Thursday, November 25, 2010
giving thanks.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]
I love Thanksgiving; it’s by far my favorite holiday. And while I love me some ham (yeah, not so much a turkey fan), stuffing, mashed potaters, with a slice (or two) of pumpkin pie, there are such greater things to be thankful for. I love how my family comes together, I love how we can share our blessings, I love how we’re that much closer to CHRISTmas. I especially love this holiday because it provokes an “attitude of gratitude.” This particular holiday allows us to take a little break from our busybee lives, take the attention off ourselves and project our thankfulness elsewhere.
Although I would love to list out the oodles of blessings that make my heart overflow with gratitude, I can sum it all up in giving thanks to the Giver of all these gifts. Without giving thanks to the One who provides all these things, these things would just be tangible, expendable things. And I hope that God grows our hearts to rejoice always regardless if we have all this stuff or if we’re experiencing favorable circumstances for God alone is the sufficient source of gratitude.
So thank You, oh gracious God, for everything You are. You are a God who is consistent, who loves unconditionally, who has given us Your Word that we may learn about You by the power of the Holy Spirit, who hears the cries of our hearts, who comforts us in the most trying times, who places beautiful people and opportunities in our lives, who provides blessings that we do not deserve. But most importantly God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, who is more than just a “good example.” He suffered the horrific punishment in our place and served as a sufficient sacrifice to reconcile us to You as he conquered sin and death so that we may live. Forgive us for often being ungrateful or being negligent of the Giver of all the luxuries we have. May we be challenged to maintain this spirit of thanksgiving throughout the year because there is always something to be thankful for.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
beyond this life.
I often think about heaven...
- What will it be like? What will I do there? Where will I live? Who will I be reunited with? Who will I meet? While I may dream about roads paved in gold and a grand mansion to rest in, all of that won't matter because I'm pretty sure my one concern and the first person I'll want to see is Jesus himself! What will I say to him? What will he say to me? What will I do? I think my main priority would be to thank him for saving me. It's like that one song, I can only imagine...
- How awful would it be if we were accepted into heaven based on our works alone? I bet no one would get in, elbowing each other to get to the front of the line, trying to outdo each other, claiming that they did more than the next person and, therefore, deserve a better place in heaven. Everyone would be arguing and competing over what they did and how it entitles them to VIP treatment in heaven. But we can never earn heaven because we can never deserve heaven. We deserve quite the opposite. That would be horrible if we had to work our way to heaven, but thank God that all we have to do is receive the gift of eternal life through faith. It is his pure love, mercy and grace that reconciles us to him even though we don't deserve it. We don't have to do anything, everything has already been done for us.
- Why not think of living for today instead? While I do appreciate every day that God blesses me with, the opportunities, the people, etc, I know that time here on this earth is but a vapor and there is more beyond this life. I am so extremely grateful for every moment here and I hope to take advantage of every moment here. But I also do want to set my mind on heavenly things instead of idly absorbing the illusions of what the world offers. So I hope to live this life that is pleasing to the very God that sustains my life to experience it.
- And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold,the dwelling placeof God is with man. He willdwell with them, and they will be his people,and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, anddeath shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." [Revelation 21:4]
I long for this day. Wouldn't you, my friend? Let's talk.
- What will it be like? What will I do there? Where will I live? Who will I be reunited with? Who will I meet? While I may dream about roads paved in gold and a grand mansion to rest in, all of that won't matter because I'm pretty sure my one concern and the first person I'll want to see is Jesus himself! What will I say to him? What will he say to me? What will I do? I think my main priority would be to thank him for saving me. It's like that one song, I can only imagine...
- How awful would it be if we were accepted into heaven based on our works alone? I bet no one would get in, elbowing each other to get to the front of the line, trying to outdo each other, claiming that they did more than the next person and, therefore, deserve a better place in heaven. Everyone would be arguing and competing over what they did and how it entitles them to VIP treatment in heaven. But we can never earn heaven because we can never deserve heaven. We deserve quite the opposite. That would be horrible if we had to work our way to heaven, but thank God that all we have to do is receive the gift of eternal life through faith. It is his pure love, mercy and grace that reconciles us to him even though we don't deserve it. We don't have to do anything, everything has already been done for us.
