tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45349411308327236392024-03-21T19:36:34.241-07:00Feet of FaithHow beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
Romans 10:15brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-43125051661346596842015-10-30T18:32:00.000-07:002015-10-30T18:32:06.909-07:00SUITCASE OF JOY <div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The fall season has arrived, although it still feels like summer! The women’s Bible Study group that I belong to has started back up after being on hiatus for the summer. This season the women’s study has taken on a kind of new theme: Get Real. Within our separate groups, we each had to describe what our “selfie” would look like if we snapped a shot in our real life, everyday routine, or something we do that represents our current life. Some of the women said they would be in a t-shirt and sweatpants sitting in front of their computer or sporting their workout clothes at the gym. Another said she’d be in the kitchen because she loves to cook and another said she’d be in her car since she’s driving all the time. When it came my turn to describe my selfie, I didn’t have to give it much thought! That was an easy question to answer! My selfie would be a photo of me ‘rolling with my suitcase’ because since the beginning of summer, I’ve been living like a Nomad staying a couple of months here and a couple of months there with my friends. One of the gals in my group put a positive spin on it and said, “I’m carrying my suitcase of joy from place to place.” The first visual that popped in my head was Mary Poppins. Lol! But, the words she said really touched me. It was such a beautiful way of looking at my circumstances. I don’t know the greater plan that God has for my future, but right now he’s giving me the opportunity to spread His Joy! Although, honestly, I don’t always feel joyful in my situation, but for the most part, I’ve been taking it all in stride and keeping a positive attitude, because I know my circumstances are temporary. For, I know that amazing things are just around the corner! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><b>Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Funny, the summer months, I was doing my own Bible study and the week’s lesson, prior to starting back at Bible Study, was all about Joy! The lesson was titled: The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength. Then, the following Sunday at church, the preachers message was about finding Joy. Not a coincidence! I love it when God does that! That’s God’s way of speaking to me and confirming that my Joy needs to be replenished. God knows my heart, hears my thoughts, sees my circumstances, and knows exactly when I need His comfort and encouragement. He definitely got my attention! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Joy that comes from the Lord, is not a feeling or an emotion, but it’s a Joy that’s within. It’s an inner strength, and inner peace. It’s more of a knowing than a feeling. Does that make sense? It’s a Joy that you can have even when your life seems to be going nowhere or it’s been turned upside down, or when your circumstances seem so much greater than what you can handle….. but, in all the chaos and uncertainty, you have a peace that is beyond understanding, because you know it’s all going to be okay. Why? Because Christ remains in me and my Joy comes from Him. Jesus says in <i>John 15:11 I have told you this so that My Joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete</i>. - Jesus </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">IS </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">joy and he’s the Giver of joy. Even the psalmist David, knew his joy came from the Lord. In his agony and shame he cries out to the Lord. - <i>Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>What does it mean, the Joy of the Lord is my strength? I use to think that my </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;">strength</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> is<i> because I have joy in knowing that Jesus in my Lord and Savior. But, my strength is not of me...it’s the strength that Jesus had that enabled him to endure the suffering he went through at Calvary. What gave Jesus strength, was seeing the joy on the other side, the joy of him being united with his Father (God) and the joy of knowing that we too can spend eternity with God, because of the cross. Now that’s strength!! His joy is the source of my strength!</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><b>Hebrews 12:2,3 For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So, whatever your Joy looks like, whether it comes in a suitcase, a jar, a pocket…..whatever metaphor relates to your life, I believe our world needs more Joy. We all live in our own little sphere in this massive world where we can make a difference by spreading the Joy that comes from the Lord. </span></div>
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brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-84807330719063052892015-08-11T00:22:00.001-07:002015-08-11T00:22:07.966-07:00PAIN IS TEMPORARY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Last month, I started working out again! I find it so much harder to get back into it, once I’ve stopped for so long. I’m not one who can just go to the gym and work through the machines. I prefer to take spin classes or Pilates, yoga, dance classes or outdoor bootcamps. So recently, I started going on hikes in Baldwin Hills. The face of the hill, or what I call a mini-mountain, has cement stairs that ascend straight to the top and dirt trails that zigzag across the face and around the hill. The early evening hours seem to be the peak time for hikers. When standing at the bottom of the hill, it literally looks like a human ant hill. That’s how busy it gets! So, I’ve been going during the late morning hours to avoid the crowds. Notice, I didn’t say early morning hours! I truly, admire these folks who can get up before dawn to get their work-out in. I’ve tried, but it’s just not part of my make up! :-) </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’ve been taking advantage of my hikes and using the time to pray, worship and commune with God. I put my earphones in, plug them into my iPhone and listen to my playlist of worship music. It’s funny, in all my years of working out, I have never actually listened to my own music! (I know, it sounds crazy, especially in our age of technology.) What a difference it makes! You can tune out all the other noise and get lost in your own audio world. I love it! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The other day, I was trudging up those uneven, rugged stairs. I say ‘trudge” because I am really out of shape! So, after a few steps, I had to pause to catch my breath. Although, I have to say, each day I am improving. Less, frequent pauses! - As I stopped, a man rushed past me and yelled out to his friend ahead of him, who seemed to be struggling like me. He shouted out with encouragement, “hang in there bro, the pain is just temporary!” - I thought to myself, “Wow, so profound and so true!” His words truly resonated with me. It’s true, our pain is temporary. Overjoyed, I said to myself, “I’m going to use that as the title of my next blog!” - I was so excited to get home and start writing this blog, but first I had to finish my hike! - As I stood there, out of breath, looking up at all the steps still to go, my inner voice said, “okay Rhoshan, this pain is temporary! You can make it to the top. Just one step at a time!” So, I kicked it into second gear, eyes looking down at my feet, focused on my music, and made it to the top with an extra beat to my feet! When I reached the top, my arms instinctively flew up in the air. I felt like Rocky Balboa! I can hear the theme song in my head! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Life is like those steep, uneven, rugged stairs. When we’re at the bottom looking up at what’s ahead, it can be very intimidating, even scary at times. But, when we actually start walking forward, our focus is downward looking at one step at a time. We can make plans for the future, but we still, will never know what lies ahead of us. I often think, it’s a good thing we don’t know what’s ahead! I truly believe, that is God’s saving grace for us all. Could you imagine if you knew beforehand the trials, the struggles and the pain that you will have to face? I don’t think we could handle having the full knowledge of our future. When I think about the past couple of years of my life, if I had known ahead of time that my father would be diagnosed with a terminal disease, and if I had known the struggle he had to face, and the pain and heartache of taking care of him and watching him deteriorate, I would, absolutely, be in disbelief and fearful of what was to come! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is no such thing as a crystal ball for this life. We are meant to experience life one day at a time and take on each challenge as it comes, instead of stressing about tomorrow or things that haven't happened yet. Really, t</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">he only future we can be certain of is eternal life with our Heavenly Father. That assurance comes only through belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><b> </b></i></span><i style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” </b></i></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God’s Word says in <i>Matthew 6:34</i> </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> We can choose to face our troubles alone or with the help of God. I choose taking the hand of God and leaning on His strength. I could not have gotten through the past two years without the Lord by my side and the strength that came from all the prayers from family and friends. I memorized the scripture </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Isaiah 41:10, </i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">which says,</span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I and your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> - When I felt weary and about to give up, I reminded myself of God's words. It’s amazing what our body and soul can endure when we allow the Spirit of God to carry us through it! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Just like those coarse steps….. when we face the pains of life, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a physical pain or illness, financial struggles, loneliness, depression, addiction, disappointments of life, whatever the pain stems from, take comfort in knowing that it is temporary! This too shall pass. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i><b>2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">The scripture above makes me think of Jesus, who willingly, suffered the greatest pain ever when he went to the cross for the redemption of our sins. The way that he was able to endure the pain, was not looking at the cross, but Jesus looked beyond it. He saw the joy set before him. The joy of being reunited with God and the joy of us, one day joining him in eternity. - Jesus knew that the pain was temporary!</span></div>
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<b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Hebrews 12:1-3 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial; letter-spacing: 0px;"><i> </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.</i></span></b></div>
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brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-17456295725246454332015-06-28T01:22:00.000-07:002015-06-28T01:22:46.213-07:00THE SOUND <div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the cloud let drop the dew. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>Proverbs 3:19-20</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s been over two years since I last posted a blog. I thank those of you who have followed my blog, and my apologies for the huge lapse in time. :) So much has happened in my life, these past years, I wouldn’t know where to begin. One thing is certain, I now have plenty of new experiences to write about. So, I invite you all to follow my footsteps through this next season of my life! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Those of you who are new to my blog, may perhaps be wondering, “Why Feet of Faith?” Since, the wee age of 8, my life has been a walk with God, through the good, the bad and the ugly. Yes, I am a believer in Creation, that God is the creator of all things including Mankind, and because of his great love for us, sent his son Jesus Christ into the world, not to judge Mankind, but to save us, to give us eternal life and an abundant life here on earth. I’m not a religious person, but rather, a person who has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I am simply a follower of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">During the Christmas holiday’s last year, I went to my friends annual poetry reading party. She has been throwing these parties for at least the past 15+ years. Her shindigs are always such a hit. We’re always amazed at the hidden talents that pour out of our friends. Who knew there are such poets amongst us! This time, I wrote about a place I visited last summer. I spent three months in Scotland and during my stay I had the opportunity to visit my cousin and her family who live in the Isle of Man. It was one of the highlights of my stay in the U.K.! If you’re reading this cuz, thanks again for having me. :) </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There’s a place at the Southern tip of The Isle of Man called, The Sound. My poem is about that place. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>THE SOUND </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>I close my eyes, what do I hear?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The crashing, of rushing waves, that seem so near.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Like symbols clashing, as the sound escapes</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>My ears alert, as I stand in awe, of such a place. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The chill that meets my rosy cheeks,</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>from the dashing wind, where does it seek?</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>It’s resounding tenor, from left to right</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>that carries a melody of such force & might. </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>And then a shift of warmth, my face so longs.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The clouds have separated, the sunshine prolongs.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>The ocean, the wind, the clouds, the sun; all in such harmony.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Only its Creator conducts such a symphony.</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>by Rhoshan Amir </i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whenever I stand before God’s incredible beauty, whether it be the ocean, the mountains, a field of wild flowers, or gazing up at the millions of stars …. it takes my breath away to know that the creator of such magnificence, sees me. He knew me before I was knitted in my mother’s womb. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He knew my name before my parents named me and he hears me and loves me and whispers in my ear to let me know that he is always near. Wow! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God wants to commune with you. So simply, close your eyes and listen for His voice. </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><i>John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. </i></b></span></div>
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brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-51368280436209811442012-10-17T14:13:00.003-07:002012-10-17T14:13:57.070-07:00When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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For the past few years my father and I have been attending
the annual opening day at the Del Mar Race Track. It’s quite a spectacle
seeing all the women dressed up sporting their fancy and some very outlandish
hats. It’s more about the fashion show than the actual races. When
it comes to betting on the races, I have no idea which horse to choose, so my
strategy is to look at the horses while they circle the paddock before the
race. They are so beautiful! I look for the feisty one or something
that stands out, maybe even the unique name of the horse. I have no idea
about any of the jockeys, so they don’t factor into my decision.
