dear God

I am so hungry for You and so at a loss of myself.

I am ashamed of all the sins that I am so aware of... and yet your TRUTH has freed me.

I long to be in your presence and share eternity with you.  I long to be freed from the curse.  Freed from earth's grasp on me.

I must be renewed.  I cannot stand without your power.  I need you. 

I know in my head that my good desires are not bad, but my heart says they are wrong desires... wrong because they are misplaced, out of focus. 

I long for you.  I want to live every day to its fullest, yet I cannot live faster than I am destined.  Sometimes I prefer thoughts of death, than the idea that I could disappoint you today. 

Sometimes I feel I understand a little of what the apostle Paul said when he said that "to live is Christ, but to die is gain."  It is more suffering sometimes just to live when we struggle to live correctly and to be ALIVE rather than asleep in a very spiritual manner, than just to die physically which means we will be ever present with you.  Yet it is a worthy battle.  If we are to be like Him, and like Him in his suffering, how much greater will be our rejoicing when we rise to spend eternity with You. 

My laziness and my flesh wants to just be done and go with you now... because I do see imperfections, and I do not want to fail.  But I will stand and take courage, with the thought that I could just minister to one more person, today.

I recognize that I will minister imperfectly.  It is a great risk that I might be wrong in some of my approaches to people or theology.  It is a risk I am willing to take, the risk of being wrong, if it means that one more person is brought closer to you.  It is a risk battling the pride, lust of eyes, insecurity, and other things that I battle every day, but I will battle them just to be closer to my Daddy.  It is a risk giving up a simpler lifestyle, little pleasures, more time in general, but I am up for the challenge.

I could die and feel fulfilled today, knowing that I have given my very best and that there has been fruit to evidence that, but I will not let any past successes OR failures determine what lies ahead.  I refuse to let anxieties enter or have a foothold in my life manipulating me and paralyzing me from moving forward.

Yes, I struggle with these feelings, and yes, I would like to be with my Abba, YET I PRAISE HIM WITH SHOUTS OF PRAISE,
for His work is fearfully and wonderfully made and He will be faithful to complete all that he began.

So Papa, I choose to give You the rest of it.  I don't know how much I have left, but I am grateful that I served well on this first quarter of the journey... very imperfectly, but well.  Please, Abba, Please help me to remain in your care and continue to serve my Daddy well.

Let all who read these words be encouraged.  Let us live every day with passion and compassion.  Let us live with our focus on the lost, with our arms open and our spiritual ears intent on what the Holy Spirit speaks.

Shalom to you and yours. 

Cries from the broken children

I hear them as they share their longing for a "father figure," their questions as to whether a God really exists, and if He does, then why they have felt so abandoned, their shame, their disgrace, their loneliness, their suffering, their invisible and visible wounds...

Any words I would have to comfort them ... Seem insufficient, ... but an expression of love, a teardrop for them, a kind touch, a loving smile, a word of affirmation, ...  I freely offer on their behalf.

My loving and compassionate God longs for them with earnest longing, and was willing to give every thing it took so that they could be made  free.  If anyone understands or knows their suffering, it is He.  Yahwah sent the greatest gift of all time through his One and ONLY Begotten. 

During this season, pray for these little ones.  Their cries go forth, ... they suffer for issues that are much greater than them, and they need your love.  Pray that the Almighty God would continue to give me as well as the other staff favor and grace with these precious ones.  That we would provide structure, discipline, stimulation, and NURTURE to these.  That there would be healing, and MUCH healing.

Your prayers and thoughts are appreciated during this time.  Each one has their own story to tell.   

LOVE YOU!

The truth and the lie. Whom we serve?

father of lies

This is your people
We call out to you from desperation
Angry, hurt, forgotten

This is your people
Afraid to hold on or let go
Hungry, but there is nothing



This is your people
Confused by religion, judged
Enslaved by bitterness


This is your people
Mesmerized by the paranormal
Without experiencing any miracles

They are yours
Blinded by desire
Hungry for more


Violence and greed
Pleasure in power
Ignoring poverty


Tell me, father of lies
Do you hear them
Tell me
What is your deliverance?

Your people
Held in high captivity
Illusional moments
 Lifeless eternities

___________________________________________________________________________
Prayer to
  Abba Father.  THE GREAT I AM.

Deliverer we cry to you for mercy
Healer we cry to you for patience
Righteous judge you release chains
Their father the devil leads them through lies
Healer...touch their eyes, open their ears
Forgiver...heal their hearts to receive from You
You are not willing that they continue in chains
You give freedom.  ... Free them from pain
You satisfy hunger with REAL food and drink

Father and friend, You are my ALL.  I am undone.  I am not able. 
I NEED YOU TO FILL ME.

Spirit of life, Fill me again, so that I may be a blessing, that my light may shine forth.  Bless those who otherwise would be cursed.  Jesus I love you.  Yashua you are my Savior.  My love and comfort.  Fill me.  Oh Father, rescue me from this dying age.  Rescue your own from the corrupt enemy who has infiltrated us.  May they turn and adopt your ways and choose life and find rest in eternal life. 

The momentary pleasures of this earth are the corruption of the soul and lead to eternal damnation, yet the joy of the presence of God through service to him, leads to true freedom.  This freedom comes only in the death to self.  Perfected in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, Son born by the power of Holy Spirit to Mary and her husband Joseph.  He who became our punishment and took upon himself our burdens, now leads us to eternal life with His Father (and ours if we choose him!), should we release our lives into His care, forsaking all worldly cares. 

