Gateways to Joy

Burdens?  This and that? Sometimes the walls in your life, the glue that binds you together, the thing that keeps you sane, that makes you continue to chose right over wrong seems to loose its grip and the adhesive wears away. I know the Holy Spirit is steadfast within us, but sometimes as believers we can ignore that very adhesiveness that binds the being within us.  We ignore Him and go our own way. When I get like this I find myself asking, "Is it worth it?" I mean really and truly is all of what I am doing, not doing and giving up really worth it?  Sometimes you just wonder these things you know? Most of us, the one's who have dedicated our lives to walking in the way that pleases God, make decisions for our life based on how we feel God's leading. However, we learn very quickly that just because we are obedient to what God has told us doesn't mean that our obedience in that area will SEEMINGLY to us— turn out perfect or pleasant.  Sometimes it see...

Beth Moore has a new Bible study people: James Mercy Triumphs . The Facebook party for the study starts on Lifeway's Facebook page, November 01, 2011. Lifeway says, and I concur, that it will be an hour full of fun! Guess what though?  Guess who the special guest will be within that hour full of fun?  You got it, Yours Truly, Beth Moore! Will you come join the fun and pass the information along please ... don't forget to tell them about the prizes be given away such as a gift certificate to Lifeway Christian Stores, an IPAD2, Beth Moore James kit, and lots more during the chat of the live webcast!!! So ladies, are you in, are you game?  Come on then, start passing the word. Tag. You're it! Lifeway Christian Store Facebook Page Lifeway Christian Beth Moore xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

Abortion survivor Gianna Jessen tells the riveting tale of her seventeen year-old, seven and a half months pregnant mother's decision to go to a planned parenthood to end her pregnancy by having a saline solution injection abortion.  Usually when a procedure such as this one is performed, the baby is delivered within 24 hours dead! But Gianna didn't arrive dead. She arrived alive! Listen to the account of Gianna's life story ... a life story predestined by God for God. I honestly think this is the first time a speaker has given my chills.  She's a phenomenal speaker. Throughout the entire videos all I could say was, "Yes."  and "Amen." Please scroll down and pause the music. If you are getting this post via email, please go here to hear the story of abortion survivor, Gianna Jessen.  yes, you read it right.  Gianna Jessen survived her mother's abortion. {a repost from the archives} &...

M any of you have asked about the interview of Elisabeth Elliot's daughter.  I've decided to put the link on this page to give you easier access. I do ask that you do not copy, download and/or save the pictures without permission.  I have more pictures of the family to put up, but am trying to see if my request will be honored first, it wasn't on my last blog. Anyway, please enjoy the interview and if you have questions I'd loved to hear from you. Interview with Valerie Elisabeth Elliot {Update from daughter Valerie Elliot She A video interview with the slang missionaries wives and more pictures of Valerie & Family .  Please don't download, print or forward pictures.  I can see if this is done and will be force to take the pictures down.  That would be sad, as many have asked to see Elisabeth Val and the family. So please simply look at the pictures and enjoy. Thank you.  Enjoy! xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook...

It really is about the seeing ... the viewing ... how you see it? Remember, God knows the finish product of our life, He never sees the underside or the upside down. This is a beautiful video.  I saw it at Ann's and knew I had to share it with you. Sit back and watch the messiness turn into beauty—just like our lives. If you are seeing this through the email, click here so you won't miss the video .  Don't forget to silence the music. I hope you are blessed by this video.  Please share it. Blessings. xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is " Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear." ~ 1 Peter 3:16 Lord:  human master, ruler.  One who has due power ownership, control, or authority over others.  A term of respect for ones father, rulers and government officials, teachers, et al. Yep.  That's what he needs ladies: reverence.  A man needs his ego fed.  That's just how the Lord designed him. I try and I fall and I try and I fall. And I will keep trying (and falling). So what does it say, ladies, to our man when we treat him as lord?  We say to them that we: trust him we think he's capable he has favor with us we respect him and yes, we love him To put it in today's terminology we're basically telling him that we think "He's all that!" Now...how do we follow in Sarah's footsteps? WE SUBMIT Ouch!  I know for some...

