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!
.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Joy Overflowing
Last night, I - once again - had the time of my life at a Kenny G concert. I've lost track of how many I've gone to now, but I am grateful for each and every one. Getting to see him play live is truly a dream come true for me which has been made possible by God and only God. Being a fan of Kenny's for nearly 25 years has been an amazing journey.
At one point, he was talking to the audience (us) about how they (the band) were so happy to be playing in such a beautiful theatre, but shortly after the show, they would be on a bus for 12 hours (all night!) headed for Alabama. He was joking around that he was certainly in no hurry to go, not only because of the long trip ahead but because he has trouble sleeping on the bus.
I thought about his comments this morning as I sat at the dentist's office. Last night, an awesome evening of bliss at a Kenny G concert. This morning, the dentist. From the mountaintop to the pit. Blah.
I haven't been to the dentist in many years. When I started drinking, I more or less stopped going to the dentist. Not to mention, there were several periods of time when I didn't have the benefits to cover the cost, anyway. Having general anxiety about dentists based on my awful childhood experiences didn't motivate me to keep going, either.
Needless to say, my teeth have been neglected. They could be worse, but they are pretty jacked up and need some attention.
God's been dropping hints for about a year that it's time to go. You know how He is. I'll pull up behind a car and the bumper sticker says "1-800-Dentist" or I see a commercial and the spokesperson says, "Hey, do you have a friend who needs to go to the dentist but won't go?" Or maybe it was a billboard with a giant tooth on it. LOL! He's so funny sometimes!!!
A few weeks ago, I heard a quick ad on 91.9 (New Life) for a local dentist and I felt, in my spirit, that it's where I should go. I pressed past my denial and made an appointment.
I was a little bit nervous this morning, but I had prayerfully decided that even if they told me all of my teeth needed to be ripped out and it was time for dentures that I would be okay with such a verdict.
I arrived a few minutes late and needed to fill out the initial paperwork before being seen since it was my first time there. As I sat quietly and began to write down my information, I noticed there was very serene Christmas music playing overhead. I thought: well, that's nice.
Within 5-10 minutes, I noticed a very familar sound coming from those speakers. On the first note of "Oh Holy Night", I knew it was my Kenny G. Tears began to swell up in my eyes (and I am crying now as I type this) because I immediately knew the Lord was using that song and my favorite musician to let me know I was in the right place and that He was with me. It was such a profound moment.
That would've been enough on His part, but He didn't stop there. The assistant (who took care of me) and I quickly began to share on a personal level. Her testimony is much like mine in that she partied for many years, too, and her life was out of order. When she left the examination room to go get the doctor, I couldn't help but to sit there and cry. I was tearful when the doctor walked in, and I am still crying now.
In the car on the way home, I knew the Lord wanted this to be my next blog post. While writing it just now, He gave me the Scripture that fits.
"If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions), you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live so in His love. I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing." (John 15:10-11)
I was afraid to go, and dreading it. I left there with so much joy overflowing that I cannot contain the tears today.
The Lord is even at the dentist office with us. How amazing and so very personal is our God!!!!!!!! Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!
At one point, he was talking to the audience (us) about how they (the band) were so happy to be playing in such a beautiful theatre, but shortly after the show, they would be on a bus for 12 hours (all night!) headed for Alabama. He was joking around that he was certainly in no hurry to go, not only because of the long trip ahead but because he has trouble sleeping on the bus.
I thought about his comments this morning as I sat at the dentist's office. Last night, an awesome evening of bliss at a Kenny G concert. This morning, the dentist. From the mountaintop to the pit. Blah.
I haven't been to the dentist in many years. When I started drinking, I more or less stopped going to the dentist. Not to mention, there were several periods of time when I didn't have the benefits to cover the cost, anyway. Having general anxiety about dentists based on my awful childhood experiences didn't motivate me to keep going, either.
Needless to say, my teeth have been neglected. They could be worse, but they are pretty jacked up and need some attention.
