My humble opinion

On Sunday I sat in a commencement service where I heard an evangelist tell the graduating class of 2019 that God's will is easy.

...and that, my friend, is why "good" Christian kids leave the church.

With every ounce of restraint I did not match up to the pulpit and open Philippians (where I am currently at in my year-long adventure in His Word) and share Paul's heart.  I did not do that because *GASP* what would all the independent, fundamental Baptists do (smacks the table cause I have no pulpit at my house).  Can I get an "AMEN"?  Never once does Paul say following Christ is easy and without heartache. 

God's will is not always easy.

God gives you the grace to walk through whatever He allows.

God provides provisions to help us to do His will.

As I sat there and thought about my dear friends whose special needs sons was watching his big sister graduate, I thought to myself, God's will for Aidan has NOT been easy.  It has been hard but God has been gracious.

Please stop lying and saying fluff things.  The more fluff you preach - the smaller and smaller your congregation will get and all the while you will be left wondering what you are doing wrong. 

Sincerely,
The girl in love with Jesus who has dove in to God's Word with reckless abandon

Our Life Group Study

For the next 9ish months, my life group is going to study God's Word.  Not a book by a human author.  We are studying different passages of Scripture - reading the same passage for an 8-day period.  God's Word.  God Himself penned this beautiful letter to you and me.  I am super excited to study it.  The Author knows me and loves me.  Silly me...Angie Good.  The girl who thought she was free to leave tonight only to realize at the exit that she had to u-turn it and go back and print payroll.  *sigh*  I digress.

Last week was our first week.  We studied Psalm 139. 

Wanting to know what different versions translated it as, I read the ESV, King James, NIV, Amplified and the 1599 Geneva Bible.  The 1599 Geneva Bible was my FAVORITE translation. 

The different versions offered a commentary of sorts.  It was a beautiful passage and I am so very excited about all that I will learn over the next 9ish months. 

Daaaaaaaaaaaah....

Several years ago after working-out, my friend Rhonda and I went to Valli Produce.  In the jam section, Rhonda got excited because her favorite fruit spread was boasting of fewer grams of sugar. 

I dug around the back of the shelf and found an older jar.  I held up both jars and read the serving sizes and then turned to Rhonda and said LOUDLY, "Well daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.....it's [used air quotes] 'fewer grams of SHUGGA' because of a reduced serving size.   Dude, you gotta read all the labels and the ingredients.  Nothing goes in my body that I cannot pronounce." 

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah is one of those quotable moments that still causes us to burst out laughing.

Tonight I had a daaaaaaaaaaah moment but it was a daaaaaaaaaaaah on ME.

Pastor John was addressing a rooftop full of volunteers and he said, "Healthy things and healthy churches grow. Healthy means growth."  ...and yours truly sat there daaaaaaaaaah-ing myself inside my brain. 

We had 900+ people at church this past Sunday.  To God be ALL the glory.  It was packed and absolutely beautiful. 

Truth

"Love for God that does not result in love for others is true fakery and false religion." ~ Pastor James McDonald

15th

Happy 15th anniversary to my FABULOUS church --> HARVEST ROCKFORD!!!!!!!!!!!

Since I'm not sure how to add the audio recording of today's sermon....

Several years ago during a revival meeting message, the evangelist (and please don't ask me WHO the evangelist was because my brain cannot remember) prayed for our hearts to be stirred and shaken and changed.  I've never forgotten that prayer and when I take the time to remember to pray that way - it seems like GOD does something amazing to remind me that He's in control and I don't need to worry.

I currently have a tricky situation in my life that my best attempts to rectify the situation have just brought on more frustration.  

Today's message...the message that I asked the Lord to stir-me-up with was titled, "Love like God."  Pastor John's text was Luke 6:27-38.  It reads:
Love Your Enemies
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 

If Christ is raised from the dead, I am to love like God loves.
1. What?  Love our enemies with a committed love.  Committed love is a love without emotional attachment.  It's loving without anything in return.  It's love that works to benefit others.

2.  How?  How do I love my enemies?
     A. in action - do good
          Ex. David and Saul - I Samuel 24:8-22
     B. in speaking well of them
          James 2 - the power in my tongue:  to build up or destroy
          Jesus is saying (in Luke 6 passage) to not be passive.  Jesus says to bless and not curse.
          I Peter 2:23
      C. pray for those who mistreat you
          - This will internalize love and it will intensify it.
          Acts 7 - Stephen prayed for his enemies who were casting stones at him.

