James 1: 2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't read it myself, but someone I trust once said C S Lewis linked a man facing temptation to a rat being shaken by the mouth of a dog.
I can relate to that scene.
Little did I know how hard it would be to break free from the habit of falling
again and again in the old pits of destruction...until now.
Yeah...breaking free is hard, specially if I try to do it on my own.
So let me tell you what I'm doing...
Placing it all in His hands.
Surrendering my agony to Him.
My prayer this week has been, among tears:
-Oh, Lord, give me the strength because I don't have any; this battle overwhelms me.
And yes...He's answered back. I know if I faint now, and fall, He'll pick me up.
But our relationship might not be the same as now.
I may be like Adam in the garden...hiding from Him, ashamed.
There's no need to stain something so beautiful:
A girl's love bond with her Heavenly Father.
So I lift up my voice, and praise Him.
Because only Jesus has the power to break the chains of sin in our lives.
If you have Faith, please pray.
Love,
Janet
"Sorrow is turned into joy before Him."
Job 41:22b
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Celebrating the birth of Jesus: a chorus and the healing wings of the rising sun
Luke 1: 26-33
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
******* ******* *******
My dear Friend,
The month of December has been a month of celebration for me and my Christian friends.
I don’t know about you, but when the birthday draws near of a person I love, I celebrate not just one day…but all days…and I am so thankful to God for the birth of Jesus.
Thank You, Heavenly Daddy…your Son is the best gift of all!!!
I was invited to His birthday celebration at a stadium here in South Florida; thousands of believers and I sang happy birthday to our Savior illuminated by an ocean of candles. Some souls came to Him for the first time that evening…I have no words to express how awesome it was.
And being Jesus as contemporary as He is, the celebration was divine…full of surprises, Joy…and Love.
By the time the actual Christmas evening arrived, I was invited to join a very special chorus to sing carols to our Lord. Although I didn’t know the songs very well, and my voice became shy at times, my heart, my lungs, and my spirit worshiped Him with each bit of life I carry in me.
I hope You liked it, Lord!!! I know you did!
After church and the chorus, disaster happened; my little niece had a little –though scary- accident. My family didn’t have a chance to actually get together for Christmas. What we did, was thank God for His infinite Mercy in protecting the baby and delivering her from harm.
On the 25th, after the sun rose bringing forth healing from the Lord, my family joined for a barbeque and we got a chance to love each other.
Wherever Love is…His light shines.
Jesus, you’re the light of my life.
May you also be the light to the person reading these words.
I love you with all my being.
Happy birthday!
Your daughter, your friend, yours forever…
Janet.
For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.—Isaiah 9:6
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
******* ******* *******
My dear Friend,
The month of December has been a month of celebration for me and my Christian friends.
I don’t know about you, but when the birthday draws near of a person I love, I celebrate not just one day…but all days…and I am so thankful to God for the birth of Jesus.
Thank You, Heavenly Daddy…your Son is the best gift of all!!!
I was invited to His birthday celebration at a stadium here in South Florida; thousands of believers and I sang happy birthday to our Savior illuminated by an ocean of candles. Some souls came to Him for the first time that evening…I have no words to express how awesome it was.
And being Jesus as contemporary as He is, the celebration was divine…full of surprises, Joy…and Love.
By the time the actual Christmas evening arrived, I was invited to join a very special chorus to sing carols to our Lord. Although I didn’t know the songs very well, and my voice became shy at times, my heart, my lungs, and my spirit worshiped Him with each bit of life I carry in me.
I hope You liked it, Lord!!! I know you did!
After church and the chorus, disaster happened; my little niece had a little –though scary- accident. My family didn’t have a chance to actually get together for Christmas. What we did, was thank God for His infinite Mercy in protecting the baby and delivering her from harm.
On the 25th, after the sun rose bringing forth healing from the Lord, my family joined for a barbeque and we got a chance to love each other.
Wherever Love is…His light shines.
Jesus, you’re the light of my life.
May you also be the light to the person reading these words.
I love you with all my being.
Happy birthday!
Your daughter, your friend, yours forever…
Janet.
For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.—Isaiah 9:6
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Grace and a Christmas party.
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Matthew 9:12-13
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although I'm probably better off not saying this,
I'll open up to you
Because I got a point to make...
Yesterday I got drunk.
Hold it, don't crucify me yet...after all,
Jesus died for ALL of us.
I had four cups of red wine
(I have very little tolerance to alcohol)
And after the party was over,
I drove home.
My best friend allowed me to drive!
He said I told him I wanted to go home.
Today I called him,
and asked: how could you let me drive in that state?
I questioned his friendship
But somehow I knew arguing was pointless.
We're all sick
In need of a physician.
So I decided
To let go and forgive my friend
Not because he deserves it
But because is the right thing to do.
Who do you need to show mercy today?
Who?
Don't be so full of self that you
Can't freely give to others
What the God of the universe has first given you.
Love, my friend, the rest has no meaning at all.
Besos,
janet
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Keep on trucking
“He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.”
Hebrews 7:25a
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are seasons in life
When everything is a mess
And many times the cross becomes almost unbearable
All you can do is cry, and
Each tear becomes a river of pain
…
If you’re hurting
Like I am
All I can say
Is that you need to let go
And let God
Be God
Let yourself be healed
By His Love
…
Keep walking!
Go through the storm
Don’t let it bring your spirit down
Lift your head up high
Fix your eyes on the horizon
And
While your heart rests in the hands of God
Confidently
Walk
In the direction
Of your dreams.
Jesus is love!
“He shall set me up upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5c
Hebrews 7:25a
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are seasons in life
When everything is a mess
And many times the cross becomes almost unbearable
All you can do is cry, and
Each tear becomes a river of pain
…
If you’re hurting
Like I am
All I can say
Is that you need to let go
And let God
Be God
Let yourself be healed
By His Love
…
Keep walking!
Go through the storm
Don’t let it bring your spirit down
Lift your head up high
Fix your eyes on the horizon
And
While your heart rests in the hands of God
Confidently
Walk
In the direction
Of your dreams.
Jesus is love!
