iamMyBeloved's

Waiting on God

2012-01-24T15:21:00.001-06:00

Often times I have to remind myself that I am NOT God and that I am subject to Him and not the other way around. One of the things that I struggle with and pray that someday I overcome is trying to "understand" His timing.

I guess that's the main problem, trying to understand, I have come to a point where I am trying not to "understand" God any more. I love Him, I serve Him and I trust Him, and I think it's better that I don't understand His ways. Why would I want to serve a God I figured out? wouldn't that be boring and it wouldn't defeat the purpose of Him being God? Knowing that He is God and that He is good allows me to trust Him and let Him do what He does best, which is make all things work out in HIS timing.

God is amazing, He is not a procrastinator although sometimes we may feel He is taking forever to get something done. He does everything ON TIME, let's keep in mind that our clocks are not syncronized so what may seem as the "wrong" time if it's in His time then that's the right time.

Oh who understands His way? No one and if you want to save time don't even try, let Him be God and do things His way. Remember we are the creation and He is the creator, if you are going to trust anyone with your life, trust Him.

The love of many will grow cold...

2011-09-24T21:53:00.000-05:00

The love of many will grow cold...

It's been a few months since this phrase has been repeating in my head and I cannot ignore it. In the book of Revelation we find Jesus speaking about several churches but one stands out to me, the church of Laodicea. He says to them:

"I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." ESV Revelation 3:15-16

Now here's a different version

"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot-far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit." The Message Rev 3:15-16

Those are some harsh words but what plays over in my head is when He says, I would rather you be cold or hot. Think about what that means, someone who is hot is someone who is after God's heart. They are living holy and are seeking after Him, seeking to please Him. They are truly in love with God and desiring His presence. They are ready to do whatever necessary to have God, to capture His attention. Now someone who is cold is the opposite, they are in the world, living life, telling God blatantly "I want nothing to do with You; I am going to do me now; I don't need You/trust You/believe in You; Leave me alone." Jesus rather you be cold than lukewarm, here is why.

Someone who is lukewarm thinks they know God, they think that they have what it takes to get into heaven. They play church and they are great at it, they attend every service, they raise their hands during praise and worship and they even pray. But they are indifferent about God's presence, they are so numb that they don't feel Him, they have played church for so long they have become desensitized and are no longer capable of feeling God. Not only are they not capable, they don't care to feel His presence. You see it is lukewarm Christians that are keeping cold people from coming to Christ. That is why Jesus says, I rather you be cold because at least if you are cold when I come near you, you are able to react.

This scares me, I don't ever want to become lukewarm. I don't ever want to become indifferent about Him. I want to know when He is the room and when He is not. I want to know that I am doing everything in my power to please Him, to seek Him. I want to long for Him, I want to need Him. The thought of living a life without God scares me. Hell doesn't scare me, burning for all eternity does not scare me, what scares me is not having Him for all eternity, not feeling Him.

I want to give Him my all, I do not want to do this Christian life half-heartily and I certainly do not want my love for Him to grow cold.

If you have grown lukewarm, there is still hope. Here is what He says:

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anything hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches" Revelation 3:19-22

Loving Him Back

2011-08-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

The word of God says that we love Him because He first loved us. God loved you while you were in your mess, He loves you the way you are but when He comes into your life He brings change. There are days when I wonder how can a Holy God love me? How could He want me? I am a sinner and even after I asked Him to become Lord of my life I continue to fall and make mistakes. Sometimes I feel like I couldn't possibly love Him back.

The hardest part for me is admitting that someone could love me enough to die for me, that the creator of the universe would love me enough to give all that He has to have me. My mind cannot understand why would He send His ONLY Son for me. There are times when I feel worthless, I evaluate my life and I feel like a complete failure. But His love abounds, He reminds me who I am and what I mean to Him daily. I am His beloved, I am the one He loves and continues to love even when I fall short of His Glory.

Loving Him back is the easiest and the most challenging thing I have ever had to do. How could I not love the One who died for me? How could I resist Him? How could I refuse to answer His call? I have tried, I have run away, I have ignored His voice only to find myself in His arms.

We need to learn to love Him back, we need to learn to respond to His love. We are capable of loving Him back only because He first loved us. Had He not sent Jesus to die on a cross and pay our debt we couldn't love Him back, our sins would hold us back, our guilt and shame would keep us bound but it's His love that sets us free. Free to love, free to dance for Him and sing to Him.

I challenge you to love Him back, even when you think you are not worthy, especially when you feel like you don't deserve His love just LOVE HIM BACK!!! Learn to see yourself the way He sees you, He sees you and He falls deeper in love with you. He sees you and He counts the sacrifice made on the cross well worth it. He sees you and He doesn't regret creating you.

Trying to please a Holy God

2011-06-30T09:27:00.003-05:00

I have tried to serve God. I have spent most of my time trying to serve Him, trying to please Him, trying to make Him proud. But that's exactly what has kept me far from Him, I been trying so hard to do things in my own strengths not realizing that I cannot do it on my own, I cannot please a perfect God with my imperfect ways. My righteousness are but filthy rags to Him, I don't have the right to present myself before His presence because of all the "good" I have done. I have the right to present myself before His presence because of all that Jesus did on the cross.

I cannot please God, I cannot serve Him, I cannot make Him proud. I cannot do anything on my own, it is Christ in me who is able to please the Father, He is able to serve Him and make Him proud. It is when I stop trying to do things in my own strength that I allow Him to act through me. I am but dust, I am but a creation, the master piece of my maker.

Why don't we just stop trying to please a Holy God and just allow Him to work in us. We are humans and we will fall, we will sin and things will not go as planned but in our weakness His strength is perfected. We find Him at the end of ourselves. It is only when we realize that there is nothing we can do that He begins to move.

Dear...

2011-06-29T23:08:00.000-05:00

Dear Church,

I come to you hoping to find a place where I can worship freely without having to think about the person next to me. I come to you wanting to be free to cry out to God and not have to worry about offending or scaring those around me. I come to you hoping to make you my safe haven, the place I come to when my world is falling apart. I come to you expecting to find God inside...

Dear People of God,

I come to you broken and scared, not knowing who to trust and what to believe in. I call you my brothers and my sisters hoping to find in you what I didn't find in my natural family. I come to you unashamed to worship a wonderful God not worrying about fitting in but just being myself. I come to you showing you my true colors believing that you will accept me just as God has accepted me...

Unfortunately the Church and the so called people of God have failed my expectations, but I guess that's my fault for believing people could be perfect. If I can't be perfect why would I expect anyone else Christian or none Christian to be perfect. I come to church and I am judge for worshipping a wonderful God, I offend some people with my desperate cries for mercy. The place I once thought I could make my safe haven has become the place I try staying away from because I'll get hurt. I show my true colors only to find out that if the colors do not fit their particular taste I will not be accepted. Sometimes it is easier to find God in the world than it is to find Him inside the church.

Worthy God

2011-02-10T19:14:00.003-06:00

We come to God with a preconceived notion of who He is and what He is like but just because we have read of Him it does not mean we know Him. If we have read our bibles we know that He is a God who loves us, one who sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins.

We have also read of all the miracles, signs and wonders He is capable of performing. We feed ourselves with head knowledge and sad enough we are satisfied by knowing of Him but never getting to know Him. We come to Him thinking that because He is God He doesn't need the praises of sinners like you or me and you are right He does not need our praises, our pathetic excuse of worship, He deserves it.

Our generation has gotten so use to entertainment and being entertained. We go to church thinking it's a circus, wondering what trick God will do for us today. What foolish creatures we are! Do we not know to whose house we go to every Sunday? Do we not realize in the presence of whom we are when we go to church? Well that is if HE is ever invited in. Church has become such an exclusive club, God does not meet the requirements to become a member.

We go to church once a week thinking we are doing God a favor by showing up for a few hours on Sunday but forgetting all about Him the next 6 days. As if Jesus only takes attendance on Sundays. I'm sorry to inform you Christianity is a lifestyle, a full-time job.

Like they say go hard or go home, in this case is surrender all or go to hell, not that I am sending you there it is your actions that have won you a free ticket with no way out. Let's stop pretending hell is not real, let's stop fooling ourselves by thinking that as long as we are good we won't go to hell. Good by whose standards, yours or God's? God will not be fooled, He will not be mocked.

Just because Jesus came to fulfill the law it does not make His commandments void. He said "you shall have no other god before me" and He meant it, and just to be clear a god is anything that takes His place. He commanded us not to steal or kill but we steal and kill our neighbors dreams and hopes when we gossip and speak bad about them.

To love your God with all of your heart, soul and strength and love your neighbor as you love yourself those are the greatest commandments. But many of us fall short, we might confess we love God but prove ourselves liars when we don't love our neighbors. You cannot love God if you don't love your neighbor. He said love Me with all and He meant all, not a portion. He wants it all and if you are not going to give it all then don't give anything because for Him half of something or nothing are the same thing.

Be like Me!

2011-01-18T22:50:00.000-06:00

God has called us to be like Him, time and time again we read this, the first words He spoke in regards to men were "let's make men in our image" in our likeness, let's make him like us. And so He formed us in His image, nothing more and nothing less, He made us just like Him. Then He commands us to be like Him, to do good for He is good, to be holy for He is holy, to love one another for He is love, to show mercies for He is merciful, to be faithful because He is faith, to be righteous for He is righteous. He wants us to be like Him because it is only when we become like Him that we are able to abide in His presence.

"For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy..."

Leviticus 11:44

Organ Failure

2010-12-16T12:32:00.000-06:00

Don't you just hate it when you are sick? When your head hurts? or for some people when their heart is not working the way it should? or when the liver fails? or when you need some type of organ transplant because the one you have just isn't cutting it. Don't you hate it when people die because something in their body refused to work the way GOD intended it to work? We hear countless stories of people who come together in an effort to find the cure of an illness and to increase the awareness of a disease.

Why then is it that the church has become so comfortable and indifferent about the body of Christ acting as independent entities? We are called the BODY of CHRIST. Look at yourself you are made of many parts, arms, legs, feet, toes, fingers, eyes, nose, you get the picture. You are not complete if you are missing a leg or an arm or an eye, you need all that to make you. Why then do we insist on being independent christians? independent believers? We are only called to be independent of the world and its fleshly desires but we are called to be dependent on each other for all of us together make the body of Christ, His bride.

When will we understand that we cannot function independently of one another. Just like if my liver fails and I don't get appropriate medical attention I will die. It is the same if a part of the body of Christ is failing the entire body will suffer. I am not a part of church that goes by a certain name, when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour I became part of the body of Christ. That body is made up by many people, not just one ministry, not just one church. I might go to one church but I am a member, you and I are members, vital parts of the body of Christ.

You, make a difference. Whether you are making a positive, negative or no difference, you are affecting the body. Stop making excuses for your laziness and start doing what you were intended to do. We are ONE body with ONE voice and ONE purpose and our sole mission in life is to bring as many lives to Christ as we possibly can. We might not see the harvest, but it is our responsibility to plant the seeds.

Christ died for the WORLD. GOD gave His only Son for the world, so let's give Him what He died for, let's give Him the world.

New Garments

2010-12-15T14:00:00.022-06:00

The day I died for you, I took your filthy garments and exchanged them for clothing worthy of royalty. You no longer need to dress as a beggar, for I have made you heir of a great King.

What are you doing trying to wear your old filthy garments? Do you not know that the day you called Me into your heart, I clothed you with My majesty? I made you one with Me and thus one with the Father. Why do you then insist on dressing like a beggar?

I took your shame that you may have My glory. I took your pain that you may have My joy. I took your illness that you may have My wholeness. I took your anxiety that you may have My peace. I took your loneliness that you maybe feel My Love.

I carried your sins, I stood in for your judgment that you may be reconciled with the Father. Don't refuse the garments that I now give you, please wear them for they were made specially for you.