- Why not think of living for today instead? While I do appreciate every day that God blesses me with, the opportunities, the people, etc, I know that time here on this earth is but a vapor and there is more beyond this life. I am so extremely grateful for every moment here and I hope to take advantage of every moment here. But I also do want to set my mind on heavenly things instead of idly absorbing the illusions of what the world offers. So I hope to live this life that is pleasing to the very God that sustains my life to experience it.
- And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold,the dwelling placeof God is with man. He willdwell with them, and they will be his people,and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, anddeath shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." [Revelation 21:4]
I long for this day. Wouldn't you, my friend? Let's talk.
Friday, October 22, 2010
run with endurance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a could of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God [Hebrews 12:1-2]
After fighting through a fun week of a sore throat, runny nose (and all that other good stuff), I was determined to suck it up for 13.1 miles this Sunday for the LB half marathon. I wasn’t feeling nearly as prepared as the Surf City Half back in February and my excitement was buried beneath tissues and a lack of motivation. The night before, I meditated on these verses and completely surrendered it all to God. As always, I knew I would surely need God to be my strength.
Brento and I arrived in gloomy Long Beach by 5am as the dark streets were jam-packed with proud runners stuffed in cars with bumper stickers like “Divas <3 to Run.” We stretched out, waited in a ginormous line for the potty and headed to the start line.
Miles 1 and 2 were a breeze while hundreds of us ran like a school of fishies. At mile 3 and 4, I was still feeling good, feeding off the energy of the diverse and enthusiastic crowd. Then at miles 5-8, I felt my body shutting down. I felt defeated as people kept zooming by me, but my competitve nature would not allow that. As my pride increased, so did the pain. My bad left knee was about to go out, my lungs were pushing full throttle by then. The energy bar from earlier and baby cups of powerade throughout the race were just not cuttin’ it. By mile 9, my vision was blurred and I had to stop several times to stretch out and breathe. More intense prayer kicked in by now. Miles 10 and 11 were a fight with myself although the cheers on the sidelines and strangers’ high fives gave me little boosts throughout the way. Then on mile 12, I just couldn’t do it. I had to stop. As I started to walk, I suddenly noticed a shirtless man ahead of me with a fatty tattoo on his back of a cross on a hill. I started to pick up the pace once again, feeling unusually rejuvenated and literally fixed my eyes on the cross to draw me to that finish line.
Now, the race continues and I must press on.
And I must remember where to focus my eyes---
on You, oh Lord, help me to always fix my eyes on You.
After fighting through a fun week of a sore throat, runny nose (and all that other good stuff), I was determined to suck it up for 13.1 miles this Sunday for the LB half marathon. I wasn’t feeling nearly as prepared as the Surf City Half back in February and my excitement was buried beneath tissues and a lack of motivation. The night before, I meditated on these verses and completely surrendered it all to God. As always, I knew I would surely need God to be my strength.
Brento and I arrived in gloomy Long Beach by 5am as the dark streets were jam-packed with proud runners stuffed in cars with bumper stickers like “Divas <3 to Run.” We stretched out, waited in a ginormous line for the potty and headed to the start line.
Miles 1 and 2 were a breeze while hundreds of us ran like a school of fishies. At mile 3 and 4, I was still feeling good, feeding off the energy of the diverse and enthusiastic crowd. Then at miles 5-8, I felt my body shutting down. I felt defeated as people kept zooming by me, but my competitve nature would not allow that. As my pride increased, so did the pain. My bad left knee was about to go out, my lungs were pushing full throttle by then. The energy bar from earlier and baby cups of powerade throughout the race were just not cuttin’ it. By mile 9, my vision was blurred and I had to stop several times to stretch out and breathe. More intense prayer kicked in by now. Miles 10 and 11 were a fight with myself although the cheers on the sidelines and strangers’ high fives gave me little boosts throughout the way. Then on mile 12, I just couldn’t do it. I had to stop. As I started to walk, I suddenly noticed a shirtless man ahead of me with a fatty tattoo on his back of a cross on a hill. I started to pick up the pace once again, feeling unusually rejuvenated and literally fixed my eyes on the cross to draw me to that finish line.
Now, the race continues and I must press on.
And I must remember where to focus my eyes---
on You, oh Lord, help me to always fix my eyes on You.
how’s that for some sky candy?
Now, summer’s not leaving without a fight. The heavy heat’s been rolling in for several days now… and so have some of the most beautiful clouds I’ve ever seen!! These pictorals were taken on my way to and from work. I just had to stop and snap some photos of these sights. I just had to stop and worship. All I could think was, “wow God, just wow.” What an absolute blessing to be surrounded by amazing sights of Creation, pieces of evidence that a genius Creator truly exists!
Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever! [Psalm 111:3]
As I am amazed of your wonderful works and thankful for all the blessings in my life, oh God, I pray that I am even more in awe of who YOU are and the most wonderful gift that You have given to us. I pray that I remember that Creation is a mere reflection of the Creator. And oh how beautiful it is and how beautiful You are, indeed.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I GIVE UP.
No matter how much I try and try, I am always reminded I cannot do this on my own. So, once again, I give up. It’s pretty exhausting trying to do all and be all. Lord, please help me to surrender. My little heart is filled with big ambitions, but I know that you, oh God, are even bigger and greater and Your guiding hand will direct my steps. I want to surrender my desires, my heart, my talents, my goals, my life into Your hands because I know that You know what is best for me. If I’m not living to wholeheartedly know, worship and love You, I’m obviously focusing on the wrong thing. Forgive me for seeking pleasure in silly places. You alone can satisfy. You are all I need. Nothing else can fill these voids but You and nothing else deserves such praise. I pray that the good news would captivate my heart once again and open my eyes to see that You encompass everything perfect and lovely.
WOW, i was seriously brought to tears when watching this. How encouraging to know that these guys can use their God-given talents to reach so many people in sharing the truth of how we absolutely need God. I hope those who view this video look beyond the tight dancing (because it was super tight!!) and really focus on the driving force behind it—- Jesus Christ. We need him. Thank you Vinh, Keone and Mari for sharing this and glorifying God through the talents He has blessed you with. Praise the Lord foreal.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [Colossians 3:17]
love.
"I love you, O LORD, my strength.
[Psalm 18:1]"
Right now, I am weak. I am frazzled. I am vulnerable. I am helpless without You. My heart is heavy. My mind wanders.
But You, O LORD, are my strength and my refuge.
I don’t know a whole lot, but I know You are real and I know you are the reason for every blessing and with me through every trial.
[Psalm 18:1]"
Right now, I am weak. I am frazzled. I am vulnerable. I am helpless without You. My heart is heavy. My mind wanders.
But You, O LORD, are my strength and my refuge.
I don’t know a whole lot, but I know You are real and I know you are the reason for every blessing and with me through every trial.
God is good.
I find myself wandering into temptation, finding comfort and contentment in foolish things. It’s such a struggle when we know what we should do, but our fleshy desires direct us elsewhere. Why splash in the mud for a little while when God offers you the most wonderful riches for all eternity?
Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. - C.S. Lewis
Dear God, I know that what You offer is beyond comprehension. Even the most satisfying things in life cannot compare to what You have in store for those who believe and trust in You. I also know that I am weak against temptation, so I pray that I would cling to You as my Rock because we know that my mind and heart can be rather unstable. I know that you know what is best for me. Increase my faith to live by that truth, a real doer of your word. Lord, enlarge my heart and open my eyes to acknowledge opportunities and fill me with the boldness to be a witness for You. And please soften hearts, break down walls, reveal Yourself to those who really need You for healing, comfort, direction and true love that they cannot receive from anyone else. We need You.
God is everything I need and I pray that He transforms my heart to genuinely make Jesus my greatest treasure. Because of him, my life would not make sense. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the Creator of all things, the sustainer of life, the giver of all necessities, the strength in trials, the teacher of true knowledge, the leader in times of uncertainty, the source of abundant joy, the only one who can love perfectly.
God is so good. How can I not rejoice?
I am praying for you.
Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. - C.S. Lewis
Dear God, I know that what You offer is beyond comprehension. Even the most satisfying things in life cannot compare to what You have in store for those who believe and trust in You. I also know that I am weak against temptation, so I pray that I would cling to You as my Rock because we know that my mind and heart can be rather unstable. I know that you know what is best for me. Increase my faith to live by that truth, a real doer of your word. Lord, enlarge my heart and open my eyes to acknowledge opportunities and fill me with the boldness to be a witness for You. And please soften hearts, break down walls, reveal Yourself to those who really need You for healing, comfort, direction and true love that they cannot receive from anyone else. We need You.
God is everything I need and I pray that He transforms my heart to genuinely make Jesus my greatest treasure. Because of him, my life would not make sense. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the Creator of all things, the sustainer of life, the giver of all necessities, the strength in trials, the teacher of true knowledge, the leader in times of uncertainty, the source of abundant joy, the only one who can love perfectly.
