Grasping...understanding...blessed....learning through JOY

by Angel Thompson on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 9:09pm ·

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2.20.2012

We were not created to die. When God created, made this world, the garden, man....it was for eternity. Sin enters and all changes. Sickness, death, uncertainty, famine, loss....all is meaningless, we are but wind, a puff of smoke, grass that grows, withers and dies. What hope does one have if the very thing you were created for was swept away in a mouthful of fruit? Christ. His death made it possible to have life a new....an everlasting life where there will be no sickness, death, uncertainty, loss....In Him there is meaning and hope. As my friend struggles each moment for breath and my mind tries to wrap around what is happening I cling to the hope of knowing she is new in HIM and will have a new body breathing in HIS amazing fragrance. Oh My JESUS bring comfort, peace, rest and understanding.

2.22.2012

Rambling thoughts to my Jesus and just in my head. Not sure how many of you have had long friendships or short...yet when you meet another believer it is as though your friendship never began or started...it just....was. This is how it is with my friend Joy. Not only is that a bond of being Sisters in Christ, but we are mothers of children with Autism. I have known Joy since August of this year when I was honored to meet her to advocate for her son. My friend is dying of cancer...I miss her texts, the bantering we did back and forth. I will admit I am selfish as I talk with God about allowing her to wake and be healed....as I know He can, yet His plans are something I am not privileged to see.

Oh Lord, forgive me for my selfishness. Even as an adult it is so hard for me to grasp it all.

For my friends family, Matt and I are praying for comfort as they sit with her day and night. You all are amazing....Joy is a fighter and I see you all have the same qualities.

Just my thoughts of tonight. Bring peace to Joy and her family.

FEBRUARY 22, 2012 @ 10:44PM my dear friend walked over the threshold of Heaven into Jesus' sweet fragrance!

I HAD THE HONOR: My August meeting of JOY.

I want to SMELL LIKE SHEEP.

My rambling thoughts of being a Shepherdess for my Jesus

by Angel Thompson on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 10:34am ·

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In the past 4 years I have had the most humbling ministry. I get to shepherd our kids from Kindergarten – 4th grade in our KIDS Church. I have watched them grow, struggle and ask amazing questions about God, Jesus, life, family stuff and spiritual warfare that they have faced in their young lives. I have been a witness as God has grabbed their hearts and have heard them confess HIS NAME and tell everyone that they are making HIM the leader of their lives and from that moment forward that their hearts are HIS.

When I reflect back on the last 4 years I can only think of one ACTION word regarding shepherding kids…INVEST.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary States:

In`vest´

v. t.

1.

[imp. & p. p. Invested; p. pr. & vb. n. Investing.]

3.

To clothe, as with office or authority; to place in possession of rank, dignity, or estate; to endow; to adorn; to grace; tobedeck; as, to invest with honor or glory; to invest with an estate.

4.

To surround, accompany, or attend.

5.

To confer; to give.

6.

(Mil.) To inclose; to surround or hem in with troops, so as to intercept reinforcements of men and provisions and preventescape; to lay siege to; as, to invest a town.

I LOVE THIS PART OF THE DEFINITION AS WE AS SHEPHERDS DO THIS TO BRING SAFETY AGAINST THOSE THINGS THAT ARE RAGING ALL AROUND….WE INVEST IN THEM, SURROUND THEM……AS TEACHERS WE ARE LIKE A TROOP HEMING OURSELVES AROUND THEM TO KEEP THE ENEMY OUT AS THEY GAIN STRENGTH AND LAY HOLD OF GOD’S POWER IN THEIR LIVES.

8.

To expend (time, money, or other resources) with a view to obtaining some benefit of value in excess of that expended,or to achieve a useful pupose; as, to invest a lot of time in teaching one's children.

WordNet Dictionary

Verb

1.

invest - make an investment;

Synonyms: commit, put, place

2.

invest - give qualities or abilities to

Synonyms: endow, endue, gift, indue, empower

What happens however if the shepherd does not INVEST but has become….complacent?

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Com`pla´cent

a.

1.

Self-satisfied.

What view and action will you take today in the areas God has placed you?

We are called to invest.

Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Father, may all of our kids at YTWO feel your warmth today and may those who come in contact with one of your warriors experience something different and want to know more about you. Help all of the kids to BE THE ONE for you today. Protect them in the name of Jesus and grant them UNITY. In the name of Jesus ~ Amen

www.gccytwo.blogspot.com

www.churchofsecondchances.com

It Was a Wisp of a Morning

Reflecting today on past thoughts and writings...wanted to share.

Excerpt from:

The True Intimacy Of Becoming A Water Walker

By: Angel S. Thompson

Copyright Year: © 2006 Published by:

Unleashing Potential Ministries/Angel Thompson All Rights Reserved.

"IT WAS A WISP OF A MORNING”

Joshua pays careful attention to details, those details that we do not see. If something is just a little off, no matter if mommy fixes it, it is too much for his little mind to handle, and it will set him into a melt down.

This morning was one of those moments. There was a bend in the wisk that I allow the kids to play with. Albeit it small, it was noticeable to him. He tried to fix it himself, however the bend was now very noticeable. I attempted to fix it, putting it back into its mangled wisp look. Yet, it was too late. All he saw was the bend from before. He could not see beyond what his mind grasped earlier and he could not handle it. He was on the floor screaming, hitting his head and heels on the floor. There was nothing I could do. Reassuring him only added fire to the already intense moment. So, I picked up around him. 20 minutes later he came to me with tears in his eyes saying, "hold you." Translated meaning "hold me mommy". So I picked him up and cradled him as we swayed, then we sat and rocked. 30 minutes passed with this 45- pound boy curled in my arms gently rocking in the chair.

