Category: Life

Life, Prayer Requests, Reflection

Do You Pout?

A. Knight

Well, do you? I know I have. Puffed up and pouted. This is not exactly the best picture of Zackary….but it seems to be one that we see frequently. He is going through a stage. Lower lip out…you could sometimes walk a mile on that extension! Jason’s lip can take you even further! I have never seen such pouting. But it makes me wonder what God sees when He looks at us. When we don’t “get what we want”. You know….

Like the job…the house…the car….the truck….the vacation….the boyfriend…the girlfriend (if you are a guy reading this)…the perfect dress…the right shoes…I could go on and on….pouting covers a wide range of possibilities.

I think there may even be a preacher or prophet or two in the Bible that had pouted—a bit. I will get to that another time. But when I saw this picture…I had to stop and wonder if God had snapshots of me looking like that….or worse. Reflection of anger on my face? Rage—instead of gentleness….

I have to confess…I am certain He has seen me at my absolute worse. And after I got over it….whatever “IT” may have been….I am certain I fell on my face at His feet…feeling ever so horrible.

These next few days I won’t be “out and about” as much…really haven’t much in the past few days….I have a writing project I am working on….and I am so aggravated with myself—-okay—–do you hunt up things to do just to KEEP FROM DOING the very thing you NEED to do??? Well???

Just like today. I stood back in the laundry room—dreaming up a way to “rearrange it” for crying out loud! I know you are thinking—what would you rearrange? Switch the washer with the dryer??

Well, actually–our laundry room is three-quarters of a single car garage. I know that only because it used to be a single car garage. The front portion is a “closet” the back portion is the laundry room. And I want my “sewing stuff” in there. But we have a refrigerator and upright freezer…and 3 “storage closets”–not to mention the ironing board and the water heater–(this little old house we live in had NO CLOSETS when we moved in–Jeff has built me one closet for my clothes) And since it is not ours—but belongs to the District—there is only so much we can do.

Do you see what I just did? I am STILL focusing on the silly laundry room and NOT THE PROJECT! So—-I am asking for your prayers. I need my mind to “sit down” with me and work. I need my heart to follow the leading of the Lord. I need my fingers to fly over the keys as my mind—-which is listening to the LORD—type exactly what HE WANTS!

I need to be still and know that He is God.

Aimee and I both read from Psalm 62 last week. During a particular day of trials—it brought peace and comfort to us…I leave you tonight with this passage. Maybe when the fiery darts are whizzing past yours head next week—you will remember these verses.

I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. . . . .Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Psalm 62:1, 2, 5-8

Pray—sisters pray….

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Country Life Messages, faith, Life

Cling to the Rock

A. Knight

You know those little cards that fall out of magazines the moment you pick one up to try to relax just a minute?
Just a breather.
That is all you need.
Just a few quiet moments in your favorite chair with your pillow and blanket and new magazine!

Then out of this magazine, several little cards float to the floor and you feel you must pick them up before you can relax and enjoy perusing your newly arrived treat!

Annoying isn’t it?

A few months ago I was a subscriber to several country decorating magazines….along with a few “how to” magazines, even a health/fitness magazine. When one would arrive, I would be so excited! The first thing I would do is stand by the garbage can and shake it real good to let all those annoying little cards fall out! Some needed more encouragement to “fall”. Some I ripped out because they made the book fall open to the same place every time I picked it up. I didn’t want my magazine to choose where I read, I would do the choosing thank you very much!

Anyway, back to my story….this is supposed to be about rocks you know.

I flipped open another annoyance and ripped it from the book and started to toss it in the trash along with its friends when something on one side caught my attention. It was a woman scaling a rock….a mountain! I could suggest you purchase a health/fitness magazine for women and maybe you would find what I found, but you might not find it. Indeed, I think I found it that day for a purpose.

I was leaning back too far from my “rock” trying to see how much farther I had to go in the journey I was on.

Confused?
Let me share what I learned from the article and from the Word of God.

