Don’t put limits on
yourself or what God can do through you. Are your goals for yourself set too
low? Release your dreams to God who knows His plans for you and see what He can
do.
God created the sky and
beyond. Keep your focus on eternity and the kingdom. It is time to soar above
your perceived limitations. He put the stars within reach- all you have to do
is look up. You are taller when you are on your knees.
You will discover
potential where you least expect it. Get in the game. Be an MVP, throw out the
first pitch without fear of failure. Expect the best (of yourself) because that
is what God wants for you and He will help you get there. Be confident, not in
who you are and what you can do, but who God is and what He can do through you.
His promises stand strong
as He blesses your life abundantly, reverently and masterfully as only He can
orchestrate. Spending time with the Spirit enriches your knowledge, refreshes
your soul and brings clarity to your mind.
Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit which lives within you. Your body is a temple. The Father sees all, knows all and can reach all. You are a beautiful flower in the garden of the Master Gardender.
“For I know the plans I have for you”, says
the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future
and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Trading
my vehicle in recently brought up some reflection into my past vehicles and
reasons for purchasing a different model. My 2011 Mazda was the best car I ever
owned, and I kept it the longest of any others. Even though I really like the
new (to me) one, it was hard to see her go.
That
wasn’t the case several years ago. One time I traded a vehicle off in a
heartbeat over one weekend simply because I thought it had been seen somewhere
it shouldn’t have been or really where I shouldn’t have been. Out of complete
fear I got rid of it as fast as I could. Then if anyone said they saw my car at
that place- I could say I traded it off. That part would be true. A half-truth
is really a lie in disguise.
I
have no idea how I managed to get by without getting caught. Those days brought
many sleepless nights; tears of misery. In bondage to the panic and fear of
someone finding out my secrets.
It
felt like I was skating on thin ice and any moment I would fall through. I
avoided any subject that got too close to my situation and could potentially be
turned into a direct question to me. I certainly never played truth or dare. At
least I never chose truth if I did play. I was certainly in over my head and it
almost drove me insane.
I
don’t miss those days. I am so happy to be free from the chains. No more
hiding. I can be me in public and private and not worry about who is watching
because they are the same person. I don’t even recognize the person I used to
be anymore.
Friend,
if you are hiding the truth, lying to yourself and others, trying to manage a
secret life; let me tell you something; that is a lot of work. Not cheerful
work. Miserable, heart-wrenching work. But there is hope. You can change. You
won’t be able to do it alone, but you can do it with God’s help.
I
traded shame, regrets, lies, disrespect, abuse, co-dependency, people-pleasing,
self-righteousness for freedom, love, joy, peace, faith, hope, healing,
forgiveness, thankfulness, salvation by grace and so much more.
He
loves you deeply. You know how I know? Because if He can love someone as broken
as me and change my life; He loves you too. You can trade in your old life for
a new one. That is one trade worth making. TODAY.
Those
lies and hidden secrets no longer have a stronghold on me. I am a victor in Christ,
and I am so very grateful that He chose to save me.
This means that
anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new
life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Check
out my complete story of how Christ saved me from my past and changed my life
forever in my book, Beyond Yourself- A Spiritual Awakening.
God
has moved some amazing mountains in my life since my accident. Truth be told He
probably moved a lot before that, but I wasn’t paying attention. There were so
many trials to face during the aftermath of the accident. I was in pain. I was
hanging out with strangers and had to rely on them for all my daily needs. I
had to fly home in a back brace and large cast with a wheelchair at every stop,
depending on others to get me to the gates on a red eye flight.
How
was I going to maneuver my bags, seat, time limits? I wasn’t. But God provided
all these things every step of the way. He moved mountains to get me taken care
of and safely back home. I had an overwhelming sense of peace, especially in
the airport, where normally I would be panicked and nervous. Yet, I had no
worry or fear whatsoever. It was literally out of my hands.
Oddly
enough I can look back at the accident and realize that was the one mountain He
didn’t move. Why? I believe it was the one I had to hit to realize I wasn’t in
control. It is the one that jolted me awake out of my self-induced stupor. The
one that made me pay attention to what God is doing in my life. The one that
saved my life by the grace of God who created it. He gives me my very breath
and could have easily allowed it to be taken away- but He chose to save me.
