Free Rambling Friday

Want to hear something interesting? (Well in my mind it's interesting) This past Saturday I posted the lyrics to Word of God speak and once Monday rolled around I haven't stopped blogging. Is it possible that bits of my posts is God giving me the words to speak (or write)...crazy thought but are they my words or a bit of His words? As much as it may sound kinda out there, it's my blog and I'm sticking to it :).

It's a nice reminder to me...that God does listen...even if we don't always realize it.

Notice the title of my blog today? Trying out something new. So now that I am rambling, my weekend has been off to a great start. Drove home from work with my sister, stopped for some ice cream, and Sam and I are having dinner with our friends Rachel and Jaime tonight.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don't worrry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Todays's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:33-34

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for my friends. Thank you God for placing my friends in my life. You have placed them in the my life in Your perfect timing.

His faithful love endures forever.

Lesson 35: Cross the Line

Are you "all in"? Have you stepped over the line to live all out for God? To trust Him no matter what?

Once I decided to "cross the line" and be on fire for God...life was good, awesome, the best it had ever been...until that one day. But I'm still across the line except with a whole new view, a new perspective.

Here are a few things that giving your life to Jesus does not mean.

1. It does not mean you "have" to be perfect. We are imperfect people who have been saved by God's grace.

2. It does not mean you "should not" have doubts. Doubt is a part of the human condition (learned this at church this last Sunday).

3. It does not mean that you "will not" have struggles. The Bible says the complete opposite. If we are to share in God's glory, we are to share in His suffering.

Before I crossed over the line and gave myself completely to God, I used to think that I should not pray for myself because there were other people who were more worthy of having God answer their prayers. And I also thought that I could accomplish anything I wanted to. A while back I was talking to a friend who said that she liked going to church but hadn't gone in a long time because she made wrong choices throughout the week and her choices didn't reflect a "Christian" life. I can completely relate as I have been there too.

But that's the beauty of God though...you can mess up all week and then still go to church on Sunday. God will be waiting. Slowly or rapidly He can change your heart...you just have to ask Him to do so. You have to want it. You'll find yourself making different choices once you continuously feel God's presence...once you begin living to please God.

Crossing the line is the best decision I have ever made in my life. It's really the only decision that will ultimately matter. The rest of my life is now driven by this one choice.

Costa Rica and God

This last week Sam and I had the opportunity to go on our first mission trip with COF. It was an amazing experience. I wish I had something profound to say but the truth is...I don't. All I can say is it was, to me, one way that we as individuals and as a couple can glorify God. I love that Sam loved it as much as I did (he even mentioned moving there which I am totally for if it makes him more on fire for God).

We got to spend time in La Carpio. La Carpio is the roughest area in San Jose. The work our church has done in the area is awesome. The kids there were so excited to hang out with us. I think I may have been more excited than they were. It was a great feeling to feel like I was 10 years old again :). I painted nails, passed out stickers, played a little soccer and basketball, gave piggy back rides. It kinda made me think of how I wasn't aware of the time at all and that sometimes when my niece asks me to play with her...I am inconvenienced. It should be the same, shouldn't it? I should willingly give my time to her.

After the first day in La Carpio, we were given the chance to go visit the orphanage in Coronado or stay in La Carpio. My decision was easy - I wanted to stay and play! The kids would either call me "gringa" or "china"...china I have been called before but never gringa...I thought that was pretty funny.

I hope that we get to go back to visit our new friends in La Carpio and I hope that we never lose focus of glorifying God.

Lesson 34: Wisdom

One of my favorite people told me the following when I was barely starting my walk with God.

"God is a God of redemption, healing, second, third, fourth and many chances..."

No matter how many times we fall, we break, we mess up..."God is a God of redemption, healing, second, third, fourth and many chances..."

This piece of wisdom crosses my mind frequently.

Lesson 33: Word of God Speak

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

Lyrics by Mercy Me

Commandments

"If you love me, you will obey my commands." John 14:15

1. You must not have any other God before me.
2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.
3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You must not murder.
7. You must not commit adultery.
8. You must not steal.
9. You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
10. You must not covet your neighbor's house.

Are there only 10 commandments? Could the following be considered commands as well?