“He shall set me up upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5c
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Whisper
John 12:44-50
44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
**********************7************7*************7************************
This is a difficult passage to write about. Yet is so simple. Jesus’ voice is always like that: firm, clear, and loving. Sometimes, when standing in the presence of God is best to remain silent...to just let Him penetrate our being and surrender to His peace. Although is very hard to detach oneself from the cares of the world and swim against its current, when we swim towards God, He always provides the strength needed. Somehow His whisper makes it to our ears, even though we’re so accustomed to the noise.
Dear Father: you know my heart
Better than no one else.
You know my pride and my shortcomings
You know I fall down every time I ignore your voice
Help me to always have ears to listen and eyes to see
And a heart that beats only because of You.
I need you...help me to be like Jesus.
Love,
Your daughter.
Glory and Praise to the God of the universe!
44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."
**********************7************7*************7************************
This is a difficult passage to write about. Yet is so simple. Jesus’ voice is always like that: firm, clear, and loving. Sometimes, when standing in the presence of God is best to remain silent...to just let Him penetrate our being and surrender to His peace. Although is very hard to detach oneself from the cares of the world and swim against its current, when we swim towards God, He always provides the strength needed. Somehow His whisper makes it to our ears, even though we’re so accustomed to the noise.
Dear Father: you know my heart
Better than no one else.
You know my pride and my shortcomings
You know I fall down every time I ignore your voice
Help me to always have ears to listen and eyes to see
And a heart that beats only because of You.
I need you...help me to be like Jesus.
Love,
Your daughter.
Glory and Praise to the God of the universe!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
The crying puppy
“Your heavenly Father knoweth that
ye have need of all these things.”
Matthew 6:32b
Have you ever done something that you knew it was wrong to do,
But you did it anyways?
Have you ever felt the physical pain of suffering the consequences of your actions?
Have you ever run to God, to find comfort in His lap,
Knowing He had warned you not to touch the fire?
If God wasn’t God, I’d be desperate right now...
Cause I touched the fire.
And I find myself at this hour,
Crying like a little puppy
To my loving Master.
I know He forgives me,
But He tells me that’s not the main issue.
Can I forgive myself?
Can I forgive others?
Can I really live if I don’t?
God has an answer for that:
Love!
“The liberal soul shall be made fat:
and he that watereth shall be watered
also himself.”
Proverbs 11:25
ye have need of all these things.”
Matthew 6:32b
Have you ever done something that you knew it was wrong to do,
But you did it anyways?
Have you ever felt the physical pain of suffering the consequences of your actions?
Have you ever run to God, to find comfort in His lap,
Knowing He had warned you not to touch the fire?
If God wasn’t God, I’d be desperate right now...
Cause I touched the fire.
And I find myself at this hour,
Crying like a little puppy
To my loving Master.
I know He forgives me,
But He tells me that’s not the main issue.
Can I forgive myself?
Can I forgive others?
Can I really live if I don’t?
God has an answer for that:
Love!
“The liberal soul shall be made fat:
and he that watereth shall be watered
also himself.”
Proverbs 11:25
Monday, December 04, 2006
The leaf on the river current
“I am with you, and will keep you
in all places where you go.”
Genesis 28:15a
I’m reading a book called “Love is a choice”; written by three PHD psychiatrists who have a clinic in Texas and decided they would write a book about “codependency”, a concept they consider has become an epidemic in modern life. Codependency simply means addiction to a certain behavior, thing, or person. As I read the book, obviously I’m uncovering the ghosts of my personal life, but I also find pretty much every single person I know could benefit from reading this book. It’s so easy to go through life suffering in silence, letting circumstances and people dictate our behavior, emotions, and -most importantly- our steps.
Sometimes life is like a river and we’re a leaf that fell down from a tree into the water, and the leaf is being swept by the currents...thinking she has a sense of direction and that she has everything figured out. Yet, reality is the leaf is living in denial, in ignorance, and in desperation. Perhaps she lives in the illusion she’s really just having fun. Life can be very deceiving and is very easy to lie to ourselves. How could we not be in desperation when our life is just being swept away in the currents of the world? How could we say we’re free from the currents when all we do is conform to norms and pre-determined concepts to satisfy other people? How can we say we’re truly enjoying the ride if every single time things don’t go our way we hide under social masks and pretend we’re ok?
Why can we admit we’re just creatures hungry for love? Who’s not hungry for love? Who? Lie to yourself if you must, but I think most people are. We’re experts in disguising our need under our masks, and we’re in the business of showing the world how “perfect” we are. We have been taught we ought to be perfect: perfect mate, perfect body, perfect bank account, perfect family, perfect job...you name it!!!
I know one person that has the fakest, most nervous laugh I know. She’s going thru a bitter divorce, her ex took one of her kids, her life is just a mess, yet she puts up a show every single day. She’s broken inside, yet she wants to hide it, fake it and convince everyone of her lie…and WHY in the world would she go thru such lengths to accomplish all this? To be accepted by others, to be loved! If only that love was real…
Have you ever wondered how long you will be able to lie to your own soul? I know I can’t do it to mine any longer. I am hungry…in fact I am desperately hungry for love! And this desperation has driven me to do some crazy things…really crazy things…involved with the wrong people, abandoned projects that could have brought great, lasting joy to my life, bought more than I could pay off at the end of the month so that I could get even a crumb of love from people...at 27, I’ve finally realized crumbs will not satisfy my soul’s hunger for love; just like I will never find diamonds in the streets of life...I’ll have to dig for them, I’m digging for love. Real, lasting love...
Diamonds are hidden for a very special reason: to teach us very special things we must dig for!
And I find myself like the leaf, floating in the river of life,
Only that for some greater reason,
Too great for some to grasp,
I’ve been “rescued” from the river currents and I’m relaxing quietly in a spot under the protection of a Big Rock. From that spot, I get to read my new book and study what my life has been and what’s ahead.
I’ve had a chance to pause and reflect
While watching the river push and abuse many other leaves that are passing by.
Some look at me, and are curious...
They wonder: “what’s up with her?”
I look back at them and smile.