It
is by His divine glory and grace that I am even here to write this today. He
saved me not only from this wreck, but from myself and the train wreck I had
become. My life was in complete and utter shambles – I was holding on to things
I needed to let go of. Like an abusive relationship- who does that?! Me…that is
who. At least the person I was before God intervened. I was gripping it with
both hands. I had two broken arms in one year because I had to let go.
I
didn’t have the audacity or gumption to stand up for myself in any situation.
All my life I gave myself over to others- especially men who used me and threw
me away without regard to my safety or well-being, without respect for my body.
Why should they respect it? I certainly wasn’t. In order words, I had no
backbone, therefore my back was broken in the accident on the mountain that day
so I could learn to stand firm and take up for myself and others.
This
may seem like a harsh statement- but it is my reality. I have come to terms
with the lengths God went to bring me home to Christ and be the person He
created me to be. I am grateful and stand in amazement (from my knees) every
single day that He chose me- of all people, in all my brokenness and
unworthiness, to live the life of the new person with a new purpose for my
life. He gives me faith and courage to take the next step every day.
“You
had to be there to accomplish my will for you in your life and show you another
way; a new perspective. It seems drastic, but that’s the only way you were
going to change your mind and your heart.”
Have you purchased your
copy of, Beyond Yourself – A Spiritual Awakening yet? You can order
on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kindle or I can hook you up. Check out
my website www.angelakcrow.com. Contact me about speaking to your women’s group. Please
share. Thank you!
There
is so much potential in a day when we stay
open to God’s plan.
Do
you ever pray about divine appointments, connections and interventions? This is
something I recently became more aware of and started praying about on my
journey.
It
amazes me to see how God puts people in my path to help me. Recently I was
given the opportunity to help someone else.
Of
all the people in the San Francisco airport on so many different flights and
headed to different destinations, each on their own unique journey, God still
connected me to someone who I feel needed to hear my story and God experiences.
Do
you ever stop to think about all the decisions we make throughout the day and
why we make them or how sometimes you change your mind at the last minute and
do something totally different?
I
now see these as nudges from God.
I
had just arrived in the airport and found my gate. I had a lengthy layover, so
I headed off to get something to eat. The whole time I am wondering where to get
food, but I had already decided I would go back to my gate to eat it.
The
first place I came to was a deli. My first thought was to just get something
there but then I decided to see what my other options were.
I
came upon a Pie Five and decided to try that instead. I hopped in line behind
another woman and we ordered our food. We stood together at the end of the
counter waiting for it to arrive without saying a word.
I
still had in my mind as soon as I got it, I would head to my gate. But when our
food came out, she turned to me and asked a simple question. “Do you think they
would mind if I sat at those tables?”
The
establishment we were at didn’t have any tables and she was referring to the
food place next to it.
I
first answered with an, “I’m not sure.” But quickly changed my course to join
her saying, “we can try it.”
As
we sat at tables next to each other, we started eating without saying another
word at first. But then I felt the nudge to start a conversation with her. I
began by simply asking where she was going, if she was headed home…you know the
normal airport trivia.
When she dealt the questions back in my direction, my trip to Mt. Shasta and the reason I had been there became our topic of discussion for the next several moments. Of course, that led to the accident and my story which is my testimony of how God spared my life and changed it forever through a tragic year.
Out
of that I described the relationship I now have with Christ that I didn’t have
before. She inquired, “So that is real? You can have a relationship with God?”
Several questions followed and I knew why I was put there, in her path. She told me she struggles with believing God is real and that she really wants to believe that she can have a relationship with Him. She went on to say she knows He loves her deeply. She just hasn’t experienced what others seem to have so it makes her question it.
She
explained how she sat next to a man on her last flight who also had a message
for her. During our conversation I admitted to her that I had prayed for divine
connections and felt she was one of them. Looking astonished she said the man
on the plane had told her the same thing.
God
placed at least two people in her path that day (maybe more before the day was
through) to show her He is indeed real and encourage her to keep trying. Only
God can orchestrate that kind of divine connection. I was blessed to see it firsthand
and be able to share the Good News with her.
