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Could it be….perhaps?!

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Do you happen to remember the blog post below? The one where I said the chipmunks did my spring planting. Could it be….that perhaps he did indeed. The picture on the left: Spring. The picture on the right: yesterday this beauty was in full bloom in my backyard. How sweet!

Well, my spring planting is done. The seeds may not be where I would have planted them, but I am pretty sure they are planted somewhere in my backyard by the chipmunk stealing sunflower seeds from the bird feeder at my front window.

The little fellow filled his cheeks to the max and scurried to the back of the house to hide his treasure. He made several trips in the same fashion and managed to empty the feeder of most of its contents in record timing.

It was a funny sight to watch as he hung from the tree limb and made a nose dive into the feeder head first filling his cheeks with seeds like he was saving for a famine. I am not sure exactly where he buried them, and I am certain he won’t remember where all of them are either when he decides to eat them.

I read an article recently that said squirrels (I am sure chipmunks fall into that category), only find about 10% of what they hide. So, if that is the case, I should have plenty of sunflowers in the back yard soon.

The article went on to give quite an interesting perspective on this process that made me smile. The little furry animals may be sowing nuts/seedlings that will eventually become a tree that will provide shelter for many other animals. It could produce more nuts that will feed and sustain others in their community not to mention benefit humans as well with shade, beauty and food or all kinds of resources that trees provide.

Looking at it this way makes me realize the seeds we sow now can help/benefit future generations in many ways. We may not reap the benefits in our lifetime or see the results of what we plant but you can rest assured that it will carry down through family generations and either benefit or hinder our grand-children and great-grand-children and so forth.

On some occasions we see the fruit of our labors and the benefits of sowing seeds in love and grace and how that can affect us, our family and others. But even if we don’t, we need to plant the right seeds like we will. Our prayers are seeds planted for the next generation.

Kindness, love, compassion, generosity, grace and humility are all great seeds worth planting again and again. It not only blesses us but will bless others too.

God sees the beauty in us like we see beauty in nature- in trees and flowers and butterflies, through the lens of love. He sees the heart and potential of every person.

What kind of seeds are you planting for yourself and the generations to come?

You will always harvest what you plant. Galatians 6:7

Work In Progress

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

My smile- laugh-love I share with others are my living testimony to a Christ who saved my life and changed it forever. He gives me the strength and courage to fight like a soldier for the freedom of others.

His gifts are precious and come in many forms that I could never have imagined and still can’t fathom for myself. But they are not just for me- but are to benefit others too.

The key is paying attention and being willing to go where He leads. My life is a token of His love and the patience He has with His children, as He waited for the day He could bring me back into the fold and hold me in His loving arms to one day accept Me home for eternity into the family of Christ.

We should all see ourselves how He sees us and be happy about who we are. I don’t know about you, but I want to take care of my body, mind and spirit as the temple of God. He created us to be like His Son Jesus- that is a tall order, but with His Spirit inside us we can achieve anything because nothing is impossible with God.

We should love ourselves as He loves us without regard to our mistakes, flaws, blemishes and brokenness. He made each of us uniquely who we are on purpose. Our flaws are perfectly us – there is no one exactly like you or me. We are special just like all His creation.

I am still a work in progress. He is molding me to be who He created me to be. I want to use my knowledge wisely to help others grow and live their best lives by being an example- role model and friend, but firstly a servant of Christ.

Butterfly Kisses

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I have always loved butterflies. Intrigued not only by their beauty, like little flying flowers, but the intricate details God put into their design.  I could stand in a field of flowers for hours waiting for a butterfly to land to capture a second of its beauty with my lens.

I’ve wanted to write about the amazing migration patterns of the monarch for many years but never quite got around to it. Now, there are other parts of their journey that have captured my attention and it seems like a good time to put pen to paper about these little creatures.

Take their feet for instance. Did you know the tiny little receptors on their feet help them locate and taste food? Did you know their wings are transparent? Not only do they reflect bright colors for us to enjoy as they flutter by, but they hold no secrets to the outside world. They wear the truth of their past life as a worm like a beautiful reminder of the transformation they experienced in a very short time.