They are holy garments for when you come into My presence. They are garments of praise for when you want to please My heart. They are garments of prayer for when you want to get My attention and they are garments of humility for when you want Me to find your irresistible. They are garments of holiness so you can behold My face.

written 04.08.10

by: Ana Martinez

Glory

2010-12-15T09:30:00.005-06:00

"For GOD to be GOD, He must care about His own glory. God must prize Himself above all else, for to prize anything or anyone else more highly than Himself would compromise His worth---and therefore imply that He is not GOD after all."

Matt Redman (Facedown)

Still

2010-12-14T23:02:00.002-06:00

"in quietness and confidence shall be your strength..." Isaiah 30:15

I stumbled upon this verse earlier this week and honestly I don't think it was a coincidence. What I have learned is that I cannot always be doing, I cannot always be talking, sometimes I need to learn to just be quiet, be still. It is then that I can hear His voice and allow Him to move and do as He pleases. It is only when I am still, quiet and confident that He will do something, that He is able to move, not because He can't move simply that He won't. If He is going to do something on your behalf, He makes it known that its by His power alone that it was done. He does not share His glory with any one or anything. So He'll wait for you to surrender. He'll wait for you to get tired of doing things your way before He acts.

written 04.01.09

Ana Martinez

33

2010-11-16T12:22:00.002-06:00

Sin was the cause of death of Jesus Christ, not that He sinned but because of our sins He died (& rose again). He was as much God as He was man, He lived a holy life, He never sinned, He couldn't for He was the lamb who's blood must be shed. He was only 33 years old when He died, at the prime of His life. He had just started His ministry. He was baptized by His cousin, John the baptist. After being baptized the Spirit lead Him to the wilderness to be tempted for 40 days. It took 33 years of training to prepare Him for His calling. 33 years of living holy and loving every one including His enemies. 33 years trusting the Father, 33 years being dependent on Him.

Sometimes I think we forget that Jesus was human. Yes He is the Son of God, He is God but He is also human. He became human for you and for me. So that He could know our struggles, so that He could be our intercessor, for how can you be an intercessor if you don't know what it's like to be in certain situation. He has felt loneliness, He knows what is it to be talked about, mocked and bullied. He knows what it is like to be hungry and to have a need. He knows what it is to be human, to be weak and desperate.

Jesus was a young man when He died, only 33 years old. He spent His entire life preparing for His ministry a great and wonderful but short ministry. We might have a calling in life but none of us know how long our training will be before we actually start walking in it. We can be called to have a wonderful ministry but like Jesus, for we are no better, have to be molded and trained.

He died young so that you don't have to die before your time. He became sin so that we don't have to pay the wages of sin (death). He did it ALL. There's nothing you and I can do to add to what He accomplished at the cross. The only thing left is for us to come to Him with an open heart, one that stands naked before its creator and says, "Here I am, use me, mold me, train me"

Being Fruitful On The Tree of Life

2010-11-05T10:41:00.004-05:00

This world is in need of change, but it won't come from a great book, a new invention, or a cure of a disease. It will come by men and women pouring themselves out of everything that is within and lifting up holy hands and crying out to God for a complete infilling of His Spirit! -M. Morrissey

I sit here today writing this, short or long I do not know. For a long time now I have been dealing with the Words of Jesus and how He refers to us in the Gospels as branches, bearing either good or bad fruit. To bear fruit a branch must be connected to the tree, once the branch is broken off it is given a certain amount of time before it dies; the branch cannot survive unless it remains connect to the tree. The beautiful thing about this life is that God has created everything, as long as it remains pure in its context, to support the word of God. I raise a question to continually ponder upon, can a branch on an apple tree yield oranges? Absolutely not! So why is it that so many Christians have continually failed to receive the fruits of the Tree of Life, Jesus Christ! Simply put, they are not connected to that Tree of Life but are connect to another tree.

Upon some trees there sits an abundant amount of branches but they are all supported by the trunk. I want to chuck a random fact your way, according to Arbor Foundation Report, a mature leafy tree can produce up to enough oxygen in a single season that will support the oxygen intake for ten people in an entire year. What are you doing when God places you in a season of growth, causing you to yield what is going to affect hundreds, tens, or even one person a year. The whole heavens rejoice over one person accepting Jesus Christ as, Lord and Savior (Luke 15:10). If tree branches never produce leafs than oxygen would never be created and the world would die. Likewise, if we as Christians don’t allow what God has called us to produce to come forth from our lives this generation and the many others to come will simply die.

This is not intended to form a religion, idea, or any other type of doctrine. I am simply expressing the length, width, and depth of a revelation that has been developing and is continually developing even as I write. Any words that men write should never replace the words of God that rest within the Holy Bible. I remember the quote I wrote as God spoke into my heart; a person could write a million books and still fail to define the fullness of one biblical scripture. This is meant to illuminate our hearts and minds as Christians and allow many, as I myself have seen, the severe need that we as Christians must meet. We must become the supply of life the world needs and the best way of doing this is to become a branch filled with. THE FRUITS OF HIS SPIRIT!

written by Michael Morrissey

A Beautiful and Elegant Countenance

2010-11-03T22:34:00.001-05:00

Please visit the following website: http://www.elegantwoman.org/a-beautiful-and-elegant-countenance.html
and read the following post entitled: A Beautiful and Elegant Countenance.

America

2010-10-19T09:31:00.010-05:00

My beloved nation is under the judgement of God and she doesn't know it. How many of us Christians are crying out to God, "Oh Father that my nation may turn to You, let her heart go back to You, that she may be once again a nation under God." Our prayers are being answered but like everything in life there are not being answer in the way we would want it. It would be great if something supernatural happened and the hearts of people just turned back to God, but that's not how He works. His plans are greater than our plans and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.

I often find myself praying for my wonderful nation that is America. She was founded as a nation under God, a nation that trusted in the Lord, how did we get so far from Him? We have rebelled against our God by worshiping other idols. An idol is anything that takes your focus off God, so that could be a job, material possessions, family (it's not bad to love your family we are commanded to love one another but we are not to replace God with our family), TV, etc.

In the book of Amos Israel is being corrected, God is trying to bring them back to Him and this is what He says:

6 “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities,

and lack of bread in all your places,

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

7 “I also withheld the rain from you

when there were yet three months to the harvest;

I would send rain on one city,

and send no rain on another city;

one field would have rain,

and the field on which it did not rain would wither;

8 so two or three cities would wander to another city

to drink water, and would not be satisfied;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

9 “I struck you with blight and mildew;

your many gardens and your vineyards,

your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

10 “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt;

I killed your young men with the sword,

and carried away your horses,

and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

11 “I overthrew some of you,

as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,

and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning;

yet you did not return to me,”

declares the Lord.

12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel;

because I will do this to you,

prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind,

and declares to man what is his thought,

who makes the morning darkness,

and treads on the heights of the earth—

the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!

He wants us back and so we are going through financial difficulties and we are going through everything we are going through because He is trying to get our attention but it breaks my heart because He is saying to us "I cause the market to crash, the housing crisis was a waking call yet you did not turn to Me"

How long till this nation turns back to GOD. America when will you realize that you were a nation dedicated to God, therefore you are His whether you like it or not, you were created/formed as a nation under the God Almighty. How blessed are we to be His possession! All I can pray is God let Your will be done concerning my nation, I plead for mercy on her behalf.

Let Us Return

2010-10-14T10:32:00.002-05:00

Come, and let us return to the LORD;

For He has torn, but He will heal us;

He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Hosea 6:1

How many times have you been wounded and in pain and your last thought is of returning to the God of Love. Our pain is so strong we direct our attention everywhere but His throne, why? Why are we so stubborn? His word says that if we go to Him, He will come to us, like the rain He will come to us. Is that not something to rejoice about? I know not all of us like rain but think of a really hot summer day, humidity is at 100%, there are no clouds in the sky and the sun is right on top of you, if you are like me you are going to wish for rain. And when that rain comes it will be refreshing, that's what Hosea means when he says, "...He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea6:3)

We serve a loving God and if we turn to Him, He will surely turn to us. But sometimes it is the state of our heart that keeps Him away. How would you feel if God told you:

O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?

O Judah, what shall I do to you?

For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,

and like the early dew it goes away.

Hosea 6:4

Replace Ephraim and Judah and use your name instead, "O Ana, what shall I do to you? for your faithfulness is like a morning cloud" those are really harsh words. He longs for a faithful relationship with you. Just like we expect our husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend to be faithful to us, He expects and demands the same from us. He will not be fooled if you only give Him lip service He can tell where your heart is and if it's not completely surrendered to Him, He doesn't want your pitiful acts of "righteousness". Instead He says to you, "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6). Let's not focus so much on what the world is going to say and let's focus on what God is going to say about us. The Pharisees followed the law, they were devoted (at least they appeared to be), they fasted and prayed but they did it so others would see, they were looking for the praise of men and not of God. Let's not be like the Pharisees, let us live surrendered lives, lives that please God. Let our praise and honor come from God and not man. For it is written, "woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets" Luke 6:26

Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts,

"Return to Me, says the LORD of hosts,

"and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 1

Metro Praise

2010-09-21T15:39:00.002-05:00

Metro Praise Grand Opening!!

Title of the message

Great worship

A passionate pastor

Beautiful people

They had a full house all the glory to God!

After service they spend some time hanging out

they cafe called "Mission Cafe" they sell all types of goodies and the money goes to support missions, what a great idea :)

Lady Malinda Prince Sapp

2010-09-16T18:15:00.004-05:00

Lady MaLinda Sapp

I watched her homegoing service via the internet this afternoon and it was beautiful. So many great stories about Lady MaLinda were shared; she was an incredible women of God and she will be missed. The world might say that she lost her battle against cancer, but I assure you she didn't lose anything. We serve a God that knows all things, there's nothing that happens without Him knowing.

As I watched the service a women took the stage and what she said was so powerful, she said "What do you do when God doesn't do what you want Him to do? What do you when you feel He has disappointed you?" she went on to say how do you go back to this God? and that my friends struck me.

First of all who are we to ask such question, God is God and regardless of what happens or does not happen He is worthy to be praise. But let's be honest we have all been in this place where we feel like God has not come through (at least not the way we expected Him to), there's a sense of disappointment. We placed all of our faith in Him and we are hurt when He apparently doesn't show up. Oh how foolish of us, how easily we forget His goodness and His words, after all it was Him who said "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5

Oh my soul will put its trust on You!!! For You alone are the source of my strength, You alone my God hold my world in Your hands and I will trust You and You will quiet down my soul with Your Love!!! In my darkest moments and in my driest season I will choose to worship You, I will declare Your goodness and Your greatness. There's no one like You my Lord and my Saviour!!!

MaLinda Sapp funeral: Jonathan Dunn performs "Here I Am"

Love Defined

2010-09-12T23:54:00.006-05:00

How many of us have ever been in love or at least thought we were in love?

LOVE: an intense feeling of deep affection; a great interest and pleasure in something.

That's just a way the dictionary defines love. Now let me tell you how God defines love. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Love was defined at the cross, where innocent blood was shed for the world. God manifested His love for the world at the cross. He did not withhold anything back but gave it all, He gave His only Son. He is not like us, He didn't give us His leftovers, He gave us ALL He had, He gave us His ONLY Son.

I don't know about you but that's LOVE!!! There's no greater love than this, you can search for it and trust me you will NOT find it. No other human being can give you this type of love. God's love is everlasting, it was given to us while we were still sinners.

Oh the LOVE of GOD, so perfect, so honest and real. He will never leave you because something better came along. God is faithful, He will never cheat on you with anyone else, He will always think you are beautiful. He will never do anything to harm you (although sometimes you might hurt, He will never do anything to hurt you). He takes everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) and He turns it into something beautiful.

GOD'S LOVE IS PERFECT

It's been a while

2010-09-12T22:47:00.001-05:00

I have not posted in a long time (4 months), quick update:

I graduated, yey!
I went to Punta Cana for vacation in July
We had an international convention at our church (www.maranathausa.com)
We had extreme camp (youth camp)
Some bad news- I had two funeral in the month of August

Overall, life is good and God is faithful!

