Angela Beach Silverthorne's Blog, page 4

Here I Raise My Ebenezer

Over the past year, I have been going through every closet, drawer, and room to unclutter in preparation for a move. Naturally I had to touch and read everything. It was like a walk down memory lane. Everything held meaning, and I wanted to share it with my family and friends. The process became a journey of remembrance.
When I got to my volumes of journals, there was no way I could pass them by. So, I sat down and went through every one of them. The journals became my ebenezer. Ebenezer means “stone of help.” In the Old Testament stones were piled one on top of the other as a reminder to the Israelites of God’s unfailing love and mercy.
1Samuel 7:12 states, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Ebenezer saying, ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’.”
Opening up my journals reinforced how good God has been to me, family and friends. How His blessings have poured over us. How in the darkest hours of life God was right there ministering to us. Most of those times I did not even realize God’s intervention, often feeling alone and helpless. Looking back and remembering how I felt then and how I see the situation now establishes God’s work in my life and shapes who I am today. It readies me for the next valley, disappointment, or loss with the knowledge of a Savior that is living and active in my life. I have no fear because He has prepared me to handle life through Him.
When we moved to VA Beach in January 2017, the Praise Team at the church we are attending kept singing a song they wrote entitled, “Ebenezer”. Every time I heard it I could see that stack of journals, all those memories of God’s love.
My intrigue in the song caused me to do a little investigation. The chorus to the contemporary song, “Ebenezer”, was based off an old hymn “Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” written by Robert Robinson in 1757. Even though Robinson’s life drove him from his faith many times, he managed to help others come to Christ through the words in his song. 
Remembrance is very important; it’s a fundamental principle in the gospel. Humans unfortunately have an easier time remembering all the bad things that happen verses the good. That’s why God put things on stone, i.e., the ten commandments. Another perfect example of stones of remembrance is found in Joshua 4.
“Take yourselves twelve stones from here . . . that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ Then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordon on dry land . . . that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever’.”
God wants us to remember Him in awe and reverence. In the song, “Ebenezer” and “Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”, we are asked to remember God’s hand in our life.
Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (chorus, Robert Robinson, 1757)Here I raise my ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come;And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,Safely to arrive at home:Jesus sought me when a stranger,Wand’ring from the fold of God:He, to save my soul from danger,Interposed His precious blood.

Ebenezer (chorus, contemporary version)Here I raise my ebenezer,Hither by Thine help I come,May it remind me of every victoryThat You brought me safe thus far.All my hope, all my hope is in Your promises.And all my joy, all my joy is in You, Jesus.
How precious is remembering God’s promises, blessings, mercy, grace, and love in our lives.
Lord Jesus, help me to remember the power of Your holy name that I can call on at any time. In Christ’s name I pray,Angela

Sharing from my journal. This entry was after a long year: mother dying, my husband having seizures, the loss of our 17 year old dog, and my health issues.
Dear Heavenly Father,It is good to praise You! You are my Refuge and my Rock. You keep me safe and dry in the storm. You present Yourself in the morning sunrise, and kiss the day to rest in a sunset splendor. All my concerns have been deposited in You. God, You provide the Words to keep me in tune with Your desires for me. Oh, how I love the precious name of Jesus. Oh how I rely on the still small voice of Your Spirit, Lord. Continue to keep us under Your wing. There are times when I think we are fumbling, stumbling, and staggering under the pressure we are under. It’s like a dark cloud has sat on us. Then I see the tiniest bit of light and I know that means You are coming; so, I’m waiting. You’ll be here soon. I feel it. Until then, I will continue to glorify Your holy name. Your child, Angela

Prayer Circles

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.” Philippians 4:6
One of the best ways I know to remember how to commit things to God in prayer is by remembering three circles. One is the worry circle, in which I keep nothing. Second is the prayer circle, in which I keep everything. Third is the gratitude circle, in which I keep anything. So when I pray, I am anxious for nothing, prayerful for everything, and thankful for anything.
We feel foolish asking God to help us with some of the things in our lives. But remember: “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God” (Philippians 4:6). 
You just need to write out every one of your concerns before they turn into worries and commit them to God. He does care about each of them. If you take them back, just give them back to Him in prayer again. Day by day, as you get more and more practiced committing the affairs of your life to Him, you will begin to leave them with Him. Your trust in God will grow, and you will stop grabbing back what you have given Him.
(Dr. David Jeremiah, July 13 post from his devotional, Sanctuary 2002)
Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did. God bless you always,Angela