Sometimes I’ll get an old pro chatting me up who ends up giving me a tip or
two. It’s all in fun and quite exciting cheering your horse on,
especially when it wins or places in the top three, even if I’m only winning 6
bucks, it’s still quite a thrill. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was younger, I will never forget when my father
took my brother and I to see the 1972 film ‘The Cowboys.’ I believe this
was John Wayne’s only film where his character actually gets killed. In
fact, Bruce Dern, whose character kills Wayne, was afraid everyone would
despise him for killing The Duke. A. Martinez was the young hot
stud in the film. Funny, many years later I had the opportunity of
meeting Martinez when he landed a role in the ever so popular soap, General
Hospital. I produced and directed the launch campaign of him coming to
the show. When I met Martinez I shared with him how much I loved
the film and so wanted to be a cowgirl, after that. He was so
surprised and I think quite impressed that I knew of the film from so long ago
and remembered his character. He told his experience of working with the
legend John Wayne and how he was a bit intimidated initially, but working with
him was such a privilege. Those were the years of movies when
westerns were the popular genre. I had dreams of owning my own
horse and riding skillfully as a cowgirl. Of course that never quite
happened. I’ve gone horse back riding a few times, but I’ve always been
so intimidated by them. I think because they are so big and have such
strength. Of course, they can sense my fear and take complete control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Coincidentally, the same week of opening day at Del Mar, I
happened to watch the movie ‘War Horse’ and ‘Secretariat.’ The
latter film quoted the scripture in Job 39. It was so poignant the way it
was used in the movie. I was truly overwhelmed when I later looked up the
scripture and read it for myself. <b><i> Job 39:19-25</i> </b><i><b>Do you give the horse
his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like
a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing
in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
he does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against his side, along
with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement he eats up the
ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. At the blast of the
trumpet he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout
of commanders and the battle cry.</b> </i><span style="font-style: normal;"> ‘War
Horse’ truly displayed the bravery and strength of the horse. I
don’t know why I was so touched by this passage of scripture, but I think
because I have such respect and awe for these beautiful creatures of God and
then to read how God created them with such courage. When you see horses
in the wild or how beautifully they are captured on film, they truly were
created to run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I watched a program on PBS with Martin Clunes (Doc Martin)
where he traveled the globe and met with various horse whisperers and trainers
to learn how the relationship between man and horse began. They
taught Martin how to bond with a horse and basically let the horse know who’s
in charge. It was so incredible. Even Clunes was so moved by his
experience. How incredible to actually have a horse walk over to you, bow
it’s head in submission and become your friend. It was absolutely
breathtaking. I would love to have such an encounter. But,
what I found interesting is that one of the trainers said that he believes the
reason why horses run is because of fear. But, after reading Job,
it is quite clear God did not create his horses to fear, but to be fearless. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Proverbs 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day
of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.<o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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Why do I bring all this up about horses? It made me
think that it is the same with man. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but
of power, love and of a sound mind (2Timothy 1:7). We too face battles
throughout life’s journey and like the horse, we have to be ready for the
battle but ultimately victory is in the Lord’s hands. For the past year,
my life has been one battle after another. Pretty much starting
with my car accident last October, when I was crushed between three other
cars. My car was totaled, but thank the Lord and his angels that I came
out of it in one piece. <b><i>Isaiah 54:17</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i>No
weapon formed against you shall prosper</i></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>.</b>
I’ve had so many attacks in various areas of my life, but the greatest battle
has been physical. I have always been such an active person,
physically in good shape and a strong spirit, but since a year ago, and now
fast forward to last month when I underwent spinal surgery, my life has changed
considerably. Thank the Lord my surgery was very successful, and
now it’s a time of rest to allow my body complete healing. After
surgery, I woke up in the recovery room. Now if you’ve ever been in a
recovery room, you’ll understand how chaotic it can be. I have such an
admiration for the nurses who attend to all the patients. They work so hard and
have so much patience. I don’t know how they do it. I was
scheduled to go home that same day, but due to the severe pain I was feeling,
they kept me in over night. I was in the recovery room all day and
was the last one to leave, once my room was ready. There was a
moment when everyone else had gone and I was literally the only patient left in
the recovery room. I was alone eating my dinner provided by the hospital,
and for a brief moment I truly felt alone. Tears were running down my
cheeks. It was the first time I actually cried since it was decided I
needed surgery, and usually I’m a big weeper. The nurse came over
and asked if I was okay. I just said I’m fine and I tend to get emotional
and it’s probably the medication. I don’t bring this up for
anyone to feel sorry for me or for any of my loved ones to feel bad that they
couldn’t be with me, because I did have family visiting, but it was in that
moment alone when I felt God’s presence and His love pouring over me. I
knew He was with me letting me know that I am not alone, and everything is
going to be okay. Of course, this made me cry even more, but these
were tears of joy and comfort feeling His presence. I thought to
myself, I truly don’t know how anyone can live this life not knowing our
Father in heaven. I don’t care who you are, but in this life we
will all face a time when we are completely alone, whether it’s after having
surgery, or perhaps in the hospital with a terminal disease, or going
home at night to an empty house and laying your head on your pillow completely
alone, or times when no one seems to be around to hang out with or just
to chat with over the phone, or you can even be in a room full of people and
feel alone. Whatever the case, a time will come when one feels
complete loneliness. This experience of mine being totally helpless
in the hospital, truly revealed to me that I will never be alone as long as I
know my constant companion, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is
with me always and there is a peace that, comes over you that gives such
comfort, especially during our times of weakness and loneliness. </span><i><b>Hebrews
13:5&6 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with
confidences, the Lord is my helper: I will not be afraid. </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><b> </b> It reminds me of that famous poem titled
“Footprints” when we only see two footprints, it’s not because God has left us,
but it’s then that He is actually carrying us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I’ve had moments when I’ve asked God and wondered
why all this has happened to me. During this season of trials, the
message that has resonated throughout is for me to embrace this time of
fragility and rest in the Lord, because His word says for when I am weak, then
I am strong. <i><b>2Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My
strength is made perfect in weakness.” and Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who
are weary, and I will give you rest. </b> </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Throughout all of this, I have been so aware of God’s almighty presence
and His strength and comfort on a daily basis. God is not the one who
inflicts pain and suffering. We have an enemy the devil and he came to
kill, steal and destroy our lives. It is pretty much guaranteed that
we will go through times of struggles, pain and hardship in this life, but we
can either choose to handle it on our own ability, which often fails, or we can
choose to take the hand of God and allow him to walk with us and carry us
through those difficult times. Another one of my favorite lines
from the film ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ is when the Count is at a banqueting
table amongst his enemies, and makes a birthday toast to the son of his nemesis
and says, </span><i>“Life is a storm my young friend, you will bask in the
sunlight one moment, be shadowed on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is
what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and
shout as you did in Rome, Do your worst, for I will do mine……”</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I get so choked up inside whenever I watch this scene.
(Now, that’s the kind of advice every father should give their
sons.) But, isn’t that so true of life? One moment we are up
and the next we are down. I know, it has been for me.
This scene in the movie brings to mind the scripture <b><i>Psalm 23</i> </b><i><b>The Lord is my
Shepard I shall not be in want… verse 5 says: you prepare a table before
me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup
overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my
life… </b> </i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Now, that is God’s way of
justice and victory! How awesome is that! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Although, it hasn’t been easy times for me, I don’t
regret any of it, even having to go through surgery. God put me in the hands of
a greatly skilled surgeon, but ultimately God is my healer, and through this
experience it has made me so much more aware of God’s presence in my life and
that he is my strength and wants me to rest in Him, in the shadow of the
Almighty, so He can make me soar on wings of eagles and prepare me for greater
heights. Many have told me how brave I was to go through with
surgery, but it’s only because my faith is in the Lord. <b> <i>Isaiah 41:10</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i>So do not fear, for I am with you; do not
be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen </i><i>you and help</i><i> </i><i>you; I will uphold you</i><i> </i></b><i><b>with my righteous right hand. Psalm
34:4 I sough the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
</b> </i>He has guided me and comforted me every step of the way,
giving me nothing to fear because my trust is in Him. So, like the
horse who runs fearless in battle, we too, with endurance, must run the race
set before us keeping our eyes fixed on the prize, on Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith. <i>(Hebrews 12:1-3)</i></div>
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<b><i>Psalm 147:10&11 His pleasure is not in the
strength of the horse nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights
in those who fear (in reverence of) him , who put their hope in his unfailing
love.</i></b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-73491134672689928292012-06-05T17:19:00.001-07:002012-06-05T17:19:10.652-07:00Feet of Faith Hits the Radio Waves<a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mollydamon/2012/06/04/the-molly-damon-show#.T86hTQQ0AIM.blogger">The Molly Damon Show 06/04 by MollyDamon | Blog Talk Radio</a><br />
<br />
<i>Feet Of Faith has gone bicoastal! Check out my first radio interview with the amazing Molly Damon! </i>brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-11136975345424526992012-04-14T20:59:00.009-07:002015-09-03T15:08:18.996-07:00A STILL QUIET VOICE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoAPsJBEG27Asdct5A8tgNk70qErq7nqJwjPREkYdS5qT6dNwRmJVVaiVuMBzNTMvTd09ANMLjPt1Bh7Hw9oGf3pUV1Aqol5alg-VNJnpcCeU5Du-3dHygBf59RzP4nr_gT1MPJxan8cg/s1600/lily.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731481198372188034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoAPsJBEG27Asdct5A8tgNk70qErq7nqJwjPREkYdS5qT6dNwRmJVVaiVuMBzNTMvTd09ANMLjPt1Bh7Hw9oGf3pUV1Aqol5alg-VNJnpcCeU5Du-3dHygBf59RzP4nr_gT1MPJxan8cg/s200/lily.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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Doesn’t it seem that there is never enough time to do the things we need to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny, I read somewhere that said, you will get more done with less time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to agree with that statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think having less time we become more disciplined and efficient with our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past few months I’ve been experiencing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think when we have a lot of leisure time we tend to get a little complacent and idle and end up putting things off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that has been the case with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas, having a set schedule, say working 9 to 5, tends to force you to use the remaining time more wisely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> The past few months, I was waking up at 7am and out the door by 8am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing in the morning, I'd spend 15 to 20 minutes reading my devotional and scriptures for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, the next hour commuting in my car I'd continue my prayer time with the Lord, or some mornings, the drive is praise and worship time while listening to my gospel music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waking up at 7am has been a real challenge for me being that I am not a morning person, but I see now, how it has truly disciplined me to set that time aside for the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, what better way to start off my day than with God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly has been a remarkable experience having that consistency of spending time in His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s now something I look forward to and don’t want to miss out on what God’s Word is for me each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> I’ve noticed, some mornings as I rise, I usually have a thought on my mind, whether it’s a concern, a worry, thinking about the day and what’s ahead, etc., and as soon as I open up my Bible and read my devotional, it’s as if God already knows my thoughts before I’ve even formed them into a sentence in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course He knows my every thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, He is our creator and knows all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love how Psalm 139:4 puts it: <i>For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.</i></div>
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When God addresses my thoughts through his Word, I am so utterly in awe at how much he loves me and is mindful of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves us all and is mindful of us all, but I think so often we are not listening or seeking Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m often bewildered when I hear someone say they don’t hear from God, or they are still waiting to hear from Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God may not always answer our prayers right away, but I assure you, God is always willing to communicate with us, whether it’s through his Word, prayer, a sermon at church, a preacher’s message on TV, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I believe we have to spend time with God and give Him a chance to speak to us, and also be open to hearing what He has to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps if we are not hearing what we want to hear from God, we tune Him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, some may want God to speak to them through a burning bush, like He did with Moses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want some big supernatural act of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to say that He can’t get our attention that way, but I think for some, even if God used balls of fire coming down from heaven, that person still would not recognize it as the voice of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my experience, God’s voice is that still, quiet whisper, as Elijah experienced. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><i> 1Kings 19:11&12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by. Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.</i></div>