I’m enjoying this moment and honestly,
I’ve grown a certain respect for the river: it can either be a blessing or a curse.
Under my Rock, a blessing it is.
I know I’ll get to a point in time
When I’ll move from my healing spot,
I’ll be ready to ride –and enjoy- the currents.
I’ll be able to “rescue” other leaves from the river’s cruelty.
And show them my special Rock, Whom will LOVE to be their Rock also.
Until then, I’m getting more than love crumbs
And will always do...
From Him that created life, diamonds, and your friend.
“I will instruct thee and teach thee
In the way which thou shalt go.”
Psalm 32:8a
Love Always…only for you, and very especially for you: a crumb...a hug...a kiss...a smile...
Janet.
in all places where you go.”
Genesis 28:15a
I’m reading a book called “Love is a choice”; written by three PHD psychiatrists who have a clinic in Texas and decided they would write a book about “codependency”, a concept they consider has become an epidemic in modern life. Codependency simply means addiction to a certain behavior, thing, or person. As I read the book, obviously I’m uncovering the ghosts of my personal life, but I also find pretty much every single person I know could benefit from reading this book. It’s so easy to go through life suffering in silence, letting circumstances and people dictate our behavior, emotions, and -most importantly- our steps.
Sometimes life is like a river and we’re a leaf that fell down from a tree into the water, and the leaf is being swept by the currents...thinking she has a sense of direction and that she has everything figured out. Yet, reality is the leaf is living in denial, in ignorance, and in desperation. Perhaps she lives in the illusion she’s really just having fun. Life can be very deceiving and is very easy to lie to ourselves. How could we not be in desperation when our life is just being swept away in the currents of the world? How could we say we’re free from the currents when all we do is conform to norms and pre-determined concepts to satisfy other people? How can we say we’re truly enjoying the ride if every single time things don’t go our way we hide under social masks and pretend we’re ok?
Why can we admit we’re just creatures hungry for love? Who’s not hungry for love? Who? Lie to yourself if you must, but I think most people are. We’re experts in disguising our need under our masks, and we’re in the business of showing the world how “perfect” we are. We have been taught we ought to be perfect: perfect mate, perfect body, perfect bank account, perfect family, perfect job...you name it!!!
I know one person that has the fakest, most nervous laugh I know. She’s going thru a bitter divorce, her ex took one of her kids, her life is just a mess, yet she puts up a show every single day. She’s broken inside, yet she wants to hide it, fake it and convince everyone of her lie…and WHY in the world would she go thru such lengths to accomplish all this? To be accepted by others, to be loved! If only that love was real…
Have you ever wondered how long you will be able to lie to your own soul? I know I can’t do it to mine any longer. I am hungry…in fact I am desperately hungry for love! And this desperation has driven me to do some crazy things…really crazy things…involved with the wrong people, abandoned projects that could have brought great, lasting joy to my life, bought more than I could pay off at the end of the month so that I could get even a crumb of love from people...at 27, I’ve finally realized crumbs will not satisfy my soul’s hunger for love; just like I will never find diamonds in the streets of life...I’ll have to dig for them, I’m digging for love. Real, lasting love...
Diamonds are hidden for a very special reason: to teach us very special things we must dig for!
And I find myself like the leaf, floating in the river of life,
Only that for some greater reason,
Too great for some to grasp,
I’ve been “rescued” from the river currents and I’m relaxing quietly in a spot under the protection of a Big Rock. From that spot, I get to read my new book and study what my life has been and what’s ahead.
I’ve had a chance to pause and reflect
While watching the river push and abuse many other leaves that are passing by.
Some look at me, and are curious...
They wonder: “what’s up with her?”
I look back at them and smile.
I’m enjoying this moment and honestly,
I’ve grown a certain respect for the river: it can either be a blessing or a curse.
Under my Rock, a blessing it is.
I know I’ll get to a point in time
When I’ll move from my healing spot,
I’ll be ready to ride –and enjoy- the currents.
I’ll be able to “rescue” other leaves from the river’s cruelty.
And show them my special Rock, Whom will LOVE to be their Rock also.
Until then, I’m getting more than love crumbs
And will always do...
From Him that created life, diamonds, and your friend.
“I will instruct thee and teach thee
In the way which thou shalt go.”
Psalm 32:8a
Love Always…only for you, and very especially for you: a crumb...a hug...a kiss...a smile...
Janet.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
A heart on fire...
“The eyes of the Lord are over the
Righteous and his ears are open unto
Their prayers.”
1 Peter 3:12a
A Heart on fire…
Dearest friend,
I’ve got to tell you my heart is on fire
I can’t explain it
I can’t control it
All I can do is relax and enjoy
The presence of God in my life.
There must be something
Supernatural
Going on right now
I feel this need
To overcome this flesh
And become all spirit
To be united with Him
One Spirit in Him.
So I proclaim to you
In the name of the most high Jesus
That this love
Is here for you also
All you need to do
Is open your heart, your mind, and your soul
And He’ll pour His divine Spirit
In you.
If you decide
Your heart cannot handle such love
Or that you can’t believe in this love
I ask you to look up
To the heavens
Fill up your lungs with air
And scream:
God…give me a heart to love you!
God…give me eyes to see you!
God…give me your Spirit to understand you!
God…give me health to adore you!
God…give me joy to embrace you!
God…give me real life!
Jesus…Thank you!
“My heart is firmly fixed,
O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and make melody.
Wake up, my spirit;
Awake, lute and harp.
I myself will waken the dawn.”
Psalm 57:7-8
Righteous and his ears are open unto
Their prayers.”
1 Peter 3:12a
A Heart on fire…
Dearest friend,
I’ve got to tell you my heart is on fire
I can’t explain it
I can’t control it
All I can do is relax and enjoy
The presence of God in my life.
There must be something
Supernatural
Going on right now
I feel this need
To overcome this flesh
And become all spirit
To be united with Him
One Spirit in Him.
So I proclaim to you
In the name of the most high Jesus
That this love
Is here for you also
All you need to do
Is open your heart, your mind, and your soul
And He’ll pour His divine Spirit
In you.
