what makes me the happiest

Every Sunday brings a smile to my face because I do what makes me the happiest--play my piano and worship my God. I continually thank the Lord for granting me the gift of music because I am able to express my love for Him in a way that can reach many. Not a single Sunday goes by that I'm not moved to tears by the words that I sing or the prayer that I lift up before my God. He is that powerful. He is worthy. Most of all, today we had a very God-filled worship, and I know it was because I was able to lay it all down in front of God, come before Him as a vulnerable worshipper, ready to be filled with my portion. Worship isn't about coming forth with arrogance or just to sing, but to be willing to listen and to be molded by our Heavenly Father.

I was also happy because I've noticed that a lot of the high school-aged youth at our church come to me to talk and ask for advice and I am able to listen. It only confirms what God's plan is for my life and why I'm going into Teach for America. I'm happy to be able to make a difference, to impact a child's life, to serve as a role model. I only hope that the Lord continues to bless me so that I may be a leader and an example. I thank God for reminding me every day how special I am and how I am an integral part of His ministry. His love keeps me in check and I keep my focus.

I am blessed beyond measure and I know that my God is in control of my life. Since I've been more intentional in my relationship with Him, I have found that I am blessed beyond expectation and that His love surpasses all understanding. I don't know how people survive and deal with life without a Savior. Without a hope. Without TRUE love. Thank you Lord because I am Yours.

perhaps I'm ready to begin writing lyrics again...

motherly advice

i find myself increasingly being disappointed by people. and each time, i just run home into my mother's arms.

i'm so thankful to have such a godly mother and father. they are my inspiration.

she said "God will bless you and you won't even see it coming." so true.

the Lord is my Protector

Yesterday as I went to lunch with my aunt and uncle, I observed a scene that isn’t too far out of the ordinary. The place where we went to eat had a farm adjacent to it, with many hens and little chicks. Near one hen, a mean black cat was drawing near, in striking position, ready to hunt. What was incredible about all of this is how the mother hen reacted. Without needing to hear anything, without needing for the cat to get real close, she stretched out her wings and called her little babies, who ran to her. Under her wing, they were safe, and the cat retreated.

I’m sure we all have read Psalm 91 at some point in our lives, or heard someone say it or maybe we have even heard a sermon. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almight." But in this moment in time, that Psalm rang all too clearly. Imagine, if God gave animals the instinct to care for their children, why would He not do the same for us? The passage tells us that God will "cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge," just as the hen did for her babies.

We are God's children. But only as His children and if we seek his refuge will we be safe. No other person in this world can promise this.

This has never been truer in my life. Every time I trust in someone, I wind up hurt. And it sucks, but I feel as if it's God's way of telling me to wake up and realize that HE is Lord. HE is Sovereign. only HE is our refuge. I'm trying, but there's still so much to learn, so much to give up and so much to receive in return. My Lord has been faithful until now, and he will only continue to do so.

being thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

Though our lives should be filled with thanks regularly, I find it encouraging that this country has set apart a specific day to give thanks. And that's one of the reasons why it bugs me when people wish me a "Happy Turkey Day" because the focus is not the turkey, but rather, how grateful we should be for all the blessings we have. Like Thessalonians says, we should be thankful in everything. And though I've heard this throughout my years as a Christian, I can safely say that I learned the TRUE meaning of these words this year, when God has given but also taken from me.

This year has been rough--physically and emotionally. From dealing with a bad breakup that left me disappointed and broken, God has slowly been molding me and teaching me to rely solely on Him. He never will leave me. He will never break promises. He shows me grace. He is quick to forgive. How could I want anything else? I thought I had all the answers, a certain path down the future and God took it all away. And now, more than ever, I realize that yeah, it was painful, but the beauty of pain is knowing that it will all end and that when it does, you will be a better person than when you began. God has challenged me in school as well. Though the going seems tough, He has provided a way, a truth, and life.

I lost my grandma in August and during the holidays, the pain is greater than ever. Though she is gone, I am thankful for her memory and her love. I know that she is in good hands. I also miss my grandpa so much right now. It hurts to even think about it. He would have loved to see me graduate from college, land a good job and to see all of us grown up. I miss him.

But at the same time, my earthly family is more than I could ask for. They fill me with more love than anyone could ever provide. Because of our losses and because of my breakup, I have a new-found appreciation and love for my parents. They are truly my best friends now. God has surpassed any expectation that I had because I seriously have the best parents in the world.

Like Job tells us, the Lord gives, the Lord takes away, but blessed be the name of the Lord.

He knows what He's doing. And all I can say is thanks.

letting go

i've been stressin' lately. so i took the day off and listened to music, wrote music, played music. all for my Lord. i prayed. read my Bible outside. went to Bible study. and it was probably one of the best days of my life.

to let go, not care about the time and dedicate what I have to God has been the best thing i could've done. thank you, Lord, for letting me live a life of worship in your name.

worry for nothing, pray for everything

a phrase my papa has recently instilled in me. a simple message with a powerful truth. leaving worries behind implies a certain degree of freedom in Christ, who paid it all. numerous times we are told to "cast all our worries on Him" or questioned as to why we fret over tomorrow. and honestly, really thinking about it, there is no reason to worry! in Christ we are secured and we are placed in the best hands that can be!

Philippians 4:4-9 reminds us of this freedom in Christ and of what we should be doing. "Celebrate God all day, every day" says verse 4 in The Message. I love this, because everyday is a new celebration in Christ. the mere fact that we wake up in the morning is a gift from God, not to be taken for granted. we can rejoice in the freedom Christ has provided because as earlier verses in Philippians reassure us, our Lord, who began the good work in us will complete it. What a wonderful promise!

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray!" "It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."Philippians challenges us to stop the worrying and give it up to God. only then can He control our lives instead of our worries, doubts and fears. God must be the King of our lives and he can't reign in us if we don't give him space in our lives. Instead, Paul lists the things we should be thinking about, focusing our thoughts on higher things than earthly worries.

in my personal life, i find that sometimes i make these worries my 'god' instead of letting my real God carry my burdens. in recent weeks i have stressed over many things and my daddy looked at me and just said "worry for nothing, pray for everything." and when the worrying stopped, God provided in many ways. not only are things falling into place, but He has also brought peace to my life.

