God visited me today...again.
Most of you know that I am an avid fitness walker. A few of you know that the Lord called me to start picking up trash and recycling cans during the summer of 2011.
He always "shows up" in some form when I am out walking and picking up trash and/or cans. He has come in the form of speaking to my spirit with Scriptures. He has come in the form of leaving empty, durable Walmart bags laying in the grass for me just when the ones I had brought with me were full and I needed some more. He even came in the form of wind one afternoon when I was trying to "beat the clock" by retrieving a can from a busy intersection; right when I stepped out to reach for the can, the wind picked up and blew the can toward me. LOL. And of course, I cannot forget the handful of people who have had enough curiosity and boldness to ask me what I'm doing, which has provided me with an open door to simply tell them that God told me to do it.
Last year, I was out walking one Sunday morning. The entire neighborhood was still sleeping, I think. I remember asking Him aloud, "What is this all about...this trash and recycling stuff? Why am I doing this, anyway?"
About 5-10 minutes later, I was bent over picking up some discarded items. As I stood up, I noticed some activity above my head. I looked up, only to face the sun's rays head on, but I could see something moving in the air. It floated slowly down to my eye level - kind of like the feather in "Forrest Gump" - and then proceeded to land on the ground in front of me. It was a McDonald's cheeseburger wrapper.
I paused for a moment, realizing how strange this was. There was no one around, no wind even, and not a McDonald's restaurant for at least two miles. And yet, a cheeseburger wrapper seemed to come out of nowhere from the atmosphere and land directly in front of me. However, as with all other trash, I simply picked it up and put it in my bag.
A few moments later, I felt the Lord tell me to get it out of the trash bag I was carrying and read it. I'm glad I was obedient. It said, "Created Just For You".
Something in my spirit suddenly clicked, as if this was His way of telling me that the trash & recycling thing was a ministry He created just for me. I kept that wrapper, still have it, and have found the same wrapper many times on my walks since then.
I was telling a close friend just the other day that one of the reasons I love walking and picking up trash and/or cans is because God always visits me (somehow) when I am doing it. Today, about halfway through my route, I said aloud, "Okay, Lord, how are You going to visit me today? I haven't seen You yet." And then I smiled, wondering just what He might do.
I continued on my way, forgetting I had asked. About 20 minutes up the road, heading into the home stretch, I was walking through some grass and He quickly directed my eyes to a piece of white paper ahead. Lo and behold...it was a torn cheeseburger wrapper, with only the words "Created Just For You" still in tact on it! Needless to say, I smiled and laughed, and even began to tear up a little just thinking about how personal He continues to prove Himself to be. God visited me today...again...in the form of that burger wrapper.
Family and friends, I spent 35 years of my life perceiving Jesus to be a "force in the universe" who was much too busy to deal with me and my issues. I believed He was real, but I lived in deception (from the devil!) thinking that He was not personally or intimately available. Consequently, I also believed that I could not talk to Him about my deepest sins and concerns. Oh...how frighteningly wrong I was; over the past six or seven years, He has diligently used people and circumstances in my life to repeatedly show me just how personal He is.
Study the Bible by reading and listening to it. Talk to Him about everything. Listen for His responses. Expect Him anywhere at any time. He is so much more than a force in the universe who is too busy to deal with you; He loves you passionately and wants to be personally and intimately involved in all that concerns you! Jesus rocks!!!!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Pride, Boundaries, and People Pleasing
In 2010, I was out walking one afternoon around the office park where I work. Jesus always speaks to me when I am out walking. I love it. Hey wait...I guess that's why I call this blog "Walking Lessons". :-)
Anyway, I heard Him speak to my spirit. He told me that there were three areas I needed to start working on in my life: Pride, Boundaries, and People Pleasing. So, I did the mechanical thing and ran to the bookstore to buy books on each subject.
I have read each book (Humility by Andrew Murray, Boundaries by Henry Cloud/John Townsend, and Approval Addiction by Joyce Meyer) at least twice so far. They are awesome and life-changing accounts written by real Christians who have deep relationships with the Lord.
Reading is good, and these books have most definitely deposited countless, healthy Biblical concepts into my spirit. However, I believe they were simply the introduction to a lengthy healing process that the Lord is beginning in my walk with Him.
