God's Agape

What scares LiztheMiz the most?

2009-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

I tell people I don't easily get scared...and I don't but when I do I freeze up for like a second until I realize what's going on, so it looks like I wasn't scared. There's a little secret for ya :D

But one of the things that puts me out of my wits the most is listening to my own heart beat. It doesn't freak me out it down right terrifies me;
the reason why is this:

Every pump of blood pulsing that I feel in the tips of my fingers transfers the message to my brain that moment I just felt was it and it isn't coming back. Then of course my mind is instantly thrust into thinking did I waste that moment or use it to the fullest potential.
When the answer is waste...
That Scares Me

Then I sense it again, this time a little faster because I think it knows I'm hearing it, like my hearing it is like when the president of a company walks in the door and everyone does there job just a little bit better, because it knows its being examined about the moment that was just wasted, something stirs in it and I ask this heart:
Will you do that with the next moment?
That Provokes me

Soon I find myself lost in the rhythm and picturing my inwards, I know it may seem gross but the power and yet the softness, the precise placing of every organ, ventricle, and cell and just how all of it together puts me to work, hear, dream, play, see, go, cry, More! and then comes a verse:

I'll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I'll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed. I'll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You'll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You'll be my people! I'll be your God!
Ezekiel 26:34
That Leaves me in Awe

So I actually love the thing that terrifies me the most, because it is there the dwelling of Christ!

Goodbye

2008-09-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

I'm blogging at facebook from now one. laterz!

Dear Beautiful Country,

2008-07-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

I love you, you are a perfect mix of past and present. You have lovely people with beautiful accents that I would have to stop myself from starring at with my mouth open.
There are many great men and women born to your country that have in someway made me laugh, think, laugh some more, and further grow the passion I have for music.
Twas in your lands that I met one of the men that have most impacted my life and I call hero, I will never forget you for that. Not to mention your lovely thousand years architecture and beautiful pathways, and fun rivers for punting. Lastly and most thankfully you have an amazing bus and train system.
I was sad to leave but I will see you soon dear friend and all the people that you contain who have become great pals.
Yours Truly,

Elizabeth Mesa

To further explain my lucidity of this great nation, please refer to these pictures:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=4800462&albumId=1998922

Which is why i place my vote and support upon John Cleese's ideals (America please read the following):

A Message from John Cleese to the citizens of the United States of America :

In light of your failure to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas , which she does not fancy).

Your new prime minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections.

Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

You should look up 'revocation' in the Oxford English Dictionary.

1. Then look up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

2. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut 'without skipping half the letters, and the suffix -ize will be replaced by the suffix -ise. Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. (look up 'vocabulary').

3. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as 'like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. There is no such thing as US English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of -ize. You will relearn your original national anthem, God Save The Queen.

4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.

6. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

7. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.

8. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

9. The Former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) -roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.

10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

11. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. Australian beer is also acceptable as they are pound for pound the greatest sporting Nation on earth and it can only be due to the beer.They are also part of British Commonwealth - see what it did for them.

12. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters.

Watching Andie McDowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one's ears removed with a cheese grater.

13. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies). Don't try - the Australians and Kiwis will thrash you, like they regularly thrash us.

14. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America . Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.
You will learn cricket, and we will let you face the South Africans first to take the sting out of their deliveries.

15. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

16 An internal revenue agent (i.e. tax collector) from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

17. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 pm with proper cups, never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; strawberries in season.

God save the Queen.

Only He can.

John Cleese

A singer's worst fear

2008-06-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Brace Yourself

Passion doesn't even begin to describe:

2008-06-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

I think I've cried with a huge smile watching every one of these videos, because it's not just a 1,000+ students singing, shouting, jumping dancing. It's one heart, one mind, one BODY for one purpose....the fame and renown of Jesus all over the world!

