All for the King

Crawling. A short thought.

2008-10-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given..."

... think about that verse for a little bit.

Do you know who you are? Who you are physically? - a body mass?

Who you are expectionally? - a success? - a failure?

Who you are eternally? - a child of God? - a nothing?

How about your gifts, talents or passions? What is it that u have been given?

What are u doing on daily basis? Are u using ur most inner passions?

What gives u life!?

"...and then sink yourself into that."

Sink, is a deep and courageous word... if u visiually imagine it, it might be a risky, scary and a 'deep' step to take. Do that one thing that God has given u... completely. Do it with passion... Do it. Really.

And while u're doing it:

"Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others."

Do it. It's been given to u. It will give u life. A deeper life. Filled with passion. Filled with desires. Filled with joy. Filled with challanges. Filled with adventures. Filled with pleasures. Do it. It's urs.

DEMONSTRATION/ REVELATION.

Today I observed a baby who just in that one moment began to CRAWL! It scared me for a second, but then it touched my heart. I was so praoud of him! I wanted to rejoice! In once minuted his life was taken to a new level. This ability to crawl, which lead to the ability of walking and then running and perhaps even, winning some races, has been given to this child.

What did the child do?

Crawled! Crawled! Crawled!

He did not stop and say: "hey I can crawl!" He simply crawled.

I on the other hand was super happy! I wanted to talk about it! I wanted the world to stop! I wanted to make it known to everyone! I wanted to sing, and dance and celebrate.

The baby, without wasting the time... used the gift... and crawled. Went on with his life and continued to make dirty diapers!

MORAL.

U and I tend to take our dear time and many times, spend it on wasting the opportunity presented to us. We need to take the step and sink oursleves into the gift that God has put in front of us. If the baby stopped and said: "hey, I can crawl! Cool but also, Creepy! Should I even be doing this... what if...?" he would either go into existencial crises or be so fearful of what's ahead that would stop this new experience right then and there! How tragic!

It is the parents' responsibility to offer to kids the opportunity to learn and devolp, and the child's to do the best it can, even creatively with his own life. Check it out:

Each of you must take the responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Gal. 6:4-5 M.Remix.

To Live Deeply in Christ.

2008-08-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

“Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it SINK into your life. IF what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life! “ 1 John 2:24-25

I absolutely love my God. I even more love the fact that he lives in the hearts of my jr. high kids! And I love who they are in Him and who He is through them! Last night we had our Bible study and we discussed the verse above. We talked about the idea that Christ wants to live deeply in us, and the meaning of letting the Word of God sink into our lives. I want to be so thirsty that the Word of God sinks into me, as much as a cup of water is consumed by dry Sahara! Christ has promised us eternal life; He calls it the real life for a believer. I cannot wait for it!
I asked the girls if they really believe in this invisible eternal life, that He so deeply promised to us and how do they envision it in their minds and hearts. I challenged them, because, it is difficult to teach something, if we never stop and think about our own stand on the issue. So the girls stopped and thought about it. Here are some of their responses:

“I believe in the eternal life and I envision Jesus coming back in skinny jeans, with black and red checkers Vans, Volcom shirt, aviators and a guitar.”

“I think eternity looks like a big white room filled with love, and people – like a family reunion, only with smiles. And Jesus sits on His throne with a book of lies and will ask each of us about one lie that we have said, as lines of people are waiting to enter the room. “

The reality of the eternal life in all of the responses couldn’t be more authentic to us! The girls got excited about their future in Christ and began to ask questions, and here is my one favorite one:
“I wonder if Jesus will take me on a walk on water, or on the walk on clouds.”
This was the best question, because it shows you one’s faith in the reality of whom Jesus is and the power of His anointing! If you and I stick to what we heard from the beginning about our God, and if we stop and think about it and let it sink into our hearts, then we will truly live deeply in Christ and He in us! Then we will see the promised eternity and those around us will be blessed, by the light shining from within who we are in Christ Jesus, our Messiah and Redeemer!

May you be joyful, for the knowledge of the eternal life in Christ should give you joy, if you truly believe in His Word. And may the Word of God live deeply within you today, as this day has been given to us by the God Almighty who so desperately is in love with you and I, and all we can do is to respond and breathe His glory in, and out. And may that breath out, be oen of a praise.

Consumed in God.

2008-05-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that..."
Galatians 6:4-5. M-Remix.

The other day, I was rushing out the door to get to church and to speak to a group of young people there. I was not fully prepared to talk, as my week has been filled with everything, but a diligent time dedicated to be with God. I had just enough time to ask him to inspire this empty heart of mine for that morning, trusting that even though I tend to fail him, he would not abandon me.

I rushed outside the building and on the lawn I saw a squirrel, doing what they usually do: eating a nut. I thought to myself: I wonder how close I can get to it? As I have always wanted to have one as a pet, or to catch one, or even just to touch it for a second, because I always hear the stories of how others have done it. So, I began to slowly walk toward it… I got about 3 feet away from it and it would not move, then I was about 1.5 feet away from it, and it still wouldn't move! So I stepped away, as this was enough to make my day! I was impressed! I think this was the closest I have ever gotten to a squirrel. You see, this squirrel had her face hidden deep in the hole where the nut was, and didn't want to simply abandon her royal breakfast, because a human like me was approaching. This food was her source of energy for that day; her source of life, really and who would want to give up on that?

Automatically, I smiled at God and said: thank you. He was communicating with me something very encouraging for that day. Can you imagine being like that little grey squirrel, so consumed in the source of your life, that you are willing to ignore every distraction around you, and put your whole face- your whole sight, into that one thing? Can you imagine what knowing, that this source will truly give you life, would do to your senses; the trust that you would have? What is more important: getting fed and living, or running away and surviving on someone else's scrums? What kind of life you and I could possibly obtain, by sinking ourselves into the life giving God? What if you and I were so consumed in our God that it would be so hard to get us distracted, to scare us away or to even take our life away from us? If you and I get so consumed in our God, like that squirrel in her source of life, we would develop a trust for him, knowing that he would protect us if some kind of evil was approaching us, as long as we sunk our face deep into God, and directed our sight toward that him!

This story encouraged me to know, that God has not left me, and that he desires for me to be like that squirrel – consumed in him alone; the ultimate source of my physical and spiritual life. He is my food while I am calling myself a Christian, my source of energy in everything that I do that day. I need to consume him daily. The concept of being consumed in God, just like that squirrel was consumed in her food – think about that and imagine it! I told this story to the kids that Sunday morning, and to my surprise they loved it, perhaps because I was so inspired by it and so built up by the ever giving God. I know that when I leave this place where my food is waiting for me, I don't do well that day; I cannot love my friends and I merely live on other's scrums. What kind of life is that? A life of desperation…? A life of constant waiting for something more, while the true "nut" is right in the hole right in front of us, where many times, we have hidden it ourselves. Digging into it can get your fingers a little messy, but who cares, your face will be so focus only on that deliciously delightful food, that you will have no thoughts of looking at your fingernails! Only one thing will matter, and only one thing should matter – the kind of food that you receive; the life giving food.

"I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!" Ephesians 1: 15-19. M-Remix.

Being Simple with God.

2008-03-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Exodus 3:
“Moses was shepherding the flock of Jethro, his father in law, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the west end of the wilderness and came to the mountain of God, Horeb. The angel of God appeared to him in flames of fire blazing out of the middle of a bush. The bush was blazing away but it didn’t burn up. Moses said: “What’s going on here? I can’t believe this! Amazing! Why doesn’t the bush burn up?” God saw that he has stopped to look. God called to him from out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” He said: “Yes, I am here!” God said: “don’t come any closer. Remove your sandals from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground.” Then he said: “I am the God of your father: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God.”

“Afraid to look at God!” How fascinating! Moses’ first encounter with the all knowing God, and Moses finds it amazing! Never the less, he is afraid of looking at God! I wonder if I would risk my life to see God’s face? I wonder if I would be afraid? I would probably faint knowing that God’s very presence appeared before me, in the midst of my work day! The story continues, and Moses finds out to be the chosen one to lead God’s people out of Egypt where they were persecuted. The very fact that Moses was alive is a gift of God in itself, as when he was born, baby boys were supposed to be drawn in the Nile river, well only the Hebrews’s babies, such was Moses. Talk of a beginning to becoming the world’s greatest leader! But then his mom saw something special about this Moses baby and hid him. Long story short he ends up in Pharaon’s very house and is raised by his daughter. Then in protection of one of his borther’s- a Hebrew man- he kills an Egyptian man- one of the Pharaon’s guys and he runs away for his life. He runs into daughters of one of the Priests’ and because he protects them from naughty shepherds, he is being rewarded to marry one of the daughters. His life continues and he is able to speak with God about his people; call God out on things; unleash 10 plagues; separate the waters and in the end, lead the people out of Egypt.

What strikes me most about this man, is the simplicity of his nature. Right away when God calls him to be the chosen one, he tells God that he is not good at speaking, because he stutters and thus will not be able to speak well even if God gives him words to speak. God of course fixes that problem by sending a well-spoken man, Aaron to act as Moses’ mouth! Can you believe that!? Then, when Moses is asked to lead God’s people, he argues with God, saying that he is a mere man, not able to deal with thousands of people, pointing out that it is God’s responsibility to take care of them! So, if this was not enough, God responds by agreeing with this man and promising that he will never leave him! So the argument continues in Exodus 33, and Moses demands God’s presence to always be with his people, so that they know how special they are to God. Again, God agrees with Moses saying that from very beginning he has known him by his name. So finally, as if Moses was testing God, the famous words come out of his mouth: “Please, let me see your glory.” And what does God do?! He let’s Moses see His very glory! Because he is special to Him; because he asked for it; and because God’s promise to us, is to give us the desires of our hearts.

How simple is this man Moses? His relationship with God is so real, so honest and so deep, because he responded to God by stopping and looking at what God put in front of him; he dared not to look at God’s face out of reverence; and he called God out on things, because he knew he was just a man who needed God’s leading and protection, before becoming a leader himself. You and I can learn from this the very fact that God wants a relationship with that you and that me, who we are right here and right now. We can be honest with God, tell him what hurts us, tell him what could be changed and ask him to show us his very glory. We don’t have to pretend in church to be someone we are not; we don’t have to act as if we wanted to impress our parents, and we can’t fool God by our “scripted” prayers. The best prayer Moses ever prayed in my opinion was this: “Please, O Master, if you see anything good in me, please Master, travel with us, hard-headed as these people are. Forgive our sins. Own us, Poses us.” And God answered him with nothing less but a greater promise: “In full sight of your people, I will work wonders that have never been created in all the Earth, in any nation. Then all the people with whom you’re living will see how tremendous God’s work is, the work I will do for you.” [Exodus 34: 8-12]

When You Are Stubborn with God.

2008-03-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

A man named Balaam was one of those who had the privilege of directly hearing God’s voice, and I mean directly hearing God. In old days God would appoint certain people to be prophets- the ones that would mediate between God and His people, such prophets were Moses and Jeremiah. In the story in numbers 22, Balaam is asked to do as God is telling him to do. At first, he is obedient to the will of God, and probably finds it exciting, to be able to hear His very voice… but then he slips a little by trying to get ahead of himself; by trying to get things done by his own hands.

Isn’t it interesting that when we first become Believers, it seems so easy to do what God tells us to do? It is fun to be a Christian first few weeks. But then once we learn more and more about the grace of God and his unconditional love, and the purpose he has for us; we tend to go back to our own desires of doing things our own way…. Because God’s grace is so unconditional, right? And because his purpose requires our obedience and perhaps a time of waiting?

Well in the story, Balaam knew the time was not right to go…. And yet he saddled the donkey and off he went. But God knew Balaam’s heart beyond this act of self-righteousness, and sent this marvelous angel- with a sword- to give this man another chance… to save him. And what does Balaam do? At first he is so blinded by his own desires that he cannot see the signs of God’s presence trying to lead him. Only the donkey is able to see God’s angel, standing and blocking the road with a sword and if Balaam continues to move forward, the angel will kill him. Poor donkey… while trying to save his owner he got beating for nothing! So after a third time, the donkey speaks up! God gives speech to the donkey as a last chance for Balaam to give up and truly focus here…

Donkey asks: “why have you beaten me these three times, have I ever done anything to deserve that?”!!!! Oddly enough Balaam, answers the donkey, as if it was their casual conversation! I think if I heard the donkey speak, I would get the message right then!

After few sentences, the angel becomes visible to Balaam, the man falls to the ground, face in the dirt. He gets the message and repents.

Balaam is asked to simply DO as God is telling him to DO- nothing more- and nothing less. But since it is our desire to get ahead of ourselves, of God’s plans for us, we run as though – [silently] it was in our own power that we can win the race set ahead of us. We have become so self-inspired and so independent, that waiting on God, that simply doing as he tells us to, many times requires intentional prayer for mere patience and other times, God’s very intervention to re-focus our hearts and re-direct our steps, so instead of running, we start to walk again…. So instead of speaking… we listen… and instead of arguing a case, we love others for who they are.

How would you react if God sent you a speaking donkey? For me that speaking donkey was a friend last week. I tried to run ahead of myself, of God’s desires for my life… I lost my focus… I tried my own magic to create something, only God could create… once you have a relationship with such powerful and loving God, he will not let you run and lose... he will allow you to take a few steps on your own, but after that, he will send you a stubborn donkey to stop you from moving any further, and if that doesn’t work, because you are fighting your way through it… he will give speech to that donkey… and if you try to argue with that… your vision will be restored and with that, you can never argue, only fall face down and wait for further direction.

"I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!"