For most of 2011, I had the pleasure of leading worship at a small church (ReNew) in Lancaster, SC. It was an amazing experience. Unfortuately, because the congregation was so small, it became difficult to finance the building where we were meeting each week. So, Pastor Eric let go of the building and the church began meeting in his home. I was on board with the transition for the first few weeks, but then I felt the Lord stirring in me the way He does when it's time to stop something and go somewhere new.
About 2-3 weeks (which is the norm) after I let go of ReNew, the Lord made it clear that I was to begin attending Pastor Carlos' church. I met Pastor Carlos in 2010 and had remained in contact with him, mostly through Facebook. I discovered that he was closing his original location and moving to a new building in April of this year. How exciting!
Pastor was offering a class to begin on May 7. The invitation was extended several times to the entire church, and he also shared with me that he had requested five specific people to attend the class. I was one of those people.
On the first night, I was the only one who showed up. It has been just me and him ever since and I am tremendously grateful for this precious gift. Despite the open invitation to the church, I now know that God designed this experience to be one-on-one.
I didn't know what to expect, but I was willing to be there as Pastor Carlos had requested. In short, the class has exposed "me" to me, and I can now see the disease and infection in my soul that have been caused (over the years) by pride, lack of boundaries, and an unhealthy need to please others and receive their approval.
The past two months of this class have not been easy (emotionally) but they have blessed me richly. I am so grateful for Pastor Carlos' heart and passion. Additionally, the Lord has hooked me up with some Christian counseling at a local center for a while.
I have had to be careful because this exposure of "me" that the Lord has generated is pretty depressing. I can see so much garbage in my soul that needs to be cleaned up. The Lord has given me a gift of leadership and talents like singing and writing, but I need some serious unearthing of this nasty soil before we move forward again into the destiny He has planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11).
I can see now why His Holy Spirit is so strongly urging me to be still (Psalm 46:10) and wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). I am notorious for jumping into things and getting involved not only to be helpful and to do things I love, but I often have wrong motives (like people pleasing) and I'm afraid that these things have sometimes served as distractions in my life so that I cannot see the damage inside my own soul. So, I have stopped everything, and I can now address the things I was too busy to truly see before. Ouch.
But here is the Good News:
1. "So now, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2)
2. "For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:12)
I thank Him for those two Scriptures as I move into the next phase of this healing process. Knowing that I don't have to walk around feeling depressed about what I see inside of me is an awesome promise and blessing. Knowing that He is correcting me because He loves me is even more awesome. All in all, He has my best interests in mind and His chief goal is to heal me so that I can move into His plans for me.
I pray that this blog blesses you in some very personal way. I write because it heals me and allows me to get closer to Jesus. I have asked Him to use my writing to heal others some day. In the mean time, I will just keep writing as He teaches me things!
Anyway, I heard Him speak to my spirit. He told me that there were three areas I needed to start working on in my life: Pride, Boundaries, and People Pleasing. So, I did the mechanical thing and ran to the bookstore to buy books on each subject.
I have read each book (Humility by Andrew Murray, Boundaries by Henry Cloud/John Townsend, and Approval Addiction by Joyce Meyer) at least twice so far. They are awesome and life-changing accounts written by real Christians who have deep relationships with the Lord.
Reading is good, and these books have most definitely deposited countless, healthy Biblical concepts into my spirit. However, I believe they were simply the introduction to a lengthy healing process that the Lord is beginning in my walk with Him.
For most of 2011, I had the pleasure of leading worship at a small church (ReNew) in Lancaster, SC. It was an amazing experience. Unfortuately, because the congregation was so small, it became difficult to finance the building where we were meeting each week. So, Pastor Eric let go of the building and the church began meeting in his home. I was on board with the transition for the first few weeks, but then I felt the Lord stirring in me the way He does when it's time to stop something and go somewhere new.
About 2-3 weeks (which is the norm) after I let go of ReNew, the Lord made it clear that I was to begin attending Pastor Carlos' church. I met Pastor Carlos in 2010 and had remained in contact with him, mostly through Facebook. I discovered that he was closing his original location and moving to a new building in April of this year. How exciting!