God is so good. How can I not rejoice?
I am praying for you.
a God who knows.
In the midst of our suffering, our God is there, with a love ever so unfailing. Trust Him with your pain, place your hand in His, give your heart to Him, He won’t let you down.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [Hebrews 4:15]
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [Hebrews 4:15]
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
homegirl ruby is having a pretty sweet giveaway!!
oh how i'd love to score me that snazzy polaroid camera!
other than that, check out her blog-a-roo!
oh how i'd love to score me that snazzy polaroid camera!
other than that, check out her blog-a-roo!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. [James 4:13-16]
I approached him and revealed my growing desire to venture to the Philippines to participate in missions, particularly his student ministry in Bacolod. We exchanged our excitment and he encouraged me to pursue this yearning of my heart to reach the nations with missionary work.
Then he prayed for me.
He was a loving husband and father, a leader and evangelizer, a faithful servant of the Lord, doing great things for God’s kingdom until his last day of his unexpected death. Although we mourn the physical death of our brother, Pastor Aboi del Mundo, in his early 40s, we also rejoice that he is undoubtedly celebrating a life in heaven with the very God that he dedicated his life to serving. Praise God for his example and may his family and friends be comforted by the sufficient grace of God.
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
[Psalm 90:12]
We do not know how long God will allow us to live here on this earth, but my hope is to use this short time I am given to express gratitude to my Father in heaven. Yes, life is short, but I don’t want that fact to permit foolishness. I want to give my life to the One who gave His life for me—- I would rather lift it up with full assurance than live it up, searching for the next high, exhalting idols and chasing things that do not satisfy. Dear God, give me grace, be my strength, I cannot do this alone. Teach me to number my days, pursuing only things that are pleasing in Your sight.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
so encouraged!
i just wanted to share a blog post by our friend, marc, a new believer and already going strong with a desire to learn and grow in the knowledge and love of God! PTL!
=============
Page by Page Struggle
It’s either ALL the Word of God, or it isn’t.
Something that is a constant battle for me and I’m sure will continue to be, so long as I continue to grow in my faith.
I’ve been attending Creekside Church every Sunday for the past couple months or so, and when I can’t make it to Irvine from being out of town or other circumstances I listen to the sermons online once they’re posted to get caught up. The series of messages are called Kingdom Living and have all been about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount which is a compilation of Jesus’ teachings on how to live our lives. Each week a different section of the Sermon on the Mount is discussed at Creekside, and each time I learn something new about myself that I have to change or adjust in order to better follow God’s Word. Now these changes don’t come immediately for me, or for anyone I presume, but with prayer and just continually studying the Bible it becomes easier and easier to try and mold myself into the person God wants me to be.
Now I guess the next question is why should I continually have to change how I act or think each time I read something in the Bible that conflicts with how I think or act already? Well to put it simply, it’s because I’m a believer; I believe that Jesus Christ is my savoir who died for my sins and all sins of the earth. I invited God into my life because I’ve learned that I need His guidance. Along with allowing God to enter my life came some rules that I have to obey and things I must do, not to prove to Him my self-worth and not to buy my way into His Kingdom, but instead to thank Him for what He has given me. Trying to do good works and live a perfectly moral life in order to prove to God that I am worthy doesn’t really make sense because I have sinned and unfortunately I probably will sin again because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Basically, I can’t claim my worth to God based on my obedience to Him because I fall short of God’s standards. Sounds discouraging? Not to me, because I know that due to sin I would not be allowed to live in Heaven with God; however, God provided me and all of us an opportunity to be with Him because HE LOVES US. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It’s this love, this unconditional love that provides the reason to why I am trying my best to re-shape my life to glorify God because I cannot possibly thank Him enough for saving me. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
So that pretty much covers the reasons as to why I am trying to do things differently in my life nowadays. The problem is that it isn’t always easy to just change the way you live and believe me I have plenty more to work on in my life. But I am trying and I am proud to say I have made some significant changes in my life that I am very proud of and thank God for answering my prayers about them and giving me the strength to change. Ok, so why did I title this post “Page by Page Struggle”? Well, mainly because the more I read the Bible the more I come to agree with and the more I also come to discover “oops, I’m messing up.” These mixed feelings come from reading the Sermon on the Mount or any part of the Bible really, and it’s a struggle because when I come across something I don’t necessarily agree with or something that’s hard for me to change, what do I do? Do I ignore the parts that challenge me and disagree with my previous beliefs and focus on all the awesome parts that I do agree with? That doesn’t really make sense because that’s basically me cherry picking which parts I like and dislike; or, agreeing and living by what the Bible says on one page but then turning the page and if I dislike it, just ignore it and continue to disobey it? That won’t quite work out because “it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Romans 2:13). It’s not enough to just read/hear the Word of God, I have to ACTIVELY follow God’s Word. Definitely not always an easy task and I know that I am only just beginning the long journey that is to come which will be filled with difficulties that will push me and only help me grow further in my faith. If I come across something that I disagree with in the Bible, or is hard for me to obey I know I just need to pray about it and continually try and work towards correcting that fault in myself because “the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25). I know I’ll make mistakes along the way, after all I am only human, but the comfort in knowing that God will be there every step of the way to help me out makes me understand that this is a journey I’ll be able to handle. Consciously trying to make an effort to change and follow the Word of God will be rewarding, as it already has been. PTL!