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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> A few months back I had one of those days where it seemed everything was crashing down around me and I just broke down in tears and wanted to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so over it all, and I kid you not, I turned on one of the Christian channels and John Hagee was preaching and he was talking right at me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words coming out of his mouth were, “I know your sitting there feeling like your life is crashing down and you want to throw in the towel, you are being attacked from every side, but I am here to tell you to get up, stand firm, for you are more than a conqueror in Christ and He will fight your battles!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so blown away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was speaking right to me with the voice of John Hagee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so encouraged and strengthened in that moment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, after I had that God experience, I continued to listen to John Hagee and he was speaking on something totally and completely not related.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as if God inserted His words just for me to hear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is just so God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works in mysterious ways and He will even personalize it, just for you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that!</div>
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My mother had an amazing and personalized experience of her own!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and my step-dad were driving across country to Iowa to visit my brother who was playing baseball in the minor leagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They drove through the state of Utah in the evening and my mother was behind the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pitch black and she had no idea where they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All she could see were the massive mountains around her and the stars in the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling completely lost, my mother asked God if He knew where she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They finally reached Sioux City, Iowa and stayed at a small hotel in some remote town for the next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They decided to find a local church to attend on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they sang a few hymns, the Pastor made his introductions and then asked if there was a Margaret in the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My step-dad looked at my mother in amazement and said,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Being the only Margaret in the church that morning, m</span>y mother raised her hand and the Pastor asked her to come forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said to my mother, “ I don’t know what I’m suppose to say to you except that God wants to bless you and tell you that He knows you are here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I hear that story my breath is taken away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s voice doesn’t get any clearer than that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother, in tears, was so overwhelmed by His love for her and that He truly knew where she was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, as the Psalmist puts it so beautifully in Psalm 139:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </i>Some may think that a person who hears from God is extra special or that God must love them more, but that is NOT true at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves us all equally and speaks to us all, but are we listening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, it comes down to our wanting to spend time in His Word and in His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to have relationship with all of us, but do we truly desire to have relationship with him?</div>
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<i>Matthew 7:7&8<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. <b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.</i></span></div>
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I wonder, do we even know His voice? Take sheep for instance, they know their master’s voice and will only follow and obey his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we honestly say that we know our Master’s voice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are not reading His Word, then how can we know God’s voice? The Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s His voice.</div>
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My mother has been telling me for years to get in the Word and that God’s Word brings life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the living Word of God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said to choose life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t talking only about actual physical life and death. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will all die at some point, but Jesus was talking about himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the walking, living Word of God that came to bring us life and life more abundantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now know the excitement my mother has always felt when reading God’s Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is alive!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These past few months I have truly been experiencing that same excitement!</div>
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<i>Psalm 37:4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.</i></div>
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I love the word “delight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means to take great pleasure or joy in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we think about those things that give us great pleasure, imagine feeling that same way about our time with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we do, WOW, the windows of heaven will start to open and God will reveal His wonders and mysteries to us, and then we’ll know His great and perfect will for our lives, and we will walk in that abundant life!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-52364047568722695742012-03-04T15:50:00.016-08:002012-03-04T16:16:06.851-08:00SIMPLY ASK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jnVBum8feFrestPNhpGbINfkuDZtFvCxbhQFCxUlMz2TmBFIw3YLT23t73T933nOR56sDyU8hMwCL8PqVzgvfdCPh_a2VLbigVZp3DMt2orvWxccJ1ljpvrFFOtrOjGFkmH7dQm1vS5_/s1600/latte.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jnVBum8feFrestPNhpGbINfkuDZtFvCxbhQFCxUlMz2TmBFIw3YLT23t73T933nOR56sDyU8hMwCL8PqVzgvfdCPh_a2VLbigVZp3DMt2orvWxccJ1ljpvrFFOtrOjGFkmH7dQm1vS5_/s200/latte.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716200066972947570" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Have you ever had a taste for something that you know is yummy, but you end up with something not even close, but you settle anyway?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a little experience I had this past Christmas holiday. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After Christmas weekend, I drove home from visiting my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just before I approached home I had a taste for an eggnog latte, so I decided to go to the drive-thru Starbucks down the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I ordered my eggnog latte, but the voice through the box was sorry to say that they were out of eggnog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Much to my disappointment, however, I decided to try their gingerbread latte.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As I pulled out of the drive-thru with a tall gingerbread latte in my hand, I took a sip and was not pleased at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It tasted like medicine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not exactly what I had in mind. As I drove away, I thought to myself, “I just paid nearly 4 dollars for a drink that is horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why should I accept this substitute as okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, I turned around, parked my car and decided to go inside to see if I could exchange it for something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Couldn’t hurt to ask, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With a smile on my face, I explained to the person behind the counter what happened and that I was really sorry, but I just didn’t like the gingerbread latte and was wondering if I could have a vanilla latte instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At least I know those are good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, the young man turned to his boss who nodded his head and said, “No problem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Better yet, they refunded my money and gave me a grande latte instead of a tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I couldn’t believe it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That was so unexpected!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I felt so special!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know it’s a simple gesture and some of you may think, “What’s the big deal?” but this truly made my night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I left feeling more than satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As I was driving home, pleased with my free grande vanilla latte, as clear as you are reading this blog,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I heard God’s voice in my head say to me, “See Rhoshan, it’s that simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All you have to do is ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You were about to drive off, settling for second best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You don’t have because you don’t ask, but, when you do ask, I will give you far beyond your expectations.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Wow, I was so amazed that God could take such a simple thing like buying a cup of coffee to teach me a lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, it is so true!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How many times do we settle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We ask for something and because we don’t get it when we want it, we become impatient and just accept what comes along, a substitute, instead of waiting for God’s best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or, so often we don’t ask at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Makes me wonder how many of God’s blessings I have missed out on because I simply didn’t ask.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>James 4:2&3 You do not have because you do not ask. When you do ask, you don’t receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A few days later, I heard a powerful message from a preacher on TV, whom I believe to be one of the great evangelists of this generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Truly an anointed man of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I won’t mention his name because I don’t like to lift up the man, but rather lift up the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I believe this message ties in perfectly with why we often don’t ask God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He said something that I have never heard anyone or any other preacher say in all my years as a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He definitely got a revelation from God and it was a revelation for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the context of his message about the abundance of God, he made reference on how Jesus, often said to the disciples, “O ye of little faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i>Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And again when Peter walked on water towards Jesus but started to sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><i>Matthew 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </i>Anytime, I have read these passages of scripture or heard it used in a sermon, it has always been used in a negative sense as if Jesus was scolding them or upset because they lacked in their faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, this was the first time someone interpreted these words of Jesus in a positive light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When Jesus said, “O ye of little faith” he was actually encouraging his disciples to trust him more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More like,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“My beloveds why do you only take so little from me? You know my abundance is never ending, so why do you only ask or expect so little of me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wish you would trust and expect more, and take more of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have so much to give.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">(my thoughts)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would be like a child asking their mother, “Are we having dinner tonight?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course they are having dinner tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A child doesn’t have to ask that because they expect it and know that their parents would not let them starve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They have such simple faith knowing there will be food on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a given!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just as Jesus was trying to remind his disciples that he will supply their every need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The disciples were with Jesus 24/7 and saw all the miracles that Jesus did and all the times he fed the multitudes with plenty left over, but perhaps they thought, as many of us do, that we don’t deserve God’s abundance, we are not worthy, or we just don’t believe enough and often doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know I’ve felt that way many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We start to condemn ourselves, while all along God has given us so much grace and forgiveness, and he’s just waiting to bless us.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <span style="font-style:normal">The message I heard, ended with a beautiful statement</span>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i>“It’s the hand of love that gives and the hand of faith that takes.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="font-style:normal">So whether it’s as little as a cup of coffee or as great as a physical healing, there is nothing too small or too great for the Lord to provide, but we must first, simply ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><i>Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.</i></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-73632578249704080272011-10-31T17:42:00.000-07:002011-11-15T22:50:39.439-08:00ARE YOU CRIPPLED?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Jesus said, “Arise, pick up your mat and walk!” -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>John 5:8<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The scripture above is from the passage that tells the story of Jesus healing the lame man. This man had been lying crippled for 38 years near the healing pool called, “Bethesda” which means “house of mercy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once a year the pools waters would stir up and the people believed that the first person to enter the pool would be healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There were many lame and disabled who gathered around the pool hoping to be the first one in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This one crippled man was not able to move and no one in the crowd helped him.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I believe there are two messages to be learned from this passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The most common lesson and one that probably most of us hear, is that the crippled man was having a pity party, feeling sorry for himself and making up excuses that no one will help him and he is too weak to crawl over on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, when Jesus arrived on the scene he told the man to get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then he told him to pick up his mat, and lastly to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jesus instructed him to take action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The crippled man first had to get up, take his first step of faith then pick up his mat and carry his own load in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Basically, be responsible for yourself and stop blaming the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do think this message can apply to those who think of themselves as a victim and don’t really want to do what they can do to help themselves, always making excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I believe there is a far greater message in this story, one that my mother shared with me, a message of compassion.