KIYV

STOCKHOLM
:( no video found from Stockholm

SAO PAULO

KAMPALA

PARIS
No Paris video yet either

and there is still LONDON, MANILA, KUALA LUMPUR, JAKARTA, JOHANNESBURG, CAPETOWN, MEXICO CITY, VANCOUVER, SEOUL, TOKYO, HONG KONG, SYDNEY
One day
Every knee will bow
Every tongue confess
that the Living Son of God
is
Father
Saviour
Redeemer
Friend
Perfect Love
Perfect Justice
Everywhere
Everything
Forever
Righteous
Strong
Beautiful
Unvarying
Boundless
and ALIVE

and I,
I can't believe I get the grace to have my life partake in all that He is

For more info: 268blog.com

J&K+8

2008-05-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

I don't usually gush about shows but I must say this one has captured my heart. Jon and Kate+8!
As the titles gives way its a couple Jon and Kate and their 8 kids, two twin 7 year old girls, and 3 girls 3 boys sextuplets, all 3 and a half years old.
It's not very much shown but it won't take long after an episode or two to know their foundation lies on Solid Rock. I smile every time the camera pans around the kitchen and I see bible verses taped to the wall, and on one instance where Kate comes up with a mission statement for the family on letting people know about God's love.

They are not perfect parents, they say it themselves..but I have learned so much from them:
They love each other and their kids through words and actions each individual
Discipline justly and strong
Are positive and Fun-loving
Listen to their children and allow them to learn to do things themselves
Eat organically and give the right attention to the physical growth of all the kids
Find creative ways for the kids to have safe fun and grow mentally and physically
Handle and resolve little issues in front of their kids showing them how they can resolve disputes with each other

I'm not sure if I will be blessed with 8 kids..Lol, and when and where all of that is going to come into play but I have placed it at the altar of God's perfect will knowing that this season is preparing me for those seasons. And all I can say as I watch this show, see this family live and love nakedly in front of all of America, on how they are just growing a Godly family and smiling, dreaming, and learning myself for when I will be blessed with the callings of wife and mother, all I can say is...

It's a beautiful thing...

So...
On these episodes of Jon and Kate plus 8, I continue to learn as my heart (and face) smile

for more info on the family and show visit:http://www.sixgosselins.com/ (They are on TLC)

Your will, I will!

2008-04-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

These are my personal revelations through the last few months and passion, I pray that it may in any way resound Christ's glory to who may read.

Last week frustrated to me to no end, all I wanted to do was sink myself into Truth, into digesting what happened. But I had to study for finals, I was almost manic, my mind raced faster then it ever had and I couldn't do the one thing I need...to be Still.
Stillness was the theme of a previous post, the theme of me right now and for a while.

Flashback:

Savior,
I expect to meet you there, prepare me to meet you there.
.
This was going to be my third Passion, but it needed to be different it had to shake my very foundation. Through fervent prayer of what was happening in my life, I received promised truths:
Rejoice and be glad for the Lord will do great things. Joel 2:21
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it. Psalms 37:4-5
What are you waiting for? Return to your God! Commit yourself in love, in justice! Wait for your God and don't give up on him-ever. Hosea 12:6-7
What's God going to say to my question?
I'm braced for the worst. I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon. I'll wait to see what God says , how He'll answer my complaint. And then God answered: Write this, Write what you see. Write it out in big black letters so that it can be read on the run.
This vision-message is a witness pointing to what is coming. It aches for the coming-it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. It seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. Habakkuk 2:13

But Oh God my biggest fear is that these promises are of my own flesh. I tested the Spirits words, your biblical truth, and spiritual guidance as your word demands to not just feel, think and believe but to Know, for one Knows when You speak to them.

Flash-foward:

During a prayer lead by Francis Chan, at Passion,
As promised in Habakkuk, a Vision. This is the best way I can humanly put it, but it's so clear in my mind, I KNOW Lord You have spoken:

and that vision coming to pass as I:
Know Him in an intimate love relationship
KNow the Holy Spirit as a personal teacher (John 14:26)
Who: guide to apply biblical principles and confirms truth of scripture.
Watch to see what the Father is doing and repeat ( John 5:17)
Moldable (Jeremiah 18:1-6)
Servant- (Phillipians 2:5-7)
Live right now putting me in the fullness of God's timing.
Have my decisions depend on:
The Holy Spirit's leading tested through the word of Truth and spiritual guidance by Godly-mature-married-women.
His Glory=My life.

Lord,
I need not worry, you have perfection planned. I will do as You say today and you shall as you have promised always complete. I have heard Your voice of love, and KNOW Your promises. I am were you want me. There is no struggle that I come up against where You are not just involved but rootly at the center of it. You alone fulfill me. I am yours to use. Your will is all I pray for Lord.
Your will, I will!

