Angelic Encounters

"Are not angels all ministering spirits sent out (of God for the assistance) of those who are to inherit salvation?"

Hebrews 1:14

Whenever I approach the book of Hebrews I know I can plan on being impacted by its heavy words. Today this verse caused me to stop and ponder.  Are not angels available for our assistance and guidance as we walk through this journey here on earth? 

This thought may challenge some of your theologies.  Recently I had the privilege of taking a class here at Regent University titled, "Angelology and Demonology." Whenever I would tell someone I was taking this class their interest was always sparked.  No we did not sit around and share stories of angelic and demonic encounters.  But we did focus on their origin and purpose during ancient biblical text, and their possible purpose for today in the lives of Believers.  

This topic was vast and because of the lack of time we were very limited on our discussions, but one day while we were discussing the ministry of angels I was shocked and saddened to learn that some of my seminary classmates did not believe in angels today. They rationalized for the sake of scripture that God used them during biblical times, because this is very clear throughout the Old Testament and within the journeys of our New Testament church; however, since we now have the Holy Spirit as our assistance, some believed we no longer needed the assistance of these angelic beings.  

But here's my ration: Paul had many angelic encounters that were after the ascension of Christ and the coming of Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit).  I am no theologian, nor do I consider my self an expert of the scriptures, but this seems a little self explanatory to me.

This scripture I think, is self explanatory as well. Angels were created to serve God, and when we become joint heirs of the Kingdom of God through salvation in Jesus Christ, we too partake in this privilege. 

No angels are not to be worshiped (Paul makes this clear in the book of Colossians), but I think we can learn a thing or to from them, such as HOW to worship. Scripture tells us of them worshiping God (Heb. 1:6)! Also ancient biblical text also tells us of how close the Angels work with God and encounter His throne room!

 (This was another very interesting thing I learned during my class, but this is a whole other topic, but an interesting one, especially as one who loves to worship. Real quick~can't help myself~, there was a civilization within the Qumran Community where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found, who longed and strived to live in purity such as angels to get as close as they could to the throne of God. There are even texts within the Dead Sea Scrolls that tell us this community of people encountered Angels who taught them how to worship their Heavenly Father!)

I could go on all day about this topic, as it is one that is vastly researched, discussed, and debated; however, my goal in this blog post is too discuss and bring to light the privedlge we have as Believers.  Angels are not beings to be forgotten or ignored, but they are gift from God that He uses from time to time to help us in time of need, and minister to us whenever He so desires to send them. 

Every night when I put my girls to bed, I ask God to send forth His angels to our home and our my girls as they sleep. They are there to fight our spiritual battles for us in the unseen world. Their swords of Praise can tear down any stronghold and attack of the enemy.  Better yet, they are an extension of Gods hand and kingdom and He has provided their services to us during our time here on earth and this scripture reminds me of their help and assistance in this trying world.

I urge you as a Believer to seek God on this topic. Discover for your self how God can use Angels in your life to serve as helpers in this journey of life. 

Here are some books that I highly recommend concerning this topic:

Angelic Encounters By James and Michal Ann Goll ~ This is a great book about a couple in ministry who encountered Angels in the night. God used these Angelic encounters to minister to them, and to show them a piece of His heavenly Kingdom.

The Books of Enoch~ The is a translation of the extra-biblical text, The Book of Enoch.  This book shows the origins of Angels and of Demons(The Book of Watchers). And it also shows how God used Archangels to perform His tasks... This is clear representation too of how our Old Testament authors viewed angels and their capabilities. (This was a text book used within my class)

Resting In His Grace

Whew... Well if I told you that this week was marvelous, I would only be considered optimistic, because honestly, its felt anything but.  I think God allows these times to reel us back in to reality. And I've been hearing the winding of the wheel as God turns the handle. The tugs don't always feel so good, but the end results are worth it.

Humility and His Grace is where I am choosing to rest tonight. I thank God for allowing me to walk in my ways for a little bit so I can experience the hiccups first hand. They are just bittersweet reminders that I am not quite where I need to be, and I am absolutely nothing without His grace and providence in my life.

Have you felt like you've failed the test lately? Well, let me just say, you are not alone. I have failed more than one test this week, but I am learning these failed test are not to be looked upon as negative experiences. We should look upon them as huge stepping stones that are getting us closer and closer to His Heavenly Throne. Sometimes we'll trip as we are taking that next step and fall, and may even skid our knee a bit, but His graceful hand reaches down to help us back up, and it's then that we realize we can't get up these big stones without Him.

