Life moment

Yesterday Jim and I met a precious elderly couple at the oncologist office. As we set there waiting to see the doctor about the next steps we will be taking with Jim's hemochromatosis we joined in conversation with that sweet couple. As the 4 of us spoke in that waiting room. We learned they have been married for 64 years. That the man had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. That he thinks his wife is an angel and that she has washed many pairs of socks for him over the years. We learned that the cost of his medication is $4500.00 for a 30 day supply. And about how they have sold alot of stuff around their 80 acre (now 40 acre farm) to afford his medication. And we saw how scared a precious lady is about the possibility of loosing her adored husband. But the biggest thing we learned about this couple that we will probably never see again is that they both have a strong faith in Jesus Christ. The elderly man (whom reminded me of my grandpa) said these words," I'm not scared. I don't like it, but I'm not worried because the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob is still my God and he has never changed and will never change. As they were called back to the doctor I felt such an urge to do something for this couple so as the lady walked by behind her husband I stood up and said it has been such a pleasure speaking with you both and I hugged her. Not a fast see you later hug, but a real I feel for you, I'm sorry your going through this hug. We both let go with tears in our eyes and as they went through the door I said to my husband what a precious couple they are. He agreed and we both set there quietly I know we were both reflecting on the conversation we had just had. I set there and realized I have the power through Jesus to do something very important for that couple.... to lift them both up in prayer to my Heavenly Father God. So as the days pass I will be praying over this couple. And may our time with them even so brief of a moment be a lasting memory of how important life moments can be.
With love in Christ,
Angela

November Christmas

So what do you think about having Christmas starting in November? I know what your thinking... what about Thanksgiving???? Well for years I thought the same thing. Don't put up the Christmas tree until the weekend after Thanksgiving. Don't start any Christmas preparation until after Thanksgiving. But maybe it's getting older (you know they say you get wiser as you get older, don't they say that?) Any who... It occurred to me this week that Thanksgiving and Christmas should really be one huge season wrapped in love together. Stay with me for a minute and I'll explain my thinking. We would all agree that the Thanksgiving season is a time of giving thanks and being thankful. The Christmas season is a time of remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ. It seems to me that we should be thankful all the time and we should celebrate our Jesus everyday not just one day a year in rememberance of His birth. We should really be thankful for Jesus everyday of the week. And we should live our lives to show our continued thankfulness. So for me and my family this year we've decided to mix the two seasons together. To spend this season being thankful for our blessings, and most of all for the unearned undeserved favor from God we have been given in Jesus Christ. So if you show up at our house next week you'll probably find us knee deep in Christmas decorations and a huge Christmas tree. So what do you think about mixing our nativity scene with yellow, orange & brown from our Thanksgiving pumpkins & leaves. I can just see a peace in surrounding baby Jesus in our Thanksgiving.
All for Jesus,
Angela

Tootsie Rolls

Last night was a GREAT class in our youth group for me. I have been praying over our youth and their interest, and their attendance on Wed nights. Have you ever tried to talk to a bunch of teenagers on a teaching level? Let me tell you without them saying anything at all you can start feeling very alone and inadequate for the task as you try to bring them a lesson out of God's word. And then, God gave me an exciting idea.... "TOOTSIE ROLLS" Last night as class started with great Christian music from the group Pillar and a strobe light spinning around the room I had a surprise hidden under the podium. As the music ended & the strobe light turned off we started class. When we got to the point of me throwing out a question as usual (dead silence) no one had a response....are you serious QUIET teenagers. This time I was ready with the help of prayer. And so, I reached for the tootsie roll bag. Basically the deal was if they answered questions and gave me & the class feed back and discussion on our topic they would be thrown a tootsie roll. Let me tell you I have discovered the secret of getting teenagers to interact with you in a class setting..... feed them junk food. Class was great we talked about our topic living proof by simply living. In otherwards walkin the walk and talkin the talk in Christ. And my small group of teenagers last night had alot to say.
I thank God for giving me such a great idea to spike their interest. Sure it was for tootsie rolls but guess what regardless of what gets a person to sit under God's word to start with once your under it his word WILL NOT return void!!!!! How cool is that!!!
As always thanks for stopping by the GRILL and I hope your leave a comment. Look forward to meeting back here again real soon.
All for Christ,
Angela

God answers quiet gentle prayers.

