Displaying items by tag: god stories

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, NIV)

I don’t know about you, but being still is tough for me. Yet I need to hear God. He catches my attention and gives me clues to come sit with Him. I have a special place designated so that I know when I sit in my sunroom, I focus on Him. I sit and be quiet. I try to do this daily. I have to force myself to turn off my brain and not think of the next zillion things. It gets easier and the special place helps. I seek to hear Him in the quiet waiting, by saying prayers then waiting, by reading scripture I feel prompted to read….sometimes it is a random opening of the bible and indeed it blesses me then I wait.  

My continuous prayer is to do ALL the Lord has assigned. I do not want to miss anything, because I want to make my Heavenly Father proud. I also often ask Him to speak to me Lord, show me Lord, and in His own way and in His own time He does. Trust in the soft promptings to kneel or even praise. Feel free to speak the prayer out loud and boldly. If the thought hits during your time of prayer do it. You are doing it in faith and your faith builds and your hearing increases.    

Last night I had much on my mind and I needed to talk to my ABBA, my heavenly Father and so I kneel on the landing on the 2nd floor of my home to pray over my family, pray over my friends, submit my petitions to the Lord, and let Him know that I NEEDED to hear from Him. I needed to know if I was on the path He had assigned. The next morning, I woke from a dream of my doing just what I felt He had assigned the next chapter in my life to do!

 Rick Warren states, “God says he will give you the wisdom you need to recognize his voice and follow through on what He says.” “It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6 TEV).  And with this, you become clear and confidently walk forward seemingly against all odds and know that you that you know that you walk through doors He alone has opened.  

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” (Job 8:7, NIV)

I like stories, God-stories and I have had the chance to share many. It is my greatest privilege to do so because it honors God. Although I still get nervous, sometimes tongue-tied, and definitely shed a tear or two speaking to congregations, church groups, organizational dinners, awards ceremonies…I love sharing the stories! God-stories honor God and what He has done.  

Today I begin sharing the stories on a website that was launched in August of 2010, six fast years ago. It is aptly named ABBA List. “Father God’s” list to help people find free help, support and resources in their time of need.

Our board of directors, all volunteer, work behind the scenes to find, list, and effectively get the word about the free resources in our community of Hampton Roads. Next month, September 2016, marks 5 years as a 501c3 nonprofit.

We occasionally hear “the end of the story” and relish each one knowing that God is encouraging us along the way.

In the winter of 2012, I get a simple website email from Frank saying, “I’m hungry.” This day I am so grateful to be at my computer. To reach me, I know he’s on the website and wonder if he searched the site. I respond and after a few back and forth email questions, I direct him to a food source that I believe can fill his immediate need. Then I sit in silence at my computer. Nothing more I can do, so I pray. A few days later he emails, “It worked. Your food list worked. I got food. Thank you, thank you.” To God be the glory!

Just recently, I was at an outdoor arts event and an ABBA List display was on a nearby table. I stood nearby as a group of 3 men talked about various needs. One quite animated pointed to the display and said, “Look it up on the ABBA List!” He explained, “It’s like “Angie’s List”, but for resources!” I think my heart smiled….no, I KNOW my heart smiled. Six years later and the community is passing it on. Praise God!