God's been dropping hints for about a year that it's time to go. You know how He is. I'll pull up behind a car and the bumper sticker says "1-800-Dentist" or I see a commercial and the spokesperson says, "Hey, do you have a friend who needs to go to the dentist but won't go?" Or maybe it was a billboard with a giant tooth on it. LOL! He's so funny sometimes!!!
A few weeks ago, I heard a quick ad on 91.9 (New Life) for a local dentist and I felt, in my spirit, that it's where I should go. I pressed past my denial and made an appointment.
I was a little bit nervous this morning, but I had prayerfully decided that even if they told me all of my teeth needed to be ripped out and it was time for dentures that I would be okay with such a verdict.
I arrived a few minutes late and needed to fill out the initial paperwork before being seen since it was my first time there. As I sat quietly and began to write down my information, I noticed there was very serene Christmas music playing overhead. I thought: well, that's nice.
Within 5-10 minutes, I noticed a very familar sound coming from those speakers. On the first note of "Oh Holy Night", I knew it was my Kenny G. Tears began to swell up in my eyes (and I am crying now as I type this) because I immediately knew the Lord was using that song and my favorite musician to let me know I was in the right place and that He was with me. It was such a profound moment.
That would've been enough on His part, but He didn't stop there. The assistant (who took care of me) and I quickly began to share on a personal level. Her testimony is much like mine in that she partied for many years, too, and her life was out of order. When she left the examination room to go get the doctor, I couldn't help but to sit there and cry. I was tearful when the doctor walked in, and I am still crying now.
In the car on the way home, I knew the Lord wanted this to be my next blog post. While writing it just now, He gave me the Scripture that fits.
"If you keep My commandments (if you continue to obey My instructions), you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father's commandments and live so in His love. I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing." (John 15:10-11)
I was afraid to go, and dreading it. I left there with so much joy overflowing that I cannot contain the tears today.
The Lord is even at the dentist office with us. How amazing and so very personal is our God!!!!!!!! Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Jesus is your Friend!
If you could hear some of the conversations I have with Jesus, you might think I am crazy. But that's what intimacy with another person is for: you tell that person everything that is on your heart. No exceptions.
It blows my mind when He answers me with a Scripture I have read in the past, or when I can simply hear (sense) His voice in my Spirit.
A few nights ago, I was feeling badly about certain parts of my past and within minutes, I could feel Him reminding me of Isaiah 43: 18-19. "Do not earnestly remember the former things: neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth: do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Immediately, I knew that He was letting me know that I should never look back. He was saying that something new is in the future, so I should keep looking ahead at Him. Wow.
Recently, I have felt like He is leading me to write my own songs, but I have doubted my ability to do this. One night, while I was sitting at my computer, He said, "Angi, a painting does not just appear on a canvas. It takes the artist months or sometimes years to create it. So, go create." I cannot begin to tell you how this very simple statement motivated me. I knew that He was saying the songs would not come to me overnight, but that I must spend time developing them and it would be worth it.
Last year, when He told me to start writing more seriously, I also then doubted myself because I had no best-seller ideas. He spoke to me by saying, "Angi, the people in the Bible were no different from you, but they knew they must record what was happening to them..." I was so moved by this statement because I grew up thinking the characters in the Bible were super-human, perfect figures. I have since come to understand that they were, in fact, just like you and me and yet God used so many of them in absolutely amazing ways. I desire for Him to use my life in this way as well.
I could go on and on, but it's getting late and I need my rest. The point is, Jesus Christ is personal. He knew you before you were born, formed you in your mother's womb, and has the number of hairs on your head counted....so never be fooled into thinking you can't take every issue, emotion, celebration, and defeat to Him and talk with Him about it. Furthermore, you'll be amazed when you begin to hear Him speak back to your spirit. There is no greater friendship in this life.
It blows my mind when He answers me with a Scripture I have read in the past, or when I can simply hear (sense) His voice in my Spirit.