Can I share some real thoughts with you today? We lost my mother-in-law this past January to leukemia but primarily and most importantly God called her home. The last couple of weeks I have really been missing her. She's been very much in my daily thoughts. Sunday after church Jim and I were discussing his dad who is currently taking treatment for cancer himself. And we began talking about his mom. As we spoke about Jim's parents I realized in my thoughts that since his mom past away I have not had a single dream about her. I began to think about how much comfort it would be to see her, to speak to her, to hug her again. And I had a quiet moment just thinking to myself and to my Heavenly Father who knows my every thought my every desire my every need. Last night which was Monday night I dreamed the sweetest dreams about my mother-in-law. I saw her I spoke to her I hugged her and she hugged me. I felt her as real as typing these words now. When I awoke I was so rested and as I got ready for work it occurred to me that God had blessed me last night in my dreams with the desire of my heart. To be near my sweet loving friend and mother-in-law again. I thank my God for gentle quiet prayers being answered.
Thanks for sharing in this blessing with me. And come on back to the grill again.
With love in Christ,
Angela

Prayer and pool playing

Yesterday on my way home from work I was praying and seeking a word from God. I was sincerely asking God's forgiveness because of the time and energey I waste every day while asking God for more time. I was speaking with my God and asking Him to please help me to see my opportunities especially with my precious family. Why is it we sometimes save our best for the outside world and give the peope we love what is leftover.... and isn't that true with how we often give the leftover to God too. Not that we mean to. I'm convinced that I don't deliberately often fall asleep talking with God at night. I don't deliberately tell my children to wait while I watch the television. I don't deliberately fall asleep on my husband while he's sharing his thoughts of the day. So as I was sharing these feelings with God and humbly asking Him to show me the moments I don't take I pulled into our drive God began instantly to show me the desire of my heart's prayer. There Jim and Zack were walking across the yard toward the barn to get Zack's little 4 wheeler out. Instead of turning off the car and running inside to start dinner "I STOPPED" I watched a precious site Zack swinging his arms and shaking his head in a very deep, real, and enthusiastic conversation with his daddy. What a beautiful site. And just now it occurred to me how wonderful it would be if everyday I talked that real that deep that enthusiastic with my arms swinging to my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord for giving me this thought.

Back to last night. I went in and Jim came through the house he said he was heading to the barn to shoot pool. Once again God gave me that small voice that said, "STOP" go shoot pool with him. And I did. (NOT WELL but I was there and we were having fun.) Toward the end of the game the boys came up in the top of the barn and grabbed pool sticks and we all played a round of pool together. It was a great moment that had I not taken time to "STOP" I would have missed such a beautiful blessing on such a normal regular Tuesday evening. I encourage you and myself to "STOP" more often. Start by "STOPPING" for a quiet time with our Lord. "STOP" to really listen and see our husband. "STOP" to truly hear and watch our children. "STOP" to hear God in our lives. Thank you so much for "STOPPING" by the grill today. Be blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
All 4 my Jesus,
Angela

Facing big task by saying yes to the little ones.

I'm going to share some real life with you this morning. If your reading this today and have ever been here with me leave me a comment and let me know I'm not all alone. In June of 2007 at the age of 33 I rededicated my life to my Lord my Savior Jesus Christ. Since then I've been praying (sometimes stronger than other times) that God would use me in a big way for His glory. Over and over I would pray that over myself and even over my family, over my husband over my children. That we would be used in great ways for God's glory for His kingdom. Over and over and it seemed that God was not listening, or not wanting me to do anything. And because I didn't see task as important or I didn't here drums and see rockets flying to announce that God was about to use me I past them by. I said no over and over while at the exact same time asking God to please use me, and even on some occassions I would take on the task but not to the fullest of my ability. As a matter of fact alot of the time not realizing what I was doing I would handle it by myself without consulting my God at all. And then when the task was completed I would still be left feeling as though God is just not using me YET. AND THEN... this week God showed up and clearly gave me this truth. That yes He loves me, yes He can use me and will but I have to say yes when he calls. EVEN on the smallest jobs. There are no small jobs for God's glory. I have probably heard that over and over but it wasn't until this week this time that I understood the truth behind the meaning. God may have big plans for this woman but if I can't act on the small plans how can He use me for bigger. So I say today that in everything I do may I truly do it for my God's glory. And may God use me however He desires. Big or small ... the size of the job isn't important it's the size of my heart that matters.
All 4 Christ,
Angela

Let me tell ya!

This weekend was God filled. I was blessed with spending Friday and Saturday with 10 wonderful women from our church. As we headed out in one mighty full church van on our way Memphis the weather was rainy and windy, but we had an AWESOME Jesus guiding us the whole way. Not to mention a great lady named Joan behind the wheel. We showed up checked into our hotel and headed to grab a bite before going to the Living Proof Live conference with Beth Moore. The food was good the conference was incredible. There was 13,300 women in the Fedex Forum in Memphis and about oh I would say 10 men. It was a weekend filled with most of all God, laughter, encouragement, and a new awareness of what God is like according to Exodus 34. It was great to hear such a motivational Godly speaker and even better to receive a Godly message spoken directly to my very own heart. God gave me a new awareness that as much as I ask Him to grow me spiritually to lead & guide me to change me from the inside out through Jesus Christ and His holy spirit. He said very clearly to me over the course of this weekend. If I want Him to lead me I've got to be willing to chase after Him through all situations. So as I allow this newness of chasing after my God sink in to my heart and soul. I pray that I will be living proof of God's abounding love, compassion, grace, and forgiveness in my daily life walk. If your checking out the grill today let me know by leaving a comment. I'd love to hear from you.
In love with Christ Jesus,
Angela