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But first, let me share a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few months ago I experience being paralyzed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a Saturday afternoon, I went out to the beauty supply store, and as I walked back to my car, I felt a slight twinge in my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knew something was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was able to get home safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I called my mother and told her I wouldn’t be driving down to Orange County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shortly after, I made some lunch for myself and while carrying the plate in my hand, the next thing I knew, the plate tossed in the air onto my couch and I fell to the floor between my couch and coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had never felt such excruciating pain in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My mobile phone was on the coffee table, but I was facing the opposite direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I tried to roll over onto my back, but the slightest movement caused the pain to increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was so terrified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All I could do was cry out to Jesus for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Somehow, I had the courage to roll over and reach for my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(“It hurts just thinking about it”.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I called my mother, in tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can only image how worried and scared she was when she heard my voice in such<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>fear and pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She called my father and brother and they called me right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could barely speak between my crying and the pain I was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know they all felt so helpless because they live about an hour away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I tried to call 911 but I wasn’t getting a signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My mother called me back and she had to call 911 for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I felt so alone and scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My mother stayed on the line with me, praying and comforting me until the firemen and paramedics arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of them broke through a window, without breaking the glass and another jimmied my back door to get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had six brave men in my house attending to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Did I mention handsome, too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was my first experience being in an ambulance and high on morphine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My parents met me at the Emergency room as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cause of my pain was due to severe muscle spasm in my lower back that was putting pressure on the nerve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I share this incident of mine because I don’t know if anyone has ever felt such pain to the point of being physically paralyzed, but I experienced it for a few hours that day, and it took a few months of physical therapy for me to be back on my feet walking normally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I believe the greater message of this story of the crippled man is about the compassion of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For 38 years this poor man couldn’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m sure he too was in severe pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, Jesus, the great physician, had compassion on this man and healed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The message here is that Jesus is the healer, not some pool of magical healing waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also, I believe, a message of shame to all the spectators who didn’t try to help this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Where was their compassion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wonder how many of us walk past a crippled man because we don’t have the time and can’t be bothered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be a homeless person, a friend, co-worker or family member in need, and how many of us just turn away and don’t want to get involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or, we might just say, “I’ll be praying for you.” and just walk away, instead of meeting the need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, prayer is powerful, but does it ever occur to us that maybe God wants us to do more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><i>Romans 15: 1&2 we who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each of us ought to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><i>1John 3:17 if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in them?</i><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think we have to think twice about judging or criticizing a person who is hurting, broken or who just can’t get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unless we have actually suffered in their pain, who are we to not understand and not show a little compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Crippled, could be someone not only with a physical disability, but maybe it’s someone you know who is bound by drugs, alcohol, depression, abuse, fear, poverty, or any stronghold that is keeping them paralyzed and they just don’t have the power within them to get up. They need someone's help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My recent personal experience of pain has given me a greater compassion for people who suffer constant pain, whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, it shouldn’t matter what is paralyzing them, we simply need to be more like Jesus and show a little compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <i>Isaiah 58:6&7 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to see the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter, when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-44519419814082916102011-05-23T23:28:00.000-07:002011-06-09T18:23:08.436-07:00Who Do You Think You Are??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWKTg2Y6bqiq52hozJDQqln7YuqgtZh8iV6_SrTVKNs-RlP7qg9Iy6NVIuvEXYAxjDBRqNSiOK7IrJOToWPN3vn8cpVt3-mAI9td78MIMlR_xWmu4u3Yl2W4RQbjDCHX0_YqijBgWNicP/s1600/me+and+dad.tif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWKTg2Y6bqiq52hozJDQqln7YuqgtZh8iV6_SrTVKNs-RlP7qg9Iy6NVIuvEXYAxjDBRqNSiOK7IrJOToWPN3vn8cpVt3-mAI9td78MIMlR_xWmu4u3Yl2W4RQbjDCHX0_YqijBgWNicP/s200/me+and+dad.tif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611276824397640674" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. Proverbs 23:7</span><br /><br />Have you ever heard that story that goes something like this: You can bring a pig inside, give it a bath, dress it up in a tuxedo, but the minute you open the door, it will dash outside and jump right back into the mud. - Basically, once a pig always a pig. I don’t know who came up with that version, but I just love the analogy. It’s so visual. I dated someone like that once, or rather, he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but that’s a whole other story. (lol!)<br /><br />Growing up, my father always taught my brother and I to never forget who we are. In fact he still reminds us of that. He would tell us the history of our family and our lineage that goes back to royalty and how our great, great grandfather was the King of Persia, the Kadjar family. Often times, he’d go over all the photographs and our family tree and explain who’s who and where we all fit in. It’s quite fascinating and I appreciate it so much more now than when I was younger. I use to get embarrassed when my father spoke of these things because I thought he was just boasting. In my home, I have photographs and paintings of our ancestors, but I never talk about it unless someone takes an interest and asks me who they are. I guess that’s just my nature, I’m not one to just start talking about myself. But, as I grew up and matured, I came to understand my father’s intentions all along. My father never said these things out of arrogance, but only to encourage my brother and I. He was teaching us these things to build our confidence in knowing who we are and where we came from, so we will always believe that we can accomplish anything in this world. That we can be and do whatever it is we so desire to do. Nothing or no one can stop us and even through the worst of times we can stand back on our feet and reach for those stars, because we know where we come from. My father speaks this with such conviction because he is a walking testimony of such a life. His life story is of one who’s had it all, lost it all and got it all back because he’s never forgotten who he is. Even now, he tells his only granddaughter the same thing. I’m so proud of my father and the things he has accomplished, and I am truly blessed to have a father who believes in me and has always shown his love and support in all that I do.<br /><br />I share this story because I believe it is the same with our Heavenly Father. Once you have become born again in Christ Jesus, you are a new creature and have a new family. You can now call the God of the universe your father, who loves you so much and wants to give you everything according to his glory and riches. You are now sons and daughters of the King of all Kings, the God of all creation. You have been adopted through Jesus and now an heir to his kingdom. <span style="font-style:italic;">Romans 8:15-17 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, </span><br />This also means that your old self and old ways have passed away and now you can put on the new and improved you, who can do all things through Jesus Christ! You can now walk in confidence knowing that you are a child of God’s and have been given all of His promises and the assurance that you’ll be spending eternity in heaven. The Word of God (The Bible) is now your family heritage. <span style="font-style:italic;"> Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. </span> It is the history of your lineage, your inheritance, the bloodline that bought and paid for your transgressions, and you have access to the power of the Holy Spirit that now lives in you, so you can be more than a conqueror! Do you believe this is who you are? I think many who have accepted Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior, don’t actually walk in that power because they don’t truly believe who God says they are. <span style="font-style:italic;">1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!</span><br /><br />As the saying goes, a pig will always be a pig, but that’s because it’s an animal and was created a certain way. Humans on the other hand, were created with a mind to think on their own and make choices. Some people think a person can never change their ways, and yes, I believe they are right, a person can’t do it on their own. But, I believe and know that there is only one who can change a person’s heart and way of thinking. His name is Jesus Christ, and in Him old things are passed away and all things have become new. <span style="font-style:italic;"> (2Cor. 5:17)</span><br /><br />Unfortunately, I think many Christians don’t actually believe God can change those things in their life that keep them in bondage. They don’t actually believe that “by His stripes we are healed!” The suffering Jesus endured at Calvary was not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but he took away all sickness, disease, oppression, and any power that Satan has over us. As born again Christians we need to have that confidence of knowing who we are in Him and that Jesus defeated the enemy, for good! You are a child of God, so act like it! If we don’t believe that, then we will not live a victorious life and those old things will continue to rule over us.<br /><br />I love what one pastor said, that our body can only do what our mind tells it to do. Scientifically, this is true. God knew exactly what he was doing when he created this intricate and most incredible organ called the brain. It does in fact control all functions of the body. So, what information are you feeding your brain with? What are you telling it to do? <span style="font-style:italic;">Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.</span><br /><br />Recently, it seems every time I turn on the TV to one of the Christian Channels all the preachers and evangelists I’ve listened to were speaking about “renewing the mind.” <span style="font-style:italic;"> Romans 12: 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span> It truly is the key to how we are living our life! Until we actually stop listening to those negative voices in our head telling us how terrible we are, and start listening to God’s voice and his Word, and believe all the good things that the Lord says about us is true, then we will continue living in our old way of life. If we don’t know who we are in Christ, then we wont be much different than that pig.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 139: 13-18 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.<br /><br />Psalm 103: 1-5 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits who forgives all your (my) sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.</span><br /><br />No matter who your family is or was, whatever your lineage, whether they came from Kings, Queens or Rulers, at the end of it all, there is only one blood line that truly matters, and is above all. I pray and hope that everyone will one day come to know their true heritage and be adopted into the family of God, through Jesus Christ, so you too can experience your inheritance in God’s glorious Kingdom! And you too can walk in confidence, knowing who you are!brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-554745195470788502011-03-25T00:33:00.000-07:002011-03-27T19:26:31.584-07:00A Man After God’s Heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmSaqw8x1ebwgj8jm_ld1vkW_YLKZlZVHXjVgZELGoB_PMI8Qk-s_BGzZd8Oqh9PeQDTl3O0vnWmbcwgcKbj6s5lnBnfRbP0E8UvFDW1_bAnuOdfX0aMz4Y0PpjfFSRo7bdY1vGk66g-r/s1600/Miami+A-124.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmSaqw8x1ebwgj8jm_ld1vkW_YLKZlZVHXjVgZELGoB_PMI8Qk-s_BGzZd8Oqh9PeQDTl3O0vnWmbcwgcKbj6s5lnBnfRbP0E8UvFDW1_bAnuOdfX0aMz4Y0PpjfFSRo7bdY1vGk66g-r/s200/Miami+A-124.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588950262093876770" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 119: 14 –16 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.<br /></span><br />Now, I understand why God called David a man after his own heart. Yes, David sinned and made many mistakes like any other man, but he always came humbly before the Lord with a broken and contrite heart. But, after reading Psalm 119, David’s heart goes beyond that. His words are so incredible! It put me to shame. I mean, honestly how many of us believers can say we speak as David did? Who of us, from the depths of our heart say these things to the Lord, as David does in Psalm 119? Words like: <span style="font-style:italic;">Oh, how I love your law! I long for your salvation. Your law is very delightful! I live to abide by your law and my heart is set to keep your decrees! Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws. Give me discernment that I may understand your statutes…..