How wonderful it is to know that I am in the hands of the Almighty :)

love and grace

I have neglected blogging recently and I think a lot of it is out of laziness, but mostly because I have had too much on my mind. my heart has been heavy, my mind has been messed with and everything imaginable has happened to make me lose my focus.

Yet here I am, keeping with the grind, moving forward.

I have nothing less than praise for my Heavenly Father, because He gives me the will to carry on, He still loves me despite my imperfection and I know that He is working in my life.

In this past month, I have realized two very important things that point to one underlying truth. For one, I am being asked to let go of my past, to essentially leave my jar at the well as one friend put it, and leave it to God. I had been clinging to what was, and this was holding me back from what God has planned for me. Secondly, I am learning the true meaning of love, beyond romantic love, but trying to see love from God's eyes. These two epiphanies only point to my future, to the way that God wants to use me--that He be the only focus in my life. My life's goal should be to please Him and no other.

Recently I have been questioning what love is. Everything I see around my leaves me so heartbroken and literally, not a single day passes that I don't fall to my knees and weep because of the pain and suffering I see in this world. It is unbelievable to me that children will purposely try to burn others alive, that a teen would kill his brother without remorse, that in the name of "love," people are driven to acts of violence, that one would go on a shooting spree for being bullied, that children be abandoned by their parents. Everyday I thank the Lord because if not for His love, I would never know what it means. The world cannot teach it to me, nor will they be able to love if they don't know God.

What this world lacks is an understanding of grace. The beauty of God's love is that we don't deserve it and yet, He is faithful. He forgives. He takes us in. He is graceful. And because of this, all I can do is to be thankful and to love in return.

I feel like recently I have been challenged to truly love the world around me. Not just to do the "Christian-like" thing and to do my share of community service and looking good in front of others, but to really love. I've read 1 Corinthians 13 soooo many times, but I finally read this chapter in The Message and felt a renewed challenge. THIS is what love is. THIS is what I must do.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

I have recently accepted a job with Teach for America, a task that I know will be no easy feat. Yet I know that I am being called down this path, to love the less fortunate and bring the light and love of God to those deemed to be "failures" in society. I have read these verses and pledge to make them the essence of my life.

I have been failed in the past. I have been left. Downhearted. Broken. And yet, my Father has picked up the pieces. He is making me whole so I can serve Him. I feel as if this is the time that I am supposed to be truly alone so that I may make Him my focus and I can solely rely on Him. Being as I am a big people person, I know that this is going to be a challenge. But nevertheless, I know that if I don't do this now, then I would be disobedient and straying. My prayer is that I know without a doubt that all I need is my God.

I've been looking through my eyes all too often. I have tried to solve things on my own only to fall short. I have to let go and let God. Worry for nothing, pray for everything. I need to see the world through God's eyes, to stop worrying and cast my doubts on Him, the Almighty. I want Him to break my heart for the things that break His. I want to serve. If not I, then who? I cannot focus on God if other things are taking hold of my heart and mind.

And this shouldn't be a realization exclusive to me, but for everyone. God wants our all, our love, our devotion. Only then will we reach our full potential and be blessed. I don't want to hold back on my God! Imagine if He held out on us, what would we be? In His praise, we should give our all, and let go of the petty things in life so that God entrusts us with greater things for His glory.

I know I've been rambling, but I guess it's a month's worth of thoughts and self-realization.

my desire

All I Need is You--Hillsong

Left my fear by the side of the road
Hear You speak
Won't let go
Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray

Got every reason to be here again
Father's love that draws me in
And all my eyes wanna see is a glimpse of You

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is you Lord

One more day and it's not the same
Your spirit calls my heart to sing
Drawn to the voice of my Saviour once again
Where would my soul be without Your Son
Gave His life to save the earth
Rest in the thought that You're watching over me

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

You hold the universe
You hold everyone on earth
You hold the universe
You hold
You hold

All I need is You
All I need is You Lord
Is You Lord

random...

I praise God for allowing me to make it through yet another month. It is by his grace that I am alive and well and that He works in me.

This month will be particularly critical for me because I have a final interview with Teach for America. God is so good, beyond what I can express in words. I had asked Him, "Father, please let me make it to a phone interview," and He surpassed what I had asked, allowing for me to go straight to a final interview. Blessed be His name! Tears of joy streamed down my face as I read the news because I knew that it was ALL God, none but Jesus. I place my future in His hands, that He may open this door if it is the one meant for me.

These last few months have been very trying for me. But I'm finally beginning to realize a lot of things and letting go of certain strongholds (whether people, actions or feelings) in my life. Others, I've seen resurface and then I feel guilt for turning back again. I guess it all takes time, but the point is that now I DO feel convicted because of it, something that didn't used to happen. And I know that God is slowly working in me to get me to where I need to be.

Among the other praises I have for my Lord, I thank Him because I see our tiny church growing, both spiritually and numerically. God is placing people in our path that are so on fire for Him, willing to serve, willing to take the hardships for His name. Where there are trials, God provides. Through this experience, I am being molded as a leader and as a person to be strong and to give myself in service. I see a more mature Daniella, a young woman that owns up to responsibility, that doesn't serve just to do it, but because it is a privelege she has been given and because she understands that God wants to use her. I've stopped being selfish and holding back. I want more. I want to understand. I want to love like He does. I want to serve like Jesus. I want God to break my heart for what breaks His. I want my eyes to be opened. I want to be humbled for His name. Am I up for the challenge? You bet. Is it going to be easy? Jesus never said it was. Oh dear. But there is hope. Romans 10:11 tells me "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." And what a promise that is!

finding joy

i've been reading Philippians in hope of getting inspired by Paul's message of joy.

i want to be joyful but lately i've been finding that many things aim at robbing my joy. why is this? it makes me really sad but i'm going to try and keep at it, keep running the good race.

when will it end?

oh Lord. where are you?

All I see around me is pain.

All I do is hurt.

When will it end?

When will I smile again?

sometimes...

i wish i could just forget.

but i can't shake it.

i can't let it go.

yes it's past 3AM

and i can't sleep because i need to finish this really lame paper. boo.

in the meantime i've been distracting myself by chatting with two of my "good" friends from abroad. yet it's so funny because we're sooo different. i realize that the things that make them happy are trivial and what they consider "good" in a guy is terrible in my eyes.

one says "he's cute. he likes me. it's nice."

wow. sounds like a catch and some real substance there!

it's so crazy what the world considers to be good and substantial compared to how we see things. it's almost disheartening. i hope that one day i am able to find someone that will make me happy and be the man God has called him to be in my life. not just some "fun" guy.

people ask why i haven't found anyone new since i've been single. well, there's your answer. it isn't about settling. bam.