2008-01-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Do you recall watching “ELF” the movie? If so, there is a part where he runs into a meeting room and joyfully exclaims: “I’m in love! I’m in love! And I don’t care who knows it!” Of course he gets in a little trouble, as the meeting was in process and he interrupted the – let’s call it- Common Sense of the men in that room. And yet, he did not care who knew of his love. How awesome is that?!

Have you ever been in love? Perhaps you cannot sleep, because you think of that special other; perhaps you cannot eat as you are filled with this overwhelming feeling of belonging to someone so great, that they fill you with all you need! Constant desire to talk to them; to tell them that you love them; hopes of seeing them soon; and willingness to in a sense give all you have to that other person. They literally seem to complete you. Love is a beautiful experience, make it short or make it long, but when present, it changes something in us and about us. You cannot hide it! People around you will notice it.

Have you ever told someone that you loved them, with what seemed an everlasting love? It is the kind of love where you are so consumed by the moment, and cannot possibly imagine the end of that relationship. Love is a relationship. It is not perfect. It is a process of growing and learning; of change and of joy. The other day I felt so in love with God that I literally did not care who knew it. I wanted so deeply to verbalize it and look in God’s eyes telling Him that I love Him.

Have you ever experienced being loved by God? It is the same thing: you cannot sleep wanting to praise him; you cannot eat as you are so filled with his overwhelming joy; your heart is changing as you walk around singing songs of your love for him; you tell your friends about this relationship you have with him. It is a reality so real, that you have no doubt you have been filled with the gift of his love; a romance with the divine and eternal source of ALL good things. At that moment this romance enters into your heart and you see things in a new perspective; troubles cease as there is more hope; faith takes over and you dream so high that your dreams actually come true; you develop trust as your heart yearns to be with that beautiful lover of yours. Being loved by God is the most precious gift.

Have you ever received a love letter? Well, the Bible is the most beautiful love letter, in the whole history. It talks about the beauties of love, describes the gifts we can receive from the loved one, talks about the process of change in our hearts while we go through troubles and it warns us of any potential danger our decisions might get us in, because the Author of this letter loves us and desires to protect us and keep us close to himself, just like any good parent will with their kids, or a husband with his beautiful wife. And yet at the same time, it allows us to make some mistakes and always welcomes us back, because His love is that everlasting love, where he cannot possibly imagine the end of this relationship with each one of us. He wishes us well at all times.

How is your love life? Non-existing, because you don’t have a physical and romantic relationship with the special other? Then let me ask, how is your inner Love Life? In Romans 8:5-8 Paul says that we need to constantly be thinking of God. Constantly means without taking break; non-stop; always having him on our minds, in our thoughts. And if you are so filled with his love, you will literally always, constantly think of him and his goodness; singing him songs; telling your friends of his love; making him smile; you will rejoice. In your hearts and mind, you will have an ongoing conversation with your greatest friend and most desirable lover of all. Read his love letter; pursue this relationship he has offered to you by the very gift of your life today. Respond to his love; there are no accidents; make this life a worthy of singing songs with all that you are!

“I’m in love! I’m in love! And I don’t care who knows it!”

My Dearest and Most Precious God. I owe you my life and my eternity. I love you, knowing that my love is only a mere approach of responding to who you are to me. Oh, I love you and I want to show it to you. This mere love of mine for you is the greatest gift you filled me with. My Jesus, thank you. Please receive this little gift of my love for you, and thank you most deeply for this life of your love for me and the relationship which you give to each one of us, because you love us so deeply and unthinkably of in our state of human comprehension.

Brief Lesson on Friendship.

2007-10-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Have appreciated your Friends recently? According to CS LEWIS Friendship as love is not necessary for the life of human beings, the sexual/ romantic love is very much necessary, but we all can get along without friends... perhaps that's why we are so lonely today?

My Friends are amazing. I appreciate them, truly. I consider each one of them a gift... they may know this or not... but it is true... Many times when i am discouraged, I pray and than God sends me a friendly phone call from one of the friends in my life, with just the right words to speak to me. What a mystery! Many times I need someone to be there, but that needness allows me to give them a space and show me what it means to love "unselfishly", which allows me then not only to have friends, but also to become one, not only with them, but also with God.

Friendships are so "fragile" today, that it takes a playful consideration of how much you should be involved in another's lives and guidance from the Spirit of God so that you can overcome little attitudes and disagreements. Lewis says that we become friends by having the same vision, and that's why we walk beside one another discussing things and each one of us focusing on what's ahead, rather than like lovers- looking into each other's eyes. This means that by God's grace we get to walk together, support each other and discover new wonders as God leads us to his ultimate purpose. It is all about him in friendship and not about us. If we realize that, i think that there will be more life/ eternity lasting friendships formed today. So far, we are self centered, concerned with our own "good" and feelings when it comes to walking with the other person. Just think about ... you will what i mean... it is our nature to make it all about ourselves and friendship has become and easy alley to do just that... you know what i am talking about it.... you can see the names of people who responded to you in that way and you also remember times when you wanted or did respond in this way to them. It is a universal sin, we are all guilty of it. That's why we need to be re-focused and begin to appreciate our friends by recognizing that they are a gift of God and by loving him even more for this wonderful gift, we will be able to become great friends, serve one another and live in love with each other.

Friendship is a gift for me, because it draws me closer to God and exposes to me, his true nature. What is it to you? Life goes by too quickly to take this gift for granted, especially since our nature is "wild" enough to live without it. How crazy is that! I encourage you to read CS Lewis' The Four Loves... it will change your thinking about any kind of "love" or loving relationship you have- in a positive way. He does an amazing job at testing the true meaning of words for love since the ancient world to our culture today.

If you want to, please take few minutes and share below your thoughts on your friendships in life... how did that work for you? Who became your greatest friend? Could you ever imagine such a gift or possibility? I know for me, the best friends happened to be the ones, I would never choose to be friends with on my own terms!

"The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of thousand other man; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are like all beauties derived from him and then, in a good Friendship, increased by him through the Friendship itself, so that it is his instrument for creating as well as for revealing." CS Lewis, The Four Loves, 89-90

An Abstract Thought... on Glory.

2007-09-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

As I was riding in a car, to a beautiful place this weekend… I could not help but notice the beautiful colors of the Fall season around me! The trees and the leaves they are all reflecting God's beauty! It is fascinating, because during Summer, leaves look richly green and strong, in a way. But now, when the Fall comes, they progressively change their colors from that strong and lively green [a symbol of good health, enough amount of sun and rain, and good rooting of the tree] to various shades of gold, just before they fall. It's like; even during their "departure" they seem to be more beautiful than ever before. I think, more than ever they reflect God's Glory around me. They don't plan on it, as they don't have a brain to make that decision, but it is the simple way they were designed to exist and cease, in this case. Here, I am the one able to think about it and choose to see that Glory and Beauty of our God.

Perhaps, as humans we ought to be that "green" color, while we live our lives in fullness for the Glory of God and his Kingdom, bear good fruit and as time comes for us to "depart", more than ever our focus shall be on God and instead of showing others our good gifts, work we've done and faith we've had… finally we become something totally dependable on him and can't help it, but, we being to reflect his pure Glory. Meaning, I want to live my life and use ALL of my energy wisely, so that at the end of my run, my life, my friends, the family and the church, will all be a reflection of God's Glory and his loving and transforming presence in my life, and those around me.

I think that just like for the leaves, this is less of a thinking process, as it should not be about me, but a destiny for which his people [I] were created. For that leaf, in a state of dying, reflects more life, more mystery and more beauty, than it's thought of. I want to be full of God in this season of life, I want to be strong like that green leaf appears to be, I want my life of good choices and reliance on God affect the lives of people around me. And when the time is coming, which is now and in a next minute… I want to constantly be transformed by him and want him to fill me so much, that the he would shine through me… that for him and his kingdom- I will be like that golden leaf- filled with beauty and mystery…

[Note: There are leaves of brown and not so beautiful colors… the tree's roots might have been too shallow… there was not enough nutrients in the garden… etc. I am not focusing on them, as my goal is not to simply "pass" through the life… a mere existence is not why i am here... rather, I want to honor him and bring him Glory as he first glorifies me… Just like Jesus prayed in John 17].

"What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade." Romans 3:27-18 [M-Remix].

Unplugging the heart...

2007-09-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

How can there be a limit to my praising of you, Lord? Who but you, deserves to be on my mind, heart and soul all the way throughout the day? May my mind think of nothing, but you and praise you for how magnificent you are! And my heart o God… let it know no other first love, but yours... and let it return that love to you in many, many praises. Then, there is my soul o God… who but you is in charge of it? It is my soul’s nature to give you praise and lift you up!

May my content or joy never be on a way of wanting to praise your Holy, Magnificent and Pure name! In other words, I want to praise you even when I am not smiling, because you deserve it all, by the nature of your being and the nature of my existence. I exist to praise you. Praise you not only when a success has been achieved, but right before… many, many, many days before. For what is a success, if not submission of my mind, heart and soul to you… turn around my selfish thought and focus only on your Holy, Magnificent and Pure name!

To praise you is to be selfless. To praise you I desire. Beautiful God, help me to learn to praise you constantly! For no song, sung all day long shall become monotony to me, but a joyful expression of love and obedience... and become rather rich, while I become smaller. Amen.

For the last few weeks I have been asking God to help me become less of a selfish person. For some reason, I have been feeling selfish and kept questioning him about it. The other day during worship [like a 3rd service I went to that weekend], as we were singing, I asked myself: “do I still mean those words, after singing them 5 times before this weekend?” And then I realized that my praises should be going to him constantly, no matter how many times a song should be played! So I realized that I need to praise him more and more! Like non-stop! I sat down and began to write what you just read above. As you can see, in the middle of my joyful realization and praise to him, the answer to my question came- in order to be less selfish- to become selfless- I need to praise God all day long! That way I focus on him and him alone instead of being distracted by my own self needs. What I did was examining my own heart, and simply during that worship making it available to him. This state of bringing my heart before him- making it open to him, allowed me to re-focus on him and see his direction for my life, clearer. All it took was to open my heart to him, making it willing and available. So simple! And then I was filled with a desire to praise him, with selfless thoughts and new vision or calling- for future.

“You are God, You are Life and I will worship you forever” [lyrics of a song].
The day before this, one of my beloved friends told me that when her boyfriend calls her a “sweetheart”, her heart absolutely melts! Can you imagine that feeling? It was beautiful when she talked about it… And as we were singing the song above, and I whispered to God, “I WILL worship you forever”… I felt that God’s heart was absolutely melting… it was like calling him a “sweetheart” only better. God’s heart melts when your lips and more, your heart- truly confesses this! That was beautiful and showed me even more that God desires a lifestyle of worship form us, he wants words and actions done with praises to him; he is our lover and for us to praise him is to show him love- it is to respond to him.

Friends, what happened this weekend, was that I “unplugged my heart” to God. We all need to do it. You need to dedicate you heart to God- constantly… I cannot stretch this enough. Beautiful things are waiting for you as a result of giving him your heart… my life goal is to help anyone, do just that. When you give your heart to God or continue to “unplug” it, you become in a sense ‘a superhuman’, not because you are better than others [as you rather realize that you are not at all], but because you become equipped for the right living…you become righteous because of what he gives to you [through Jesus Christ], such as: discernment, wisdom, direction, love, kindness, joy, patience, goodness etc., simply because you gave him your heart, which he created just for that. Your heart is the gateway to all blessings when you allow it to be…it can also be a gateway to just the opposite, so be careful! Examine your heart on regular basis, and praise him constantly.
Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’

Honoring him by bowing deeply, his face touching the ground [1 kings 1]

2007-07-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been realizing the ways in which God speaks to me, about me. He speaks to me through people- conversations with them, little things they may tell me, their interactions, their stories…he also speaks to me through pictures, things I might see on the street, while driving by something, or through a word…. He speaks to me by meaning of words…using different languages…through my discernment and compassion… and through my many dreams. I heard that if your gift is discernment, then you need to be very cautious about what you watch on tv, what you let into your mind and heart. Recently, I have not been cautious about any of these. Here is what has been happening… instead of having dreams which give me directions for life, I have dreams that are hurting me. My dreams rather than being of praise for God, have become a set of bad desires and images, that stay with me throughout the day making me feel discouraged, are heavy on my mind, give me headaches, and tear my heart apart. They confuse me… how did this happen? First it started with viewing inappropriate for God’s people images on TV, then by not feeding my soul with his word on daily basis, and by lacking in fellowship with his people and worship. Thankfully, God gave me a friend who can say a holy word of praise and the process of restoring my heart and mind can begin in one moment. But it will not last, if I don’t take the step to shout praises myself. Getting back into the things that are of God seems to be hard, but it only takes one time to do it, and chances are that your heart will be reminded of the good days and will long for more the next day. Our spirits know what is good for us, where we come from and where we belong…it doesn’t take much for them to be restored, especially when your mind is willing. Our bodies are only aware of the physical pleasures of this world, such as the great taste of food, physical satisfaction and feelings of hurt or happiness. Our spirits need not the body to be connected with God… by definition they are with God, as they are of God…unless you did everything possible to deny the love of God and turned your face to darkness.

I encourage you to take the time and think about the simple daily ways in which God communicates with you…is it by words, through the outdoors, dance, worship or people? Is it through something that you do, or something that you observe? Then make sure it will continue to take place in your life… don’t break that bond God put between you and him… it is that bond that will create miracles in your life and those around you… it is special bond created with love, for you and him… like a perfect romance…others will learn from you and it will make them desire God more… The fact that my friend’s words can restore me, is nothing else, but her right romance with God, which he created between them. We all must protect that bond...God will protect us always, but it is our responsibility to set physical boundaries from the physical poison around us, because it is us who live in the physical. What is that bond for you? In all of this, it is important not to forget about the universal bread he has given all humankind to relate to him: his word, communion, and fellowship with him and then with others.