- "Pray for those who persecute you!" Matthew 5:44

- "Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose your reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1

- "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries." Matthew 6:34

- "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged." Matthew 7:1

- "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." Matthew 7:12

- "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

- "...You must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me..." Matthew 16:24

- "...Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 19:18

I'm not an expert by any means but I like to think there are more than just 10 commandments.

My Prayer

I've made a friend in the last few weeks and have only spoken to her twice. And twice I have been amazed about her passion for God. I have passion for God but it is not that obvious in my daily conversations with others. Her on the other hand, WOW. Listening to her talk was very interesting and inspiring. As she was sharing with me a bit about her life, it was quite evident that she lives all out for God. During one conversation, she quickly stopped and said she was sorry if she talked so much but pointed out that it was for God's glory (and it did glorify Him) :). I was so intrigued by the fire she has for God, I listened intently and occasionally interrupted to ask questions. The way she communicated her love for God was awesome. The way she was serving God was awesome. The way she spread the Good News was awesome.

My prayer is that one day I will have an obvious fire for God that can be seen and heard by those that I meet. That they can leave and say wow, I want to be like her...on fire for God.

I Have To Know

I read this book called Jesus Freaks (Martyrs) by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs. It's a compilation of stories of those who stood for Jesus: the ultimate Jesus Freaks.

The stories in the book cover a vast time period, from early AD up until the late 90s. It's just amazing, heartbreaking(for the suffering endured) and inspiring, how so many people have stood firm for Jesus knowing the persecution that was right around the corner, knowing that a horrible death that could have been avoided if they denied Jesus. They did the only thing they knew...stand firm in their faith even if that meant torture and death. Their faith was so great that they courageously did all they could to spread the Good News even if it costed their lives. Here is Thomas Hauker's story:

Thomas Hauker
England
1555

"Thomas," his friend lowered his voice so as not to be heard by the guard. "I have to ask you this favor. I need to know if what the others say about the grace of God is true. Tomorrow, when they burn you at the stake, if the pain is tolerable and your mind is still at peace, lift your hands above your head. Do it right before you die. Thomas, I have to know."

Thomas Hauker whispered to his friend, "I will."

The next morning, Hauker was bound to the stake and the fire was lit. The fire burned a long time, but Hauker remained motionless. His skin was burnt to a crisp and his fingers were gone. Everyone watching supposed he was dead. Suddenly; miraculously, Hauker lifted his hands, still on fire, over his head. He reached them up to the living God, and then, with great rejoicing, clapped them together three times.

The people there broke into shouts of praise and applause. Hauker's friend had his answer.

"My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness...It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now...I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
-Paul the Apostle, Martyred in Rome, 65 AD (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, The Message)

Lesson # 32: Give Even More Thanks

Thank You God - Part 3

61. Thank you God for giving us endurance to run this race called life.

62. Thank you God for laughter.

63. Thank you God for the role models in my life.

64. Thank you God for giving Sam the cooking skills I don't have.

65. Thank you God for giving me the courage to start this blog.

66. Thank you God for the air we breathe.

67. Thank you God for Treebeard's hot sauce.

68. Thank you God for the enjoyment I find in my job.

69. Thank you God for my mom, who instilled in her children the value of hard work.

70. Thank you God leading me back to You every time I am filled with doubts and negative thoughts.

71. Thank you God for blogs that I read that are about You and your great love.

72. Thank you God for air conditioning.

73. Thank you God for our first upcoming mission trip to Costa Rica; may it be the first of many.

74. Thank you God for shower caps.

75. Thank you God for my CPA license.

76. Thank you God for traveling Broadway shows.

77. Thank you God for electricity.

78. Thank you God for calculators.

79. Thank you God for umbrellas.

80. Thank you God for cruise control.

81. Thank you God for me and Sam being equally messy.

82. Thank you God for helping me get out of debt.

83. Thank you God for First Thursdays.

84. Thank you God for raising Jesus from the dead to show all that You are Lord.

85. Thank you God for salvation.

86. Thank you God for deeming us worthy of Communion.

87. Thank you God for each brand new day you give us.

88. Thank you God for stealing my heart and holding it captive.

89. Thank you God for your mercy.

90. Thank you God for band-aids.

91. Thank you God for thunder storms.

92. Thank you God for the promise of eternity.

93. Thank you God for lightening bugs (at least that's what we called them as kids).

94. Thank you God for disposable kitchen wear.

95. Thank you God for pizza.

96. Thank you God for toothpaste.

97. Thank you God for holidays.

98. Thank you God for water.

99. Thank you God for online banking.

100. Thank you God for working in my life.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his gates with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:4-5