=============
Page by Page Struggle
It’s either ALL the Word of God, or it isn’t.
Something that is a constant battle for me and I’m sure will continue to be, so long as I continue to grow in my faith.
I’ve been attending Creekside Church every Sunday for the past couple months or so, and when I can’t make it to Irvine from being out of town or other circumstances I listen to the sermons online once they’re posted to get caught up. The series of messages are called Kingdom Living and have all been about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount which is a compilation of Jesus’ teachings on how to live our lives. Each week a different section of the Sermon on the Mount is discussed at Creekside, and each time I learn something new about myself that I have to change or adjust in order to better follow God’s Word. Now these changes don’t come immediately for me, or for anyone I presume, but with prayer and just continually studying the Bible it becomes easier and easier to try and mold myself into the person God wants me to be.
Now I guess the next question is why should I continually have to change how I act or think each time I read something in the Bible that conflicts with how I think or act already? Well to put it simply, it’s because I’m a believer; I believe that Jesus Christ is my savoir who died for my sins and all sins of the earth. I invited God into my life because I’ve learned that I need His guidance. Along with allowing God to enter my life came some rules that I have to obey and things I must do, not to prove to Him my self-worth and not to buy my way into His Kingdom, but instead to thank Him for what He has given me. Trying to do good works and live a perfectly moral life in order to prove to God that I am worthy doesn’t really make sense because I have sinned and unfortunately I probably will sin again because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Basically, I can’t claim my worth to God based on my obedience to Him because I fall short of God’s standards. Sounds discouraging? Not to me, because I know that due to sin I would not be allowed to live in Heaven with God; however, God provided me and all of us an opportunity to be with Him because HE LOVES US. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It’s this love, this unconditional love that provides the reason to why I am trying my best to re-shape my life to glorify God because I cannot possibly thank Him enough for saving me. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
So that pretty much covers the reasons as to why I am trying to do things differently in my life nowadays. The problem is that it isn’t always easy to just change the way you live and believe me I have plenty more to work on in my life. But I am trying and I am proud to say I have made some significant changes in my life that I am very proud of and thank God for answering my prayers about them and giving me the strength to change. Ok, so why did I title this post “Page by Page Struggle”? Well, mainly because the more I read the Bible the more I come to agree with and the more I also come to discover “oops, I’m messing up.” These mixed feelings come from reading the Sermon on the Mount or any part of the Bible really, and it’s a struggle because when I come across something I don’t necessarily agree with or something that’s hard for me to change, what do I do? Do I ignore the parts that challenge me and disagree with my previous beliefs and focus on all the awesome parts that I do agree with? That doesn’t really make sense because that’s basically me cherry picking which parts I like and dislike; or, agreeing and living by what the Bible says on one page but then turning the page and if I dislike it, just ignore it and continue to disobey it? That won’t quite work out because “it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Romans 2:13). It’s not enough to just read/hear the Word of God, I have to ACTIVELY follow God’s Word. Definitely not always an easy task and I know that I am only just beginning the long journey that is to come which will be filled with difficulties that will push me and only help me grow further in my faith. If I come across something that I disagree with in the Bible, or is hard for me to obey I know I just need to pray about it and continually try and work towards correcting that fault in myself because “the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:25). I know I’ll make mistakes along the way, after all I am only human, but the comfort in knowing that God will be there every step of the way to help me out makes me understand that this is a journey I’ll be able to handle. Consciously trying to make an effort to change and follow the Word of God will be rewarding, as it already has been. PTL!