What could be greater or more significant? 

...This is love.  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation (appeasing sacrifice...in our place) for our sins.  (1 Jn 4:16)

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18)

King of Glory

Praise the King of Glory for all the good things He has done!

He has set my feet on the rock.  YAH is worthy of all the praise.  His love is a flowing river that NEVER runs dry.

Are you weary?  Are you thirsty?  Stop here.  Taste and see that He is good. He is our peace and our hope.

Let our words be few today.  Lets be in awe of His Majesty!


POUR MY LOVE ON YOU
Phillips, Craig & Dean

I don't know how to say exactly how I feel
I can't begin to tell you what your love has meant
I'm lost for words

Is there a way to show the passion in my heart?
Can I express how truly great I think You are?
My dearest friend

Lord this is my desire
To pour my love on you

Like oil upon our feet, Like wine for you to drink
Like water from my heart, I pour my love on you
If praise is like perfume
I lavish mine on you
Til every drop is gone, I pour my love on you

Is there a way to show the passion in my heart?
Can I express how truly great I think you are?
My dearest Friend

Lord, this is my desire
To pour my love on you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk5Z1f04Q5A&feature=related

I pour my love on you, King of GLORY  I LOVE YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!

Selling Grandma???

I'm reading these Spanish stories to help me maintain and improve my abilities in Spanish.  I just finished a story about this Chilean family who lived in Oregon.  The husband began to enjoy a new hobby here in the United States with our many summer garage sales.  His wife sometimes was driven crazy with different odds and ends he would bring home.

Through this story, He takes you into many aspects of cultural differences between Chile and the United States.  Author, Juan Armando Epple, tells this tale called "Garage Sale."   The Chilean man and his wife also have a daughter who doesn't understand why they just can't go back to Chile.  She has heard many stories of the beautiful land, the grapes that are as big as our figs, the watermelons that are sweeter, redder and juicier, and large beautiful mountains.  She also heard that her grandmother made Chilean desserts the absolute best.  She wanted to return, but the family had an "L" on their passports significant of people who were refused re'entry into Chile because of political exile.  He offers her the solution that maybe they can bring her grandma to the US.

In this hilarious story, the man ends up purchasing a grandmother at a garage sale when the idea comes upon him after seeing an eccentric grandmother sitting in an antique rocking chair.  The family holding the garage sale actually offered to sell her to him seeing it as a positive alternative to finding her a nursing home, yet having very little to offer her in their tiny apartment.

This is a shocking presupposition about the way we care for the elderly in the US.  Although fictional, the irony of this purchase reveals a deep gap between family bound systems typically found in other cultures in contrast to the independence found here in the US.

Love

I love a lot of things about God and I could never end being grateful for the intimate relationship that I have been allowed to enjoy with Him.  He is my Creator and yet He is on my level.  He is SO FAR ABOVE us, and has galaxies of control and knowledge, yet He takes the care to hear even my whispers and reach out to me.

I love my sisters and how God has given me them as treasures.  Rachel brings treasure in her speech and obviously lives with passion, Sarah touches my heart with her smile and her lifestyle preaches to me, teaches me.God blessed me richly.  We are connected, my sisters and I with greatness.  Greatness in our character and integrity, greatness in our passion for truth and service. 

I love the fact that God allowed us to each grow towards him, and that we three have something special and different than others.

Being God's favorites, what can I say?  Its obvious that His love envelopes us and directs our steps.  Its obvious how He has protected me, watching over me and picked me up when I have fallen down.

I love the fact that God gave me humble, delightful, fun, honoring, patient, providing parents.  My mom listened and had great compassion on me when I suffered heart aches in grade school, and she made the absolute best choco. chip cookies.  She bought gifts that had special meaning in them, and let me sit on her lap even when I was way too big for her.  hahaha.  My dad provided us with everythiing to a fault.  He made wise financial decisions that enabled him to help us through college.  He taught us to pray and to read God's word and had devotions with us every night, ever patient with our giggling at the wrong moments.  He disciplined us when we disobeyed, told us we couldn't date until we were 35.  (Only 7 more years and then i can start dating hahaha).  One night he gave me such geat encouragement.  I was confused and discouraged at that moment, and I asked him why he never gave me his opinion about men to which He responded, "Joanna, No guy is good enough for you in the eyes of your Father."  He is the most amazing counselor and friend and example.

Why would God be so good to me with all these wonderful gifts?  And I could go on about the wonderful friends he has given me and the beautiful cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles, who have all made their mark on my life. 

God gave me all these blessings just to tell me through each one that He loved me. 

God teaches us through his Holy Scriptures that GOD IS LOVE. 

well... I am so thankful becuase without Him, what would I have?  I LOVE YOU FATHER GOD!!!  THANK YOU!!!!

Happy Sabbath day to all.  Peace and love and may you UNDERSTAND and EXPERIENCE the fullness of His love towards you as well.

This is His day.  Bring honor due him. 

Awkwardness

Have you ever felt awkward around someone?

Maybe it happens to you often, maybe not, but for me, it is possibly the worst feeling ever.  I don't feel awkward with people very often, but when I do, it is a very unsettling feeling.

Possibly, I think--the other person doesn't know how to act or what to say around me, but quite possibly, I am also having a hard time relating to that individual or to their circumstances.  Every attempt at conversation or nonchalance is halting and unnatural.

