Do you want to see something super cool about the return of Christ... ok, you have to read through this entire blog... to get the full effect. This is one of the things that was shown to me at the Woman's retreat at Christian Outreach last night... it's crazy good!!!

First..... let's read this scripture. It's from 2 Peter 3.

The Day of the Lord
3 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Now focus on 2 Peter 3: 8 - But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day...

Mathematically, we've gone through 2014 years since Christ's death and resurrection right?

So if 1000 yrs = 1 day and 2000 yrs = 2 days .....

We are currently in the 3rd day.....

Do you remember what happened on the 3rd day with Christ???

He Rose!


I shared the picture from http://bigcsshop.hubpages.com/hub/easter-christian-poetry I thought it was cool.

One thing is for sure is if you are reading my blog, you are reading my real life journey with Christ, and life, right now, as I am.  I am unable to share things with you that either I haven't experienced or I don't have passion about.  I'm not a Pastor, I'm not a famous Label, I'm just Ang, with all the labels I provided, I'm still just Ang.  I'm me because I have things that I can share with you to inspire you as an ordinary everyday person.  

Your answer to life is always "Keep your eyes on the cross"  "Love everyone" "Trust Jesus" and you won't have problems.

I have to be honest, sometimes I get a snotty attitude when I hear that, because that's all great until the issues come, because God never said you wouldn't have trials.  There are real life actions, thoughts, emotions, yes emotions,  struggles, circumstances, not to mention Satan, whose only purpose is to destroy your very being.  Oh, and to add to it, God also didn't say you would handle trials perfectly, but He did say He would never leave you or forsake you.

Sometimes the common answers that fix everything looks really messy.  Well, at least if you are me they do.  If you not me, you may think my blog is silly.  Don't worry each day I am learning, but I will never be perfect, so you might see a lot of real life drama until then.  It might even look like one of those tabloid journals.  

So what do we do?  Do we allow ourselves the ability to be transparent in front of others, knowing they are going to say whatever they want anyway.  I don't know, that's up to you.  It's the scariest thing I know.  But I say it's worth a shot.  Keeping it real, so others can also.

One of the most exciting thoughts I had when I wrote my book is "what if it had "NEW YORK'S #1 BEST SELLERS" on the cover.  I could help millions of people.  Even at a dollar a book a million copies could get me out of debt!  A lady prophesied over me at church one day, she said, "I believe you are going to lead many married couples to the alter"  I have no idea who she was and I thought it was strange because it was right after I felt God told me I was going to be writing books.  And...Tony and I were in the middle of the process of healing from a broken marriage...this was exciting news and must be true!!!

One of the worst things I thought of it what if someone misunderstands something, or they hate my book.  I would be devastated.  I don't think I would ever write again.

What one do you suppose happened?  I will give you a hint, New York has no idea who I am, and perhaps that's a good thing.  :)

Sometimes when God calls you, you and He might have a different idea of what it looks like.  I know that's what happened with me.  I told my boys to promise me that if I ever said anything again about quitting what I felt God called me to do, they were to remind me that it was God's plan, and no matter what my eyes see, or what emotions I go through, it's for the people that God wants to bless,  that I carry on.  

My point, don't worry about what you look like doing the things that you feel led to do.  You will have people that don't believe in you.  I bet there is only 5 of my family members that ever bought my book, I bet there is only 5 of my church family that did.  It was strangers that purchased it, and responded positively...sometimes when you believe in something, others don't.  Who cares!  Sometimes you have to buy copies of your own book to share with others...if you believe in it, then you believe in it.  Some people believe in stuff that I'd never promote....You only have maybe 100 years to live if you're lucky make it worth something for you and God.  Put your mark on the world, try to make it a better place than when you got here.  Maybe I don't even know how to write, or even what I'm talking about, but I know I want to encourage.

Do you remember Moses...I know right the one that PARTED THE SEA...yeah that Moses.... remember how he got his start?

4 Moses objected, “They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to him? Hardly!’”

...

10 Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”

11-12 God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”

13 He said, “Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!”

The Message Exodus 4:4-13 (5-9 left out)

2-4 Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!

5-6 Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don’t these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God.

I find a lot of things about today and this reading interesting.  Take a look at what we are doing in our life to try to live right for God, or to try to please Him.  We try to please Him all the time, like He was some sort of abusive or absentee Father that we are trying to get his attention.  After awhile of not getting anywhere, being good enough or trying hard enough, we find we are spinning our wheels and at this point, many people fall away and give up because no matter what they do they can't please God with their busy actions.  

Take my writing, for example, it is my ministry, the only way I know how to reach people for Christ.  If it fails, am I a failure?  Well, if I'm doing it for the purpose of trying to please God, I am.

I know that sounds crazy, and a little off track.  Don't take my entire post out of context, just bare with me.