So tonight, as I reflect on this week of reeling, I am graciously reminded of where I belong, in His presence, just resting in His grace......

Seeing Your Reflection in His Eyes!

Tonight I had the privilege to hear Jason Upton speak at our UnChapel here at Regent University. I don't get on campus much; however, I always cease the opportunity too when Jason comes. He comes bearing heavy words to challenge my heart and lunges me into the deeper pursuit of the one who created me. 

Tonight was no different. His words pierced my heart, and actually God spoke the same word he spoke through a young girl before he even spoke. For some reason emotions were high for me tonight. I would like to blame it on over exhaustion from being a mommy of two babies and being in school, but thats the norm of my life. Tonight the emotions seem to be more God lead.  Sometimes when I am in His presence thats all I can do, is weep.  Its almost cleansing for me and allows me to release all the burdens I've been holding inside! 

Anyways, as the young girl spoke about Hagar, the maid servant to Abraham who bore his first son. She reminded us of how God never forgot about her. Although it seemed she was forgotten, God still met her in the desert and provided for her and her child. And as she spoke those words. The tears began.  I wasn't feeling forgotten. Or at least I didn't think I was, until that moment God just decided or well, knew, I needed a little love tonight.  I felt it.  He whispered gently in my ears, "I see it all. I see all who you are as a mother, and all that you give as a person. Your still you, and YOU are the one I love." 

I learned tonight that in order for me to truly love myself, and most importantly my children, I need to understand the depth of the Fathers love for me.  He created me to be a true representation of the His kingdom! And no this does not entail some HUGE ministry endeavor that will make me a better Christian in the eyes of the church, but just being Amber. The Amber he created. Not painted or designed to meet someone else's expectations, but designed perfectly the way God made me.

In that moment, my heart was lightened, and my soul rejuvenated. God saw my need, and he filled it. 

I walked away tonight feeling better about who I am, all because I saw myself in the REFLECTION of HIS EYES.  

Thank you Jesus for loving me, just for me. And most importantly showing me the true beauty in just being!

So Good to me-Cory Asbury

Continuing the theme of Thankfulness..... (Yes, I know Thanksgiving has come and gone, but shouldn't we be thankful year long?) I had to share this song! It is one of my favorites, and I can't help but replay it over and over in the Car! It causes me to dwell on how good the Lord's been to me... and frankly, I just LOVE singing about it!!

Enjoy!

Because, He, Picked Me Up, and He turned Me around, and HE placed my Feet on SOLID Ground, Hallelujah! 

Maintaing a Heart of Gratitude!

As some of you may know, Jordan is quite the little princess. If she could wear a dress every day, ALL day, she would. She loves how the dress flares when she twirls in circles and then she practices her little Ballerina moves. Yes she is my Twirling Ballerina Princess!

The girls at church! Jordan dances all around the church in her gorgeous dress!

Well this morning, unfortunately she was not able to put on yet another dress, so Jeans it was. And lets just say, it did NOT go over well with my two year old. 

She began to have her moment, all I could think of is how grateful she should be, because many children do not have the ability to "choose" from different outfits to wear.  Of course I didn't dare say this to her.  A recent Focus on the Family  radio show (I strongly urge you to listen too) taught me that to teach a little one true gratefulness is to NOT make them feel guilty for the blessings they do have, but to teach them to Thank Jesus for all that He has given them. Another point Susie Larson (guest author of Growing Grateful Kids, on the radio show) made was that TRUE gratefulness is taught through example.  The best way for us to teach our little ones to be grateful for all Jesus has given us is to exemplify it our selves.  

So Lord help me to NOT see the lack, but to see the Blessing! Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our Life!!!

So as this radio segment raced through my mind in about 5 seconds, I quickly looked at Jordan and said, "Jordan, look at these beautiful Jeans Jesus has given you. Can we thank Him for them?" 

So I said in front of her, "Thank You Jesus." She quickly responded, "THANK YOU JESUS!" Tears and all! LOL... She repeated this several times, and it appeared to help her little soul, because she calmed right down. In that moment, as I grew in my heart and learned a valuable lesson with my two year old, I began to thank Jesus for all He had given me too! This song below quickly approached my mind, and it couldn't seem to leave! 

"Thank You Jesus! Lord you WORTHY, of all the GLORY, and all the PRAISE!!! It makes me wanna SHOUT, HALLELUJAH!, THANK YOU JESUS!" 

Enjoy the Song!

Susie Larson also mentioned that in a time when she had nothing, she made a list of ALL she was grateful for, and she realized, how much she was Blessed!  