Today I went to the grand opening of Metro Praise the church is beautiful, the people are great and the word is passionate. Pastor Joe is a great man and he lives his church motto "Loving God, Loving people" The love for God is evident and so is the love for people. I had a wonderful time at their service, the atmosphere is laid back and I just loved it there. However, I already have a wonderful home church (Maranatha) but it was nice celebrating with our fellow brothers and sisters.

I'll post pictures soon!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T22:32:00.000-05:00

The First Presidency issued a statement: Motherhood,' they wrote, 'is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.

Because mothers are essential to God’s great plan of happiness, their sacred work is opposed by Satan, who would destroy the family and demean the worth of women.' " Russell M. Nelson, “Our Sacred Duty to Honor Women,” Ensign, May 1999, 38

Happy Mother's Day!!!

To all the women, who have had the divine privilege to become mother's may God continue to bless you and give you the strength necessary to do all that you do. May He give you the grace and ability to love even in the most difficult of times.

NO compromise

2010-04-29T15:11:00.001-05:00

Christianity as you know it is corrupt and it has abandoned the principles which Christ Himself set. Christianity has become just another religion when it was meant to be a relationship and people are right Jesus did not judge but was moved to compassion we find many of examples in the New Testament but He also stood for righteousness and holiness and SIN regardless of what sin it is, to Him and to GOD it's still sin. He died on the cross for the sin of the world, He willingly gave up His life for sin.

Let me just ask you a question and please just for argument sakes play along. Let's say you were walking down a road and I saw a big hole ahead of you and I thought that you could get hurt by falling into the hole. Is it then not my responsibility not necessarily as a friend but as a person to warn you about it? I can sit here and quote scripture to you but what good would that do? I am NOT against the homosexual, I am well aware that they are humans, I am NOT against liars, and thief because they are also humans but what I am against and I am called to be against is SIN. Because of SIN my Savior had to die on a cross, because of it He suffered what I needed to suffered, because of it innocent blood was shed so I wouldn't have to shed mine. I am not calling out homosexuality and perhaps this note wouldn't have bothered people if instead of homosexuality I talked more of lying, stealing, gossiping and adultery, next time I'll make sure I speak of all of them equally for they all are sin.

Of course they are some people that because they read of Jesus in a religious book or history book, they think they know Him. But its more than just reading. Its a lifestyle, its a relationship. It's about prayer, fasting and actually seeking Him. Jesus preached a gospel of forgiveness and compassion but it was forgiveness and compassion WITHOUT compromise. If you read the New Testament when He was moved with compassion and healed someone or saved someone He told them to go on with their lives and sin no more. I dare say that I am following the steps of Christ for He stood at the gates and proclaim "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" I am proclaiming truth as I know, not MY truth for there's none in me, but I am proclaiming His truth and that is that HE died on the cross for the sins of the world. That's my notion of truth.

TRUTH

2010-04-26T23:17:00.000-05:00

I am sorry to let my homosexual counterparts know that you CANNOT both be a believer and a homosexual. I love you all with all of me and if I had to give up my life for you to see the truth then I will do it. But you cannot proclaim yourself a CHRISTian and also a homosexual. They just don't go together.

I have homosexuals friends and I am not one to point fingers because we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God. But He has made a way and that way is His Son, Jesus Christ. We are ALL sinners but HIS love has set us free from sin. And YES, homosexuality is a sin just as lying, stealing, committing a murder, and gossiping are sins. SIN is sin, there's no such thing as a little sin, ALL sin regardless of how you weight it, required the SAME price and that price was the precious, guiltless blood of JESUS.

MY sin, YOUR sin. Cost the life of the only begotten Son of GOD. So please don't label SIN small or big. SIN is and it will always be SIN and there's only ONE (1) way to the Father and that is through the blood of His PERFECT, SINLESS SON, JESUS CHRIST!

LOVE

2010-04-15T10:42:00.001-05:00

To love GOD is to hate sin.

To love sin is to HATE GOD!

How many of us see it that way? How many of us DARE see it that way?

Are we too much in love with our sin that we cover it up?

Are we too attach to it that we protect it even from God?

Where is the love that we confess to have towards the Father?

And I am not talking about you (if you feel that applies than praise GOD) but I am talking about myself.

Where is the LOVE?

Where is the PASSION?

Where is the true DESIRE to please HIM?

WHERE?

What have we done with it?!

OH that HIS people would love HIM.

OH that HIS people would desire HIM as much as HE desires us!

What would this world be like?

If the world is in ruins, its OUR (the church, the body, the bride) fault.

What have we done with the gift of salvation?

Going back to the 1st love

2010-04-15T10:23:00.000-05:00

This video is something we all who call ourself Christians need to hear.

Because we have taken our salvation too lightly.

He PAID the price in full, there's nothing you and I can add or take away.

He did it all, when He was at the cross He said, "it is finished"

Now it is up to you and I to be a clear reflection of Christ.

Let's stop loving to the pleasures of the world and let us love Him wholeheartedly.

She is powerful

2010-03-28T22:56:00.000-05:00

I love her. She was an amazing woman after God's heart. I love the relationship she had with the Holy Spirit. Her passion. Her desire to please Him. She is such an inspiration.

If we only had many more like her today! What glorious days we would have. The Holy Spirit wants to move in the midst of His people but doesn't have a vessel that is willing to be used by Him.

Oh to have Him!

In the Splendor

2010-03-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

Bless the Lord (Son of Man), I am sure this song has been out forever now but I just came across it this weekend when I was on my way to prayer Mountain a property my church has in Mount Carol (approximately 3 hrs way from the city). The place is beautiful one of these days when I go, I'll snap some pictures of the property if not just go to the link. It is truly a place where the presence of God abides. If you go to the mountain and you don't feel God then let's just say you should check yourself. GOD makes Himself known in that place. We have many activities there, youth camps, women retreats, men retreats, prayer watch. I love going to the mountain, it is peaceful and the best thing (or worse depending how much you love your phone) there is no signal so you can detach yourself from your phone, welll you are sort of force to, but it's great!

I pray you have a blessed Sunday!

GIVE

2010-03-24T10:12:00.003-05:00

Girls love shoes!!! I love shoes, but what if you didn't have any and you had to walk miles to get water? What if you had to walk barefoot to school? What if you didn't have any shoes? If you are like me (and I am sure you are) you have tons of pairs of shoes in your closet some that you haven't worn in months others in years.

TOMS to be honest with you, I have seen the shoes before but no one told me of the great cause it supports. I will be buying my first pair of TOMS (this ones) =] I think they will be nice for the summer!

Life without shoes would suck and it would be painful. Make the lives of a child in need easier by
purchasing a pair of TOMS!

=]

2010-03-23T19:49:00.000-05:00

I don't know if any of you fast. I did a 40 hour fast (all day monday and today until 2 pm) and it was a bit challenging because I have never fasted from all food ever. I have done the Daniel 21 day fast where you restrict what you eat (can't eat dairy, sugar, processed food, etc) it's pretty much vegan on steroids. But I have never done just water fast so it was interesting. I finally had some food today and it was yummy. I am extremely full now.

Anyway if you want to do a fast make sure you know what your petition is (why are you fasting? what answer do you want from God?) Fasting is one of the many weapons Christians have, the other are praying and giving. We need to do all three prayer, fast and give.

Well I hope you all enjoyed great weather, I am in Chicago and we had great weather today!

Happy Monday

2010-03-22T17:59:00.000-05:00

GOD is good. I woke up yet another day and I am extremely happy. The sun is out, its a little cold but at least it's not snowing. I pray you all have a wonderful week.

Read your Word, get lost in His presence and just remember:

Be blessed!

Beauty for Ashes

2010-03-18T00:32:00.001-05:00

He gives beauty for ashes

Strength for fear

Gladness for mourning

Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you

When suffering hangs heavy o'er your head

Know that tomorrow brings

Wholeness and healing

God knows your need

Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes

Strength for fear Gladness for mourning

Peace for despair

When what you've done keeps you from moving on

When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart

Know that forgiveness brings

Wholeness and healing

God knows your need

Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes

Strength for fear Gladness for mourning

Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me

Though I was bound I've been set free

I've been made righteous in His sight

A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes

Strength for fear Gladness for mourning

Peace for despair

Crystal Lewis

BOOKS

2010-03-15T18:49:00.001-05:00

If you like to read here are some great Christian books:

I absolutely love Francine Rivers, this book is about the 5 women mentioned in Jesus' lineage in the first chapter of Matthew.

About the book of Hosea

If you want to fast but don't know how or what the meaning of fasting is read this book. It also tells you the importance of fasting and why every believer should read it.

Yes, it looks intimidating and to be honest it might be just a little, but the Word of God says that without holiness no one shall see the LORD (Hebrews 12:14)

If you have read any good books please let me know!!! =]

Great Day

2010-03-13T19:12:00.002-06:00

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. It was gloomy in Chicago, the sun didn't come out today but nonetheless it was a beautiful day. If you are reading this whether or not you think you had a great day, you did. You woke up this morning and that is enough to make any day a great day!

Keep a smile on your face always, know that you are beautiful, love yourself, know your worth and live life, enjoy life!

Remember to be the light to this world, we believe in someone that said that He is the light, so if we walk with Him that same light is also found in us!!!

photo via flickr daddysbabygrl75 (my account @ flickr)

Jesus, the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

GOD bless you!!!!

Rain Down

2010-03-11T21:07:00.002-06:00

Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy
feels like the winds, are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the Earth is ready
I know it's time, for heavens rain.
It's gonna rain,

Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes i'm ready
To dance upon, this barren land
Hope in my hands,

~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPRING is coming!!! I am trying to study for my finals next week and I am having a hard time. It is raining, thundering and I am excited!!!! =] GOD is watering the earth and soon Chicago will be dressed in green!!! I love Spring and I am excited for this summer. I graduate in June and I have a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in July.

As the raining days begin try to keep an optimistic attitude, gloomy days does NOT mean you need to have a bad day. Instead think of all the flowers and the green trees and the green grass and the beautiful weather!

Oh GOD is good!!!! I love thunderstorms (when I am inside and not driving) =]

Happy Wednesday

2010-03-10T16:08:00.001-06:00

This morning it was cloudy and it looked like it was going to rain, it is now 4 pm and the sun is out, the sky is beautiful and the day is PERFECT. I love Chicago when the weather gets nice. God is so good!

I love walking to the train every morning. Next time you are not in such a great mood, walk around for a little. If you are at home walk around your block, if you are at work get up from your desk and just for 5 mins detach yourself from everything else that might be going on and just breathe. 5 minutes, walk and meditate on God's goodness, thank Him for waking you up and giving you another day. We need to remember not everyone that went to sleep last night woke up this morning, so for that be thankful!

God is good!!! and He is good ALL the time, no matter how you are feeling He is still good, HE doesn't change ever, it is us that are overwhelmed with our surroundings and we forget that He is our hiding place, our refuge when things get out of control.

Enjoy your Wednesday and just give God all the glory!!!

Remember we only get ONE life to live, so please live it in a way that you won't regret!!! enjoy every minute, laugh at the bad things and just enjoy LIFE!!!

=]

2010-03-07T22:03:00.000-06:00

We have so much to smile about, but for some strange reason we choose to focus on all the bad things that might be going on in our lives. We forgot to be thankful for waking up, every time you are faced with a circumstance just smile and give God thanks for waking you up. If you were dead you wouldn't have any problems, you wouldn't have to think about the 44541326664 things on your to-do list. So rather than complain just SMILE

photo via lisaluvzzzz flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fluffyboo2/2665524211/

Taste & See

2010-02-10T00:47:00.000-06:00

GOD is good. Regardless of what we do, what we are going through, how we feel one thing remains true and that is God's goodness. Many times we allow our circumstances determine our view of God. We forget that He doesn't change, He is the same. He will always be faithful, loving, kind, merciful.