Notes: (idea taken from IE)

Francis Chan
-The only way anyone will ever look at something I did and immediately give the glory to God is through the Holy Spirit.
-Jesus said it is to our advantage that I leave because the Holy Spirit would come
-Holy Spirit= Christ living in us
-Does that even freak you out the slightest that He lives in you, that the Spirit that raised Christ from the grave lives in you?
-There ought to be a radical difference between a person with the Holy Spirit and one without, one who is alive and one who is dead
-YOu don't have to beg for God's blessings, He is constantly looking to give you them.
-Will the Son of Man return and find faith?
-I'm so tired of what I know I can do in the flesh, I want to do things I know I cold never do except through His power.

Inspired by this teaching:
To the best that you leave
How can it
You not physically here would be better for me

Though how could I have known
Leaving me, placed Holy vision
well and whole, glory foretold

Embedded deep
The wonder of your spirit dwelling
calls upon my all
Turn, face up to see
Alive, In the Cross Complete

Yet the promise still stands
Father, sooner then I believe
Enveloped in Yours, my hands will be
EM-R 2008

Louie Giglio
-I was chosen by Him before the foundations of time. I was crucified, buried and raised with Him.
-The Cross=I love you
God allows freedom, but maintains control
God can take the worst and use it for good.
How can the worst thing that happened be turned into the best thing ever? Through God and He does that Always, in any situation, circumstance, problem, trial, and tribulation of our lives.

North Point
-What went wrong with Solomon? His heart was not fully devoted to God (1 King 11:4)
-Solomon didn't one day wake up and choose to stop following God -he compromised.
-How much does the idea register that the enemy is consistently, confidently, subtly, and patiently after you?
-Even the wisest man who ever lived fell pray to this strategy.
Fight Back: Stay Alert!
-Why wait till there is a crisis, pretend like there is one

Pics of Passion:http://gallery.mac.com/meeguee#100008
Passion Website:268generation.com
Passion Blog:268blog
Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for you. For Your name, and Your renown are the desires of our souls. Isaiah 26:8

The Letter

2008-04-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Funny how we were both intimidated by each other before speaking a single word, but since we had to see each other so often I guess we both made the effort to be nice. We became friends, receiving the opportunity I asked about your beliefs, your answer set my prayers in motion. It didn't take much time to realize that one of the main reasons I came to this place was to fulfill the great commission in a life, yours. I prayed my words and actions always encouraged, challenged, and built you up, so that the example I set forth only reflected back the reason I was who I am.
I went away for a trip, came back only knowing two things to be still to wait in the promises still to come, and the most important the one that had to do with you, the most terrifying and exciting that because I love you my friend, I would speak to you about life...True life.
I set an opportunity but the my plans failed, I will admit that made me frustrated; I had never felt a need to do something so urgently, but it was on my time not His so I took away from my time, and offered an hour I don't usually ever see you, it was that crucial.
I spoke with you today, let out my heart and humbly told you that His blood was over any other empty claim you have and ever will hear, stands in our place, and has allowed us to connect intimately with a loving Father.
Finishing with the posing of the question, What will your life resound?
Then I gave you my bible, asking that you open yourself to see what God wants to reveal to you this weekend and with an I love you, I left.
But I continued right after to pray, that you look for Him as He has been looking for you; for the change that only He can make for the life you are meant to live. For the eternity you are meant to have.
For the day you run into His loving arms, I fervently pray! Even better the day we enter into eternity my friend, and praise the Lord of rescue, the Lord worth living for.
Till then I pray, for He will do the rest.

I believe in that day, For that day He and I will say "Welcome Home".

In His love,

Elizabeth Mesa

Blessed is she who believes what the Lord has said, Believed ever word would come true. Luke 1:45

Still

2008-04-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

I am called at this time to be: Still

Stillness is not inactive...It's Very active
It takes Faith
It takes Humility
It takes Commitment
It's more then patience and waiting
It is shutting Your voice
Opening wide to hear
Letting egoism go
Terrifying yet Awe-inspiring
Controlled yet unforced
Silent yet so loud
Dangerous
Fruitful
Intimate
It is when my heart learns to dance with yours Father.

It's coming...

