put up with it. Why do you?"
Now the man looks up, smiles at the waiter, and says simply, "Because I love her."
The waiter walks away, wondering how one could love a girl who stands him up three times a week. The man must be crazy, he decides. Across the room, he turns to look at the man again., The man slowly pours cream into his coffee. He twirls his spoon between his fingers a few times before stirring sweetener into his cup. After staring for a moment into the liquid, the man brings the cup to his mouth and sips, silently watching those around him. He doesn't look crazy, the man admits. Maybe the girl has qualities that I don't know about. Or maybe the man's love is stronger than most. The waiter shakes himself out of his musings to take an order from a party of five.
The man watched the waiter, wonders if he's ever been stood up. The man has, many times. But he still can't get used to it. Each time, it hurts. He's looked forward to this evening all day. He has many things, exciting things, to tell Cassie. But, more importantly, he wants to hear Cassie's voice. He wants her to tell him all about her day, her triumphs, her defeats. . . anything, really. He has tried so many times to show Cassie how much he loves her. He'd just like to know that she cares for him, too. He sips sporadically at the coffee, and loses himself in thought, knowing that Cassie is late, but still hoping that she will arrive.
The clock says nine-thirty when the waiter returns to the man's table. "Is there anything I can get for you?"
The still empty chair stabs at the man. "No, I think that will be all for tonight. May I have the check please?"
"Yes, sir."
When the waiter leaves, the man picks up the check. He pulls out his wallet and sighs. He has enought money to have given Cassie a feast. But he takes out only enough to pay for his five cups of coffee and the tip. Why do you do this, Cassie, his mind cries as he gets up from the table.
"Good-bye," the waiter says, as the man walks towards the door.
"Good night. Thank you for your service."
"You're welcome, sir," says the waiter softly, for he sees the hurt in the man's eyes that his smile doesn't hide.
The man passes a laughing young couple on his way out, and his eyes glisten as he thinks of the good time ihe and Cassie could have had. He stops at the front and makes reservations for tomorrow. Maybe Cassie will be able to make it, he thinks.
"Seven o'clock tomorrow for party of two?" the hostess confirms.
"That's right," the man replies
"Do you think she'll come?" asks the hostess. She doesn't mean to be rude, but she has watched the man many times alone at his table for two.
"Someday, yes. And I will be waiting for her." The man buttons his overcoat and walks out of the restaurant, alone. His shoulders are huched, but through the windows the hostess can only guess whether they are hunched against the wind or against the man's hurt.
As the man turns toward home, Cassis turns into bed. She is tired after an evening out with friends. As she reaches toward her nightstand to set the alarm, she sees the note that she scribbled to herself. 7:00, it says. Spend some time in prayer. [Shucks], she thinks. She forgot again. She feels a twinge of guilt, but quickly pushes it aside. She needed that time with her friends. And now she needs her sleep. She can pray toomorrow night. Jesus will forgive her.
And she's sure He doesn't mind.
~By Wayne Rice, from Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks, from the book Stories for the extreme teen's heart.
I think this little story pretty much explains itself. When I read it, it gave a very vivid illustration of how God must feel when I put off spending time with Him in personal devotions and prayer. I hope this story has encouraged and challenged you as it did me, as I know it is much too easy to think "Tomorrow I'll do it--twice as long even, to make up for yesterday." No! God wants to spend time with me today and tomorrow, and everyday of my life, not just once in a while!
Pressing onward,
Angie
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Family Vacation--Branson, MO
Ok, so maybe that wasn't my last post before I leave for Texas.... I figured I had to at least post a few pictures of what I've been doing this last week, so here goes!
Eating supper the second night--we were able to stay at a resort right by a lake.
This is in front of the "Sight & Sound Theater" where we went to the "Noah the Musical" drama. Isn't this building incredible??
I love this picture with the lion and the lamb.... there was another one that had Jesus with the little children that I wanted to get a picture of, but didn't. :(
Just before it started--This was just a small part of the stage! The whole thing came around us on the two sides! It was amazing!! If you've never seen it, you really should! The most incredible part of it was how at the end, they then clearly gave the Gospel--linking how "as in the days of Noah, so it is now" and sharing how Jesus is the Only Door to Salvation!
Silver Dollar City--Melissa and Jared pulling themselves up to the top
Lost River ride--it was pretty fun, even though I did get soaked!
Ok, this ride was pretty extreme--we were spinning on this thing while going on a roller-coaster type rail that was only like a half-moon! Kind of scary!
I don't know what they did here, but this was all the straighter that we could stand! Crazy, huh? :)
Family picture
On the tram heading to the parking lot--I rather like this picture. :)
Totally soaked after the "American Plunge" (see next picture :D)
the great American Plunge Melissa convinced me to go on!!!
Pretty much tired out after a day of walking and going on rides!
A little shop at Silve Dollar City...It was amazing to see how many places clearly gave the Gospel, even in this day where you aren't allowed to hardly even mention God's name in public!
Waiting for "The Shepherd of the Hills" to begin...it wasn't as good as we thought it would be. :(
Finally, the view outside our dining room window.
Well, this is my final post before I leave, so may God bless each one of you!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
EXCEL 31--here I come!!
Well, the time is almost here, the days are counting down. Texas and EXCEL 31 is almost a reality! :) On Monday, Patrice and I will be flying down to Texas to atten EXCEL and embark on a new adventure! (If you want to know more about it, read some of my previous posts.) Mainly, the reason I'm writing this all is to let you know that I won't have any access to a computer or internet, and thus be unable to post anything here to update you on what is going on in my exciting life. :) So...unless I find the time to post again before Monday morning, this will be all until the middle of November, at the soonest! I will try to tell you all about it though, once I get home.
Until then,
Angie
Until then,
Angie
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