Pastor was offering a class to begin on May 7. The invitation was extended several times to the entire church, and he also shared with me that he had requested five specific people to attend the class. I was one of those people.
On the first night, I was the only one who showed up. It has been just me and him ever since and I am tremendously grateful for this precious gift. Despite the open invitation to the church, I now know that God designed this experience to be one-on-one.
I didn't know what to expect, but I was willing to be there as Pastor Carlos had requested. In short, the class has exposed "me" to me, and I can now see the disease and infection in my soul that have been caused (over the years) by pride, lack of boundaries, and an unhealthy need to please others and receive their approval.
The past two months of this class have not been easy (emotionally) but they have blessed me richly. I am so grateful for Pastor Carlos' heart and passion. Additionally, the Lord has hooked me up with some Christian counseling at a local center for a while.
I have had to be careful because this exposure of "me" that the Lord has generated is pretty depressing. I can see so much garbage in my soul that needs to be cleaned up. The Lord has given me a gift of leadership and talents like singing and writing, but I need some serious unearthing of this nasty soil before we move forward again into the destiny He has planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11).
I can see now why His Holy Spirit is so strongly urging me to be still (Psalm 46:10) and wait upon Him (Isaiah 40:31). I am notorious for jumping into things and getting involved not only to be helpful and to do things I love, but I often have wrong motives (like people pleasing) and I'm afraid that these things have sometimes served as distractions in my life so that I cannot see the damage inside my own soul. So, I have stopped everything, and I can now address the things I was too busy to truly see before. Ouch.
But here is the Good News:
1. "So now, there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2)
2. "For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." (Proverbs 3:12)
I thank Him for those two Scriptures as I move into the next phase of this healing process. Knowing that I don't have to walk around feeling depressed about what I see inside of me is an awesome promise and blessing. Knowing that He is correcting me because He loves me is even more awesome. All in all, He has my best interests in mind and His chief goal is to heal me so that I can move into His plans for me.
I pray that this blog blesses you in some very personal way. I write because it heals me and allows me to get closer to Jesus. I have asked Him to use my writing to heal others some day. In the mean time, I will just keep writing as He teaches me things!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Is it Your Time?
One of my favorite Scriptures is Habakkuk 2:2-3, which says, "Write the vision and engrave it plainly upon tablets, so that everyone who passes may read as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait for it, because, for it will surely come; it will not be behind on its appointed day."
I have been dreaming of singing (and writing) professionally for many, many years...and yes, I have written it on paper and posted it on my wall at times! I've spent a large portion of my life with these gifts stirring up my heart. All my life, every time I attend a concert, I want to be up on the stage singing my heart out...not sitting in the audience. I leave every single show with a restlessness in my heart. An unfulfilled desire.
For the past couple of years, the Lord has been leading me on what I consider a pretty wild ride with my music. I probably haven't seen anything just yet, though.
This year, though, it seems He is opening some even larger doors - the kind that I thought I would only dream of (from a distance) in my lifetime. Now, I am approaching some of those doors and I am "tripping out" emotionally (inside) over what this all means. I'm so grateful that Jesus is a wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9:6) so I can discuss all these thoughts, feelings, and anxieties in depth with Him.
What it boils down to is that I feel incredibly undeserving of living out my dreams. Because of His light shining in and on my life, I can see how jacked up and cracked up I really am and how desperately I need His grace throughout each and every day. And so, I find myself questioning why I would even have the slightest opportunity to live out my dreams. The fulfillment of dreams is only for perfect people who have it all together, right?!?!?
On my walk today, I felt Him speak to my spirit. He said, "Angi, you're a work-in-progress. You always will be. If I wait another year (or longer) to open these doors for you, you will still be a work-in-progress, just with different issues and struggles then. Likewise, if I had created these opportunities for you a year ago (or earlier than that), you were still imperfect and undeserving at that time for other reasons. It is not about you; it is about My grace and My timing."
Wow. That amazing grace thing is really difficult to comprehend. He also reminded me today of Isaiah 64:6, which says that even our righteous acts are like filthy rags in His eyes. So, even if I "thought" I was deserving and had it together, I would still be terribly wrong.