What
a beautiful reminder that God is still at work, Amen!
And
may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how
long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18
Part of this journey was to visit Hope Church in Chico and meet the people who received the encouraging notes sent last year after they lost their homes and church building in the fire. Yesterday, I drove to Chico, CA to attend services.
The message was about how God can use your pain and past experiences to help others. That was appropriate. I enjoyed worshiping with them and got the chance to meet the pastor afterwards.
On my way out of town I made a stop by the Butte County Fire Dept. to thank them for their service and let them know someone across the country in Lexington, KY is still praying for them.
The photo above is at McCloud Falls. Tim has been a great tour guide and given me many new memories of the area including a picnic and our hike to the falls.
Today is a quiet day, preparing for the trip home. I am grateful for all the experiences, love, new friendships and hospitality that has been extended to me on this journey- but I feel the mission is complete and am looking forward to getting back home.
God was definitely at work making divine connections and new memories.
We adore You as the one who is over all things. I Chronicles 29:11
I knew I had to go back. I had to do this on my own- with God. I needed a few moments in that space to thank God for sparing my life and turn a daunting mountain memory into just another spot in the road.
My heart raced faster than the speed I was traveling as I drove a snails pace, praying the whole way. The drive seemed a lot longer than before. I am still a little perplexed how the turn off to the mountain is nothing like my memory.
I noticed the 20 mph curve sign in a new light as I crept around the curve and pull off in front of the rock embankment- tears followed.
I knew I needed this time just as I knew when it was time to go. I didn’t want to linger there longer than necessary, but snapped a few photos, said my prayer, had a moment of silence and moved on.
Yak’s was my next stop, which was the location we had brunch the day of the accident. It had also changed. It is now a coffee shop with a new name and no longer has the tables outside that I remember.
As I sit sipping my chai latte and write my thoughts in my journal for this post- I reflect on the changes that have taken place here in the last six years- and in me.
I found my way back to the t-shirt shop and then meandered back across the street and into the shop where Amorah’s store used to be. Without entirely realizing it, I had traced our steps from that day, only in reverse.
It is now complete- I have come full circle, and am so grateful God gave me the strength to make this journey.
As I sat at the accident site with my journal in my hand this verse came to me. “I love you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13
I made it. It was a gorgeous day with a deep blue sky. My friends Timoth & Shahan drove me to the mountain yesterday. From the backseat, just as I requested, I peered out the window anticipating the moment I would recognize the location. The roads didn’t seem all that familiar to the memory I had until we got to the section of curve just before the accident sight.
I caught my breath as we slowed to a crawl and passed on by to conquer the drive to the top where the above picture was taken. Then we hiked a beautiful trail called Panther Meadow with lovely wild flowers of all colors scattered about in every direction.
A new day with new memories to cherish.
Light is sweet. How pleasant to see a new day dawning. Ecclesiastes 11:7
He makes me surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. Psalm 18:33
Today’s photo comes from my favorite spot on yesterday’s drive through Brookings, OR on the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Arch Rock picnic area offered character, beautiful scenery, a place to eat my lunch and enjoy a nice walk along the perimeter.
Of course I shot several photos along the fence line before seeing the warning signs to not touch and steer clear of poison oak! I am pretty sure I did not touch it but sent up a little prayer anyway, because God only knows how allergic I am to that stuff and my past history with it and it’s cousin sumac.
Anyway, it was lovely drive and day. One of the most surprising things to me was seeing blackberry vines and apple trees on the trail down to the beach.
My talk went really well last night. I had a decent turnout and was pleasantly surprised once again how much love I could feel in the room for my sister, Amorah, and how it was extended to me as well. God continues to bless and amaze me in beautiful ways on this mission of hope. Thank you for all your prayers.
Since
I had plenty of time on my hands with the lengthy layovers and flight delays I’ve
spent a lot of time reading. I met a girl at a writing conference recently who
had also just published a book about her life story- also full of tragedy, loss
and broken bones. We exchanged books and hugs. Her story also included an
abusive relationship, but a different kind of abuse than my own. She was duped
into a marriage full of lies by a cocaine addict and didn’t have a clue until
the ink had dried on the marriage certificate.