* For the sake of the Gospel, 

I need not fight for my rights.  

I represent Jesus Christ. *

       D. give to the taker.
            My treasure is in Heaven.
       E. leading - Luke 6 is about leading with love.  
            Do not expect love in return.
            Lead without expectation!!!

3. Why?  Why I should I love my enemy?
     Loving only friends and family is natural.  It's easy.  Loving your enemies is supernatural and is done only by an overflowing of God's love into my heart.  I am a channel of His love.

Do not ration love.  Pray for overflowing and abundant love.

The Holy Spirit's abundance of love ------>  ME! --------> My enemies and persecutors

Philippians 4:19, 20  When I love my enemies, God the Father gets the glory!!!

Sweet notes

Today I received a lovely surprise in my mailbox...and I am not talking about my ComEd bill. 

Underneath my electric bill there were 2 sweet notes from 2 gals from church.  Their sweet words were exactly what I needed. 

I am so thankful for my church family - especially the sweet ladies who count as friends.

Tonight's Bible Study

This is just one more reminder of God's wonderful grace.

Last month I forgot to do the Bible study until I was driving TO Bible study.  Who does that?  Apparently yours truly.

Since I was the leader for November, I read through the lesson before Ireland.  Little did I know just how much I would need it AFTER Ireland.

I re-read it yesterday and today... It was such a blessing and an encouragement to my sad heart.

I am so thankful God is in control and He knows exactly what I need.  I am also thankful for the 20 ladies who were at Bible study tonight.  I cried infront of them...the kind of cry when you know you need a tissue and no one judges the red splotches under your ears.  I love these gals ever so much. 

My Saturday ministries....

Last night I was blessed to spend the evening with my dear friend, Rhonda.  We met at the Goodwill and gabbed our way through the store.  A couple treasures were found and purchased.   One of the items was an answer to prayer: green floral foam.  I needed some for the fallish arrangement at church...and earlier in the week, I had been perusing the ads and praying about the NEEDS vs. my wants for said arrangement.  The Lord sent floral foam to the thrift.  Ask and ye shall receive...

Earlier in the month, I determined that my ministry opportunities for today would include the flowers in the sanctuary and reviewing my Sunday school lesson.  I am so thankful for these two avenues by which I can serve my Heavenly Father.

29

Stacks of dishcloths

I like the variety in colors and patterns.  I have a favorite pattern from my birthday present knitting book from Leah.  It's called Dirty Girl Washcloth.  The creators of said pattern use the finished project as a washcloth.  I've only ever used them to wash dishes.  Hmmmm...  My co-worker uses my hand-knitted dishcloths as washcloths.  She claims they gently scrub your face and are quite absorbent.

The current dishcloth on my knitting needs is the sage green and brown combination which will make dishcloth #30!!!  Thirty done.  Twenty to go!  And I still have 8 months to finish them.

December 2nd

Please sit down before reading this post, if...

you are my mother

you are another family member

you are my friend

you are part of my church family

you did not receive a card from me last Christmas

I, Angie Good, have completed addressing all my Christmas cards and it's only the second day of December.  (Insert cheering!!!)

Honestly, I am sitting here listening to Bing Crosby and I myself cannot believe that my cards are all done.  I'm blaming that book by Rhonda Rhea...the I'm Dreaming of Some White Chocolate.  In her book, she supplies readers with 40 snippets (ideas) for a less-hectic holiday.  One of the blurbs was about not waiting 'til the last minute to address Christmas cards.  I took her advice whole-heartedly and began working on said cards last week.  I took the church directory and began with the "A's" and worked my way through...and then I broke out the address book.  I set aside a couple of hours here and there. 

You know what else helped?  The sweet lady that I pick up for our Bible study, she and I have both voiced our angst about the hustle and too-too-too much bustle during December.  Not that December and Christmas shouldn't be busy...it just should be more focused on Christ because He is the real reason for the season.

Now I have the rest of the month to enjoy finishing up my knitting projects and the top secret project. 

Christmas really is the

most wonderful time of year...

"...because she's the prettiest of all."

At church - on the 31st, we are having a Harvest Festival.  There will be games and candy!!!  

Last night, Logan inquired, "What are you going to dress-up as?"  I hadn't really considered dressing up.

I replied, "Well...what do you think I should be?"

He paused and said, "A princess."

Me:  "Which princess?"