If you decide
Your heart cannot handle such love
Or that you can’t believe in this love
I ask you to look up
To the heavens
Fill up your lungs with air
And scream:
God…give me a heart to love you!
God…give me eyes to see you!
God…give me your Spirit to understand you!
God…give me health to adore you!
God…give me joy to embrace you!
God…give me real life!
Jesus…Thank you!
“My heart is firmly fixed,
O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and make melody.
Wake up, my spirit;
Awake, lute and harp.
I myself will waken the dawn.”
Psalm 57:7-8
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Thanksgiving
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
I’ve been looking forward to write you
About
Thanksgiving
Everyday is a great opportunity to be thankful…
I have to tell you how
Awesome it is to have God in your heart
And see Him do glorious things in your life
All the promises of the Bible come alive
Materializing in the very essence of daily existence.
I am especially thankful this year, To God,
For Jesus…
He has been my guide, my light, my friend
All my life,
But this year He decided to let me know about it
Only the Spirit of God understands the things of God
Only this year I came to the realization of
Jesus’ love for me
Only this year I came to truly know Him.
He’s were love is.
And He loves us deeply.
More than anyone could possibly love us.
And I’m so thankful to God for Jesus!!!
And I’m thankful for you! God bless you…
In Him,
Jan.
I’ve been looking forward to write you
About
Thanksgiving
Everyday is a great opportunity to be thankful…
I have to tell you how
Awesome it is to have God in your heart
And see Him do glorious things in your life
All the promises of the Bible come alive
Materializing in the very essence of daily existence.
I am especially thankful this year, To God,
For Jesus…
He has been my guide, my light, my friend
All my life,
But this year He decided to let me know about it
Only the Spirit of God understands the things of God
Only this year I came to the realization of
Jesus’ love for me
Only this year I came to truly know Him.
He’s were love is.
And He loves us deeply.
More than anyone could possibly love us.
And I’m so thankful to God for Jesus!!!
And I’m thankful for you! God bless you…
In Him,
Jan.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Are you broken?
Psalm 145:14
“The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed
down.”
~~~~~`~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~
Dear Father
Please don’t let me be shallow
Don’t let me walk away from the friend who suffers
Don’t make me immune to their cry for help
Teach me how to treat their pain
With Jesus’ love
Let my mouth speak your Word of encouragement
Make my hands lift in praise
To thank you for your goodness
Help me to overcome the gray desperation of daily routine
Show me the infinite nature of your presence
Keep me away from superficial people and things
Keep me away from a judgmental mindset
But bring me to love my neighbor above anything else
Be, dear Lord, the light that shines inside me
All the days of my life
And make that powerful light
Your Son’s light
Shine inside the person reading these words
For ever and ever.
In Jesus name I pray!
Amen.
“The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed
down.”
~~~~~`~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~~~~
Dear Father
Please don’t let me be shallow
Don’t let me walk away from the friend who suffers
Don’t make me immune to their cry for help
Teach me how to treat their pain
With Jesus’ love
Let my mouth speak your Word of encouragement
Make my hands lift in praise
To thank you for your goodness
Help me to overcome the gray desperation of daily routine
Show me the infinite nature of your presence
Keep me away from superficial people and things
Keep me away from a judgmental mindset
But bring me to love my neighbor above anything else
Be, dear Lord, the light that shines inside me
All the days of my life
And make that powerful light
Your Son’s light
Shine inside the person reading these words
For ever and ever.
In Jesus name I pray!
Amen.
Monday, November 13, 2006
If you only knew one thing...
As I write you these words, my hope is that they will bring healing to your soul.
Comfort to your weary feet and mind.
I pray that, as you read, your eyes will be open to the gift God is giving you through the hands of this Christian.
You’ll know, as you walk toward His light, how much He really loves YOU.
No matter what you’ve done, what has been done to you, all things will be well.
No matter how far you’ve run away, and denied Him,
You’ll know He has never stopped loving YOU.
Before you were even born, He already knew you.
He loved you then, and most certainly still does.
Come to Him, and drink…
You’ll never be thirsty again.
Trust…
All will be well.
John 3:16 is for you.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Comfort to your weary feet and mind.
I pray that, as you read, your eyes will be open to the gift God is giving you through the hands of this Christian.
You’ll know, as you walk toward His light, how much He really loves YOU.
No matter what you’ve done, what has been done to you, all things will be well.
No matter how far you’ve run away, and denied Him,
You’ll know He has never stopped loving YOU.
Before you were even born, He already knew you.
He loved you then, and most certainly still does.
Come to Him, and drink…
You’ll never be thirsty again.
Trust…
All will be well.
John 3:16 is for you.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Friday, November 10, 2006
Giving
Job 22:21
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
****************************************************************************
Hum…read the story below:
The Starfish
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something arid very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them in they’ll die."
"But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent clown, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said - "It made a difference for that one."
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish.
And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
************************************************************************
First things first, I'm not the author of the story...yet I feel so compeled to pass it on.
Each and everyone of us is infinitely blessed.
Let’s share our goodness and grow closer to Him.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!!!!!!!
A big hug for you,
Janet.
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
****************************************************************************
Hum…read the story below:
The Starfish
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something arid very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them in they’ll die."
"But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent clown, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said - "It made a difference for that one."
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.
We must each find our starfish.
And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
************************************************************************
First things first, I'm not the author of the story...yet I feel so compeled to pass it on.
Each and everyone of us is infinitely blessed.
Let’s share our goodness and grow closer to Him.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY!!!!!!!
A big hug for you,
Janet.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Heart
Proverbs 4:23
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
1 John 3:19-21
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence (20) whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (21) Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Luke 8:15
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guard your heart, my friend!
In Him,
Janet
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
1 John 3:19-21
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence (20) whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (21) Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
Luke 8:15
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guard your heart, my friend!
In Him,
Janet
Monday, November 06, 2006
Birthday
Psalm 34
1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Today is my birthday...and the only thing I asked God
Was that there would be sunshine.
November days can be pretty grey...
But I asked for sunshine.
Early in the morning while in my car driving to work
I prayed.