Our gifts are like fruits… it takes a small seed to grow something very great…the fruit may sometimes appear beautiful and create a deception for itself and others, while it is slowly rotting inside- remember what happened to my gift of dreams- they began to rotten and spread that disease into my mind and heart- the seed of my being…once the seed it is dead, the fruit will die also…it is too easy for a good fruit to become a bad one… allow God to take care of yours…allow him to nourish you…he gave you the vine and the bread…now keep on taking it and be well. Feeding your spirit is essential to your wellbeing throughout each day…your music….images… words…all partake in forming who you will be tomorrow… choose wisely… learn from me… God will be faithful with you, as he is with me…

ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν
- we love one another….because love out of God is-

The Sweet Goodness of God

2007-06-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians-[in the context of the whole book].

Paul [the author] is like a pastor figure to a church of people in ancient Corinth, a place described as rich because of their high economy, as the center of world’s attention, and as a place of sexual immorality and other sins- like a city of sin. For me this could be compared to today’s America- center of the world’s attention, richest country, and yet so free to sin and influence the rest of the world by its behavior- like Las Vegas.

In the second letter Paul is trying to talk about his true heart for God. People then thought that he was not saying the truth, because he was not a good looking man, poor tent maker- so a working class man, and didn’t have what it takes to be popular in Las Vegas. And yet when he spoke, crowds saw God through him. Man after man, fell in love with this powerful and graceful God that this little not a good looking man presented to them. How is that possible?

In 5:14-15 he says how that is possible, as I write it, try to actually visualize it in your head: “Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat.” [Are you picturing yourself on a boat with people you like, don’t like, bad smelly people, losers and most of all- do you see yourself in the middle of it? I do. And my face is expressing my dissatisfaction with the situation.] then he goes on: “He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.” After few seconds of this unsatisfied face… I become humbled by these words and the picture. God wants all of us to live a better life. Do you get this? He put everyone on the same boat! That would mean: the lesbians, the murderers, the homeless, the sexual predators and me – the prideful one. Doesn’t that just make you angry? For me it does for a second, and then the joy of being given this chance overcomes the ugliness of the reality. God is so GOOD to do this. For me it is amazing to be stuck on the same boat with everyone else, because I am a very prideful person. This for me is a way of saying that I am a sinner, just like the sexual predator.

Then he says [5:16-20]: “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.” [woohoo!] and the famous line, that for the first time I truly understand in this context: “The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!” [that means prospers, or grows rapidly!]. And then it talks about the cool relationship that God created between him and us and that we need to also create between one another. But how exciting it is to hear that, we are ont his boat all together, but God sends his spirit and people to speak to us about his love and that way, allowing us to get out of this boat and start a new life!? [ps. We are on that boat from start, because humanity has been in sin, since pretty much the first day when we got bored with freedom and all that was known as good]. Paul says [please read the text it is much better], that he and his friends became Christ’s representatives to tell people about this amazing chance! He tells them: “Become friends with God; he is already a friend with you.” [5:21] “How? You ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.” I don’t know why I am so amazed by this story! But it seems that I can only be friends and right with God, because of Christ who got all the sin from my shoulders onto his own. Sad. And yet that sadness is once again overcome by the joy and life.

I have asked myself many times these last few months: how to live? What to do if I don’t want to go to church? What does God want of me? Why me? Why church? What do I believe? And in 5:9: “Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.” Look at the word choice: cheerfully- willingly, gladly or with a smile; pleasing- satisfying, agreeable or enjoyable; aim- to plan, to intend, like a goal; conditions- state of affairs. So my friend let me leave you with this amazing thought, which for me expresses the sweet goodness of our God:

Friends, willingly [and with a smile] satisfying God is the main thing, and that is what I intend to do, no matter the state of my affairs. What will you do?

Divisions, even on 'myspace'

2007-06-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

I find that there seems to be a big division between a christian world and the world. I am not sure i understand why that is, and if this is the way it is supposed to be between christians and everyone else. seems like this brings seperations, war, conflict between neighbors, men judging other men, etc. I have noticed this today. I was deciding which song to put on my "myspace" profile, then within the "myspace" you see a division! there are profiles that belong to christians and profiles that belong to everyone else. so. if i am considered a christian, I cant put a pop song on there, because i will be a "bad" christian in the eyes of other christians. i was really convicted of this division this morning and it bothers me so much. i want to hear your suggestions and responds to this. i know that the division is real and existing, but is it supposed to be that way? no wonder then that non-christians are so distant from christians, because they are able to see how stupid sometimes we can be.

I feel like i want to build a church in future that does not have those divisions, or fights them by practically serving those in need around us, and spreading the love of Christ through acts of faith.

Going into all the nations and making disciples of all the men, does not mean division from other people, or creation of a new world, but rather it means unity and living together.

Hearing God's voice

2007-05-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

People often tell me that I have this “special” gift to hear God speak to me, or to know His will for me. I honestly don’t think this is the case. Yes, being able to discern God’s will or hear him speak is a gift of his grace on me, but that’s about it… I believe that we all can do it. Here is a practical example of how we can hear God’s voice in our daily lives. The Word of God says that “the earth and everything in it, is God’s”, the story of Genesis confirms that God created everything, therefore why wouldn’t God use his creation to communicate his love to us? Everything around us is his, isn’t it?

Last night, I finally decided to leave a college leadership team of which I was a part of. I have been feeling hurt by the church for a while, as I learned that it is hard to grow as a leader in a church if you are a woman, no matter your credentials, gifting, experience or potential. When I finally wrote the email to the team explaining them my decision to leave, I felt this great sense of freedom. Don’t get me wrong my heart was broken that I could not do what I am passionate about doing, because I was a woman and that automatically limited my progress… but there was more to it. I was free, so I told God that I still love him and want him to lead me toward the green pastures where I can play with him for a while.

The next morning my heart was full of joy! I mean real joy! I was celebrating my time with God and that freedom that came with it! Then I went to work and a friend begins to talk to me. He told me a story of a very important person in town, who’s life was set free by Jesus Christ. This man’s heart was broken as his daughter’s school did not have a specific outreach ministry, through which he was reached when he was a kid. So he proposed that they would find and full time support a person to organize and lead the ministry. The story telling man, looked at me and said, “perhaps this could be you”. I had few thoughts going through my head, as I did not want to leave the green pastures! But as my heart reflected upon that phrase, I began to hear God’s voice. It was not a voice saying: “Thus now, I will put you in a charge of ministry, where you can truly grow and fulfill thy will.” No, no! Rather it was God’s message to me saying that, He is watching over me, knows all of my needs and will get me where I need to be; sort of: “I am with you, good job!”. How cool and simple is this? How many times do we miss God’s voice because we tend to focus on our own desires and passions? You see everyone can hear God’s voice, because he speaks through people, angels and the Spirit which lives inside us. We need to have a willing heart to hear him and then we will realize that his voice surrounds us. Look at trees and see them speak to you about stillness, and strength of the Lord; notice how the trees and the grass and the birds worship the Lord by simply doing what he made them to do; and let the wind of the Holy Spirit move you gently as the wind outdoors moves the trees, to a melody played by the Heaven.

“The person who lives in the right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering inot what God does for you.” Galatians 3:11 [MRemix]

The living and transforming grace of the loving God.

2007-05-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

1 John 4:7-13 / 18
7- “and he knows God”
8- “God is love”
11- responsibility
12- “not one has ever seen God, but…”
13- evidence of the spirit: ability to love
18- “perfect love throws out the fear, because fear punishes you..”

God is love. Love is a mystery. The ability to love is a miracle. God calls us to live out that miracle. It is in human beings that this miracle can be fulfilled, and this love comes alive in us. Human beings are a necessary part of creation that through relationships reveals this mystery of love and living God. But human beings tend to be very prideful, self-righteous and selfish and it is very hard to love people like that. Yesterday God opened my eyes, through a simple of act of story telling:

There is this girl who is about 22 years of age and she is dating this man, who is about 32 years of age. Now, their story of how they met is awesome; since the beginning her family and friends were involved in the process of the relationship. This man has two kids. One is eight years old and the other one about 2 years of age. This girl didn’t know this at first, and yet she chooses to love him through his imperfections. Grace of God is essential here, as one cannot remain in the situation like this, without God. God must be present in the relationship and one must focus on him for guidance and one must trust God. The two of them are still together, and I hear that they are very happy together and the family supports their relationship. Now, how can this be?

After I heard this story, I was in a ‘red zone’. I couldn’t understand, why a girl in my age would want such a relationship. So I went to the bathroom and had a quick chat with God, asking him for more insight into my wonder. As great of a God as he is, he answered me quickly! You see when I hear this story, I begin to think and focus on the issues: he is ‘old’, has kids, is she safe…etc. that is wrong. Realistic, but should not be the first thing that I see with my heart. By the time I was done with washing my hands, God showed me how able this girl was to love this man, beyond all of the issues! Instantly I began to be proud of her! The love of God, that mystery of the living grace is so powerful, that it can overcome the world! This truth is transforming my heart! To be honest, this truth crashes down my heart, allowing god to form a new heart… and that is good! This girl made a decision to love this man, even after seeing the messes in his life. You see, I am in her age, and as a girl in that age, I have this vision in my head of who the man of my life will be and how he will come to me. I expect this single, pretty, not married before, no kids-man to enter my life and be married happily ever after. Life does not always happen that way. I want a perfect package, but my other friend gets a package to which, ‘life happened’. You see, ‘life happens’ to all of us. My package will have ‘life happened’ to it, just like I have ‘life happened’ to me. There is no difference in how we call the stuff, as long as we are willing to allow God to change us, even if it means he needs to smash our heart. It is not about the stuff, but about the power of love, of the living God within us. I was reminded of another lesson, an hour after I heard the story:

Learn not to look at someone’s past for judgment of who they might be now, but
Only as a testimony to who they may become tomorrow, by the transforming power of the living grace of God.

Who knows, perhaps this man is a totally different person now. If not he will be, because once anyone comes in touch with the living God in us, they are affected by his presence and sooner or later they change. Only God can see ahead. This story showed me the weaknesses of human heart. I never have the courage to love, to take the risk and choose to love someone. I am waiting for that perfect package, when life can come at me in a very unexpected way. I have failed to love, to let God lead me, to trust him and to allow his grace to transform me and the other person. This story also showed me, the strength of God’s grace. He put strength in my heart to be able to take the risk and love another person, as he guides me through the process of a relationship. And that courage and love, will win in the end.

Love is a choice of the free will given to each one of us, by the loving God. It is beyond feelings or emotions, it is a decision made in the response to God’s will. His will for us is to love him and to love others. That is how he comes alive to us and in us. Simple, and yet difficult. We tend to miss this simplicity, by creating doctrines and liturgy. Love has no boundaries within religious limits; it overcomes them all!

Scripture says that “perfect love throws out fear, because fear punishes you…’makes you feel bad’..” I am afraid to love, because I see the ‘stuff’ and I fear the future consequences of them- I have this concept of punishment in my heart. yet, perfect love has no fear. Perfect means that something is completed; according to the scripture this happens when the spirit of God lives in you and when you believe in Jesus as the son of God and love God. This girl from the story must not be afraid, yes she needs to be realistic and careful, but no afraid to the degree that she fails to take the risk and love. This girl is free; transformed by the living grace of God.

Will the two of them get married? I don’t know, but I am most certain that there is a greater purpose for the two of them individually and for all who surround them in this relationship. Because the grace of God is all over in this, He provides strength, guidance, laughter, freedom and confidence in his power as they continue on living and trusting him. I am already affected by this story. Not because of them, but because of the living grace of God that is transforming my heart through this story. You see the Bible stories are not true today because we merely believe that they are true, but they are true because they continue to happen today. Not only happen but they speak to us, changing our hearts and lives. Thank God for that!

Guardian Angel

2007-04-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I looked around and there was an Angel smiling at me. I turned around as I couldn’t believe what I’ve just seen! When I looked again, he was still there, smiling brighter than before! Second time we made eye contact and I was captured by this Peace of him and gentle, gentle… oh how gentle of a smile! He knew me and I’ve seen him before. Time stopped as we connected…two into one. There was no need for words. Only wonder and awe. I got back to the conversation with that boy… then I still longed for more, so I turned around... nobody left the room… I would have seen them…I was facing the door…yet the Angel in man’s form, was gone…him and his coffee…his job has been done. And I knew it was him again…some look…same eyes…same smile…I turned around, thanked God and mysteriously smiled at that boy…I finished my cake and happily went home.

A Miracle

2007-04-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

“Whatever experience we may have, we shall not regard them as miraculous if we already hold a philosophy which excludes the supernatural.” CS Lewis - Miracles

Perhaps you heard this story. If not, I am delighted to share it with you. Spread the word so that people know that our Lord Jesus Christ is real, and sits besides the Father.