family at zee fair
Last Tuesday, the Cruz sibs and the bro’s gfriend excitedly drove up from sd to the OC fair, with growling tummies and intense cravings for anything deep-fried, dipped, battered and/or covered with anything unhealthy. But we were literally stopped in our tracks as it turns out the fair was closed Mondays and Tuesday (i know, who does that?!) We made the most of it and had a delicious dinner at Haven gastropub instead, which left our tummies quite satisfied in the mean time.
BUT our appetites for fatty fried fair food had not yes been fulfilled, so attempt #2 came the following Sunday. This time, we had our eyes on the prize with double the determination and double the hunger… and ah yes, our eyes were definitely bigger than our bellies. We were completely stuffed after the chocolate covered bacon (super yuck), zucchini weenies, deep fried sweet potatoes, garlic fries, italian sausage, icee, deep fried s’mores, deep fried oreos, turkey legs, shaved ice and some funnel cake. Mmmmm. We shall rest our bellies and arteries til next year OC Fair!!
I thank God for my two sisters (perhaps soon to be 3!) and my favorite brother (yes, it was a hard choice). We don’t all get to hang out altogether, considering the bro and gfriend live way over in NY, but when we do, it’s so refreshing. Obviously, no one knows you like family—- the ones you grew up with, the ones who played with you, the ones who bullied you, the ones you could share your deepest thoughts with, the ones who teased you, the ones who told you it was going to be okay, the ones who braided your hair, the ones who shared, played and prayed with you. We’ve been through a lot together, but God has sustained us. And I highly doubt you’ll ever read this—- but thank you mommy and daddy for raising us exactly how you did. I know we’re not the easiest kiddos to deal with. We don’t tell you enough how thankful we are and how much we love you, so I hope we try to do that way more often.
Thank you so much God for these lovely people I am blessed to call my family.
BUT our appetites for fatty fried fair food had not yes been fulfilled, so attempt #2 came the following Sunday. This time, we had our eyes on the prize with double the determination and double the hunger… and ah yes, our eyes were definitely bigger than our bellies. We were completely stuffed after the chocolate covered bacon (super yuck), zucchini weenies, deep fried sweet potatoes, garlic fries, italian sausage, icee, deep fried s’mores, deep fried oreos, turkey legs, shaved ice and some funnel cake. Mmmmm. We shall rest our bellies and arteries til next year OC Fair!!
I thank God for my two sisters (perhaps soon to be 3!) and my favorite brother (yes, it was a hard choice). We don’t all get to hang out altogether, considering the bro and gfriend live way over in NY, but when we do, it’s so refreshing. Obviously, no one knows you like family—- the ones you grew up with, the ones who played with you, the ones who bullied you, the ones you could share your deepest thoughts with, the ones who teased you, the ones who told you it was going to be okay, the ones who braided your hair, the ones who shared, played and prayed with you. We’ve been through a lot together, but God has sustained us. And I highly doubt you’ll ever read this—- but thank you mommy and daddy for raising us exactly how you did. I know we’re not the easiest kiddos to deal with. We don’t tell you enough how thankful we are and how much we love you, so I hope we try to do that way more often.
Thank you so much God for these lovely people I am blessed to call my family.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Psalm 94:18-19
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul. (NIV)
=========
When I thought,(A) “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD,(B) held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. (ESV)
=========
Your Word is so rich with truths and encouragement. It speaks to my heart and my soul at the exact moment when I need it the most! It transcends time and applies to every experience in life. Oh awesome God, grow me to crave Your Word, to love Your Word, to follow Your Word, to obey Your Word, to share Your Word.
your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul. (NIV)
=========
When I thought,(A) “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD,(B) held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. (ESV)
=========
Your Word is so rich with truths and encouragement. It speaks to my heart and my soul at the exact moment when I need it the most! It transcends time and applies to every experience in life. Oh awesome God, grow me to crave Your Word, to love Your Word, to follow Your Word, to obey Your Word, to share Your Word.
backwards thinking.