Happy Sunday

thank you Lord for today. because i am able to come before you to worship with all i have. thank you because i see that i am growing and maturing in you.

"O Praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead"

hillsong conference part two

i'm glad that i took a few pictures yesterday because today they didn't really allow cameras.

but let me just say, i got to ask the entire Hillsong United team a question. yes, i was freaking out like a lame-o. but it was amazing haha.

this entire conference was a blessing for me. to be surrounded by other Christians searching for the meaning of worship challenged me. i want to be a better person, but not for myself, rather, i want to serve this world. God GAVE to this world, and He gave his Son. He is constantly giving, and so, i must give as well.

the purpose of this conference was to have an Encounter with our Lord, Jesus Christ, a collision with the unexpected and to experience our Savior's love like never before. and though there may be voices that try to undermine this connection, we must aim for a greater intimacy with our Lord. we are called to serve. we have a purpose. let's get to it!

to have faith is to have a passion, which is measured by how we live, the choices we make. i want to show others that i have a passion for God and His Word. faith believes and speaks by confessing the word! it goes beyond mere feeling and it should be backed by how i act and face the world. and because God loved me, i must love others, and share this saving faith. how can they not know? it is up to us to be the hands and feet and reach those forgotten by the rest of the world. if Jesus loved the last of those, so must we.

i left tonight, feeling renewed. i feel like i see my purpose. i was meant to love God and to show this, i must serve this world humbly, tear down the walls of self and only then will i be a true blessing. i can't even describe the emotions running through my mind right now. i am just so thankful.

Lord, i am not worthy of You and yet, You loved me first. paid for me with your Son's precious blood, i have been made new. how could i not live for you? what better way to show you that i am thankful. i don't have much that compares to you, nor the words to piece together how i feel, but know, that the little that i have is all for you. i give you my heart. take it and mold it as you please. obra en mi vida como quieras, mi Rey. that i may live for You and You alone. you are worthy of all praise.

hillsong conference part one

i am blessed beyond measure. with each day that passes i see more and more how it is by grace alone that i am saved. only a Holy and Righteous Father could love someone like me and for that, i am thankful.

this weekend i'm attending Hillsong's Miami Encounter, a conference centered on worship. my church generously offered to send me and the other leader of the worship team so we could learn and be instructed in worship. tonight was more of a worship rally, a call to worship but already i feel renewed. as i sang along with hundreds of believers, it made me wonder how some people don't know God's love. how can they not love Him? how can they not believe?

i am so thankful because in Christ i have my hope. i have hope of a better future, of MY future, of eternal life in Him. even in the toughest of times i have faith that i will be carried through. i know that it could only get better. i know that a mighty Lord loves me. how can others live without this peace?

i think a lot of it has to do with us "Christians" not playing our part in this world. we are flaky, fake, judging and like the speaker said today, we build walls that prevent us from really seeking a deep relationship with our Lord and Savior. if we were more like our Jesus, then people would really be able to see God's love through us. i want to be that change. i want to be the change that the world will see. my prayer is that i will shine in my tiny corner of the world. i want to be this ambassador of God's love to others who don't know what TRUE love is, and that is the most perfect love of all.

this summer has been a rollercoaster of emotions and happenings. it's hard to keep my head up and focus on what i need to do. i find that i get easily disappointed by others, but maybe it's because i care too much. i try not to hurt others but find that i always get hurt. i don't want to use others but others will try to use me. i want genuine friendships and they want something temporary. i keep my word and they easily break it. i hold no grudges yet the grudges face me. and because of this, i find that i am alone. and sometimes i want to stop trying. but today, at this conference session, i learned otherwise. i need to keep loving, keep trying and prevent these situations from leading me to build walls. i must love freely because my Savior did so, by giving His life for me.

in the meantime, here i am Lord. use me for your purpose. help me find that heart of worship. it's all for you and you alone. "these hands are Yours/teach them to serve as You please/and i'll reach out"

thankful

i am really thankful at where i am in life right now.

today, i have learned what it means to be a good friend. it means reaching out to people that you didn't think you'd reach out to. it means listening. it means truly caring from the heart. today, i've reached out. the rest is up to the Lord.

thank you Lord for granting me the spirit of forgiveness and love. let me honor you and be a good friend to others.

some things never change

but are they meant to be?

my thoughts, in spanish and in poetry

Abba Padre, digno eres

Maravilloso Rey y Escudo!

Veo tu belleza alrededor de mi

Tu amor infallible me consuela.

Vengo ante ti, agradecido,

Sacrificio tuyo quiero ser

Pon en mi un nuevo corazon

un nuevo espíritu, un nuevo ser.

Quiero ser como tú, Jesús!

Junto a ti, tomaré mi cruz

y viviré, viviré por ti

Sal y luz en este mundo

Brillaré en la verdad.

Mi mirada está puesta en ti,

En mi Padre Celestial y Dios.

Postrado delante de tu gloria

Sé que nada soy sin ti.

i serve a Mighty God :)

my cousin is visiting me from Ecuador and she has been wonderful company. a great reminder as to the importance of family and how irreplaceable familial bonds can be. we have been getting ourselves into many adventures, going out in Miami to new places (even for me!), meeting people, seeing new things.

on a whim, mostly because i'm crazy, we decided that today we'd drive to Key West for the day. i haven't been to KW in roughly 14 years (craaazy!) and obviously my cousin had never been so it seemed like a great idea. we hit the road at 5am. sometime around 7:15 when the sun was breaking through the clouds, we decided to stop. without planning it better, we had the most amazing view of the sun rising, right before the famous Seven Mile Bridge. with the rising of the sun, i saw all that was around me for the first time today...endless miles of open ocean. Up until that point, I had been kept in the dark, but finally i saw and was able to appreciate the beauty of what surrounded me.

thinking back to this experience, it reminds me of what God is in my life. He is the sun in my day, the one that brings me out of the darkness so that i may be in awe of his beauty and his greatness. He alone can do this for me.

what a spectacular day. God is so great. we couldn't have planned it better, because He allowed for everything to fall into place, for us to have a good time and to enjoy his natural beauty.

reflections...

i know that my Lord is trying to work in my life. slowly but surely, i will get there! one area of particular weakness is that i trust people way too much. now, that doesn't sound like a bad thing. but when you invest your feelings and think that those around you are your "be all, end all," then yes, it can be a hurtful thing. everywhere around me, i feel let down. and in the midst of it, i see my Lord, my God. He extends his kind hands and picks me up when i fall. constantly i am reminded of His love. with the rising of the sun, i know that He is in control and as the sun sets and the day winds down, i see Him there as well. estás ahí, Señor, estás ahí.

i may not feel it, and He may not physically be right next to me, but i know that He is working in my life, pushing me to my limit, to prove to me that HIS LOVE is all that i need.

instead of surrounding my life with noise, i need to be silent and listen for his guidance.