I'm learning to not only be excited about the new doors He opens, but to go through them while I leave the results in His hands. It's not easy, but that's because I'm nothing more than a work-in-progress.
Is it your time to make a major move toward your destiny? In the words of Nike, just do it!!
I have been dreaming of singing (and writing) professionally for many, many years...and yes, I have written it on paper and posted it on my wall at times! I've spent a large portion of my life with these gifts stirring up my heart. All my life, every time I attend a concert, I want to be up on the stage singing my heart out...not sitting in the audience. I leave every single show with a restlessness in my heart. An unfulfilled desire.
For the past couple of years, the Lord has been leading me on what I consider a pretty wild ride with my music. I probably haven't seen anything just yet, though.
This year, though, it seems He is opening some even larger doors - the kind that I thought I would only dream of (from a distance) in my lifetime. Now, I am approaching some of those doors and I am "tripping out" emotionally (inside) over what this all means. I'm so grateful that Jesus is a wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9:6) so I can discuss all these thoughts, feelings, and anxieties in depth with Him.
What it boils down to is that I feel incredibly undeserving of living out my dreams. Because of His light shining in and on my life, I can see how jacked up and cracked up I really am and how desperately I need His grace throughout each and every day. And so, I find myself questioning why I would even have the slightest opportunity to live out my dreams. The fulfillment of dreams is only for perfect people who have it all together, right?!?!?
On my walk today, I felt Him speak to my spirit. He said, "Angi, you're a work-in-progress. You always will be. If I wait another year (or longer) to open these doors for you, you will still be a work-in-progress, just with different issues and struggles then. Likewise, if I had created these opportunities for you a year ago (or earlier than that), you were still imperfect and undeserving at that time for other reasons. It is not about you; it is about My grace and My timing."
Wow. That amazing grace thing is really difficult to comprehend. He also reminded me today of Isaiah 64:6, which says that even our righteous acts are like filthy rags in His eyes. So, even if I "thought" I was deserving and had it together, I would still be terribly wrong.
I'm learning to not only be excited about the new doors He opens, but to go through them while I leave the results in His hands. It's not easy, but that's because I'm nothing more than a work-in-progress.
Is it your time to make a major move toward your destiny? In the words of Nike, just do it!!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Double for your Trouble
Walking is one of my favorite physical activities. I have a route in my neighborhood I've been taking for about four years. With this weekend's milder weather, I was able to get outside again after several months spent (inside) on the treadmill at the office.
As many of you know, I collect aluminum cans. At this point, any money earned from the collection of these cans is to go to Joyce Meyer Ministries, per direct instructions I got from God one day a few months ago. But it's deeper than that; the Lord has taught or reminded me of so many spiritual principles through the simple act of picking up other people's soda, juice, and beer cans. (Proof that He exists even in the simple things!)
Today, I found about ten cans on my route. It was windy out there, though, and a powerful gust came after me, flipped my bag out of my hand and caused most of the cans to fall out of the bag. Two of them were quickly blown away by the gust, so fast that I could not walk briskly enough to catch them. They were out of my sight in no time flat.
I was frustrated because I know - from a spiritual standpoint - that each can I collect represents a life that the Lord desires to recycle. But the harsh reality of this incident was that I will sometimes miss opportunities with people or let them slip out of my hands. In this case, it wasn't my fault; the wind carried them away.
I immediately began to believe that God would allow me to find two more on the way back home. Much to my amazement, I found four. He then reminded me of Isaiah 61:7, which says, "Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." When you belong to the Lord Jesus, and you have suffered, He will give you double for your trouble. I lost two cans, but He returned four to me. Wow.
I don't know what you're going through today, but we all suffer in different ways and in different phases of our lives. I'm grateful to the Lord for using the recycling experience He's blessed me with to share this Word from Him!!
Jesus rocks!!
As many of you know, I collect aluminum cans. At this point, any money earned from the collection of these cans is to go to Joyce Meyer Ministries, per direct instructions I got from God one day a few months ago. But it's deeper than that; the Lord has taught or reminded me of so many spiritual principles through the simple act of picking up other people's soda, juice, and beer cans. (Proof that He exists even in the simple things!)