Suddenly, next thing I knew, the sun was shining right in my face!
Yeah...He's faithful!!!
Next time you doubt, remember this.
Smile...He LOVES you!
your sis,
Janet.
1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Today is my birthday...and the only thing I asked God
Was that there would be sunshine.
November days can be pretty grey...
But I asked for sunshine.
Early in the morning while in my car driving to work
I prayed.
Suddenly, next thing I knew, the sun was shining right in my face!
Yeah...He's faithful!!!
Next time you doubt, remember this.
Smile...He LOVES you!
your sis,
Janet.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Strength
Psalm 91:14-16
14 “Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 with long life I will satisfy them,
And show them my salvation.”
Isaiah 41:10
“I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Wow…what a promise...I’d like to ask you, my friend, who in this world makes you a promise like this? Who in this world can you trust above all doubt? Who in this world died for you?
During a Bible study this week, I was told by our teacher that Jesus is found in every page of the Bible; that if one doesn’t find Him during each reading, one should try again...
I think the same truth applies to life...Jesus is present every single day of our lives.
The only difference is that when we let one day go by without Him, we can’t turn back the page.
I wonder how my life would have been had I always known this.
I wonder...
Anyways...Thank God there’s always the future:”in a linear conception of time, the future is the portion of the timeline that is still to occur”
When I think about why God would make us live in a linear structure of time, I wonder if this is another one of His gifts. Think about it, if we lived in a timeless existence, how could the finite (us) relate to the infinite (God)?
Well...I guess this falls off the track a little bit...
In our limited comprehension of Him who gave us life, we can always find comfort in His unchanging Word.
Psalm 91 has given me strength and comfort beyond words; it has been many times my survival kit.
My prayer is that TODAY you will find yourself renewed by Him. His survival kit is all you need.
In love,
Janet.
14 “Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
16 with long life I will satisfy them,
And show them my salvation.”
Isaiah 41:10
“I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Wow…what a promise...I’d like to ask you, my friend, who in this world makes you a promise like this? Who in this world can you trust above all doubt? Who in this world died for you?
During a Bible study this week, I was told by our teacher that Jesus is found in every page of the Bible; that if one doesn’t find Him during each reading, one should try again...
I think the same truth applies to life...Jesus is present every single day of our lives.
The only difference is that when we let one day go by without Him, we can’t turn back the page.
I wonder how my life would have been had I always known this.
I wonder...
Anyways...Thank God there’s always the future:”in a linear conception of time, the future is the portion of the timeline that is still to occur”
When I think about why God would make us live in a linear structure of time, I wonder if this is another one of His gifts. Think about it, if we lived in a timeless existence, how could the finite (us) relate to the infinite (God)?
Well...I guess this falls off the track a little bit...
In our limited comprehension of Him who gave us life, we can always find comfort in His unchanging Word.
Psalm 91 has given me strength and comfort beyond words; it has been many times my survival kit.
My prayer is that TODAY you will find yourself renewed by Him. His survival kit is all you need.
In love,
Janet.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Food for thought
Genesis 2
20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some of you know I study Communications. As part of the curriculum, I’m studying Sociology. Once again I trip with the old stone of gender inequality in society, so let’s talk about it.
Statistically speaking, worldwide, women produce 60% of the work, yet they only control 10% of the resources. Is there anything else that needs to be said?
I will not write about discrimination in the “world” because, honestly, it would be foolish to open the eyes of the blind and expect them to see. But Jesus’ people are a different story.
It’s very sad for me, as a Christian woman, to see that even in the church of Christ we find so much discrimination based on gender roles.
I don’t think God intended men to use and abuse women. I don’t think that’s what He meant when He talked about wives submitting to their husbands. Submission and oppression are two very different things.
Why is it that people lie to themselves and call oppression “submission”?
…
To shed some light on gender roles, I’ve found the following website that I believe will help us better understand this matter:
http://www.colorq.org/Bible/default.aspx?d=Tanakh&x=women
Also, I believe we need to read our Bible with the Holy Spirit’s guidance always. Not with what society has taught us, not with what is convenient for us, but with God’s love in our hearts and minds.
May you have a blessed day!
love,
your sis.
20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some of you know I study Communications. As part of the curriculum, I’m studying Sociology. Once again I trip with the old stone of gender inequality in society, so let’s talk about it.
Statistically speaking, worldwide, women produce 60% of the work, yet they only control 10% of the resources. Is there anything else that needs to be said?
I will not write about discrimination in the “world” because, honestly, it would be foolish to open the eyes of the blind and expect them to see. But Jesus’ people are a different story.
It’s very sad for me, as a Christian woman, to see that even in the church of Christ we find so much discrimination based on gender roles.
I don’t think God intended men to use and abuse women. I don’t think that’s what He meant when He talked about wives submitting to their husbands. Submission and oppression are two very different things.
Why is it that people lie to themselves and call oppression “submission”?
…
To shed some light on gender roles, I’ve found the following website that I believe will help us better understand this matter:
http://www.colorq.org/Bible/default.aspx?d=Tanakh&x=women
Also, I believe we need to read our Bible with the Holy Spirit’s guidance always. Not with what society has taught us, not with what is convenient for us, but with God’s love in our hearts and minds.
May you have a blessed day!
love,
your sis.
Church and Pastors
My Church:
www.flamingoroad.org
My pastors:
www.troygramling.com
www.Keylife.org
www.thepottershouse.org
www.joycemeyer.org
www.intouch.org
www.tonyevans.org
www.spirithome.com
www.flamingoroad.org
My pastors:
www.troygramling.com
www.Keylife.org
www.thepottershouse.org
www.joycemeyer.org
www.intouch.org
www.tonyevans.org
www.spirithome.com
Monday, October 30, 2006
Courage
Deuteronomy 31:7
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.
*************************************************************************************
As the stormy winds of life threaten to shake our faith; as we stand in the midst of our trials without clear direction, God rises up the Joshua in us and commands us to move. In His infinite love, He rescues us from the pit of our situation and lifting our soul inspires us to keep walking. It’s a promise. A promise that was made long ago...