Lets not wait until we are desperate and in lack, but lets always have a heart of Gratitude!

My List of Thankfulness:

1. My beautiful HEALTHY family! 

2. A loving husband, who loves unconditonally, and is always there open and ready to give forgiveness!

3.  The ability to stay home and be a mommy, without the constraints of financial obligations. 

4. That I have TWO little girls! Girls are SO much fun!!! 

5. The food in fridge! Which most of we didn't even purchase, but it's been given to us! He is GOOD!

6. The fact that I can look in my fridge and have the ability to CHOOSE what I would like to make for dinner. Thank you Jesus for Choices!!

7. The closet FULL of clothes, all four of us! We are literally bursting at the seams with clothes! Majority of which, we haven't bought, but others have graciously given us! 

8. The fact that my daughter has THREE winter coats, and I NEVER had to worry about getting her one!

9. That my daughter DOES have many dresses she can twirl in, because my girl does love to twirl!

10. Our Christmas tree... Thanks to PaPa! He bought us a tree this year! I love you Dad! Thanks for being a lifeline!

11. My momma.... She is always there to hear me out, without EVER judging, but just listening... and then inserts her wisdom with humility when need be... Thank you Momma for always being there for me, and being a WONDERFUL Grandma to my little girls... I love you!!! 

12. My Husband's Parents and Family! They have always accepted me with Loving Arms, and whenever we need them, they quickly drop everything and come running! I love you!! 

13. Our BEAUTIFUL home! I seriously LOVE IT!! God knew EXACTLY what we needed for our growing family! It is surely a testament of HIS providence! Thank you Jesus!!!

14. Beautiful Mommy Friends like Karen Miller, Courtney Gerdes, Jaime Thompson, and Janine Weaver! They are NEVER judgmental, but always encouraging and uplifting when I need them most! I love you ladies!! God has surely placed you in my life for such a time as this! I think God that I am able to share life with you all, as we share the BEST YEARS of our lives together! 

15. Most importantly, definitely not least, My LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! I surely would not have any of this if it wasn't for His SAVING GRACE! Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me! I am eternally grateful and indebted to you! May I maintain a heart of gratitude always towards you, and continually serve you all the days of my life!!

So What are You Thankful For?!

Yup its that time of Year!

Nothing more sends a TRUE warm holiday greeting than a Christmas card that features you and your family on the front! Not filling them out sounds even sweeter, dosen't it?? Well if your anything like me you don't have time to fill out 50 Christmas Cards! Head over to Shutterfly and let them do it for you! 

 I will certainly be taking FULL advantage of the BEAUTIFUL Christmas templates for Christmas cards that they are offering this year, and so should you!! 

And not only does Shutterfly offer photo Christmas cards and holiday cards, but you can also order Calendars, invites, and personalized mugs that make wonderful gifts for that distant (or even close!) Grandma or special aunt! I personally adore their personalized calendars and will be gifting some for Christmas this year! 

Also for the Christmas cards, I have to be honest and admit that my favorite are the Folded Greeting Cards!

Here are a few of my favorites templates for this season.... as I am still undecided on which too chose! Maybe you can help?!! Tell me your fav!! 

Card # 1-The Lord Has Come

Card #2-MERRY CHRISTMAS

Card #3-REJOICE

I love it and so will you! Let me know what you think about their Holiday designs!!! You are sure to enjoy them!!

COME, Let's ADORE HIM!

With Thanksgiving vastly approaching us, we all can't help but impatiently await Christmas! (Well I can't) Trust me if we had a fake tree it would already be up!! There is just something about Christmas that fills our hearts with joy, love, and peace.  Unfortunately, if we fail to recognize the true meaning of Christmas, this may not be so.  Sometimes when we choose to focus on presents and "things", then we tend to focus on what we "don't" have and it can cause much sadness. But let me tell you, Christmas is so much more than what is under the Christmas tree...

So to help me maintain the true meaning of Christmas, I thought I would share a Christmas Song that says it best, "Come Let Us Adore Him!" Yes, my friends, thats what it is about, JESUS!  Christmas is a season that we choose to celebrate a MIGHTY GOD, who chose to take on flesh, that He might save us all, and most importantly, that He may dwell with us for all the days.

So lets return the Love that was shown to us and remember to take a few moments out of the busyness of the holidays and...

ADORE HIM.

Here are some of Our Christmas Photos! Enjoy!

Jordan and her Daddy! They are sometimes inseparable! 

My Favorite Family One! You may See this one on a Christmas Card!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:13-14