Let's not forget that God is good, even when things around us are falling apart and we feel as if God has forgotten about us, I assure you He hasn't. Instead of complaining when bad times come take the time to meditate on what is going on and what lessons you can learn from all the chaos. We live in a world where bad things will happen, the bible doesn't promise us that everything will be perfect. I have yet to find a verse that says the way of the LORD is perfect and we will always be happy and trials will never come our way. There's an entire book of a man, a perfect and holy mad that suffer lost after lost, his name was Job. So let's be realistic and let's admit, bad things will happen but what determines the outcome is how I react to it. Will I let whatever circumstance defeat me or will I remain unmoved? Will I let go of God at the sight of trouble and try to do things my way or will I hold fast to His promise that He will never leave or forsake me?

Let's not walk away from God in our darkest moments, this is when we need to run and declare that He is our refuge, our fortress in time of trouble. We can hide under the shadow of His wing. God is good, let's not forget that.

how HE loves us!!!

2010-01-29T17:04:00.001-06:00

God is good and we forget His goodness and how much He loves us. I hope we never forget how much He loves us. Remember that we were bought with a price, we were not cheap and our salvation is precious. It was the blood of Jesus that sets us free, it is the blood of Jesus that gives us freedom to come before God's presence and just be loved by Him. It is that blood that gives us the right to come before the Father and it is in His presence that we receive His love, forgiveness and mercy.

Let us not take the blood for granted because without it there is no salvation, without there is not redemption, without the blood there is no HOPE!

Give up the illusion

2010-01-26T09:43:00.000-06:00

Devotional for today from Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling:

GIVE UP THE ILLUSION that you deserve a problem-free. Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. This is a false hope! As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble. Link your hope not to problem solving in this life to but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit. When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

I have told you all this that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate and righteous.

They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the LORD to take care of them.

Psalm 112:4, 7

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on Haiti

2010-01-25T23:42:00.002-06:00

Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them

I denied myself by fasting for them

but my prayers returned answered

I was sad, as though they were my friends or family

as if I were grieving for my own mother

Psalm 35:13-14

I am sure we have all heard of what happened in Haiti, we have seen images that have left us speechless. So many people dead, so many without a home, without family, children without parents, parents without their children. What has happened has truly shaken the entire world.

I am part of Maranatha World Revival Ministries (http://maranathausa.com/index_english.htm) and we have 16 churches in Haiti, 12 have been accounted for, 6 pastors died and an entire congregation perish the day the earthquake hit. They had service that day and the church was full, there we no survivors. Our Ministries around the world are sending whatever they can to Haiti, money is easiest thing to send right now. We have churches in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) the national director of the Santo Domingo has been crossing the border to Haiti to bring medical supplies and food to the people. $1000 has feed 200, 12 children have been placed in homes in Santo Domingo and by the end of this year our church (headquarters in Chicago) plans to have a orphanage for all the kids that were left without parents. But that was only the beginning of what this ministry is doing to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

In times of crisis is when the body of Christ needs to arise. We need to cry out for our nation and for this world, things are not going to get easier and it is our duty to stand in the gap, in prayer, fasting and supplication. We need to cry out, ask for mercy. We need God's mercy.

May God bless you and please keep the nation of Haiti and our nation in prayer. We all need it!

a New habit

2010-01-25T17:50:00.005-06:00

From the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a devotional:

I WANT YOU TO LEARN A NEW HABIT. Try saying, "I trust You, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My love for you.

This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective-- through the Light of My universal Presence--fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me.

2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
Psalm 63:2

10 Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
He will rule with a powerful arm.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms
holding them close to his heart
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Isaiah 40:10-11

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,* you are there.

9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.

Psalm 139:7-10

YOU are

2010-01-07T16:06:00.004-06:00

Written by a friend. A beautiful expression of Who GOD is and will always be.

You Remain the same yesterday ,today, and Forever
You are still Faithful, even when I am filled with Unbelief
You are still Good, Even when I am surrounded with destruction
You are still Able, even when hope is lost
You are still Fair, even when injustice surrounds me
You are still a Friend, even when I am against you
You are still Near, even when I am Distant
You are still my Creator,The author of my Life, even during the times when I am not who you meant for me to be
You still Provide, even when I am Ungrateful
You still Desire me, even when I Disrespect you
You still Invite me to be with you, even if I am unworthy
You still call me yours, even when I don’t love you with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength
You are still a present help, even when I am overwhelmed with trouble
You are still Stable, even when everything else Shatters
You are still Mighty, even when I am faced with Impossibility
You are still Watchful over me, even when I am hiding
You still Seek me & Draw Close,Even when im Resisting
You still Comfort me, Even when im Unresponsive
You still Breathe on me, even when i am Unmoved
You are still Burning within me, Even when my heart is Callous
You still Touch me & Hold me, even when i am Unclean and Impure
You still Treasure & Cherish me above all things, even when im mediocre
Your Love still Inspires & Compells me, Even in my Dullness
You still create Beauty, even when there is nothing but Ashes
You still Impose order and Peace, even if there is Nothing but Chaos
You are still my Song of Joy, My Smile& Laughter,even in the midst of my pain
You still Multiply, even if there is Lack
You still Heal, Even in my Recklessness
You still Guide, Even in my neglectfulness
You still Defend& Protect me, even in my Vulnerability
You are still Light, even when in the midst of Darkness
You are still Freedom, even when there is Bondage
You are still Sovereign, even in the midst of Turmoil
You are still Trustworthy, even in my Disbelief
You still share Wisdom, even in my Foolishness
You still give Understanding, even in my Confusion
You still Remain, even when everything else Perishes
You are still Unchanging, even when My Heart Questions
You are still my Strength& Power, even when I am Tired and Weak
You are still Joy, even in the midst of Mourning
You are still Passionate, even though I am Weary
You are still Life , even in the midst of Death
You are still Confident, even when I am Broken
You are still Present, even when I am Lost
You are still my Destination, even when Im Wandering on the Wrong path
You are still Purpose, even in the midst of Insecurity
You are still my Assurance, even in my Shame
You are still Enthroned& in Control, even when I am rebellious
You are still Eternal, even when Life Fades
You still Rescue& Restore me, even when I am entangled in the depths of sin
You still Listen, even when complaining is all I have, in my misunderstanding
You are still Relentless& Patient, even when I am Stubborn
You still Speak, even when i am Inattentive
You still Intercede for me, even In my Carelessness
You still Believe in me, even In my Ignorance
You still fulfill your plans and purposes, even when im constantly making wrong choices& decisions
You are still Kind, even when I am Inconsiderate
You still speak Truth to me, even when I choose to only hear lies
You still Accept me, even when i am Disloyal
You still command my Victories, even when I am Overcome
You Still Remember your Promises, even when ive Forgotten your commands
You Still Fight for me, Even in the midst of Accusations & Threats
You still carry my Burdens, even though they were my Mistakes
You are still Great, even in the midst of my Defeat
You still Delight in me, even when I am Unbearable
You still Forgive, even though I am Undeserving
You are still my Atonement & Righteousness, even in my Delinquency
You still work out all things for my good, even when I only expect the worse
You are still Love, even when I am Unfaithful
You are still my God , even when I deny you and have forgotten what you’ve done and who you’ve been to me

He is still Holy, He is still Worthy, He is Still God in the midst of nothing or everything. He is the One Who was, Who is , and Who is to come. He remains the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. He is the Beginning and the End, He is the Fair Judge, The King of Glory, The Ancient of Days, He Reigns, He Rules, He will be Exalted in all the earth. Before creation He Was. He envisioned creation, He spoke existence, He set the Hands of time in Motion, He is outside of Time, HE is eternal. How Great are his signs and How Mighty are his wonders, His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, His dominion is from Generation to Generation, He is the King Eternal, Immortal, invisible, The only wise God who Honor and Glory Be forever. The Lord is the True God, He is the Living God, all things were Created by him and for him, He is Omnipotent, all powerful, with him all things are possible, for there is nothing to hard for him, Darkness is light to him. He is Omnipresent, he is ever present, For what can I say? What can I do? Where can I go from his presence? If I ascend up into heaven he is there, If I make my bed in Hell, Behold he is there too, wherever I am , he is still with me, leading me and holding me. He is Omniscient, for he knows all things! Nothing in all creation is hidden from Gods sight, Everything is Uncovered, Naked, Laid Bare and opened before his eyes, For he knows the depths of that in which he meticulously designed and created.

He is All Together Holy & Perfect
He is All Together Good, Fair, Merciful, and Compassionate
He is All Together the Greatest Love, Even in the midst of Imperfection

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T11:23:00.000-06:00

New year, new expectations, challenges, trials, but lets try to stay positive!

Return to the stronghold,

You prisoners of hope.

Even today I declare

That I will restore double to you.

Zechariah 9:12

That is God's promise to you, if you did not take hold of that promise last year, this is the year. Have an expectation of things God will do in your life, hold on fast to them and just wait. God is faithful and He always provides for His people. Become not a prisoner of sorrow, envy, lust, anxiety but rather become a prisoner of HOPE. As prisoners are bound to jail, be bound to God, make Him your stronghold, make Him your refuge. If you don't understand something go to Him, for He is the wisdom of all ages. If you can't do something, let Him for nothing is impossible for Him. If you are weary, He will give you rest.

But you must become a prisoner of HOPE.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:13

"FAITH is what sustains you, HOPE is what propels you, & LOVE is what keeps you." -Pastor Nahum Rosario

My Prayer

2009-12-18T00:15:00.002-06:00

This was todays prayer, I pray it also becomes yours.

Heavenly Father. God of eternal love and mercy. Father I plead the blood of Your Son upon me, cleanse me, deliver me, change me, exchange my heart for Your heart. Make me a priest that ministers before Your presence continuously. Dress me in Your holy garments make me the apple of Your eyes, that I may never depart from Your presence. God I need You, more than a career, more than my family, I need You. I desire You.

God I want to be utterly consumed by You. Take me over oh God. Find pleasure in me. Dance over me with gladness and thanksgiving. Rejoice over me. Be pleased with my heart. Heavenly King search me, know me, have me. God I long for You.

Holy Spirit, precious Spirit be my friend, my all consuming fire, be my holiness and righteousness. Holy Spirit captivate my spirit, let my spirit fall in love with You, let my spirit know You. Let my spirit be poor, contrite and broken. Let it be irresistible to You.

Hear my cry oh God, don't turn Your face from me. Hear my prayer oh Lord, I need You Father for what can I do without You, who can I trust if not You? I call out to You for You are faithful and hear the prayer of Your people. You who sits on the highest throne, You that hold the universe in Your hands, You who knows the heart of every man and woman. You who silence the waters with a simple command. You who quiets my soul with love. You who rejoices when I rejoice and feels my pain and anguish. God I want to love You with everything I do, with everything I have, with everything I am. For what I do is by You, what I have is because You gave it and who I am is who You made me.

My God You made me with a purpose, You created me with a plan in mind. I ask what was that purpose? What was that plan? What did You create me for? Father if it was to love You, teach me to love You with all I have, let me be head over heals, crazy in love, madly in love, no one else can please me like you in love with You. If it was to be a giver, give me a giving heart and provide that I may always have something to give. If it was to speak of You, give me a voice, bold and passionate. If it was to serve You, give me a servants heart, willing to do as commanded without questioning or fearing.

God You have me, now use me! You possess me, You contain me, You consume me, You please me, You give me joy, peace, rest, laughter, passion, boldness, courage, desire, longing, thirst, hunger, compassion. God You created me, I was fearfully and wonderfully made. You saw me before anyone else knew I existed. You knew me by name, knitted me in my mother's womb, held me before anyone, loved me before anyone could love me. Saved me when I was ready to drown, healed me when my wounds were so deep I though I would die. You held me in place when I was ready to flee. You renewed my mind. You restored me. You my God have me. I am Yours. Your possession.

Papa to be found in You, to be lost in You is my only desire.

For God so loved the world

2009-12-17T23:59:00.000-06:00

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should no perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16

Many have read this verse, many probably know this verse by heart but I don't think we understand it's meaning. The verse reads, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." Yes, because He loved you, He gave His only Son but that's not the only reason Jesus died on the cross for you. He gave His Son to save not only you but a dying world. We need to spread the good news, Christ lives and there's hope of salvation through Him.