As I think of my son's battle with Autism, I think of man in the Bible named David who was being pursued by Saul, a man trying to kill him. In the book of Psalms we read about David's struggles as his enemies were at his heels. We read about his fear and his anger. Yet we also read his songs of praise to God for His deliverance from his enemies.

Just as Joshua sought shelter in my arms from the fear and frustration he faces daily with Autism, so David sought that same type of shelter in the arms of God.

Psalm 18:1-6, 16-19

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my

enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my

distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears....

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.

They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Just as quick as David could say, "Why, Lord...where are You, Lord..." He would regain his senses in the arms of God and praise Him, and continue his days journey.

After those 30 minutes Joshua looked up at me, arms open wide and said, "Thanks Mommy" as he embraced me with a hug. I said, "You're welcome, I love you." His response, "Thanks Mommy, I love you too." He then went onto the porch to play.

Life's walk is hard. The journey can be long, uncertain and at times fearful. Yet, with the knowledge that the Lord is there to "lift you out of the deep...to bring you into a spacious place...because He delights in you"...brings a sense of peace and realization that you can walk out onto your "life's porch", and He is waiting with open arms to rock you during those most difficult moments in your journey.

Intimate moment with Christ

Life can be overwhelming. Will you allow Him to cradle you today, to “sway” with you? David knew God could bring comfort, will you trust Him with your frustrations and fears?

__________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________

Father, my days are so uncertain. I don’t know how I am going to make it through this week. I need your embrace today. Please allow me to experience the warmth of your presence in my life today. Hold me, sway with me, and give me comfort as I walk today. I am on my “life’s porch”, rock with me.

A DAY OF PONDER....a weekend past of....

In memory of one so young.....who now is free and sits with THE SON!
by Angel Thompson on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 12:52pm

Rain drops fall against the pane
Water floods against the train….
Of thought I sit in vacant stare
My head cannot wrap around the glare

Of the emptiness the water now brings
To the family’s loss echo rings
As the rain drops hit the window pane
Bringing moisture to their eyes again

No understanding as to why
She is now taken to the sky
Brokenness is all that attains
The windows eye of dripping pain

Even though earthly loss is seen
She is now beyond all that has been
My Jesus holds her tight within his grasp
For her young life has finished her earthly task

To the mother and father who have yet to begin
Know we are here without any grins
As we sit with you in your vacant stare
We can now help you see beyond the glare

As the raindrops fall
Against the window pane so tall
Jesus by our side only He can dry the pain eyes
He waits to walk with you…as he knows you beneath your guise

She is gone
You are here
And Our Lord has made it clear
That through it all….in the midst of our pain He is but one voice near

Rain drops fall against the pane
Water floods against the train….
Of thought I sit in vacant stare
My head begins to see beyond the glare

CHANGE

God amazes me. Tomorrow, November 18th, I and two other incredible ladies will be talking about RADICAL....QUIETLY SCREAMING RADICALS! at our Ladies Conference.

I have been challenged a great deal over the past two weeks regarding my relationship with God and if I am willing to radically abandon all for HIM. Am I willing to not only hear what He is calling me to do, but then to GO and do what He is telling me... to do.

Today I was asked to change positions in my job. (I don't like change), and at first I said no. Yet, even though I have not desire to move around our team I also began to think about what God has been challenging me with regarding radically hearing His voice.

How many of you know the definition of CHANGE? "make a shift, replace, exchange, modify......" to name some of the definition. However here is the part of the definition that HIT me square in the face; it was b : to make radically different.

Lord, you are asking me to walk straight out of my comfort zone into an area that i have not wanted to go....yet I am willing to make a radical change to make a RADICAL DIFFERENCE. Change....

Have you heard God telling you to walk out of your comfort zone and radically abandon all in order to follow where He is leading you?

THE TIME IS NOW FOR OUR TEENS

What is vision without movement? We began this incredible, risk taking, stepping out in faith to begin a coffee shop for teens. A place where they can hang out, a safe place. There have been snags along the way, yet our LORD has been so faithful and steady. We are now in the throws of opening....yet we NEED YOUR HELP. Tonight 2 pastors labored in sweat as they began painting the walls of this safe haven for teens. So, I am now calling on all teens! Please come and make this place your own. CALL PASTOR MATT (440.415.5465) and set a time to come and paint! We want this place to open before the end of November and we know YOU ALL DO TOO. Parents, singles, EVERYONE.....CHURCH....we are calling on you to HELP. We need your movement.

I have a new friend who came to me last week and shared that her teen ran away. Her daughter contacted her and stated that it was not what she thought and she was afraid, but did not want to tell her mom for fear of her life. Today she was found. Beaten, possibly raped and was kept "doped" up for over a week.

The time is NOW. Our teens need a place, a safe place to hang out. A safe place to come if they are scared and need a mentor....HELP US GET THIS OPEN. We need your physical strength....and, if you are so led, drop a donation at donate@thegrounds4u.com

60 Second phone call with Angel about RADICAL.

Join us for this FALL'S Ladies Conference, November 18th

www.churchofsecondchances.com

Here at GCC's BECOMING, no matter where we are in our walk or our life....this is what we are striving to be daily. That our very essence of being...Him pouring out of us is BECOMING and drawing others to want to know more about HIM.

BECOMING is a time where we as women can come and find encouragement, refreshment, laughter and grow together while listening to great speakers, DVD's and impactful worship. Come join us, bring a friend...you will not leave the same!
Please RSVP: email: tina@genevachurchofchrist.org
http://www.churchofsecondchances.com/