Tag: #giftfromGod

The Truth in a Nutshell

by Angela K. Crow

Let’s get straight to the point. God is bigger than ALL of this! Anything to the contrary comes from a place of fear and panic and is nothing but diabolical.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) God has always provided. He will continue to provide and protect His people. This is the same God who shut the mouths of lions. God is not the author of confusion and chaos.

Let us be the calm in the storm. Let us sing praises to His name and be grateful for the little things we usually take for granted. Don’t drink the chaos Kook-aid, ya’ll. (I am pretty sure that is a long, lost proverb.) We can be smart, stay safe and not be fearful.

No matter what happens, God is with us. We can trust Him with the outcome. Share this truth with someone today who might need a word of encouragement in the middle of the storm.

When this is all over, go on that trip you’ve been thinking about for years, take the leap of faith and do that thing God has been nudging you to do, get out and enjoy God’s creation in nature, see other parts of the world…start marking those items off your bucket list. If you don’t have a bucket list, it is an excellent time to make one.

Be kind. Share with others in need. Show love. God’s got this…and us!

By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Hebrews 11:33-34

Colorful Communication

by Angela K. Crow

I find it fascinating that dragonflies communicate using the vibrant colors of their bodies through infra red and UV spectrum. They also have tiny antennae, so vision is their primary means of navigating and capturing prey. Remarkably, they can rotate their heads nearly 360 degrees, giving them an almost limitless field of view. What a great perspective in a colorful, unique form.

I have always liked rainbows. Their colorful message gives us a great perspective on God’s promises. I can also relate to color in a different way. I think color represents creativity and gifts from the Spirit.

I realized that all my gifts are a form of communication. The way I express my creativity to encourage others in various ways. I think God is equipping me with all forms of communication that honor Him in everything I do and is answering my prayers in profound ways.

How ironic to be given such colorful forms of communication for someone who went from never communicating on one end of the spectrum to being forced to fully communicate every thought on the other end of the spectrum.

Neither of these were a healthy form of communication. I began to pray about it and ask God to help me have healthy communications – I knew there had to be a middle ground in there somewhere. I just needed help figuring it out. I also pray that I never hurt anyone with my words but lift them up, encourage and inspire them.

I believe God has poured out His precious gifts upon me in a delightful, colorful array of communicative expression like I have never experienced before. I am so grateful and want to be a good steward of each one.

The magpie is a colorful bird, related to crows, which uses its voice to express itself in sometimes loud fashion. It encourages us to speak up and be creative with our spoken words.  I believe I have found my voice and am using it to the best of my ability to serve my Heavenly Father.

But there is another expression of communication I am working on- listening. I also pray that I listen to understand and not to respond. That I listen to discern God’s voice. That I listen and respond with courage to be obedient and follow where He leads. Sometimes listening is more important than speaking. I pray God will show me when to speak up and when to listen and give me the right words at the right time to help others in profound, beautiful ways.

When the Spirit reveals something to me it’s like the early morning sky opening to a new day with an elegance beyond words. Brilliant hues of early morning colors revealed in a moment of clarity unlike any other thought or word. An idea so wild and beautiful it could only come from Him. I am in awe of His glory and goodness towards me every single day.