Lord, help me wait on you. you hold all the answers that i need and in you alone lies the peace i long for. i want to live for you, love for you, grow for you. test my faith, bring me pain, whatever it shall be so that i may increase in value before your eyes. i want to be more like you.

taking things for granted

my dear blog, i have abandoned you this month! it's been a little crazy but a good crazy i suppose. i think that this last month has really been a good time for me to reflect on my struggles, my weaknesses and strengths and to focus on myself. i need to realize that i need to be OK with being by myself and not necessarily with someone.

in the midst of it all, it's still difficult. i think i was meant to pour my love onto someone and i'm dumbfounded when there isn't anyone to do this with.

still, today sitting in church, reflecting on the blessings in my life, i felt convicted and guilty because i feel that i take many things for granted. i focus on all my wants and not on what i already have. it makes me feel very selfish. i am loved by my friends and family, but most of all, by my Lord and Savior, so what else can i be lacking? am i always going to be that person that wants what she can't have? hopefully not, and hopefully this will be a point of realization for me.

i don't want to hold back and i want to be thankful for all the blessings in my life. Lord, help me realize that i am lucky to have your love in my life.

final song version

here are the lyrics.

oh Lord, my God. you are so wonderful. thank you for the gift of song.

Estás ahí

 

Hay veces que siento que no puedo

No hay salida, no hay fin

Alzo mis ojos a los montes

Te doy mi llanto y dolor

Te doy mis cargas, mis miedos

En ti libre soy.

 

En mis luchas más fuertes

Ahí estás

En medio de la oscuridad,

Tu estás ahí

A ti clamaré

Oh Jehová

Mi Roca y mi Castillo

Tuyo soy

Mi Dios

 

En tu abundancia y tu gracia

Eres mi salvación

Eres mi escudo, mi refugio

Y te alabo, mi Rey

Eres mi única esperanza

Solo en ti confío.

the hardest thing...

it's always hard to let go. whether it is saying goodbye to a loved one leaving on a trip, giving up on the love of your life or seeing a family member pass away, there are many things that we must let go.

i know that i am deeply passionate about those closest and dearest to me. my father says that i remind him of Thomas because i give everything my all. but just as i give everything my all, when i'm disappointed, i am disappointed to a totality. it's hard for me to let go.

perhaps this is the area that God is trying to mold me in. ever heard the expression "Let Go and Let God?" well, i feel that God is trying to teach me just that. there are many things and people that i have to let go in order to FULLY trust my Lord. i am not in control of my own destiny. God has a wonderful plan in store for me, only if i let Him work in my life. i've seen Him take control of areas i once held but i know that there is still room to grow.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

there is no room for me to try to change this. i must be still and wait on the Lord, which is the hardest part of this process. this comes to me at a time where everything is uncertain for me and i am seeking guidance as to my future. what will i be doing next year? will i finish my thesis? what of my love life? where will i be serving?

i know that God will answer these questions, but it's so hard to sit still. the Lord defs has a sense of humor because he knows what bugs us the most and picks at it and works at it until we get over it. how wonderful is He!

right now, i want to feel my Heavenly Daddy wrap his hands around me and tell me that everything is going to be ok. i want his peace in my life. i don't want to wait around for something that isn't right but i want to look ahead with expectation and guard myself for God's plan. this is all that i can ask.

Lord, i don't have much. but all that i do, let me consecrate it for you.

home is where the heart is

i've been home since saturday because i got some news that really shook me. and though i was in a heap of distress that day, since then i have found peace.

the Lord gives, the Lord takes away. but he will ALWAYS provide. he doesn't leave an empty hole without filling it. and he will fill it with something better. i just have to be ready to let him work in me.

this week has been particularly crazy in the news. Jon & Kate are splitting. SC Governor has a mistress and runs away. And we lose three famous people in the entertainment industry. this has led me to think a lot. i don't just want to live my life in futile. i want to find true love. but i want GOD to be my first love. that is what this world is missing. this is why marriages go awry. this is why people freak out over death. in Christ alone my hope is found, and what a great hope that is! i don't fear death, i don't fear tomorrow because God, in his infinite love, will provide, and in abundance.

the love of my family has filled a great hole in my heart. there is none like it. i know God brought me home for a reason. i thank him for his perfect timing and infinite mercies in my life. he is leading me down the right path.

wise words from Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 7

(3) Sorrow is better than laughter,

because a sad face is good for the heart

(13) Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

what he has made crooked?

(14) When times are good, be happy;

but when times are bad, consider:

God has made the one

as well as the other.

Therefore, a man cannot discover 

anything about his future. 

God has an absolute purpose for everything. He gives, He takes away.

But can I be patient?

I'm afraid of my own desires dictating my actions instead of allowing God to give me my answers. 

Lord, please let me find the answer in you.

power of prayer

I serve a Mighty God, a God that only deserves the best of my praise. He alone is my strength and my song. In times of trouble, He is my Rock and salvation. Through Him alone do I find peace. Mighty is the Lord! Holy is His name! He is worthy of all praise. Every knee will bow down and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord!

My praises to the Lord are never-ending, because I called and He answered. The prayers of saints are never in vain and the Lord is apt to leave us dumbfounded in His glory. This past week I spent all-day, everyday at the hospital because my grandma was grave and critically ill. The doctors said that there was nothing more to be done and that we needed to just wait for her to pass. Yet the Lord is greater than science! He proved every prediction to be false and my grandma has recovered. Alabado sea el nombre del Señor!