Remember when Jesus told Peter to get out of the boat and walk on water.  Do you suppose he did it because he wanted Peter to see how great he was so that he could boast.  Or do you suppose that there was an element there for him to be able to walk on water.  Peter just simply had to trust God and the action followed.  The moment He looked at himself and his circumstances, he sunk.  

Have you ever sunk?  Was it because you had the cart before the horse.  Were you trying to please God to get his love?  What would have happened if you knew God loved and called you to something and you simply did it, knowing that, instead of worrying about the outcome?  Would you continue to follow through even if you didn't see any results?

23-24 Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.

25-27 But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.

From Galatians Chapter 3 (The Message) 2-6 & 23-27

Thomas Greg Bearson

According to the Fargo, ND online INFORM, we have a missing boy in our area.  I wanted to get it out there, and ask you to lock arms with me, for prayer for all those involved. Anyone with any information is asked to call the NDSU Police Department at 701-231-8998 or text-a-tip at 701-526-6006.

God, we are asking for a safe return and location for this boy.  We thank you that you are directing authorities to his whereabouts swiftly.  Thank you that you are with him during this time to protect and keep him.  Thank you that you are with his family to comfort them through their fears.

In Jesus name we pray
Amen

http://www.inforum.com/content/ndsu-asks-help-search-missing-first-year-student

Did I ever share with you what direction and/or purpose the Wisdom For Inspired Living (WFIL) Website was to be used for?  I wonder if I shared with you my heart on that?  I tried to bring it to life in the few home pages for you, but if you know me, I trial and error my way through a lot of things.  I am sure you know by now, although I love to write, I am not the perfect grammar police.  You've probably seen that by now and found several mistakes.  If you do, please send me a message, post it on WFIL's Facebook page, I love the interaction and correcting me on grammar doesn't hurt my feelings one bit.  Most people have an editing staff.  I just have me.

Acts 20:35
New King James Version (NKJV)
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. 
And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”




OK Here's how this FREE Contest works:
1) I have purchased 10 copies of my own book to sign and give away.
2) Go to WisdomForInspiredLiving Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wisdom-For-Inspired-Living/654941657913907
3) As of September 20, 2014,  I currently have 86 likes on my Facebook WFIL page.  My goal is 1000 by January 1, 2015.  
4) When each milestone of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, likes are reached, be the 1st to post on the Wisdom For Inspired Living Facebook Page "ANG YOU REACHED (#) of likes!"
5) If you are the first to post this on WFIL FB page, right after each hundred milestone, you get to choose, anyone of your choice, who you feel needs prayer and encouragement. 
6) I will write in and sign a copy of my book and mail it to them FREE of charge, with a note that you asked me to bless them.

Ways you can support others for FREE!!!
1) Tell others about WFIL FB page, ask them to "like" the page.
2) Share God Moments blog posts on your page of blogs that encouraged you.
3) Share inspirational comments from the WFIL page with your friends who need encouragement.
3) Share testimonies on WFIL FB page of your God Moments
4) Encourage others to share prayer needs, pray for one another on the WFIL page

Together we can encourage others, one life at a time!!!

I don't have a big house, fancy cars, or a pocket full of money, but I wish I had less.

My husband and I started out at his Mom and Dad's home so that I could go to school for Legal Secretary.  I wanted to be a lawyer, but we didn't have the money, and I simply wanted to be in the legal field.  I was a girl anyway and wanted to get married so the schooling would have just been in the way.  I looked at my class ring the other day and the only picture I choose was of a man and a woman looking into the sunset with the word "memories".  Which seems to be the theme to my life.

As young couple's do, we got a credit card and since we had credit, we used it.  My husband bought me my first "word processor".  From there we began Christmas shopping for the expensive gifts for the family members, that we couldn't afford, but had credit so we did it anyway.  Then we bought our very own run down house and we started remodeling with the credit card so that it was nice like everyone else's.  From there I wanted to own my own bar because bars are fun, and since I couldn't get a loan, I used my credit card.  I just put you through 13 years of my life in one paragraph and I don't think I have a single thing I just mentioned, but I guarantee you, I'm still making the payments for those things I no longer have.

Now we are smarter, we spend a whole lot less, and do a whole lot less, not because we want to, but because debt has forced us too.  I refuse to file bankruptcy, so we keep pecking away at that huge mountain, and there are days it seems like it is Everest.  The challenge of all challenges, taking one step at a time through frozen ground and days needing oxygen just to breathe some days.

I've tried all sorts of ideas that seemed to fail, or I gave up to get ahead.  I've spent hours and days and years trying to figure out how to recover.   I've lived without, I've cried, I've believed in something more, I've believed in a whole lot less.  I've put up with things in jobs I normally would not have if I didn't have to, and I've stuck it out because I had no choices, I had to keep going to try to get on top of Mount Everest.