Sometimes we don’t know why we’re going through certain things…we just know we are walking in the right direction…in God’s direction. We can’t see right or left, past or future, but at least we SEE now. The darkness has been lifted and we’re free to move. We might not know exactly were we’re going, but we know who’s with us. We know it because of the peace inside. There’s nothing like it. Though the journey home may last a lifetime...He’s with us, and that’s all we need to know.
Yesterday I took my baby niece to the park. There, most of the kids were way bigger than her. They were running and screaming, sharing the same space and toys. She didn’t even notice danger...all she knew was that I was there...and that was all she needed to know. I didn’t left her one millisecond. She knew she could TRUST me to take good care of her because she knows how much I love her. I spent the afternoon protecting her; she had a blast. I firmly believe that’s what Jesus meant when He talked about having the FAITH of a child. It is an absolute, nothing wavering, all believing faith.
Whatever you situation is, my brother or sister, I pray that you’ll know He’s here. That’s all you need.
In His Light,
Janet.
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.
*************************************************************************************
As the stormy winds of life threaten to shake our faith; as we stand in the midst of our trials without clear direction, God rises up the Joshua in us and commands us to move. In His infinite love, He rescues us from the pit of our situation and lifting our soul inspires us to keep walking. It’s a promise. A promise that was made long ago...
Sometimes we don’t know why we’re going through certain things…we just know we are walking in the right direction…in God’s direction. We can’t see right or left, past or future, but at least we SEE now. The darkness has been lifted and we’re free to move. We might not know exactly were we’re going, but we know who’s with us. We know it because of the peace inside. There’s nothing like it. Though the journey home may last a lifetime...He’s with us, and that’s all we need to know.
Yesterday I took my baby niece to the park. There, most of the kids were way bigger than her. They were running and screaming, sharing the same space and toys. She didn’t even notice danger...all she knew was that I was there...and that was all she needed to know. I didn’t left her one millisecond. She knew she could TRUST me to take good care of her because she knows how much I love her. I spent the afternoon protecting her; she had a blast. I firmly believe that’s what Jesus meant when He talked about having the FAITH of a child. It is an absolute, nothing wavering, all believing faith.
Whatever you situation is, my brother or sister, I pray that you’ll know He’s here. That’s all you need.
In His Light,
Janet.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Surrender
``I am the Alpha and the Omega'' [the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End], says the Lord God, ``Who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.''
— Revelation 1:8
Surrender
There’s something noble in lifting up a white flag and surrendering. Contrary to what the world will like you to believe, we’re not omnipotent, we’re not omniscient, we’re not omnipresent…our God is.
If you did Art in kindergarten,
If you planted a flower and saw it grow,
If you used paint and a blank surface to express yourself,
If you wrote a poem,
If you cried when you saw your child learn something new
…you felt like God.
You have a vision, a dream.
Something inside you, a fire, makes you gather what you need to materialize it.
You apply your hands, your heart, and your mind.
It consumes your self; it becomes something you must do.
You bring it to life.
After you finish,
You look at it with compassionate eyes, with creator’s eyes.
You see that somehow it became an independent being.
If you were separated from it...
Even if it separated from you...
You’d still love it.
You’d notice how it had taken a piece of you.
To make it part of itself.
Your joy is infinite.
…
There is no separation where love is the binder.
…
Jesus is LOVE.
:o)
Your sis.
— Revelation 1:8
Surrender
There’s something noble in lifting up a white flag and surrendering. Contrary to what the world will like you to believe, we’re not omnipotent, we’re not omniscient, we’re not omnipresent…our God is.
If you did Art in kindergarten,
If you planted a flower and saw it grow,
If you used paint and a blank surface to express yourself,
If you wrote a poem,
If you cried when you saw your child learn something new
…you felt like God.
You have a vision, a dream.
Something inside you, a fire, makes you gather what you need to materialize it.
You apply your hands, your heart, and your mind.
It consumes your self; it becomes something you must do.
You bring it to life.
After you finish,
You look at it with compassionate eyes, with creator’s eyes.
You see that somehow it became an independent being.
If you were separated from it...
Even if it separated from you...
You’d still love it.
You’d notice how it had taken a piece of you.
To make it part of itself.
Your joy is infinite.
…
There is no separation where love is the binder.
…
Jesus is LOVE.
:o)
Your sis.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Truth
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." -- John 14:6 (NKJV)
Truth
I never grow tired of repeating the truth. I think people tend to forget things when not repeated enough. When I say I’m in love with Jesus because he’s “the way, the truth, and the life”, I always apply those powerful words to our earthly reality. I think each generation can only truly understand and love God when He's recognized in everyday life. God is in the hand that feeds the homeless man that is hiding in a downtown corner; God is in the soul that generously lets others get in front at rush hour; God is in the smile of the cancer patient that is telling his family “everything will be alright”. God is where Hope, Love, Truth, and life are. Ever since my conversion, I’ve noticed how different the world is from the perspective of Jesus; I’ve stopped being focused on the what’s-in-it-for-me mentality; I’ve noticed how random acts of love are inspiring; I’ve realized the infinite power in self sacrifice; the beauty in humility; and the literality of the expression “His Word washes your soul”. I remember a time when I didn’t understand what it meant…until I felt it.
We live in a desperate, bleeding world…we all know that…nothing special about another human being screaming, another rape in Africa, and another mother loosing her son. We’re so accustomed to pain we don’t even care anymore. There’s no greater lie in this time and age than the saying “there’s nothing I can do to change the world”. There’s so much we can do…as Christians, as God’s chosen people.
In Jesus, we find the strength.
Yesterday, I was reading some of Padre Pio’s writing; I find it soothing and profound. As I flipped through the pages of the little booklet, my eyes saw the following sentence:
"Jesus loved you while you were running away, how much more now that you love him back."
My dear Friend, tears came to my eyes.
I know that if you belong to him, this sentence has moved you too…because He loves us so much…
Who knows? Perhaps TODAY you’ll show this LOVE to someone else.
His,
Janet.