This entire week, in the midst of my sadness and worry, the Lord provided a great comfort for my through the love of my family. I have a new-found appreciation for the members of my immediate family and other family members as well. Their love for me is without expectation and they are ALWAYS there, kind of like God put them there to physically show me His love for me. They brought me back to life and led me to think about what is really important in life. I'm glad that I was able to show my love in return. I am still capable of loving and this is very important.

My prayer to the Lord is for peace in other aspects of my life. I have a worry that has had me sad and down lately and I no longer want to dwell on that anymore. I want to be appreciated. I don't want to do all the work. I don't want to be the one always risking my feelings. I'm going to let go for right now, no longer going to try, and see what path these feelings take. It isn't healthy to invest love and time for nothing in return, especially when you feel so strongly. In order to guard my heart, I must let God take place of this worry.

The Lord give, the Lord takes away. We'll see what he does next in my life.

the only man i need

i find myself a bit disconcerted these past few days and i think i have an idea as to why. i have lost my focus a bit and i'm seeking to regain it. but this song reminds me of the only thing i NEED in my life. because everything else will follow once i recognize this truth

David Crowder Band- There is No One Like You

You are more beautiful

Than anyone ever

Everyday, you're the same

You never change

No never

How could I ever deny

The love of my Savior

You are to me everything

All I need forever

How could you be so good?

There is no one like you

There has never, ever been anyone like you!

Everywhere you are there

Earth or Air surrounding

I'm not alone but have them sing along

My God you're so astounding

How could you be, so good to me

Eternally I believe...

There is no one like you

There has never, ever been anyone like you!

How could you be so good to me?

How could you  be so good to me?

We're not alone, so sing along

We're not along so sing along

There is no one like you

There has never, ever been anyone like you!

There is no one like you,

There has never been anyone like you

There is no one like you,

There has never been anyone like you

There is no one like you,

There has never been anyone like you

There is no one like our God!

ponderings on life

i've been thinking lately about the meaning of life, of living and what we're meant to do. i think mainly this has a lot to do with the fact that i have learned that my grandma is slowly dying and there is nothing we can do about it. we can just wait on the Lord to show us what is going to happen.

when i think about the meaning of life, i am immediately drawn to Ecclesiastes 12, the passage that tells us to "remember our created in the days of our youth," essentially before it is too late to do so. This is the essence of life. everything around us will fade, all will cease to be as we know it, but in the midst of it all, God is immutable. He alone is everlasting.

The chapter reminds us that we must keep HIS commandments. and THAT is the key to life. THAT is true life, life everlasting, life worth living. otherwise, our life would be a waste because we would be living for nothing and in nothing! living IN God is living a full life. i want to know that when i pass away i REALLY lived.

i'm working on a few things in my life, and i know that my Lord is working in me greatly. i see the change in my little attitudes, in how i love others, in my patience. God is molding me into the woman he wants me to be. i'm so thankful for this!

a song that has really touched my soul the last week is "Fire Fall Down" by Hillsong. It has penetrated my soul because it's everything i want to ask of the Lord and everything i want to tell him. He is alive in me! i want to be covered in His Holy Spirit and i want people to see Jesus' love through me!

Cause I know that you're alive

You came to fix my broken life

And I'll sing to glorify

Your Holy name, Jesus Christ

You bought my life with the blood

That you shed on the cross

When you died for the sins of men

And you let out a cry, crucified

Now alive in me

These hands are yours

Teach them to serve 

As you please and I'll reach out

Desperate to see all the greatness of God

May my soul rest assured in you

I'll never be the same

No I'll never be the same

Cause I know that you're alive

You came to fix my broken life

And I'll sing to glorify

Your Holy name, Jesus Christ

You've changed it all

You broke down the wall

When I spoke and confessed

In you I am blessed

Now I walk in the light

In victorious sight of you

Fire fall down

Fire fall down

On us we pray

As we seek

Fire fall down

Your fire fall down

On us we pray

Show me your heart

Show me your way

Show me your glory

Why, Father?

Today marks three years that my great-grandmother passed away. She was like a friend to all of us, so dear to our hearts. And today, I also find out that my grandmother could pass away at any given moment. My heart is heavy. I am hurting deeply.

Lord, why is it that the people I love are leaving me, one way or another, this year alone? Please show me...

Pentecost: Enter, Holy Spirit

Today has been a day like no other. It's Pentecost, the day in which God fulfilled his promise to his disciples and sent the Holy Spirit to fill the lives of the believers. It is a day in which sadness, abandonment, fear and anxiety dissipated. The disciples were no longer alone, rather, they had God Himself living within them. Thousands were converted on this day alone, for the glory of the Lord.

The service today was spectacular. I felt the Spirit of God moving in the midst of everything. As I sang, I felt goosebumps, I knew something was there. As my Father preached, I felt compelled to make the Word my own, to make it alive in me. You see, the disciples were able to replace their weaknesses with the strength found in the Lord. All their fears were gone and the Lord used them for something great. I want to be just like this. I know and recognize the Holy Spirit working in me and I know that sure enough, my fears will be gone and in their place, I will have a super-natural strength that only comes from above. What a wonderful promise!

Days like today show me that the Lord is control above all. God's plan is so perfect in our lives. He is so wonderful to us. My strength, my song, my Lord. 

I have placed my life in His hands and I refuse to be a stumbling block for my church. I want to dedicate my life to my Savior so that I can best lead this congregation to find a worship that is pure and true. Worship isn't just a song that we sing on Sundays, but it is a way of life. And my life WILL be one of continual worship. I have seen the difference the past couple of weeks where I have dedicated time and the best of my ability towards putting together the worship repertoire. I see changes in attitudes, I see changes in my aptitude to worship, to pray, to sing. It isn't just a coincidence, it's a change.

I've been feeling a little downcast tonight, mainly because I'm dealing with a heartache that took years to build. But slowly, I know that the Lord is filling that hole in my heart with his own lovingkindness. And you know what, this is a good experience for me because I'm going to learn to depend more on the Lord and to keep on loving. I am so thankful to have loved because it shows that it is possible. And I'm thankful that I still love, because it shows that I am able to forgive and that my heart is open to loving again. Right now, I am seeking my first love, my Lord and Savior, because there is nothing like your first love, is there?