I have been known in these moments to ask strange questions, which I rather wish the recipient had not heard and with great effort try to not allow my pale face to grow red.  OH THE RELIEF when you actually find some way to relate to that person.  It is like a great pressure lifts off...

I have no problem enjoying a comfortable silence between friends, but when there is an awkward silence between two people who barely know each other and here they are in a situation trying to make small talk, yet it seems to come out chokingly almost.  Until you find some sort of equilibrium between your wildlly clashing chemistry ... it is an unbelievably charged atmosphere.

Naturally, awkward conversations are unnatural.

The weed analogy:

Many who love to garden understand the importance of maintaining their flowers and plants with proper nurturing.  They must be given correct amounts of water and sunlight to absorb the nutrients and fertilizers for the soil.  In gardening, the gardener thinks of the finished product with such joy that the patience endured and toil necessary to take proper care of the garden becomes a pleasure.  Every gardener is aware of the difficult process to extract various kinds of weeds that are attracted to the nutrient rich soil and sprout up throughout the lovely garden posing a threat to the plants and flowers.

These weeds if not dealt with properly will always grow back.  If they are uprooted while they are still little, then they can successfully be eliminated from the garden, but if they grow to be as big as the plant itself, the danger is present that they will hinder the growth and development of the plant.  In this case, uprooting the weeds could also cause the good plants to be uprooted with them.   

Regardless, weeds grow back if they are not pulled up from their roots.

In Matthew 13:24-30 we see a master who is so concerned about the good wheat he has planted being uprooted along with tares (weeds) that have secretly been planted alongside the wheat, that he allows them to grow together, lest the wheat should be uprooted before its season and destroyed.

Jesus says that this is what the kingdom of heaven is like.  Enemies have been planted among His chosen people, and these enemies will remain until the end.  He also says in another place that "a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough full of leaven."   We must revere God's Word and be aware of these things.  It is VITAL to use discernment in all things and to practice the disciplines and gifts of the Spirit in our lives lest we also be deceived by the greatest enemy of mankind.

The message of Christ was quite simple, "If you love me, you will follow my commandments."  To go out and do as we saw Him do.  This was what the Messiah asked us to do, yet the Body of believers has found it so difficult to do just that.
"and the greatest commandment is this, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."   
Love Justice and hate evil.  Yet we are found closing our ears to the cries of the poor who "pollute" our streets with their filthy stench and alcohol laden breath.  Jesus said to LOVE them.  We are to open to them the doors of healing.  Yes, the poor we will always have among us, and I cannot judge what you have done to help, but you know in your heart when you have run away from them, when they need your embrace.  Do you not have a MUCH greater Advocate?  (I point at myself first) 
We are to hate evil, yet we allow the traditions of devils to be in our midst!  In the name of something called acceptance or tolerance, we allow others to speak of their faith and to share and be in our midst without defending our own faith and showing the new life and incredible work of God that will actually transform them.  In order to not bother or offend the person, we allow them to keep being a victim to the lies of the enemy and try to play nice with danger!  We also keep their traditions and just "christianize" them.  Doing this does not do anything except for trim the weed.  It is a cover up and not deliverance.  You know that if you suppress anger or a painful past, you only can suppress that for so long, but if you actually seek forgiveness and healing you will be delivered.  So it is with the Church's cowardice and "nicey-nice" with idol worship.  We cannot play around here.   We do not devote our time or pleasure around a false image or ancient mythology.  The Church has denied to have such devotion, yet refuses to eradicate the partying that revolved around this idol worship, instead only making them a Christ centered party, but still partying at the same date and time even with some of the same symbols used in those pagan practices.  
 
The extent to which this enemy has put tares in with the wheat has not been fully exposed.  We must be watching and prayfully repenting before God our Father.  God is calling us to devote wholly to him and not pay attention to enemies who may grow right at our very side.  

Each one of us must give an account for our words, actions and all our deeds on the final day.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.  Yet in our faithfulness, WE ARE ENCOURAGED!  For even when we fail, He is still faithful.  Therefore, be strong and put on the full armor of God.  Do not look to your right or to your left, but set your eyes on the Savior who is the author and finisher of your faith and perfectly able to keep you until His appearing.  

For his INCREDIBLE love, He allows the enemy to be among us for a period of time, because He is not willing for anyone to die.  

If what I have said makes sense to you, WONDERFUL! if not, do not let your heart be troubled, but turn your feet from doing evil and keep your eyes on the path of truth. 

If you read this and are utterly confused as to what I am talking about, I encourage you to email me.  

I long for each of my friends to know God with the fullness that I know him.  If you were to experience His presence as I do, you would no longer doubt in your heart and would believe that He truly does exist. Life is not the same and is a meager existence without him who can give you eternal life. 

   

Some reflection on the Acts: A Challenge

As I was reading from the book of Acts this morning, I noticed a few important things.  The opposition to the gospel came most from those who were trying to control the people.  It seems that religious leaders of the Jewish synagogue were HIGHLY resistant to the changes that the apostles were bringing to both Jew and Gentile.  Political leaders of the time were not as concerned about the gospel in itself so much as the idea of revolt against them or their system.  Religious and political leaders didn't want their pious feathers ruffled.  Obviously this is a rough compromise.  Heros of our faith, Steven, Paul, Silas and many others, including Apollos, and MANY others, were persecuted with imprisonments, beatings, and death.  Today I think leaders attitudes are not much different.  Religious leaders are very resistant to change, and political leaders are concerned with an uprise.  Things must always be done in an orderly manner and people are very sensitive to being told that their choice of lifestyle is directly against God's order and will send them into utter desolation from God. 