More than few years ago, a girl had a vision in her dream. She was about nineteen years old. She was a girl who went through a lot in her short life, and loved the Lord her God with all of her abilities. Don’t get me wrong, she was not perfect- far from that, and yet one night, the Lord had enough grace on her that he met with her. She had a vision of walking into a dark big room, where walls were made out of dirt that looked like underground gathering. There were rows of chairs on which people sat with their heads down, contemplating something, looking awfully sad. This girl walked into that room, with a typical to her attitude, and asked someone: “What’s up?” The lady answered to her: “We are just waiting.” Girl said: “Alright!” and sat down to wait with them. Suddenly the lady said: “ok. It’s your turn now.” So the girl got up and started walking, in what seemed a dark hallway, not expecting anything to happen. Then she saw glorious light start to appear before her… she wondered what that was. At one moment the light was before her, she automatically realized what or rather who it was, while her body was falling to her knees before that light and she was deeply crying out of her soul, in regards to sin. She could do nothing but to lay there… this all took place at once… in time less than one second… there was no deciding… no control of body, thought or action… only obedience of the body, conviction of the spirit, and cry of the soul… all in one instance. It was the Lord standing before her… she was at his feet, because she knew it was all she needed… just his feet…. She couldn’t handle more of his glory… her tears fell to his feet… she could sense the enormous presence down from his feet to his knees… his right arm seemed to rest on her… and she could feel his smile of love to her… at one moment, after saying sorry to him… she could speak and the only thing she could say was: “Thank you… thank you… thank you…” she could only praise him. No other words existed…

This girl or rather everything that was of her: her spirit, mind, heart, and even her body knew what had happened. It was the Lord Jesus Christ meeting with her. And all that was of her, could do nothing but to respond with obedience, surrender and praises to the King, that it recognized in that marvelous and glorious light. When the girl woke up, she was still crying…her body was struggling as it tried to find its way back to that place, where it knew the ultimate and absolute being of love… and her mind longed for that peaceful state of simple praise and surrender… to think of nothing, but to exalt the one before you…what a beautiful gift of grace and mercy was given to her…what a miracle to tell! Heaven is not a place where we will eat well, or be continuously joyful people who keep on partying with the king! Heaven is not about us- the people. Heaven is about the Father and the Son. We will return to the place where we belong, not to celebrate, but to do what we were meant to do since day one- to praise the Lord and the Father, in total obedience and perfect surrender of the mind, will and body. It will be something that every part of us longs to do, because it knows its maker and it desires to please him. There is no possible way in which we can understand this idea here and now… we ought to wait and experience it in heaven… and once we are there… I guarantee you; there will be no time to recall this story or this moment, because all that is of us will simply do what it has been meant to do- praise the king! There will be no second thoughts… no thoughts at all…each part will do its job!

What if i stumble...

2007-04-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks or so, I have been in a place that feels like the weakest time in my faith, yet, with the conviction that this time will bring the opposite of weakness. It will be something new for me, as I haven’t been there yet, and I am in process of transformation. I have been arguing with God, the first week of this process, giving him my organic attitude on things in my life; I asked him to be normal. Normal for me meant to be like others… to have easier life in a worldly sense, to watch what others watch, to have someone special… but mostly I wanted my friends to see me as someone who is like them, someone who has problems, is weak and lonely at times and above all things, is not perfect or holy. Then I realized that I was so upset about all things in my life, because I realized that my life was not my own. I realized that I have been living not like the world, but according to God’s will, as much as I could discern it. YES! this made me more upset at God! I was screaming and crying! I wanted to leave that lifestyle, without leaving him. Then I realized that he already lives in me and even if I fall, he is falling with me. It is too late to simply walk away. I have told him over and over in my life that I love him, and he has been faithful to my promises, even though I may not always be faithful to his.

Then I was upset about my faith, which allows me to always love God and stay with him, being able to give him my organic attitude and go to all places with him. At the same time I was happy that I was still safe, because he was with me. I was afraid at some point that I would die; because of the deceptive thoughts which entered my heart and tried to tell me that I don’t need God. I am ashamed of that. Couple weeks after this, I realized that before this all started; I was praying that God would kill my pride. Simple as that. I prayed for humility. I knew that he would answer my prayer, because he always does but I didn’t know the way it was going to come to me and how long it would take. I asked him to kill my pride and he brought to the surface my ugly attitudes that I didn’t know I had toward him and myself. He exposed them not only to me, but first to others. My friends got to see the real me… the rebellious heart… selfish heart… controlling desires… the wild black dog that is inside of me and can bite. How much normal can one get? I wanted a normal life and now I have it… I am broken, I don’t dare to hide my problems anymore, my friends see that I am not that perfect as we thought, and I get to become a bit humble…I can breathe easier… God is killing my pride, taking away my religiosity and desires to be a youth pastor or a preacher… I even don’t think I can preach anymore… it is so great to give it all to him and be free!

I love God. I will always love God. I now want to love people, starting with one person a day. Just one… if I can do that I am the greatest youth leader there ever was and live out the best sermon I could ever give! If I only love people! so.. 'what if is stumble? is this one for the people, or is this one for the Lord?' [dc talk-song]

It's about love...

2007-02-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

On this Valentine’s Day as you may think about love, those that you love or even the ones that love you, I want you to think about the gift of love that we have and which we take for granted everyday of our lives. That’s right! We take it for granted everyday. Bible says that God is love [1John 4:7-10], and because God is love we can all get to know Him, not only through a mind-set commitment, but also through our hearts and the feeling of love that we have when He speaks to us, touches us or even uses others as our friends and spouses to show us His real love- Himself. How does He show Himself to us from the day, in the most obvious way ever and how do we take it for granted?

The most beautiful book about creation, in the history of eternal truth and temporary world has the answer. “God spoke, ‘Let us make human beings in OUR IMAGE, make them REFLECTING our NATURE…’” [Genesis 1:26- MRemix]. You and I are made in the IMAGE of the Most Holy God- the Creator of all things visible and invisible, the designer of beauty and the ultimate Lover, who by filling us with His image, enabled us to love and to receive love. You and I show each other who God is, how He may look spiritually, how beautiful He is physically, how concerned He is with our daily affairs, how He can think, how He can make decisions, how He can create and how He can love and everything else that He can be, that we are and may become. You and I are walking realities of God’s presence in the universe and earth, in your home and in your school- everywhere! AHHHH!!!! Moreover, you and I reflect in our specific ways who God is and how He loves us. Through my friends, I get to know God in a way that only they can show Him to me, because He made them differently than He made me, for the purpose of loving one another, so that He could be revealed to us and made real- by the definition as we know ‘real’. Furthermore, He put us in life together, because He has a greater plan in mind from that meeting for our lives- can you believe that?! It is through my dear friends who are in love with God and who love me that I can be encouraged, kept accountable, strengthened and drawn closer to the Creator, because I then begin to see His image and character in my friends! Then you can think that you as a creation, believing or not believing, you are made in God’s image, because you ARE! Everything that is came from Him and you are because He made you… in His image… to reflect His nature… and His nature is …. Love…not selfishness or lust…. But LOVE. You and I ought to love and not worry about religion, but love others and love our God Almighty, the one who made you and I. So since you are made in His image, your friends will get to see Him through you… think abut this. How do you live your life in a way that it reflects God’s nature and honorably represents God’s image in you? For me to carry His image with me, wherever I go is a great honor. Honor that I don’t deserve. Honor that His love gives me.

I don’t want to talk much more here, but I really want to encourage you to think about this great gift that we have received in the beginning of times and get to enjoy everyday of our lives. Made in God’s image and reflecting His nature, are some of the greatest gifts of love that one can know and be given. His grace on me alone is so great that I continue to have this gift today, because I am able to live for Him this very moment. What a gift of love, seen in you and me, and in our friends, every time we see them, talk to them, or hear from them and yet we take it for granted, because we don’t take the time to think about it for a while and then see it everywhere we go. If you have spent some time thinking about that verse, and the idea of His image I encourage you to take this beautiful gift everywhere you go and share it with your friends. Tell them how beautiful they are, how they love you and how you ought to love them back, because that is what it means to be made by God- in His image and for God- to reflect His nature. His nature is … love. “For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other.” [1John 3:11 MRemix].

In AWE of GOD

2007-01-27T12:55:00.000-08:00

“I remember the first time I was truly in awe of God. I was caught up for the first time in my life in something so massive and loving and transcendent and… true. Something I was sure could be trusted. I specifically remember thinking the universe was safe, in spite of all the horrible, tragic things in the world. I remember being overwhelmed...”

[Rob Bell- “Velvet Elvis”]
Being in awe of God… experience of ultimate reality…love…trust and… peace…Strength and rest… and courage…fulfillment… unity…praise… The definition explains awe as: “a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread and wonder inspired by authority, great beauty, sublimity or might;”

This past Monday I was once again in pure awe of God, overwhelmed by His glory and anointing of grace. God still brings us to His throne, so that we may experience His direct presence and give Him the praise and honor that He deserves. It is a gift to me, to recognize this state of awe for my God. It was a simple worship night for college kids thrown by the leaders of our college ministry. As we were worshiping, there was a picture of Jesus on the cross on one of the slides, but it made me wonder what it meant…honestly I didn’t like it, because Jesus was chained to the cross and I thought it was too violent or fake. I really didn’t like it. So I prayed to see what I meant, or maybe I prayed to get over my feelings toward that picture. I felt to leave my seat and worship on the back of the room, behind all my friends. This was a wonderful time of worship. I started down on my knees, laying before the cross all that was on my heart and mind [it was a hard week for me]. I asked God to meet with me…speak…and to show himself. I needed that. So, He came. During the next 30 or so minutes of worship my hands would stretch out very wide, like never before…I didn’t understand this, but I submitted to it and continued on worshiping God. At some point my arms were hurting because they were so stretched out and I wasn’t used it, but I still remained in that position…and then the glory of the Lord fell down on us. I felt like the Lord was trying to gather “us” together with those stretched arms and lock them, so we could be fully in his arms covered by his love and care. I don’t know what “us” meant. Was it the people in that room? Was it our generation? Was it my college? I don’t know, but I know that He was stretching His arms for us, to come to him, as one family. He showed me that we were a family, not a perfect one, [actually it was more imperfect than anything else] but if we accept this gift he gave us, to young college people, the gift of fellowship, the gift of a family, we will be stronger together. Alone, we would remain weak, just like I was weak that night, feeling alone. It is not easy to accept a gift of family like this. It requires me to humble myself and be honest and real with my friends about my heart; it requires me to kill my prideful nature; it requires me to be simple and yet so enriched by this freedom of trust and love. We are a family that tries to make things right, and God is the only one who can make us right with Him and then allow us to be right with one another. We are a family that needs to learn how to serve love and mercy to one another, because that will keep us together. I loved that vision. I was in awe. And I went up and shared that with my friends. Later, my friend told me about how he was reflecting on the same image of Christ on the cross, that we saw on the slide. He said what it meant to Him, and he said that my words made sense to him, although he told me to go and figure it out on my own. [Haha] The next day, I was reflecting on all of this. My question was, how could my pain of stretched out arms, feel so good! And then I was taken back to that picture of Jesus, His arms were so stretched out on the cross, it must have hurt him and yet he remained in that position of surrender. Was the way he died a symbol of his love for us and a sign, that we could be gather together again? Was it a calling to be a family? He could have escaped this death, but he didn’t. I could end my little pain, by putting my arms down but I didn’t, because that pain felt so good; I had joy int hat state of surrender and submission; I was not alone in it, I was with God and that awe of His Holy presence made me want to stay there. Jesus was not alone on the cross, He was with God…I wonder if he felt similar to what I felt? He knew he was doing it for Hs father who had a greater plan… To gather His lost children together, back to him, back to his arms…back to his heart…

I am trying to learn what it means to have this college group of friends for a family…College is a weird time of so-called-freedom to do life, to find your way, to grow in strength…we continuously fall trying to get it right, pride blinds us and liberal education feeds it; individualism is the big test and love is brokenness… expectations are our daily bread, and pressures to drink and fake love are the air we breath…we all are in it…we left home to be in…it was supposed to be good… and it can be…and it will be good as long as we accept this new family and together, not alone, will try to get it right. To crucify my pride and share love and mercy is what the family is for. They will help me, as I am there to help them do the same.
“The Christian is called not to individualism but to membership in the mystical body. A consideration of the differences between the secular collective and the mystical body, is therefore the first step to understanding how Christianity without being individualistic can yet counteract collectivism.”

[C.S.Lewis- “The Weight of Glory”].

Chaos...

2007-01-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

Brokenness such a interesting feeling that one gets in their heart…we all need it… we all go through it… we usually don’t choose the time when it comes…it comes and molds us into someone vulnerable …something weak in a sense that allows us to realize the reality of our being and the greater connection to our God…brokenness draws us to our knees as we long for God… as we long for his truth…we long for his love…and God is love…
If brokenness is something that gets us before God and makes us realize that we miss him and long for him, than brokenness is a positive thing. For me brokenness is a reality check, that gets the focus off of me and shows me the true reality of myself, this world and God, especially that I cannot make myself broken and realize this on my own. It seems that brokenness is the work of God in me. We sing “brokenness, brokenness is what I long for... brokenness is what I need”, but how many of you while singing this song, can actually feel broken at that time or that night, because you want to feel it?

Today, I am broken for this world…for what religion can do to people…for the influence of leaders who long for love, and who cannot find it in anything else and so they tend to destroy those around them. Today, I my heart breaks open to the reality of cult groups that existed thirty years ago and exist today. I don’t think about them often, because I am not involved in one and can stay focus on one God that I love and known since I was little child. But everyday, there are many who are being hurt from those leaders who led them out from their families, friends and God…This is hard reality to process…I am feeling sick just thinking about it…I want to resist this reality…how can religion become so destructive and yet remain spiritual?...so evil?...so influential?...how can religion become so deceiving?...how can those leaders use the name of my God to harm people? He is God of love as far as I know him!

Peter talks about it as follows [this is Message Remix version of the Bible]:2 Peter 2:1-3
“But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They’ll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other- biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They’ve put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can’t tell right from wrong. They give the way of truth a bad name. they’re only out for themselves. They’ll say anything, anything, that sounds good to exploit you. They won’t of course get by with it. They’ll come to a bad end, for God has never just stood by and let that kind of thing go on.”

