Gateways to Joy

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matt 18:3 NRSV I read this verse and thought, "Hm. What does become like a little child mean?" Depend on God?  Depending on God isn't easy.  Sometimes in certain situations it's even easier to say then do. Today when you're going about your day, working, cooking, cleaning, resting, laughing, remember to be like the little child Jesus talks about in Matthew 18:3, and remember no matter how scary the place is where you find yourself today: "God is with you.  God is for you regardless of how many times you've messed up & more importantly, God loves you." Have a great day! xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

Hi this is to let many of you know that I have started a new blog. I plan on starting to write about my devotions here soon, and the things that God is teaching me. I have moved over to www.angelaambroise.com because I talk about a lot more of my passions. I don't post everyday anymore because I have been working hard on making wood signs for my shop, but I do talk about the things I like. So if you get a chance stop on by I would love to hear from you. www.angelaambroise.com xo ~ Angela

Oh it has been a minute or two since we've come together.  I miss you desperately.  These days it seems that I can barely keep my thoughts straight let alone put them down on paper. I hope this post finds all of you doing well.  I am doing so-so, still having problems with my mouth.   Still working at my God-sized dream . For the past few weeks I've been diligently working with my 17 year-old son who has had a lot of questions about the Bible even questioning parts of it. This broke my heart because I felt like I'd fell as a mother--as his mother. " What?!... wait?! Where is all of this coming from Lord?"  I cried out. My son is such a deep thinker.  He thinks of things that have never entered my mind.  He looks at things and reasons in way that are Greek to me.  God is growing me with this child. For the past three weeks we stay up way past 2'o clock reading Chuck Swindoll's study guide, Hope in Hurtful Times !  I can't tell...

I feel so proud to show this to you! Why?  Because normally I would be too afraid to share my work with anyone, but I am conquering my fears! This one is for sale!  If you're interested in buying it email me at: gatewaystojoy@gmail.com, and put "art work" in the subject line. I'm taking custom orders too! So how are you doing with your art work? Are you conquering your fears?

I don't.  I don't feel worthy of my dreams or anything else today. I hate those days when I let someone else dictate my mood.  That's what I'm fighting through right now. I'm not worried though because I know it will pass.  I just hate letting myself get here in the first place.  When I think about it long and hard, the reason, the real reason someone was able to change my demeanor so drastically is because I am feeling unworthy. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3: 22-23 Regardless of how I feel, God reassures me in my head that I am worthy, thanks to the blood of Jesus and me accepting Him. Friends, no matter what mistakes I make, no matter how many times I fall down, I will get back up and serve God forever.  Hopefully, you will too. Are you feeling unworthy today? I s that fear of unworthiness holding you back...

The last time we were together we talked about fear as a stronghold of us back for going after our God-size dream.  We also said that fear of failure is often the stumbling block to trying. I know for me a lot of times the reason I am scared of failing is because I feel like my skill level is inadequate.  I always end up finding someone who does things that I am trying to do "better than me," and I start to feel inadequate.  Fear by comparison is lethal. Many of you have written me and told me your stories.  I see where you are creative women, mothers-- no different from me, who have put your art on hold in order to care for your family. However, as we are learning, it is hard to squash the want and desire to create for too long when God has gifted you in that area. I've decided to do a couple of breif {15-20 min} tutorials explaining to you to set up a free blog and design a free blog. Many people will tell you to get your own domain.  ...