Every Saturday morning, I would be anxious to get up and watch cartoons. Like clock work, I was up at 7am, ready to watch one of my favorite cartoons "Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote." It always amazed me how coyote could never catch the road runner. Hackneyed in his plans, coyote always kept chasing after the road runner. It was almost as if road runner had some unseen protection!
Before my walk with God, I felt like I was being chased by the coyote, I mean it was like I couldn't catch a break. Every single time a situation arose, I would run faster and faster. At one point I thought I was a track star jumping hurdles. Yet, at the same time, I was being protected from what was chasing after me. Tired of running over senseless things, I began to cry out to God. Now I knew God, but I didn't KNOW him in a personal/intimate way. This would be my act of FAITH.
The prodigal son, is a story of a young man who wanted to take his inheritance early and use it, he wanted to explore life. It was in that exploration of life that things did not go quite as planned as he thought. Let's just say he did not budget well and I am sure he had a few friends that mooched off of him. In many ways our lives are parallel to that of the prodigal son. Sometimes our choices causes things to chase after us, and then there are times where God will allow the chase, so that we will focus back on the eternal life and not the temporary life. The prodigal son, used all of his inheritance up and found himself in a low spot. A spot that was not comfortable for anyone, not even the attendants of the pigs. Broken, disgusted and yet,longing to be reunited with his father, he decided that if he was going to work as an hired servant, he could at least go and ask his father to hire him as one of his servants. (Humility)
There are times in our lives, when we hit our low spot and the only thing we can do is cry out to Abba Father, "God", help us! The prodigal son, made a conscientious decision that he was tired. Although he mentally made the decision first, it would also become an act of faith to go back home to his father.
Towards the end of the story, the father, saw his son from a distance, not asking any questions or yelling at him to leave his property, the father runs towards the son. When they finally meet, the father hugs/embraces and kiss his son. What a way to come home, in the arms of your father.
Are you tired of running? If so, God is longing to reconnect with you, he has never left you, yet he has protected you. He is ready to celebrate your coming home! He is waiting to hug you and tell you welcome home! There is a robe and a crown waiting just for you! God loves you!
Additional Scripture Reference: Psalms 51; Luke 15:11-32; Romans 10:9-10
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Remembering 9/11 Let Us Pray!
Nine years ago today, we were in shock by the first of acts of terrorism unraveled on our country, The United States of America. As many of us watched the news reports come in, we were in disbelief to say the least. Vivid pictures of people fleeing the burning and soon to be collapsing World Trade Center, billowing smoke filled the streets as thousands of individuals ran towards safety.
Neither pictures or words can accurately depict what could have been going on in the minds of those that were directly in the midst of the commotion, not to mention what the family members of those that were trapped in the World Trade Center was going through.
It was at that moment that our world as we know it stopped, hysteria of our nation was now being displayed. If you recall all air transportation was grounded as we as a nation did not know when or where another attack would happen. The hours following the attacks not only at The World Trade Center, but at the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa. The senseless attacks called our country to prayer. It was in that moment of terror that our country was called back to the basis as to which we were founded, that basis was God and religion. There was unity between all races, religions, and social economic classes.
Last month, we visited Ground Zero, (formerly World Trade Center). Gazing the sky, my heart dropped as I recalled those events. As a tourist, I was walked around with my camera trying to snap photos of this historic piece of land. What I saw nine years ago, was what I saw in August. People of all backgrounds were walking around and speaking to each other as they snapped pictures.
Although time has passed we hold these events close and dear to our hearts, let us not forget the real heros. The ones that tried to stop the hijackers, co-workers who put their lives before others, firemen, and policemen. As a country we ALL were effected in some way, maybe we didn't lose someone close to us, but we shared in the pain of the misfortune of our country.
As we honor the memories of those that lost their lives, let us not forget to continue to pray for the families of the victims. Let us pray for our country and our current administration. Let us pray that we end racism, let us pray that we put a stop to drugs that are being sold within our communities, let us pray to stop the loss of jobs, let us pray for affordable medical insurance, let us pray that more children will be educated, let us pray that churches will come together, let us pray that terrorist attacks will stop, let us pray that more homeless shelters would be opened, let us pray for peace, let us pray for happiness, let us pray for each other, let us pray, let us pray........LET US PRAY!
Neither pictures or words can accurately depict what could have been going on in the minds of those that were directly in the midst of the commotion, not to mention what the family members of those that were trapped in the World Trade Center was going through.
It was at that moment that our world as we know it stopped, hysteria of our nation was now being displayed. If you recall all air transportation was grounded as we as a nation did not know when or where another attack would happen. The hours following the attacks not only at The World Trade Center, but at the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa. The senseless attacks called our country to prayer. It was in that moment of terror that our country was called back to the basis as to which we were founded, that basis was God and religion. There was unity between all races, religions, and social economic classes.
Last month, we visited Ground Zero, (formerly World Trade Center). Gazing the sky, my heart dropped as I recalled those events. As a tourist, I was walked around with my camera trying to snap photos of this historic piece of land. What I saw nine years ago, was what I saw in August. People of all backgrounds were walking around and speaking to each other as they snapped pictures.