What are our "Acts" to be spoken of?  Are we resisting the flow toward utter desolation and bringing the gospel of deliverance, freedom, love towards all, salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Are we resisting the legalism that can so easily entangle us in a spirit of religiosity in order to embrace all people in the love that was so freely offered to us through the Word?  Do we experience persecutions to mark us with honor?  This is great joy if we have experienced persecution, but do we run away as a coward?

It came into my mind this morning that we can write as a way of testifying of all the great things that God is doing among us, just as the authors of the gospels and Acts did.  Do we have this to write about?  I desire to testify of the miracles, of the hungry fed, of people who have moved from death to life.  To testify of persecutions faced with great joy.  Isn't it amazing how God used Paul to testify to his very persecutors?  If God used this man that way, a man who himself was a great persecutor of this "way" and held steadfastly to the traditions of the elders, yet Christ still was able to open his eyes and literally jerk him off his feet and course of destruction... and God used him to bring salvation to many, with all his faults... then Cannot God use me and you? 

IS anything to hard for God?  Can he not use the weak, the humble, the willing?  

I believe that I will be used of God in ways that only my great imaginations can fathom.  I believe that he can use me, in spite of the many faults that I have. 

Dear Heavenly Father, will you use me?  will you allow me to write of your great deeds, as did the disciples before us?  I know I have so little to offer my King, but it is all yours.

Friend,  If he can use me, so limited as I am in so many ways, He can use you too.  Ask him today.

With love.

False Images II

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBkYpe1SA24&feature=related


This is a good testimony and question.

What do you think?  What kinds of false images have we brought into the faith and called them true?  Under what basis?

Idol worship

Command number 1 and 2 of the 10 commands of YHWH.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me, and thou shalt have no carved or graven images."

It may be easy to outwardly agree with this command, and follow, but the church has twisted and allowed false idols in its midst.  It must be eradicated and we must speak and bring all to repentance of these false images in order to give true worship to our Father.

The devil is tricky and has used what appeared to be good to bring his same wicked spirits into the church that he used in times of old.  Always it was his intention to lead astray the people of God. 

He did so when he led them to worship Ba'al and the Ishtar or Ashterah in the times of the OT, which was revived again after the people had been redeemed through Christ in the Corinthian church.  They began again to worship the image of Ashterah.  Paul called the Corinthian church back into fellowship with his open condemnation of this idolatry and abolition, yet has the church today opened their arms to "her" again? 

This female goddess was one of fertility and life, she also promoted feminine rights.  She makes apparitions to people and she symbolized new life and pregnancy.  She was an image refered to as the "queen of heaven" and the "Mother goddess." 

This is the same who has appeared to many, old and young, and convinced them of her state in the heavens and the "queen of heaven," and the "mother of God."  She is this same virgin Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, Cartago.  She makes claims which have the appearance of recognizing the Lordship and authority of Jesus Christ, yet she denies his power to save as a mediator, putting herself in the position of mediator.  She has made every effort to re'instate herself, and in some of her divine apparitions, calls people to repent and pray earnestly with the threat that "if my people do not submit to God, I will be forced to let go of my Son's hand." 

My question, to which God does she refer?  and to which Son?   My statements may appear to the devout Catholic as perhaps blasphemous, and without desire to offend, I ask you, Do you worship Jesus Christ, or do you worship Mary?  You cannot worship man!  Do not be fooled.  We are not worthy of worship even to the holiest degree, for this is in violation to the first commandment to worship the Lord your God and to have NO OTHER before him.  Neither should we take his name in vein in command 3.  meaning that we should not blaspheme him!

I wonder with the man from "understandingthetimes.org" is this really whom the great prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah prophesied about? 

Interesting that I found this article when I have felt the same way, and feel challenged to share with as many as possible this truth.  Christ desires salvation for all who will come to him, and it is written in his word, "Awake you who sleep and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." in Ephesians 5.  This was a metaphor to those who are dead and cold, that the Spirit of Truth will illuminate them when they ask Yahoshua the Messiah for salvation and bring them back from darkness into the glorious light.

I quote from understandingthetimes.org

"This location according to Michael Brown was the site of the first church built and dedicated to "Mary." A statue was also placed there of "Mary" holding "Jesus," the first of many that have followed through the centuries. Now in this location, a huge domed basilica stands (the precise size of the famous goddess temple in Ephesus). 5

The book of Isaiah provides some interesting insight regarding a certain woman that seems to play a role in deceiving the world. We read: "Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms." 6 

Are the apparitions of "Mary," actually Mary, the mother of Jesus? Or could this be the same Queen of Heaven that we read about in the book of Jeremiah - chapters 7 and 44? Jeremiah called this personality an abomination unto God."




Be careful body of Christ, and be aware.  I do not mean this as a specific attack against the Catholic church, though my current example of Mary worship is against that institution.  However, the church as a whole needs to evaluate and test if there are images that have become a hindrance to our unadulterated adoration of God.  Have we been guilty as well of "man" worship?  This is worth evaluation. Let it not be so!  Wake up and serve only Yahweh, our Adonai and the Creator of the world.  There shall be no other gods before him. 

Let all be done in an act of love.

The Day of Atonement is a corporate day of repentance.  A day in which we recognize everything that has escaped us in the past year.  Acts of unrighteousness, unfaithfulness, or errors committed in our lives.

