Lyrical Friday - Walk By Faith

Hi.
One of the darkest times in my life happened when my Grandfather suddenly passed away. I was confused, angry and broken-hearted. It was in that time that this song by Jeremy Camp sustained me and comforted me through this season. At times, I had to sing even though everything about did not want to believe that I would be joy filled again. Walk by Faith, is a prayer that my heart has taken ownership of. May you and I both, be a people who walk by faith and not by sight. And even on the broken road, may we sing hallelujah. God bless You Friends.

Walk by Faith, Jeremy Camp


Would I believe you when you would say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

[chorus]
Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

heal journey, group two

Hey!
This weekend was a bittersweet one. An AMAZING group of girls finished the HEAL Journey. This is the second group that I host and lead... and definitely not my last! It's incredible how unique each group has been. This group responded completely different than the first, but none the less, each group walked away fully clothed in the splendor and glory of God.

As for me, the Heal Journey was, is and continues to be a faithful companion that leads me to the one who created me so wonderfully. This year would have been a disaster had the Lord not crossed my path with the girls at Wonderfully Made . My first time doing the study, I for the the first time understood and accepted God's grace for me. I am more in love with my Savior since rediscovering the wonders of His grace. This time around, He revealed to me how deeply rooted fear is in my heart. I am amazed at how faithful God is in my weakness. He doesn't despise me, nor does He leave me to fend for myself- He delivers my soul from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4). I'll write more about this Psalm 139:23-24 revelation at another post.

Here is a shameless plug: This study is more than just a self-help/self-discovery/recovery book; this study is Jesus holding you by the hand and saying to you, "My beloved, let's sit under the shade of this tree and allow me to reveal to you your value and worth in me, through my word." If your desire is to draw near to God than I encourage you to order yourself a copy... buy one for you and a friend and do the study together! Or start a Heal group yourself. Get the creative juices going. For a copy click HERE .

This will be the last small group I lead this year. But come January, myself and another youth leader will be sharing the HEAL Journey with more wonderfully made girls. That's two small groups in our church. The Lord has given me vision for more. Be in prayer for this. I leave you today with a quote from Lesson 6. Ciao for now friends. 

"As we lose ourselves in Christ and take delight in his love, his living water overtakes our souls. We slowly lose our thirst for things the world claims to offer, and we begin to thirst for a deeper relationship with Him."

Lyrical Friday

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Hola.
I have been holding on to this video for quite some months now as a "secret" because it would eventually I wanted it to be played for the youth group... The Whosoevers played it this past Sunday at Rebel Church. So the beans have been spilled. Without further ado, In the Words of satan by The Arrows.
P.S. The video is a bit graphic, but to quote The Arrows, "This is nothing you won't see in a PG rated film".

in the words of satan, The Arrows


My good friend Michi shared with me an excellent observation (she's obviously A LOT smarter than I am). She said something along the lines of how appropriate that the voice singing as the voice of Satan is sweet and almost angelic because Satan is the master of disguise and deceitful. Think about that.

Wonderfully Made film

Hi Friends.
I pray this post finds you rejoicing in the strength and mighty power of the Lord. A verse that has been resonating in my heart this week is Psalm 138:8- The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. May you find joy and peace in this amazing verse. I would like to share this short film with you:




Wonderfully Made from Wonderfully Made on Vimeo.


For more from Wonderfully Made, click HERE. I absolutely love these girls and the vision the Lord has given them. God bless YOU.

Flames from James

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:19-20

Lyrical Friday - Our God

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither 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. Romans 8:37-39

 

Hi.
Once again, I had a different song in mind for Lyrical Friday but God had a little something already prepared for us. Our God, written by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman, is a lyrical masterpiece. I love that we are reminded where we came from (the ashes). We are reminded who God is (greater, stronger, higher than any other, healer, awesome in power). We are reminded that God is for us (no one can stop us). We are reminded that God is with us (nothing can stand against us). May you be blessed through this song.

Our God, Chris Tomlin


Water You turned into wine

Open the eyes of the blind
There’s no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There’s no one like You
None like You


CHORUS
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There’s no One like You
None like You.

BRIDGE
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

peace...

Hey there!

Peace. No, I'm not saying good-bye. I wanted to share a few verses on peace that I feel the Lord directing me to share with you. A couple of people have mentioned to me, this week alone, how much they yearn for peace. If you find yourself thirsting for peace as well, I will tell you the same thing I have shared with these people: Apart from God there is no peace! The word of God is God. Therefore, let's seek His Word to know the God of all peace. May the Lord comfort you and make you bold with strength.