I must confess I am one of those that have read this verse as, "for God so loved me that He sent His Son to save me" a very selfish way of thinking of this. God loved you when He sent His Son to save you. God loves you when you sin against Him and He is willing to forgive you if you willingly and wholeheartedly repent.

God longs for a deeper, more personal relationship with His creation. God sent His Son to save not only you but a world and it is our job, our right and our responsibility to spread the good news to all those that are willing to believe in Him. That is God's only condition for salvation, is that we believe.

Thankful

2009-12-02T20:53:00.005-06:00

Thanksgiving came and left, Black Friday was probably not as black as other years (in the finance world black= profit, that's why its called Black Friday). The holiday season has begun, Christmas is around the corner and soon 2009 will be over.

Time is going by too fast, I have 6 classes left of undergrad and then "real" world here I come. The economy is not what it was a few years back, the world whether we want to admit it or not is getting worse. But when everything else fails, there's one thing that remains, God's faithfulness. When the world comes crumbling down, God will remain unmoved. Nothing, No One can change HIS will, His plans will come to pass. So when you find yourself having a bad day just take a few minutes to count your blessings. Sure sometimes we feel like we have more bad things happening than good, but take a few minutes and you'll realize that even in your darkest moments there are things to be thankful for, if you're reading this you have eyes, a computer, electricity, a home, I'm pretty sure you have clothes on, you ate something today, you drove, you worked. All those things are blessings although sometimes work might seem like a pain, there are many that don't have that.

With this year coming to end quickly, just look back and think of everything that you have gone through if its good be thankful for it and if its bad give thanks anyway because you have overcome it and it will be soon be in the past.

christmas is on its way

Originally uploaded by besimo

May God bless you and always strengthen you, remember God never moves from where He is, many times it is us that walk away from Him. So when you feel lonely or distressed just give Him some time, if you only have 5 minutes give it to Him and He will surely renew your strength.

To Him be the Glory

2009-06-24T19:37:00.003-05:00

Thank God summer is here. Chicago is a bit crazy when it comes to the weather, when its winter it's super cold and when it's summer its super hot, both EXTREMES! This winter we hit the -30 mark and this week we had 90+ weather, Chicagoans can never be happy. But Praise the LORD He woke me up this morning and I was blessed with another day of life. It's sad how many of us take that for granted, something so simple as waking up. How many did not get to see another day?

So if you are reading this, praise God you are alive!!!! The other day I was in the car and I heard this song and OMG I stopped everything and I just listen, its called "Which Jesus Do You Follow", here are the lyrics:

Which Jesus do you follow?

Which Jesus do you serve?

If Ephesians says to imitate Christ

Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died

He spent His time with thieves and liars

He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant

So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit

Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness

Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins

He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars

He loved the poor and accosted the rich

So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow

This picture of the American dream

If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion

Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins

But the Word says He was battered and scarred

Or did you miss that part

Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died

He spent His time with thieves and the least of these

He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable

So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church

The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet

But He reaches for the hurting and despises the proud

I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd

And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my Jesus

You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity

I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus

Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me

Can I be like You Jesus?

I want to be like you Jesus!

I want to be like my Jesus!

Hillsong United

2009-06-12T00:00:00.003-05:00

I went to the Hillsong United concert last night and it was absolutely incredible. These guys are completely sold out to God and their spirits are so beautiful.

Here are some videos:

He rejoices in your praise!

2009-05-18T23:23:00.008-05:00

Sunday was an amazing day... I got to church early as usual and before service we always pray for an hour. Well praise and worship started as usual but the atmosphere was not the same, as soon as Melody (she was leading praise and worship) opened her mouth and started singing the first song something happened, I said "My God please rejoice in the praises of your people" and that is when I saw Him. I saw Jesus, it was only for a few seconds and I only got to see His back because He was dancing, as we worshiped Him, He danced! It was incredible and so beautiful!

Many of us go to church and don't take praise and worship seriously, many of us don't close our eyes or lift our hands, instead we are looking around to see what the other people are doing. If we only knew that He takes pleasure in our worship and our praise, He delights in our singing and adoration. When I saw Him and He disappear shortly, I opened my eyes and I looked around and I wondered if any body else had seen Him? If they knew that He was in the house and He was taking please in our songs, He was dancing as we praised Him?!

I love to worship and praise my God! And now even more so, now I not only know but I have seen that He delights in my praises and dances as I worship Him! God is incredible and deserving of all glory, honor, praise, worship. He is worthy of your time, devotion, love. He is worth of everything you have. So next time you are at church during praise and worship, close your eyes and give Him all that you have because He is dancing and rejoicing in your praise!

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King of all the earth;

Sing praises with understanding.

God reigns over the nations;

God sits on His holy throne.

The princes of the people have gathered together,

The people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

He is greatly exalted.

Psalm 47:6-9

Abandon Myself

2009-05-11T17:33:00.004-05:00

I want to abandon myself for God, I want to come to a place where I no longer know who I am. The only thing that would matter is pleasing my father! the one who created me, the one who has set me free and broke the chains! I no longer live but Christ now lives in me! I want to be sold out for the Kingdom! I want to become DEAD! completely dead to self! I lay down my dreams, my hopes and desires! I want GOD to input HIS dreams and visions into my heart! I want to draw so close to His heart so that I may hurt for what He hurts for, so my spirit may be so sensitive to Him. That I may be able to hear the softest whisper, to feel His most gentle embrace! I want to get lost! I want to drown in His love! I want my hunger to rise daily! I will no longer be content at the level I'm at, I want more of His true divine love! It's time to rise! to rise and mark a difference, by prayer, fasting, and weeping! By becoming ONE with the father! my ultimate desire is to walk in the will of my father! To know that I am pleasing Him and making Him smile! For He is worthy! He is amazing! His love is unfailing! My Beloved the one who rescued me!

What do I know of Holy?

2009-04-30T19:35:00.004-05:00

I was listening to the radio and I came across a song called, what do I know of holy? And as I listened I was able to relate to it in so many ways. How many of us have been there? or are there right now? I know I've been there, playing with His emotions, praising Him with my lips but my heart was far from Him. But my God is merciful and loving and incredible and always faithful, He is patient and He was and still is with me. I have surrendered ALL of me to have ALL of HIM and now I can say I know HIM, I know what He is like, I know what is like to be loved by Him. I know what is like to have Him in my room, I know what His touch feels like, I know what He sounds like. I read His book and its no longer a book full of stories but a book full of PROMISES and assurance that He is who He says He is!

Here are the lyrics to the song, enjoy!

What do I know of Holy?
by: Addison Road

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Burning

2009-04-25T15:42:00.003-05:00

Burning- Jason Upton

God says to Israel, “I wanted to speak directly to you but you were afraid of the fire” and I believe God is raising a generation of people that are not going to be afraid of the fire, you know He doesn't just share the mysteries of His heart with anybody, He shares it with those he has found trustworthy.

Raise us up oh God
Give us back bone in the spirit
We lay it all down for the heart of heaven

Sometimes no compromise means no compensation.
There's a power in Jesus' life because He was not bought by the world. There are a lot of people that run around in the church and we call ourselves Christians but we are bought by the world system, right inside the church.

Set us free oh God to worship you
Set us free oh God, children of the Lord rejoice
Set us free oh God, break off the man-pleasing spirit God!

One day I was sitting before the Lord and I said I want to be part of the army and I believe that is what God is raising up tonight His army, He is not raising up a chorus He is raising up an army and I believe the first way He does that is by making us sons and daughters attentive to hear His voice.

Open up our ears oh God that we may hear, some of us are intoxicated by the words of men its like we are addicted when we don't hear its like we can't even live.

But you know that God has a voice too, He doesn't magnify it, He whispers it, "You are my beloved."

God we are asking for your freedom tonight, go to the deep places Lord tonight.

...Love...

2009-04-20T22:25:00.013-05:00

Love

Love is amazing and is life changing, those that have ever loved or have ever been loved know exactly what I mean. When you love you are capable and willing to do anything for the one you love. When you are in love that is all you think about day-in and day-out. Love consumes your life, every second of your day that is all you can think about that is all you want to think about.

Love transforms, it liberates, it changes, it forces you out of your comfort zone, it allows you to see yourself through different lenses and all the sudden the way you see yourself and the way you see the world changes. Love does not enter your life silently, it makes it known that it has arrived.

Love is capable of overcoming everything and anything that comes its way, we have all read:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."-- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

It is an amazing thing when that becomes a reality, when its no longer something you hear or read, when its no longer something you hope for, but its your reality.

As humans we tend to place this duty on another person and yes God has created for us the one that will "complete" us (Genesis 2:24) but we are to fall in love with Him first. We are to be satisfy by Him (and only Him). 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a reality that we should experience with HIM before we can experience it with any one else. Humans learn by example and there is no better person to teach us how to love than God. His love is unconditional, there is nothing I can do to make Him love me more and there is nothing I can do to make Him not love me. He will love me today, tomorrow and forever the same, regardless of what I do or don't do. God is LOVE, he cannot deny His nature.

Let me tell you an old black and white love story

Originally uploaded by B a r c a <3

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them. It makes joys more intense, because you share them. It makes you stronger, so that you can reach our and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.

Unknown

Heaven comes down to touch us when we find ourselves safe in the heart of another.

Unknown

We never love our neighbor so truly as when our love for him is prompted by the love of God.

Francois Fenelon

Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Robert A Heinlein

Real love loves for love's sake and not because the loved one is lovable.

Eugenia Price

National Day of Prayer

2009-04-18T14:13:00.007-05:00

The 58th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 7, 2009. Millions will unite in prayer as thousands of events will take place from coast to coast. The theme for this year is "Prayer... America's Hope" and is based on the verse fromPsalm 33:22 which states: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

SAVE THE DATE! MAY 7, 2009

http://lifegrouponfacebook.blogspot.com/

Watch What You Eat!

2009-04-18T09:05:00.011-05:00

{ She dieted and lost more than just wieght ,,

Originally uploaded by B a r c a <3

We focus on what we feed our body but we have to watch what we feed our spirit. We go to the doctor for a check up and he tells us our blood pressure is high, our cholesterol level is too high, we are anemic, and we need to lose a few pounds. And we listen to him; we begin to change our eating habits. We begin to make time to go to the gym, buy healthier food, consume less fatting foods, so on.

But what about when God is the one pointing out the state of our spirit? When He is saying your spirit is in desperate need of me. Your spirit is dry; you need to put aside the things that are not of me (1 John 2:16).

What about when is God saying be HOLY for I AM holy. I formed you in my image and with my breath I gave you life (Genesis 2:7). Let me give you life again (1 Corinthians 15:45), let me make you my dwelling place again for that is why I formed you, that is why I made you. So that I could abide in you and you in Me (I Corinthians 6:17). Lose those things that are keeping you from Me.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

1 John 2:16

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Genesis 2:7

"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him."

I Corinthians 6:17

"So also it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a living soul.'

The last Adam became a life-giving spirit."

1 Corinthians 15:45

*Inspired by a message by Alex Rentas (04.17.09)

Lunch at Grant Park

2009-04-17T16:54:00.002-05:00

Praise God for such a gorgeous day!!! I have a 6 hour class 9-4 it was such a beautiful day so for lunch we walked over to the park.

Be Like Me!

2009-04-09T21:11:00.007-05:00

daddy dance

Originally uploaded by queen's lace

"For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy..."

Leviticus 11:44

Women don't forget your worth!

2009-04-04T15:15:00.003-05:00

When God created the Woman he was working late on the 6th day

An Angel came by and said: "Why spend so much time on that one?"

And then the Lord answered:

"Have you seen all the specifications i have to meet to shape her?"

"She must be washable, but not made of plastic, have more than 200 moving parts which all must be replaceable and she must function on all kinds of food, she must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, give a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart and she must do all this with only two hands."

The angel was impressed.

" Just two hands...impossible!"

And this is the standard model!!

"Too much work for one day...wait until tomorrow and then complete her."