We, in the body of Messiah, recognize that his death paid the penalty.  He bore our sins upon him, and all forsook him in his hour of suffering.

He hung on the tree and bore everything, and we were helpless and weak.  The darkest hour of history in this moment in these hours that our Messiah hung there.  A penalty that I should have paid, for all the lawless things I have done.  The empty promises never fulfilled, the lack of faith, the cowardice, the rejection, the pride, stubborness, unbelief, shame, guilt, lies believed and lies told.

His victory over the grave ensures our victory with him, if we truly lay those things behind us.  Death of selfish desires and ambitions, in order to raise up to life everlasting.  Love of this world is not comparable to love for the kingdom.  Love for the kingdom means that I lift my eyes up, and work and live not for a worldly treasure but that there be great treasure in Him.

Materialism.  What stuff can I live without?  What things are keeping me from experiencing my lover in a deeper way?  He valiantly gave all to free me.  He delivered and set free.  He sent the oil of His Spirit and now I am overflowing with joy, with abundance.  What earthly thing would compare?

Yah saves, Yah lives and Yah will reign forever.  Yah gives love, desiring mercy over sacrifice, for sacrifice is only a demonstration of love.  Only out of abundance of love can come such sacrifice.  Halleluyah for Christ is mighty to save and loves perfectly.  :)

Analytical writing for the GRE, Practicing using persuasion

Issue Task:   My answer/thoughts on the following issue...
 
                      "Tolerance is necessary for the greater good of our society. World peace can be found in coming together with the understanding that what is true for you may not be true for me."

            Before coming to a specific position on this issue, one would need to define tolerance. I have seen tolerance described in more than one way, but some equate tolerance with full acceptance.  This is the way that I am going to approach this issue.  Does full acceptance truly bring about the greater good of our society?  Is it not better to see intolerance as the greater good?  Is it for the greater good that one who believes vengeance should be taken in his own hands and does so, must be tolerated?  Must we then tolerate murderers?  If I were to commit a crime like robbing a store, and used these items to feed my starving family, would it then cease to be a crime because it was done in good morale?

            If we make tolerance the rule for society, then who can tell any other how they are to live?  What is intolerance then?  The definition of intolerance must be defined by the definition of tolerance.  Then if I must fully accept all, I make all men to be liars.  If we make all things true, we are calling all men liars, thus making only important the views of the individual; and corporate order is eventually ruined.  I propose that the tolerance agenda is only for the greater good, then, of the powerful of society.

          In our society today, many advocate for tolerance as a means of creating a solution to the passionate and different viewpoints expressed in our culture.  Their advocates follow tolerance religiously in an effort to create world peace and bring opposing views at rest with one another.

          If it is true that tolerance is necessary for the greater good of our society, then what do these advocates do about the belief systems that are inherently intolerant of other belief systems? If the belief system of these people is true, then the other belief systems must be false.  I cannot believe one thing, and truly believe it, and then say that your truth is true for you.  I cannot accept that.
                 
        Two people are put in a room and told tolerate each other.  They are told to put their differences aside and discuss their morale in such a way that they are tolerant of the other's views.  I propose they could accept the other person as free to make their own decisions and morale, however now make it a full acceptance.  It will be impossible for either of them to hold to their current positions without making compromise on some level and coming to an agreement.  In order to fully accept the other person without desire of changing their mind, they must lay to the side their personal convictions.  The dominant party will win in the agreement, for it will be impossible for them to say in their hearts, "your truth is right," although they might openly confess that it seems to be right for them.

         Therefore, if dominant society can come to a place where they are willing to sacrifice morale and spiritual convictions so that the world can come to peace, they are in essence creating a strong force that will oppose any group which has claims or beliefs incapable of compromise.

_-----------    

We passionately believe that there is only one way to our Father in heaven, and that His kingdom is not of this world.   This world peace which people seek to enforce will rise against the believers in THE way.  We have no hatred towards any, rather must confess the truth in intolerance to the "wooing to sleep" that is happening in a big way around the world.  How can we silently watch and what kind of shepherd allows his sheep to walk into a pit or off of a cliff?  We have an enemy working to hypnotize and put to sleep every one, but we have been given a Greater Advocate, that is the Spirit which sets us apart.  He has already paid our debt in full and leads us to His kingdom which leads in all righteousness and justice.  He did not come to kill or destroy humankind, but to lead all to Him by his great love through repentance.    
Again, if all things are true, then all things must be false.
           If you call my beliefs false, then yours must be also.   You cannot believe your beliefs and at the same time think that mine are true for me.  So then, what stops you from turning and receiving the Truth?  If I did not believe it were true I would not say so.

Come to the Messiah through the open door while it is still open, for soon it will shut and those left outside will be weeping and in utter darkness forever.  Yet the Messiah is willing to receive any who will call upon his precious name and be redeemed from their sins.   

Turn and trust the Messiah who showed us the only way to obtain world peace which is by rejecting its domain, and recognizing the domain (that is dominion) of the Almighty God who is the maker of heaven and earth and ultimately rules and reigns forever.

"I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy, and have compassion on whom I have compassion."  Come Today while it is DAY for THE NIGHT IS SOON FALLING.

He says,   "I will lead him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on me" (Isaiah 26:3)

References:
(Matthew 7:13-14, Psalm 95:6-7, Hebrews 3:7,12-15, Romans 9:13, Matthew 24:36-44, Luke 18:6-8, 1 Thess. 1:5-11)            

Take the throne of my life

I'm studying for a GRE graduate level exam that I will be taking on the 24 of September, and keep getting distracted.  My hunger for the things of God has increased over these days, and I long for him to take the throne in my life.  I completely surrender again to my Lord and my God.  These days there are a lot of details that have been slowly coming together. 