2008-03-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

11 more days

Savior,
I expect to meet you there, prepare me to meet you there!!

Introspection, Protection, Directions and Dr. Suess

2008-03-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

I love this book, its speaks such truth in the simplest ways. It always reminds me of God's promises, that what He has said, He will accomplish (and not only 98 and 3/4 percent but the full 100)! Even though I may have to be in a slump or face scary places He hasn't taken his eyes off me and only uses it to strengthen my character. It's a book about continuing forward, and not staying where its comfortable but where I'm always challenged to reach so that I may become and help others achieve God-potential
Enjoy the rhymes, Use wisely your time, Make the best of your life
(note:some oringinal Suess writing will be substituted to be more personable, it will be marked by a *)

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the gal* who’ll decide where to go.
You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.
It’s opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.
I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.
You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.
And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most unuseless* place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
Don't worry*!
You'll be out a there soon*!
Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a gal*!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Purpose-full act*.
Just never forget God's with you in strife* .
And never mix up your left foot with your right*.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
Dr. Seuss

Verses/Quotes/Sayings/Words/Characters put together understood to be the English language that explain my existance

2008-03-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45 (The Message)

The world moves for love, it kneels before it in awe.
-The Village

Ezer Kenegdo-When God creates Eve, he calls her an ezer kenegdo. 'It is not good for the man to be alone, I shall make him [an ezer kenegdo]' (Gen. 2:18 Alter) A woman's calling as a "help meet".

Everything in the world is trying to pull us away from community, pushes us to choose ourselves over others... To choose going fast alone instead of going far together
-Shane Claiborne

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world is Christians who acknowledge Christ with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him
by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.
-Brennan Manning

Agape-divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love. The love of God for humanity.

It doesn't cost much to follow Jesus-just everything.
-Keith Green

Yes Lord walking in the way of your truth we wait eagerly for you, for your name and your renown are the desires of our souls.
Isaiah 26:8

If you can't bow your head and sincerely thank God for a movie or music or a newscast or novel-then what good is it doing to and for you?
-para Joshua Harris

It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates himself to man.
-C.S. Lewis

Two guys are talking to each other and one of them says he has a question for God. He wants to ask why God allows all of this poverty and war and suffering to exist in this world. And his friend says “Well, why don’t you ask? The fellow shakes his head and says he is scarred. When his friend asks why, he mutters, “ I’m scared God will ask me the same question.”
-Shane Claiborne

Namaste- Honoring the wholy one who lives in you

Let's go there and not worry about the danger; otherwise it makes it more dangerous for the whole world.
-Brother Andrew

God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him
-John Piper

Unless someon like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
-Theodor Geisel (Dr. Suess)

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.
-Mother Teresa

The world is a university, and everyone is a teacher. When you wake up in the morning make sure you go to school.
-T.D. Jake's mom

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

If Jesus gives us a task or assigns us to a difficult season, every ounce of our experience is meant for our instruction and completion if only we'll let Him finish the work. I fear, however, that we are so attention-deficit that we settle for bearable when beauty is just around the corner.
-Beth Moore”

Continuation of Reasons I love kids!!!

2008-03-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

They are very honest.

Just one of the many reasons I love kids...

2008-03-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

They are Expressive!!!

Touches my heart! Lord, prepare me.

Psalm 127:3-6 (The Message)
Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

A Yadah worshiper

2008-03-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

Yadah is a Hebrew verb with a root meaning "the extended hand, to throw out the hand"; therefore, "to worship with extended hand." . Yadah means to willfully throw your hands up to praise with power. II Chronicles 20:19-20 is the yadah type of praise. Lifting your hands is almost always equivalent to a Yadah, especially when listening to music. When you Yadah to music you are worshiping the image of the creator/source of the music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yadah

Like the fallen child cries out to be picked up by their parent.
Like long time unseen loved ones who run and reach out the most horizontal part of them so the time it takes for them to be close is lessened.
Like ashamed criminals of daily crimes that hurt, destroy, and even murder others, intentional or not, as they only let the part of the body rise towards those whom they've wronged asking for mercy when words cannot.
Like the athlete who struggles with their own inadequacies, but keeps going for they know the prize at the end
Like the eager student, when the teaches calls for a special coveted task they will not delay to show their want of it.