Reading Psalm 135 today made me sit and reflect a bit. The whoooole Psalm talks about how God is in charge of EVERYTHING! In His hands are the earth, the seas, the heavens. All of creation bows to Him. David recognizes God's ultimate plan and how everything falls into place, even when everything seems to fall out of plan. If my God carefully planned everything, then I have nothing to fear. He is in control of my life, which is an easier feat than making all of creation and drafting a plan for our salvation. I am in good hands. Like a good Father, the Lord wants what is best for me and will be there to pick me up when I fall. What a wonderful Lord I serve!

Thanks be to you, God Almighty, for your everlasting glory and grace. I lay my life before you so that you can use me as you please. Deliver me from evil. I'm done searching for any form of alternative to happiness. You are the only path to happiness, to life, to love. Show me how to love you best, so that I may also love others. And create in me a new spirit, mold me to perfection. I am yours.

my first song!

i'm working on the melody and the kinks, but i think this is it :)

well...technically, it's my second song because when i was 8 years old I wrote a song for my mom. haha. but this is my first serious song, meant to be used as part of praise and worship!

Estás ahí

 

Hay veces que siento que no puedo

No hay salida, no hay fin

Alzo mis ojos a los montes

Elevo mi llanto, mi dolor

Te doy mis cargas y mis miedos

En ti soy libre.

 

En mis luchas más fuertes

Estás ahí

En medio de la oscuridad,

Estás ahí

En las tormentas de la vida

Estás ahí, estás ahí

 

Provees en abundancia y gracia

Te alabo, eres mi salvación

Eres mi escudo, mi refugio

Te exalto pues has oído mi canto

En ti pongo mi esperanza

Solo en ti confío.

faithful

Faithful is the Lord. In Him alone do I trust.

The Lord has been with me for ages, and even though I let Him down constantly, He is Mighty to Save, faithful counselor, my Prince of peace. In sitting down and talking to my parents today, I recognize that my future is quite uncertain and many things are up in the air. But despite all that, my parents reminded me that the Lord has been faithful in providing and I have never lacked a thing. I know that He will be even MORE faithful if I decide to be more faithful to Him as well. this is my heart's desire.

in reading a few of the Psalms today, Psalm 130 seemed to most fit this. David says:

Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord;

Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications...

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, 

And in His word I do hope.

God hears me and in waiting in Him, I will get my answers. 

but it's hard.

Today, I found pictures, notes, letters that reminded me of past times and I began to get sad and weep over them, wishing for those moments, wanting answers, having conflicting thoughts. But then I had a moment of clarity. I gathered myself and smiled, because at least I have wonderful memories of laughs and trips and friendships, and already that's more than most people. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Yet He is always faithful to supply what we NEED. Perhaps this is his sign to me that I NEED to find myself in Him, to love HIM, to love myself and then good things will come. The road ahead is long, the ocean is vast, and the possibilities are endless. 

Lord, I lay my life before you. Glorify yourself in me! Use me as your instrument, that I may make a difference in this world. Let no one or anything stifle the love that I have inside and let this love overflow in me!

HOME!

finally made it home after FOREVER on the road

but I thank the Lord that we were fortunate enough to take a vacation as a family. He knew what I needed and when I needed it, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

i don't know why i can't sleep and why i'm still awake because it's 4:30am and i should be beat but i'm not. i just had to write quickly because i downloaded literally 2945873495 CD's. well, more like a good 38 CD's. and i am SOOO excited to listen to them because they are all praise and worship AND i was able to download the David Crowder CD that had gotten ruined. AMAZING. praise the Lord for the many ways to worship him!

longest psalm of them all

i have been on vacation with my family for some time. since i don't have my iPod or my computer with me, i have readily missed my selection of Praise and Worship music, especially the Casting Crowns Pandora station that is always running! last night and tonight, i have especially taken the time to sit down and listen to a few of these songs that have meant so much to me. they are in my head all day long, and i praise God for this, because already i see Him working in my life and filling my daily walk with encouragement and the right thoughts. i feel empty when i am not praising Him! this is all so wonderful :)

the past few days, i have tackled Psalm 119, the longest of the Psalms. There's just so much to say about this passage, but what most struck me about it all is the number of times David mentions "the word of God" or his "statues" or "commandments." essentially, all of these refer to being obedient to the Lord! David tells us of the many things that will result for us if we follow our Lord's word: we have nothing to fear, the Lord will be with us, our enemies will be defeated, we will live blessed. The Lord is good! Only if we follow God will he hear our pleas and deliver us from all evil. this is what we all should live by--by the Word of God, the word of Life and the only truth i know.

i've been sad the past few days, thinking and re-thinking certain things, but i thank God that i have found strength in Him! i see Him all around me and have learned to appreciate little things. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for me

another praise for my Lord is that i got good grades this semester! my undergraduate cumulative GPA is a 3.82 meaning that (Lord-willing) i will be recieving a diploma with honors. i just have to talk to my advisor. the Lord is also great because i have THREE internship options for the summer, all of which could open doors. beginning now, i am placing myself in the hands of myLord with regards to my future and what jobs i could hold. i don't really know what i want to do, but all i know is that i want to make a difference, change this world and fill those who surround me with the love that God grants me. i know that i will succeed if i stay true to the Lord's commandments. i have noticed improvements in my life already and i recognize that God is working in me. He has a plan for me, i know it :)

Came to the Rescue

This is a song that has meant a lot to me today, that has led me to think. In this time of turbulence and confusion in my life,  I need to be silent in worship, listening for God's voice to guide me. I do trust him, I really do. But it is SO much easier said than done. I think that I have made the right decision by cutting certain things out of my life and pledging to move forth. I can't hold on to the past, to a dream that once was, to something that isn't convenient of worth it for me. I feel so overwhelmed at the moment, trapped in a whir of emotions. Today, I said goodbye to my best friend. Yesterday, I said goodbye to someone that was a part of my life, but that was just hurting me more than being beneficial to my life. It was the hardest decision to make, but I know that I won't regret it in the long run.

God has a brilliant plan for my life and I can't inhibit the Lord from working in me, nor shall I let anyone bring me down. Praise be to the Lord, God Almighty, my Savior and my strength. In you alone I place my trust and you alone will never fail me.