[*If you have time right now read 2 Samuel 22- or read it later*]

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
-Psalm 27:1

Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.
-Isaiah 35:4
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
-Philippian 4:6-8

You will keep [insert your name here] in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because [insert your name here] trusts in You.
-Isaiah 26:3

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
-Luke 12:32
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
-Proverbs 18:10

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory.
-Ephesians 3:20-21
The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
-Proverbs 29:25

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Romans 5:1

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.-Psalm 4:8
 
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts; and be thankful.
-Colossians 3:15
 
Do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.
-Proverbs 3:1-2

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.
-Psalm 37:37
 
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
-2 Timothy 2:22
 
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
-Proverbs 31:25

say what!?

I had an incredible Sunday. There's a new church in town: Rebel Church and Dominic Balli was here. 54 lives were rocked unto salvation. Crazy enough, the fliers for the event that I bombarded my local supermarket with, made it to one of the employees who attended last night and surrendered His live to Jesus. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Be a part of the rebel movement wherever you live.

Anywho, yesterday I read 2 chapters of Ezekiel that have impacted me greatly. I will not dare to elaborate or share my thoughts on it. Rather, I'll let you read it and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. May the Lord bless you and keep and make His face to shine upon you. May you be beacons of light and the mouth piece of God as you go out in the name of Jesus.

Ezekiel 2. To read click HERE.
Ezekiel 3. To read click HERE.

Lyrical Friday - Beautiful Ending

Happy Friday!

Today's Lyrical post is by Barlow Girl. I don't know how I haven't posted one of their songs. Beautiful Ending is today's song. These lyrics cause me to search my own heart. I hope to hear the Lord say to me, at the end of my life, "You were a Lily among thorns." That would be my beautiful ending.

You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

Beautiful Ending, Barlow Girl

Oh, tragedy

Has taken so many
Love lost cause they all
Forgot who You were
And it scares me to think
That I would choose
My life over You
Oh, my selfish heart
Divides me from You
It tears us apart

So tell me
What is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?

Oh, why do I
Let myself let go
Of Hands that painted the stars
And hold tears that fall?
And the pride of my heart
Makes me forget
It's not me but You
Who makes the heart beat
I'm lost without You
And dying from me

So tell me
What is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?

Will my life
Find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful

At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms

So tell me
What is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life
Find me by Your side?
'Cause Your love is beautiful
So beautiful

rich fulfillment

You have brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Psalm 66:12

Today was... rich!

Happy Birthday Josie. I praise God for my friend Josie. You all should have one of her. I highly recommend it. Just ask God for one, you'll know you have a Josie when you are blessed by someone's presence. That is a Josie, lol :)

I started my day off by speaking to the middle and high school students at the school my sister teaches at. It was awesome to share with them where God saved me from and the work that He has done in me, and continues to do. It amazes me that God would even dare to use me as a mouth piece for His Gospel. Truly a work of the Holy Spirit: Zechariah 4:6 not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord!

Later, last minute cancellations had me sitting at table with one of my good friends sitting across from me. Definitely, a God moment. We are normally super busy and find it hard to just hang out. Needless to say, it was a sweet "getaway" from life. It was a delightful gift from Jesus to spend time with her.

Soon after my sister called me to have coffee with her. She shared with me how the morning chapel service ministered to the kids. Praise be to God. He used a stubborn mule like me to reach His children... call me Baleem's donkey! High five to Jesus for the seeds planted. Oh, she treated me to coffee, a pleasent surprise.

To top it ( I love that God spoils me, hehe ), the midweek service at church was just what the doctor prescribed. God loves me so much. It was beautiful. God saw the need of my heart and met me there. And as if that wasn't enough, he sent me a tangiable gift through the most unexpected person. It sure felt like an unforseen kiss from Heaven.

This entire day can be summerized in two verses:

the one above: rich fulfillment, life abundant

and

two: Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Lyrical Friday - Beautiful Things

Amigos, it's Friday!!!

This is the day that the Lord has made, for you, for me- let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24 I love that we are reminded to rejoice and be glad, regardless of our current circmstance we can rejoice and be glad because of the greatness and power of God's love for us.

I was working on my HEAL Journey homework and preparing for tomorrow's small group. I stopped to pray, "Lord help me to see myself through your eyes..." As I whispered these words Michael Gungor's song Beautiful Things began to play from my phone. Oh Jesus! Thank you for your faithfulness. I want to share this song with you. May you be reminded today that Jesus doesn't go fishing for clean fish, he casts out his net and then cleans his fish. He can do beautiful and mighty things through your life, even if all you have to offer is a broken life.

God bless you beloved of the Lord!

Beautiful Things, Gungor


All this pain
I wonder if I’ll even find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new