He is faithful to supply, and I wait for the answer from the graduate school and from the emergency shelter.  In the process, I have been studying and learning amazing things about Yahweh, the Great and Mighty and I want to love him in his fulness.  I know that he is jealous for our love, and He is deserving of all the honor and praise.

I have found that there are poor and hurting anywhere we go, and have seen that the needs of many can overwhelm and surround us no matter what area of the world we are.  It is in keeping our eyes centered on Jesus, Yahoshua the King, that we can produce a fullness and a fruitful tree.  We must stay in the river of life and drink from it often, or we miss the purpose.  His love, His oil, His fruit, He fills us to overflowing and gives freely to those who ask of him.

Jesus, you see my dreams, you see all things.  I surrender all that I have to you.  Please forgive me for things that I have done in error or that I have not done, and lead me in your way everlasting.  Thank you for your patience with mankind, that you are not willing for anyone to die, but that all men might know you.  Thank you for giving freely of the oil of your Spirit in abundance, so that we may be like the virgins with oil in their lamps to the overflowing.... the wise virgins who were ready when you the groomsman opened the door and entered.  The foolish were not full of oil, were not ready at your call, were still dry, but the wise knew their SOURCE, and there was no drying of that oil that flowed abundantly like a never ending fountain, lighting their way as they went.

Let your Holy Spirit,  yes your Ruach ha Kodesh, lead your children to unity through the matchless power of Messiah's ressurection which overcame the grave, yes overcame our sickness and death.  He bore our burdens and our suffering and sin was upon him.  We are not worthy Oh Lord, but you are ALMIGHTY. and full of mercy.

I come to you Father.  Take your place in my life.  I put to the grave my flesh, my desires, myself, that I might rise with you, as your chosen one together with your beloved Son.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his path, let him return to YHWH, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He does abundantly pardon." (EST) Isaiah 55:7

Tu Fidelidad es Grande: Great is your faithfulness

Wow.  Its incredible what God does for his children who love him. 

I Got a Car!!!  but its a much better story than that. :)

I actually laughed in joy as I drove this blessing back to my house.  Blessing number 2 :)  my second car.

here is the story:
             My dad and I have been searching for a car between 2 to 3 thousand dollars for the past couple of weeks before I move to MO.  I wanted something reliable, economic, and not too expensive.  We were specifically looking for certain toyotas and also hondas.  So my dad calls me into the living room last night and says,  what about this Joanna?  it checks out great.  It was listed as a Prism Toyota 2001 for 3800 dollars.  Of course, I admit, I was irritated becuase it was too expensive for me, so I didn't know why he was even looking.  But He said it was probably the best he had found that looked like it was correctly priced. 

So, tonight, I gave the lady a call and she sounded very pleasant and said we could come see it, but that it would have to be "after church" 

Then I got kind of excited because I knew she was a women of faith.  When we arrived it was actually a Prism Chevrolet.  I was slightly dismayed again, but yet the car looked like it was in great condition, and we gave it a test drive.  It ran great :) 

In my gut, I thought I should go for it and offer her 2800, even though I already knew she wanted 3300 for it.  My dad encouraged me to at least ask for that price, and guess what.

I got it!  She said could I pay 2900.  So, now I have a car to go to MO with, but much more than that, I learned about the ministry that this lady does.  She and her husband have a ministry called Operation Living Hope and they work to help missionaries raise funds to go to foreign countries and also have a feeding program.  They go to the church which was my grade school from 6th to 8th grades!!! 

Isn't God amazing?  I laughed and smiled and sang HalleluYAH all the way back to my house.  If I hadn't gone over to see the car, I wouldn't have been blessed to make connections with some like minded people whose hearts are also for service. 

thank you Father!!!!  :)

p.s.  whoever reads this first is the first one to hear this story besides mom.  (hahaha)  ;)

"Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep..."  

All that I am

I lay them down before you Lord.  My fears, trials and temptations.  My desires, longings and deep needs.  I lay before and surrender my knowledge and my lack of knowledge.

I surrender my dreams.  I ask for your improvement, I ask for your guidance, for your will.

One true and merciful God.  I love and adore only you and ask for your steadfastness.  For your consistency and for your focus.

It is not mine to direct myself.  I can only ask you to direct and I will play the part.  I want to be all that I can be for you and give the very best that I can.

Help me to count the cost of each decision and to move forward with patience and endurance.  Help me to walk forward without doubt, but with kindness and firm character.

Forgive me Father, for all the times that I have failed, but THANK YOU FATHER, that you are GOD.  CONQUEROR, DELIVERER, and HEALER.  I will fail again, but I cannot rely on myself,

I have You for that.

Yahoshua rah ha da'aim hashem Yisrael.

The man who will not die for something, is not fit to live. --Dr. Martin Luther King

As a child,

I longed to express my faith in a measure that would be worthy of leaving a mark. 
I spent countless hours in conversation with Father about His will for me, and dedicated my life to service that many could come to salvation from their sins.  I heard many stories which inspired me and took my breath away.
 
The shadow of people such as Dr. Vernon Johns, who left a mark so deep, he inspired the likes of 26 yr old Martin Luther King, Jr.  Dr. Johns was an inspiration and laid a foundation, just as the Word of God says, some plant the seeds and others water and others harvest.  The fight for freedom was a worthy cause, and yet exists this fight among humankind.