Summer Blessings

Summer. Beach. Pool. Children and grandchildren. Well, I’m living in the fullness of who I am, a Nana! What a joy to have all nine grandchildren and three daughters filling the house with laughter, sharing, and reminiscing. The fellowship was like a sweet aroma. Our summer reunion  is a sweet remembrance of the love we share for one another and others. Our children are indeed a heritage from the Lord.
The Bible teaches that family is very important. We see very early in the Bible that family members are to care for and look after one another. In today’s society where families are more transient and independent, we’ve had to get more creative to remain close and create the large family unit most of us crave.  
Living long distances from one another, our family has had to lean into our spiritual family, the Church, to minister to us. We’ve also realized that family comes in many different forms, neighbors, friends, and cohorts. Our family may not get to see one other as much as we’d like, but we have still managed to have many family members surrounding us with support and love.
I am very honored that my family loves God. It’s like power unleashed. When we gather together, I sit amazed listening to the ways our family is reaching out to others. More importantly, I hear how others are reciprocating in kind to them, offering love and encouragement when they are discouraged or need a listening ear. These are precious words to a mom who can’t always be there. I know the family they are building love them, too. 
Jesus said, “A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)  
Thank You, God, for family. Thank You for every blessing and every trial. Thank You for the strength and courage to face every day in prayer and the conviction to live each day in service and love to You. Thank You, Father, for each family member who make my life more meaningful, and reach out beyond their core unit to love others. In all things, in prayer and supplication, I praise Your holy name for the family You have so graciously given to me.
As you think about your summer and family, find ways to celebrate each other and the people that God has brought into our lives.
God bless you,Angela 
P.S. Missing all the husbands who are not in this picture.

Hope Keeps Our Dreams Alive

So many people have been praying for my grandson, Hudson. From the bottom of my heart, my family thanks you. Every day we feel the power of those prayers. So, I wanted to update you on his progress. Everything he does is a big thing to us. When you hear your grandson is deaf. You hang onto hope because the waiting and wondering what will happen can be painful. Hudson amazes us daily with new words. Dallas and I had the opportunity to take him to speech therapy this week, and as would be expected he acted like a two-year-old. He did about half of what the therapist asked him to do. The other half he did what Hudson wanted to do. Doesn’t that sound familiar? His powerful new word that he says and signs is “No!” I think he’s hearing it so much from us that at some point he feels he just has to exert some control. If he’s not sure about something, he will just shake his head. However, if it’s something he refuses to do he will let you know right away. Yesterday the grand news was he vocalized the words “thank you” very plainly to his cousin. He said it more than once. Good thing because he had the adults bewildered. All of them felt they surely misunderstood what he had said. I think the boy thinks a lot of words and holds them inside just for the best time to touch the heart of his parents and grandparents. Hope is thriving around here. Hudson wants to learn. He studies and watches everything we are doing. His Papa, Dallas, decided to teach Hudson a rendition of Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. The second go-round, Hudson was right in step with his Papa right down to the addition of the Doodle Hill stomp. And if you’re not from Doodle Hill, I’m sorry that you don’t have that image in your head. Maybe that’s another post. For those of you who grew up on the Hill, you are laughing. God bless you! Hudson will be two-years-old on July 9. His new ears, cochlear implants, are only five months old. That’s how the therapist and doctors measure his hearing/speech progress. He is meeting one milestone after another. Your prayers are working. Our hope is soaring!Hudson June 2017 God bless you,Angela

Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July! Celebrate this great country with your family and friends. God bless America! Keep her strong and in Your will, Lord! God bless you all, Angela