Truth
I never grow tired of repeating the truth. I think people tend to forget things when not repeated enough. When I say I’m in love with Jesus because he’s “the way, the truth, and the life”, I always apply those powerful words to our earthly reality. I think each generation can only truly understand and love God when He's recognized in everyday life. God is in the hand that feeds the homeless man that is hiding in a downtown corner; God is in the soul that generously lets others get in front at rush hour; God is in the smile of the cancer patient that is telling his family “everything will be alright”. God is where Hope, Love, Truth, and life are. Ever since my conversion, I’ve noticed how different the world is from the perspective of Jesus; I’ve stopped being focused on the what’s-in-it-for-me mentality; I’ve noticed how random acts of love are inspiring; I’ve realized the infinite power in self sacrifice; the beauty in humility; and the literality of the expression “His Word washes your soul”. I remember a time when I didn’t understand what it meant…until I felt it.
We live in a desperate, bleeding world…we all know that…nothing special about another human being screaming, another rape in Africa, and another mother loosing her son. We’re so accustomed to pain we don’t even care anymore. There’s no greater lie in this time and age than the saying “there’s nothing I can do to change the world”. There’s so much we can do…as Christians, as God’s chosen people.
In Jesus, we find the strength.
Yesterday, I was reading some of Padre Pio’s writing; I find it soothing and profound. As I flipped through the pages of the little booklet, my eyes saw the following sentence:
"Jesus loved you while you were running away, how much more now that you love him back."
My dear Friend, tears came to my eyes.
I know that if you belong to him, this sentence has moved you too…because He loves us so much…
Who knows? Perhaps TODAY you’ll show this LOVE to someone else.
His,
Janet.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Hope
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
In a world were people tell you they've lost hope,
In a world were sometimes we worry that other people wish us evil,
In a world were things seem out of control,
In a world were the future looks turbulent and scary,
In a world were nuclear bombs are tested and children die hungry
...
We have a Voice, a Friend, a Father
Who grabs our hand and gently holds it by His heart
Who breathes life unto us and gives us peace
One who will never leave us
One who is faithful and caring
One who's name is lifted higher than the stars and the universe...
Welcome Him,
and your eyes will see.
In Hope.
May His presence be in you.
Your friend that loves you.
In a world were people tell you they've lost hope,
In a world were sometimes we worry that other people wish us evil,
In a world were things seem out of control,
In a world were the future looks turbulent and scary,
In a world were nuclear bombs are tested and children die hungry
...
We have a Voice, a Friend, a Father
Who grabs our hand and gently holds it by His heart
Who breathes life unto us and gives us peace
One who will never leave us
One who is faithful and caring
One who's name is lifted higher than the stars and the universe...
Welcome Him,
and your eyes will see.
In Hope.
May His presence be in you.
Your friend that loves you.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Goliath
Isaiah 54:14-17
14 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.
15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Goliath
What do we do when we’re fighting Goliath?
Do we back down and go hide in a corner or do we throw the stone?
What do we do when someone we love is being caught in the hell of cocaine?
Are we allowed to be judgmental and just abandon that person in the dark?
Are we allowed to let drug dealers get away with their wickedness and destroy the lives of those we’ve seen grow before our eyes?
I believe not.
Jesus said not to be afraid of those that can kill the flesh, but of those that can destroy our soul.
Furthermore, He was a compassionate man. He helped those that came to him in need.
Something in his heart moved him to do it: it’s called unconditional love!
...
Is there someone that has recently come to you asking for help?
...
Is there someone in your life that lives in the world of drugs?
...
Would you be a light to this person and extend your helping hand?
Should you be a coward and let them rot and be destroyed by the enemy?
No, please do something for them. Be the Good Samaritan.
“What if?” you may ask, “that’s what they have chosen for themselves…?”
“What if?” I ask you, their so called 'choice' was really a deep need for love, YOUR love? Christ’s love?”
My dear friends, there’s a point in life when we simply cannot allow ourselves to do nothing…
A point where we’re called to fight for a cause greater than ourselves.
There’s a reason why God gave us Isaiah 54.
May HIS Love and HIS grace be with you today!
In Him,
Janet.
14 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.
15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Goliath
What do we do when we’re fighting Goliath?
Do we back down and go hide in a corner or do we throw the stone?
What do we do when someone we love is being caught in the hell of cocaine?
Are we allowed to be judgmental and just abandon that person in the dark?
Are we allowed to let drug dealers get away with their wickedness and destroy the lives of those we’ve seen grow before our eyes?
I believe not.
Jesus said not to be afraid of those that can kill the flesh, but of those that can destroy our soul.
Furthermore, He was a compassionate man. He helped those that came to him in need.
Something in his heart moved him to do it: it’s called unconditional love!
...
Is there someone that has recently come to you asking for help?
...
Is there someone in your life that lives in the world of drugs?
...
Would you be a light to this person and extend your helping hand?
Should you be a coward and let them rot and be destroyed by the enemy?
No, please do something for them. Be the Good Samaritan.
“What if?” you may ask, “that’s what they have chosen for themselves…?”
“What if?” I ask you, their so called 'choice' was really a deep need for love, YOUR love? Christ’s love?”
My dear friends, there’s a point in life when we simply cannot allow ourselves to do nothing…
A point where we’re called to fight for a cause greater than ourselves.
There’s a reason why God gave us Isaiah 54.
May HIS Love and HIS grace be with you today!
In Him,
Janet.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Wisdom
"Man may make plans in his heart, but what the tongue utters is from the LORD.All the ways of a man may be pure in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves the spirit.Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:1-3
Dearest friends,
Yesterday, as I read God's Word on Proverbs, I was puzzled by "Entrust your works to the Lord". Yes, I know we've all heard it before, but as I read it for the hundredth time, somehow it had a new meaning. Have you ever looked at an old thing with new eyes? Doesn't it look strange and fascinating? Crawling in life WITH God is pretty much a re-discovery of everything around us. People's faces change, colors change, one develops an extra sensible appreciation for things that used to go unnoticed. I'm in love with God, and with God's people; with His creation and with the changes He's making in all of us...