Lesson #31: Give More Thanks

Thank You God - Part 2

31. Thank you God for hot water.

32. Thank you God for treadmills.

33. Thank you God for reminding me that life is not all about me.

34. Thank you God for the healing power that Jesus brought to Earth and all the people he healed; for the stories we read in the Bible and what we see today.

35. Thank you God for every day miracles.

36. Thank you God for the religious freedom we have in the U.S.

37. Thank you God for dry cleaners.

38. Thank you God for complete strangers with caring hearts.

39. Thank you God for keeping all my cousins who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan safe.

40. Thank you God for the desire to really want to know You.

41. Thank you God for restoring my marriage.

42. Thank you God for always picking me up when I fall.

43. Thank you God for making the sky blue. Only You would make it a nice calming color.

44. Thank you God for giving me the desire to read and learn your Word.

45. Thank you God for providing me with an indescribable peace when I need it most.

46. Thank you God for removing the guilt I once carried around with me.

47. Thank you God for showing me that You are the only way.

48. Thank you God for creating me.

49. Thank you God for loving me.

50. Thank you God for Texas weather.

51. Thank you God for instant oatmeal.

52. Thank you God for my nightly dreams when Zavier is in them.

53. Thank you God for showing me that it is all about You.

54. Thank you God for Your will.

55. Thank you God for the good plans You have for us all.

56. Thank you God for flip flops.

57. Thank you God for ear phones.

58. Thank you God for Your unfailing love.

59. Thank you God for giving Sam the tolerance to listen to me sing the whole way during road trips.

60. Thank you God for letting me understand that I am not in control; You are.

"I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart"...Psalm 138:1

Lesson # 30 - Give Thanks

Thank You God - Part 1

1. Thank you God for family.

2. Thank you God for friends.

3. Thank you God for my health.

4. Thank you God for my family's health.

5. Thank you God for second chances.

6. Thank you God for my job.

7. Thank you God for COF.

8. Thank you God for sending Jesus to die for us.

9. Thank you God for weekends.

10. Thank you God for allowing me to make my own mistakes.

11. Thank you God for peanut butter.

12. Thank you God for pepsi max.

13. Thank you God for the Metro park n ride.

14. Thank you God for music.

15. Thank you God for placing the desire in me to live all out for You.

16. Thank you God for my education.

17. Thank you God for those who write/sing/play Christian music.

18. Thank you God for the time I spent holding my nephew Zavier.

19. Thank you God for a great 4th of July holiday with my entire family.

20. Thank you God for an awesome husband, Sam.

21.Thank you God for mazapans.

22. Thank you God for redemption.

23. Thank you God for keeping me and others safe for the times I chose to drink and drive.

24. Thank you God for LASIK.

25. Thank you God for all the encouragers in my life.

26. Thank you God for DVR.

27. Thank you God for no car payment.

28. Thank you God for youtube.

29. Thank you God for hair straighteners.

30. Thank you God for letting me experience your presence.


"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me." Psalm 103:1-2

A Grudge?

Ever since January 8, 2010, my life has been separated into two time periods...before Zavier and after Zavier. Before Zavier passed away, and after Zavier passed away.

It wasn't long before Zavier was brought into this world, that I had discovered what it truly meant to be a follower of Christ. I was on fire for God when our world came crashing down.

I love God with all my heart and am still on fire for Him. But it's like I love Him just a little more when I think of our life "before Zavier" (before Zavier died). Every worship song that once brought tears to my eyes no longer has the same effect when I am thinking about our lives "after Zavier". It's like I have a grudge against our great God. A grudge that I don't want to have, a grudge that I want so badly to let go of.

One day I want to experience the tears of thankfulness, complete thankfulness, that once came so easily.

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." Psalm 50:14