Promissa update...

Guys, I want to thank all of you that always keep me and Promissa in your prayers. We feel God's love through each and everyone of you.

We have a gig tomorrow night in Panorama, CA and will be ministering at a Church in North ridge, CA on Sunday. Please join us in prayer, that God shows up to do His thing, that we allow Him to flow through us and that lives may be touched by His amazing power.

I'll give you the report of how it all went down ;)

When I make it to the top...

31 God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a SHIELD for all who look to Him for protection.

33 God is my STRONG FORTRESS and He makes my way perfect.

34 He makes me as sure footed as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.

2 Samuel 22:31, 33, 34

I don't know if you like hiking, but I do. My favorite part is to just stand and look at the awesome view once I get to the top. I like to embrace that moment; me standing there and remembering the great effort that took to actually make it to the top of the mountain. My first hike was when I was sixteen and I still remember that moment, I still remember the view and how awesome it felt to make it there. I also remember how difficult it was. I remember some friends holding my hands and encouraging me to not give up.

Life hasn't gotten any easier since then...in the contrary. The mountains have gotten bigger, the pain and effort have been greater, but the view from the mountain top has also gotten better and better.

This time the mountain seems bigger than ever. The thoughts of giving up or finding shortcuts have popped up. I've had many friends hold my hand and told me "you can do it!", I've cried because of how much it hurts and, at times, I have even regretted starting the hike. But then I remember His promises, then I remember how He has strengthen me during other hikes and how He promises to make my way perfect and to not let me fall. That's when I remember how good it feels to get to the top. I can hardly way to see the view from this one!

"Time flies when you're having fun", I'm sure we've all heard this common phrase. But the truth is that time flies whether you're having fun or not. It doesn't stop or slow down. Time keeps going and it's our responsibility to use it wisely. Don't let it pass you by, don't wake up one day wondering where time went. Instead, do something with it....today!

Keep on....

Keep on walking. When discouraged, when tired, when sad, when crying, when weak, when hopeless, keep putting one foot in front of the other...strength with rise as we wait upon the Lord. Walking will turn into running and you WILL finish the race. Just keep on....

Don't get it twisted...

Because some things don't turn out as we desired or as we had planned, that does not mean, in any way, that God has failed us. It just means that He's the one in control and His plans for our lives are way better than ours. When we know this, and truly believe it, we can be at peace.

Do I really love?

Have you ever been confronted by these verses found in 1 Corinthians 13?

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.

Today, I have.

Consistancy...

Definitely one of the things I need to work on. Whether it's blogging, working out, prioritizing my quiet time with God, writing or reading, I struggle with being consistant. So today, although I don't have a deep life lesson to share or some life transforming revelation, I've chosen to be consistent and blog anyway. Have you struggled with this too? What do you do to help yourself be consistant? Please share...I can use all the help I can get.

Good stuff from the weekend...

"When I give up on my dream, I'm not the only one that misses out." Pastor Garland Robertson sure made me think, when he said these words during his teaching this weekend. It is true that when God plants a dream in our hearts it is not for our own fulfilment only, it's actually more than that. With that dream comes a big responsibility, a task that only we can execute, but that will benefit, impact, change, transform, tattoo the world and the lives of those around us. In some cases, even the lives of people we've never met and never will. Knowing this makes me want to keep going after it, encourages me to be persistent and not give up...because the world is still waiting to be touched by God through me.

Today is the perfect day to...

- Choose to be happy
- Forgive and ask for forgiveness
- Love myself
- Make the right choices
- Be grateful
- Embrace God's will
- Trust in His promises
- Dream again
- Believe in His power within me
- Get up and do it
- Remember that only God is perfect
- Smile
- Be merciful
- Encourage someone

Today....because tomorrow might be too late

God's favor, great friends and good times...

God knows the heart, He knows our deepest desires and He enjoys showing His love to us in many different ways. In the past few days, His favor, love and grace have been evident in my life. Spending my birthday among my dear friends, Dominican cake, cup cakes, Gerber Daisies (my favorite), good times and great memories. Can I ask for more?

He surprised me... and I'm grateful. He loves me!!!!! :)

When the ground shakes...

Tonight, I experienced earthquake #2. It was stronger than the first, but still no big deal. However, my heart was beating so hard it almost popped out of my chest. I guess no one likes a shaky ground. At least I know I don't.

Life is full of ground shaking moments though. Small and sometimes big earthquakes that totally shake us up. But aren't we fortunate to have a safe place to run to when this happens? A strong structure that wont come down no matter how hard the ground is moving, a strong structure that would actually protect us from anything that might fall on us. At my sister's house, that would be the huge, heavier than a bad marriage wooden dining table. In life, that refuge is God. Our ground can shake unexpectedly because of many reasons, but God, our shelter, strong tower, our rock, He's always there for us to run to...and nothing can touch us.

He says I can....

Self doubt, do you ever deal with that? I do...a lot. So much that sometimes I get depressed thinking of everything I want to accomplish, but feel incapable of. Having days like that is OK, having a life like that is not. I am my biggest opponent. Me, a dreamer, a woman passionate about God's purpose, a woman that completely believes that she was created to lead others to God through the gift of singing, I hold myself back. I discourage myself by thinking that I don't have what it takes.
Check this out though, in 1 Samuel 30:6 King David was greatly distressed, but he chose to encourage himself in the Lord.
How do we do that? I'll spell it out for you, B-E-L-I-E-V-I-N-G what His word says about us. That we're more than conquerors, that we can do ALL THINGS through Christ, that He is in us, that His power is in us, that we have His grace and favor, that everything we do shall prosper.

I'm tired of contradicting God! Tired of believing the total opposite of what He says about me. Tired of listening to that whisper in my ear "you're not good enough, you're too shy, you'll never break away from all your fears", I'm tired wanting to DO IT and ready to actually DO IT.

Moses didn't think he was suitable for the job, but God said "I will surely be with you." He didn't say "you wont be scared" or "it will be easy", He said He would be with him and the same applies to us.
So I'm encouraged and you can be too. If God says we can, who are we to disagree?

Good stuff from quiet time...

New year and this is how mine started...with a double breakfast! Both delicious, both important and both required time and effort, but were totally worth it.

Body and spirit both need to be fed in order to have a healthy life. My body had some eggs, sausage and a white corn tortilla (my new favorite...better than bread).

And my spirit? My spirit had a lesson on seeking and resting in God's presence.

"Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You....And the Lord said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:13-14.

Joyce Meyer comments, Moses had a big job on his hands. He knew he needed God's presence and sought the assurance that God would go with him and help him. No matter how difficult our circumstance, the knowledge of His presence will strengthen and enable us to do the job at hand.

The combination worked and I'm doubly satisfied. My tummy is happy and my heart is glad to know that He will go with me this year and that, no matter what situation I'm in or what my task may be, I will find strength and rest in His presence. I think I'm off to a great start!

May His presence, grace and favor be with you and yours in 2009...