sitting back

Hi Everyone.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the [wo]man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8 Lately, I've been doing a lot of meditating, mostly on the goodness of our Lord. He who has promised goodness to us is faithful!

A couple of posts back I was in the dumps, emotionally and physically... it did me good to be there. God has been slowly removing the scales from my eyes to see the world, the church, friends, family and my self differently. April '09 I was laid off of work and a lot of things have changed from then on starting with that day.

I was working in a Flight School (Yes, I am the queen of odd jobs). I really, REALLY, disliked working there but every time I cried out to God for deliverance I never received His peace to walk away. I had a nasty attitude, I cried like a brat, and constantly complained to God for months. That was till I saw my job as a mission field and that day I surrendered my will to Him. Though I never developed a love for the place I did fall in love with the people. My heart soon shattered to pieces for them like a glass of water falling from a pretty little nightstand to a filthy linoleum floor. It was bittersweet the day that after much prayer God confirmed in my heart that my days in this specific job (mission) were coming to an end. Bitter because I had grown in a diving God-given love for the people. But it was sweet, oh so sweet to be out of there.

 The next morning I took my resignation letter to work. Throughout the work day I had countless of opportunities to submit my letter and give my two weeks notice, but each time I did not have the peace of God to do so. And at just an hour before my work day was over I was called into the office along with two other employees. Determined to quit, I took my resignation letter with me disguised in a student file. It was there that I tasted and saw the goodness of the Lord. Before I could even mutter a word about my resignation, we were told, "Due to the economic fall, we see ourselves obligated to close one of our offices and thus laying off three employees. We are terribly sorry, but we have to let you go. We have prepared for you a severance package, along with a letter of recommendation, and you'll be eligible to collect unemployment." My thought that very moment- "Thank YOU Lord that you go before me."  Had I quit earlier that day I would not have received that severance package, nor would I have been eligible to collect unemployment.

I learned two very valuable lessons:
1. Be attentive and obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
2. God goes before me, therefore I will trust Him with my life.

Upon finding myself without a job I asked God to make me a student of His Word. He not only has helped me be a diligent student, but through His Word has unveiled my eyes to see how short I fall of His glory. His Word has revealed to me dark truths about myself. His Word has also spoken life and grace to me like I have never embraced before. He is stripping me of me and I'm starting to like the process.

And so I come to a place today where all I desire is to be wholly surrendered to Him. I am without a job, without a career path, don't own a home, don't even have a potential significant other...Yet these do not satisfy wholly, nor do they complete me, because in lacking these I find myself wholly satisfied and complete in Christ.

I read this on a greeting card and encourage you with it:

I don't have to figure out why or how or when. God has a plan, and I'm committed to it. That commitment frees me from having to worry about the details. -Barbara Johnson 

God is magnificently good! He has taken care of me thus far, and I don't doubt His care, His love, His provision, or His guidance. I am choosing to trust Him with every detail of my life. From the day that I was laid off, I have been sitting back (being still from worry, fear or anxiety) knowing that God goes before me and works all things our for my good. He does the work, and I do the walking.

 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“ This is the way, walk in it,” 

Whenever you turn to the right hand
 Or whenever you turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21

Lyrical Friday - My Future Decided

Hi Friends! 

I've been busy catching up with Family & Friends. I can't wait to have spare time in my hands to share with you what great and mighty things the Lord has been revealing and teaching me. 

On another note, the Uth Nation Peru Team is home. This past Wednesday the youth took over the service, from worship to skits and testimonies of the trip. Real soon, you'll being reading a short testimony from one of the youth kids. 

Anywho, today's song is one that we have recently started playing in youth group. We have a rocking band led by the youth kids. My Future Decided is by Hillsong United. Here you go:

Flames from James

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  [James 4:7]

Lyrical Friday - Burn Us Up

Good Friday Everyone! When Lyrical Friday was inspired by a midweek service where the message was delivered by the worship band through songs. Today's song is straight out of the Bible. Read the book of Daniel and have your world rocked. Enjoy today's song and if you don't know the story get your Bible open and read it.

God bless YOU!!!

Burn Us Up, Shane and Shane 

Peru Update & Prayer Request

Hi Friends.
For a quick update on the team in Peru you can click HERE. Thank you for your prayer support.

Calling all Prayer Warriors.
Her name is Rosita and she has a cyst in her knee area. Her job is a little rocky right now and she may be unemployed soon. In the next week or so she will be seeing a doctor. Please pray for her as the Spirit of God leads you. I will keep you posted in the days to come.