Today, I found about ten cans on my route. It was windy out there, though, and a powerful gust came after me, flipped my bag out of my hand and caused most of the cans to fall out of the bag. Two of them were quickly blown away by the gust, so fast that I could not walk briskly enough to catch them. They were out of my sight in no time flat.
I was frustrated because I know - from a spiritual standpoint - that each can I collect represents a life that the Lord desires to recycle. But the harsh reality of this incident was that I will sometimes miss opportunities with people or let them slip out of my hands. In this case, it wasn't my fault; the wind carried them away.
I immediately began to believe that God would allow me to find two more on the way back home. Much to my amazement, I found four. He then reminded me of Isaiah 61:7, which says, "Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." When you belong to the Lord Jesus, and you have suffered, He will give you double for your trouble. I lost two cans, but He returned four to me. Wow.
I don't know what you're going through today, but we all suffer in different ways and in different phases of our lives. I'm grateful to the Lord for using the recycling experience He's blessed me with to share this Word from Him!!
Jesus rocks!!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Taking a time-out
Hi everyone!
Well, I certainly intended to blog on a regular basis months ago, but life has a way of keeping us busy.
I finished the book in December and submitted it to a publishing contest. I will know the results of that contest on March 31. I can't wait!
As soon as I completed the book, the Lord launched us into major overtime at the office, so I have been working lots of extra hours since the first of the year.
The Lord is also beginning to open some very large doors in 2012: the types of opportunities I have only dreamed of. I am excited, and will keep you posted as these events take place. Sort of keeping a lid on it for now.
I hope all is well with each of you and I will begin writing on a regular basis again if/when time allows me to do it....
And don't forget.....Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I certainly intended to blog on a regular basis months ago, but life has a way of keeping us busy.
I finished the book in December and submitted it to a publishing contest. I will know the results of that contest on March 31. I can't wait!
As soon as I completed the book, the Lord launched us into major overtime at the office, so I have been working lots of extra hours since the first of the year.
The Lord is also beginning to open some very large doors in 2012: the types of opportunities I have only dreamed of. I am excited, and will keep you posted as these events take place. Sort of keeping a lid on it for now.
I hope all is well with each of you and I will begin writing on a regular basis again if/when time allows me to do it....
And don't forget.....Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Bathroom Theology
It's great to get back to blogging and I know God wants me to. I've been busy bringing the book to a close so that I could submit it to the writing contest, and I've also been working a lot of overtime at the office.
A few days ago, I woke up with a single thought on my mind. "Angi, the people who clean the toilets for you are the most important people in your office." Of course, I knew it was God speaking to me, but I wasn't sure where He was coming from with that or where He was going with it.
It pressed on my spirit for a few days and I figured it was very important to Him for some reason. And when I really pondered it, I realized just how right He is. Can you imagine if there was no one willing to clean the toilets (and clean up in general) at your place of employment? How about at the restaurants you frequent, and what about the concerts and ball games? What if you had to use a bathroom filthy beyond imagination, or stop and clean it yourself on your lunch break, as you dine out, or while you're trying to enjoy some music or basketball?
The world often does not value people in maintenance. It pays them mininum wage and frequently overlooks them altogether. Most of the time, I don't believe they even qualify for benefits. And what about us patrons? We make unruly messes without thinking about it, knowing that someone else is coming behind us to clean it up and they get paid to for it (so why should we do it?!?!?)! I have cleaned public toilets before, but I can't say I ever felt important while I was doing it, so I am guilty of not viewing the position as valuable...until God laid it upon my spirit and opened my eyes. The people who clean the toilets for us truly are the most important ones at our jobs and in the public places we go. Without them, we would be lost.
As He continued to press this upon my spirit, I started to think I should blog about it. Tonight, He made what would've been a good blog into a great blog by giving me an opportunity that I never saw coming.
I was in the bathroom at Time Warner Cable Arena and a young lady was mopping the floors amidst the chaos. I stopped her and said "Thank you for what you do." She shyly and graciously smiled at me. As I made my way back to my seat, it occured to me that I should've told her what God said.
The concert continued. I had a lot of water at dinner, so I had to go to the restroom again. Much to my surprise, there was that girl again. What are the chances of seeing the same maintenance person twice in the same bathroom in a place that large? Only God. It could ONLY be God.