I cry out with outstretched hands
I come closer to His love with outstretched hands
I beg for grace with outstretched hands
I in all circumstances, will persevere with outstretched hands
I say Use Me! with outstretched hands.

It is my offering, my body physically pouring out the inner workings of my soul. It is my reverence, simply humbling myself to the knowledge "I am NOT, but i know I AM."
It is with outstretched hands so strained that my fingers tense to be enveloped in the presence of my Father.

I am a Yadah worshiper

Song of my current state

2008-02-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness If You want me to

When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I will walk through the valley if you want me to
-Ginny Owens

A no compromise life that convicted mine.

2008-02-22T09:58:00.001-08:00

It was last year when I read in CCM (a Christian music magazine), the final article that featured a memorial to Keith Green (1952-1982; died at 28 years of age in a plane crash with his son Josiah and daughter Bethany).

Words said about him caught me eyes and heart; they called him passionate, intense, a prophet.
As I was putting out the sale music not to long after I found one of his cd's and bought it. Very little music has ever shook my very being,but from light-hearted much needed reminders of "He'll take care of the rest," to whispers from God himself in "Your Love broke through," the outpour of his soul became mine, a connection of two cursed beings who wanted with every fiber to be able just to lie face-to-the-ground at the feet of Christ.
Few weeks passed and as I took a stack of books to the biography section, I stopped at one book; "No Compromise." It was his bio, and I began to read...

I finished it today, I had taken it up and put it back down many times due to the excuses I make for everything shallow I hold more important. To say that I cried in parts of the book is an understatement, I openly wept, had to stop even to just kneel and pray or let it all out before I composed myself to continue. This was not because the book was filled with sad events, there were some as in every life, but it was due to the fact that every word that talked about his passionate life, dug to my bones. Keith was devoted to God with no compromise, lived every minute that he was a Christian fully for him, what I thought to be this generations Paul. I wept because I saw the lack of intensity, the constant vision of heaven on my mind and the smell of hell in my nostril to remind me that people desperately need to know Jesus!
Keith wasn't without his earthly faults, he was too intense and hurt peoples feelings through a lot of what he said, struggling to finally realize that just because God commanded him to not have people pay for his concerts and give his cd's for whatever people can give, etc was perhaps not what God called others to do. He hated praise and would probably hate this whole blog about him, but I am not closer to God now because of Keith Green, but because exampled life has convicted my insignificant life on this earth, except for the fact that God loves me and has a purpose for me.

The new songs that God has presented into my life by him have become a prayer (Lord your beautiful), and I would guess what you call the pump up song before the battle, the every day battle to speak into the lives of other, my God:

Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?

Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets

Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay

God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love.

Oh Lord, thank you for the example that keith was, that he was a grain of wheat that died, in order to produce much fruit for your kingdom (John 24:14) in the heart of a girl, 25 years after you took him home. A girl who seeks to be completely used up by You, live the life of no compromise for the purpose I have to fulfill, for it is the only thing I'm still here for.

Belated but still soo sooo :D

2008-02-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

I meant to write this yesterday but here it is anyways.
Smile and Laugh....

Out of the mouths of children...

A group of children, aged four through eight, were asked to answer the question: "What does love mean?" Some of the answers are amusing. Some are rather earthy. Others show a wisdom far beyond their years. Some of the answers were:

Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toe nails any more. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings.

Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.

Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay.

Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.

Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no.

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you any more. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more.

There are two kinds of love: Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them.

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.

During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.

My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.

Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.

Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.

I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her.

Love cards like Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

Love is when mommy sees daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.

You really shouldn't say I love you unless you mean it. But if you mean
it, you should say it a lot. People forget.

I broke!

2008-02-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

I was holding on.
holding on to synchronization.
Stubborn to tie my last post of an amazing performance,
to its video predecessor...I broke.

The video will one day come I am sure but that stopped me from writing which was bad because God had spoken a lot a cool things I should have written about and didn't because I wanted to wait. Not realizing it was the wrong kind of waiting.

So tune in soon for my outpour. May it lead to laughter, encouragement, challenges, and point always to God, who allows me to think of anything to write in the first place.

Soon friends...