</span><br /><br />Psalm 119 is the longest passage of scripture in the Bible, and its 137 verses are David’s words of praising, honoring, and loving God’s laws and covenant. We don’t praise God’s laws like that! We don’t wake up every morning excited for the opportunity to live according to God’s decrees! We are so focused on pursuing our own desires, dreams, goals, selfish gains, and we hope those things are what God wants for us too. Instead, it should be the other way around. Why is it that we so don’t desire to know God’s word inside and out, to know what he’s all about so we will know the life He wants us to live? And yes, it may mean that we have to change some of our old ways. God wants us to live Holy, as He is Holy. That doesn’t sound so bad to me. What’s wrong with that? It may not always be easy, but, shouldn’t we want to strive for that? Shouldn’t we as believers live a life "set apart" from the rest of the world? Shouldn’t we want to live a life that’s pleasing to our Heavenly Father? The scriptures say: <span style="font-style:italic;">1 John 2:15 - “be in the world, but not of the world...” Romans 12 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span><br /><br />I recently had a discussion with a friend about our lifestyle being a reflection of our relationship with the Lord. We weren’t in complete agreement, but we did agree that at the end of the day, it’s between you and God. Another friend of mine has this analogy of “being set apart.” She says, “if I can’t tell you apart from the drunk man sitting at the bar, then how has Jesus changed your life?” I think you get the point. I know that none of us are perfect. That's why God sent Jesus. I personally, don’t think we will ever be perfect like Jesus, as long as we are living in this world and in the flesh. But, we should want to try our best, right? <br /><br />Reading this passage truly convicted me and made me stop and search within myself, and ask myself, how much do I desire to know God, and do I love Him so much, that I want to live a life pleasing to Him?” I hope that when God looks down on me He sees a woman after his own heart. How awesome it would be for God to say those words, “Now that’s a woman after my own heart!”<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. </span>brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-86863471121144249362011-02-06T20:55:00.000-08:002011-02-06T21:17:16.335-08:00Frozen Feet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57manfkFsaEsHUVkYYWQRrSDQ7RBRlV50saPRL6YTeaMAGrw_fDOctEGccDSocyTurvJsxa5EUQSk_heEXNQzXgnqtWWdac468-dUA88a3omHSIGRfvnMzMwm6b8Ctt9RhiqhkiRt_zwS/s1600/P1220355.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57manfkFsaEsHUVkYYWQRrSDQ7RBRlV50saPRL6YTeaMAGrw_fDOctEGccDSocyTurvJsxa5EUQSk_heEXNQzXgnqtWWdac468-dUA88a3omHSIGRfvnMzMwm6b8Ctt9RhiqhkiRt_zwS/s200/P1220355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570812138572302770" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 42:5 - Why are you cast down, Oh my soul and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. </span><br /><br />It’s the beginning of a new year, and I wanted to write something brilliant and profound about entering 2011, but I just wasn’t feeling anything from within. Suddenly, I was receiving various materials on fasting, so I decided to start my year off fasting and praying. The first day of my fast, I read the scripture above in my devotional time. I, actually read the entire chapter and then I read it again out loud. It was so amazing. I felt the words piercing my heart and soul, and I just wept. It was as if the words that David wrote, were my own cry out to the Lord. See, I have been in that same place. My soul has been down cast and hurting. I haven’t felt inspired to write about anything, especially about faith. You’ll notice my last blog entry was posted on May 10, 2010.<br /><br />Funny isn’t it, my blog title is Feet of Faith, but lately my feet have been stuck in one place or rather frozen. There’s the saying “cold feet” but mine are more like ice-cubes. Honestly, these past few months have caused me much grief, heartache and disappointment, which in turn has made me question and doubt many things concerning my faith. I know the scripture says we only need faith the size of a mustered seed to move mountains. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Matt. 17:20 Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”)</span> If that is the case, then it would seem most of us probably don’t even have a pinch of a mustered seed. I don’t think most of us can honestly say we are moving mountains, and if you are, please share your secret! I always thought of myself as someone having a good amount of faith, but not so much lately. When I see loved one’s prayers not being answered, change not happening, actually some things getting worse and see them still hurting and suffering, it’s hard not to wonder what faith is all about and where is God in all of it? I know that God’s timing is not our timing, that we may not see change on the outside but God is working on the inside. I know all the clichéd answers, and yes those are all true, but I don’t think that is always the case. God is the creator of all things. He defeated Satan at the cross. God can choose to intervene at anytime, but why so often does it seem that the enemy has the upper hand? If I’m a child of God, I can ask anything in his name, according to his will, and it shall be done. The righteous shall not be forsaken or go begging for bread. If I ask for bread, He will not give me a stone. I can go on with these scriptures and I know them all to be true, but I know some whose lives completely contradict all of this, and they are no worse than you and I. In fact, I know them to have hearts more like Christ, than most. So then why are they not favored and being blessed?<br /><br />What I’ve been seeing and experiencing first hand, has truly discouraged and confused me. Please let me first be clear, and don’t get me wrong, no matter what happens or doesn’t happen in this life, I will always put my hope and trust in the Lord. I certainly, would not put it in mankind. People will always let you down. Look back at history and look around at the world today, mankind has and will continue to destroy itself. The scripture says that the love of man will grow cold. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Matt. 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold – Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?)</span> I see it more and more everyday, and unfortunately, I see it a lot in the church (people), but that’s a topic for another blog. I will always love Jesus. Nothing will separate me from his love. There is a certain peace that only comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. That will never change for me. Words cannot describe it, but one must experience it to know what I mean. At the end of the day, that is really all that matters, knowing Him and how much He loves us. The extremely high price Jesus paid for my iniquities, for a wretch like me. <br /><br />I know that “faith” is hope in things unseen <span style="font-style:italic;">(Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.)</span> and faith without works is dead. Meaning, that we need to continue to pray, step out and do our part in the physical sense, and then let God do the rest. But, what exactly does that mean? I’ve always believed it to mean that God does his supernatural work. He opens the right doors, brings the right people into your life, that thing that you are believing for just happens with ease because His hand is guiding it along. When that thing you are hoping for is in His will, God will bless it. You have his favor. I’ve personally experienced that in my life. I can only speak of what the Lord has done in my life and those supernatural things that only He could have done. But, when I look at the lives of certain people in my life, they seem to defy all of that. Unfortunately, we can’t have faith for someone else. I often wish that my faith could help another, or even just add a little extra faith on top of theirs, but it doesn’t work that way. Faith is an individual practice. God gives each of us the same measure of faith, but it’s up to us individually, to exercise it and put it into action. I don’t think we can really ask God for more faith, but we can ask Him to help us and forgive us in our unbelief. <br /><br />There is only one person I know who loves the Lord with all of their heart and soul, more than anyone I’ve ever met. Who can’t wait to sit at the feet of Jesus. Who is so faithful and desires the Lord more than anything else in this world and has been so self sacrificing and such a light and inspiration to so many others, but in the physical sense, I don’t always see favor, blessings, prayers being answered, or living that abundant life that run-eth over. It is truly discouraging to me and I can’t help but to question what God is doing? Yes, I know, who do I think I am to question God the creator of all things, right? It always brings me back to Job. I love when God speaks back to Job and puts him in his place. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Job 38 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand…)</span> If you ever start to think too highly of yourself, just read all of Job 38, it will set you straight! We will never know all things, and that’s why God is God and we are not! But, it’s because I know how awesome and mighty God is, and know that He can do all things, that cause me to ask why not this one thing? <span style="font-style:italic;">(Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.)</span><br /><br />I know it is not good to compare our lives to others, but in this world you can’t help but notice some people are more blessed than others? They seem to have been anointed with some magical pixy dust, or as my one friend describes, they have been sprinkled with rainbows. Everything just falls into place for them, such favor. They live this charmed life. And it’s not because they live a more godly life than others. Trust me, I know many who have abundance in the material world, and yet I don’t see much of Christ in them when it comes to having compassion for others. Yet, somehow they are well taken care of in this worldly life. I think of the scripture that says, where your treasures are there your heart lies. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Matt 6:21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.)</span> Maybe since they are placing so much desire and importance in the material things of this world, that’s where their heart truly lies, and their rewards are here on earth. Maybe, they won’t have great rewards in heaven because they wanted it all here on earth. I don’t really know that to be true, but that’s just one of my own speculations. I do believe we have the whole blessings and favor thing wrong. I don’t think it has anything to do with materialism, but all to do with spiritual things (another topic for another blog). But, I do know what the scripture says about true religion and what truly matters: <span style="font-style:italic;">(James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – Also Isaiah 58: 6&7) </span> This is storing up your treasures in heaven. <br /><br />A few Sunday’s ago , I heard a great message that spoke to my heart. The pastor, started off talking about what a horrible and tragic 2010 he had and that if some of us are still in that boat we need to keep trusting the Lord. I immediately felt negative and started doubting and questioning again. But, the Holy Spirit truly convicted me, when the pastor spoke of when Moses questioned God about using him to lead the Israelites out of captivity, and didn’t think he was the man capable of handling the task. Actually, Moses wasn’t able, but this story is not about what Moses did, but it’s the story of what God did through Moses. God told Moses to lay his staff on the ground, and when he did, God turned it into a snake, to show Moses His power. The pastor went on to say that like the staff of Moses, God wants us to set before him, all that we are, all that we have and follow Him and let him lead us. It’s not about who we are, what we do, what we have or don’t have, but it’s about a personal relationship with Him and trusting Him. I have been so focused on the things my eyes can see, on the material things, the worldly things manifesting in the lives of my loved ones, and that’s not what it’s about. That’s not what faith is about. It’s about God wanting to be first in our lives. He created us for relationship with him. When we get back to that, to loving the Lord above all else, drawing closer to Him, then our faith will remain great! I took my eyes off Him. I don’t know if that makes sense to those reading this, but for me, I have faith because of who Jesus is to me, because I know Him, his character, and how he’s changed my life on the inside, it’s what he did for me at Calvary, it’s not about the things in my life. Things don’t give me strength or hope, Jesus does. <br /><br />I really wasn’t sure if I was going to post this blog because I was concerned that it may cause others to doubt, and I don’t want to cause anyone confusion. But, as I was looking up some of the scriptures, God brought to mind the disciples. These were men who walked, talked, ate and slept with Jesus. They were taught by the Great Master, himself! They saw Jesus do miracle after miracle, and yet they still doubted. “Oh ye of little faith.” I love when Jesus asked the disciples, after many followers left because they didn’t believe, Jesus asked them, “will you go too?” and the disciples replied, “Where else are we to go?” <span style="font-style:italic;"> (John 6:67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”)</span> That is where I’m at right now, having some doubts, but at the end of the day…. where else shall I go? Who else am I going to believe and put my faith in, but Jesus. I know He will never leave me nor forsake me and His plan is so much greater than mine. <br /><br />One thing I know and can attest to, is that if you have been discouraged and if you are in that same place, doubting, questioning your faith, frozen feet, do as the psalmist David did, and speak those words out loud, even sing them if you can, speak to your soul and tell it to <span style="font-style:italic;">“Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me! Why are you cast down, oh my soul? Hope in God. As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for thee!!”</span> It will lift your soul! God hears your cries and sees your tears and he will care for you, comfort you and give you strength to endure whatever you are going through, even if it’s watching your loved ones struggle. Don’t lose focus. Just keep your eyes on Him and your faith will be restored…as mine has!brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-45912429387997562242010-05-10T18:45:00.000-07:002010-05-10T19:09:01.503-07:00A HEART OF LOVE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4EBQR0A3N1Tu65wRo91eEC0fONJGkjxO650e2y5iP2obYV1IGjfRx8kRO-hgP9cfqBmQvJ0grBFHGQ2e7Yl-3E-J3gREODcZMMos8pVi17xESQcbb4Ak1YUryUP1O9fRGjBPMwzwVqsX/s1600/Scan+2.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4EBQR0A3N1Tu65wRo91eEC0fONJGkjxO650e2y5iP2obYV1IGjfRx8kRO-hgP9cfqBmQvJ0grBFHGQ2e7Yl-3E-J3gREODcZMMos8pVi17xESQcbb4Ak1YUryUP1O9fRGjBPMwzwVqsX/s200/Scan+2.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469828442541934066" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him? - Mother Teresa<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br />I have this little book sitting on my coffee table titled: <span style="font-style:italic;">In The Heart of The World by Mother Teresa</span>. It wasn’t until just recently I read the entire thing. Actually, my dad read it first and was so touched that he inspired me to read it too. I was so moved by her heart of compassion and her simplicity, which is basically, if there is a need, meet it, even if it’s just a simple smile. She truly was a walking Jesus on this earth. <br />The quote above really blew-my-mind. So powerful! So profound! In the book, the quote was preceded with a story about a girl who shared with Mother Teresa her experience aiding the dying destitute in Calcutta. I won’t do it justice if I put it in my own words, so here it is from the book. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The girl from the university, who had seen and understood so many things, came to my room with such a beautiful smile on her face. She said, “For three hours I’ve been touching the body of Christ!” And I said, “What did you do? What happened?” She said, “They brought a man from the street who had fallen into a drain and had been there for some time. He was covered with maggots and dirt and wounds. And though I found it very difficult, I cleaned him, and I knew I was touching the body of Christ!” She knew!<br />(In The Heart of The World – Mother Teresa pg.56)</span><br /><br />Wow, this really brought to life the scripture where Jesus says, “when I was hungry you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, when I was sick you looked after me…when you did this to the least of man, you did it as unto me.” (Matthew 25: 34-40)<br />Jesus was all about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick and showing God’s love. Mother Teresa truly knew God’s heart. She spent her entire life dedicated to serving, caring and loving the needy, and sharing the love of Jesus. <br /><br />I remember the day she died, September 5, 1997. It was just five days after Princess Diana of Britain died. All the media was still so focused on Princess Diana’s death that they gave more attention and praises to her and very little coverage on Mother Teresa. Princess Diana learned to do good deeds during the last few years of her life. Most of the rest was all about the scandal brought to the Royal family, whether true or false. Somewhere along the way Diana discovered the things that truly matter in life, but what a shame that the woman who had dedicated her entire life doing good to others was not as greatly honored. Princess Diana may have received her crown here on earth, but I’m certain Mother Teresa received her crown of jewels in heaven. I’m sure she heard those words, the only applause that matters, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Matthew 6:19-21"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<br /></span><br />When I read the quote a second time, it opened my eyes to see it in a different light. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Hungry for love, He looks at you. Thirsty for kindness, He begs of you. Naked for loyalty, He hopes in you. Homeless for shelter in your heart, He asks of you. Will you be that one to Him? <span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> <br />We are all a dying destitute when we don’t have an intimate relationship with Jesus. He wants us to love Him. He wants us to thirst after Him. He wants us to trust in Him. He wants us to let Him dwell in our hearts. He wants us to call Him friend. <br /><br />Jesus came for the lost and the dying. If that is you….Jesus loves you and wants to be your Savior! <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." <br />- Mother Teresa</span>brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-69850421661520748022010-04-08T10:00:00.000-07:002010-04-08T10:00:02.513-07:00WHAT IS YOUR NEED?I heard an incredible message the other day! It was like a new revelation. The title of the message was, “There’s always someone watching you” …pretty intimidating thought. But, here is what stood out the most to me, and I’ve never quite heard it put this way. <br />God sees us and He sees our needs and He always meets our needs, but do we see Him?? Do we see Him as our need? Yes, He’s our provider, that’s a given, but it’s not talking about seeing God as our provider who makes sure we have food to eat, clothes on our back and a roof over our head, but do we see, God Himself as the need, as the provision? Meaning that He is all we need. Do we desire the Lord above all other things? Once, He becomes our need, then nothing else will really matter, all the other things will be taken care of. <span style="font-style:italic;">(Matthew 7:11 how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ) </span><br />When we read the scriptures that talk about “I shall supply your every need…” we always just assume it’s talking about this physical world, the materialistic things of this world and we completely miss that the key word here is “I” God said in the beginning “I am that I am.” God, Himself is what He will supply us with. More of Him. That’s what we need above all!! <br /><br />I know people, who are so unhappy with their lives. They think that finding a new job, moving to a new city, having more money, a bigger house, more friends, is what’s going to make them happy. And yet, all along they have the answer, but they don’t really want that. They don’t really desire a personal and more intimate relationship with the Lord. We want God to give us the things we want; new jobs, new friends, new place to live, more money, etc., but we don’t want to give God the time of day. We don’t want to spend time praying and reading His word, so we can actually hear from Him, but we just want Him to give, give, give, and yet He gave us the greatest gift of all, didn’t he? … Salvation through His son Jesus Christ. John 3:16<br /><br />I love the Psalms because David the author, truly understood this. He knew that the Lord was all he needed. This is why he was a man after God’s own heart. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 23 - “The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not be in want.”<br />Psalm 27 - “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”<br />Psalm 37 - “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of you heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” <br /></span><br />What is your need today?brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-19486654371232776952010-03-31T15:38:00.000-07:002010-03-31T16:12:16.898-07:00COMPLETE JOY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo_VizgEVxwWikw2mCT2EaHrWz-IjdZRVzN56RopWTygPonEaS9LMvv_AoHjaTO0inQBy4pBUJ0gdMVZY8stVpg3TqhyNTKxi03vgeqjCzuG5Eh55kavMfKjOLCPeCKEo8Faxe8Mw0usf/s1600/derek+bubba+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo_VizgEVxwWikw2mCT2EaHrWz-IjdZRVzN56RopWTygPonEaS9LMvv_AoHjaTO0inQBy4pBUJ0gdMVZY8stVpg3TqhyNTKxi03vgeqjCzuG5Eh55kavMfKjOLCPeCKEo8Faxe8Mw0usf/s200/derek+bubba+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454561104232100850" /></a><br />Today’s blog is simply about the feeling of complete and utter joy! There is no greater experience of joy than that of a prayer being answered. Especially, when it’s a prayer for someone else whom you love dearly. I think I now know the joy that the prodigal son’s father felt when his son found his way back home. No wonder he wanted to throw a party and dress his son in the finest robe. What an occasion to celebrate! <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Luke 15:21-24 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.</span><br />A similar version of this story happened to my younger brother Derek. He was lost and now he’s found. Praise God! I asked my brother’s permission to share a little bit of his testimony in my blog. I’ve been so overjoyed that I can’t contain myself. I shared his story with my close circle of friends, who know Derek, and have often kept him in their prayers. His testimony has already been such an encouragement and blessing to many others. That’s just the way God works, isn’t it? <span style="font-style:italic;">Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.</span><br /><br />I have two brother’s, an older and younger.<br />We all grew up going to church. Derek use to play guitar on the worship team, and wrote such beautiful songs to the Lord. After high school, Derek got off the path of God’s will for his life, when his dream of being a professional baseball player was shattered. He was truly a gifted player, but it just wasn’t his time yet. He decided to live life his way and walked away from God. His life since then has never gone quite right. It was one struggle after another. At times there would be a slight glimmer of hope, but there was always some obstacle getting in the way, or another challenge to face. One thing that I know from my own experience, is when you are outside the will of God, you will never have the strength to overcome those battles on your own. Life is tough without the Lord, but when you’ve known the Lord and then walked away, it’s even tougher!<br /><br />God gave us choice, so He will always allow us to make our own choices, even if we choose to do things the hard way and go through those struggles without Him, but He has never left our side. We are the ones who choose to leave Him. <span style="font-style:italic;">Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.</span> The good news is that He will never let us crash and burn. Yes, sometimes we have to get to our lowest point in life, and that might look pretty ugly for some. We have to be so broken down before we will look up. Jesus is our Shepard and he will never let one of His sheep go. He may have to break our legs and carry us over His shoulders, but that just shows how much He loves us. In Derek’s life, that is basically what happened to him. Literally, he was so physically broken down, and it was in that place where he finally heard God’s voice. He had that personal encounter with God that changed his life forever. All those walls he had built-up came tumbling down. God set him free and buried his past! Derek surrendered all of himself, humbled himself before God and was able to recognized how much God truly loves him. When you’ve experienced that and really know how much God loves you, and the price He paid for me a sinner, there is no turning back. I can attest to that! Derek said he will never forget February 19, 2010 the day he rededicated his life to Jesus, and the word that God gave him. <span style="font-style:italic;">Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span><br /><br />When my brother shared what happened, my mother and I could see the change in him. When he spoke about his experience, he couldn’t hold back the tears. I knew God really touched him and transformed his life. Now, I look at my brother and see a new man with a heart filled with joy and the peace that passes all understanding. I posted the photo above of Derek because it captures the joy that only comes from knowing Jesus as your personal Lord and savior and friend. I’m so happy to see my little brother smiling again. As I’m writing this, my heart is just bubbling inside and of course tears running down my cheeks. If you only knew the journey it’s been. You can only imagine the joy my mother felt. A mom, who’s been praying for the past 16 years for her son, has now seen it become a reality. I will never know the pain a parent must go through watching their children suffer. I’m just the sister and I know how much it broke my heart to see my brother struggle. I just want to encourage those who are still praying for a loved one, to not give up hope. It’s never too late. God hears your prayers and even when it may seem like nothing is changing in that person’s life, most likely getting worse, just know that God is working on the inside. He is in control and knows exactly how much they can endure. God will never give us more than we can handle. I love that scripture that says, <span style="font-style:italic;">speak that which is not, as though it is. </span> God has heard your prayers, now start thanking Him and proclaiming, “it is done!” _and get your party hats ready to celebrate! <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.</span>brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-65973798031856626232010-02-01T10:00:00.000-08:002010-06-16T09:56:58.849-07:00WARNING SIGNS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiSX8Mu9DOwJWdwCJa6Y4o_FBawLRQnGPHxIz12aw_wa-b1OucC2CK2KfPgt1w47troz1VBYRCVQp215JZSamIqXZ-QSg-KvsTYw046HMx8CXbv7KHGijBb6PkZIgBcQsY1sHiD8fWoW6/s1600-h/Miami+A-128.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiSX8Mu9DOwJWdwCJa6Y4o_FBawLRQnGPHxIz12aw_wa-b1OucC2CK2KfPgt1w47troz1VBYRCVQp215JZSamIqXZ-QSg-KvsTYw046HMx8CXbv7KHGijBb6PkZIgBcQsY1sHiD8fWoW6/s200/Miami+A-128.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430457695188780002" /></a><br />I came across a scripture that God revealed to me a few years back. It was during the time I had just met someone and we were in the very beginning stages of dating. The scripture was 2 Timothy 3:1-9 <span style="font-style:italic;">There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women… always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.</span><br /> <br /> Doesn’t really get any clearer than that! This was God’s warning to me about this particular man, but I didn’t take heed. When I read it again I just fell to my knees and wept. I felt so sorry and ashamed for not listening to my Father in heaven. I was so foolish. I know God has already forgiven me of my disobedience, but sometimes I think I haven’t forgiven myself. I sometimes have a tendency to beat myself up. I just don’t ever want to ignore God’s voice and not yield to His warning signs, ever again! And the thought of how much God loves me is so overwhelming at times. He is always there to protect us, guide us, always looking out for our best interest, and yet why do we time and time again, ignore His voice? We desire more the desires of our flesh, rather than God’s desire for us. <br /><br />When you read the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, God was always giving His people (The Israelites) warning signs. He was doing miracles and wonders right before their very eyes, providing food and shelter everyday, and they still doubted, they still complained and disobeyed Him. It took the Israelites forty years before they entered the promise land, and yet they were just a few miles away the entire time. I guess it’s our human nature, but unfortunately we suffer the consequences of our rebellion. It happened in the garden of Eden when God said to man, “Do NOT partake of this tree or you shall surely die.” That was the warning “you shall surely die” and we still chose death instead of life. We are in this life because we chose separation from our Creator who gave us everything. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Genesis 2:15-17 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."</span><br /><br />Now, we are living in this fleshly body with blood running through our veins (Genesis 3:21&22) which makes it even harder to make the right choices in life. We are continually battling between the desires of our flesh and the Spirit of God living inside of us. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.</span><br />Even Paul, one of Jesus disciples struggled with this. He writes in Romans 7 - <span style="font-style:italic;">I do not understand my own actions. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.</span> He continues to say, when I want to do good, evil lies close at hand. My inner being delights in God's law, but I see another waging war against my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. <br /> <br />It isn’t that God doesn’t want us to have things, but He knows that there are certain things we are not ready for. It’s for our own protection. If I had listened to God’s word, I could have saved myself two years of a relationship that only led to heartache and pain, and off the path of God’s will for my life. Time and time again, God showed me plenty of signs or “red flags” but I wanted things my way, rather then trusting that God knows what’s best for me and what’s not. I know some will say, “oh it’s okay, your heart was in the right place, you were hopeful and just wanted it to work.” Yes, that’s true, but I still suffered the consequences of my actions. The bottom line is that I ignored God’s voice. There is no other excuse. The good thing is that through it all, I’ve learned that God’s better, is SO much better than what we think is better.<br /> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span><br /><br />When I am reminded of these things from the past, it’s not to make me feel guilty, because there is no condemnation in Christ. I believe that it’s just God reminding me how much He loves me and that His grace and mercy endure forever. There is nothing that I can do that will cause him to love me any less or any more than he already does. A dear friend of mine bought me a book titled <span style="font-style:italic;">A Perfect Mess.</span> The timing couldn’t have been more appropriate. It doesn’t matter how many times I mess things up, God is always right there to build me up. That’s what His forgiveness is all about. That’s what Jesus is all about. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 40: 1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.</span><br /><br />God literally rescued me from a relationship that was leading me down a path of destruction. Sometimes we may not have the strength of our own will to get out of that hole. As soon as we recognize it, all we have to do is cry out to Jesus for help. He will instantly yank you out of the pit! It may be painful. You may feel like your heart is broken into pieces, but He always gives us a way out. In my case, it had to hurt for me to wake up! But, I am so thankful God rescued me, no matter what it took. He has picked up my broken pieces and has healed my heart and soul. I am so thankful that our God is in the restoration business. If you are in a pit, just call out His name. I guarantee He will rescue you, too. He did it for King David, He did it for me, and He will do it for you, because He loves you so much. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 23<br />The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.<br />He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside <br />quiet waters, he restores my soul. <br />He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.<br />Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,<br />I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, <br />they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. <br />You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<br />Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, <br />and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.