According to the Bible, in the last days there will be more and more of false teachers, and prophets described like those above…that is a terrifying thought…people will be brain washed with the false doctrine and promises…they will be going through hell on earth and have what will appear a blast, because they care about themselves only…I thank God for rescuing me from this and I pray that he will continue to protect me and reveal to me all those who try to trap me in their lies…will my friends be safe also…will they be protected by the only One and true God…are you safe…I don’t know…I pray you are…I write this so that you may be aware of those things…be prayfull about every church you enter, every speech you hear, everyone you meet who will try to tell you about the message of God…the truth is one: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit…but be careful my friends, for even the demons agree that Jesus is God…that’s why false prophets will use their names…look to Jesus and pray…question what you hear…and trust Jesus…God is not after us to harm us…the devil is…God’s love can overcome everything…focus on God’s love…read his word daily- that’s your way of knowing the truth! Above all know that Jesus is the only way to God, that is to say it will not be through jimmy or Bobby or Andy that you will get to Heaven but only only through Jesus: "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John14:6 [NIV] John records Jesus saying this over and over and over in his book. Only Jesus. Only one way.

Jesus I pray to you, the one and only one Son of God;the only GOd! Be with us in those days when demons try to constantly deceive us by using your precious and holy name for their purposes. The reality is that we are weak without you, your word and your truth. our brokenness reminds me of this tonight. I come to you for wisdom, discernment and truth. Fill me and my friends with all of these and your love. Protect us and lead us by your truth. Give us therefore the strength to read your word everyday, so that we may know what the truth is and what is not. Bring our spirits, bodies and heart into obedience to you and set us free from the bandages of lies that might be resting on us. Oh God of Jacob, you are the only God and we proclaim your name through Jesus. Thank you for your love and truth. We love you and may we never stop…

Stand Firm Generation!

2007-01-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

“You won't have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch God's saving work for you take shape.” 2Chronicles 20:14 Message

This past summer I studied trees. For two months I just watched, touched them, talk to God about them and wrote about them. I studied their shapes, their roots, their branches and leafs, their fruits, their movements and especially their STILLNESS. I wanted to understand what it means to simply stand firm and watch God do the work, especially in times of battle. Trees stand firm, do nothing but stand firm. You cannot pick them up with your hands and move them to another place, you cannot pressure them to do things, you cannot redirect their focus by natural means. They just stand there, pointing to the sky. Trees stand firm. They don’t talk but do what God made them to do- they praise him by their simple existence and stillness. They are still watching their environment around them. People are not still. People are not standing firm, we tend to be in charge of everything else around us…and yet the Lord calls us to be firm…to stand firm and watch Him move.

Trees are able to stand firm because of their strong roots. Some trees are weaker than the others, because their roots are not developed and so when the wind storm comes, they will be the first ones to break and under the pressure of the wind fall and die. Roots are important for trees, the deeper the roots, the stronger the foundation. Observe branches…some appear to be stronger than others… some stretch to the sky to get the sun, and others go to the side as if they were distracted. The distracted branches will soon die, because they don’t reach for the sun, which gives them light to live, and they are not surrounded by other stronger branches that could cover over them and protect them. Then we have leafs. It is interesting to observe that the most beautiful leafs, filled with most life and color are found on the top of the tree. The branches that are closer to the sun will produce beautiful and rich in color leafs. Leafs and branches are moved only by the wind that blows on them and directs their movement and extend to which they will move. The branches and leafs have no choice, but to do what the winds has them do. And then finally the kind of fruit or lack of, that they produce. Overall, trees could be put in different categories. I saw some tress that were strong and intimidating me with their majesty; some trees overwhelmed me with their beauty; some were so weak that it would take only one blow of the wind and they would fall; some had their branches go to the left side, making the whole tree bend that way and finally fall or break; some trees had no leafs, their branches were dried out, but on the top there was hope- a beautiful green crown of newborn leafs; there were trees that were connected by their roots, their branches were united protecting one another, their trunks connected to make them stronger, both reaching to the sky- it was powerful; and yet there were some that were not connected by roots, only by their branches and you could see that they had divided focus, and so as the one tree leaned to the right side, the other one would also begin to lean and both would finally break and fall down once a gentle wind came- so sad. More and more, but the basic principle for every tree to make it through to storms was to have strong roots, reach for the sun, and finally stand firm.

I compared those observations with people. All the different trees are different kinds of people. I see the importance of their strong roots, as our importance of being in the Word of God, because it is it that will make us strong and stand the storms in our lives. The stretched out branches, are our arms constantly getting a hold of our Lord, in all that we do, symbolizing our surrender to Him. The trunk of the tree which focuses on growing up, are our hearts and eyes that constantly focus on the Lord only and His will for us. We cannot loose a sight of that, is we do, we begin to bend over and just like the tree that makes us weaker and leads to fall. Leafs are sings of how we are living our daily Christian life in this place, we can live it to the fullness or not. And then the fruits… if we produce good fruits in our lives, then this is yet another sign that we focus on our God and he sends us his blessings.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corn.15:58
God tells us over and over to stand firm. For me this means to focus and rely only on Him; to surrender; to give him my all and my best of all; to be lost in him and to see him behind everything that is good and his; to know that he is in control and takes best care of me; to trust him; to be confident in him and him alone. To stand firm for me, means to let his will be done, and not mine; to let him do what he has been doing before the ages; and to accept the privilege of living a life of praise and enjoying all of his creation. It also means that he equipped me to be in this position of worship, so that the desires of my heart could take place… but that will be another blog. Simply research the phrase “stand firm” on BibleGateway and you will see, how important it is for us to stand firm as the Lord does his work around us. Stand firm does not mean not to speak up when injustice is taking place next to us…stand firm means to counsel first the kingdom of God before reacting on our impulses. Standing firm is not a waste of time…it is not being lazy or useless...standing firm is a call to us from God, which will allow us to see his will, to hear his voice and to do what we were meant to do…to surrender to him, to glorify him and to bring him honor…to worship him with our lives, spirits, hearts and bodies…to please him and to be pleased by him…as we take a part in his victory.

Lord Jesus, I pray that we will be like the trees: when prompted by your Holy Spirit to move, we will have no choice of our will but to make a move in the direction you lead us. I pray that we will not think about your call twice, but that we will wait firmly on you and make the move when the wind of your Spirit blows on us. Tress are a symbol of obedience and strength; submission and stillness…let us also become like the trees…patience and diligence is what we need Jesus… please pour it down on us, as we live in such a busy and unstable world. We are yours Jesus. This generation God is yours and always will be! In Jesus name, through the power of His blood shed for us, I pray. Amen.

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 1Corn.16:13 NLT
“It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ.” 2Corn. 1:21 NLT
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Eph.6:11 NLT

Sweetly Broken

2006-12-29T19:24:00.000-08:00

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Fellowship- God's way to touch us

2006-12-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

There is a TV show that I used to watch when I was a child, called “Touched by an Angel”. I loved this show and still do, as I recently discovered its showing on TV. This show truly touches my heart, because it makes me relax, brings peace to my mind, and reminds me that God is always in control. Reminds me that angels do exist and that God hears all of my prayers, and sees every tear that I cry. If you have never seen it, know that in this show Monica, Tess and Andrew are angels that God sends to earth, to deliver a specific message of His love to specific people. When the angels first arrive, they never know what the case is about, or why God has them meet with the people. Throughout the whole show they simply wait on God, listen to him and work together supporting one another, and living a life of truth. By the end of the show, all the puzzle pieces come together and their mission is successfully accomplished. That’s what I like to see. What strikes me is the fact that many times, God reveals a little something to one angel without revealing it to the other two. Today, Tess knew that God would have this little boy live with Andrew for a period of time, as Andrew stood up wanting to say something, she gave him a nod assuring him that God just put this action in place, and Andrew submitted to it. The angels must trust one another, so that the Lord can communicate to them and through them, to the rest. For example, Monica speaks prophetically to many people that she meets, and when they ask her how she knew it all, she simply says: “I didn’t. God gives me what I need to know, when I need to know it.”

God is teaching me more and more about how he works in mysterious ways through the fellowship of other believers. Jesus stretched this idea so much, that it truly is important and even essential for a believer to be involved with other believers. Those friends that we meet, who also have the same love for God, will then be our encouragement, accountability and ways through which God will be speaking to us. Once again, because he may reveal a little something to one of my friends, and then that friend will pass that onto me and the rest. Just like with the angels. We need to always be listening to God on our own, in our own secret place, but we also need to pray and fellowship with other believers so that he can use others to work in our hearts. We need to learn how to trust one another, as we live by our faith in God. I always want to tell God how much I love Him, I want to touch him, hug him, kiss him…but I can’t do that in a direct physical way as I could do with my friends. This is what I have been learning through my recent friendships. God wants to touch me, hug me, and kiss me to show me that he loves me, but he can’t come down in a direct physical way to do these things…so he sends me friends who love him, and whom he fills with his love for me…those friends then come and pass it onto me and I know that this is from the Lord. Same for me…I then get a chance to express my love for God, by expressing it to others. How great is that? I love God! Jesus said that if we give water to a thirsty stranger, it is in reality Christ to whom we give this glass of water, because God is with us here. This is why fellowship with other believers and the way that we treat our neighbors is so important to us, Christians, because then we get to face the living God-relational God, who everyday awaits us with many blessings…and the greatest one of all- the blessing love. The angels showed me today, team work between believers which I can see in my friends, because God does work through others, and because he shows us what we need to know, when we need to know. Make sure that you are not being isolated from this great gift of fellowship…this gift that we know as church…because if God gives me something to pass onto someone else, how I will be able to do it, if there is no one in my life to pass it onto? How will I obey God, if I live a self-centered life and don’t care about others in my dorm, work or faith? I will not be able to hear God correctly by isolating myself from everyone else around me, especially those who love the Lord God. And I will not be able to be alive part of God’s Kingdom, if I choose to be alone. In my life, God mostly gives me what I need to know, when I need to know, while I am praying for someone or with someone…when I am surrounded by his children…just like Monica was. Who are you surrounded by? Who is your other part of the team; your accountability; your encouragment; and someone God uses to speak to you?

Father's Love to me

2006-12-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

God loves me and I don’t even understand that. I don’t understand it not because our God is foreign to us Christians, but because everyday He continues to love us more and more, and once we acknowledge this fact, we are overwhelmed by His grace and love. I am overwhelmed…God loves me. I don’t understand that. Eph 5:1: “Mostly what God does is love you”. I spent the past FEW weeks on studying this verse and I still don’t get it. God loves me today.
Who am I – in the world?
I am the greatest sinner that I have ever known. I am naturally a selfish being, caring for my own needs first before even thinking of others. I am a prideful self, wanting to be known and loved. I am worldly egoistic. I am needy. I want to be heard. I speak before I listen. My heart is purely bitter. I pierced Christ’s hands…
Who is God?
Unchangeable, lasting forever Love…
Who am I – in Christ?
I am the most forgiven person I have ever known. I am supernaturally transformed into a caring neighbor. I am humbled, before the Throne of my King. I am heavenly generous. I am satisfied. I want to listen. I hear before I speak. My heart is purely holy. I abundantly free by Christ’s blood that washed me clean….
How He loves me?
God loves me so much. He provides for me more than I need. Everyday He gives me things that I take for granted: as my eyes open up- another day to live and praise Him/ another day to be loved by Him; clothes to put on; water to wash my face with; glasses to put on and see my reflection as I put my make up on; smelly soap that I like; dry and clean towel; white socks; comfortable and fitting shoes; food; watch; earrings; CDs to listen to; ability to hear; dentist to fix my teeth; paid bill for school; friends to teach me love; family that is still alive; heart that beats; clean air to breath; no illnesses; body that works; voice to praise Him; lips to kiss the one I love; hands to touch; feet to walk; soft hair; smile; food; all electronics; paper; church; BIBLE; books; fridge to keep my food; ability to taste; shampoo; more food!.....
He has been showing me more love for this past year; semester; week; day… this past year he answered my prayers regarding grace…he taught me about his majestic and never ending grace for us and for me…grace that allows us to live another day…make another mistake…grace that calls me back to him... then he taught me about love of a friend…provided me beautiful and faithful to him friends who love him and because of that, they love me…this allows me to see his love, to learn how to love others and to accept his love…he taught me to love…this past week he showed me love of a father…love I have never experienced before…love that blows my mind…generous love…

…I asked him to teach me about faith…to provide for me all that I need so that I wouldn’t have to spend my little money on anything…from little things to big things…he never failed me…as a matter of fact….he gave me more than I asked him for…more than I ever thought I would have…why? Because he loves me and that love of a father allows him to know what I need to grow…let me tell you what he did:To be honest with you, all I wanted for this Christmas was: wash cloth, d-tape, floss, the Message Remix, Listerine, and I think this was it. No kidding, as I said I wanted him to provide for me all things- big and small so I would not spend any money. I prayed the list over and over. Here is what HE gave me this Christmas: wash cloth!!!, the Message Remix, floss, d-tape, Listerine…I praised him for that and he still had more: my printer broke few months ago, so he gave me a new one, but he gave me best kind- one with scanner and copier in it…more than I needed! Then, he knew I only had one pair of earrings so he gave me some beautiful ones, ones that I would not be able to afford- more than I needed! Then, he gave more books that I will enjoy, more jewelry, more random things that I will use, and…please don’t think that I am trying to brag here…I am not…I want to show you his love for me…shocking just as it came to me…then he gave me Zune…new 30 GB ipod to put my online sermons on it so that I could learn more about the gift he has given me and develop it, as I listen to others who followed him. How is that for a love of a father? He knew I am in the season of learning and developing for him, all the gifts he’s given me and so he provides what I need to do it. I praise you Father for this knowledge and love. I don’t need any of this…I thought I was already rich and set for life…yet the more I look to you… the more I share my heart with you…the more you know me…and the more you see my needs... the more your love provides for me…without me even asking you…you know what I need before I even ask for it…thank you…thank you…

He loves me…with everlasting love…love that remembers no wrongs…love that forgives me…love that is not prideful…love that does not envy…pure love…unconditional love…why? Because I am his child…he gives me things because he wants me to have more than enough…so that I could use it for his glory…to praise his holy name of love…he is my daddy…he wants to give me everything…he gave me this world…this world belongs to him…all that belongs to him belongs to me…because I am in Christ…and Christ’s blood cleanses me from my worst sins…from my bitterness…from my selfish nature…and from my pride…my God loves me…I can’t comprehend that…and if he loves me that much…and if I am the greatest sinner I’ve known…how much more he also loves you…and if you haven’t accepted his love yet…he loves you even more than you can imagine…and he is waiting for you to accept his love…to give you more and more of what you think you might need… to give you his son Jesus Christ…to give you eternal life...to give you peace…to give you joy…to give you home…to give you loving friends…loving parents…loving spirit that will dwell in you and be your best friend and helper...he wants to give you love…take it…tell him you want it…believe and rejoice…accept and glorify him…praise him!
I am not anyone special...i grew up in a poor home...poor spiritually and poor on positive emotions...home with a little love...and poor in a physical sense...God met me there..and took me on a journey...since then..he was more than enough...best friend who listens...dad who cares and provides...and God who loves me...that's why i dont get his love...thats why i have a one full life to observe his love and learn it...and pass it onto you...