"I will not", said the Lord. "I am so close to complete this creation, which will be the favorite of my heart."

"She cures herself when sick and she works 18 hours a day".

The angel came near and touched the woman.

" But you have made her so soft, Lord"

"She is soft", said the Lord, "But I have also made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome."

"Can she think?" the angel asked.

The Lord answered:

"Not only can she think, she can reason and negotiate."

The angel touch the woman's cheek...

"Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put too many burdens on her."

"She is not leaking...it's a tear" the Lord corrected the angel

"What's it for?" asked the angel.

And the Lord said:

"Tears are her way of expressing grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, & her suffering."

This made a big impression on the angel; "Lord, you are genius. You thought of everything. The woman is indeed marvellous!"

"Indeed she is! Woman has strengths that amazes man. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when feeling like screaming, she sings when she feels like crying, crys when she is happy, and laughs when she is afraid."

"She fights for what she believes in. Stand up against injustice. She doesn't take "no" for an answer, when she can see a better solution. She gives herself so her family can thrive. She takes her friend to the doctor if she is afraid. Her love is unconditional. "

"She cries when her kids are victorious. She is happy when her friends do well. She is glad when she hears of a birth or a wedding."

"Her heart is broken when a next of kin or friend dies. But she finds the strength to get on with life. She knows that a kiss and a hug can heal a broken heart."

There is only one thing wrong with her...

She forgets what she is worth!

Stand Still

2009-04-01T19:40:00.009-05:00

"...in quietness and confidence shall be your strength..." Isaiah 30:15

Time Stand Still

Originally uploaded by Jersey2Bronx

I stumbled upon this verse earlier this week and honestly I don't think it was a coincidence. What I learned was that I cannot always be doing, I cannot always be talking, sometimes I need to learn to just be quiet, be still. It is then that I can hear His voice and I allow Him to move and do as He pleases. It is only when I am still, quiet and confident that He will do something that He is able to move, not because He can't move simply that He won't. If He is going to do something on your behalf or for you, He makes it known that its by His power alone that it was done. He does not share His glory with any one or anything. So He'll wait for you to surrender, He'll wait for you to get tired of doing things your way before He acts.

Locamente Enamorada!

2009-03-19T11:45:00.006-05:00

In Love

Originally uploaded by {peace&love♥}

Estoy Locamente Enamorada de EL.

Lo necesito para vivir. Es mas importante que el aire que respiro. EL es mi vida, todo lo que necesito lo encuentro en EL. Lo amo. Lo anhelo.

I ♥ YOU

Wedding with God!

2009-03-18T18:32:00.010-05:00

I was at church and the church was packed, the way it is during convention. It was beautifully decorated everything was done to perfection, I was at a wedding. Then the bridesmaids started coming the aisle and the interesting part was that there were no groomsmen just bridesmaids and they were accompanied by children, I thought how cute and original. Then the bride was suppose to come down the aisle and at first she wanted all the people she loved and the people she cared about to walk her down the aisle and it was a group of about 50 people but at the last minute she said "no, I'm going to do alone, I don't need you" and normally brides walk down the aisle, well she started dancing and it was a dance of complete surrender and devotion (you have seen Valencia dance and she can dance but the way this bride was dancing was 100 times better) and so I wanted to see who the groom was and I kept looking at the alter and I saw no one and that's when I realized she was not marrying a man she was marrying GOD.

You know when you have a dream sometimes you don't see the face of the person but you know who they are? well in my dream the bride was Iza and I texted her and I told her, I had the most beautiful dream and you were in it. The reason why I had seen her was because that Friday (February 27) she was one of the people that went up and I saw her and her image stood on my mind. So I told her my dream and I was telling her the dream, Hosea 2:16 came to mind "And it shall be, in that day," says the Lord, "That you will call Me, 'My Husband.' And no longer call Me, 'My Master,'. Also in Hosea 2:17 it says "For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, And they shall be remembered by their name no more." That's what the bride did in my dream, she wanted the people she loved and held dear to her heart to walk her down the aisle but at the last minute she decided she didn't need them. We have to put aside the things that are hindering our relationship with God.

Ever since that dream I been praying and seeking to understand so I read Hosea all over again and if you read Hosea 2:14-23 is God calling His bride to Him. This dream has not left my mind or my spirit since I had it. The other day I was meditating on Hosea and I felt as God was directing my hand as I wrote what He was saying in that book. This is what I wrote:

He is complaining against the harlotry of His people. He is reminding them who He is, what He has done for them. His tenderness is felt even as He rebukes them and even in His anger, He is madly in love with His bride. He wants to give them knowledge but they reject it (4:6). God is merciful, loving, righteous, just and faithful (2:19-20). He is saying let Me love you, let Me allure you, let Me speak words of comfort to you (2:14). Do you not know that there is none like Me? There’s no savior besides Me! (13:4). Don’t you know that I heal you? (11:3) I am the one that ransom you from the power of the grave (13:14). Return to Me and I will take away all iniquity and I will receive you graciously (14:2). I am Holy and forever faithful. Don’t you know that I recompense you according to your deeds? (12:2) I draw you with gentle cords, with bands of love (11:4). I will change your shame for My Glory (4:7). I will sow you for Myself (2:23). I will remove the names of Baals from your mouth (2:17). I will do anything and everything to lie you down safely (2:18). I love you and out of bondage I have called you out (11:1). I love you freely (14:4) and My fruit is found in you (14:8). The place of your disgrace will be the place of your rebirth (1:10). Acknowledge your offense and seek My face earnestly (5:15). I will discipline and strengthen your arms (7:15). Don’t forget I am your maker (8:14) I have taught you how to walk and have taken you in My arms (11:3). Wait on Me continually (12:6). Sow for yourself righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek Me, till I come and rain righteousness on you (10:12). I have redeemed you, cry out to Me with your heart (7:14) direct your deeds to Me, get to know Me! (5:4)

God is longing for His bride and even in His anger He says, "My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred. I will not execute the fierceness of My anger, I will not again destroy...For I am GOD, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror." Hosea 11:8-9.

God is calling His bride, He is pleading with her, return to ME and I will take you graciously! TURN to me, cry out with your heart, seek Me, I LOVE YOU!

We haven't yet grasp the love He has for us (His bride/His wife) because if we had we wouldn't be living the way we are living, our lives wouldn't be the same, they couldn't be the same. I use to think we had to wait until Christ comes to be marry to Him but we don't. We marry Him when we put everything that doesn't glorify Him aside, when the names of Baals (things of this world) are removed from our mouth its when we are able to call Him, husband. It becomes a delight to be in His presence, it becomes our desire to be with Him. Its no longer a duty and we stop calling Him master.

God is calling out, Let Me allure you and speak words of comfort to you, let Me LOVE YOU!

I Love You!

2009-03-16T16:25:00.005-05:00

Because I am God, your personal God,...your savior.

I paid a huge price for you... That's how much you mean to Me!

That's how much I love you!

I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

Isaiah 43:3-4

I remember...

2009-03-16T15:51:00.002-05:00

When you fall in love with Him, you realize He is all you ever needed. The following was written by a friend and I share the same feelings.

You made the sun rise for me

I remember the moment you found me

I remember the moment I first believed in your love

the moment i first felt so alive

I remember the first time I first felt your touch

I remember the first time you ever spoke to me

I remember the time, were because of you..I couldn’t stop smiling

I remember the first time I spoke our love language

I remember the first time we became friends

I remember the moment I fell in love with you

I remember the first time I danced with you

I remember the moment I first saw you, the first time my eyes were opened

I remember the time nothing else mattered but you

I remember when you became my favorite song

when you made my heart sing for joy

I remember when each moment had meaning,

were each breathe I took, I grasped your love

I remember when in my brokeness I was complete in you

I remember the moment you became my passion

I remember when Your arms held me close during the storm

I remember when the refreshing waters of your words , soothed me during the fire

You made the sun rise for me

You made all things new

You turned my sorrows to joy

You turned my mourning into dancing

You brought my battles into victory

You brought my life to purpose

You showed me the way to go

You prepared my hands for battle

You filled my mouth with your words

You shook everything I was holding on to,

& raised me up in your truth

You set my feet on solid ground

You changed my mind

You changed my life

You set me free

You lifted my eyes

Your spirit took over me

You became my everything

You wrote your name upon my heart

I will not forget the moment You made the sun rise for me

The moment I first came to know true Love

God is Love

Draw close

2009-03-10T22:47:00.008-05:00

I am determined to have Him, All of Him in my life. But when we draw near He says, you stand in holy ground, therefore get rid of everything that is not adding to your life, get rid of the dirt, clean yourself, sanctify yourself and stand before me holy, for I have called you to be holy for I AM holy. When Moses drew near to the burning bush, God said "take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). You cannot stand before God wearing the garments of the world.

God has been dealing with me, He has been tugging at my heart, first with a whisper but its louder now and I cannot ignore Him. I am determined to have Him regardless of what it takes. God wants only the best for us and as we draw closer to Him, the cleaner we have to be. Even the smallest thing you thought would not show start showing when you draw near Him. He is saying "you say you want all of Me, now I say to you I want all of you. Every part of your life, I want it all, so let go of that that is keeping you from having all of Me, let it go and watch Me work." He is a jealous God and He doesn't share His lover with the world. He wants all of us, just as we want all of Him. If we want ALL of HIM we have to be willing to get rid of all the junk and prepare a place for Him, a place worthy of a king.

When the Philistines took the ark of God into the temples of their gods they saw how God destroyed their gods (1 Samuel 5). Are you ready for God to come into you (His temple) and start destroying everything that is not glorifying Him?

When words meet GOD

2009-03-10T22:29:00.004-05:00

They fall silent. There's no need for them. Words cannot begin to express the greatness, the goodness and the beauty of God. No words to express His love, His devotion and desire for His bride. The most eloquent of writers meets his match when He encounters HIM. GOD does not listen to words, He listens to the heart. So when you speak with Him, He is not paying attention at the pretty words you are using, He is paying attention to your heart, He listens to the tone of voice of your heart. He longs for your heart, for your spirit to worship Him.

Monday Morning Word Search

Originally uploaded by brandis78

When words meet God, they fall silent, there's no need for them because God is looking for a broken heart and a contrite spirit, not for a poet or a scholar.

Times

2009-03-09T20:55:00.004-05:00

I came across this song today and it blessed me. Remember God is love and He loves you, He wants to be the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing on your mind before you go sleep. God is merciful and amazing and He send His son to die on the cross for our sins. He is offering salvation, eternal life, He wants to be the lover of your soul, He wants to be your everything. He wants to be your friend, don't wait until its too late and He will no longer stand as your friend but as your judge.

Here are the lyrics, the song is called Times by Tenth Avenue North:

I know I need you

I need to love you

I love to see you, and its been so long

I long to feel you

I feel this need for you'

and I need to hear you

is that so wrong?

now you pulled me near you

when we're close i fear you

still I'm afraid to tell you

all that I've done

are you done forgiving?

or can you look pass my pretending?

Lord I'm so tired of defending

what I've become

what have I become?

I hear you say "my love is over,

its underneath, its inside, its in between

the times you doubt me, when you can't feel

the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'

the times you've broken, the times that you mend

the times you hate me and the times that you bend

well my love is over, its underneath

its inside, its in between,

these times you're healing

and when your heart breaks

the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace

the times you're hurting

the times that you heal

the times you go hungry and attempted to steal

in times of confusion and chaos and pain

I'm there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame

I'm there through your heartache

I'm there in the storm

my love I will keep you by my power alone

I dont care where you've fallen, where you have been

I'll never forsake you

my love never ends, it never end

His love is forever, its never ending.... We have all fallen short of His grace don't try to go earn it, there's nothing you can do that will make you earn it. He has given it freely. He is saying "I don't care where you've fallen or have many times, I WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU, I LOVE YOU, let me clean up your mess, let me be your perfect lover, LET ME and watch the wondrous works of my hands, but you must let me do it"

I love my God more and more each day... there are no words that could begin to explain!!! He overwhelms me, He caress me, He gives me butterflies, He makes me smile, He makes my heart skip a beat, He is my everything!!!!