At the end of the day, I look back and realize how much debt has impacted our lives.  We've lived far below amazing standards.  We are limited to what we can do and where we can go.  We might be seen as "cheap" these days because we refuse to go backwards.  Debt has been a prison that we have learned to live in, and it has no open doors, no freedom.

I wish I would never had tried to keep up with the Jones.  I wish I knew they had family that handed everything over to them.  It's robbed me of joy, of time, of peace and of life.  We live in a world that you can't take a step forward without money.  People are killing for it... and for what?  To have things instead of memories?

I think about Elvis a lot.  I think about what a lonely man he must have been in the end.  He had fame and fortune, he had women screaming for him, he was "adored" by millions, he had it all, even a family...but in the end, he was so lonely, he must have felt he had nothing. Abused prescription drugs to quiet the voices.  I wonder if he simply needed Jesus?

I remember writing my first book and thinking it was the answers to all my financial problems and all my spiritual problems.  It was neither.  Matter of fact, it costs money to write a book and guess where the money came from?  Yep the dreaded credit card.  Regardless, it was a way to help someone through depression, through adultery, through painful times, and I felt like it was my way to hold someone's hand to get them through.  I've had countless emails, messages, letters and phone calls to tell me that is what my story did, and that is far better than gold.

John the Baptist didn't have anything.  He wore camel skin for clothes, and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.  I wonder if he wanted to be someone too?  He didn't charge people for his services, and when his time came to fade away, he even said, I have to decrease in order for Jesus to increase.  One thing that John had was time for people and lots of it.

At the end of the day, if you want to be alone and be lonely, you'll probably buy stuff.  But if you are like me and  want memories..."stuff" will never cut it...

...store up your treasures in heaven.  My treasures are people I can touch with simply God's words...

Wouldn't you know it....  I typed out a huge inspirational blog, and it got deleted before I could post and there's no recover.

Ha ha... well we will try again tomorrow...they say all you have to do is show up and watch what God can do!

Have a great day!
Ang

PS Here's a flower for your day!

What will it take for you to feel good about yourself?  What will it take for you to hold your head high and believe in the abilities you were given?  What will it take for you to understand your true worth?

Will it be at the words of someone's opinion?
Will it be at the truth in the words of God?

It will be this perspective change that will be the answer for you.

I'm with you, I don't like religious spirits that are controlling people.  What I mean by this, is I don't like all the laws and rules that you have to follow to go to a particular church.  I don't want things structured by man, I want them to be structured by God.

I do believe in the laws of God...those are trustworthy.  Do I like them all?  No.  But I trust them.  I trust that, in them, hold the key to all the answers and questions I've had, and you have.

Let's not make this life about man made rules, we follow those out of respect and authority, but let's make this life about living for Christ.  We all struggle the same, regardless of what the package looks like on the outside.  That's why God looks at our heart, it's not as easy to cover with makeup, clothes or a fake smile.

One thing I've learned is that God is love... and what that does to a heart, is incomparable.

Had a date with the treadmill this morning and as I normally do, I like to listen to Pop music.  I love the beat, I love the pace, I love the energy.  I like to dance, and I would probably do it more if I didn't have a fear of living in freedom.  (Let that sink in.)

As I listened to the music, my mind wandered to all sorts of different things...but all based on one topic.  Relationships gone wrong.  Whether it was cheating, being lonely, drugs, sex, or other, the music all reflected bad relationships.  One more thing caught my attention, that as a woman, my emotions were being pulled in all directions.

Women seem to have a natural desire to want to give, to want to please, to want to be admired and adored, to be a helper, to give love, to receive love and to nurture their families.  Many people enjoy the fact that it was "Eve" that made the mistake, in the garden, of listening to that sneaky snake.  But men...we aren't far from Eve...the messages we hear, is what touches our hearts...we have a desire and we have a downfall.

As a result of Eve's downfall, God said in Genesis 3:16
Then he said to the woman,
“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
    and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
    but he will rule over you.

We have a natural desire to want from our husbands, and in the absence of a husband, we may take that desire to other sources.  When doing so, we become a slave to our emotions and to the curse we received from disobedience.

I think the key to the desire of a woman is to spend some time in solitude.  To find out our true identity.  To fight the battle that goes on within us about those things we dislike about ourselves.  If we are looking for something other to fill that spot in our hearts, other than God, then we are going to be sadly mistaken each time.  It's hard to spend time alone.  We aren't wired to be alone.  We are not wired to want to be in solitude.  We desire companionship, it's what we were designed for...to be a helper.  Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 

But until we are able to walk on confident ground of who we are in Christ, we might fall for every stupid love song out there.

PS.  If your looking for excellent love songs, try K-Love and Praise FM...helps change your perspective.  :)