And what about their antennas? Did you know they use them as light receptors? The antennae track the position of the sun and turn that information into the time of day. They also can help them fly in the right direction while giving them a balanced life. The antennae can help them sense the direction of the wind and changes in the direction, so they can ride the currents without losing their way.

At the base of the antennae is a special organ (Johnston’s organ) it draws information from the antennae to help keep the butterfly balanced.

So, in short, their little antennas provide a lot of meaningful purposes: Smell, internal clock, navigation, balance and even help with finding the right mate. They can recognize the wind beats of their own species. How amazing is that?

When I was in North Carolina for my fly fishing trip last year, there were several storms that came up. The first night I was there it knocked out the TV signal in my room. In thinking along those lines and the antennae of the butterflies being so well tuned to their surroundings. What kind of reception does your antennae pick up? Do you lose signal at the first sign of a storm and feel disconnected and alone or do you have a higher frequency that can detect a spiritual signal no matter if you are experiencing a storm in your life or fairer weather? Do you know how to fine tune your senses to pick up even in a storm?

What if we wore our faith on our sleeves (or wings), being transparent with the truth about the transformation Christ gave us so our actions help others grow in their faith because they see how much we trust God?

Did you know a developing butterfly can’t fly immediately? It pumps body fluid through its wing veins to expand them. Once its wings reach full-size, the butterfly must rest for a few hours to allow its body to dry and harden before it can take first flight.

Once God transforms us and breaks us free from the cocoon, His breath is the Living Waters that flow through our veins to wash away all doubt and fear of spreading our wings to fly and fulfill our purpose in this life according to His will. He gives us the time to rest and prepare our minds and bodies for the journey of our first flight.

The phases of life a butterfly goes through are symbolic of our lives. From egg to worm to cocoon to butterfly stage- we too can break away the cocoon of our dark past to be free and beautiful.

If God designed an insect with such thought and care to detail with a keen sense of direction; what more detail and thought, went into how He created us? We need to hone in on our natural abilities, sense of direction, tune our antennas to weather any storm that comes our way.

The path God places in front us leads to the kingdom of His glory. The metamorphosis that takes place in our hearts is a symbol of faith. We need to keep our faith as we undergo transitions in our lives. If we can accept the changes that come and emerge from our transitions as beautifully and graceful as the butterfly, we would spend our short life span as joyfully as they do.

Exponential growth comes from strengthening your faith muscles. Through your faith you can encourage and strengthen others. Live by high standards for yourself so others will see your faith in action. Heightened senses and spiritual awareness go hand in hand.

Next time you are out in nature, pay close attention to the smallest details of God’s design and see if you can receive a spiritual message through something you see every day.

“The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved. It is a reality to be experienced.” ~Aart van der Leeow

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Have you read Acts 2:43-47 lately? What a beautiful picture of physical and spiritual growth through faith and obedience.

(ref.: Thought.Co by Debbie Hadley; Mom.me)

God’s Will

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

It could be described as when we don’t try to control the outcome and let God lead. A lot of people don’t understand or know how to do that. For a long time, I was one of them.

At one time in my life I allowed the man I was in a relationship with to control me. He controlled my actions, my words, the way I dressed, and even tried to control my thoughts, or at least had to know them as soon as they entered my head. He did not have my best interest at heart.

On the other hand, God always has our best interest at heart. He loves us so much and wants us to be the person He created us to be. He wants us to allow Him to lead us to that path. But He is not a task master. He allows us to have our own free will to decide for ourselves. I saw the dark path that leads me to, and I don’t ever want to go back there. God’s way is light and full of love. If we let go of the things of this world that lead us to the arms of the enemy, He promises us a new life full of joy and peace that eventually leads us to the Kingdom.

Last Fall I was approached by a homeless man asking for change. In my experience with non-profits and shadowing a homeless woman for a day on the streets, I’ve learned what they usually do with the money they are given. I have heard many times that we shouldn’t give it to them because they will purchase alcohol with it. Keeping to that theory, I turned him away. I usually make a zip lock bag full of other items for the winter such as socks, hand warmers, and gloves. But this time I wasn’t prepared.