I am in love with LOVE!!!

GuiDANCE

2009-03-07T12:25:00.005-06:00

I found this in my docs, I don't know who wrote so I can't give them credit but I hope you enjoy it!

With Guidance You Can Dance
When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

Both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

And attentiveness from one person

And gentle guidance and skill from the other.

daddy dance

Originally uploaded by queen's lace

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "U" and "I".

"God, "u" and "I" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

That I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

And mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

And to guide you through each season of your life.

If God has done anything for you in your life,

Please share this message with someone else.

Interceding in prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.

Faux everything...

2009-03-06T01:00:00.006-06:00

We have gotten so use to the imitations, the fake Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, fake leather, fake designer everything. We see them on the streets and we buy them and we think what a great deal! Sure not all of us can afford to spend thousands of dollars on designer goods so we settle for what we can get, low quality items and because of the low quality they don't last.

It would be okay if we just did this with designer good but the thing is that we do this with everything, including LOVE. We settle for imitations of the real thing and we take whatever we can find. Real Love is something that we should all be willing to pay the premium price for, its something worth everything we have. If you had the money to buy a real Loui you would probably not settle for the imitation, we have everything we need to acquire Real Love, yet we are settling.

(above image via flicker.com by {redheadz04)

I love a GOD who not only loves, but HE is LOVE and because He loves He shows His mercies, He shows His loving kindness, He saves and heals, He makes whole. I am in love with a God that only wants the best for me. I am in love with the only one that can satisfy my every need, He completes me, He protects me, He is my everything. Loving Him comes naturally, how can you not love someone that loves you? How can you not love someone that time and time again shows us that He cares? How can you not be willing to pay whatever price to have/to experience true love?

God is love and before you can love another you must first love Him, whole heartily, with everything you have, you need to give it all, surrender it all, leave everything that is keeping you from loving Him the way you should, leave it all behind. When you allow Him to love you, everything in your life changes, bad habits disappear, you start seeing yourself the way He sees you. Things are not the same once you experience His love.

I am in love with LOVE & GOD is love!

In love with LOVE

2009-03-03T16:00:00.004-06:00

We live life looking for the love of our lives, but most of the times we look for it in the wrong places, we settle for less and instead of waiting on God we do things our way. I am in love with Love and its an amazing feeling. I found my first true love, every time I think of Him I get butterflies, I can't stop smiling, spending time with Him is the only thing I want to do. I love being with Him, I love everything about Him. I am in love with Love, and GOD is Love!

It has taken me a long time to get to where I am today and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. If I could describe the perfect lover it would be HIM. He is the perfect lover, the perfect mate. He makes me smile, He listens, He cleans up my mess, He loves me just as I am, He sees me the way he created me, perfect in His image. He is the lover of my soul and life is so much better now that I have found myself in Him. He quiets me down with His love. God is faithful and His goodness knows no bounds.

I am dangerously in love with Him, I am willing to do anything and everything to have HIM in my life. He is the source of my existence, I am the apple of His eye, the works of His hands, His favorite dwelling place, His desire. He loves me and I love Him. Love has a new meaning.

In Love

Originally uploaded by {peace&love♥}

To love someone that will never leave you, someone that has promised to quiet us down with His love, someone that rejoices over us with singing and gladness. To love someone that has promised to never put us to shame, to love someone that has promised to be our confidence, our refuge, our strength, our joy, our salvation, our healing, our provider, our banner. To love someone that has given all that He has to assure us eternal life, to love Him is the only thing I want to do, to please Him is my only desire.

There are no words that can describe what I am feeling the only thing that comes close to describing it is: I AM IN LOVE WITH LOVE!!!!

God is amazing and I pray that you experience what I am experiencing... there is truly fulness of joy in His presence and everything your heart ever desired in a lover is found in Him!

"...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.'" Matthew 22:37-38

And so I introduce you to the God of Love!

2009-02-03T23:19:00.004-06:00

Sometimes we make mistakes that offend God and it makes us feel unworthy, not being able to come before His presence, but know GOD is a merciful GOD! He loves us with an everlasting love that will never cease!!

Romans 8:38-39
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So no matter how BIG or small the sin is...it doesn't stop HIM from LOVING us!
Repent and accept that we are forgiven!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Many of us have PRIDE to confess or admit that we have done wrong, get rid of that PRIDE and ask God to purify all the unrighteousness within you!

Therefore this is what the Lord says, If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.

(Jeremiah 15:19)

Repent and don't turn back to it! Change your lifestyle, and be sensitive to the heart of God that you may not sin against Him once more....

Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."

(Isaiah 43:25)

Isn't it amazing that He forgives us! wouldn't we think that's enough?! but then He says He will not remember our sins!! so why do we keep on dwelling in the past?!

YOU'RE FORGIVEN MOVE ON! it's that simple! The enemy uses our mistakes to make us feel unworthy but GOD says YOU'RE FORGIVEN! YOUR SINS WILL BE NO MORE! HE WILL PUSH YOU FORWARD! HE WILL SUSTAIN YOU FROM FALLING!

Philippians 3:13-14
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Just a human believing in a loving GOD!

2009-01-30T12:49:00.006-06:00

The other day I was talking to a friend and he said something that I never really thought about, he said, "you Christians don’t know what you are getting into when you decide to believe in Christ." The world judges you regardless but they judge harder when you say, “I believe in Christ”, they assume that you automatically become god-like and you no longer get angry, upset, or hurt.

They expect us to act a certain way and we are suppose act different than the world, we are not to listen to the same music, speak the same way and do the things that they do. But we are still humans and are subject to fall and make mistakes, but it’s when we make these mistakes that the world attacks us and blames us and asks, “Aren’t you suppose to be a Christian?”

We are called to forgive others because our sins have been forgiven, our GOD is love, For He so loved the world that He gave His only son to die on the cross for our iniquities, for our mistakes, but He didn’t just die to redeem us from our sins, he die so that we would live a long life here on earth, a healthy life, free from illness, free from financial troubles, a life worthy of a daughter and a son of great King, for He is the King of kings and LORD of lords and there’s no other God like Him.

When we say we are Christians we are declaring to the world that I was once lost but now I have been found. I was broken and I have been made whole. I thought I had no reason to live and but now I have every reason to live a long life. I thought I had no other way out, no hope but now I have eternal hope in a faithful, loving and merciful God. We are not saying I am better than world, we are saying we were broken, sinners, sick, lonely, lost just like you, but we found someone who loved us so much, someone that was willing to pay the price so that I would have eternal life.

And I declare to the world I am a CHRISTian, I believe in God Almighty, King of kings, LORD of lords, the God that redeems, saves, heals, repairs, creates and loves. I am Christian, a human that is subject to fall but I declare that HE is my strength and greater is HE that is in me that he that is in the world.

To Ever Live Without Me!

2009-01-30T12:01:00.003-06:00

I came across this song the other day and I just think its beautiful and it speaks of what He had to do to give us eternal life. Here are the lyrics:

The choices, even though you knew the lines
You'd have to cross for me
You made them anyway
Voices, as you knelt there in the garden
'Neath the olive tree
You heard me call your name
I cannot pretend to understand it all
But heaven knew the reason you were there

It was all about a man
It was all about a cross
It was all about the blood that was shed
so I would not be lost
It was all about the love
That was bigger than a life
It was all about a freedom that was given
through your sacrifice
'Cause you would rather die
than to ever live without me

Helpless, that's humanity without your saving grace
So misled
Selfless, you could have called ten thousand angels
Down to take your place
But you took mine instead
I cannot pretend to understand it all
But heaven knew the reason you were there

A greater love has no one than this
That he will lay his life down for his friends

The link to this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW33Af4k3H0

Dead to Self

2009-01-06T16:52:00.000-06:00

...2009...

2009-01-01T12:09:00.001-06:00

Happy New Years!!!

Take up the cross

2008-12-29T20:23:00.003-06:00

Matthew 10:37-39 NLT

37 "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Desires of hope changed in the submergence of His irresistible love
Compelled to distance myself from humanity, crucifying the world that is within me
Every care of mine I beg to be excused seeking purely to walk in the footprints of Him
Mesmerized by His grace and commitment I fail to remember all arrangements placed before Him
I take hold of Paul's words that; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me
And just as in the verse in Corinthians I am compelled to preach
My obsession is that it will be His vocabulary my mouth will speak
Piercing hearts with the definition of Love that He exposed to us
Saving souls for the hope of His magnificence
My hearts hand reaches out to draw close to Your throne
With hearts tears dripping down with a yearning for intimacy with You
I surrender, picking up my cross and crucifying my flesh like a true disciple
Plowing the field with determination for salvation of a lost generation
Running this race with no hesitation, being Your hand to reap the abundant harvest of lost children
Lord let it be Your life lived throughout me, resurrected in the resemblance of Your Glory
I've been crucified just to be resurrected in You!

-Michael Morrissey

a.k.a His Mic

myspace.com/poetryismyministry

Praise. Worship.

2008-12-26T12:53:00.012-06:00

These are beautiful paintings done by Kathryn Trivett-Maya Designs (myspace. com/kathryntrivettmayadesigns), she is trying to adopt two children from Ehiopia, the art work is beautiful and a total praise to God, she has done such a beautiful job in praising God with paint.

PRAISE the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD!

Psalm 150

The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

But the hour is coming, and now is,

when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;

for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

John 4:23

Merry CHRISTmas

2008-12-25T20:13:00.002-06:00

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

I hope you had a wonderful day with the ones you love and remember to give thanks unto GOD for His son, Jesus. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas, its not about the material things this world can offer, its about the eternal things He has to offer.
May God continue to bless you all....

Christmas!!!!

2008-12-25T13:12:00.006-06:00

My mom
Originally uploaded by daddysbabygrl75

Daddy
Originally uploaded by daddysbabygrl75

Rico
Originally uploaded by daddysbabygrl75

Daddy
Originally uploaded by daddysbabygrl75

Christmas with the family. My parents opening their gifts and my aunt's dog, RICO SUAVE!!!

Memories

2008-12-23T13:02:00.007-06:00

12 years and counting.... I Love you Maria, you are awesome and I am glad to have you in my life... BFFN.. haha jkjk BFFE =)

Taste of Chicago: Memories

Our first Taste of Chicago together =)

This year, our tradition (eating ribs)

Back in grade school

This was on our way to some museum, was this 6th or 7th grade?

I know you have more pictures from this trip, this was the day we climb all those sculptures we weren't suppose to touch!

My Tree

2008-12-19T16:36:00.004-06:00

Lovely time of year.. My tree has been up for a while but today I decided to take a few pictures of it. It turned out pretty nice I think. It took me a life time to get the lights to work, my hands are all scratched up because of it. I was putting the lights and all the sudden they all die, this has happen before so I didn't even bothered, I finished putting the lights and just walked away, hoping that they would turn on, and eventually they did.

I think this is the last year we are keeping this tree, its artificial as you might've guessed, it's at least 12 years old and its time for us to get a newer and smaller one. My mother is not to happy with the idea but we'll see.

Happy Holidays

Surrender!

2008-12-17T18:36:00.016-06:00

Total.Surrender.

(above image via flicker.com by {Barca<3)

In order to let God take full control of your life you have to surrender everything, every part of your life.

You will see if you give Him everything He will not let you down, you can always count on Him to be there.

He loves you and just wants the best for you but that sometimes means giving yourself up so that He can show you who you are meant to be in Him.

Happiness is temporary but the JOY He provides is eternal.

The road is tough but not impossible and the way is narrow but if we persevere we will see HIM.

"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 6:14

Everything

2008-12-17T10:46:00.007-06:00

(above image via flickr.com by honey77)

God let Your Kingdom be established in me, Oh Lord!

I need You Father God

My spirit is restless

My mind is no where to be found

My heart is in your hands

Broken
Please make it alright.

I need You now more than ever

I pray that You please hear my cry;

It is a cry of desperation,

It is a cry of pain.