“We may feel our faith isn’t strong enough to see miracles and move mountains in our lives. Some well-meaning friends may tell us we need “more faith” or “greater faith.” But this is backwards thinking. It’s not so much great faith in God that’s required, as it is faith in a great God” - Pastor Greg Laurie
Friday, August 13, 2010
restless.
I don't know what it is, but lately I have been feeling a little restless. I crave adventure, but few open slots in my day-to-day. While, I am a fan of structure, I often want to scream without the luxury of a flexible schedule. Perhaps it's because I've been sitting comfortably in this Irvine bubble for five years and the OC just ain't cuttin' it anymore. Maybe it's because I feel like God's calling me to do some big things somewhere else. Nonetheless, I trust that God has planted me here for a reason and I hope that I'll be able to accept His current mission with a joyful heart and not a bitter flesh. It's so easy for us to fix our eyes on our problems instead of Your promises. Enlarge my heart, increase my faith, God.
I have been praying for God to grow me to be content, to be patient in these current circumstances and to understand that there are opportunities no matter where I am... but I truly believe God is calling my little heart elsewhere. Now is the time to really pray without ceasing, to align my desires to His as I seek to honor Him with whatever He has in store for me...
Exciting opportunities have been presented for 2011 and I pray that I would be granted the discernment to make some big decisions. Lord, guide me because the future is unclear and I fight the temptation to be anxious, but I rest in the fact that You are real and You work all things together for good for those who love You.
...and friends, how may I pray for you?
I have been praying for God to grow me to be content, to be patient in these current circumstances and to understand that there are opportunities no matter where I am... but I truly believe God is calling my little heart elsewhere. Now is the time to really pray without ceasing, to align my desires to His as I seek to honor Him with whatever He has in store for me...
Exciting opportunities have been presented for 2011 and I pray that I would be granted the discernment to make some big decisions. Lord, guide me because the future is unclear and I fight the temptation to be anxious, but I rest in the fact that You are real and You work all things together for good for those who love You.
...and friends, how may I pray for you?
Monday, August 9, 2010
say y-y-y-YES to v-v-v-v-VBS!
Ah yes, August has snuck up on us, which means deep-fried everything at the OC fair… but also it’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) time! Last week, our church united to serve the children of the community for a week-long event of delving into God’s Word, singing silly songs, grubbin on delicious home-cookin’, arts-and-crafting, and learning about how awesome Jesus is! After each day of VBS, the staff was exhausted, but we re-energized for these kiddos in hopes that we would be effective witnesses of the gospel.
This year, God presented me with the challenge of teaching grades 4 and 5 with my awesome assistant duo, Derek and EJ! Although this rowdy group of “Space Rangers” were unable to maintain focus for more than 3.5 minutes, they were such a blessing! Their eagerness to learn and understand the gospel transformed into big, heavy questions. It was a test of our patience, of course, but praise God because we could experience their true child-like faith that He calls us to have. I pray that these kids will one day learn to know and love Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
I could see God moving for sure through the week. It was such a beautiful sight to be in the main auditorium for worship, seeing everyone from toddlers to the elders singing together and reciting memory verses. It was awesome to know that in each class from babies to the “more mature”, people were hearing the gospel and how absolutely relevant it is to their lives. What an incredible display that there is no age limit to when a person can learn about God, especially because God is so infinite that we’ll never understand Him completely. But what we do know about Him and what He offers is more than enough to have true assurance in a God who loves, cares, strengthens, forgives, etc etc etc. PTL f’sho! :)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
it's not about us.
There is a throne at the center of the universe and we are NOT sitting on it
- Pastor Mike Eary, Rock Harbor
“In the beginning GOD.” God doesn’t need us. Creation will worship Him even when we don’t. It is a privilege to worship Him. It is a privilege to take part in His story. As Pastor Mike Eary reminded us, this story is not about us. This life is not about us. It was not created by us, it is not sustained by us. In the scope of eternity, our life is but a vapor, a mist. We are mere instruments and background characters in God’s story. He is the Creator, author, director of our lives (which is pretty awesome because my self-written story would probably turn out just as flawed as I am). He graciously provides us with this wonderful life to enjoy. Despite the reality that we are so small in His world, He loves us so much to the point of sending His own Son to die for us. In our tiny minds, that just doesn’t make sense. Why would the most powerful, greatest, mightiest God do such a crazy thing for such “disposable” creatures?