A few nights ago, I was feeling badly about certain parts of my past and within minutes, I could feel Him reminding me of Isaiah 43: 18-19. "Do not earnestly remember the former things: neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth: do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Immediately, I knew that He was letting me know that I should never look back. He was saying that something new is in the future, so I should keep looking ahead at Him. Wow.
Recently, I have felt like He is leading me to write my own songs, but I have doubted my ability to do this. One night, while I was sitting at my computer, He said, "Angi, a painting does not just appear on a canvas. It takes the artist months or sometimes years to create it. So, go create." I cannot begin to tell you how this very simple statement motivated me. I knew that He was saying the songs would not come to me overnight, but that I must spend time developing them and it would be worth it.
Last year, when He told me to start writing more seriously, I also then doubted myself because I had no best-seller ideas. He spoke to me by saying, "Angi, the people in the Bible were no different from you, but they knew they must record what was happening to them..." I was so moved by this statement because I grew up thinking the characters in the Bible were super-human, perfect figures. I have since come to understand that they were, in fact, just like you and me and yet God used so many of them in absolutely amazing ways. I desire for Him to use my life in this way as well.
I could go on and on, but it's getting late and I need my rest. The point is, Jesus Christ is personal. He knew you before you were born, formed you in your mother's womb, and has the number of hairs on your head counted....so never be fooled into thinking you can't take every issue, emotion, celebration, and defeat to Him and talk with Him about it. Furthermore, you'll be amazed when you begin to hear Him speak back to your spirit. There is no greater friendship in this life.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
God is Hilarious!
Whether you have experienced God's sense of humor in your life or not, I pray that this blog entry enlightens you. :-) He's been pressing me for about 24 hours to write it, so I better! Surely, there are many who need to see Him in this context.
A little over a year ago, He spoke to my spirit: "Cut back on sugar." I heard (sensed) Him very clearly and knew that He meant business. My flesh, however, has continued to struggle ever since.
You see, I'm what I call a "chocoholic". In fact, there should be meetings for people like me. Be it chocolate milk, a Hershey bar (dark!), a chocolate chip cookie, brownies, or my worst enemy, chocolate ice cream with Oreos in it...I love it all. The more chocolate, the better. In fact, my dessert motto is: "If it ain't chocolate, I don't eat it!" Why waste the calories on lemon pound cake or blueberry muffins?!?! I could easily find a place in my diet for alternative desserts like those, but I would much rather blow it on chocolate.
What I have learned is that the Lord Jesus is patient with us as we move toward the changes He's inspiring. I have also found His sense of humor again in this particular experience.
We have a cafeteria at the office where I work. Four days each week, a little restaurant called "Sports Page" caters lunch for us. I am frugal and don't believe in wasting money every day on eating out, so I carry my lunch. But they make this killer chocolate chip cookie, and it is often on my mind.
One afternoon, I decided it was okay to have one of these dreamy, giant cookies. I gathered up some change I had in my desk, as I knew it would be a total of $1.09. I eagerly found my place in line and smiled at the cashier who greeted me. "One chocolate chip cookie, please!"
"Oh, we don't have any more of those. But we have the Reese's peanut butter cup cookies."
"That sounds even better! I'll have one of those."
"Sure! That'll be $1.75."
I began to laugh. Needless to say, I didn't have enough money nor did I have any more back at my desk and I rarely carry much cash as it is. I declined her offer and walked away, outwardly polite but inwardly frustrated. Ha!
I then decided to go into the little snack room just around the corner from where lunch is served every day. I had another idea! There are chips and sandwiches in there, but most importantly, there is plenty of chocolate. I decided on a Three Musketeers bar.
When I got to the machine where we must ring up the item with our Market cards, the card would not scan. I knew I had enough money on it, but it simply would not scan. I became increasingly (but light-heartedly!) frustrated and decided to return to my desk. "Okay, God...You must be trying to stop me from doing this." I laughed to myself.