I am so lost without You.

I need you Father God.

I ask, I plead let Your will be done in me;

Let Your Kingdom be establish.

I need You Father God.

My spirit is longing for Your presence,

My soul needs a resting place.

My body/my mind cannot take this turmoil.

Let Your freedom reign,

Let Your love reign,

Let Your compassion reign,

Let Your mercy reign,

Let Your righteousness reign,

Over my life, over everything that is in me.

I need YOU.

My soul is restless,

Waiting for Your presence,

Waiting for Your love,

Waiting for You to be revealed.

My wonderful, merciful, loving GOD.

My heart is in Your hands and give it to whom You will.

Let Your will be done in me;

I surrender all that I am,

All that is within me to have Your Kingdom reign over my life.

I rather lose everything that I love to have You Oh Lord.

I cannot imagine a life without You.

I cannot think what it would be like to live a day, a minute, a second without You.

You are the source of my existence, without YOU there is no ME.

You are my breathe,

You are my heartbeat,

You are my world.

I need You Father God

My heart longs for You

My spirit thirsts after Your presence,

My soul longs for a resting place.

Your presence is my hiding place, Oh Lord.

Your presence is my waiting room, where I receive all Your promises.

Your presence is my OR where all things are made new,

Your presence is where my strength is renewed.

A.M

Reflection 12.14.08

2008-12-16T12:49:00.005-06:00

(image via photobucket)

I am in place in my life where I cannot be careless about the decisions that I make. I have realized that everything I do has a consequence and the older I get these consequences become greater or more evident. As much as I want my life to be plain and simple, things never seem to turn out that way. I try to live my life “drama” free because it makes everything else easier and it makes life more enjoyable.

I believe in a God that is always present and He is always by my side, therefore I can trust that no harm will come to me or to those that I love and hold dearly to my heart. God is amazing and I can say this with confidence because of what He has done in my life and for my family.

Last night when service was over, I told Alicia a young woman that sits next to me in church, that I felt as if weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I felt like crying, and cry I did. When I saw Melody sitting in her chair with her face down, crying I held her hand and I prayed in tongues and I felt as if someone was squeezing my heart and I cried. That’s when I saw Iza and I hugged her and I told her, “I don’t know why but I just feel like crying” and I did, I cried in her arms like a little girl and she said “it’s the presence of God.” I agree, the service last night was amazing, it was one of those services that you don’t realize what happen or how much you were impacted until its over and it hits you. And when it hits you it takes a little while to take it all in and that’s what happened to me, when it hit me I started crying.

God has been amazing to me, and every day it seems as if He reveals something new about myself and about Him. God has never left me, in my hardest, most painful moments He has been there. He has seen as I have allowed the wrong people into my life and HE has seen my heart break. But He has been faithful and HE has forgiving me for all that I have done and He has promised to rejoice over me, He has made all things new, I am nothing without Him but I am everything in Him.

I pray that God will become real in my life and that people will see the reality of my GOD, reflected in everything and in anything I do. I want to be the representation of who GOD is, on earth. When they look at me I want them to see Him. I want God to become my reality and only source of existence.

Live

2008-12-16T12:25:00.008-06:00

LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE.

"When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live
your life so that when you die, you're the one smiling and everyone around you is
crying."

"To laugh often and love much, to win the respect of intelligent persons and the
affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate
beauty; to give of one's self; to know even one life has breathed easier because
you have lived that is to have succeeded."

Harry Emerson Fosdick

Love is trusting, accepting and believing, without guarantee. Love is patient and waits, but it's an active waiting, not a passive one. For it is continually offering itself in a mutual revealing, a mutual sharing. Love is spontaneous and craves expression through joy, through beauty, through truth, even through tears. Love lives the moment; it's neither lost in yesterday nor does it crave for tomorrow. Love is Now!

Leo Buscaglia.

Set FREE

2008-12-15T19:01:00.007-06:00

You can't be a mind believer.

continuing to deceive her.

thinking her heart is right

but in the light

it's really all wrong.

There is so much to be worked out in her

but you're just a mind believer.

and when her reality reappears

you're thoughts can't make what's in her heart disappear.

Her heart's not tough.

You need to realize believing IN God isn't enough.

She needs to believe GOD and His promises.

Don't you know that Jesus brought me out of the darkness

took away her lifelessness.

and with His greatness

made you who you are today?

You have to realize she's still broken.

and her mind needs to be fixed.

to finally believe the words God has spoken,

because your persona has been mixed.

You are she

who is me

made greater in He

for His purposes.

SO I'm taking back the last piece of my heart

that he took when he had to depart

and giving it to

God

I'm still broken,

but I can believe the words You've spoken.

I can't hold back,

Here's the final piece You lacked

from my heart

I believe this pain will go away

I will wake up to better days

because Your promise revives me

it comforts me

in all my troubles.

You see,

[now] I am free.

I'm no longer a mind believer.

I'm no longer deceiving me.

-Iza (my friend)

He reached down from heaven and rescued me;He drew me out of deep waters.

-2 Samuel 22:17

I do love Jesus. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him I can do all things.

Phil 4:13

On His Plan For Your Mate

2008-12-15T18:34:00.009-06:00

(above image via flickr.com)

On His Plan For Your Mate

Everyone longs to give himself completely to someone: to have a deep soul relationship with another; to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But, God to a Christian says, no, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me, alone. With giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me. To having an intensely personal and unique relationship with Me, alone. Discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I plan for you.

You will never be united with another until you are united with Me, really united with another, exclusive of anyone, or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing...one that you cannot imagine.

I want you to have the best, please allow Me to bring it to you. Just keep watching Me... Expecting the greatest things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I Am. And keep listening and learning the things I tell you.

You just wait, that's all...wait. Don't be anxious, don't worry, don't look around at the things that others have gotten or I have given them. Don't look at the things you think you want. Just keep on looking off and away to Me, or you will miss what I want to show you. And then, when you are ready , I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than anything you would dream of.

You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, and I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time. Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepare for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me. And this is perfect love. And, dear one, I want you to have the most wonderful love.

I want to see in you, in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me. And I want you to enjoy materially, the everlasting union and beauty and perfection and love that I offer you with Myself. I know that I love you utterly. I am El Shaddai-most loving Father, God Almighty. Believe it and be satisfied and I will satisfy you.

Author unknown

The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 25:8

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for HI

Psalm 37:7

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in HIM. Your roots will grow down into GOD'S LOVE and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all GOD'S people should know, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.

Ephesians 3:17-18

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6

Time

2008-12-11T21:44:00.005-06:00

(above image via flickr.com)

Many of us live life, thinking we have time. We leave the things we can do today for tomorrow. But we need to learn that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Life can change in the blink of an eye; here today gone tomorrow.

Life is a beautiful thing and sometimes we forget that we only get one. So every once in while we should just stop and look around and enjoy the things before us.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, "come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you.

Proverbs 3:27-28

When I say "I am a Christian" Maya Angelou

2008-12-06T13:33:00.005-06:00

(photo via photobucket)

When I say..."I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."

I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say..."I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

-Christians By Maya Angelou

Love is not a game

2008-12-06T12:52:00.016-06:00

My Princess..Love is not a game....

(above image via flickr.com by mistybliss)

Listen to me my princess. Love is not a game- it is a gift.

I know there are those who don't sincerely care for your heart, but I say that your heart is priceless.

Reflect on your relationships, My royal one.

Who are you allowing into your private world?

Do they draw you closer to Me, or do they weaken your faith in me and draw you away?

I gave my life to you so you could be free.

(Above imae via flickr.com by mistybliss)

I don't want you to play "relational games" to get the approval of people.

If you choose to play these games, you will miss out on all I have for you.

I am your Father, and I know what's right for my daughter.

Hold on to me and let go of those that harm you.

Then you'll be free from their power, and you'll be wise enough to see what a real, lasting relationship is meant to be..

Love,

Your King who bought you

(Above imae via flickr.com by mistybliss)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Great I AM

2008-12-03T22:28:00.005-06:00

GOD is the great I AM. He is constant and forever faithful. Our circumstances don't determine the GREATNESS of our GOD. It is in our weakest moments that He is glorified. It is in our darkest times that His light shines brightest. GOD is GOD regardless of what we are going through, regardless of what the doctors says, regardless of what the specialists, the economists, or the government is saying. GOD is GOD. He is the great I AM, never changing, always faithful. I once read, "stop telling GOD how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your GOD is!" sometimes we become so preoccupied with our circumstance that we forget who our GOD is, we let our circumstances define who God is and we forget that GOD is the eternal I AM, He is not defined by anything or anyone. He is who He is and our circumstances, our trials, our tribulations, our heartaches don't affect or determine His greatness. 

(above image via photobucket)

GOD IS GOD!   

The state of the economy is at its worse yet GOD is not changed, He sits on His throne and because of Him the world continues to exist. We forget that it is because of His mercies and love for us that we are still here.  

If He should set His heart on it, 

If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, 

All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust  

(Job 34:14-15)  

We need to realized who GOD is and what His promises are. That no matter what is going on, no matter what I see or what they say. That what I know is greater and I know that you are my provider, you are my strength, you are my guide, my understanding, my wisdom, my righteous, the light that shines in me, my hope, my victory, my song, my lover, my confidant, my best friend!  GOD is forever faithful and worthy of ALL praise, honor and glory!

World Aids Day

2008-12-01T14:44:00.004-06:00

HIV can be found in body fluids, including:
blood
semen
vaginal fluids
breast milk
some body fluids sometimes handled by healthcare workers (fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord, bone joints, and around an unborn baby)

HIV is passed from one person to another by:
having sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV
sharing needles with a drug user who has HIV
during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding if a mother has HIV
getting a blood transfusion from a person with HIV

Abstaining from (not having) sex is the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. There are several ways to protect yourself or to prevent transmitting HIV during vaginal, oral, or anal sex if you choose to have sex:
Get tested for HIV and know the HIV status of yourself and your partner
Be faithful to your sexual partner
Use condoms or other latex barriers during vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and never reuse condoms or latex barriers

HIV cannot be transmitted by casual contact. Here are the facts:
You cannot get HIV from shaking hands or hugging a person with HIV/AIDS
You cannot get HIV from using a public telephone, drinking fountain, restroom, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, or hot tub
You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink
You cannot get HIV from being coughed or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS
You cannot get HIV from giving blood
You cannot get HIV from a mosquito bite

Transmission of HIV while getting a tattoo or through a body piercing is possible, but it can be prevented through:
Single-use instruments intended to penetrate the skin being used only once, then disposed of
Reusable instruments or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client's blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized between clients according to medical guidelines

These guidelines are the same as those practiced within any medical facility where there is a risk of instruments coming into contact with blood.

To learn more about the facts of HIV/AIDS, please visit AIDS.gov's Overview section for additional information and a listing of resources or the Basic Information section about HIV/AIDS from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

First Blog

2008-12-01T11:00:00.009-06:00

December 1, 2008

This is my first blog and to be completely honest, I don't know what to write. I live in Chicago and I woke up this morning to find a not so pleasant surprise, we just had our first snow fall of the season. When I was a child I loved snow because I got to play in it but now I am not too excited about it. It looks beautiful from inside the house but that's it for me. I am latina so I love warm sunny days, looking outside the window made me think of my vacation to the Dominican Republic. This is a picture from my excursion to Saona, a small island off the shore of Santo Domingo.

I fell in love with the country and the people. I stayed in Bavaro Princess in Punta Cana. If any of you are thinking about going to the Dominican Republic I recommend this resort. The service, the people and everything in it is perfect. I wish I could have gone back this month but with the state of the economy and me being a college student that is nearly impossible.

The colors of the water of the Caribbean has become my favorite colors. Its a mixture of all shades of blues, it is absolutely breath-taking. Definitely a place I plan to go back to.
Los Altos de Chavon
I love the stop sign, its in spanish "pare" I had never seen one that said that usually they say "alto" and the train with the people going to work.
This is a beautiful house, I love the design.

(I took all the pictures above on my trip to Santo Domingo)