Although time has passed we hold these events close and dear to our hearts, let us not forget the real heros. The ones that tried to stop the hijackers, co-workers who put their lives before others, firemen, and policemen. As a country we ALL were effected in some way, maybe we didn't lose someone close to us, but we shared in the pain of the misfortune of our country.
As we honor the memories of those that lost their lives, let us not forget to continue to pray for the families of the victims. Let us pray for our country and our current administration. Let us pray that we end racism, let us pray that we put a stop to drugs that are being sold within our communities, let us pray to stop the loss of jobs, let us pray for affordable medical insurance, let us pray that more children will be educated, let us pray that churches will come together, let us pray that terrorist attacks will stop, let us pray that more homeless shelters would be opened, let us pray for peace, let us pray for happiness, let us pray for each other, let us pray, let us pray........LET US PRAY!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Hold On! Keep The Faith!
In high school, we had to take swimming in order to graduate. I can remember my swimming coach, telling me, "Carmen, you will not drown with that life jacket on"....yeah right as I mumbled to myself. Nonetheless, it was the coach's job to get me safely to the other side of the pool. But my fear would not let me move, panic sat in and negative thoughts swirled my mind.
The echo of the coach's words ring in my mind to this day....." I am not going to let you drown, trust me". In a sense, God has repeated those same words over to us more times than we can count. Unfortunately our carnal mind allows, fear to seep in and keep us from doing all that God wants us to do.
In the story with Peter, he saw Jesus from afar off, he knew it was Jesus and not a ghost, he wanted to be able to walk on the water, just like the Master. Yet a hard reality settled in as he began to take his eyes off of Jesus and onto the howling winds and the waves that were forming around him. Walking on water seemed easy until Peter's focus shifted!
We all have been guilty of letting our focus shift onto something more attractive UNTIL the WINDS and the WAVES start to crash in our life. At that point, code red, blue, green and yellow are being yelled out for HELP! Matthew's account says that after Peter recognized that it was Jesus walking on water and not a ghost, he asked Jesus to allow him to walk towards him. "He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]. Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt. 14:29-31
First of off all Peter had to recognize from the beginning that he could not walk on the water without the help of Jesus. Right? Right! He asked for permission, so he already had the mindset that things were going to be alright. Next he was focused on Jesus until his surroundings became shaky. Faith will cause you to walk in the unknown. It is in that unknown territory that our Faith goes under attack, questioning us if we really heard what God said. (JUST THINK ON THAT). After taking his eyes off of the goal, fear of (you can fill in the blank) failure, lack of assurance, control, just to name a few set in set in. I am sure fear started saying you are not going to make, you are going to drown, just give up and quit.
At the point when it looked like he was going to drown from his own fears, help arrives. Just as he began to loose his footing, Jesus reaches his hand out and helps him. AMAZING, Peter, Peter, Peter.....Did you not notice that you were so close. In fact you were almost there! I like how Jesus tells him "O you of little faith, why did you doubt? "Matt. 14:31b In other words, look Peter you have been with me for a long time, you have seen me perform miracle after miracle. Why are you doubting me now?
It is the same way in our life, we have watched God do miraculous works, yet at the time of our storm, we suppress in our minds, what he has done, what challenges he has helped us to overcome. The next time you feel like fear is taking over, start speaking to your storms, waves and winds, not only tell them "Peace be still", but let your storm know, that when I call on God his hand is nearby to save me! I am a CHAMPION, it has been declared that I will live a VICTORIOUS life, my Jesus is not dead, but he has risen with all power. AND if he brought me through the last trial, you better believe he will bring me through this one!
There is no storm too big, that God can not save you from! Keep the FAITH!
Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 41:10,13;65:21,Matthew 14:22-33
The echo of the coach's words ring in my mind to this day....." I am not going to let you drown, trust me". In a sense, God has repeated those same words over to us more times than we can count. Unfortunately our carnal mind allows, fear to seep in and keep us from doing all that God wants us to do.
In the story with Peter, he saw Jesus from afar off, he knew it was Jesus and not a ghost, he wanted to be able to walk on the water, just like the Master. Yet a hard reality settled in as he began to take his eyes off of Jesus and onto the howling winds and the waves that were forming around him. Walking on water seemed easy until Peter's focus shifted!
We all have been guilty of letting our focus shift onto something more attractive UNTIL the WINDS and the WAVES start to crash in our life. At that point, code red, blue, green and yellow are being yelled out for HELP! Matthew's account says that after Peter recognized that it was Jesus walking on water and not a ghost, he asked Jesus to allow him to walk towards him. "He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]. Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matt. 14:29-31
First of off all Peter had to recognize from the beginning that he could not walk on the water without the help of Jesus. Right? Right! He asked for permission, so he already had the mindset that things were going to be alright. Next he was focused on Jesus until his surroundings became shaky. Faith will cause you to walk in the unknown. It is in that unknown territory that our Faith goes under attack, questioning us if we really heard what God said. (JUST THINK ON THAT). After taking his eyes off of the goal, fear of (you can fill in the blank) failure, lack of assurance, control, just to name a few set in set in. I am sure fear started saying you are not going to make, you are going to drown, just give up and quit.