Later that afternoon, I completely rebelled and went back to the snack room. I refused to leave until I got that Market card to process, so I could have my candy bar!!! It tasted really good, but at the same time, I knew I was rebelling so it felt wrong! I could just feel God shaking His head at me, with a huge, loving smile on His face.
On another occasion, I thought I would have some hot chocolate. Seemed like a safe alternative. I went to the cafeteria to get some hot water from the machine so that I could mix the hot chocolate powder that I had in my desk with it. I also filled up my ice water while I was in there. When I returned to the area where I work, someone bumped me as I was coming through the door and - yep, you guessed it - the hot water flew out of my hands (NOT the ice water) and spilled on my jeans and the floor. LOL!!!!! God knew I was too lazy (that day) to go back and get more hot water, so I didn't end up having any hot chocolate that afternoon. He's so clever...
This past week, I was heading for the candy/chips aisle at Walmart. I have recently fallen in love with Hersheys' dark chocolate bars. Hey...antioxidants, right?!?!?!? The minis I buy are only a dollar and some change, so they are within the budget and they are manageable portions (that is, if I can stop at one!). Just as I began to make a bee-line for that area of the shelving units, an inventory worker pulled his giant (immovable to the ordinary citizen) cart with boxes on it full of items needing to be stocked on shelves. And yep, you guessed it...he parked directly in front of where the Hersheys dark chocolate bars are.
So, I rebelliously grabbed a box of Whoppers instead, because they were within reach. LOL...I'm soooooo bad....
Last night, I stopped by Walmart again and while I am trying to be disciplined with the candy bars thing, I decided that chocolate pudding is acceptable. When I got to the bakery aisle - yep, you guessed it again - there was a shopping cart full of merchandise situated directly in front of where the chocolate pudding was! I had to laugh...as I moved the cart and grabbed the pudding and ran!!! Ha ha ha ha!
As I have grown (and will be forever growing) in my personal relationship with Jesus, I enjoy the humor in things like this. As a kid, I always viewed Jesus as this big "force" somewhere out in the universe, and I firmly believed that He was way too busy to deal with me and my issues. But as I discover things like He cares about how much chocolate and sugar I'm consuming, I become more and more enamoured by Him and His personal touch.
After all, He knitted us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) so this is proof -from the very beginning - that He wants to be intimately involved in our lives. In fact, He already is, but are we on board with it? Are we engaging with Him from a personal standpoint? Are we discussing life's struggles with Him honestly, or are we somehow keeping our distance by just going to church every week and reciting creeds like robots?
I passionately encourage you - right this minute - to let Him into your heart. It's more than just believing in Him and the fact that He died on the cross for our sins. And it's certainly more than church attendance.
He wants to be your best friend. Won't you let Him?
P.S. Please pray for me to continue getting better at cutting back on sugar in general, sweets, and especially chocolate! Be encouraged to know that I am making progress, though. It's just slow progress!
A little over a year ago, He spoke to my spirit: "Cut back on sugar." I heard (sensed) Him very clearly and knew that He meant business. My flesh, however, has continued to struggle ever since.
You see, I'm what I call a "chocoholic". In fact, there should be meetings for people like me. Be it chocolate milk, a Hershey bar (dark!), a chocolate chip cookie, brownies, or my worst enemy, chocolate ice cream with Oreos in it...I love it all. The more chocolate, the better. In fact, my dessert motto is: "If it ain't chocolate, I don't eat it!" Why waste the calories on lemon pound cake or blueberry muffins?!?! I could easily find a place in my diet for alternative desserts like those, but I would much rather blow it on chocolate.
What I have learned is that the Lord Jesus is patient with us as we move toward the changes He's inspiring. I have also found His sense of humor again in this particular experience.
We have a cafeteria at the office where I work. Four days each week, a little restaurant called "Sports Page" caters lunch for us. I am frugal and don't believe in wasting money every day on eating out, so I carry my lunch. But they make this killer chocolate chip cookie, and it is often on my mind.