This time, I stopped her and told her what God told me. She smiled and I could see the joy in her spirit. I made sure to tell her that the message was directly from Him, and that she (and others like her) are the most important people in the place. I pray that His words uplifted her spirit in whatever way she needed at that moment.
How great is our God?!?!?!?!?!?!? I never tire of the amazing ways He works, and the surprises around every corner in the most unlikely places. Jesus rocks!
A few days ago, I woke up with a single thought on my mind. "Angi, the people who clean the toilets for you are the most important people in your office." Of course, I knew it was God speaking to me, but I wasn't sure where He was coming from with that or where He was going with it.
It pressed on my spirit for a few days and I figured it was very important to Him for some reason. And when I really pondered it, I realized just how right He is. Can you imagine if there was no one willing to clean the toilets (and clean up in general) at your place of employment? How about at the restaurants you frequent, and what about the concerts and ball games? What if you had to use a bathroom filthy beyond imagination, or stop and clean it yourself on your lunch break, as you dine out, or while you're trying to enjoy some music or basketball?
The world often does not value people in maintenance. It pays them mininum wage and frequently overlooks them altogether. Most of the time, I don't believe they even qualify for benefits. And what about us patrons? We make unruly messes without thinking about it, knowing that someone else is coming behind us to clean it up and they get paid to for it (so why should we do it?!?!?)! I have cleaned public toilets before, but I can't say I ever felt important while I was doing it, so I am guilty of not viewing the position as valuable...until God laid it upon my spirit and opened my eyes. The people who clean the toilets for us truly are the most important ones at our jobs and in the public places we go. Without them, we would be lost.
As He continued to press this upon my spirit, I started to think I should blog about it. Tonight, He made what would've been a good blog into a great blog by giving me an opportunity that I never saw coming.
I was in the bathroom at Time Warner Cable Arena and a young lady was mopping the floors amidst the chaos. I stopped her and said "Thank you for what you do." She shyly and graciously smiled at me. As I made my way back to my seat, it occured to me that I should've told her what God said.
The concert continued. I had a lot of water at dinner, so I had to go to the restroom again. Much to my surprise, there was that girl again. What are the chances of seeing the same maintenance person twice in the same bathroom in a place that large? Only God. It could ONLY be God.
This time, I stopped her and told her what God told me. She smiled and I could see the joy in her spirit. I made sure to tell her that the message was directly from Him, and that she (and others like her) are the most important people in the place. I pray that His words uplifted her spirit in whatever way she needed at that moment.
How great is our God?!?!?!?!?!?!? I never tire of the amazing ways He works, and the surprises around every corner in the most unlikely places. Jesus rocks!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
God With Us - a Christmas message (2011)
GOD WITH US
Christmas 2011
By Angi Waldrop (composed on 12.20.2011)
Earlier this year, God placed me in a position to lead worship at a small church in Lancaster, SC.
Each week, I simply ask Jesus what He would like us to sing/play on the following Sunday. Sometimes, He'll put a theme on my heart and other times, I'll hear songs on the radio or He'll bring them to my remembrance and my spirit will confidently know those are the ones He's asking for. He never fails me and I am amazed by His consistent leading and how it all fits together each Sunday morning.
Last week, I felt "Emmanuel" pressing on my spirit. He quickly gave me three songs that fit perfectly with this particular theme. A day or so after I decided on the music, I was listening to Joyce Meyer when she mentioned how He is referred to as "Emmanuel". On Saturday night, my brother said, "God be with you" as we were saying goodbye. On Sunday morning, the Lord lead me to Matthew 1:23 to be read at the beginning of the service: "Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel - which, when translated, means 'God with us'."
As usual, I was so excited about the Lord (once again) confirming Himself like this, but He didn't stop there. On Monday morning, I opened my Charles Stanley devotional (which sits on my desk at the office) and it was his commentary on - yep, you guessed it - Matthew 1:23. Furthermore, my Joel Osteen devotional directly mentioned the very same Scripture today.
At first, I thought it was all about this past Sunday, but then I remembered that it's been a few years since I've written a Christmas message. Recently, I knew that I must return to this once developing tradition, and I had asked the Lord to place on my heart what He wants to say this year. I have come to believe - by all of His confirmation - that this is it:
HE IS WITH US!