Today the Holy Spirit will bring you to something beautiful you used to overlook before...enjoy it!!! Smile!!! Give thanks!!!
May your day be filled with His Blessings!
Love,
Janet.
Proverbs 16:1-3
Dearest friends,
Yesterday, as I read God's Word on Proverbs, I was puzzled by "Entrust your works to the Lord". Yes, I know we've all heard it before, but as I read it for the hundredth time, somehow it had a new meaning. Have you ever looked at an old thing with new eyes? Doesn't it look strange and fascinating? Crawling in life WITH God is pretty much a re-discovery of everything around us. People's faces change, colors change, one develops an extra sensible appreciation for things that used to go unnoticed. I'm in love with God, and with God's people; with His creation and with the changes He's making in all of us...
Today the Holy Spirit will bring you to something beautiful you used to overlook before...enjoy it!!! Smile!!! Give thanks!!!
May your day be filled with His Blessings!
Love,
Janet.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Gentleness
God is so gentle..."what can be done to heal each other?", said Kem in his Album II.
Just as I wrote you five minutes ago, I'm hurting. There's a Christian sister that works with me, and she said "Janet, you've got to listen to song 9 in this new CD I bought. She has no idea what's been going on with me this morning...but our God does.
My dear friend: It's a healing song.
Oh Father, I thank you so much for this Love you pour on us.
Thank you for giving us always that breath of life
When all life seems to be...is pain
Thank you for being present
Every second every hour
For being merciful
And understanding our hearts
Only you, Jesus, know the pain that is inside
Only you, Jesus, know how to grab that pain and turn it
Into love.
Just as I wrote you five minutes ago, I'm hurting. There's a Christian sister that works with me, and she said "Janet, you've got to listen to song 9 in this new CD I bought. She has no idea what's been going on with me this morning...but our God does.
My dear friend: It's a healing song.
Oh Father, I thank you so much for this Love you pour on us.
Thank you for giving us always that breath of life
When all life seems to be...is pain
Thank you for being present
Every second every hour
For being merciful
And understanding our hearts
Only you, Jesus, know the pain that is inside
Only you, Jesus, know how to grab that pain and turn it
Into love.
When we hurt
Galatians 5:13-23
"13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was badly hurt this week. I had to tell someone some things about my life and she used it against me all the way. She wrote some unfaithful words about my life that simply crushed my feelings. I cried painfully to God, and told him how tired I was of being so naive when dealing with people. God told me to just cry out all my tears, and then He gently suggested I stop. There's a point in our hurt where we need to let go, or else we fall into our sinful nature's trap. If we don't let go our hurt we end up in bitterness, frustration and hate... I had responded to the lady with my thoughts about what she did; I said she needed to be merciful when writing about a human being. This morning when I checked my e-mails I realized my response never went through. Somehow God stopped it so that I woulnd't repay evil with evil. My dear friend, is so hard for us to let go of our pain, but if we're to walk in God's Love, we have to. As I spend today's hours begging him for healing, I pray for her soul, and for all the hearts that, like mine, have been crushed this week by someone's actions.
May God bless you and bring healing to your heart.
Walking in His light...with Love,
Janet.
"13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was badly hurt this week. I had to tell someone some things about my life and she used it against me all the way. She wrote some unfaithful words about my life that simply crushed my feelings. I cried painfully to God, and told him how tired I was of being so naive when dealing with people. God told me to just cry out all my tears, and then He gently suggested I stop. There's a point in our hurt where we need to let go, or else we fall into our sinful nature's trap. If we don't let go our hurt we end up in bitterness, frustration and hate... I had responded to the lady with my thoughts about what she did; I said she needed to be merciful when writing about a human being. This morning when I checked my e-mails I realized my response never went through. Somehow God stopped it so that I woulnd't repay evil with evil. My dear friend, is so hard for us to let go of our pain, but if we're to walk in God's Love, we have to. As I spend today's hours begging him for healing, I pray for her soul, and for all the hearts that, like mine, have been crushed this week by someone's actions.
May God bless you and bring healing to your heart.
Walking in His light...with Love,
Janet.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
God's Word on Fear
"Don't be afraid. Just Believe."
Mark 5:36
These words Jesus spoke are so present in my everyday life. I breathe them, digest them, make them a part of every cell of my body...and so should you. Amazingly enough, I need to read and repeat them everyday. We live in a world that seems to be centered in fear. We are taught, from a very early age, to be afraid of animals, people, sometimes even of those that are supposed to be our protection. All we need to do is turn on the news, or just pass by a television set by accident, and someone will make sure that danger is around and threatening us.
That's why I find Jesus's message so liberating and wonderful. He tells us to take the leap unto the unknown by trusting Him. He tells us not to be afraid while everyone else is telling us to hide and go with the flow. He tell us to trust Him, while everyone else is telling us to trust the unworthy, or to trust nothing. My goal is to remind Christians that our Lord told us to be bold, and corageous. So let's go out there, and make disciples. Let's go to our Bible and find what tools God has given us to conquer fear so that it doens't paralize our ministry, even our own lives. In order to live up to what God made us, we have this one obstacle to overcome. In Christ, we can do it!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
Mark 5:36
These words Jesus spoke are so present in my everyday life. I breathe them, digest them, make them a part of every cell of my body...and so should you. Amazingly enough, I need to read and repeat them everyday. We live in a world that seems to be centered in fear. We are taught, from a very early age, to be afraid of animals, people, sometimes even of those that are supposed to be our protection. All we need to do is turn on the news, or just pass by a television set by accident, and someone will make sure that danger is around and threatening us.
That's why I find Jesus's message so liberating and wonderful. He tells us to take the leap unto the unknown by trusting Him. He tells us not to be afraid while everyone else is telling us to hide and go with the flow. He tell us to trust Him, while everyone else is telling us to trust the unworthy, or to trust nothing. My goal is to remind Christians that our Lord told us to be bold, and corageous. So let's go out there, and make disciples. Let's go to our Bible and find what tools God has given us to conquer fear so that it doens't paralize our ministry, even our own lives. In order to live up to what God made us, we have this one obstacle to overcome. In Christ, we can do it!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
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