One Body

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."  

Romans 12: 4-5

God is watching us everyday in our lives.  It is difficult to think about sometimes but we are only a small part that makes up the whole body, which is apart of God.  It is easy to get involved with only our family and loved ones but God calls us to a greater responsibility.  He calls us to reach out to the stranger or to the neighbor or to someone you see for maybe only a few seconds in your lifetime.  We must know that we will make up God's kingdom and we have to show God we can work together, not just for ourselves.  This is a hard one for me because I need a constant reminder of what others may be going through and what a simple smile or holding of a door can do for someone.  We all have special gifts that God has instilled in us and if we use them to help the body and bring the body together and closer to God, He will be pleased.  One day we will all be as one.          

Call on Jesus

"I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live."  Psalm 116: 1-2

It is hard to imagine a powerful almighty Lord being brought to tears but in a world today that is lost and broken and filled with evil we must remember that Jesus wept too.  Jesus wept at the garden, at the grave and over the city that was lost and gone astray.  There is only One who is by your side, who knows the way you feel.  He knows the fears deep inside you, He knows your sorrows and your deepest griefs.  Jesus cares.  He feels our sorrow when we don't know why and I am so thankful for that.  He listens and He knows when to pass the cup and when we can endure and transform.  I can call on the Lord for understanding because I know He is listening and I know He knows my pain.  He is the only One that can save, so call on Him everyday!   

"For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.  I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.  I believed, therefore, I spoke. I am greatly afflicted."  

Psalm 116: 8-10  

Life

When I was a young girl I would look forward to my birthday for many weeks before the actual day.  I would day dream about what I would get for presents and who would come to my party and when I blew my candles out on my cake I would wish for more material things for myself.  A typical child in love with life and all it had to offer for me.  As I got older, I would reflect on my past years and set new goals for the next birthday.  Now that I am a little wiser I know it was never my life to celebrate.  My life has always been in God's hands.  It is not mine to waste away or wish upon.  The only reason I live and breathe is because of what Christ suffered and endeared for me.  And at any second He can decide to take my life back.  So today I do not celebrate my birthday, another year gone by or my many accomplishments or failures.  I celebrate my life belonging to Christ.  And I am so happy to celebrate that!  I have a light inside my soul that shines bright and burns to get out.  For I know that my flesh is nothing.  It is my Spirit that lives strong everyday.

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are the Spirit and they are life."  John 6:63.        

My birthdays will come and go but my life with Christ is forever.

"For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."  Proverbs 8:35

"I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life."  John 8:12

Christ is my life and my way for my future.  The only way.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."  John 14:6

Get out of your boat

"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain to pray.  Now, when evening came, He was alone there.  But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.  Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying it is a ghost!  And they cried out for fear.  But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid.  And Peter answered Him and said, Lord if it is you command me to come to You on the water.  So He said Come.  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.  But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, Lord save me!  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?  And when they got into the boat the wind ceased.  Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of Man."

Jesus walking on the water is one story in the Bible almost everyone knows.  It is such a great miracle of faith.  But, besides walking on water there are other important messages of faith we should notice within this story.  First, and probably most important, Jesus sends the multitudes away to pray.  Even in His busy schedule of saving the world He made it His priority to pray and spend time with God.  This is something that is so important to me and yet sometimes gets overlooked in my busy day.  I need to remember that even Jesus made time for what was most important.  Then, you see the disciples not recognizing Jesus.  I thought this was weird because they had spent so much time with Jesus.  But, many times when I am in my own storm I do not recognize Jesus.  Afterwards, I see He was right in front of me the whole time.  But it is always so easy to see Him when we are looking back.  I need to trust what is right in front of me more often.  Peter doesn't start to sink until he starts to look at the wind and waves around him.  This happens to all of us when we take our eyes off Jesus.  We start to focus on the difficult circumstances around us and our problems begin to sink us.  This happens every time.  If we can keep our eyes on Jesus and trust and know that He will carry us through the storm we won't even think about what is under us.  We will be able to overcome any obstacle and do things people never thought we could do.  Jesus takes us by the hand and gets us through any circumstance.  Peter's faith falters just as every one of us in this world has done at one time or another but it doesn't end in failure.  Jesus doesn't falter.  He is still there for us immediately when we cry out.  It's amazing how strong His love is!  I need to remember to be strong and step out of my boat even if it seems impossible and there are scary things around me.  I need to remember who is holding my hand the whole way even if I can't see Him.  I can do amazing things with God on my side.  I can step out of my boat I am comfortable in and risk everything knowing I will meet Jesus on the water.  At the end Jesus gets in the boat and the wind ceases.  When we bring Jesus in our lives all chaos stops and He takes over.  I love this story all over again.  Jesus is so amazing!!                 

