• About
    • Meet Angela
    • Contact Angela
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Podcast
  • freebies
  • Warrior Wares

Warrior Raiser

  • About
    • Meet Angela
    • Contact Angela
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Podcast
  • freebies
  • Warrior Wares
ADVENT 2020

DAY 15: Better Together

December 13, 2020

BY: DANIELLE DICKERSON

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child she will bear!’”

Luke 1:39-42, NIV

Have you ever received some news that you had to share right away? It’s easy to share good news but have you ever had to share news that you knew was not just something that would impact your life but rather many others and add in that you could be stoned for this? Who would you turn to?

I can remember one time when I felt like my world was being shaken upside down. My family and I were happily living on the Southeast side of Columbus, we had a beautiful home, an amazing community of friends, and a church that we loved. I could never have imagined leaving this comfortable life we had. God had other plans for us; to move to Virginia. I was devastated at first, but obeyed as I knew this was a move God wanted us to take. My family went through so many emotions, but we held tight to what God was telling us to do and we saw Him change our impossibilities to possibilities.

This is exactly what happened to Mary. After the angel Gabriel told her that she would miraculously give birth to a baby, Scripture tells us that she was troubled at first. I am sure Mary went through a whirlwind of emotions all at once. She may have felt doubt by wondering if God had really chosen the right person.  She may have felt sadness because she knew her reputation was on the line and that she very well could lose friendships, family and even her engagement to Joseph. She may have felt fear because she knew the consequence of having a baby out of wedlock was to be stoned to death. Instead of staying with all of her natural thoughts or emotions, she humbly accepted God’s plan for her life. God knew that Mary would need someone to walk alongside her on this journey of raising the Son of God.  God loved Mary so much that He informed her that her relative, Elizabeth, was also going to have a baby.

What is significant about this is that Elizabeth was much older than Mary and had been barren all her married years. In Jewish society, children were considered to be a sign of God’s favor and blessing. If a woman was unable to have children, it was a sign of God’s disfavor and many in society looked down on these women. The Bible also mentions that Elizabeth was “advanced in her age,” meaning she was beyond her childbearing years. Many scholars believe she was over 60 but now she was six months pregnant with John the Baptist who would prepare the way for Jesus.

Our merciful Father God gave Mary someone whom she could trust, someone who would love and encourage her, and someone whom He had performed a miracle in by allowing her to become pregnant in her older age. He gave her community!

Mary didn’t hesitate to accept the blessing of community that God was giving her. Luke 2:39 tells us that she “got ready and hurried” to get to Elizabeth’s.

Allow me to encourage you in that no matter where you are in life, no matter what trouble you may be facing, or no matter how low life can seem for you, God will always provide you with a community that will pray for you, love and encourage you but this requires us to be vulnerable and open to community.

When my family moved to Virginia, I hurried to find a church because I understood the blessing of community that comes from being in God’s family. This really is a gift from God. Allow me to encourage you to find ways to connect with the community around you. It may be by coming to church on Sunday, through Zoom, through a thoughtful card or letter, through a phone call, or you may even be really festive and head out to go caroling. While you are celebrating Christmas, be sure to thank God for never leaving you alone and for the gift of community He has given you!

Daily Challenge:

How can you show gratitude for the community God has blessed you with?

#Advent2020AC

Tweet

    DAY 26: From Death to Life

    by Angela Johnson December 24, 2020

    DAY 25: The Most Unlikely

    by Angela Johnson December 23, 2020

    DAY 24: Founded In Love

    by Angela Johnson December 22, 2020

    0 Comments
    Share
    Angela Johnson

    Angela holds a Master’s in Public Health, two bachelors degrees, and is a registered nurse. Motivated to continue learning and help others, Angela left a full-time position in corporate wellness to pursue a career in nursing. After a short time as a labor and delivery nurse, Angela felt the calling to stay home full-time with her children. And 5 1/2 years ago, she felt a deep calling for connecting mothers and was able to begin the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) and MOMSnext ministry at her local church. Within the past 2 years, Angela recently transitioned out of her position at her local ministry and now works with MOPS International as an area Ministry Coach in Central Ohio. Because of the profound impact that working with women and mothers has had on her life, both professionally and personally, Angela continues to work to encourage and equip women to realize their God-given potential. She has been on a journey to come alongside women to help them grow in their intimacy with the Lord and she is excited to help other believers mature in their faith. Angela enjoys writing, public speaking, singing, worshiping, leading Bible Study, crafting, playing outside with her kiddos, shopping, going out to dinner with her husband (without the kiddos), and spending time with friends and family.

    Join the Convo

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    related posts

    You May Also Like

    DAY 26: From Death to Life

    December 24, 2020

    DAY 16: The First Christmas Carol

    December 14, 2020

    DAY 20: Joy In Obedience

    December 18, 2020
    Hello, Im Angela
    about me

    Hello, Im Angela

    I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to Derrick, and mother to 3 beautiful children — Elliott, Elias, and Eleanor. I have a passion for teaching and sharing the Word of God through the written and spoken word.

    Blog themes

    • ADVENT 2020
    • Hope for 2021
    • LENT 2021
    • Warrior Lessons

    Bible Gateway

    Bible Hub

    Blue Letter Bible

    Favorite Resources

    • d w e l l
    • Treasure Hunters
    • RightNow Media
    • Bible Project
    • Clothed in Grace
    • MOPS International
    • Compel Training
    • Proverbs31
    • Kintsugi Art
    • God’s Fingerprints
    • Dave Ramsey

    Facebook

    Facebook

    Join the Newsletter

    Receive the latest content from Warrior Raiser and never have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) again!

    Join 560 other subscribers

    Archives

    Follow on Instagram

    BIG Day. HUGE Day. EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized. So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! Here’s our whole service: https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 (min 21:00 for Elliott!) #raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    •
    Follow
    BIG Day. HUGE Day. EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized. So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! Here’s our whole service: https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 (min 21:00 for Elliott!) #raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    2 days ago
    View on Instagram |
    1/5
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    •
    Follow
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things! And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in. Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — “I am not what happened to me I am what I choose to become.” The poem I shared today was this quote personified… My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new! He can do the same for you. #warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    5 days ago
    View on Instagram |
    2/5
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    •
    Follow
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning! I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning! Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection! #WarriorRaiser #NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    2 weeks ago
    View on Instagram |
    3/5
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    •
    Follow
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷 And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜 https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    2 weeks ago
    View on Instagram |
    4/5
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    warriorraiser
    warriorraiser
    •
    Follow
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN! Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. #warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    2 weeks ago
    View on Instagram |
    5/5
    @warriorraiser

    Copyright © 2022 Warrior Raiser. All Rights Reserved.Site Powered by Pix & Hue.