         

  Blessed be the Lord,

         Who daily loads us with benefits,

         The God of our salvation!  

Psalm 68:19  

Paper or Plastic

This short film reminded me of one of my favorite verses found in the book of Hosea, 2:14 "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her." How precious is the love of God. He does not relent but like a gentleman He pursues and speaks tenderly to me, no matter how unfit I feel about myself.

Peru

Hi Friends.
Uth Nation (youth group at my church) is sending 19 amazing people to serve the people in Peru. They leave tonight and return next Sunday. Please keep them in prayer.
Here are their names:

Jose Sr
Jose Jr
Chris V
Chris M
Alex
Christian
Joey
Tommy
Pinito
Michi
Dominique
Sarah
Jasmine
Annie
Tiffany
Melissa
Tatty
Andria
Sammantha

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “ Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

Lyrical Friday - You Are Mine

Hello Dear Friends!
I recently came across Enter the Worship Circle and as soon as I heard 'You Are Mine' it became an athem. I am currently reading and studying the book of Isaiah. God has certaintly taken me on a most beautiful journey through this book and I can't get enough of it. So naturally, hearing the lyrics to this song confirmed once again what He has been speaking to me... I am His.

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O [enter your name here], and He who formed you, O [enter your name here]: “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. Isaiah 43:1

I pray that through this song you may be reminded of this great truth. In the words found in Song of Solomon: my beloved is mine, and I am His. God bless YOU!

You Are Mine, Enter the Worship Circle


maybe i don't have the strength
maybe i don't have the faith
you brought me here in forty years
when i know this trip should take a week
i've shed my tears and shed my blood
been outran some by the flood
and winter steals my songs away
in all of this i've come undone
.
when you walk through the water
i will be with you
when you pass through the river
those waves they will not overtake you
when you walk on the fire
those flames they will not touch you
you are mine
you are mine
.
i've been a child
i've been a slave
and i've grown bitter
and learned to pray
i've packed my bags and started back
the cost is just too high to pay
.
when you walk through the water
i will be with you
when you pass through the river
the waves they will not overtake you
when you walk on the fire
those flames they will not touch you
you are mine
you are mine.
you are mine.

looking into the mirror

This past Friday was Jen's birthday. ((A little history for those new to the blog: back in January Jen, one of my best friends, moved to Atlanta, GA.)) She flew down to Miami for the weekend to celebrate. The gang gathered at a very cute restaurant called Berries. It was heavenly to have everyone together. My best friends sitting at one table, I couldn't ask for more. I miss my friends. I miss having the intimate connection of a friend that is closer than a brother. I miss the accountability. I miss the group prayers. I miss the adventures. I miss laughing at a joke that no one else could possibly understand. And a part of me yearns for the days when we all were without care.

This year has been rough for me.

Thus far, God has been doing a new work in me... I can't pin point one specific area but I feel Him stretching me. Growing pains... a lot of : Adjustments. Seeking. Discovering. Letting go. Accepting. Pondering. Brokenness. Wholeness. Restoration. Healing.

A whole lot of a whole lot.

I don't know what other word(s) would describe how I feel other than alone and lost.

I am learning that the life of ministry is a lonely one.

I am learning that it's OK to be lost, because I will hear a voice saying, "this is the way, walk in it."

I miss who I was but I am learning so much of who I am not and who God wants me to be.

I am learning to not be dependant on others, for God desires and requires holiness.

I am learning, in the most painful of ways, that life is not fair- but God works ALL things out for the good of those called according to His ways.

I am learning to wait upon the Lord and to be of good courage.

I am learning that I know nothing of God's love, grace and mercy.

I am learning, growing and becoming.

Between you and I, though I miss the yesterdays with my best friends and I miss who I was, what I have with God today, though alone, is wonderful. My mind and heart know that to be a lily among thorns, I have to lay down my life. That is, letting go of all that I miss, all that I yearn for, and (the hardest one of all) saying adios to all that is me. Looking into the mirror I hope to one day see not my own reflection, but the reflection of Christ.

This past Sunday at church my dear Pastor reminded me, that the Christian life is a radical life and a life of inconvenience. With that said I close with a word of hope, a word that is convicting me this very moment:

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. +Philippians 3:12-15

Lyrical Friday - The Great Love Story

Lyrical Friday is here!
Last Friday I took the day off from the blog world but today we are back.