Holding to High Standards

Books are powerful instruments to entertain, teach, learn problem solving strategies and coping mechanisms. As a writer I cannot underestimate the impact my words can have on readers. Knowing this, I take being a Christian author very seriously.  
Before I began writing the Cries series, Cries of Innocence and Cries of Grace, I began to pray. My subject matter was hard—abuse, abandonment, and neglect. I was not foreign to the scope of the issues, having worked with women and children who lived under oppression and in wretched situations. Writing about evil is serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart or for those who want to over dramatize the subject matter.
Every writing session was prayed over. I had prayer partners praying for me, too. I endorsed pastors, Sunday School teachers, and avid readers to look over chapters I was struggling with. I wanted the material to show real-life conflict and demonstrate strategies to biblically maneuver through trials.
My journey proved to be a tremendous faith builder for me. The protagonist’s grandmother often said, “You’ve got a lot to learn.” Those words were the driving force behind the cries of those who wondered where God was in the struggle. In the middle of their learning, I learned exponentially. I felt accountable to God and my future readers to deliver a tough message while continually measuring myself against Scripture.
There were four questions I had written down on an index card to keep me focused. These questions established my writing each day.
1.     Prayer
2.     God’s Truth
3.     Stumbling Blocks to Faith
4.     Freedom Through Believing and Praying
Prayer.Begin every writing session in prayer. Pray for guidance over difficult scenes.
God’s truth. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV) Stay centered on scriptural truths. When in doubt seek godly advice. I do this often when I am treading into difficult areas or situations. It is easy to get trapped within cultural mores and half-truths. Partner with people who keep you biblically accountable. Your goal is to lead your readers to higher grounds of understanding.
Stumbling blocks to faith can be indistinguishable from other forms of sin. We are desperate in the dark, knowing evil exists, but unable to figure out how to navigate the murky waters of its lies. Breaking strongholds is seeing different ways to approach the issues and problems life so generously delves out. As book characters learn biblical strategies to deal with their situation, it teaches readers that there are numerous options to break stumbling blocks in order to have a fuller life in Christ.
Freedom through believing and praying. We all have moments when we feel lost, alone, and stranded. Those are times when problems seem too big to handle. Offering readers Biblical ways to look beyond their crisis, beyond their limited view, and beyond their understanding offers hope to the hopeless. If offers the characters the courage to step beyond the dark wall into the light of God’s saving grace and redemption. Readers are given the opportunity to internalize coping mechanisms and strategies to grow as they become more and more aware of God’s presence.
I write with purpose, giving readers a chance to engage with the story’s multiethnic characters who find the end of the road is only the beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus. What more could an author demonstrate to readers than the love of the Father and the Truth that continues to free its victims.God bless you all,



 

Rescue Me

Music calms my soul. It puts words to my joy and heartache. Music lifts me up when I am low. When I am overfilled with blessings, music accompanies my emotions. Music can soothe the soul or rev up our excitement for life.
“Never underestimate the healing power of listening to your favorite music on full blast while dancing around the house like an idiot.” (author unknown)
That’s another benefit!!! Music can make us feel younger and more vibrant.
You know what music really is?
“God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe; harmonic connections between all living beings, everywhere, even the stars.” Robin Williams
I’ve never heard a living soul say they hated music. They might not like Rap or Zydeco, two of my favorites, but everyone loves some kind of music. And that’s our connection.
Well, music has come to my rescue again.
I’ve been in a slump. No know reason. No diagnosis. No medications. Just one of those natural slumps. When I fall into one of these traps, I get out the music. And God led me to the perfect song for my mood. It was sung by Wynnona Judd, “Rescue Me”.
 What do you do when you’re scared inside?
When all of your feelings just seem to collide.
Emotions just seem to let go,
All of your tears always follow.
All of these things that you’re feeling deep down;
And you realize that you’re calling out loud:
I love Thee.
Rescue Me.
Shine Your light, lead me home.
Lord, all I need is Your Love.
I love Thee.
Rescue Me.
Shine Your light, lead me home.
Lord, all I need is your love.
Rescue me, rescue me.


I played this over and over again. Singing. Crying. Healing those frayed emotions.


Oh, it’s Love’s sweet salvation
With Christ the Blessed Lamb.
We can get through anything
As long as it’s You and me.


Hope this song brought back some memories and maybe some healing. Music is powerful. I’ll be sharing more. If you have a song that speaks to your heart, please share it with me.
Blessings,
Angela

Faith Without Prayer Isn't

Sounds absolutely right doesn’t it? Faith without prayer isn’t.
I had a young woman tell me she believed in Jesus, but didn’t like to pray, didn’t feel the need to pray. She said Jesus knew everything about her; so, why should she waste her time telling Him what He already knows.
The Bible tells us that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Faith is believing God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.
But if you never pray, how is faith sustained? Is it not through prayer that we draw closer to God? Isn’t our faith about having a relationship with God? And how do we cultivate that relationship or listen to that still small voice if we don’t pray?
John Bunyan says, “Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”
So I went on a mission to find out why prayer is an essential part of faith.
I found a wonderful article from Focus on the Family by Robert Velarde. I am going to recap it here, but if you would like to read the article in its entirety, please go to the link at the end of the post.
12 reasons to Pray:
1.     God’s Word Calls Us to Pray. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
2.     Jesus Prayed Regularly. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
3.     Prayer is How We Communicate with God. “…if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
4.     Prayer Allows us to Participate in God’s Works. “Does God need our help? No. He is all powerful and in control of everything in His creation. Why do we need to pray? Prayer helps others know the love of Jesus. Prayer is part of His plan for accomplishing His will in this world.
5.     Prayers Gives Us Power Over Evil. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41
6.     Prayer Is Always Available. Prayer can happen at any time or anywhere. The only thing that keeps us from praying is our choice to do so.
7.     Prayer Keeps Us Humble. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
8.     Prayer Grants Us the Privilege of Experiencing God. It’s during prayer that we feel closer to God. It’s during prayer that we begin to let the worries of the world slid by and we are faced with the greatest of offerings, peace.
9.     Answered Prayer is a Potential Witness.
10.  Prayers Strengthens the Bonds Between Believers.
11.  Prayer Can Succeed Where Other Means Have Failed.
12.  Prayer Fulfills Emotional Needs. C. S. Lewis said, “God designed the human machine to run On Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”
 Prayer is essential to faith. It enriches our faith and draws us closer to God.
Take time today to go to God in prayer. If at first it feels uncomfortable, be persistent. In a short while you will be looking forward to your time set aside for Jesus. Your reward will be immeasurable and gratifying, drawing you closer and closer into a rich relationship with the Father.Faith without prayer just isn't.
God bless you, Angela

