Not guilty anymore...

"Doesn't matter what you've done...you're not guilty anymore...I love you. Mercy is yours"
Aaron Keyes - Not Guilty Anymore

Listening to this song today, I'm just overwhelmed by God's mercy and TRUE forgiveness. We've all missed the mark somehow. We've all sinned, made mistakes, let Him down. We've all been tortured by shame, guilt and regret before...who knows, maybe even now. But isn't it wonderful knowing that we DO NOT need to remain this way? Jesus paid the price! He took our shame, our guilt, our sin and gives us, instead, forgiveness.

No matter what you've done, the past has no more power over you, because you've been forgiven. You're not guilty anymore.

What if sin is not in my past? What if I'm missing the mark now, today? I can tell you that His mercy is available for you today, right now, as you ask Him to forgive you and deliver you. In His power and strength you can do all things. You can, in His name, walk away from whatever this is that has had power over you. Come to Him...His arms are open and ready to embrace you as He whispers in your ear "You're not guilty anymore...I love you...mercy is yours."

We are in good hands...

When I don't get me, when I can't figure myself out, when I'm confused by my own reasoning, when so much around me seems uncertain....Whew! I find joy in knowing that He gets me! He knows me better than I know myself! He has a clear vision for my life and directs every single step I take allowing me to walk in the divine protection of His will and purpose! When life gets overwhelming, I can confidently say "I know in whom I trust!...the God that's greater than ALL. He's got me!"
He's got you too...we're in good hands ;)

Happy Birthday baby sister!

Baby girl,

You have no idea how much your existence has blessed my life. You've grown to be such a courageous, bold, confident, loving, mature and beautiful woman. Everyday, somehow, you manage to bring encouragement to me, sometimes with tough love and others with gentle words of affirmation. I'm so honored to be your sister and thankful because God brought you to us.

Happy birthday Milca, beloved princess!

Te quiero...and I'll hug you soon ;)

Surrounded by impossibles?

Then you're in the PERFECT position to see the hand of God, the all powerful ONE. We do what we can...after that, He takes over to do what we can't. Today, believe that your eyes will see His power move the mountains in your life. NOTHING is impossible for Him....guaranteed!

I almost missed it...

Every time I passed by and saw them enjoy themselves so much I would say to myself "I wish I wasn't scared to do that...it seems like so much fun." Today, as I walked by with my friend Carmen, she suggested "let's do it!" with a big smile on her face. Again, I wished and then said "no...but I can take your picture while you do it." I'm glad that she didn't take no for an answer. She insisted, paid for both of us and totally encouraged me to experience flying with her. I can't believe I almost missed it! What I thought was too scary turned out to be a moment that I'll never forget...a moment of complete letting go. What an amazing feeling!

I always say that fear holds our wings and keeps us from flying. I'm so glad that tonight I didn't let it and, because of that, I experienced a new sense of freedom. Won't be the last time...

I've been a stranger...I know

I could start by giving excuses to explain why I haven't blogged in a while, but I wont. Truth is, no excuse is good enough. Honestly? Blogging is very serious to me. When I blog, I want to leave you with something that would encourage you, help you, make you think, make you live out your purpose, inspire you or at least make you laugh. In my journey, for a while I felt very incapable of doing any of those things, so I was silent. You see, sometimes I get tired of facing the same battles or going through the same ups and downs, so I get discouraged and doubt how God could even bring life out of my brokenness. Yes, nonsense...I now know.
Holly Wagner said something that made me come back to my senses on the last day of the Godchicks conference. She urged us to "mark the trail" in whatever situation we are facing. Mark the trail for those that will come behind me, those that will face the same struggles, lead the way for them to arrive safely to their God given purpose. WHAT?! You mean I need to put my situation out there? I need to show them when I'm down or when I doubt or when I'm scared or when I'm confused or when I'm just sad??? Well...That's when His power is made stronger, isn't it? In my weakness, in my mess ups, in my moments of darkness that's when the light of His grace shines and that's when He brings out life from my brokenness.
It's easy to get caught up on everything that's going on in our lives, but I hope I never forget that my job as a leader is to mark the trail by letting others see that God's power is available for me and for everyone else....no matter what you're facing.