Christmas...

{:For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world,

but that the world through Him might be saved:}

John 3:16-17

Love Jesus

I was in Sarasota this weekend at a friend's wedding. I was talking to one of the groomsmen, who is doing a ministry/discipleship program in northern California, about what he would like to do when he finishes and goes back to England. Suddenly he turns the question on me and says: "What do you want to do?" I was a bit stunned by his question. I am frequently asked what my plans are but not many people ask what I want to do. I spoke about my desire to disciple young adults and the passion I have for encouraging people in their walks of faith but somehow my words felt shallow. I kept thinking about his question in the back of my mind feeling I hadn't answered it in a satisfactory way (at least not satisfactory to me).

Last night as I was laying in bed, everything being so quiet, reviewing in my head everything that had happened during the weekend I thought: "All I want to do is love Jesus!!" Sure there are works that He has for me to do, and things I am excited about doing but I want to love Jesus more than anything else... that's the cake! Works is the frosting/icing.

I think that's what God has liked the most this year. I had forgotten about being His above all else. He has been claiming my affections again, as the loving Husband and Father He is.

"'Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her... And it shall be, in that day', says the Lord, 'that you will call Me 'My Husband,' and no longer call Me 'My Master,' I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.'" Hosea 2:14,16,19,20

Let Us Rejoice!

"For the Lord HIMSELF will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS."

-Paul, 1 Thess 4:16-18

Only dogs can hear...

The door closed. So I walked away.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly relieved.

It is one of those things.

It is dark...

Or maybe it is too bright...

Either way I cannot see.

I can't seem to open my eyes.

I can't seem to come out of this dream.

Can a bird fly again whose wings have been cut?

I'm told they can.

In time they can.

2 > 1

"Two are better than one... " Ecc 4:9

Change is hard... I don't care who you are or what you do, change does not come easy. One may have a good disposition about change but that does not mean it doesn't take effort and strength from one's part. Yes, even if it is for the better.

Recently I've had to expand the size of the flower garden outside my bedroom window. The flowers were so huge they were starting to wither due to lack of space. I've known of this need for quite some time but I just didn't feel up for the challenge. I knew they needed it; I knew it would look beautiful once it was finished and I would be happy, but I just didn't want to. The thought of being out there in the garden, hot, sweaty, cover in dirt and trying to figure out where to put all of the plants by myself was not enticing in the least.... even though I knew how much more fun it would be to look outside my window and see so many flowers.

I realized in this procrastination period that I was resisting change. I liked my garden the way it was: small, quaint... why did these plants had to grow?! Things were fine the way the were, if it got any larger that meant I would have to dedicate more time to it, I would have more responsibility (lol! it sounds like I take gardening super seriously).... why? why? why? It was a blessing from the Lord but I just felt like I couldn't handle it.... so I continued to drag my feet.

I was away for some weeks this summer and when I got back.... YIKES!!!! The garden was a disaster. I mean I didn't know where to look, everything looked so sad- something had to be done, there wasn't room for procrastination. I thought to my self: "Oh God, help! I don't want to do it." That, of course, was an unconscious prayer. Thankfully He listens even when we forget He does. Before I could spring into action my mom saw the dire state of the garden and we went to work that weekend.

We moved and replanted 21 plants!! It took two days. While I worked I became aware of my attitude and demeanor. I was happy, I was working well, I had tons of energy and vision. I wonder what had change; why was I so chirpy all of the sudden about this expansion, this change? I looked at my mom and it was obvious.... it's true: "two are better than one".

Change doesn't seem so daunting when there is someone by your side. You feel stronger, more secure and confident. God made us to live in community. It is not a sign of weakness. It is our design to do things with other people. No wonder Jesus sent His disciples out two by two! I know God sometimes asks us to do things on our own (believe me I do! Jeremiah and Ezekiel do too) but is not the norm, it is the exception.

Now, there is a great and beautiful truth that we should never forget: we are never alone because we have a God that promised not to leave us nor forsake us. But I don't want us to use that as an excuse to walk as lone rangers. Today I want to exhort you to make friends and be friendly (Prov 18:24), to seek out those kind hearts and kindred spirits God has placed in your path.

The same God that said "I am with you always...", also said "two are better than one..."

Lesson Learned

So I am reading this mammoth of a book called: "Church History in Plain Language" by Bruce L. Shelley. I haven't made up my mind yet as to whether I like it or not but I read this very interesting quote yesterday that I've decided is worth sharing. The context of this quote is the rapid growth of Christianity in the first two centuries.

I will highlight the parts that really struck me.

"The Event had happened. God had invaded time and Christians were captivated by the creative power of that grand news. They knew that men had been redeemed and they could not keep to themselves the tidings of salvation. That unshakable assurance, in the face of every obstacle including martyrdom itself, helps explain the growth of the church."

-p. 35

I will let that sink in: the conviction, the assurance, the joy... All of the emotions that the language may arouse in our minds and spirits. May we continue to boldly step out in the truth that resides in us. I pray that the remembrance of the cloud of witness around us may inspire us and set our hearts ablaze, totally surrendered to Him- unafraid of the world.

Grace like Rain...

So as many of you have read.... I have a garden :)

I love my garden. My garden makes me happy. Every morning I have to water it before 10 am otherwise the sun will scorch it and my flowers will get sad (seriously!)

Anyways...

A couple of weeks ago I did not want to get out of bed and water my garden. I can't remember why (I must have gone to bed really late or something) but I just wanted to stay in bed and continue to sleep. Yet my conscience wouldn't allow it. Plus I kinda felt convicted since God had been the one to give me the garden... Finally I just sort of shouted "God I don't want to do it! It'll just be one day, I'll water them in the afternoon" and hunkered down in my bed and pull the covers over my head. I was trying to convince myself that it really wouldn't matter if I didn't water them just then.

Less than five minutes later I hear: drip.... drip.... drip.... drip, drip, drip, DRIP.

It had started to rain.

O_0

Lesson learned: God takes care of His creation.

Frankly I was speechless. I think I got out of bed in disbelief to look out the window. If I was to lazy or stubborn to get out of bed to water the plants, He would do it. He did not depend on me to make sure His creatures were well taken care of... this flowers that He loves so much, He would water them. At the same time I was stunned because I thought about my life. Sometimes I falter and think that my well being is on man's hands. He was saying: "You think I can't take care of you if men decide to be disobedient or lazy? I am the One that strengthens you."

It has pretty much rained everyday (specially in the morning) for like the past two weeks. I miss watering my plants :-/ but at the same time, every time it rains I chuckle and smile; I am reminded of His grace... His sovereign grace.