"You comfort me with your love, with your hand you’ve rescued me, your righteousness, has made me whole, who is like you, Lord. There is none like you, no-one else compares to all your majesty, the world will know your name as you are lifted high and all will bow down. Who is like you, no one else compares to everything you are to all the things you do. Who is like you, I live because you are my everlasting arms, you are so beautiful. You caled me by name, when I felt lost, with your words, you heal my heart, your loving hands restore my soul, who is like you, Lord. There is none like you…."

washed in Your blood

2006-12-26T15:30:00.000-08:00

The walk of shame they put you on,
As a result of the Roman game
Is too long as you fall on your face
Leaving the sweat of your holy grace

100 pounds holding you up
Stripped of all your clothes, my God
You’re looking down as the people pass
You’re looking down deep into their hearts

Son of God humbly you came to earth
Son of Man you took all my shame
Jesus Christ you are the only Lord
Jesus Christ you’re my precious God

Son of God you’re hanging there
Looking down at my shameful face
What did you see in me Lord?
Humbly you took what I deserve

Through the bloody eyes you saw me there
Washed in your blood that was in them
Your hands so stretched out for me,
Telling me you see my broken heart

My God you’re doing this for me
My God I don’t want to see
You go, through all of this
My God please help me see

Drop of blood falls down on me
The conviction of all my sin
The forgiveness of everything I’ve done
And the love that sets me free, my Lord

My God you died there for me
My God you’re all that I now see
Washed in your blood from that cross
My God your love has covered me

Son of God humbly you came to earth
Son of Man you took all my shame
Jesus Christ you are the only Lord
Jesus Christ you’re my precious God

My God you died there for me
My God you’re all that I now see
Washed in your blood from that cross
My God your love has covered me

My God you’re all that I now see Washed in your blood from that cross

Dancing with the King

2006-12-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

Sanctuary- an orderly place, with worship team on the stage, congregation singing and awaiting the pastor to give a life-changing [or boring/dry] message, smiles at familiar faces, few handshakes to welcome ‘the new’, and an appropriate position of a Church- goer: sit in silence, worship standing, and faces looking nowhere, but at the pastor, showing their interest and ‘involvement’. Church- as people, for which Christ Jesus died, few believers living out their faith and worshiping the Lord with their bodies and lives 24/7, laying on of the hands to pray for the needy with a trust and faith, that God will do His work, belief that Jesus Christ is alive and His Holy Spirit works among us, on daily bases, the appropriate position of worship is not required, as the body is the temple of the living God- the body always worships its Creator.

There was a homeless man, looking dirty, having old clothes with holes on, rejected by the society ruled by materialism and pride. He was weak, because his body was taken over by hunger and thirst. He was never invited into the Sanctuary, because people were ashamed of him, and thought that his presence and image would scare away the new visitors, as the church claimed to be ‘an outreach’ place. He tried to get in few times, but the security of this church, escorted him out to the front of the parking lot. There was something mysterious about the faith of this man; he knew that church was the place to be and he trusted that every day was new day, and that God’s mercies were new each day, so he kept coming back. Sunday service- he was there, Wednesday afternoon service- he was there and so were the same people, but nobody dared to talk to him or feed him. Until one day, when two young men in their 20’s maybe, who just graduated from college, visiting the town drove by him and saw his heart of faith and brokenness. They parked the car, prayed in their hearts, and led by the Spirit of God went to meet him. He nodded with his head bowed down, sitting on the cold winter ground, as he was too weak from hunger to try to stand up and his humbled and broken heart, that was constantly stabbed by other Christians and society, was also too weak to make an eye contact with another. John immediately took his coat off and put it on the man with gentleness of an angel and respect, as for the king. The man said, he was just a little hungry, and all he needed was a piece of bread to get him on going. The truth was that the man was suffering not only from hunger and broken heart, but also his right leg gave up on him, from an early car accident and he couldn’t move or stand on his own. Peter saw his little stick that he was using to move around, lying next to the man. The Holy Spirit revealed to the young men, all of this, and gave them faith to pray for this man’s healing and renewing of his heart. Peter said: “Sir, we don’t have much ourselves, but what we have we will give to you. In the name of Jesus, be healed and walk!” Then Peter stretched out his hand and helped the man up. Instantly the man was healed and strengthened. His hunger was gone, his heart was made new and clean, and the broken bones in his leg were also rebuilt and healed. The man began to walk, jump around, and praising the Lord Jesus for the gift on which, he so faithfully waited for all of the years. He was dancing, dancing and dancing, for the One who gave him this life of joy and heart of worship! Peter and John were standing there smiling, clapping their hands and praising the Lord for the blessing. The man couldn’t hold the joy inside of him! He kept on shouting out the name of the Lord and giving Him thanks and praise! Meanwhile, the service was disturbed by the noise coming from the outside- un-orderly noise! Some of the congregation went outside and saw the homeless man, dancing and hugging Peter and John, while praising the Lord! They never saw him walk like this before, so they thought it might have been another man. But the more people came out of the church; they knew exactly who this joyful man was! They were ashamed, in their embarrassment and disorder of worship that they didn’t know what to do, because, they were able to see, that this dirty and homeless man, was now shining a light stronger than the whole congregation all together! They knew that his joy was real, his worship honest and his praises filled with God’s love! That day ALL people saw him rejoicing and praising the Lord. The religious order was disrupted by the living God walking and dancing into the temple! The living God, made himself known to ALL the people in that church, and many were attracted to His mystery and glory. He glorified the man so that He could be glorified, among those who were most lost. The homeless person, fully human, filled with the miracles of God through his faith in Jesus Christ alone, and clothed with the presence of the Creator; the man became one with God. The man didn’t care about the proper order of worship made by men. He himself became the temple of the living God and that meant, he became an offering of worship, at the altar of God! That day, Peter and John didn’t attend the service, because they had their own church going on with the homeless man, worshiping, praising and dancing for the King of ALL people, to the order of the Holy Spirit and His anointing.

Oh God, May I always be united with you Lord, rather than people. May I be a daily temple of the living God, rather than merely attending a temple made by men. And may I reflect your glory and dance for you, so that ALL people would see and hear who you are and the joy that you give me. Cloth me today with your presence and fill me and my friends with miracles, for you are the living God, whom I serve and love. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen.

[Story retold from Acts 3, as I would see it in today’s church. The crippled man in Acts was also rejected by pride and religious order. In today’s world of worship service being put together in a way that is orderly, and goes smooth, think about what it means to truly worship the Lord. And when you think about that for yourself, think then about, how far you are willing to go with your praises, joy and dance for the King and with the King!]
Michelle, this is for you! Never stop on DANCING for the King, who every time asks you to dance with HIM! Continue to reflect His joy through your worship!

The Joy of The First Man

2006-12-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

“Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.” Man said. [Genesis 2:23-Message Remix]. The Man said finally! After naming all of the animals and working hard for God and being with no partner, God gives him the greatest gift- a woman, to live with, to laugh with, to play with, to talk with, to sleep with, to praise God with. A partner for life! When I read this version, I picture the man jumping around; dancing for the King and praising Him for this beautiful creation- for love; thanking God for the woman. FINALLY! He said FINALLY! The pure and original image of love and fellowship with one another, in marriage and friendship appointed by God. The man had respect and honor for the woman; he knew what it meant being alone and when he received the partner for life, who would be faithful to him, he didn’t even dare to try dishonor her. Instead he praised God for that creation. I long for this kind of love in my future spouse. I long to be the woman created for that ONE man, with whom I can praise God forever and be stronger in my service to Him. Why do woman today, give up so easily on this picture? They give up on waiting for the man God made for them, and also they give up on their purpose by lowering their standards and living unholy lives. They don’t see themselves as beautiful or holy anymore. Why don’t men seem to scream “Finally!” when they meet the girl? Because most of them are not used to waiting, and being busy with God’s business before anything else. “Finally! Bone of my bone!” This implies respect and honor for another, because the two were made out of one, and the two once again become one, in the time appointed by God. This “FINALLY!” puts smile on my face, and purifies the polluted image of purity, that the world put into my mind. I pray that God will speak to you through this story of hope, love and even more love! May God draw a picture on your heart and mind of what it means to be that man and that woman, whom God made to always glorify Him and to be united together in one, as He leads you to each other in His proper and perfect time. I’m excited!

Restoring the Beauty

2006-12-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

American girls are some of the most beautiful women in the world, and yet at the same time, they seem to be the most broken and unsatisfied -with their image -women in the whole world. Why? The image I attached represents what most, if not every girl in America goes through. Beautiful on the outside and yet so broken and crying on the inside. The pressure to date, to be a sex object, to look nice, to put make-up on everyday, to be nice and polite, to serve men, to be hospitable, to go along with the crowd and many more things, make the young woman scream and be broken inside. Only few can hear the cry, and for sure God can. Think about how broken His heart must be, to see His creation being beaten up by culture and refusing the natural beauty that He’s given it. American girl: smile that warms you up, hair expressing creativity, freedom and passions; heart full of desires to make a difference; dreams of reaching out with love to others; words that bring peace to your mind; beautiful (sometimes long) legs that will follow the calling; hands always stretched out to hug someone; body- the holy temple of the Holy God; energy that never leaves you bored, and a longing for life-time love relationships. All made in one, by God. All good, all full of potential, all filled with His personal touch and purpose. All sacred, designed for more than any of us can imagine; designed to be holy and to honor Him- the Greatest Lover that any woman, can ever long for or experience. I wonder, if the beautiful women truly are unable to see their beauty- the reflection of the Creator in themselves- when they look in the mirror or on their pictures, as if they are blinded by Him for some mysterious purpose or if they choose to live in denial? I think that they don’t see it, because the only one blinding them is Satan, the creator of lies that get stuck in their minds and hearts, every time someone disgraces the temple of God. The only mystery the Bible speaks of is the mystery of God’s power, goodness and all of His creation. The mystery of His love, which He obviously revealed to a woman by making her a woman, a beautiful woman. I struggle when I see my beautiful girlfriends, beating themselves up for some fake idea of what beauty is; I struggle when they think I joke when I say they are beautiful; and I struggle when they can’t see their true identity in Christ Jesus. How much more does the Father struggle with this? It is like telling Him: “God, it was great, but this nose- you made it too big, this tooth- too crooked, these eyes- sorry, wrong color, these legs- yea, cool for you, but I don’t like this spot of fat formation, my stomach- lets not even go there, and my eyebrows- oh God, why eyebrows?” So they turn and go to another creator- the world, mtv, Hollywood… and their doctor says: “oh yea, you are right, this is a little off, but I am better… let me fix it for you!” And even after ten operations, they still cry and break on the inside…they do it silently in their own rooms, when nobody is watching, because now, they appear beautiful to themselves, but they are still not satisfied…it goes deeper than one’s appearance. God spent so much time on creating each one of us, both women and men. Read psalm 139 it will blow your mind away, on hearing about the precision of God’s own hands making you! And you were made marvelously! Sculpted from nothing into SOMEthing! Something beautiful, a matsterpeace. The image I gave you of American women above, is for all girls in this world. It is true image of what God has revealed to me through my friendships with those girls. I encourage you to encourage your girlfriends, and even guy-friends by giving them complements NOT on their clothes, shoes or make-up, but on their natural beauty that reflects the image and love of God, our Creator. Tell them that they are beautiful- look in their eyes and say that you mean it. And pray that you and your friends will also be able to see it. In times of dishonor for God’s temple and impurity, only prayer will allow us to see God’s original intend and creation at perfection; creation of which you are a part of- an important part.

Oh My beautiful and precious God, I pray that you will enable my friends to hear this message- this cry of my heart- for justice and restoration of the image of purity and woman which you created to shine your light through. May, not the make-up and clothes, cover up your light, but allow your light to become even stronger in us, so that it can breakthrough and shine through the things, that we daily put on, in order to cover up our true nature. The victory is yours and we need to see its physical reflection in this corrupted world; it starts with a prayer- the spiritual weapon, so God teach us how to pray, so we can hear and see you around us, so your beauty may be reflected to us and through us. You make all things new, please make us new Lord. In Jesus Holy and Precious name, I pray. Amen.