Father's Day

"For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; 

and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  

Hebrews 4:12 ~ Douay Rheims version ~

I have read Hebrews before but this verse never drew my attention as it does now.  And just in time for Father's day.  I got my dad a Bible for father's day.  He has a Bible already.  A Bible I remember all through my childhood.  He would read to us at the dinner table with that Bible, he would take it to Bible studies, and late at night I remember seeing him read from it by his bedside.  But over the years the Bible has become worn and tattered.  In fact, the whole Book of Revelation fell out at some point and now is no where to be found.  I like to think that the Book of Revelation is in the hands of someone who really needed it.  However, since my family is doing our Bible study on Revelation I felt my dad really needed a new one.  He only reads from the Douay Rheims Bible so that is what I got.  I wanted to quote a scripture from it for him for Father's day but the trouble was picking just one.  I wanted one that summed up the importance of reading the Word of God and everything that it has taught me. And it came to me in Hebrews 4:12.  This is exactly what the Bible has done and continues to do for me.  The Bible, of course, enlightens and informs me but it is becoming all there is to be known about me.  It reaches every part of me and becomes every part of me.  The word has pierced through my soul (the eternal part of a living being) and filled my spirit (a force within living things), gotten into my joints (allows movement and provides support) and right down into the marrow (tissue that fills the cavities of the bones).  It has invaded my thoughts (organized beliefs) and intentions (goals) of my heart.  And I have to thank my dad for the foundation he has set with me.  There have been many trials in my life so far.  And there were more upsets than victories.  But my foundation has stood strong.  It did not crumble.  I only hope the foundation I am laying with Lane is as good.  He is the next generation of who will spread God's word.  I thought this verse was fitting for Father's day because of the obvious effect our Father in Heaven has over our bodies, thoughts and heart.  His Word transforms us and makes us who we are.  But one word did catch my eye more than the others, marrow.  This is the tissue that fills the cavities of the bones.  But it also holds the red and white blood cells.  This to me is what dad's pass down genetically to their children.  This is the best part to me because it is usually the parents who instill the beliefs in their children.  A dad guides his children like sheep to the Word of God.  We are all guided by the Holy Spirit and I am so glad I have my family to help me.  I had a great Father's day with my family and I am so thankful that God makes it possible for us to still get together because I still have so much to learn from my father.              

God is my judge

I have been reading the book of Daniel and I have really enjoyed reading it.  Daniel was stripped of his home, everything he had and even his name was taken away, but his faith was never shaken.  Daniel was obedient in every way.  He had such strong faith in God that even before he knew answers he knew he would be told the answers by God.  Then, once he was told the answers the first thing he did was give a prayer of thanksgiving to God.  And when he made known the answers to the king he first gave credit and glory to God.  How many times do we ask for things from God and then forget all about where they came from?  And how many times do we take credit for our works when the credit is all God's?  Have great faith and be willing to give your life to God and you will see just how much God loves you.  My favorite act of Daniel is when he was told he would be thrown in the fire.  Daniel was not worried.  He did not plead to the king.  He knew God would save him or he would be with Him in heaven.  Either outcome for Daniel was a blessing.  What a beautiful way to look at what seems like a very scary moment.  When Daniel was thrown in the fire he was not touched by the fire and an image of the Son of Man could be seen walking with him.  This must be what it looks like when we are in what seems like our worst moments.  A shadow of the Son of God is there with us.  How amazing is that?!  A life led by fear is not led by God.  Help me to live like Daniel.  Help me have stronger faith because I too have a shadow of the Son of Man wherever I go.

"I lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me;

and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

And His kingdom is from generation to generation.

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;

He does according to His will in the army of heaven

And among the inhabitants of the earth.

No one can restrain His hand

Or say to Him what have you done?"

Daniel's name rightfully means God is my judge.  There are so many more messages in Daniel about the end times we will face and the Book of Daniel is very similar to the Book of Revelation.  God will judge every one of us.  I am happy to have the scriptures to remind me of what is important.  

      

Oh Happy Day!!!

I have some wonderful news...