Her
dreams of becoming a mom were dashed not only from a broken pelvis, not once
but twice, but also from a lying, drug addicted man whom the foster care dept.
saw to be an unfit home for an adopted child.
Her
prayers for a child were not answered.
I
can look back at my own story and see places where I was heartbroken over
things not going my way. Things God knew were not good for me. Like an abusive relationship
that I clung to with everything I had in me.
In
hindsight, God’s unanswered prayers and divine intervention saved my life many
times over and changed it for the better. I think in her story God knew it was
best not to place a child in that situation.
God
always knows best. He always wants better lives for us that we sometimes want
for ourselves, simply because we can’t see the big picture when we are in the
middle of the trenches just trying to survive.
If
we can learn to trust Him with the outcome even when we think we want a different
one than what He is offering, we could just enjoy the journey knowing God’s got
this. Just because I can’t see the bigger picture – I know God can and I can
have faith that He is preparing the way before me. I just need to listen and
respond with courage, trust and obey.
I
have learned in my own life I need not fear the path He leads me to and am
still learning to push through the fear and nerves and the not known variables
to just do the next thing- the one He is leading me to- not of my own understanding
or courage; but through the strength, discernment and faith He gives me to be
confident. Not in myself but in what He is doing in and through me. The past
things I entrusted to men proved to be the things I should have feared most,
not the things God is offering. God is a good, good Father we can trust with
our lives and our dreams.
“See,
God has come to save me. I will trust Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my
strength and my song, He has given me victory.” Isaiah 12:2
Hello from Smith River, CA! (somewhere between Crescent City, CA and Brookings, OR) Before I talk about the photo of the day I first want to catch you up on my flight experience yesterday.
As you know I flew into DC – I already had a 3+ hour layover in the airport waiting for my connection to Denver. Once we boarded the plane and started to what we thought was the runway ended up being a parking lot for planes. With several lined up in a neat row we sat there…and sat there…until they finally told us that the route had been changed to avoid inclement weather. Okay, I am fine with waiting on the ground for that. Then the pilot told us they had been crunching numbers and with the longer route we wouldn’t have enough fuel. So we headed back to the terminal to top off the tank.
While we were fueling up the storm moved closer and by the time we got back to the runway…all routes had been closed. Then the storm came. We sat there a good 3 hours before taking off for Denver. Of course that meant I missed my connection to Medford.
When we landed in Denver I received a text from the airline that they had re-booked my flight – Great! It was now 7:28 and my flight was scheduled for take off at 7:40. I was about 20 gates away from where I needed to be in about 10 mins. I actually got off the the plane about 7:38. Mental note: Sandals are good for initial security check. Bad for running in the airport to your gate as you hear your name being called over the speaker. But, by the grace of God- I made it! Apparently they were waiting on me. I was the last person to board and got to walk the isle to the complete rear seat of the plane with everyone looking at me with that ‘we’ve been waiting’ grimace on their faces.
I know most of you have your own flight stories to tell and have probably had much worse days than mine, but in full disclosure this just made me question my sanity a little and wonder why I go to the trouble to get to another destination at all.
Then I see God’s magnificent design in nature like the photo above and it all comes back into perspective. I did ask God a couple of times if I heard Him right…because when I finally got to my hotel, in my exhausted emotional travel weary state, they didn’t have record of my reservation. They did end up finding the info and thankfully had a room for me, but by the time I got settled down and into bed it was about 2 a.m. Ky time and my body felt every minute of it.
As I was watching the news and eating my free continental breakfast this morning the weather man announced the coast would be having rain today and possibly tomorrow. Something they hadn’t experienced in a while. So my coastal drive was a bit cloudy and yes it did rain most of the afternoon, but I still saw some amazing trees and beautiful coast lines. I am grateful for being here and to have a cabin and a bed to lay my head down.
This was not the photo I would have shared but you guessed it, my laptop isn’t reading my SD card so I can’t download the photos from my Canon. Good thing I took a few with my phone. Just in case.
Tomorrow…Brookings and then Mt. Shasta for book signing and talk. Good night friends!
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 