Anticipation

2007-10-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

This weekend....This weekend has been anticipated by both heaven and earth, the prayers and actions of high school students and their leaders for the courage and the execution of 200 ( or more) visitors to FRC's Student Ministry. Where perhaps for the first time they will experience authentic worship, a real life-applicable and powerful message, and a visual presentation that has no need for words (except for the lyrics in the music).

I've been more or less in great experimentation leading the drama presentations for the Students, but this skit is the beginning. For it has been the process of what I've wanted the drama team to be from the beginning.
The evidence is found in first that It was found by a student....this is definitely one of the things I wanted most. That the fuel and passion would begin from them. Then, a dedicated and amazing group of student performers were brought together...they have taken this skit into their hands and hearts, and are running with it and I'm just trying to keep up.

The result....

Well this one only God knows at this point, but as I have been praying and planning for this I have given the director's hat to the only One able to fill the shoes and fulfill the purpose to why these days in the corner of Flamingo and Stirling were planned since the beginning of time.

So I shall leave you in suspense of what is to come...but not for long. Please join me in prayer for the young lives to be changed this weekend!

Till again soon!

I blog, therefore I wait

2007-10-02T12:29:00.001-07:00

Waiting...I think the only the only thing I'm good on waiting on is inspiration to write a blog. Therefore, just so you know I have not forgotten or neglected...words are precious to me and I have never been able to allow for anyone to see my writing without the thorough searching of my heart.

Till again.

Why am I defending what is right?!

2007-09-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

After reading an online article as well as its many comments (and most pastors) I hope what I felt was biblically correct, like the anger Jesus felt when people were turning His Father's home into a marketplace! I am not angered just mad and sad that people spill forth whatever first comes out of their heads without for a second thinking, so your honor here is my statement:

I have been a member of Flamingo Road for over 12 years now. I along with my family have grown up at that church! I’am now a servant to many different ministries there all which I have a passion for. I have read many of the comments here and for the purpose of community between the body of Christ, I am sad to say have seen a lot of tearing down. I’am all for expressing views and opinions but as the proverbs have shown the way things are said are sometimes more important then the information behind it. I would ask for anyone doubtful of the idea of my church to instead of critize, ask questions and then think about our culture and location. South Florida is a melting pot, the only other one I have found in the whole of the US like us is New York, we consist of thousands of different backgrounds and lifestyles, and we have to find the way to maintain culture while building community. I was born in Cuba, and when I moved here grew up at a church that celebrated my background and allowed me to understand and do the same for all the others around me. You could flood this page with opinions of what is right and wrong and whether this is biblically sound, but please don’t give authoritive opinions on a culture you don’t understand, a church you have never been a part of and pastors you have never met, and a calling (and this I believe wholeheartedly) of a church who is running full speed ahead as it never has in the many years I have been there to reach a community, were 90% of the people are unchurched. We are a family focused on community (specially since half of our congregation gathers in smaller communities all through out South Florida and Peru giving true authentic relationships like I have never seen in any other family). My church has just looked at in where our community spend most of their time (the internet) and leverage this tool to break the mold of their thoughts on “hypocritical” Christians and become raw and bare in front of them that we are broken people with the greatest hope in the world!

I didn't enjoy writing this, and don't feel much better about it because sadly most of the people with those comments will sadly continue believing what they said and more then not have chosen to tear their family down instead of building up or even doing the impossible attempt of asking questions and making suggestions instead of criticism.

Let me know your thoughts....

A lyrical montage in the educational growth of my life

2007-08-27T21:24:00.000-07:00

Cuba 1991
Al combate corred bayameses que la Patria os contempla orgullosa no temáis una muerte gloriosa, que morir por la Patria es vivir.

En cadenas vivir, es vivir en oprobio y afrenta sumido. ¡Del clarín escuchad el sonido, a las armas valientes corred!

Sunrise 1996
Sawgrass Elementary school I love the best
Sawgrass Elementary better then the rest

Sunrise 2000
Bair Middle School
School Song: MIA

Plantation 2004
Hail our gracious alma mater
Sing our praise to thee
faithful all our sons and daughters
Cherish thyne honor be
In the world may we prove true
guide our steps red, white, and blue
May the spirit ever lead us
Hail to plantation High

Davie 2007
Broward Community College
School Alma Mater: MIA

So I've had a few, some i was forced to sing, some I agreed with, didn't care about, and even made fun of, but none that ever spoke true to what I know today and what my future holds

So here are the cut and paste lyrics of my lifesong:

Even now I feel it's heat upon my skin,
a life of passion that fills me from within.
A life that I am aching, to begin.