Logan:  "Sleeping Beauty because she's the prettiest of all."  And then he got all bashful and shy.  It was the cutest thing ever!

Friday...

I have a friend who reads what I email her and wittily comments.  She, also, reads what I don't write and knows when something is amok.  She knew yesterday that something was wrong because of what I didn't say.  She took the time to call me last night.  She let me be...well, she let me be ME.  "I don't do well when I have things planned every day of the week." ~ I lamented.  

My charming friend listened with a sympathetic ear.  Her advice - cut something.  "Is there anything that you can say 'no' too?" my charming friends asked.  "Not really.  Not right now," the curly haired girl replied.

This week - now that it's Friday and I can safely look back to Monday - reminds me of cookie dough.  You take a variety of ingredients and mix them all up...during the mixing-up, it's not pretty.  It's not pretty at all.  Eggs, sugar, butter, flour, baking soda (or is it powder?  I haven't baked chocolate chip cookies in sooo long!), etc.  All of those ingredients get thrown in a bowl and then mixed-up...like my week...

Jury duty (2 days) + trying to squeeze in trips to the gym (which is what I needed to do) + normal Bible study + meetings + coming back in to work after having my mini-two-day-jury-duty-vaycay + packing for retreat + making sure I had the craft supplies for retreat + getting groceries and the list goes on and on and on and on...

You see where I am going with that.

I'm pretty sure jury duty was the proverbial straw that broke the poor camel's back.  Can you imagine having a broken back?  The pain that the poor camel must be in...I mean HELLO -- he has humps on his back too.  Ouch!  

Where was I?  I digress.  Oh - yes, jury duty.  It was exhausting.  All day Wednesday, I kept mentally replaying all that I heard over the course of the two days...all that wasn't said by the witnesses.  I don't know how people recover from serving on juries for extended periods of time.

Last night - I cashed my $13 jury duty paychecks and treated myself to a manicure and a tall iced beverage from Starbucks.  I sooo wanted to post on Facebook, "Thank you, criminals of Winnebago County for making my manicure and iced beverage possible"...but I thought twice and realized that wasn't quite appropriate.  It was funny but wrong.   

Here it is Friday and I have pretty fingernails.  They are a pink sparkly color.  My cuticles look fabulous.  

My car is loaded up with all my retreat supplies - bedding, clothes, jammies, craft supplies, etc.  I have one hour left in my workday and then I will be heading up to Camp Joy.  I'm thankful that I will have 2 passengers - our choir director's wife and their lovely son.  The Lord knew that I needed a passenger (or two :)) to help make the trip up more enjoyable and less lonely.

Our retreat theme is contentment.  Our speaker Mrs. Gliser.  Details to follow.

Have a lovely weekend, Blog-stalkers!!!  Go to the apple orchard!!!  Enjoy this Autumn-ish weather we are having!!!  As I look out and see the squirrels scurrying about gathering nuts, I have to wonder if we are going to have an "early" winter.  Hmmmm...it's something to consider.

Tootles!

Thirfting Extravaganza

What happens when you put the girl with curly hair in charge of a ladies day out event?  Ummmm...the ladies go a-thrifting.  Why?  (See below.)

We are meeting at church at 10 a.m. tomorrow!!!  We will be car-pooling up to the Janesville, Wisconsin Goodwill.  At some point, we will venture across the street to Culver's to partake in nourishment...and then perhaps, once we've dined, we will return to our thrifting.


Snack packs containing almonds, Dove dark chocolates, and a bottle of water will be provided before venturing on our merry way.

Lessons from Joseph...

Wednesday Night Bible Study 
Speaker:  Pastor B.
Text:  Genesis 37


1. Joseph sat at the feet of his father (Jacob) and soaked up what his father said.  We are to rest at our Father's feet and learn about/of Him.


2. Joseph loved what Jacob loved.


3. Joseph loved to please his father.


4. Jacob honored Joseph.  - The same is true of God.  He honors us when our lives are lived out to please Him.  It (our life pleasing God) can cause envy in others who are not following Him.


5. Joseph's walk with his father and his walk with God made him have a servant's heart.


6. Joseph's walk with Jacob caused him (Joseph) grief.  


7. God speaks to those who are in a position to listen.  We MUST be under the reading and teaching of His Word.


8. By fauth, we must believe!  The secret is trust in what God can do THROUGH me.  ** BELIEVE GOD WHEN OTHERS DON'T UNDERSTAND AND WHEN OTHERS REBUKE YOU! **


9. Joseph viewed his responsibility and leadership the way Christ views it.


10. When I walk with God, others will be envious and even seek to wrong me.


11. When I am wronged (I like that Pastor did not say "IF"), I need to remember God is with me.


12.  Remember God is in control.


13. When I trust God, I get the privilege of seeing the BIG PICTURE and seeing God work.  Genesis 50:20  - God is not just interested in Angie Good.  He cares for ALL!!!