According to expert rock climbers, focus on balance is the utmost importance in rock climbing. They say the “center of gravity” is always the rock and you must stay close to it at all times to maintain proper balance.

No leaning back!

Proper gear is also very important. A helmet to protect your head, sturdy harness, ropes and even the type of shoes are important. For rock climbing you don’t need heavy boots as you might for hiking. In climbing a rock face, you need to be able to get your feet into cracks and crevices of that rock for added security. Are you getting the picture?

Psalm 27:5 says, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 61:2 “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 62:1-2 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. “

Over and over again in Psalms and in much of the Old Testament we are told that God is our rock. He is our fortress, our deliverer. In Him alone we can find rest for our weary souls. Battle scared from the day to day war zone that is many of our lives. The war is with Satan. But we serve the Commander of the Army of God!

Paul instructed the people at Ephesus, to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:10 NIV

Sounds like they were gearing up for some rock climbing! Maybe it should be “rock clinging”. For with my whole heart I cling to my Rock. The God of my salvation!

Remember, no leaning back. It doesn’t matter how much farther you must go, it matters only that you travel “with” Him as your guide.

He will instruct you as to where your feet must travel.
Go where He leads.
He will never lead you astray.
Try trusting Him.
He is the rock after all.
The “Center of our gravity”.
Life, love

Happy Birthday to LORI!

A. Knight
Someone is turning the BiG 40 today….hmmmm who could it be?
I bet it’s my sweet buddy Lori—over at All You have to GIVE….
Let me just tell ya’ll this girl gives A lOT! To our hearts…our minds….and sometimes to our mailboxes!
Lori—you delight the Lord with your cheerful giving heart. I love you and many others do as well! So, let’s all cut a slice of this yummy looking cake….grab a “diet” coke—or “diet” whatever your prefer…’cause you KNOW when you drink diet after 40….it cancels out all the calories in the sweet!
It works! Truly….why, just the other day…I was down and out and just knew that Krispy Kreme had something for me….and they did…but I was sure to get that diet coke to chase it down…canceled out every single one of them nasty calories. (It was lunch…okay, ya’ll it was a really bad day. AND a chocolate covered-cream filled does wonders for a downtrodden spirit!)
So every last one of you…cut some cake and head over there and tell my friend how yummy it was. Tell her she doesn’t look a day over 28—(I liked that age)….and be sure and wish her a happy day…full of all the things she loves the most!
Now to the 😦 sad 😦 stuff….I won’t be here next week at all to tell ya’ll hey or anything…but girls…I will be thinking of you…and writing…but without Internet service. I will log all my days and adventures…and come right back here and tell you all about it! I will tell you the things the Lord shares with my heart….while lazin’ away up on the mountain….and if I drive through your town…I will holler your name…real loud. So listen up!
Love you all! You are all the best!

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Life, Thankful Thursdays

Thankful for REST

A. Knight

Iris…I am so with you. REST. God ordained. Planned it. Did it Himself. So why in the world do we try and cram so much into our lives that we have absolutely NO TIME FOR REST???

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Well, my first thankful is—for the rest I am about to take. No, not just the fact that I will head off to bed soon…but the rest Jeff and I will take in a couple of weeks. Headed to our favorite place. A borrowed place. But a place of rest nonetheless.

Second…I am thankful for this wonderful group of ladies that I have the honor of sitting with in Bible Study with every Wednesday night. We study Jesus. Applying Him to every aspect of our lives. From our hearts to our homes.


The young lady standing on the end is our awesome pastor’s wife. What a precious leader! I am standing on a chair—trying to get the whole group in. We had a few missing tonight…but for the most part, this is our great group of Sisters-in-Christ!

Third….well, I tell you what. You just scroll on down, read the rest of the blogs on this page, then visit the sites I have on my sidebar—and you will find more reasons I am thankful. The group of women that I blog with, write devotions with, chat with online and via e-mail are such blessings. They take me as I am. Blundering, blubbering, stumbling Angie.