Then I remember that He loves us. I cannot emphasize that enough. Despite how insignificant, unworthy, overlooked, dirty, useless we may feel, He loves us. And in that brokenness, in our weakness, in our realization of how helpless we are in His world without Him, we can truly understand our strength when we put our entire trust in Him. For when I am weak, I am truly strong because I remember that I need a great and powerful God to fill my voids and renew my heart daily.
Mike Eary says that when we realize that we are not the main character of this incredible story, we will become incredibly important and used for God’s purpose. It’s so easy to get swept up in the me me me of society. My dreams, my wants, my desires, my feelings, my pain, my schedule, my life. With this mentality, we begin to feel entitled to things, people, attention, etc. Imagine telling your closest friends that you’re going to live for yourself, for your own happiness. That seems like such a silly way to live, but we’re all guilty of it (myself included). It seems rather foolish to crave others’ praise when we should be directing ours towards the One who ultimately deserves ours beyond measure. Thank you God for reminding me that it is not about us, it’s all about You.
- Pastor Mike Eary, Rock Harbor
“In the beginning GOD.” God doesn’t need us. Creation will worship Him even when we don’t. It is a privilege to worship Him. It is a privilege to take part in His story. As Pastor Mike Eary reminded us, this story is not about us. This life is not about us. It was not created by us, it is not sustained by us. In the scope of eternity, our life is but a vapor, a mist. We are mere instruments and background characters in God’s story. He is the Creator, author, director of our lives (which is pretty awesome because my self-written story would probably turn out just as flawed as I am). He graciously provides us with this wonderful life to enjoy. Despite the reality that we are so small in His world, He loves us so much to the point of sending His own Son to die for us. In our tiny minds, that just doesn’t make sense. Why would the most powerful, greatest, mightiest God do such a crazy thing for such “disposable” creatures?
Then I remember that He loves us. I cannot emphasize that enough. Despite how insignificant, unworthy, overlooked, dirty, useless we may feel, He loves us. And in that brokenness, in our weakness, in our realization of how helpless we are in His world without Him, we can truly understand our strength when we put our entire trust in Him. For when I am weak, I am truly strong because I remember that I need a great and powerful God to fill my voids and renew my heart daily.
Mike Eary says that when we realize that we are not the main character of this incredible story, we will become incredibly important and used for God’s purpose. It’s so easy to get swept up in the me me me of society. My dreams, my wants, my desires, my feelings, my pain, my schedule, my life. With this mentality, we begin to feel entitled to things, people, attention, etc. Imagine telling your closest friends that you’re going to live for yourself, for your own happiness. That seems like such a silly way to live, but we’re all guilty of it (myself included). It seems rather foolish to crave others’ praise when we should be directing ours towards the One who ultimately deserves ours beyond measure. Thank you God for reminding me that it is not about us, it’s all about You.
Friday, June 25, 2010
let go.
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. - Psalm 139:1-6
God knows my heart. He knows my thoughts before I notice they’re forming in my head. He knows my true desires even if I won’t admit them. God knows what I want and what I need. God delights when I delight in Him. He also hurts when something else steals away that attention. He wants me to know Him because He knows what’s best for me. God knows when I am hurting and He knows just what will heal that pain. He understands healing and He understands pain because He has felt every bit of that suffering. He weeps with me. He gives me strength. God chases me through my stubbornness and neglect. He is patient when I am not. He never leaves me, even when I feel like I’m helpless and all alone. He has a plan for me. God wants me to live a fulfilling life. He offers a greater joy than I have ever experienced elsewhere. God rejoices in my praises, He listens to my prayers, He hears the deepest cries of my heart.
God loves me… but more than that, God loves YOU.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. - Psalm 139:1-6
God knows my heart. He knows my thoughts before I notice they’re forming in my head. He knows my true desires even if I won’t admit them. God knows what I want and what I need. God delights when I delight in Him. He also hurts when something else steals away that attention. He wants me to know Him because He knows what’s best for me. God knows when I am hurting and He knows just what will heal that pain. He understands healing and He understands pain because He has felt every bit of that suffering. He weeps with me. He gives me strength. God chases me through my stubbornness and neglect. He is patient when I am not. He never leaves me, even when I feel like I’m helpless and all alone. He has a plan for me. God wants me to live a fulfilling life. He offers a greater joy than I have ever experienced elsewhere. God rejoices in my praises, He listens to my prayers, He hears the deepest cries of my heart.
God loves me… but more than that, God loves YOU.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