I've been alone for a good part of the day today. This is not the norm. My thoughts are racing . . . emotions flying high from so many things. There is so much to do. "Sh . . . hush." I whisper inwardly, bending my head toward my knees to finger comb my hair into one ponytail.  "Um, I love the smell of coffee," I think as I swing my head back up, getting a whiff of the coffee sitting beside my laptop in my favorite coffee mug. I inhale deeply. Exhale. "Simplicity." I think. "Be silent.  Listen . . ." I say.  See if you can hear Him now that you're alone and things are getting a little more quiet in your heart.  I have so many things I want to tell you, Lord." I exhale. And I think, "I am alone. . . Alone is exactly how I've been feeling lately. Like something is missing?" "Let all within you listen to Him.  Feel Him.  Experience Him," I remind myself. "This silence of all the outwar...

In the beginning, God created the world. He could have left you out of it.  But he didn’t.  He made you to go in it. To fit. To have a place. If you weren’t there, things would be unfinished. You have a place, a role, a hand in how this whole story plays out. But what does that even look like? Are you playing a role that was never meant for you? Does your influence feel limp rather than alive? Well that’s kind of what this next 31 days is all about. I do hope you’ll stick around.  Those are  Emily's words. Have you ever thought about the difference you're making?  How your life, your existence is not only effecting you, but those around you?  Do you have specific goals with  making a difference or do you just wing it? I have so many ways I want to change the world...make a difference.  Of course, I think it starts with me being right here at home, but I don't want it to stop here that's for sure.  I want my life to matter to extend out....

My thoughts from my morning journaling. .. Twenty years ago when Kennedy and I stood at the marriage altar, we didn't think much about the journey we were about to take.  We loved Christ and each other, that, we thought, was enough to build our life on. We had a new life together, soon our lives would include another and another, and another and ... . There were so many things we had not learned... many things that we did not know. When we stand at the altar and profess our love are we really prepared to love?  Do we realize the sacrifices love will call us to, the ripping away of self? Why didn't the well-intended tell us what it really took to build a home? Why didn't they tell us about all of the heartache and pain that went into loving and building correctly? We didn't know that love and good intentions could be misconstrued by the loved one to the point that it causes us pain. I never knew love could hurt and the very man who said, "He loved me c...

For those who can't see the video, watch the video here by clicking on the highlighted words.  Thanksgiving Chair . Dwell on this today :-) And might you consider reading Psalm 107? Don't forget to go to the sidebar and quiet the music. xo, Angela blog subscription  | twitter | facebook

Hi ladies! Today I have a challenge for you.  It is actually a challenge that I want you to do for the remainder of the month.  If you're like me, you're already striving for this... however, if you are like me, at times this very important challenge may fall by the way-side. Women.  I believe we set the atmosphere for our home.  What about you, do you believe that? I've taken notes... done sort of a test and what I've concluded is that often times my countenance will either uplift my family or bring them down. This challenge is not original either.  I got the idea to link up with Courtney over at Women Living Well.  I saw where she talked about humming while doing the dishes and I thought to myself, "I need to share with the ladies how I love washing dishes by candlelight while drinking San Pellegrino and listening to classical music"  Hey, I like it :-) Or how I love to be the only one up early morning with candles lit ...

I found these prayers while roaming to and fro through the blogesphere.  Instantly while reading them, I was reminded of the prayers from "The Power of A Praying Wife" that I use to faithfully pray for my husband. I hope if you don't pray for your husband on a regularly basis ladies or if you need more guided prayers, or if you just want to change up your prayers a bit, this list will be of some sort of assistance to you. I'll tell you one thing I'm learning ... it's hard for me to pray for someone and complain about them at the same time.  It also seems that it's hard to be mad at a person while praying for them.  Seems that God has this way of giving me eternal vision and perspective where the molehill takes on a different shape, no longer looking like the boulder or mountain that stood in my way. 25 Prayers for My Husband I pray… that he continues to grow spiritually through the disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and quiet times. (Proverbs 4:23...

Today is Friday!  That means two things over here: 1.  Reflection.  For those of you participating in the 1 John Bible study , it means reflecting and catching up. Today we will look at some of my favorite videos.  One of the videos will be from Angela who is another one of the Good Morning Girls leaders. 2.  For the rest of you who visit the site it means I'm back to my Favorite Blog, Friday! The other video is from one of my favorite all time Christian writer's and speakers Lysa Terkurst. I am mainly sharing Lysa with you all so that those of you unfamiliar with her and her resources will no longer be in the dark!  Her resources and ministry, I think, should be apart of every Christian woman's library.  She challenges me in the best way.  I adore her and thank God for her ministry.   One more thing, I like that she looks good and stylish.  She shows us that we can be spiritual, modest and look great! Don't forget to go ov...