I am thankful for what the Lord is doing in my heart and life. Yes, it is painful. Extractions are that way. Sometimes we get Novocaine….and sometimes not. But the point is to get out the “cavity”….the very thing that will cause the whole tooth to rot. Do you have something that needs extracting? Take it to Him. It is much less painful if you willingly hand it over and lay it on the altar…than it will be if He has to pull it from you.

Okay. I’m done. Not with being thankful. But I’m ready to head for that rest I was speaking of earlier.


Iris keeps us going—THIS is the highlight of my week! Even Jeff asks me “have you done your thankful Thursday?”….. Visit Iris—Go read more thankful hearts—-and then rest…in HIM.

Life

Monday Surprises

A. Knight

The blessings of the Lord are innumerable in my life….yes, despite everything that comes against us…we can find joy and peace and happiness when we stop looking at the circumstances and start looking at the Giver of Life.

It’s a daily process. We are bombarded daily, but daily we give it over to Him.

This little sweet doll had an ear infection….but the good thing about that is he got to see his Nana after his doctor visit.

Having a friend with a camera handy at all times is a blessing as well!

Cy is making a face because his daddy is holding his cup of “goldfish”…and Cy wants them back!

I hope your Monday was good. Here we are on Tuesday…keep trusting, keep believing, keep praying.

I was up late LATE last night after prayer, writing my post for Laced with Grace. I am taking a short break until July. Many things going on…..as they are with each of you!

Now, don’t forget the give-away….if you don’t remember what it is….scroll down a bit….it’ll all come back to you! And stayed tuned tomorrow….for “Faith for the Prodigal”.

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Borrowed Blessings, Family, Fun, Life, love

Weekend Fun!

A. Knight

A couple of these are from this past summer….the top two to be exact. But I thought I’d share a spoonful of sugar with ya! Now, don’t overdose! That sweetness can get sticky! After you’ve picked up the umteenth truck or almost broken your toe on a car—while kicking it’s wheels before test-drivin’ it!
The top dude loves to play Ninja. The next one down holding the stick, loves to BE NINJA. But he loves to whine more. Which is why I am looking into Ginger Plowman’s new book, “No More Whining”.
The one pictured at the picnic table and with the storybooks and bears is my Rylan. I call him mine for many reasons. His mommy doesn’t mind.
The picture with Papa “trying” to read to a couple of them is funny, because we had more fun watching and listening to Papa deal with this lap full of boys who love books, but love to squirm and ask multiple questions while you are reading…hence, this doesn’t happen very often, so a picture to capture the moment was necessary!
The last sugar-dumplin’ is my Cy-Man. His name is just Cy. But like all grandparents, we have pet names for our kids. Tiffany was “Frog Legs”, April was and is Weezie, and the boys have their own names as well.
My sister, Aimee and I worked on a project last night….more to come on that. It wasn’t a blog. It was a room project. My sister, Wanda’s sewing room. Like I said, more to come on that.
Life, Thankful Thursdays

Thankful for Mother and Grandbuddy!

A. Knight


My mother was blessed with the most awesome gentle man as her loving husband on January 6, 1990. He became what is officially–and affectionately known to each of our family members and many of my friends as, Grandbuddy.

The pathway for each of our lives has been greatly influenced by our sweet mother. She has been the stability that was needed, and necessary in the precarious world in which we live. She remains as such today. I love you mother. I love you Grandbuddy.

I am also thankful for my sweet man! The thirtieth of June we will celebrate 26 wonderful years of love—through all the trials that have rolled our way….the love continues to remain steadfast. Thank you Lord for the companion of my heart.

I am thankful for each family member. Not every one has the blessing of having your sisters as your best friends, sister-in-laws as dear sisters, or your brother-in-laws as dear brothers—but I have that! Thank you Lord for my dear brother who is faithfully serving his country in a foreign land, and his sweet wife and dear baby girl who are holding down the home front. Our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, all wonderful treasures!

I am thankful for the Word. For what He reveals when I am digging in the Word. For the “verse of the day” that I get from Aimee! I am thankful for job, home, church and friends. Not necessarily in that order! I am thankful that we have such an awesome church family—who share and pray for our needs and burdens.