Came to the Rescue

Falling on my knees in worship

Giving all I am to seek Your face

Lord all I am is Yours

My whole life I place in Your hands

God of mercy

Humbled I bow down

In your presence, at your throne

I called, you answered

And You came to my rescue

And I want to be where You are

In my life, be lifted high

In our world, be lifted high

In our love, be lifted high

don't hide it

i really have a problem when people put up a front as to who they are. i really don't like when someone tries to lecture another person on being holy and righteous and yet, they themselves don't practice what they preach. if they're against drinking alcohol, they will act like it's ok. it's like the Pharisees in the Bible, where they were so apt to judge other people but not look at themselves. Paul even asks us how we can judge he speck in our neighbor's eye but refuse to take out the stick in our own eye.  it's a lesson i've had to learn but it seems that others are so apt to judging first!

i have also been questioning a lot of things lately, especially friendships. will i have friends next year? i'm quite sad because some people that i counted on care less than i do. i give a friend my all, always so it's hard for me not to receive that in return. i know that i can only count on God but it's always nice to have a shoulder to cry on and a big hug.

i'm just so confused.

thoughts

my friends graduated yesterday, which has left me very sad and feeling downcast. i know that i can't wholly depend on "men" and that the only person i can depend on is GOD, but still, it is hard knowing that your best friends are leaving you soon. i have shared so many memories with these girls, and they're the ones that have been there to see me happy, to see me sad, see me laugh and cry, and laugh so hard that i cry, when i'm stressed, when i haven't slept and still decide to go to the Grove, cooking together, baking cookies, watching movies and staying in, playing apples-to-apples, trying new things, devouring entire pizzas...they've been there for it all. and i'm really going to miss this.

a chapter of my life has closed but a new one will come to fruition soon! i am officially done with undergrad and will start my grad courses next year, graduate and then off to the real world. Dear Lord, you are so good to me. i'm so thankful that i at least do have memories to cherish and friends for a lifetime.

call to worship

this song has brought me to tears the past couple of days. i want to be able to one day know that i can give up anything for my Lord, like he did for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc

you are my strong tower!

When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

[chorus]
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

praise

Under my dad's suggestion, I am focusing on reading the Psalms, for there is no greater worship in the Bible than here. The Psalms are filled with praises, with challenges, with God's goodness and they serve as inspiration to any worship leader. my goal, my one desire is to be better at what I do, to really praise God and lead his congregation into worship.

Psalms 111 and 112 are my focus for today. Within these two relatively short chapters, the phrase "His righteousness endures forever" is repeated three times, which tells us to pay attention to it. God's righteousness is eternal! It surpasses any earthly challenge or any enemy. The title of this Psalm is "God cares for his people," which captures the essence of what I read.

It is a Psalm of praise, telling God everything that he has done, that he is beautiful, that he is powerful, he is faithful and he is just. My Lord is perfect. 

Something that really hit home is where the passages say "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." Wisdom isn't fleeting nor is it a piece of cake. I have to be faithful and true to his word to be wise, as the passage yesterday also highlighted.

All these passages are pointing to finding wisdom. I am a smart girl, but am I wise?

"i will bless the Lord at all times"

Psalm 34 is a psalm of praise and promise, for in it, King David exalts the name of the Almighty mentioning that "His praise shall continually be in my mouth." No matter what the circumstance, no matter the difficulty, my mouth should be filled with praises to my God who allows all things to happen for a reason.

But the psalmist has a different reason to praise, for her has been delivered from his fears. he has placed his entire trust in God, who listens to those who fear him.

this tells me a few things i can apply to my life. for one, the Lord will carry my fears, amazing! He has already beat them on cross, so what do i have to fear?

secondly, God will listen to me if i fear Him. this means i need to respect him and acknowledge his holiness in my life. i must be different; a light among the darkness. I must "depart from evil and do good" in order to be blessed. this means i must check my priorities.

my Lord will provide peace during the storms of life and fully bless me!

goals

mostly for myself, but as i sit here studying for finals, i've done some reflecting haha

-to write my own music

-be better about quiet times

-read, actively!

-sit and listen

-be ok with being by myself

-learn guitar

-learn drums

more to come...

noise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBRjrtA3Dqw

it's been years since i've seen this video, but for some reason, it seems more relevant in my life right now than ever before.

i'm known to surround myself with noise so i don't feel alone. but i shouldn't be afraid of that, nor should i subject myself to unneeded noise, because i could be missing out on words of wisdom from God. i could be preventing myself from hearing his voice.

one thought that struck me is that i spend waaaaaaaaaay more time talking about my problems and confusions than actually listening to God, being still, being silent. i need to spend my alone times ALONE, reflecting in silence, listening to my Lord.

dreamer

i have many dreams, but the hardest part to keep in mind is that they are MY dreams and not necessarily the plans that God has for my life. it's hard to come to terms with this reality, especially when it's so easy to get hurt. 

for now, i need to recognize that these are just dreams and not my reality. my only reality and the only truth that i know right now is that the only person i can trust in is my Lord. now, to really put this into practice...

let it be, let it be, that in the silence is when i hear your voice, when i see your plan for me. let it be that by being still, i am working my hardest and finding the most out about myself.

i should take my own advice

reading my last few posts has caused me to reflect and led me to wonder where my optimism has gone. why is it that i'm stressing out? why is it that i'm worrying about the future?

i haven't been fully trusting God in what i do and in everything, which is why this semester has been harder than most. i wish that i had made the change to give every burden that i have to the Lord so that he may carry it for me.

i don't understand what He is doing in my life and i am hurting. deeply. hurting more than i have in a good long time because i am confused, drained and thinking too much. but tonight, amidst the pain that i feel in my heart, God confirmed that i need to be still and let Him be. i always try to solve my own problems and this time, i can't. this time, i want it all, and i cannot have any of it. my heart is heavy but only God can take care of it. i need to use this time to be true to Him and to myself and to serve whole-heartedly and completely focused.

i want to write music. i really want to write my own song. i'm hoping that this hurt can be channeled in that direction and that i can write songs that could inspire people. Lord, use me and my gifts so that i may please you.

why not to worry

i must admit, i'm the biggest worrier in the world. but in reading Philippians 4:4-20 today, i know that i cannot be a "worrier" and i must be a "warrior." Jesus has already fought the good, long battle for me, so then, why do i fear?

what applies to me especially today is verse 6 telling me "do not be anxious about anything." i have a HUGE exam today and i have been especially worried. i don't know what to expect, we didn't cover many of the things on the study guide and there's so much information that to me it seems impossible to know it all. but WAIT, verse 13 tells me that "I can do all things through HE who gives me strength." Shouldn't this promise be enough to reassure me? I feel that it is my nature as a human being to have doubts and sometimes not believe that I can do things, but I must try to practice the fact that I cannot doubt my Almighty God, because he will work for the good of those who love Him and He has great plans for me.