Lane did get the scholarship for St. Monica!! I just received the notice in the mail today. I think they have been behind this year because when I called just last week he wasn't getting it and then we got the email that tuition was due. I am so happy and blessed that Lane is receiving this! He was a little down when I told him he wasn't getting it. So I know he will be so happy when I tell him the good news. I waited and checked the mail for this for a long time but at the same time I accepted whatever God's will was going to be. I knew everything would work out somehow. Let me tell you how this week has been. First, on Monday I got a notice from my credit card company saying they were increasing my credit limit. I thought this was the blessing we were waiting for because we really didn't have any room on our card to charge and they increased it by $2000 which is what we needed. Then, mom and dad came by wanting to buy a car for my brother Michael. And I thought well this helps more because now we don't have to charge and incur interest and it too would be $2000 for his school. And now today this blessing came. All week long God has been answering my prayers and letting me know that Lane is exactly where He wants him to be. And God has shown me that blessing abundantly all week long. I know none of these things are mere coincidences and truly the works of God. I am so proud of Lane and thankful beyond words that God has brought this blessing to my family. I give all my thanks to God! I am so happy!

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Beautiful verse!! This sums everything I should live by and give myself to.

2 Timothy 2:11-13

I found this reading in the Bible and I really like it. Below are some things I think of the verses. Let me know what you think of when you read it.

If we died with Him, we also live with Him

When we accept Jesus into our hearts we ask Him to take over everything. This is the "death" of our own will vs what God wants for our life. Have you asked God to take over your life and truly given Him your life? We must constantly grow and discover God's will for our life and turn over our desires for His desires.

If we endure, we will also reign with Him

As long as we believe in Jesus we cannot lose our salvation. Could this reign with Him also be talking about the 1,000 year millennium where Christ rules over Earth in Revelation 20? We will reign with Christ. What a beautiful thing to know and believe! We must endure and overcome our race here on Earth.

If we disown Him, He also disowns us

We must permanently change our view of life. It is not how much you have sinned but to recognize sin and permanently change. Ask for forgiveness and live forever with Christ.

If we are faithless, He will remain faithful for He cannot disown himself

If we deny Jesus, He wont go away. Isn't that amazing! God remains faithful in His promise of eternal damnation just as He remains faithful in His promise of eternal salvation. He will always be waiting for His children to come home.

I like the way this chapter starts out too. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. To do this we must accept Jesus as a payment for our sins so God can bless our lives. We must know that everything comes from His grace and not our own works. If we can do this we overcome our fears because we are not in control of them. Once we do this we can stand up for what God has called us to do.

Mother's Day

Mom & Dad

Glenn & Yahima

Mary & Dan

Caroline & Allie

My boys Juan & Lane

What a beautiful Mother's Day! I enjoyed the day with my family. We went to church at my sister's church and then we went to eat at Uncle Julio's. This has become a tradition for us now. Being a mother has been the greatest gift and most rewarding responsibility in my life. But I know it is much more than a gift. It is where my faith is truly tested. I must raise my son to be faithful to God and to know God. This is definitely the most important thing in my life to make God the most important thing in his life. And it is hard because he does most of his learning by watching. He's watching me make my decisions and seeing what I make time for and what I do not make time for. Even though I am the parent raising him, ironically he has taught me the most about life. How to really live life. He wakes with a smile and goes to sleep with the same smile. He says he's sorry when he needs to and then it is done and never brought up again. Lane truly is an angel and I love being a mom. God is with me helping me on this journey of motherhood every step of the way.

A revelation in my Revelation

My family started reading Revelation in our Bible study last week. We are only 1/2 way through chapter one but we are taking our time with each word as this is an important message for us.

One verse has been playing over in my head and I think it's because we had the most discussion about it. It is Revelation 1:1...The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place.

I think we had the most debate about the one word... shortly. No one wants to hear that life is short and we only have a little time hear on Earth to make a difference because it is hard to know that some will be gone before they have come to know God and will not be saved. And that is a hard pill to swallow. But, as I thought about it a short period of time to us is not short to God. He can make any miracle happen in any short time. Sometimes we think it is up to us to turn people around and show them the light. But it is God's will not ours. Not ours to worry about or push or think we need more time for. God's plan is perfect in every way and He knows when the perfect time has come. We may only say a short sentence of God's testimony or have discussions with many people but what we don't see is what happens afterwards. We may say one thing to someone and think it was not enough. But maybe that person gets something in the mail or watches a program on TV or hears the same words somewhere else and suddenly sees the light and believes. That person may have disagreed with you and you would think time was cut short for them. But what we didn't see was God's full plan. And that very person may be the first person who greets you in Heaven. We cannot take the glory or responsibility for anyone coming to Christ. The glory is God's and the time is His. Everyone comes to know God in their own time and their own personal way. But we must remember it His will and it will be perfect. We are not in control of anything in our lives, not even the short time we have. Make the most of the day you have today and remember what is important. Yesterday is gone and in the past and God has already taken care of tomorrow. He is already there.