I believe God showed me something about this experience. In a sense I was trying to control the outcome by not giving him the money he asked for. I am not supposed to draw conclusions about other people’s intentions, I am just supposed to give generously, help those in need and love like Jesus loved. I don’t really know for sure that he was going to purchase a drink with the money if I had given it to him. I am to be kind no matter what and let God control the outcome. Even if he did purchase something other than food with the money, that is not for me to judge or decide for him. That is between him and God.

After that I purchased the socks, gloves and hand warmers and made my package, to be ready for the next time- by the way, I also included a little money in each one. I hope I can keep learning and growing more like Jesus in everything I do. I don’t tell you this for praise but to share how we are to love everyone and be generous, so we can be more like Jesus and let God’s will lead us.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you have me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 5:35,40

Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matthew 26:52

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgotten those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13

Mission of Hope Tour

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Last night just confirms my suspicions of what God has in store for me on this Spirit-led journey. Fairhope welcomed me with open arms, grace and shared some of the love they have for my brother with me.

I am so grateful this was my first stop in sharing my story/truth on The Mission of Hope Tour; I met some great people, visited with some old friends and made a few new ones of my own.

This is the just the beginning and I am excited to see what God has planned. I believe it is my calling to share my story and perhaps I was born for such a time as this. God has been preparing me for this my whole life and for most of it I had no idea. Isn’t it a beautiful blessing to know God has a plan and purpose for each of us?

I used to think I wasted so much of my life and wish I could have found the grace and relationship I now have with Christ earlier. But then I realize being in the valley for so long only makes me appreciate the mountaintop that much more. He can and is using my past to help others. Nothing is wasted with God.

As I sat at the bay yesterday reflecting and preparing for the truth I was getting ready to unleash at the Page & Palette, I sat with my eyes closed in quiet meditation, praying for strength; I heard a still small voice gently whisper, “Open your eyes. Look around at all I have created.” Wow, what a humbling perspective, to know that the God who created the vastness of the ocean, the sky and beyond, the trees and the beautiful flowers and birds that could be seen and heard all around me, this same God who did all of this, is a loving Father who wants the best for me and with Him nothing is impossible. I reach for His hand in complete faith, allowing His Spirit to lead as He prepares the way before me. I take the next step trusting Him with the outcome.

I believe one of the most important ingredients in life is being grateful for what we have and sometimes, especially for what we don’t. God knows best. He is in control and I am so thankful for that. It takes the weight off my shoulders and is such a freedom.

“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who know if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Ester 4:14

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2

#brazen #grateful #peace #confidenceinGod #beyondyourself #quietmoments #missionofhopetour #letGodlead #freedom

Gratefulness

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A little bit of gratefulness can go a long way in adjusting our attitude. If we thank God for everything, even the difficult things we are experiencing, we can find peace and joy.

Challenge: Practice thanking Him several times throughout your day.

Thank Him for waking up

Thank Him for your family

Thank Him for the trees, flowers and birds or any other creature you see

When He helps you get through a meeting, say thank you

When you get safely back home- thank Him

When there is a traffic jam and you are late for work- thank Him even then….you never know what He might be shielding you from down the road

You get the picture. Once you start being mindful of being grateful for everything- it will come more natural and can change your attitude and outlook.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18

Lest We Forget

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

When I run I am usually pretty focused on my thoughts. Processing the latest scripture, image or words God has given me that morning. I also try to stay in tune with my surroundings and pay attention to any messages God wants to share with me that day.

Recently I was running out the neighborhood and just as I approached the little bridge over the creek my eye caught the image of a snake. Now mind you it was dead on the side of the road but I didn’t realize that at first and it startled me.  I  jumped a little and ran out of my way to get around it and then noticed it wasn’t moving. That and the fact it was kind of laying on its side.

Since I am a creature of habit and my neighborhood isn’t that big I have a particular route I like to run and I circle back across the bridge multiple times. Well, you may have already guessed what happened the next time I came back around, but I will tell you anyway. I jumped again and ran out around it like it was alive, just like I did the first time. I had already forgotten about it even being there. Then once again I realized it was dead and it couldn’t hurt me.

What if we forgot our past and went through the same mistakes over and over again? Startled each time we got hurt by someone. Not realizing they can’t hurt us anymore if we stay away. I think this is why it is important for us to remember the past we would like to forget. Not to drudge up old hurtful memories that keep us down but to remember the hurt it caused so we won’t repeat the same mistakes. For me, it also reminds me what God did for me. What He saved me from and for that my grateful meter is off the charts most days. It keeps me humble and thankful in a big way.