I am thankful for old hymns (one particular sweet song that Bernadine reminded me of this week!) and I am thankful for new worship songs! The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ rings true and goes forth in both!

I am thankful for an awesome “surprise” I recieved the is week….mmmm—my tea sure tastes sweeter in this “truthful” mug! Thank you sweet friend!

I am thankful for Iris who hosts this awesome and growing group of Christ followers! Our desire is to not only “pray without ceasing” but to have thankful hearts—even in the trying and painful circumstances of our lives. Even as I type this, my mind and heart pauses on the hard thing of the past week. It has filtered into this week and caused a few tears. But I know that God has His hand upon His children. He does not slumber.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” ~ Colossians 3:12-14 ESV

The book of Colossians is chock full of amazing scripture. This is the third time this week that references from Colossians have been given to me or I’ve come upon. Must mean that the Lord is directing my heart and life to dig in!

[As a side note….I have decided that since I am such a “poor” hint giver—I will tell you tomorrow what the “gift” for the give-away is for Mother’s Day…and I will share with you why I have chosen this specific item. The drawing will begin with all comments from now until April (when you say “enter me”), you do not have to post my blog give-away on your blog, but if you choose to do so, that is sweet–and I thank you.]

Back on Thankful Thursday….I love Thursdays—I love reading what everyone has to share. I am always uplifted and encouraged to see and visit with other sisters-in-Christ as they pour their thankful hearts out to magnify the Lord.

So, head over to Iris’ place and get caught up in the thankfulness of Thursdays!!!

Devotion, faith, Life

Faith in the Fog

A. Knight

One morning this past week, as I drove to work the fog was so thick….you’ve heard the term “thick as pea soup?”—this was thicker. But as I cautiously drove, these thoughts came pouring in my heart.

“Faith in the Fog” came to me as I was driving…do you know how hard it is to drive and write? Especially in the fog??? This reminds me that we sometimes try and do to much in our lives when we need to just concentrate on “ONE THING”. Him. Only Him.

Bring your cup of coffee and head on over to the Cafe—-Internet Cafe that is….

Devotion, faith, Hope, Life

Mediocre Life

A. Knight

What kind of life is that? Sometimes—many times it is what we settle for instead of perservering before the throne—or pushing ahead and believing God for what He wants for us in the first place! He does NOT want mediocre for His blessed children!

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”. (NIV)

This morning at 2:34—well, probably just a few minutes before that, the Lord woke me from a deep sleep. I woke, rolled over and snuggled deeper, only to hear Him in my heart/head beckon me from that nestled postition. Well, old flesh immediately says, “I hate it when You do that…wake me up from sleep…YOU know how much I love sleep….” I was instantly rebuked, “No, Lord, I’m sorry, I don’t hate it…. You know I love YOU more than sleep.”

So, I rolled over on my back, as if to ready myself to “listen”. His instructions are clear. “Get up-go to your prayer room, lay before me in prayer.” I try just for 2 seconds, to reason with Him, that I can pray here….but no I can’t. I pray out loud when He instructs me like this…and I KNOW already that this will be an outloud prayer. Not a whispered or silent type.

As I roll the covers back, my thoughts begins to “wander” down the corridor of my mind filled with pictures of family. Is someone in distress? The brink of disaster? A fire? A tornado? (There was that one time of the tornado—an old post…don’t remember which one–you’d have to hunt back to last year sometime…)

I go to the bathroom, then on through the dining room, where the Bibles, books and computer is arranged, just as I’d left them hours before…walk into the kitchen and look at the clock, thinking surely it must be almost “getting up time” anyway. Not so. Only 2:34. Good sleep being missed. Girls you have no clue how much this youngin loves to sleep!

I walk into the prayer room/library. Small room. Only big enough for the “granddaddy chair”, two book cases and a desk. Just enough floor space that I can lie down and meet the Master of the house. So I take my place. Same place everytime.