</span><br /><br />What is God warning you of, and are you listening?brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-54234018774722205172010-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:002010-06-16T10:00:02.495-07:00TIME WELL SPENT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XSOGr4kOzCPkb2HhBRGsOlye1aXkpfJfp1xvMIhYB2qQNSgdT9ZRZZ7XR3ly11hfxdh9_BFky4lVwawy8V7_39hIZoH4JBrNTRNPm2iBQajYA1O9aGZz1xSorkzwa6TOC-Y1yK9jU2ba/s1600-h/P1230005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XSOGr4kOzCPkb2HhBRGsOlye1aXkpfJfp1xvMIhYB2qQNSgdT9ZRZZ7XR3ly11hfxdh9_BFky4lVwawy8V7_39hIZoH4JBrNTRNPm2iBQajYA1O9aGZz1xSorkzwa6TOC-Y1yK9jU2ba/s200/P1230005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430064913883839890" /></a><br />I’m starting to get this feeling of anxiety. I know I’m going to get busy working again and won’t have as much free time, so I’m trying to hurry and get things done that I started at the beginning of the summer. The time has flown by. Where has it gone? It’s a new year already!! I just don’t want to be back at work and be kicking myself thinking, “Why didn’t I do this, or get that done?” Don’t you hate when that happens? We’re given all this free time and yet somehow we waste so much of it. Yes, there is a time to rest, but we need to be diligent and wise with our time too, especially when you know you have things to do that could determine your future. When I get anxious I try to remember the scripture that says: <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Philippians 4:6&7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<br /></span><br />The past couple of mornings I slept in and just stayed in bed a little longer then usual. Of course the rain was the instigator. I love how my 93 year-old Grandmother from Scotland puts it, “I had a long lie.” I confess I had a few long lies. On the flip side of that, it makes me think of that famous quote, “<span style="font-style:italic;">I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”</span> But, sometimes it just feels great to sleep in. I don’t know about you, but I love to sleep! There is nothing better than a good nights sleep, or an afternoon nap. “Forty winks” as grandmother would say. I think of those who suffer sleep depravation. I can’t ever imagine what that would be like. What a horrible thing to suffer. I have never experienced it to that degree, but I have had nights when I couldn’t sleep due to worry or too much on my mind. It’s a terrible thing. I always feel like a wreck the next day. <br /><br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."</span><br /><br />It’s a new year, and already January is near its end. Is it just me, or does it seem that time is going even faster? Is that what happens as we get older? Usually, every New Year, I like to sit and reflect on the past year, look back at my journal and check off the goals that I actually accomplished for the year, and then I make a new list for the New Year set before me. However, this year I decided to make a change and do things differently. My friend has a great quote. I don’t know if it’s actually hers or she’s quoting someone else, but it goes like this; “If you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.” I love that! Sometimes we get into our routines and nothing changes. So, it’s time to make a change! <br /><br />I believe last year was a challenging year for many. I can attest to that. Actually, the beginning of the year was going great, but at midpoint, the challenge began. This was the first in all my years of freelance to be out of work for so long. But, it never ceases to amaze me how God uses what we think is a bad thing and turns it into something great. <br /><br />If I didn’t have the time off, I would not have been available to be an Auntie to my beautiful niece whose adult life is just beginning, and help her get registered in college. I would not have been available to help my dearest and best friend move into her new home, which some of you know can be very stressful, and also the opportunity to spend more time getting to know her wonderful family, who I can now call my second family. I wouldn’t have been able to spend those mornings working out with another friend of mine who was also out of work, going to breakfast together and keeping each other encouraged. If I didn’t have the time off, I would not have been available to just love and comfort another dear friend of mine who is battling Aids. I wouldn’t have been available to spend time with my father who’s now retired and trying to get use to so much free time. And the extra special time spent with my mother, having our tea and a biscuit while talking for hours about the Lord. I’d say God has filled my time pretty well! There isn’t a job or amount of money that is worth more to me than these precious moments. I’m truly blessed with so much more and I am so thankful to be available. <br /><br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<br /></span>brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-90552092953729505632010-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:002010-01-19T17:23:00.290-08:00Bitter or Grateful?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3GSS0UvjXvzP4H8RLnLJlzsXs76ik0sSxWmrgVh34yopcSWvC5hK6ivIui2IhT_k__I_2018MHIdfXyjw3WATpA91JkC7l9qfdIKoW2gKmsa7yD_X-yDB4-0e-BKqylKcRjwdM_UYbch/s1600-h/me+on+swing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3GSS0UvjXvzP4H8RLnLJlzsXs76ik0sSxWmrgVh34yopcSWvC5hK6ivIui2IhT_k__I_2018MHIdfXyjw3WATpA91JkC7l9qfdIKoW2gKmsa7yD_X-yDB4-0e-BKqylKcRjwdM_UYbch/s200/me+on+swing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428596275128922386" /></a><br /><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///Users/serafina/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>401</o:Words> <o:characters>2288</o:Characters> <o:company>Oasis Christian Center</o:Company> <o:lines>19</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>2809</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>10.260</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times;} h1 {mso-style-next:Normal; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; page-break-after:avoid; mso-outline-level:1; tab-stops:220.5pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times; mso-font-kerning:0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I decided to read the story of Ruth and Naomi in the Bible (<i>Book of Ruth</i><font style="font-style: normal;">).<font style=""> </font>I’ve read this story before and have heard it many times.<font style=""> </font>Usually, the emphasis is on Ruth and her great display of a servant’s heart.<font style=""> </font>It seems I’ve always focused on the part where Naomi instructs Ruth on how to win the heart of Boaz, by laying at his feet, and how Boaz represents Christ.<font style=""> </font>He was their kinsman redeemer.<font style=""> </font>Today, Christ is our redeemer…The one and only Redeemer of the world.<font style=""> </font>This time, as I read the book of Ruth, I asked God to reveal to me what he wants me to get out of this story, something new about Ruth and Naomi that I may have missed before.<font style=""> </font>This is my new perspective: <o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here we have two women, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, who both went through the same suffering.<font style=""> </font>One, older and wiser, the other younger and perhaps more resilient.<font style=""> </font>They both lost their husbands and family because they had deserted their homeland during a famine, but the one thing I noticed is that they differed in their attitude.<font style=""> </font>This story is about the hearts of two women.<font style=""> </font>In their difficult time, Naomi became very bitter and blamed God for all the misfortune in her life. She believed God was punishing her.<font style=""> </font>In fact she even changed her name to “Mara” which means “bitterness.”<font style=""> </font>Ruth, on the other hand, had an attitude of gratitude. She was still grateful to be alive.<font style=""> </font>She was willing to put the past behind her and do whatever was necessary to start a new life, to build a new future for her and Naomi.<font style=""> </font>And because of her servant’s heart, she chose to stay with Naomi and take care of her.<font style=""> </font>Ruth worked the fields in order to provide for both of them.<font style=""> </font>Because of Ruth’s attitude and faithfulness, their lives were turned around.<font style=""> </font>She found favor in a man of good standing.<font style=""> </font>God blessed her with a husband (Boaz) and they gave birth to a son.<font style=""> </font>Ruth gave her son to Naomi so she would not be left without a kinsman, so the family name could live on. Through this family lineage, came David who became the King of Israel and a man after God’s own heart.<font style=""> </font><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Which of these women do you identify with?<font style=""> </font>Hopefully, we all choose to have the attitude of Ruth.<font style=""> </font>But, I think many of us are like Naomi.<font style=""> </font>We are bitter that our lives are not what we would like, or we have hurts and pains from our past that we are not letting go of, and we’re blaming God, or think that He is punishing us.<font style=""> </font>So, we choose to sit in our bitterness and misery like Naomi, instead of being grateful and thankful for what we do have, as Ruth did.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy 30:19&20 – <i>Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to Him…</i><font style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The key word here is “choice.”<font style=""> </font>How are you choosing to live your life in 2010?<font style=""> </font><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-29250332168030134322009-10-25T18:28:00.000-07:002009-10-25T18:31:24.724-07:00COMPASSION<span style="font-style:italic;">Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it…</span><br /><br />Whenever I read about Jesus, the one thing that stands out the most, for me, is his heart of compassion. When you read in the New Testament of the accounts when Jesus healed people, it always says, he had compassion.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Matthew 4:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.<br />Matthew 20:34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.<br /></span><br /> Isn’t that one of the motives behind the act of love… compassion. The two go hand in hand. You can’t have love without compassion and you can’t have compassion without love.<br /><br />There are times when I get this overwhelming heaviness in my heart. This sense that comes from the depths of my soul and I begin to weep. Not just weep, but it’s this uncontrollable cry from my belly. At the time, I might be thinking of someone who I care for deeply, who may be going through some struggle in their life, or I may hear of the injustice of children around the world who are suffering, or see a movie that touches on this. It’s as though my heart has been given the compassion of Jesus when he stood on that hill and wept for a lost world. Maybe it’s the Holy Spirit grieving inside of me, or groaning, as the scripture describes. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Romans 8:26&27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.<br /></span><br />I don’t know why this feeling comes upon me at times. It’s not something that I have control over, it just happens on various occasions. I do believe it’s as though God is giving me a glimpse of seeing the world through the eyes of Jesus, and that He is just reminding me of His enormous love for the world and keeping my heart right. I pray I never lose a heart of compassion for others. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. <br /></span><br />I am always amazed when I hear a follower of Christ say that they don’t want the Lord to come again, just yet, because they have too much work still to finish. I think, “Wow, what a selfish thing to say!” How can anyone want the world to keep suffering, because you think you still have some great work to do? Do you actually think God is waiting for you to save the world? Can you stop all the suffering in this world? No, you cannot! When I see or hear of the world’s suffering, I pray, “Lord come quickly!” <br /> <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Matthew 6:1-4 Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.</span><br /><br />How do you see the World?<br /><br />brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-57389746355816938902009-10-16T15:52:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:53:17.941-07:00Life of FreelanceMost of my friends tease me because they say, “When Rhoshan isn’t working, she’s traveling!” I guess that is my motto. I’ve learned to not sit around and live in fear thinking, “But what if someone calls me for work while I am away? What if I miss out on the next big project?” What kind of way is that to live your life? I believe God gives me rest and time for myself to enjoy and appreciate the greater things in life.<br /><br />During the summer most of the Entertainment Industry goes on hiatus. This is a common practice in our business. This year I have had an extended summer vacation. I’ve learned through experience to prepare myself for these times, when business is slow. However, this year many have been affected by the recession due to the economic state of our country, or the world for that matter. Many of my friends and colleagues don’t understand why and how I prefer to work as an independent contractor, rather then having a full-time staff position with a company that provides all the benefits. I had that once. I was working for one of the major Networks and after four years I left to enter the world of freelance…. and to this day I have no regrets. It was the best thing I ever did in my professional life and personal life. Stepping into the world of freelance truly opened my eyes to the more significant things of life, like spending more time with my family and friends, reading that 600 page novel that’s been collecting dust on the shelf, going to Africa to build a home for abandoned children, or simply just sitting at a café sipping my latte while journaling. It truly changed my perspective and my priorities. Some people live to work, but I work to live. Maya Angelou put it like this, "Making a living is not the same thing as making a life." There are very few who can actually say they love their job and are doing what they always dreamed of doing professionally. But, like anything, it too becomes a routine and loses its appeal, or it seems once we’ve accomplished one thing, it no longer satisfies and we set our sights for the next thing that we think will satisfy our desires. I believe until our desires are in alignment with God’s will for our life, we will never be satisfied. Psalm 37:4 <span style="font-style:italic;">Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. </span> <br /><br />The greatest thing for me that has come out of living the life of an independent contractor is that it has taught me to live by faith. I am pretty much forced to live by faith on a daily basis. I am completely trusting God where my finances are concerned, even more so in this time of uncertainty. Matthew 6:25 <span style="font-style:italic;">do not worry about your life what you will wear or about your body what you will eat….</span> The scripture continues to say that worrying doesn’t add another hour or day to your life. I know that God is my provider, not the world. God has given me talents and yes, it is up to me to develop them and do my part, but then He does the rest. Deuteronomy 8:17&18 <span style="font-style:italic;">You may say my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me, but remember the Lord your God for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth… </span><br />It seems just when there is an opportunity for me to go back to being on staff, something unforeseen happens and the position has been dissolved. I believe it is not by coincidence. It’s just not meant for me to go back to that life. God wants me totally and completely dependant on Him. I think it’s easy to get into our comfort zone and become complacent in our jobs and life in general. I’m not saying this is for everyone. Obviously, if you have a family and kids to support, then most definitely, it’s crucial to have security in that area of your life. I am a single woman, living in Los Angeles, working in the Entertainment Industry and have only myself to take care of. My life is a testimony that the Lord has provided for me above and beyond. When we are faithful to Him, He is faithful to us. Time and time again, God has made provision. At times it seems like the eleventh hour, but God’s timing is always right on time. His ways are not our ways, His thinking is so not our small way of thinking. <br /><br />For example, as soon as I took the steps of faith to start writing this blog, the Lord brought a dear friend back into my life who is now my roommate for the time being. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! I can now exhale knowing I don’t have to worry about paying those never ending bills. My friend had a need, I had a need and now we are meeting each other’s needs. I love how God orchestrates it all so beautifully! He blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. <br /><br />One Sunday afternoon, I had lunch with a couple of my girlfriends after church. We were discussing the amazing message we had just heard in church. My friend posed a question to me and asked, “If I don’t get a job in my line of work would I be willing to just take any job? “ Assuming she meant a job as a receptionist, production assistant, retail sales, waitress, etc. I replied, “Absolutely not. That is not even an option.” I think she was a bit taken back by my response, and asked if I was too proud? I replied that it has nothing to do with pride. God has already dealt with me in that area. Trust me I have had my years of taking jobs beneath my skills and doing whatever was needed to make ends meet. It was a very humbling time, but that was for that season of my life. If I had said yes to my friend, what would that say about my faith in God? If I accept that, then I am saying God is not bigger than my circumstance. I am putting God in a little box and that would not say much about how I see Him and how He values me. I so love in the book of Job when God sets Job straight of his arrogance by questioning him, “<span style="font-style:italic;">where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand…Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades, loose the cords of the Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons….Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? </span> Wow, it just takes my breath away every time I read this passage. How can we ever question God who is the creator of all things! <br /><br />The message that my friends and I had heard that Sunday was about this very thing. Do we really know who God is? Ephesians 3:20-23 <span style="font-style:italic;">We serve a God who is more then able to do above and beyond our greatest imagination</span>! Amazing how our minds think so small and we forget who He is.<br /><br />So in conclusion, I continue to live by faith, expecting God for extraordinary things for my life. I am not looking back but looking ahead at the prize that is set before me! <br /><br /><br />brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-27764888757301049142009-10-01T23:00:00.000-07:002009-10-02T01:35:40.016-07:00God is in Everything<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///Users/serafina/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>523</o:Words> <o:Characters>2985</o:Characters> <o:Company>Oasis Christian Center</o:Company> <o:Lines>24</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>3665</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.260</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been posting my favorite movie lines on Facebook.<span style=""> </span>It’s been kind of fun waiting to see who can guess which movie the line is from.<span style=""> </span>Some of my favorites are:<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">“You have bewitched me body and soul.” </span>– Pride & Prejudice, <span style="font-style: italic;">“You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.” “I am a writer, I give the truth scope!”</span> – Knights Tale, <span style="font-style: italic;">“I always love finding new places to wear diamonds.” </span>– Gentleman Prefer Blondes.<span style=""> </span>Such great lines!<span style=""> </span>One that I just recently posted is from The Count of Monte Cristo – <span style="font-style: italic;">“God is in everything…even a kiss.”</span><span style=""><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> </span>I am so moved by that line, especially, in the context of the film.<span style=""> </span>Here is a man who has given up on God, and after much suffering he is reunited with the love of his life.<span style=""> </span>She says to him that God has given us a second chance, and the Count replies with unbelief, “Can I never get away from Him?” She caresses his face and gently says, “God is in everything…even a kiss” and then she kisses him.<span style=""> </span>Now that’s romantic!<span style=""> </span>It’s so beautiful and yet such a profound statement.<span style=""> </span>God is love and a kiss is an expression of love.<span style=""> </span>I remember the first time I watched the film and heard that line.<span style=""> </span>It took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes, as it is doing now as I write this. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 139<span style=""> - </span><i>Where can I go from your Spirit?<span style=""> </span>Where can I flee from your presence?<span style=""> </span>If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">God is in everything.<span style=""> </span>This quote made me think of an experience last year when my mother and I were in Scotland for a month visiting my grandmother and family.<span style=""> </span><i><o:p></o:p></i>We had been shopping all day in downtown Glasgow.<span style=""> </span>We got on the bus to head back to my Uncle’s home.<span style=""> </span>The bus was packed with people on their way home from their day of work.<span style=""> </span>It started raining outside.<span style=""> </span>Bucketing down!<span style=""> </span>The bus windows were steaming up inside.<span style=""> </span>The passengers were all so serious and seemed to be in their own thoughts, not very cheerful looking.<span style=""> </span>I’m sure tired from a long day of work.<span style=""> </span>I think my mother and I were the only two talking to each other and laughing.<span style=""> </span>We were driving on a long stretch of road that had grassy hills on either side.<span style=""> </span>As the rain let up, my mother and I looked outside the window and we saw a huge rainbow in the sky.<span style=""> </span>It wasn’t just half of a rainbow, but we could actually see one end of the rainbow all the way to the other end.<span style=""> </span>It was breathtaking. It painted the entire sky.<span style=""> </span>I’ve never seen a rainbow that massive.<span style=""> </span>We both looked at each other as tears welled up in our eyes, and smiled.<span style=""> </span>We were both thinking the same thing.<span style=""> </span>My mother said, “and that’s God’s way of reminding us of His promise that he will never flood the earth again.”<span style=""> </span>We both at that moment felt God’s overwhelming love.<span style=""> </span>I looked around at all the miserable faces and leaned over to my mom and said, “I think we are the only ones who see it.”<span style=""> </span>We kind of chuckled, and I said, “Well, they probably see this everyday and think nothing of it.”<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""></span>I’m sure some of the folk must have thought that we were two crazy American’s getting all excited over a rainbow, and yet if they only could see what we saw, and felt what we felt. Recognizing God’s magnificent creation and His way of expressing His love to us.<span style=""> </span>It was as if God was kissing us on the cheek.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Psalm 8:3&4<span style=""> </span><i>When I consider your heavens, the work of your finger, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him…<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-87708128041530661922009-09-21T17:15:00.000-07:002009-10-11T18:06:44.057-07:00Oh Sluggard<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///Users/serafina/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>325</o:Words> <o:Characters>1853</o:Characters> <o:Company>Oasis Christian Center</o:Company> <o:Lines>15</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2275</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>10.260</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I was sitting at Peet’s Coffee house having my Vanilla latte and croissant while reading my daily devotion for the day.<span style=""> </span>I was so blown away!<span style=""> </span>God just continues to comfort me and let me know how much he loves me and that He is with me always and reminds me that He shall supply all my needs!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last year I came up with an idea for a play, and I started writing it with one of my friends, but now a year later, it’s still not finished.<span style=""> </span>I have a friend whom I love, because she keeps me accountable and says it like it is. She asked me the other day, why I haven’t finished writing my play?<span style=""> </span>Honestly, I have no excuse.<span style=""> </span>I have just been distracted with other things.<span style=""> </span>And then today, one of the scriptures in my devotional was Proverbs 12:24 – <i>the hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor. </i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style=""> </span>It’s right there in my face.<span style=""> </span>What am I waiting for??<span style=""> </span>The time is now!<span style=""> </span>I’ve had my summer off for a reason.<span style=""> </span>God has given me this time to focus on my writing projects and I know he is going to bless them, but He’s waiting for me to get on it!<span style=""> </span>Phillipians 1:6 </span><i>- being confident of this, that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. <o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other scripture I read was Proverbs 9:11 – <i>How long will you sleep O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?<span style=""> </span></i><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay, okay I get it!<span style=""> </span>If this is not God speaking to me then I don’t know what is! It doesn’t get any clearer than that!<span style=""> </span>I have some friends who don’t think God speaks to them. I just can’t conceive this. <span style=""> </span>All you have to do is open the Word of God and He is speaking!<span style=""> </span>It’s that simple.<span style=""> </span>We don’t hear Him because we don’t know His voice. <span style=""></span>The only way to get to know God’s voice is to read His Word.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Lord also comforted me today in reminding me that He is my provider.<span style=""> </span>He will supply all my needs.<span style=""> </span>Let’s face it, even when the work stops, the bills don’t stop.<span style=""> </span>It’s easy to worry and stress out, but 2 Corinthians 9:8 says – <i>and God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have never been without and the Lord is not going to stop now.<span style=""> </span>He is the same<o:p></o:p> yesterday, today and forever!<span style=""> </span>Amen!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4534941130832723639.post-19150878967760959642009-08-18T15:38:00.001-07:002009-09-28T22:55:47.432-07:00Step Out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLcMtLgRaYRdybtzFZSQ8Tnti5o8ifRZXIEBE3f1xudXLJUTbtRS1AMTv5N9gZwkTAhA2tTFOWDdciTZEVA0zPiNFthWpFGYt5rjHLZqKbwy23w9u-zAKc2M-3mtKWnQaFiOEoBncNym7/s1600-h/bowl"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLcMtLgRaYRdybtzFZSQ8Tnti5o8ifRZXIEBE3f1xudXLJUTbtRS1AMTv5N9gZwkTAhA2tTFOWDdciTZEVA0zPiNFthWpFGYt5rjHLZqKbwy23w9u-zAKc2M-3mtKWnQaFiOEoBncNym7/s320/bowl" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384434199930940898" border="0"></a><br /><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///Users/serafina/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Clipboard/msoclip1/01/clip_clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>578</o:Words> <o:characters>3295</o:Characters> <o:company>Oasis Christian Center</o:Company> <o:lines>27</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>4046</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>10.260</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:0 2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:0 5 2 1 2 1 8 4 8 7; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 16 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I was inspired to blog after watching the movie "Julie & Julia".<font style=""> </font>If you've seen the movie, then you'll know why.<font style=""> </font>If not, then you'll just have to go see the film.<font style=""> </font>Who knows, maybe I'll get as lucky as Julie did!<font style=""> </font>You won't know until you've tried!<font style=""> </font>Right?<font style=""> </font>So, here is my first step of faith, which brings me to the title of this blog, <b>Feet of Faith</b><font style="font-weight: normal;">.<font style=""> </font>Allow me to share with you how the title was conceived.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font style="font-weight: normal;"><font style=""> </font><o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font style=""> </font>This summer, I posted photos of my summer travels and events, from the perspective of my feet, on Facebook.<font style=""> </font>Each photograph showed my feet in the forefront of the picture and the location in the background.<font style=""> </font>I'm sure some may have thought I had some kind of a foot fetish, but actually, I just thought it was a creative concept to share my summer travels.<font style=""> </font>Kind of reminds me of the photographs of the gnome in the movie "Amelie".<font style=""> </font>If you haven't seen this film either, you'll have to check it out.<font style=""> </font>In conjunction with my travels and photographs from this summer, I was also visiting different churches in Los Angeles.<font style=""> </font>Sometimes we need a new and fresh perspective.<font style=""> </font>I think it's a good thing, spiritually, to see how God is working in the entire Body of Christ.<font style=""> </font>We often get narrow minded and forget that we are all parts of the One Body.<font style=""> </font>That's a topic for another blog. <font style=""> </font>During my visits, I kept hearing the message of Faith.<font style=""> </font>Why faith?<font style=""> </font>Was I not living by faith?<font style=""> </font>Or maybe not using faith at it's full capacity?<font style=""> </font>All the scriptures I've ever read and heard on <font style="font-style: italic;">faith</font> were suddenly brought to my attention again:<font style=""> </font><i>faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen; faith comes by hearing the Word of God; faith without works is dead.</i><font style="font-style: normal;"><font style=""> </font>Ah!<font style=""> </font>That's the part most of us get stuck on.<font style=""> </font>The action!<font style=""> </font>You mean I actually have to do something?<font style=""> </font>I can't just say I believe and just wait for that thing to fall in my lap?<font style=""> </font>I kept hearing, "Just do it!<font style=""> </font>What are you waiting for?<font style=""> </font>You have the ability and the talents, now go out and do it! Take that first step.”</font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><font style="font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">During my visits to various churches, there was one Sunday message that really challenged me.<font style=""> </font>The pastor broke it down so simply.<font style=""> </font>He referred to the story of the woman in the Bible who had the issue of blood (Mark 5).<font style=""> </font>For those, unfamiliar, she was a woman who was hemorrhaging for 12 years and had spent all her money on doctors and nothing worked.<font style=""> </font>She heard that Jesus the Messiah was in town and he was doing miracles and healing people with all sorts of ailments.<font style=""> </font>The scripture says, <i>Faith comes by hearing, and by hearing the word of God. </i><font style="font-style: normal;">(Romans 10:17)<font style=""> </font>She heard about Jesus, the living word, and that he was in town.<font style=""> </font>Then she said to herself, "If only I could touch his garment, I would be healed."<font style=""> </font>She professed it and believed it to be true in her heart.<font style=""> </font> Then, here it comes, the part we get stuck on!<font style=""> </font>She took action.<font style=""> </font>The scripture says, </font><i>Faith without works is dead</i><font style="font-style: normal;">. (James 2:17)<font style=""> </font>She stepped out and fought through the crowds to get near Jesus so she could touch his garment.<font style=""> </font>It wasn't easy for her.<font style=""> </font>Just think how weak she must have been, but she didn't give up.<font style=""> </font>She was determined to touch Jesus.<font style=""> </font>And when she did, what was the result?<font style=""> </font>Yes, she was healed!!<font style=""> </font>And Jesus said to her, "Your faith has healed you."<font style=""> </font>If she had not stepped out and took the action, she would never have encountered Jesus and would never have received her healing.<font style=""> </font><o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I've heard this story time and time again, but this time, it had new meaning.<font style=""> </font>I was so challenged by this.<font style=""> </font>I have been sitting around talking about wanting to write my play, write a book, write this blog. I’ve written out a great plan, but now I need to stop talking about it and just do it! My summer travels, the feet photos, and the message of faith seemed to all tie together nicely which led to my title, <b>Feet of Faith</b><font style="font-weight: normal;">.<font style=""> </font>So, here I am taking my first step of faith and believing, that which is not, as though it is!<o:p></o:p></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font style=""> </font><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We all have something that we are believing God for.<font style=""> </font>What are you believing Him for and what are you going to do about it?<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />brightlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343640077796192531noreply@blogger.com6