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/faith-in-life/prayer/prayer-has-its-reasons

Faith Meets at the Cross

Dreams kept piercing my sleep. Overlaying images caused intense restlessness until one night I finally got up, grabbed paper and a pen, and began to draw. This is not the first time this has happened. Draw? Really? I kept telling Christ, “I’m not a sketcher.” Still, I felt the deep desire to draw what I kept seeing in my dreams, images and words.
As you can see, I kept it very elemental. I have prayed over this image for weeks. I kept wondering if there was more to it than the simple words that I saw. But there’s not. It’s simple. Faith meets at the cross. That’s where we find our Shepherd, Redeemer, and the powerful blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for us. It’s all wrapped up here.
Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11
Redeemer. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Blood and power of Jesus. By faith you see His face, His torment, His love poured out on the cross. For all suffering, God has a plan. At the cross, we are humbled to see the glorious exhibition of God’s love – one we cannot fully comprehend in our human state. But we are told it’s Jesus’ blood that offers mankind redemption and freedom from the bondage of sin.
“Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
At the Last Supper, Christ explained to His diciples, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28
Songs upon songs have cried out the blessings in the power of Christ’s blood.
“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other font I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!”
The Good Shepherd shed His blood for us. He was the last sacrifice and we can trust the righteousness of Christ. Every day I ponder Christ’s sacrifice. I want to honor Christ by remembering and living my life to glorify Him. I’ve been rescued out of a sinful life. 1 Peter 1:18-19 states, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Thank you, Father.
I also know Christ, the Good Shepherd, is still working on me, leading me, and protecting me. Because of His death, I am redeemed. The power of Jesus’ blood offers me salvation for my soul, forgiveness for my sins, access to God and victory over Satan. Praise God.
Remembering is important. It keeps your mind focused and your heart engaged to do the good works Christ has prepared in advance. Remembering keeps us headed in the right direction. When we are Christ focused, our burdens are light and our joy is abundant. Even in hard times we still sing a song of victory because of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is when remembering is even more crucial.
Praise be to God, our Shepherd, Redeemer, and Deliverer, Jesus Christ!
Take a moment today to reflect on all that Christ has done for you. Never forget His sacrifice to give you a life of purpose and commitment to Him.
God bless you,
Angela

Swallow Your Fear

This is Sydney. She is five. Yesterday I was sitting in the car with her while her mother was shopping. We were having a very lively five-year-old discussion when out of the blue, she said, “Nana, did you know you can swallow your fear?”
Me: “Swallow your fear? How?”
I watched as she inhaled, expanded her chest very wide, and exhaled very dramatically.
Then Sydney said, “That’s how you do it. You take in a big huge breath, swallow, and blow out the fire.”
Me: “Fire?”
She gave me that look. It’s the look that glares, “You are the adult and should know all these things”.
When I didn’t respond, she shrugged her shoulders and explained, “The fire is fear.”
Me: “Who told you all this?”
Scrunching up her lips in total exasperation, she announced, “Mommy tells me to breathe when I get upset. When I do, I swallow my tears. Then I feel better. So when I get scared at night, I breathe in the fear, swallow it, and then I blow the fire out. That’s the scary part of fear. Then it’s all gone.”
Sydney immediately diverted her attention away from me and on to something else. I sat back and pondered her words. Yep, leave it to a kid to put you in your place.
Swallow your tears. Swallow your fears.
The Bible tells us, “For God gave us not the spirit of fearfulness, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
I think my granddaughter gave Nana a little lesson here.
Sydney listened to her mom. Her mom lovingly demonstrated to Sydney how to control (discipline) her emotions. She used that strategy to control her fear.
Maybe Sydney’s strategy has some credence. Breathe in deep, swallow the fear, and blow it out. When we blow fear out we get rid of it. It no longer consumes us.  
I turned around and got Sydney’s attention. “Do you think God grabs that fear when you blow it out?”
Shrugging her shoulders again she declared, “Who else would get it?”
Sometimes it pays to hang around children. You never know what good advice you’ll get.
God bless you