At the point when it looked like he was going to drown from his own fears, help arrives. Just as he began to loose his footing, Jesus reaches his hand out and helps him. AMAZING, Peter, Peter, Peter.....Did you not notice that you were so close. In fact you were almost there! I like how Jesus tells him "O you of little faith, why did you doubt? "Matt. 14:31b In other words, look Peter you have been with me for a long time, you have seen me perform miracle after miracle. Why are you doubting me now?
It is the same way in our life, we have watched God do miraculous works, yet at the time of our storm, we suppress in our minds, what he has done, what challenges he has helped us to overcome. The next time you feel like fear is taking over, start speaking to your storms, waves and winds, not only tell them "Peace be still", but let your storm know, that when I call on God his hand is nearby to save me! I am a CHAMPION, it has been declared that I will live a VICTORIOUS life, my Jesus is not dead, but he has risen with all power. AND if he brought me through the last trial, you better believe he will bring me through this one!
There is no storm too big, that God can not save you from! Keep the FAITH!
Additional Scriptures: Isaiah 41:10,13;65:21,Matthew 14:22-33
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
This is only a TEST!
2 Samuel 22:4 “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”
Do you recognize this sound and message….. We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to announce an important message: (BEEEEEEEEEEEP) "If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune to one of the broadcast stations in your area." Sometimes in our spiritual life we hear this message, we interrupt YOUR regular schedule plans to bring you a test. As we hear this sound we often prepare for the worse, but do not panic! “A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 HCSB
Just as the alert goes out our Spirit takes note that something different is occurring. I am often intrigued by the use of signals and signs by athletic coaches. They come up with different signals for plays so that the opposing team will not understand what they are doing. Have you ever been traveling down the highway and you lose your radio station and another station starts playing? That is what happens when the test occurs our earthly language no longer works and our spiritual language begins utterance of praise to God. This sets off an alert in the enemies’ camp, he is receiving a mixed signal. What the enemy once thought was fear from you is now recognized as your praise.
The enemy does not understand your praise, he becomes confused. He based his prerequisites on your past actions, he thought you were weak, going to lose your mind, and that you would give up. He did not know about your secret weapon….YOUR PRAISE. As you endure through the test, your praise will allow your faith to increase, while self decreases. As God strengthens you and you continue to praise him, it sets off hysteria in the enemies’ camp. As the walls of your test starts collapsing around you because of your praise to God, the enemy starts backing off. He now understands that this test will not kill you, it only made you stronger and closer to God. Your attention has shifted it, is no longer on the test or your regular scheduled plans but it is now more focused on God. Your praise is your weapon of destroying the enemy. David understood that in order to get to the secret place and hear the next instruction he had to praise and worship God. The battle with the enemy is not with guns, knives or sticks but it will be won by using your voice, your praise!
Lord thank you for giving us a weapon to use that destroys the enemy, thank you for PRAISE!
Additional Scriptures: 2 Samuel 22:4; Psalms 18; 21:11,34; 37:40; 50:23; 68:1; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Do you recognize this sound and message….. We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to announce an important message: (BEEEEEEEEEEEP) "If this had been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune to one of the broadcast stations in your area." Sometimes in our spiritual life we hear this message, we interrupt YOUR regular schedule plans to bring you a test. As we hear this sound we often prepare for the worse, but do not panic! “A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 HCSB
Just as the alert goes out our Spirit takes note that something different is occurring. I am often intrigued by the use of signals and signs by athletic coaches. They come up with different signals for plays so that the opposing team will not understand what they are doing. Have you ever been traveling down the highway and you lose your radio station and another station starts playing? That is what happens when the test occurs our earthly language no longer works and our spiritual language begins utterance of praise to God. This sets off an alert in the enemies’ camp, he is receiving a mixed signal. What the enemy once thought was fear from you is now recognized as your praise.
The enemy does not understand your praise, he becomes confused. He based his prerequisites on your past actions, he thought you were weak, going to lose your mind, and that you would give up. He did not know about your secret weapon….YOUR PRAISE. As you endure through the test, your praise will allow your faith to increase, while self decreases. As God strengthens you and you continue to praise him, it sets off hysteria in the enemies’ camp. As the walls of your test starts collapsing around you because of your praise to God, the enemy starts backing off. He now understands that this test will not kill you, it only made you stronger and closer to God. Your attention has shifted it, is no longer on the test or your regular scheduled plans but it is now more focused on God. Your praise is your weapon of destroying the enemy. David understood that in order to get to the secret place and hear the next instruction he had to praise and worship God. The battle with the enemy is not with guns, knives or sticks but it will be won by using your voice, your praise!
Lord thank you for giving us a weapon to use that destroys the enemy, thank you for PRAISE!
Additional Scriptures: 2 Samuel 22:4; Psalms 18; 21:11,34; 37:40; 50:23; 68:1; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
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