The heroes who had gone before me were people who stood for another worthy cause.  The cause for the case of Christ.  A cause greatly rejected... They sought to bring redemption to many and were sent away, killed, and publicly ridiculed for their stance.

The sovereign hand of the Most Holy One calls many to walk the path that the Messiah walked.  For he says in his Holy Word, "whoever would follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Human rights are still to this day being denied.  Children are being taken captive by evil men who have stolen them to do their will, and their parents cries have been silenced.  Naive women are promised a brighter tomorrow as they are welcomed into the "good ol' USA" and then trafficked into a ring that is so secret, that no one even knows about these rings.

We, the people, are becoming more aware of such heinous acts, yet our fear and timidity withholds our hands and voices.  I am so grateful for the leaders in a movement to free these and to discover these rings.

The corruption in our world finds many different forms, but God grieves over all of it.  His Spirit roams the earth looking to comfort the broken hearted and bring reconciliation with God and man. 

I say to you,  If you are going to go out, go out with flying colors.  Be hot or cold.  Stop being lukewarm.  I want to be radical for Christ. 

How easy for me to write these things, and my heart's desire is to be that radical.  I want my life to leave a mark and impression for many youth to follow.  If Christ' work can be unfolded through my life, let it be done how He wills it.  Let His justice reign.

Just some thoughts.  I know this is not all connected completely, but I just share my heart with all who are reading.

The earth trembles

Dear friends,

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the depths of the sea."
Psalm 46:1-2

May 8, 2010

In our day that there have been so many troubles, we who are in Christ can rest assured of our deliverance.

We have been forewarned. It is written, "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

We have seen massive earthquakes, wonders in the heavens, wars, destruction, floods. We have seen death and pain. Yet we have also seen great victories. We have seen God's very hand reaching down and embracing and protecting. The Bible states that all these are signs of the times. Matthew 24:3-8

I have heard testimonies of people who were rescued from the recent Hatian earthquake, whom by all odds should have been crushed. Many people gave glory to God and came back to worship and recognize Him. Testimonies of the soon there-after earthquake in Chile, and the massive volcanic eruption in Iceland, which obstructed air traffic throughout Europe. Floodings, draughts and the such.

There is a dear friend in Haiti right now, delivering medical service to children there and going outside of what is comfortable, so that children can receive help and healing.
Pray for her.

A great distrust has come throughout our world along with all these other natural disasters. This great distrust has turned many away from the truth. They have blinded their eyes and closed their ears as a means to protect themselves. But All along they miss the fact that the truth will set them free!

Beyond this concern I have, there is another. The concern that too many so called Christians are silencing themselves, afraid to speak out that others might be saved. They will not speak to the things that are sending others into eternal disilusion, and they believe they are living as Christ would have them live?

I am responsible to share what I have seen and experienced, but this is not my burden alone.

"Do not grow weary in well doing, for you shall reap a harvest, if you do not give up."

How would Christ have us respond to the signs of today?

"Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..." Heb 3:15

Challenges

God is an expert at finding new challenges to bring glory to His name. If we allow him, he will make us into the most beautiful vessel that is like no other.

The most priceless pieces of art are so original that there can be no copy. Any copy is still missing the authenticity that comes with the original. A secret recipe is made so well that it cannot be repeated.

Some of these touches to us may seem insignificant or unnecessary. I know how quick I can be to complain to the Master about some of what He is doing in my life.

He just wants me to trust him. His hand is smooth and firm. He does not do anything vainly, rather the marks and pressure of his hands and arms are full of love and passion.

How foolish it is to cause him sorrow, to diminish the value of His work. When I rest in his hands, I see miracles at work. When I fuss and flutter, stress and worry, or run to and fro trying to make things work that are seeming to fail, it is unnecessary stress that I am causing myself. It can make me sick or depressed.

But to just trust him is the very best I can do. If I will just rest my heart in his care, He will take care to see it is not damaged.

When I want to serve him, it is enough to have this desire and willingness. This willingness alone pleases him. I fret and worry b/c I want to do better. I look for answers that I often cannot find.

I am not alone. He has a divine purpose. If I stopped believing that, I would cease to have meaning and would feel that I had died.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

My heart is troubled

I see so many needs in this world and so little time. It is comforting to see the grace of God at work in our world, and the great news is that He is coming soon to take us home. The great news is that we are His children.

The realization of my own selfishness has been quite startling to me. I would like to be radical and go out to see the dreams in my heart come true. But not out of selfishness or for vain glory.

It would be better then for me to stay in my own country, rather than go out to another with vain ideas. The problems that we see here are startling. The truth is that God's grace is not selfish. God's grace is given freely to all regardless of our human stipulations.

What kind of stipulations do we put on grace?

Do we give grace EXCEPT for when it means injustice? Maybe we can give grace except for when we have been offended?

Can we give grace except when it is admitting our own imperfection?

Can we give grace except when it may mean temporary failure?

Can we give grace except when it is just taking TOO long or it is the VERY last straw?

What kind of grace does Christ give? and... are we, or are we not His imitators?

Never Give Up

You were called with a purpose

All of us have our story. Mine starts in an anxiety filled home, parents who love each other unconditionally, and 2 amazing sisters.

I remember getting into my closet and singing to God, singing from my heart, the safest place I knew and the most comforting as He wrapped His arms around me; and standing in front of my mirror as a little girl singing melodies to him when my house was full of chaos.