God's Love

2006-11-29T13:42:00.000-08:00

God the Father said to my friend: “I LOVE you.”
The word love was much more than what we mean by love when we use it, or what we could ever comprehend without His revelation. It is a love that comes in the most dark moments, and covers the whole earth with the blood of Jesus, as an offering of restoration to our souls and bringing the comforting Presence of the Father to our broken hearts. “I LOVE you”, this kind of love covers the whole earth saying, “God is in control.” God loves this one individual so much, that He is willing to stop everything and in one instant, cover the whole world with His love and peace, for the well being of that one child of His. He is so in love with each of us that He can make the whole world change, in order to take care of that one hurt child of His and still make all things work according to His good will. The child is always a priority! He LOVES the child to extend, greater, than the world! Than all other matters or politics. A child needs a hug from the Father and the Father stops all events and runs in one instant, to meet with that one child of His, which He so dearly loves. We all are that child. What a Love that covers all of me and all of the world, just to give even more to me; just to be there with me. I was not created for the world, the world was created for me. I have priority over the world, because my Father Loves me. Nothing else matters: how righteous I try to be, how good my deeds, or the degree of my faith that I might have. He Loves me! Simple, but He loves me just as I am; broken, rich, poor, with all of my imperfections- I am His and He is mine. He LOVES me. When this truth of a Father is revealed, His LOVE can be truly received!

Jesus called my friend PRECIOUS. Precious here also means more than what this earth could ever represent. We are a Precious Crystal that is very important to Him. We are Precious, because everyday He takes care of us, and He longs to take care of us; He designed this Precious diamond to be taken care of. Once the Diamond is in His hands, it will always be Precious; it is transformed into perfect beauty and richness above all other beauties! We are PRECIOUS. He LOVES us, with a Fatherly love that is beyond anything we know. He always has that covering over us, daily He polishes that Diamond to make it shine again, because the dust tends to rest on it. This allows us to be constantly Precious in His sight. PRECIOUS- word filled with eternal beauty, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, patience and love. Oh, God, let us awake even for one moment to that reality of Your Fatherly love always covering over us; created for us; given to us and that which will never run out. Thank you for making us Precious and cleansing us from the daily dusts of this life. Thank you for loving, LOVING us in a way that you specifically come to us and comfort us. My worship is, all of me for all of you. Your Love, is all of You for all of me. Thank you!

On Grief and Christ's Body

2006-11-29T13:20:00.000-08:00

“In fact some of the parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we cloth with the greatest care.” 1 Corinth. 12:22-23 The mystery of the members of Christ binded together in one fellowship- one body, is once again brought to my attention. The reality of the Living Word of God, is being unlocked and making sense to my mind, once again. The Bible is truly a living God-breathed Word that transforms all things, and all people. When God brings friends together, is it not only for the ‘glad’ times of celebration, but also for the support and strengthening, as they fellowship together in times of ‘suffering’.

My best childhood friend- grandpa died when I was 9 or 10 years, and it was shocking for me to discover the reality of death and life. I didn’t understand the grief I felt then. I just knew that my best friend who was there to give me candy, talk to me from behind the mysterious cloud as he smoke his fifth cigarette, and let me watch his favorite and funny shows with him, was now gone. He was not at all perfect, but for me he was good. I cried on his funeral, for I knew that he would not be there again. I tried not to cry too much, because I knew it would make my mom cry even more. My cousin and I, found comfort in each other, as we went on that day and the next months. I prayed for him ever since. I still continued talking to him about my life, because I knew that God would let him hear me. Other than this, I have never experienced a true grief for a family member of best friend or even close friend.

“If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” 1 Corinth. 12:26 This semester I have already experienced a shared grief, at least two times. And it is the most odd thing for me to go through. Two of my friends lost their best friends, and once I saw their broken heart, I could not help but find myself in the same place of grief. I don’t feel the same extend of grief as they have, but feeling even a little bit, I can’t even imagine how it must be to feel it first hand for your loved one! “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.” So true, but why? Even if I feel my friends’ grief, I still cannot be there as their friends were. I can’t say much to make them feel better. I can’t do anything to help them. I can only pray… for them and for myself. Maybe this grief that God spreads between His body, is a way of caring each other burdens? Maybe this partial grief/ suffering of parts, is the moment when we need to stop all we are doing and help our broken part in suffering, by helping them carry their cross? Even Jesus had that help, when He carried the Cross. “One part suffers, all suffer…” What a mystery of fellowship in Christ. Grief is one of those times that puts us at a distance with one another, and yet, at the same time its mystery draws us closer together. It helps us see the value of friendship and the gift of life received from God. It exposes us to the reality that this life, is our short-term mission field, filled with purpose and when the purposes is fulfilled, we are going back home. And that is the ultimate reward for a life lived well, according to His will- to go home. Home to a place free of grief, but filled with constant sound of praises, sung by those who are with the Father now, and know the joy everlasting.

To be the kind of friend, father, or daughter that is missed after their departure is a gift of grace from God. To miss a friend after their departure, is a sign that God’s gifts are good; that God knows what we need and He will always provide that for us, because He loves us. These things leave our hearts in search for me; in search for the everlasting life that covers all of the grief and emotions that human beings go through. Grief, gives us a longing for more of God, because it is only God who can fill our hearts anew and make them beat again, with more joy and love, than before. “..and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad” Grief comes and goes. Memories remain. God continues to provide His perfect love to all who need healing, and makes the heart that suffered most, overflow with blessings for the whole body. For the parts, find it hard to be healed, unless they are healed as a whole with the specific one that was in the most pain. They all have the strength to keep on going, because they all support one another in their suffering. They will all laugh together again, when each of the parts is healed, and when the weakest becomes the strongest.

May Your blood Jesus, once again, cover over us and wash away all of the grief, pain and suffering. Enter the broken heart and shine light into the darkness; make the weak heart stronger and let it develop into Your Precious Stone, with all of the gifts You designed for it. May You be the Encourager in times of grief and may You fill the broken and gentle heart with Your courage, purpose and guidance. Peace I ask of You Lord, and Comfort of Your love, for all of my friends who are weak. In the most Powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Heaven

2006-11-18T23:11:00.000-08:00

I am homesick. Homesick not for a distant country, or a family awaiting my visit. Homesick for my first and last Home, in which I was created and to which I will return. Homesick for Heaven, if you will. I never realized that what I feel is beyond the physical need of friends, family or stuff. It is homesickness for the True and Only Home, with a Father and a big table of feast. Not even best of best friends can satisfy what I now feel. I know that the Lord is with me always, and that where He is there my home is, but I still miss that almost physical, but yet spiritual REALity that awaits me. I am homesick for Heaven. Do you ever feel that? If, so you are not alone, and if so, it is probably right too. May God the Father, show you this reality that one day we will all experience; the reality of your True Home; reality that we call Heaven. And may your heart desire it, as much and even more, than my heart...

The Humble Image of a Worshiper

2006-11-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

“Hungry I come to You, Hungry for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry.”

My friend, sister in Christ, drew me a picture yesterday. It is a black and white picture. A picture of worship. I put it on my wall, on a eye level position so that I could always face it, and so that it could communicate to me, and remind me of the invisible worship- the kind for which I was created to live out, everyday of my existence.
On this picture there is an abstract like figure standing up, with hands stretching up, eyes closed and mouth wide open, as the figure is singing praises to the Lord. Its feet are bent as again, it can barley stand in the Presence of the Almighty. Under its feet, there is what appears to me like a shadow of this figure. Since my friend told me that the figure is a Spirit worshiping the Lord, I say that the shadow is the flesh, fallen face down before the Lord, because it can not stand in His Mighty Presence. As one’s body can not longer hold all of the treasures that God has given to the person, its supernatural and original being- the Spirit, elevates himself, because it is only the Spirit that can stand in the Presence of God. Worship here, starts with the weakest body, being set down before the Lord as an offering of praise, while the Spirit is being elevated to the highest of places- the Throne Room of the living God!

There is also some black space above and little around the figure. The black is representing the darkness of this world; the evil reality of demons and satan that we cannot always see with our physical eyes. As the Spirit is being elevated through one’s praise, the darkness breaks and the light is brought into places of distress, hopelessness, and evil, as the light wins the battle it leaves hope, faith and love as a stamp of its victory.
And there is yet another thing going on this simple, yet full of action picture. There are words right under the flesh:
“Everyone is set FREE when God, our Savior, our King, Jesus the Messiah inhabits the praises of His people.”

It took me a little bit to understand this. How can everyone be set free, when not everyone is worshiping? How can everyone be set free, when not everyone goes to Church or knows the Lord? How? And it is so simple. Think about the how much darkness, which seemed to be greater at the beginning, was broken because of the Spirit’s praises! When this happens, it is not only the worshiper’s heart that changes, but also the invisible reality in which we live! And that invisible reality affects our physical lives. So when the darkness is broken, because of the praises, then the people around you who are a part of your dorm, sorority, family and school, will also be changed and touched by this light! You may not be able to see it, but the seed of righteousness and light, will be already in their system, doing something that only God the King can do. “Everyone is set Free when God, our Savior, our King, Jesus the Messiah inhabits the praises of His people.” This happens during worship, and after worship, when worship becomes who you are, what you do and what you were meant to do for eternity. “When the music fades, and all it’s stripped away, and I simply come…I’ll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is NOT what you have required, you search much deeper within through the way things appear, you’re looking into my heart”
Once again, it is important not to let the praises end when the worship hour is over. The worship hour, should never be over for the believer. The worship song, should always be in your heart. The worship words should fill up your mind, and draw you a holy picture that you could hold onto throughout the whole day. The worship lifestyle, should define who you are eternally and whom you were meant to be, because God has already defined worship.

God, Your glory alone overwhelms me. In Your Presence I have no words to speak. I simply lay down before you and let the Spirit rejoice in You. This physical suite is too weak for Your Majestic Glory. Give my flesh strength, to hold the Spirit of worship within me, all day long. Lord, sometimes when I worship You, I feel as though my lips have kissed Your Glory; they seem to burn with Your fire of love and restoration. I can’t explain how Holy that is… but I pray that today my friends, will also be able to feel Your Holy kiss on their lips and lives. May the praises from this place, ARISE to You, higher and higher and higher, than ever before, and may the darkness be broken as a symbol of Your victory two thousand years ago, and today. Amen.

“I will exalt the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.” Psalm 34:1-2.

Humble Worshiper ...Honest Worship

2006-11-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to see you. To see you high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory. Pour out your power and love, as we cry Holy, Holy, Holy. “

Worship amazes me at this moment. I could not do anything, but worship and praise the Lord for those past weeks. I have been physically exhausted and yet, so spiritually strengthened this whole week. The word ‘worship’ alone, became alive to me. It became alive, not because I finally found its meaning or practicality, but because it has become a part of me and my lifestyle this past several days… and nights.

I asked God to teach me a life of worship and praise, through which He would be the first and only thing on my heart in the mornings; through which He would be the last words on my lips as I unconsciously fall asleep, every night. And He kept His promise.

He daily put a new song in my heart. I would sing it before bed, during falling asleep and wake up with another song coming out my heart and mouth. During a day, I would sing with His angels, as I would walk to class. “You’re the King of Glory, strong and mighty, strong Almighty God!” would be on my lips, as people passed me on the street. Didn’t even notice that they smiled at me, and unconsciously ignored them, because I was lost in my King’s Holiness.

So hard to even write about this.
Yet last night as I was singing “Holy, Holy, Holy…” I was pondering at the image of worship that I am familiar with in my Church, or with those to which I have been before, and in my college worship groups. For some reason, I can only recall couple true times, when I saw somebody worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth. Worship the Lord not only with the words of the song, but also with their bodies and Spirits. Wow…

Many times we sing great songs of worship and yet, all we do is to sing. I have this image of worship in my head. It is people worshiping with singing words as they mean them: their faces are expressing the intensiveness of their words, their heads are looking up into the sky, with their eyes closed, their lips are shouting out the most beautiful praises one can ever hear; their hands are stretching all the way up to the sides, with their palms facing the sky, as an expression of freedom, some of their palms are closed in a fist, as if they took a hold of something greater and don’t want to let go off it; their knees are bent as if they cant stand anymore and are about to fall on their knees, and all of the body stands and praises the Father in the perfect harmony with each parts.

Every part has and knows its role: the heart receives the song from the Lord through the Spirit, the mouth lets the words out and allows them to return back home, the head is facing the throne, but the eyes can’t physically handle its power, so they stay closed; the hands are beholding His glory, the ears are letting the beautiful sound of the Heavenly melody back into the body, and the knees honor the King by bowing down!

“We fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. The greatness of His mercy and Love, at the feet of Jesus. And we cry Holy, Holy, Holy, ….”
Who can stand with words like this! Who can pretend to have the strength to remain on his feet, while the King is waiting to receive your gifts! What an honor is to just come before the throne of the Almighty King and give Him your crown! What an honor for the King to see your love, bowed down before Him! HE is GREAT!

The people fall to their knees, with humble heads bowed down before the King, not worthy of looking into His Holy, Holy, Holy and full of Love and Mercy, filled with majestic light Face. Yet, His presence is so strong that being on their knees is not enough! They fall on their faces with their hands stretched out before the King, offering Him their crown, of who they are and what they have. Simple, humble, obedient and fulfilled act of worship. The part of life, that is many times only an act, but it is the King’s desire and purpose for each one of them; each one of us.