As I began, I told Him, “I don’t know what You’ve called me here for ….but that’s okay. I don’t have to know.” My prayer began slow, as He blew the sleep from my heart, I began to weep before Him with the urgency of NEEDING Him to hear my plea. Not knowing who or what I was praying for, I left it up to Him. Many of you were prayed for. Many of you that I converse with on a daily basis via e-mail or a visit to your blog were on my heart. So, your name was called.

The Lord prompted my spirit….”it’s not about the numbers, Angie. It’s about the message.” I asked for the message. For the annointing. For His Spirit to rest upon me and pour into me what needs to be said. To the hurting. To the damaged. To the brokenhearted. To you and, yes, to me. He pours it in….I pour it out.

I can’t tell you how many times a day I think about what the Lord wants to use my life for. What He’s up to. But girls, it is all up to Him. Whatever He wants to do with me, use me for I am His. Totally.

I love my precious family. My sweet darling man. My girls, their husbands, their children, my parents, my siblings…but I belong to the Lord. For His work….I don’t know what it’s to be. It may only be to get up at 2:34 a.m. and pray for someone I don’t know. Someone I’ve never had the pleasure of a neck hug. But that’s okay too. If the Lord crosses our paths here….then it is for a reason. I question Him not.

Dear sweet sister-in-Christ, it is not about the number of visitors I have or you have. Nor about the comments or who they come from. It is about the message of Christ….and getting it out to the lost and dying. It’s about Him. All about Him.

Now, I am off to bed again. I have prayed. Laid back down, couldn’t get you off my heart and mind. So I got BACK up and went to the computer. I needed to tell you that we don’t have to live a mediocre life. That He has a plan and purpose for EACH ONE OF US! YOU and me! All we need to do is be obedient. (I’m not even checking this one for boo-boo’s…so please excuse—I am tired—I’ve never posted this early.)

Family, Fun, Life

Just a few changes…

A. Knight

In a world full of changes….here is yet another one. After discovering a very ugly and graphic comment on one of my posts, I have had to enable comment moderation. I appreciate my sweet readers, you are loved! Please don’t let this deter you from posting a comment. That is so encouraging to us as we “blog” along in our ministry for the Lord.

So, I continue to “blog along”—writing devotions—sharing snippets of the life at the Knight house—joys and pain—loving the Lord with all I am —all I have—and being obedient to what ever He calls—***His name is Jesus***

There are days when I share lunch with my sister, Aimee in this fashion…I call her on the cell phone—or she calls me…and as I am going to the “drive-thru” of whatever is handy, we chat…she is doing the same as me…but is about 40 miles away…and we get our food —settle in for “lunch via cell phone”. It’s not what we wish it was…but at least we are able to share it in that way. We talk, share thoughts about what the Lord is dealing with us about, and sometimes she or I will share a scripture… or sometimes…you won’t believe this…but one of us may even “sing” to the other! Stop laughing….we do….And then sometimes, we share about the “stuff of life”. The painful stuff. We help each other…bearing one another’s burdens.

This week, I did the “crazy” thing. I was driving to run a quick errand on my lunch time…and as I made a turn onto the 4-lane—a song from YEARS ago came to my mind—from out of the BLUE! See if you recognize it…

“There’s gonna be a big homecoming
I’ll meet you up in heaven
at that
Big homecoming in the sky
There’s gonna be a great big table spread
milk and honey fed
at that
Big homecoming in the sky”

It’s an old Happy Goodman Family song….I remember it from when I was a young girl, and had not thought of it in years…but it came to me as I was driving and I just started singing it…called Aimee—and left the song on her cell phone! It was so bad it made her cry! (Well, she cried…so I figure it was really bad!) It made me think of Wanda…and wondering what she was doing…is she helping get the table set? Is she cooking one of her special dishes for dessert? Or, is she sitting at the feet of Jesus? I don’t know…but sisters…I am making my plans to FIND OUT!

Don’t forget the “Mother’s Day” give-away…and the “*clues*” within each post until then…go here to read what to do! I love each of you!!!!