Once we are made alive in Christ we don’t want to go back to our old ways. We can’t forget the dangers- but they can’t hurt us anymore.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light form the Lord. So live as people  of the light! Ephesians 5:8

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:20-23

Forgiven but not Forgotten

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell
www.h2hgreetings.com

Colossians 2:14 says that God canceled the record against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (We are forgiven forever through the blood of Christ. But that doesn’t mean we forget.)

If we were able to forget the pain caused by our bad choices, we would make them repeatedly. That is just the habitual nature of humans. Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water? Maybe you were barefooted, and you didn’t turn on any lights so when you turned the corner you stumped your toe on the couch leg. The pain from a broken toe is not soon forgotten. Even after it heals. Next time you wake up thirsty, you will either take time to put on house shoes, turn on a light or avoid the area of the couch all together to steer clear of the pain from another broken toe.

It is the same with our past sins- but if the remembrance we have is a burden or feels like a heavy weight on our shoulders, that kind of pain is from the enemy, who is trying to keep us from experiencing true freedom that comes from forgiveness. He will try to keep you in the shame and the pain.

But the kind of remembering I am talking about is light not burdensome. Christ is carrying the weight for us. He just doesn’t want us to forget what He did for us so He can use it to help others and help us avoid the same pain in the future.

Before I experienced that kind of pain, I believed the lies of the enemy and kept going back to the same kind of relationships and repeating the misery, until I fully experienced a Christ centered life full of forgiveness and healing. The pain from those kinds of relationships are now red flags that stick out like a sore thumb.

But since I have experienced them, I can relate to others who may be going through some of the same things in their season of pain.  God can use me to help others. I can point them to Christ and tell them there is a different way because I have been there myself. I know what He can do. There is forgiveness and healing. And with that comes freedom. We are to live in that freedom with Christ as our focus as we love others and help them on their journey to freedom. He can use your pain too.

We can live free because we are free. We are to live in obedience and let the Spirit live within us and guide us. We can deflect the enemies lies with the shield of faith. Stand strong on God’s truth and word.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1

@faithwalkministriesblog

#freedominchrist

#beyondyourself

Meno

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Meno: Greek word for remain or abide.

One of Jesus’ favorite words, according to the NLT study bible.

Remain in me and I will remain in you. John 15:4 Jesus promised to be with us always. I can attest to that being true.

I must make a disclosure here. Anything I say here is not meant in a boastful or arrogant way. I am not trying to get myself out in front you. I am trying to shine a light on what God has done in my life. It’s not about me or what I have done but rather what God has done for me. I want everything I do to point others to Christ.

I was a broken, miserable mess. BUT GOD…. saved my life, saved me from an abusive relationship, saved me from my own bad choices and on and on and on…. Many don’t know my whole story. I hid it so well for so long. Read my story here: Beyond Yourself: A Spiritual Awakening

In Him I am strong. Without Him I can do nothing. I fail to measure up all day long. But He uses my weaknesses and bad experiences to bring good out of it and allows me to help others, relate to others and share my story in love. Not because of anything I have done but because of His forgiveness and grace. 

So, if I sound like I am boasting by sharing these things- it is just my joy and excitement that I find so hard to contain these days. I am in awe of my Heavenly Father EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

I can relate to Paul when he said in II Corinthians 12:5, 10 “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. …. for when I am weak then I am strong.” And in II Corinthians 12: 9 Jesus said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

The God-inspired messages, poems and photography that comes only from Him, I believe it is not just for me and my blessing but to share with others and hopefully bless and encourage them too. Quiet Moments – Mornings with the Holy Spirit is a compilation of these things.

It is through faith and trust that I can share these. Anyone who knows me at all knows how shy I was and that I would rather take an “F” than do an oral book report in school. But God also has a sense of humor and He has now helped me find my voice; not only for myself  but for others too.

I am a victor in Christ. I want everyone to experience that freedom in their own lives.

I pray that you or someone you know will be touched by my story and messages in a positive way that gives God all the honor and glory. Thank you for your support and prayers. (You can also get copies of my books by contacting me.)