Here I go and there's no turning back my great adventure has begun,
I may be small but I've got GIANT plans to SHINE as brightly as the sun.
I won't rest until I find my time and place, I will be fearless.
I will not dissapear without a trace. I'll shout (or sing) and start a riot. Be anything but quiet!

Search me O God, Search me and find
Any way in me that does not reflect Your purity
Refine me O God In the fire of Your gaze
That I might be holy in all of my ways
Take me deeper Lord, Draw me closer Lord

Give me a heart after Your own heart
Give me a mind that is pure and pleasing to You
Fill me with love, With Your power and Your joy
That this world might see You in me

To find:

Sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true
In extrordinary ways suddenly a day can be so amazing
and sometimes when you yearn you burn the air
and someone else feels the flame you always knew was there

Ready......for graduation.

The increasingly pile of books and I

Reminding my books they cost big$$$

The guest. The Host and what it all means!

2007-08-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

The party was about to start.

But one important guest had not arrived yet

Then soon he came, and there was laughter, smiles, singing, and joy all around. When he saw the Host I can't tell you wether he basked in the moment and walked to him or finally ran into those loving arms, but I do know that as the graduation party continued for a life that was lived as every live should be lived, it was indescribable.

I could say many things about the amazing guest in this story but I'll say this one because it involves how he, unknowingly, helped change my heart. I've been doing middle school table leading for a while and for a while my attendance was as spotty as that of my girls. Every excuse was made! Then there was Pete, who began his battle with cancer and continued to teach a table full of boys, always there, every week!

It was not guilt that lead me to my realization it was the sheer passion and purpose exampled by Pete that reminded me of why I do anything in the first place, because of moments like this:

Having the extreme priviledge and honor to baptize my girls Gaby and Christina (Pictures to come soon!!)

and many more caught in my heart, especially these recent events

Journey
- A battlefield bus ride, where all the stops were pulled to not allow the students to experience what they were going to, even though the battle was already won.

- An amazing group of girls in my cabin who are the beauty of God on this earth and the blessing of my life to know them

- Seeing the hearts of the students fire up as much as my own when I worshiped with an amazingly blessed group of musicians.
- Through a thankful heart watching over an hour of dedications, re-dedications, forgiveness, confessions, callings, renewal, His hand at work!
-Awesome Tennessee Boys with Sasquatch and Journey Skits played out by dedicated leaders

- Being taught by the students we were placed to teach as they themselves proclaimed their armor will be bloody.
-Hearing that when Pete heard the news that 31 students accepted Christ, His cheezy smile came upon his face.

Ignition
-The stories of hurting, wounded beautiful young ladies who should never experience such hardship and praying God empties me to lead them closer to the only One who can heal their pain.
-Struggling through the personal challenge of first what route to take, choosing a road, have it taken out from underneath my feet but in all of this knowing it is in God's hands even though it's still to be resolved.
-another batch of amazing performances by Jimmy Bobby, Tex, Crew girl and The Pool Lifeguards Lance and Summer
-Seeing 32 students commit and student leaders for the first time experience leading them into this commitment...one of the most beautiful experiences in the world.
-Early morning graduation announcement.
- Having a close best friend help me realize that I will not limit God in whom he will choose for my future husband (be it age, experience wether too much or too little...) but will finally know the person who will carry my heart on earth by through Christ his ability to make me strong where I am weak and bigger need to change the world then mine so that I may follow where he leads.
- Silently praying Look at your children Lord, they are yours as 27 students take their next step right off the bus in baptism!

- The finally answered prayer of my grandmother from Cuba whom I have not seen for 14 years, getting a visa to come visit in August.
-The so many more moments that daily remind me I am blessed, remembered, fought for, paid for, renewed, forgiven and truly loved.

As I continue on my personal challenge of getting housing, paying, finding a job for my schedule, auditioning, and beginning the new stage of my education at Florida International University's school of Music to fuse knowledge and purpose for what I am meant to do. In the mountain top or valley, my life's worth is found, just like the guest, only in the knowledge and unchanging belief that it belongs to the The Host.