Jimmy Needham has become a favorite on my playlist. I think I have heard today's song, The Great Love Story, almost 10 times in the last hour. Jesus has truly won and victory belongs to us who are found in Christ Jesus. I won't say much more about the song, I'll let the lyrics penetrate your mind and heart. God bless you my friends.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

The Great Love Story, Jimmy Needham


Where do you hide
Where do you go?
Why are you running from me?
And why do you fear when you know I am near to Thee
Someone come
Someone come
Someone come fill the divide
Fill the divide
Colorless life, not even grey
Oceans apart and miles and miles away
O, being deceived and deceiving the same
Jesus come
Jesus come
Jesus come fill the divide
Who will save me from this death
Who will save me from this death
Who will save me from this death
Who will raise me from the dead
Who will save me, who will save?
Jesus won
Jesus won
Jesus won, filled the divide
Jesus won
Jesus won
Jesus won, filled the divide
All glory
All honor be
To the God that filled the divide

clean mouth = clean walk

Went to the Dentist today. Sounds like no big news but if I tell you the last time I went to the Dentist you'd understand. Let's just say it's been more than 7 years. Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of the Dentist. I actually like going there... they don't weigh me! I haven't had insurance and my Mother's office had a special pricing this month for the unemployed folks like myself.

Being that it had been so loooong since my last visit, the Dentist gave me the wonderful news that I would need a deep cleaning. Alrighty, Let's Do This! 

 I'm not gonna lie, it was a bit painful.

She got in there and cleaned house. At the end of the cleaning, She told me to conitnue my oral hygiene as I had been doing. The Dentist did call me out on one thing, "You have to floss daily. Otherwise, you're accumulating junk." I also read a frame she has hanging over the doorway, "You don't have to floss your teeth. Only the ones you want to keep."

This little visit to the Dentist reminded me of

walking with the Lord. 

Oral Hygiene: flossing, brushing, mouth wash, applying wisdom to what we eat and drink.

Spiritual Hygiene: denying our flesh, washing ourselves with the Word of God, applying wisdom to every aspect of our lives, etc... I hope you're following me here, lol.

If we are not on top of our walk with the Lord, we can easily neglect it. We can't afford to be lazy with our walk. Just as your teeth require time to be cleansed DAILY, the same is needed spiritually. Set time apart to be with Jesus. Worship Him. Pray with humility. A broken and contrite spirit He will not despise. Take your time when you are reading your Bible. Meditate on His promises. Allow the Word of God to dwell in you richly. Sit at the feet of Jesus. Repent. Receive. Rediscover a pure and holy passion for more of Him.

Meditate on these scriptures:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians 4:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,And cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9 

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

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Matthew 16:26

tassels

 Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.” Numbers 15:37-41

When you see someone wearing a specific item you know a little bit of who they are or what they do:
Superheroes wear tights and capes.
Cops wear badges.
Buddist Monks wear robes.
Scottish Men wear kilts.
Chefs wear aprons.
Muslim Women wear hijabs.
Athletes wear uniforms.
Soccer Moms wear khaki capris, polo shirts and keds.
and in this case: God's chosen people wore tassels.

These tassels not only served as a reminder to the Jews of all that God had done for them but also to distinguish them from the Gentiles. As a Christian today, what sets you apart as God's beloved? As I read this passage tonight, I stopped and wondered, is it noticable that I am a Christian or do I blend in with this world? Do my actions set me apart? Does my speech? How about my spending? Or in the way I relate to food, drinking and bodily intake? Do the clothes I wear bring honor to God?... Does my life shout to the world that I am set apart for God? Does my life reflect holiness?

As I reflected deeper, two scriptures came to mind:

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

If I am abiding with Christ, obeying God's word and truly submitting myself to God's perfect will, soon enough the fruits of the Spirit begin to flow in and through my life. Without a doubt in my mind when we, God's people, live the kind of life that is saturared with the fruits of the Spirit (of pure joy, of peace, longsuffering, goodness to all, faithfulness in all that we do, with self control) the world will know that we are different; a chosen generation, God's special people, a holy nation.

I encourage you to live in such a way that the fruits of the Spirit would grow on us as tassels. My prayer is that others would see these "tassels" flowing in and through our lives and know for sure that we are set apart and that we belong to God. May everything about our being reflect Jesus.

*Click here for Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 15.