When the Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ, first came to us 2000 years ago, it was in the humblest of any possible form He could've chosen; He came into the world as a helpless, completely dependent infant. His pure objective was to show us that He could relate to us from the very first breath we take to every single phase of our lives. Although He was without sin, He experienced infancy, adolescence, and adulthood, living 33 years in a real human body so that He could fully experience life just as we do.
2000 years ago, He was physically present on the Earth. Now, His Spirit lives in and through us when we believe in Him. No matter how you look at it, GOD IS WITH US - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He has always been with us, and He never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5)!
To my loved ones - including those who go to church faithfully and those who do not - Jesus Christ is with you everywhere you go. He knows everything about you and loves you unconditionally despite any of your issues and mistakes. He understands all of your emotions, He identifies with your struggles, and He celebrates the cool stuff that happens to you.
Just as He had friendships with His disciples, He passionately desires to be your friend.
If you do not have an intimate relationship with Jesus, let this Christmas be a turning point in your life. Allow this holiday season to never end but rather evolve into a personal relationship with Him to be celebrated daily throughout each year for the rest of your life! Hanging out with the Savior of the world will transform you in unimaginable ways!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO AND YOURS - 24/7/365!
Love, Angi
P.S. PLEASE pass this message along as you feel lead!
.
Christmas 2011
By Angi Waldrop (composed on 12.20.2011)
Earlier this year, God placed me in a position to lead worship at a small church in Lancaster, SC.
Each week, I simply ask Jesus what He would like us to sing/play on the following Sunday. Sometimes, He'll put a theme on my heart and other times, I'll hear songs on the radio or He'll bring them to my remembrance and my spirit will confidently know those are the ones He's asking for. He never fails me and I am amazed by His consistent leading and how it all fits together each Sunday morning.
Last week, I felt "Emmanuel" pressing on my spirit. He quickly gave me three songs that fit perfectly with this particular theme. A day or so after I decided on the music, I was listening to Joyce Meyer when she mentioned how He is referred to as "Emmanuel". On Saturday night, my brother said, "God be with you" as we were saying goodbye. On Sunday morning, the Lord lead me to Matthew 1:23 to be read at the beginning of the service: "Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel - which, when translated, means 'God with us'."
As usual, I was so excited about the Lord (once again) confirming Himself like this, but He didn't stop there. On Monday morning, I opened my Charles Stanley devotional (which sits on my desk at the office) and it was his commentary on - yep, you guessed it - Matthew 1:23. Furthermore, my Joel Osteen devotional directly mentioned the very same Scripture today.
At first, I thought it was all about this past Sunday, but then I remembered that it's been a few years since I've written a Christmas message. Recently, I knew that I must return to this once developing tradition, and I had asked the Lord to place on my heart what He wants to say this year. I have come to believe - by all of His confirmation - that this is it:
HE IS WITH US!
When the Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ, first came to us 2000 years ago, it was in the humblest of any possible form He could've chosen; He came into the world as a helpless, completely dependent infant. His pure objective was to show us that He could relate to us from the very first breath we take to every single phase of our lives. Although He was without sin, He experienced infancy, adolescence, and adulthood, living 33 years in a real human body so that He could fully experience life just as we do.
2000 years ago, He was physically present on the Earth. Now, His Spirit lives in and through us when we believe in Him. No matter how you look at it, GOD IS WITH US - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He has always been with us, and He never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5)!
To my loved ones - including those who go to church faithfully and those who do not - Jesus Christ is with you everywhere you go. He knows everything about you and loves you unconditionally despite any of your issues and mistakes. He understands all of your emotions, He identifies with your struggles, and He celebrates the cool stuff that happens to you.
Just as He had friendships with His disciples, He passionately desires to be your friend.
If you do not have an intimate relationship with Jesus, let this Christmas be a turning point in your life. Allow this holiday season to never end but rather evolve into a personal relationship with Him to be celebrated daily throughout each year for the rest of your life! Hanging out with the Savior of the world will transform you in unimaginable ways!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO AND YOURS - 24/7/365!
Love, Angi
P.S. PLEASE pass this message along as you feel lead!
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