One afternoon, I decided it was okay to have one of these dreamy, giant cookies. I gathered up some change I had in my desk, as I knew it would be a total of $1.09. I eagerly found my place in line and smiled at the cashier who greeted me. "One chocolate chip cookie, please!"
"Oh, we don't have any more of those. But we have the Reese's peanut butter cup cookies."
"That sounds even better! I'll have one of those."
"Sure! That'll be $1.75."
I began to laugh. Needless to say, I didn't have enough money nor did I have any more back at my desk and I rarely carry much cash as it is. I declined her offer and walked away, outwardly polite but inwardly frustrated. Ha!
I then decided to go into the little snack room just around the corner from where lunch is served every day. I had another idea! There are chips and sandwiches in there, but most importantly, there is plenty of chocolate. I decided on a Three Musketeers bar.
When I got to the machine where we must ring up the item with our Market cards, the card would not scan. I knew I had enough money on it, but it simply would not scan. I became increasingly (but light-heartedly!) frustrated and decided to return to my desk. "Okay, God...You must be trying to stop me from doing this." I laughed to myself.
Later that afternoon, I completely rebelled and went back to the snack room. I refused to leave until I got that Market card to process, so I could have my candy bar!!! It tasted really good, but at the same time, I knew I was rebelling so it felt wrong! I could just feel God shaking His head at me, with a huge, loving smile on His face.
On another occasion, I thought I would have some hot chocolate. Seemed like a safe alternative. I went to the cafeteria to get some hot water from the machine so that I could mix the hot chocolate powder that I had in my desk with it. I also filled up my ice water while I was in there. When I returned to the area where I work, someone bumped me as I was coming through the door and - yep, you guessed it - the hot water flew out of my hands (NOT the ice water) and spilled on my jeans and the floor. LOL!!!!! God knew I was too lazy (that day) to go back and get more hot water, so I didn't end up having any hot chocolate that afternoon. He's so clever...
This past week, I was heading for the candy/chips aisle at Walmart. I have recently fallen in love with Hersheys' dark chocolate bars. Hey...antioxidants, right?!?!?!? The minis I buy are only a dollar and some change, so they are within the budget and they are manageable portions (that is, if I can stop at one!). Just as I began to make a bee-line for that area of the shelving units, an inventory worker pulled his giant (immovable to the ordinary citizen) cart with boxes on it full of items needing to be stocked on shelves. And yep, you guessed it...he parked directly in front of where the Hersheys dark chocolate bars are.
So, I rebelliously grabbed a box of Whoppers instead, because they were within reach. LOL...I'm soooooo bad....
Last night, I stopped by Walmart again and while I am trying to be disciplined with the candy bars thing, I decided that chocolate pudding is acceptable. When I got to the bakery aisle - yep, you guessed it again - there was a shopping cart full of merchandise situated directly in front of where the chocolate pudding was! I had to laugh...as I moved the cart and grabbed the pudding and ran!!! Ha ha ha ha!
As I have grown (and will be forever growing) in my personal relationship with Jesus, I enjoy the humor in things like this. As a kid, I always viewed Jesus as this big "force" somewhere out in the universe, and I firmly believed that He was way too busy to deal with me and my issues. But as I discover things like He cares about how much chocolate and sugar I'm consuming, I become more and more enamoured by Him and His personal touch.
After all, He knitted us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13) so this is proof -from the very beginning - that He wants to be intimately involved in our lives. In fact, He already is, but are we on board with it? Are we engaging with Him from a personal standpoint? Are we discussing life's struggles with Him honestly, or are we somehow keeping our distance by just going to church every week and reciting creeds like robots?
I passionately encourage you - right this minute - to let Him into your heart. It's more than just believing in Him and the fact that He died on the cross for our sins. And it's certainly more than church attendance.
He wants to be your best friend. Won't you let Him?
P.S. Please pray for me to continue getting better at cutting back on sugar in general, sweets, and especially chocolate! Be encouraged to know that I am making progress, though. It's just slow progress!
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