Later on, my mirror wasn't my friend anymore as I looked and saw someone I thought was fat, ugly and too selfish. What happened to that simple childishness, that simple faith? God has always been there, He didn't let go of me because of how I felt!

#1 Feelings can be deceptive

Called to be a missionary at a young age, it became the place I entirely focused on. My world became a battlefield, and from a young age my eager zeal to demonstrate God's love to my friends and the world consumed me. I knew I had found my purpose.

I remember crying myself to sleep some nights because I felt trapped by my fallibility and I just wanted to be perfect. I was so afraid that I was hurting God by sins in my life. Whenever I failed, I felt it deeply. I was taking responsibility for something that I later learned was not my job. I felt pain for God. I thought we were hurting him and it was sad.

He already paid that on the cross. He already suffered. It is Finished.
I was missing the point. Our humanity makes it impossible to do better and we can only choose to receive His grace.

Every Sunday night, I listened to "This world is not my home" on the radio as I lay in bed, praying to God that I might soon be "HoME" with Jesus. I saw myself as a messenger on earth and that it was my job to share the good news with everyone around me.

The world has been corrupted from its original purpose which is to bring glory to God, but we have an enemy who has captured mankind through vanity, desirous of the glory for himself. He is the truest man hunter and has lied to so many people, but the true Son of God came to free us from the enemy's evil plan and to free us from the curse of death. Praise God!

The Bible says we must be born again in a supernatural act of God in order to enter into true life. This life is one that we must all die to at one point, for we cannot live forever in it, but if we become united with Christ and are born of His spirit by faith in Him, we will live forever. This is a trustworthy promise.

God's love never fails.

God's love had been my greatest comfort and joy during family conflicts. The Bible says he has no preference.. He is just. Meaning... He loves YOU and ME equally! and I know that must be an incredible amount when I see how much He loves me!

So often, I see hurt and anxiety where God intends to bring peace, comfort and love.

God loves you demonstrated through Christ the Savior of mankind.
If we are his children, we are marked by His Spirit for the word says he has put his mark upon us, and we know we are God's children when we receive his forgiveness and grace which he freely offers through the blood sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ the Holy Lamb of God who is the Only perfect man who has ever existed, and Rose from the grave because of His authority. He died to pay for our punishment giving us everlasting life with him.

I'm not here to impress anyone or to gain a name for myself or to make people feel good.

The believer is here to complete the work of Christ... which was to testify to the truth which is very VERY good news. The enemy doesn't want you to know it... because this truth is the key to power of EVERLASTING LIFE with the FATHER in BLISSFUL LIGHT where there is no darkness.

Wake up. God is real, and the time is coming that the Savior of mankind, Christ Jesus of Nazareth, is returning for His people to take them home.

DO not be surprised at his coming. Be prepared for it.

I bless you in the name of the Almighty and I plead the ears of all who will hear to hear, and the eyes of all who will see to see.

Never Give Up.


Please email me with needs or questions:
childofYAH@gmail.com

Mentors

How important to have them in your life. They have been a strong encouragement to me in the ministry, and books leaders and friends have greatly helped me to find balance in my weaknesses.

As I look forward to two years of possible schooling and waiting to go back to a foreign country, I see the importance of mentorships right now.

Attitude checks, character checks and inconsistencies show their faces when you have someone checking in with you. I want to be making a difference no matter where God puts me, and that can only happen as I keep my spirits lifted up in spite of circumstances.

I want to be like Jesus in all that I do.

There are many things that have signaled God's voice to me. More than all of them his Word has been the foundation of all. I believe that He is coming back soon, and I must be ready to bear His message to all even when they are ignorant or deaf and when they do not want to hear the truth. They must hear the truth so that all will be held accountable.

Stand with me

Dear Friends, God knows exactly what he's doing, but sometimes I am left wondering. As I look at leaving Costa Rica, I think of many things.

How grateful I am for all of the wonderful prayer and support I've received during this two years. I think of all the things I have learned and am in the process of learning. I dream of work yet to be done and the many needs which God alone can meet. I dream about many things.

Stand With me
I am infuriated by the work of the enemy to steal, destroy and kill. He has been hard at work, but we as a church can work twice as hard if we are based in the Rock of Ages. It is through the strength that comes from our God alone, that we can be ministers of healing, justice, grace and love. We can be ambassadors of hope and there are great heroes of faith who have effected incredible changes on our behalf. Together we will all rejoice in the heavens at the marvelous things in which God has shown himself strong.

recently I wrote a few different poems as a reflection on some of the injustices that the vulnerable have lived with. Things that have happened to rob innocence and to support habits. These things can be broken by the power of the cross, and I stand on his promises. Many have already been ministered to by the blood of Jesus, but there are yet many who live without that comfort.

Injustice

Injustice has been done
Painting a pretty picture
Becomes the masquerade
Deep inside were tears
Now only cold, lifeless

Many nights of dry heaving
Nothing to eat or drink
Whatever was there nauseating
Inhumane humanity

Longing for freedom
Has almost died
Along with the beating
The last tear she cried

The Streets

An elderly lady stares
Blankly smiling up
From her perched position
On the Cathedral's steps

Extends her palms
Hoping for a handout
Without qualms
I shift, shaken

Money or food
Maybe some warmth
Don't be rude
Give her your scarf

She smiles, she sighs
Her small hand waves
She sells it, she buys
Another three days