“I am falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus you’re all this heart is living for.”

Jesus You ARE all my heart is living for. On my knees, I give You all of me. Facedown, I offer You my crown. Strengthen my body, for it is too weak to keep up with Your Spirit. Strengthen my mind, for it cannot comprehend Your love and mercy. And Jesus, continue to nourish Your Spirit within me, so that it will never stop praising Your name. And in my sleep, let me dream of Your Glory and let my unconscious body worship You, so that when I wake up, there will be yet another song floating from my heart, through my mouth out into this world and Heavens, so that my friends may also know Your beauty and majesty. So that my friends, may become Your, as You have become theirs. Holy, Holy, Holy, You are Holy, Holy, Holy…Amen
“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.” Psalm 69:30-31

The Royal Robe

2006-11-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Today I FINALLY bought a robe. I wanted to buy it a long time ago, but I always thought that it was not worth it. So finally today I decided to make the investment, into something that was so foreign to me. But let me tell! I put it on and by the time I got to the shower, I felt so comfortably warm in this new, soft and what happened to be amazingly comfortable investment that I didn’t want to take it off and take the shower!
I always thought that the towel was good enough, just put it on for couple minutes before and after shower and quickly dry out and change. It seemed that the robe was not a necessity. And it wasn’t, but how much easier it is to put something dry on in the shower, walk to your room and relax, without being in a rush to change, because the towel was wet and cold!

And it made me think of today’s world and Christianity. Many times people refuse to accept Christ Jesus as their Savior, because they feel ‘good enough’ in the position in which they are now. And they are right. They have food, clothes, parents, friends, maybe a car, maybe few cars, and all of their material and physical needs for the day are met. In a world like that it is hard to rely on something that is Greater than ourselves. We are getting along just fine. But, if we only knew that Jesus could make our lives easier and even more royal and comfortable, we would probably all want to make the investment. But the thing, just like with my robe, is about making the investment that you think might be good, but you are not sure until you have it. What this means, is that the decision to accept Christ as our Savior is not easy, because it is an extraordinary one and not from this world, but from eternity- something familiar to our spirits, but not necessary familiar to our physical being.

Let me tell you something else. When I bought this robe on, and put it one, it covered everything! More than a towel would. You could not tell what was under the robe. The robe covered all over me. I looked different. And so it is with Christ. As I recall my investment in Christ, I recall the fact that His blood covered all over me! It covered, my past, my sins, my hurts, my sadness, and my scars. It covered my nakedness as Ezekiel 16 talks about (which you all should read!). This chapter describes the humanity in which we all find ourselves in, and the great Love of God for us, even in times when we think that we are the ugliest or the most horrible persons in the world. Because the person in this story chosen to represent each one of us (that’s right- each one of us) is a prostitute- unfaithful, full of sin, dirt, shame, hurt and lonely human being. Things we can relate to at some point in our lives. It is human nature. And God comes down to this nature that rejected His goodness and offers a hand. Verse 5 says that no one looked on us with pity or compassion, to help us, but only God had enough love to come and make us royal. Look at this: v 6-7, says that God passed by and saw us kicking in our blood; he stopped and gave us the ability to ‘live’ and He made us “grow like a plant in the field.” Then it says we became: “The most beautiful of all jewels!” And the story continues:
V. 8 “Then I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and YOU BECAME MINE.”

So when you make a decision to invest all of your mind, heart, body and soul in Christ Jesus- the Only Begotten for you, Son of God, He will automatically cover all over your past, which means that you will be made new (become a new creation- like Paul says it). You will look different to Him, to yourself, to others; you will act differently, you will speak differently; you life will be changed for the highest degree of BEST you can ever think of! Investment will pay off, but you will have to daily, put the robe back on. It will protect you from the Satan and His lies, and as it makes you at peace, it will also lead you to new things in your life that are in store for you. But, put it on everyday! Your robe is: The Word of God, and your conversation/prayer with Him. Wake up in the morning and tell God that you are His and ask Him to be with you throughout the day. If, you won’t, what will happen is, just like my friend said it: the Devil sits on your bed and will try to grab you and your life in that one instant, when you forget to put your robe on.

This is God’s promise for you and for me: “I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and COVERED you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, and necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. […] you became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 16:9-14

As the story continues there is a warning. From verse 15 on, it says that we didn’t adore God for all of His goodness, but rather we trusted in our own beauty. You see I cannot adore my robe, but I can adore the One who provided it for me and created it- God and God only. If I adore my physical cheap robe from WallMart, I will be back down in my blood, just like in the story. I want to tell you that if you’ve fallen into this temptation of adoring your own beauty, there is hope. From verse 59-63 you can read about it. There are some consequences He talks about, but He also mentions a very important word “atonement” (63). Atonement, of Christ Jesus on the cross, where He gave His life on the cross for you, so that His blood could wash over you forever, and rose up again, so that you can not be nailed down by your shame anymore! PRAISE THE LORD.

Now it is your turn to claim it. I got my royal robe on which covers over me; Royal robe that considered not a necessity by this world and yet brings me the fullness of life through: joy, love, happiness, thanksgiving and grace. Have you claimed that yet?

A Gift of Christmas

2006-11-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

A Gift of Christmas.

It seems that a gift of Christmas would be the best gift to give to some of my friends, or even to all of my friends this Christmas. Let me explain. I grew you in a home where we didn’t have a lot of money to buy presents for Christmas. We were very happy with having everyone home for Christmas and with having special holiday food. My parents stopped buying us little presents, when I was about 6 or 7 years of age and it was really hard to understand that change, as a child. You can see how few years of gifts, had a big impact on me as a child. So from then on, I began to lie in my school classes telling others that I got a present, when in reality I didn’t. I was ashamed of telling my peers and teachers, that I was at home with my family, simply celebrating the Baby Jesus- all that I had at that time. All that I always had. I also grew up in a country, where most people (90%) knew what Christmas was about. It was about Jesus coming into the world, and a beginning of a new story of hope and restoration for human kind.

When I was 18 and came to US, my perspective was about to be put to test. I mean real test and since then, I have been put to test every year. You see, in my country people spoke about Jesus’ birth and told that story to one another. Here I am faced with the fact that not everyone, who celebrates Christmas realizes that it is about the Virgin’s birth of the Messiah, who came here for you and for me, specifically. This breaks my heart this year. I came here for high school and during that time, buying presents to everyone was easy, because I had the money and time and was ignorant of all the distraction that I was getting into. When I got into college my eyes began to open slowly, partially because buying presents became harder for financial reasons, and also because most of my friends in this country (including me now), already have everything we need to live. And as you may know, most of the Christmas presents are unnecessary. If, I lived without something, that is not a necessity, yesterday and today, I can probably live another day without it tomorrow. I don’t think that I would need to get it as a present. Sure it could make my life easier, but it can also make my life worse, by making me lazier, more isolated, and more prideful.

The past two years were hard for me when it comes to Christmas. Together with some of my friends in college, we begin to stress out about Christmas (because of the gifts) during October. We know that people will want presents, or expect them, not because they need them or they want us to buy them, but because it is a part of tradition. Even if people say they don’t want them, it is still a part of tradition, and traditions are hard to break. And this tradition of gifts is so enforced and practiced in this country today, that it is now getting a greater emphasis than the tradition of Baby Birth. This year, I don’t want to be distracted by the cost of presents, or by the number of people that I care about and want to get them something. This year, I want to be fully anointed by the powerful story, which when I was a kid, I got so excited about! This year I want to give my friends a Gift of Christmas.

What I mean?
I want to take a risk and share this story as I remember it with those who forgot about it, with those who over the years became distracted by the enforced tradition of gifts and those who never heard the truth of what Christmas is really about. Friends, we have only about 6 weeks before the miraculous night of the Baby Birth. We all must know someone who will either be alone this Christmas or someone who never celebrated it, like believers do. I want to take the risk and share the message of Christ with those in my life, who for the first time might finally be able to hear the truth and celebrate the Christmas as Baby Birth event. I want to give them the priceless and yet, what seems of no cost to me, gift for Christmas: The Gift of Christmas.

You see, when I was a child, I didn’t have a choice but to know and believe that Christmas was about Jesus. But when I came here and was bombarded with all of the material presents and all of the stress that comes with getting the right present for someone, it was really easy for me to get distracted and put the shopping as my priority, rather than calming down my spirit and preparing it to celebrate the Baby. I am not ashamed anymore to tell people, that I didn’t have presents. Not because I get them now, but because, that helped me to remember the importance of that one night in a year, where there is peace and where there a Baby was born, specifically for me. The Baby that saved my life and restored my soul. Baby named Jesus.

Prayer of Faith

2006-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you have received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24

Few days ago on Sunday, while I was taking shower I realized that I was running out of the shampoo and conditioner. I also realized that I only had five dollars for possible spending and that would only be enough for one of the two. There was another realization: I would not have any time on my own to go the store this week and get the shampoo. So I simply asked God to provide for me just enough shampoo for the week, so that I would be able to wash my hair everyday and I also asked Him to provide me with new shampoo and conditioner, mentioning the time and the specific cost.

After this short prayer and thanksgiving, I simply forgot the fact that I need new shampoo. I went to buy Halloween candy on Monday and I forgot to look for shampoo. I was reminded of this again, in the shower. So, I also reminded God about it. During this whole time, it seemed that I had some kind of peace about the whole shampoo running out drama, which is weird if you think about it, because being low on shampoo is not a happy thing for a woman (or a man with long hair, as my friend mentioned). But for me, this time, there was peace. A peace that allowed me to forget about the whole matter, just as if the prayer asked in faith, was really asked in the kind of faith of which Jesus spoke.

On Wednesday I was reminded of the shampoo situation. Today was the last day I could shake off the rest of the solutions from the bottles and then it would be over. So I went to my room and had a strong feeling about calling my friend and seeing if by any chance she was going to a store. As I picked up the phone, there was a message on it from that same friend, asking me if I need anything from the store because she is making a trip there. Was this divine or what?

I was shocked! So I called her and asked her where she was, since she left me the message an hour earlier. She said she was in the store, so while I was quietly praising the Lord, I told her what I needed and guess what? She happened to be right next to the shampoo that I needed, which BTW was on clearance!!! Ahhhh! God is Amazing!
I asked her how much it cost, since I new about my limited resources that I wanted to spend on it, and again quietly I was thinking that I might just get shampoo and not the conditioner. So she said that both cost $2.43 each.AHHHH! (ahhh- which I use to express my shock on how amazing God is!). Of course I told her to grab them! And was in awe of what took place, for the rest of the night.

Then, there was more.

I also asked God to provide some bread for communion on Sunday for our prayer meeting, because I already bought some bread within the past weeks, and now I have a ton of frozen bread, but not fresh one. And I wanted it to be fresh, but if I would buy more bread then I would have more frozen bread.

So while my friend was giving me the shampoo later that night, she also said that she bought some new bread and some of it is in the bag for me!!!
I even didn’t ask her or told her about it. It simply happened. We used it for the communion and it was definitely five times higher quality bread, than what I usually buy!

Just like with the shampoo and conditioner, everything to the last detail and in just enough time for the time of need was taken care of. The prayer of faith was incredible experience to me this week. Simple question guided by trust and knowledge of who my Father is, led to faith which then created peace, that allowed for the impossible for me to come true and for further growth in my faith.

It started with an almost empty shampoo bottle and it ended, with a Divine appointment with the Father at His Supper Table.

Maybe I should pray in faith more often?

Maybe we all should.

Anointing

2006-11-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

Friends! Today is an amazing day! What a great anointing of power and love is available to us. We just need to reach out for it. Everyday we need to reach out for it. My heart is rejoicing in hearing your praises! What a great anointing! I pray that you will claim it. I really pray that for you, with all my heart. There is no greater joy, than that which comes from the Lord who made our hearts. Oh, praise Him all of nations!!!

Communion- way to fellowship

2006-11-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

When Jesus took the bread, broke it and gave it to His disciples, telling them to eat it in His remembrance, it was more than what we think of taking communion, today. He meant fellowship, he meant thanksgiving, he meant looking in another's eyes and recognizing the forgivennes of all sins, of all wrongs- He meant humility. There is something special about believers getting together. There are only few words that could possibly describe the mystery of it. Today I met with my friend, we talked about what God is doing in our lives and how much we love Him. We talked for hours, became very encouraged and felt anointed by the Lord, to do something. We prayed and felt connected, by something Greater than ourselves or this world. It was a mystery, a beautiful one. Just like the verse says: Where two or three gather together, I am with them. Togetherness among believers is holy. It is unity, something for which Jesus prayed and longed to see so much, that John wrote a whole chapter on it [17]. When He broke the bread and passed it around the table, there was something very powerful taking place. ‘Take it and continue on taking it.’ We surely continue on taking it, but are we doing it in the same manner? Do we look each other’s in the eyes; speak words of grace, love and forgiveness? Do we then, have the same humility to pass the bread to someone else and forgive them also? That’s what they did. Today many times in Churches, we are taught to take the communion on our own. So we go to the altar, the bread is surprisingly broken by whom we don’t know; we grab a piece, dip it in the juice, sing a song and go on. It is all about us, all about ‘me’ in that moment. Where is the fellowship? Where is the recognition of my forgiveness? Where did the humility go? It’s all about the comfort, rather than a moment of unity and the holy and necessary recognition, of my position in the Kingdom of Heaven. Think about this for a second. Communion is a very important part of Christianity. Christianity is a very important part of our Fellowship with one another.
Communion – the way we take it- defines Christianity. Christianity- how we do communion- defines Fellowship.