Gateways to Joy

God loves us more than we know.  He gives us more than we can ask or dream.  He's unrestrained . . . excessive . . . outrageous . . . OVER THE TOP. ~ {Dallas 2011 Women of Faith  motto} Friends join me this week and next as I showcase the lovely speakers who are lined up to speak at this year's Women of Faith Conference in Dallas. We will also take a look down memory lane and talk about some of the previous speakers ... see what they are doing now. Some of these speakers, I'm not familiar with so we will learn about them,  their life and their ministries together. I always look forward to meeting new and exciting people.  People with stories . . . life stories.  Can't wait to share the life stories and ministry stories of these souls with you all! So stay tune! Angela talks schedule to showcase the speakers are as follows: Monday, August 15, 2011 Patsy Clairmont Tuesday August 16, 2011 Marilyn Mebug Wednesday August 17, 2011 Lisa Whelchel Thu...

This post is a continuation from yesterday, looking at Mary's submission to her husband as she submitted to the Lord, and looking at Joseph's heart-moved submission to God. In viewing this couple we are able to see the beauty and power that submission gives in a person and couple's life when they totally live a life of a surrendered and obedient heart. God looks at our hearts, just as He did Mary's.  And just like Mary, God wants to use you and me to do great things for Him. Our obedience or lack of it holds the power of life and death for ourselves and those we love.  "Get up!  Take the child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you ... so Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt." Matthew 2:13 This couple was a couple with a prepared heart. Mary submitted to her husband and her husband submitted to God. They submitted and their family was saved. Remember Adam ...

Gratitude is defined most simply as 'the condition of being thankful.  ... gratitude is literally one of the few things that can measurably change peoples' lives.'  But, and here's the self-help angle, 'gratitude (or thankfulness) is an effortful state to create and maintain.  It is not for the intellectually lethargic.' ... preliminary findings suggest that those who regularly practice grateful thinking do reap emotional, physical, and interpersonal benefits. ... Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions such as joy, enthusiasm, love, happiness, and optimism ... The practice of gratitude as a discipline protects a person from the destructive impulses of envy, resentment, greed and bitterness.'  That cultivating gratitude can fight depression is no small deal, as antidepressants have become the most prescribed medication in the nation.  Not only all that, but being grateful can, or might, also protect us from heart attacks, lessen p...

I t's dark out. Quite in here.  The only sound I hear is the refrigerator humming and my fingers hitting the keys on the computer.  Early morning...late nights—I adore them.  It is in these moments that I am able to reflect on the day gone by... I thank Him for the gifts. One of my greatest delights: being able to open His Word to meditate.  Think.  Ponder.  Sit still. My reading comes from the book of Mark: "In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place and was praying." ~ Mark 1:35 ~ My List # 38 - 50 Thankful for my alone time.  A time to rekindle, refocus and think. Thankful for life ... health & the ability to reflect Thankful for warm beverages A glowing fire lotion after a good bath! early morning rising & late nights. my husbands kindness prayer The duties which fulfill my days. grace Christian radio The ability "to live fully right wher...