I must set sight on heavenly things, focus on reality and not on what i cannot change. God has already predetermined what is going to happen on this test and i know that i've done my readings and studied. whatever happens is his will.

the same goes for my life. i shouldn't sweat the small things (soooo hard for me to do! i always stress!) but i should know that there is a plan for me and no matter what i do, i'm not changing the original design for my life. i was meant for great things and i can do it, but only with God's gracious helping hand.

don't waste it

so i'm listening to this song today because my friend wrote to me on facebook about it. we used to listen to this song when we were together abroad and i remember that it made me cry the last days that i was there because the song talks about TODAY and "don't waste it, it's only here for today, you don't own it, so you can't just give it away." and although perhaps the band doesn't think about it the way that i do, i think that this is an important truth to reflect on. i DON'T own today so it's not mine to waste in self-pity, in doubt and in spite.

Psalm 40 is another song of praise to the Lord, praising him for taking the author out of misery and for being such a great God. David wants to spend his days praising his Lord, the one who saved him. he says
"I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly."
This is how i must live. I must be an example of righteousness, love and truth and never cease to share his great faithfulness. Only then will I have lived a fulfilled life.

David's struggle does not end here, and neither does our struggle, which is why we need to always seek God diligently even when the times are good and everything seems perfect. I feel that it's always hardest to seek God when I'm happy because...well...i'm happy and don't need "help" in a sense. but i always will need God's help and should be faithful to him as he is faithful to me.

my soul longs for you...

it is clear that this Bible passage is most known for the worship song based around it. but the message is so clear and powerful.

when my dad preaches on Sundays, he always has us pay attention to repetition in any Bible passage because it is a clear indication of what is important and what we should look at. twice in this chapter we are faced with the question "where is your God?" and twice the author mentions his downcast soul. Yet in comparison, our Lord's name is mentioned roughly 14 times, a clear answer as to where God is. he is everywhere and he must be in our lives and he must be where our hope lies! immediately after the author questions his downcast soul, he mentions that his HOPE lies in the LORD and that he will praise Him in the midst of it.

so i think about this and chew on it a little and think back to David's time. David was the King of Israel, he was hated, persecuted and faced his share of family drama and the ramifications of his sinful actions. He was going through some real heavy duty stuff. if he was able to turn away from all this and find hope in the Lord, then so can i. God hasn't failed me yet, nor will he ever if i'm faithful to him as well, right?

i don't mean to sound like a "holier-than-thou" type of person because i know that at times, it is hard for be to remember that i have to trust God for everything. in the spur of the moment, our instinct is to fix it ourselves or to freak out! but i know that i'm going to try my hardest to take a minute and go in search of the Lord for answers and not to take things into my own hands.

poverty and how we relate

Today was the Miami Poverty Conference, an initiative that I've been working on since last semester. This is something really personal to me because my heart lies in the hurting and especially those stuck in a perpetual cycle of poverty. Living in Miami has made me see the disparities between the rich and the poor and I want to do something about it, even if starting something will take awhile.

I was really happy at how the conference turned out! many people came by and the speakers were great. it's comforting to know that others in this world are as concerned with poverty as i am. what's best is that they are so passionate for this cause and some have given up everything for the struggle. what hit me the most was when we held a panel called "Faces of Poverty" and interviewed four homeless people with HIV and saw how that affected their lives. these people were so real and their stories impacted students and showed us the other side of life...the side that doesn't go to school and get a degree, the side that is expected to fail.

2 Corinthians 8:8-15 is particularly important because it mentions a lot of key factors. sometimes i find myself asking why certain people are in poverty and why i am not. if God is so loving, then why does the world suffer? and i feel that this passage provides that answer. Jesus humbled himself to become one of us in hopes of giving us the best gift of all--eternal life. he basically gave it all up to save me. and maybe he wants us to do a little of that for others as well. maybe we're supposed to give a little to save someone else as well. this is the only route to equality...because as God loves all, so must we! it's simple, isn't it?

my efforts should be because i genuinely care for the suffering and the less fortunate, not because it's something i'm forced to do or because i think it's what i should do to look good. we must love others because God loved us first, as the passage from yesterday read. it's amazing to me how the Bible all fits in together so well and makes so much sense. i hope that you will see the same thing!

1 John 4

This has forever been one of my favorite passages because it talks about something so relevant to all of us--love. I really love how the point of this chapter is that we can't say that we love someone is we don't love God even more. God is love and if we don't know God then we don't know love, it's a simple equation.

how can I say that I love, if I don't even know what the meaning of it is. worse yet, how can I say that I love God if I'm trash talking everyone behind their back? this relates to my chapter from yesterday, where we are supposed to love even the hardest people because that's the true test. If God can love me first, despite the fact that I'm a sinner and I mess up and I'm a bad person, then why can't I love others?

Let's make it our intention to love unconditionally. this world could use a little of that.

daily food- Luke 6

I think that I'm going to try to do this more often, as a way of not only thinking on my own, but sharing my thoughts in hopes that others will do the same.

today I woke up and focused on Luke 6, a passage that can be rather odd because there's a lot going on, but also a passage that can serve as a reminder of the person we should be.

what gets me the most is where the chapter talks about loving the difficult because it is there that the challenge lies. it is sooo easy for me to love my family and friends yet obviously it is difficult for me to love those who hurt me. and though i am tempted to give them a taste of their own medicine, reading this passage today pretty much grounded me. it serves as a reminder that i must turn the other cheek and not give into the same game. the change starts with ME.

life challenges us immensely, but, how will we react to it? that says a lot about our character, more than anything really. because the way we handle little challenges says a lot about how we will handle the bigger picture.

i hope to be an example of this, i hope to make the difference instead of expecting others to do so. my prayer is that you too, will see this need, and that others will be able to live by your example. i may not be perfect in all that i do, but i do know that people can see that i am full of love for others and that my calling is to serve. i am thankful that i have the ability to do so.