Beautiful Sunday

I have been thinking about a recent Bible study on the Feasts of the Lord which my family just finished studying. The study has brought a light to a lot of things I have re read in the Bible since then. One reading I came across today was in Matthew 5:1-12. The Beatitudes. The attitude we should Be. As I was reading this I was shown a new light to these passages. This is so exciting to see how my walk with God changes as I learn more about the Word. Reading these words again I cannot help but parallel the similarities with my studies in The Feasts. It seems to me this describes our walk with God and our circle of life here on Earth and the after life. Below are The Beatitudes and a brief description of what they now mean to me. I hope you like them and can see the similarities and even see some new light to The Beatitudes that you may have not seen before...

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

To be poor in spirit is to humble ourselves before God. We are all helpless, hopeless sinners. Everyone who enters the kingdom of Heaven must be spiritually poor for salvation is a gift from God. We must humble ourselves before God. Those who have humbled themselves and become dependent on God will inherit the kingdom of Heaven. This calls for us to acknowledge our sins and repent of our sins. Knowing that we bring nothing of our own power, possessions or merit. We acknowledge this and turn from sin, humbling ourselves. In this we find Heavenly bliss here on Earth and inherit the kingdom after death.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Acknowledging our sins causes us to mourn a sadness. Also death of a loved one causes mourning. If we mourn over sin this is a clear sign of faith in the Savior. Grieving is for a world that is lost and ruined. Knowing that death does not have final victory is having faith in Christ and believing Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected and one day we too will rise with Him. Having this hope brings comfort. As we face sadness in life we can do so with hope. Hope for the new life God has to offer where all of our tears will be wiped clean.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.

Being meek is the spirit of gentleness and self control. Meekness, gentleness and goodness are the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are produced in the Christian by the Holy Spirit. So the direction we should follow to cultivate the spirit of meekness would be to walk with the Spirit and be controlled by the Spirit of God so that the qualities of Christ can be produced in and through us. We are promised a second coming of the Messiah and a new Heaven and Earth. It will be possessed by the meek.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

We must put our lives in God's hands and hunger and thirst for it. The desire to do righteous works comes with the finding of the Holy Spirit and becoming more like Christ. When the Lord returns and establishes righteousness, we will be changed and glorified. We must show commitment to God's will to be guided by the Holy Spirit to the road of righteousness.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

When we realize that God has shown us mercy many, many times we know that we need His help to go on. When we receive this gracious gift of mercy we in turn show mercy to others. We learn to forgive others as God has forgiven us. We want to have compassion and suffering of those in need. This also seems to describe the coming of the Lord and judgement day where by His mercy Christians will be welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven. If we are in a constant state of asking for forgiveness and giving thanks to God we will then have a good understanding of the grace of God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

To be pure in the heart we must look at the decisions we make, the desires we have, thoughts and intentions we have and the will to please God. We can be born again and change our heart. Walking in the light and living by the Word of God changes the way we think and makes our heart more pure. And as we stumble and the light shows us imperfections we deal with them and change yet again. We may do this over and over again throughout our lives but each time we are learning a new lesson and seeing a new light.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

The ultimate goal is to bring peace to the whole world. Only God can provide true peace to the world but it begins with reconciliation with God and then extends to others. If we declare the kingdom of God we are declaring peace. Therefore, we must spread the Word of God to spread peace and become a peacemaker. But i think it is more important to find this spiritually first within ourselves. We are the children of God and therefore will be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

We face persecutions every day as a Christian and we must turn away from power and possessions and fight a harder battle of doing what is right. We oppose conflicts everyday in what we believe but we must continue in the faith of what we believe. We must live for Christ. Our reward will be great.

If we learn to develop these characteristics of the Beatitudes throughout our lives we will open a world of happiness here on Earth as we walk with God and be shown the joy and complete satisfaction of our promise in Heaven. Thanks for taking the time to read. I didn't realize this would be so long...God is great! What a beautiful Sunday, I give thanks to the Lord!

Friday night

Well, I am officially a blogger. Today, Lane came back from being on a school trip to The Pines Catholic Camp. He has been gone since Tuesday morning and I have missed him so much. The whole 5th grade went and this trip was to prepare them for middle school. I cannot believe he is so big. I am so thankful that he goes to St. Monica and he is able to learn about God. I feel sometimes God gets lost in today's world but I see His blessings on us everyday. We are going to go to Olive Garden tonight to celebrate Lane being home. That is Lane's favorite restaurant. As soon as I figure out how this whole thing works I will start posting pictures.