14. Joseph chose to not get angry with his brothers.


15. Joseph recognized that God was in control.

Lilacs

A wonderful couple from my church family brought me a Mason jar filled with lilacs.  They made my day!  

What a thoughtful gesture!!!

Sooo thankful...

I have the most wonderful church family.  After Bible study tonight, when we took a few minutes to pray for the different needs represented in our church family, I couldn't help but thank the Lord for this wonderful group of believers that He has placed in my life.  It is exactly that...a church FAM-I-LY (I said it "FAM-UH-LEE" enunciating each syl-a-ble!). 

I'm soo thankful for the children that our in our little family...for the tweens, the teens, and the adults.  Everyone is unique.

When I walk in the doors on a Wednesday night after having been in the world all week, I feel warmth and love from the individuals within.

I'm so blessed.

Brownies, raspberries, chocolate pudding, and Cool Whip

You know the whole "A picture is worth a thousand words"...well, here are four pictures that are worth 4,000 words...if not, 4,000 calories!!!!  YUMMMMMO! 

Step 1 * Bake a pan of brownies!

Step 2 * Whisk for 3 minutes: 3 cups of milk & 2 small packages of instant chocolate pudding

Step 3 * Check to see if the frozen raspberries are thawed!  Yum!

Step 4 * Layer brownies, raspberries, pudding mixture, Cool Whip.  Repeat layers!

It's called "Chocolate Passion Bowl."

Tomorrow is our church potluck.  After careful perusal for my recipe box, I have decided to make a scrumptious dessert called "Chocolate Passion Bowl."  I have yet to figure out where all the passion comes from...I mean, SERIOUSLY...the recipe contains...

1 - fresh-baked brownies cubed (I used a dark chocolate mix!)
2 - raspberries (I bought frozen -- they were way cheaper & look deeeelish!)
3 - container of Cool Whip
4 - Instant chocolate pudding

I mean, it is alot of chocolate...with a smackeral of raspberries. 

This recipe came from a Cool Whip advertisement (I believe in my Midwest Living magazine...  I recall clipping the recipe because it sounded heavenly!).  How misleading...  What they are really saying is, "Make this dessert and you will find love!"  And the girl with curly hair says rather sarcastically, "Yeah right!"

A Perfect Storm ~ January 22, 2012

Human Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom

Pastor Bodwell's Sunday Evening Message ~ January 22, 2012

* * * Acts 27 * * *

1. Godly wisdom trumps human wisdom.  (verses 10 - 12)

"And said unto them, 'Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only with the lading and ship, but also of our lives.'  Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.  And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter, which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west."

* Patience vs. convenience

The people on the ship thought Paul's way was not accommodating and "fun."

* Patience vs. fear

Fear is an element of a trial.

* Others vs. self

They tried to save themselves.  They turned inward and became selfish instead of looking for the needs of others.

2. Godly wisdom considers conventional wisdom.

Don't forget:  God has allowed this nor'easter in your life!!!

3. When all hope is gone, trust God.  (verses 20 and 22)

"And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away...[Paul speaking] 'And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.'"

Desperate times call for us trust God!!!

4. There is a time for fasting and a time for thanksgiving; don't wait until the storm is over to be thankful...be thankful during the storm! (verses 33-36)

"And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meal, saying, 'This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.  Wherefore I pray you to take some meat; for this is for your health, for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.'  And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it, he began to eat.  Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."

Pastor pointed out something that I had never considered.  They had been 14 days without food -- they were probably really weak.  If they were going to have to swim ashore, they would need strength for the duration of the storm.

God doesn't always answer

our prayer in the way we think He will. 

I Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

5. Trials are a time to be of good cheer.  (verses 22, 25, and 36)

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer..." (v. 22)

"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer..." (v. 25)

"Then were they all of good cheer..." (v. 36)

When all hope is gone, be of good cheer!  John 16:33, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

James 1:2-6, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." 

And lastly, Pastor warned us about taking counsel from individuals who can't handle nor'easters in their own life, just "survive" during trials & don't thrive, and from self-centered people.