The Reyes'

BUMP

2008-11-13T09:17:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time hasn't it? Where to start? Well, our vacation to Kauai was splendid. We got back in time to celebrate birthdays: mine, and that of my niece and nephew. Mom, a couple of dear friends and the family all came over to our place for my one of my mom's specialties: chicken posole. Then came the time to stop working at the most wonderful place to work for: Grace to You. God provided the perfect person at just the right time who took my stead there and has been loving it.

What else? The other major news is that we found out that we are going to be having a little girl. Alan is so excited. Every one is really. I'm nervous about the looming labor that I'm to go through. My encouragement is that God tells me that He will be with me. Not only that but my husband is and has been amazingly supportive. I can't believe how fast time has gone by...our little girl will be born in March (Lord willing)!

So I've been home praying for creativity and ideas to decorate our place, and organizing and sorting through baby items that friends have been so gracious to hand down. I'm looking for random fun paintings or pictures to put up on our walls. The bigger the better. So we'll see what the yard/estate sales featured in the Penny Saver have to offer. So far, with regards to baby items, I've been able to score a Peg Perego P3 stroller for $21.00. That was a special find at a local Salvation Army (retail price fr one of those is $199.99 on Amazon). Little by little.

The baby has been moving a whole lot. In fact, this week was the first time that Alan and I got to see my entire abdomen move as she situated herself! She's very active. She usually bumps around in the morning to wake me up to get some breakfast and then continues to after I've eaten. We can't wait to meet her. Neither can our families and our friends. Thanks for stopping by to catch up!

October is Here!

2008-10-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! Can you believe it's already October? It has been so hot these past few days and I'm really hoping for it to cool down and RAIN soon. I love October. There will be many special events, and major changes taking place too. Firstly, my niece will be turning 5, her brother will be turning 4, my husband and me will be going on a babymoon for my 32nd birthday and to celebrate 6 months of marriage, and finally it will be my eighth and last year working for Grace to You.

A couple of days ago I was logging off my computer here at work thinking, "wow...I'm not going to be doing this for a long time. I'm going to be a mom!" I shared my thoughts with a friend and co-worker before leaving for home that day and she said, "you're going to love staying home! Enjoy it, and when you have your little one make the first ten years the best ever. Motherhood is for life."

I am 17 weeks now and just today I had a regular check up. "The baby is alive and kicking," the doctor said. Lord-willing we will find out the gender next month. Doctor said he'd be taking some detailed images of the baby to see if we detect anything that may be of concern, as well as figure out if it's a boy or a girl.

I'm feeling better these days and I'm able to go for less brisk walks. My husband has been such a help. God has been helping us get through adjustments and providing for all our needs. I think that besides my husband, my sister is the most excited about the coming child. Everytime she sees me she pats my tummy and before I leave she blows my tummy a kiss. She says she can't wait to babysit.

My brother Joey has been transferred to a placement school in FL, and we are continuing to pray for him, mom, dad and my youngest sister. For them to really know God and true hope in this life. I've been writing him and he gets to call us from time to time.

One funny thing I've noticed more during my second trimester is that my frontal lobe has begun malfunctioning. The other day I killed two silverfish in our downstairs bathroom and went upstairs to let my husband know he needs to spray again. I got up the stairs and said to him, "Honey, I killed two ostriches in the bathroom downstairs." You can just imagine the look on his face...yeah, stuff like that.

So I'll be home. Resting, decorating, and getting things that had to wait for the weekend to get done, done during the week. Yay! How life will change. We have no idea what it will be like, but we find ourselves praying more and more for wisdom these days. We want our home to be a sweet aroma of Christ to our child, and not only our child but to all. Thanks for your prayers!

We Saw It!

2008-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, sorry no pic. I keep forgetting to bring it in to scan it and stuff. Nevertheless...

August 4th was our first official appointment with our wonderful obstetrician Dr. Frields. I'm thankful I talked to a couple of dear friends who both encouraged and reassured me that he'd be worth the wait. We arrived there in time for our appointment ready to wait, and we did, but it wasn't long. While we waited we saw many familiar faces including a co-worker Alan and his wife who were there for their weekly appointment (I think his wife delivered the very next week after we saw her)! So we went in and his assistant prepared me and then proceeded to ask me a whole list of questions. Then my husband and I patiently waited for Dr. Frields to come in. He came in not long afterwards and greeted us and quickly got underway with my ultrasound.

I remember thinking, "I know I'm pregnant because I've been feeling so awful lately, but I won't believe it until I see..." Before I could even think of "it," there was the figure of our little baby on the screen. Wow! Amazing. A tear instantly streamed down the side of my face as my husband stood in awe. There it was, and Dr. Frields began to point out the little features and let us hear the heartbeat. We even saw it beating within the baby's chest. The doctor said, "well congratulations, you are pregnant and it looks like there's just one. Everything looks good here at 8 weeks and 4 days." Then he concluded by saying "this is the reason you've been feeling so awful, but it's a very good reason."

Dr. Frields printed off some images of our little one and off we were for blood tests all of which, praise God, came back normal. My husband and I headed off to lunch and made a few phone calls to family. I am eleven weeks along now and my next appointment is coming up around the corner. I've had a few good days sprinkled in with the toughies and am recovering what used to be a normal appetite. No longer do I crave Mediterranean food, hummus, avocados, cucumbers with lemon, or pickles give me a nice big juicy burger from Tops in Pasadena and I'm a happy camper!

I must confess that I've actually craved and had things at Taco Bell, Burger King, and McDonald's too. I never go there! But the good thing is it only happened once. Tops is a different story. Go there and you'll see for yourself. The small order of fries is huge and their burgers are great!

So Alan is convinced it's a girl, and keeps calling her by the name he and I have picked. We won't know for sure until I'm about 4 months along. Time flies. Especially when you have a "Mini Baby Countdown Clock" sitting on your curio reminding you of the looming date. It's nerve racking, but we're praying hard for wisdom a true trust and rest in the Lord no matter what. Thanks for stopping by!

when I'm tempted to doubt God's goodness I think on this...

2008-08-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God'
Romans 8:28

Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That reassuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows and he hears a voice saying, 'It is I, be not afraid'. He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, 'If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it.' 'We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.' The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enables calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, 'Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as it comes from Thee; never came there an ill portion from Thy table to any of Thy children'.

'Say not my soul, "from whence can God relieve my care?"

Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere.

His method is sublime, His heart profoundly kind,

God never is before His time, and never is behind.'

A Teaser...

2008-07-29T15:40:00.001-07:00

We received some big news on the 9th of this month which is going to change our lives forever. Preliminary signs included major exhaustion, sensitivity to the smell of bacon and more. Can anybody guess what the news is?

Wedding Photographs

2008-07-03T13:53:00.001-07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/mendezm3/AlanChelaSWedding

Have you ever had the realization that...

2008-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

you're an adult now
wow, you're in college and showing up and doing your h.w. really do matter now
you're an adult, done with college and you're not a kid anymore
life just does not stop
Jesus is God
you're still a big fat sinner
life is painful sometimes
sometimes it's better not to know all the details
WOW YOU'RE MARRIED!
you are so utterly dependent on God's grace for every breath of life
YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR
you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep on and more that one change of clothes
YOU ARE RICH

For Laughs...

2008-06-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ogZo9YreQ4

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. R

2008-05-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Our Honeymoon at the Mayan Riviera

2008-05-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

Our honeymoon dinner, courtesy of The Sun Palace in Cancun

Lounging by the sea at Isla Mujeres

Our very romantic dinner at La Hacienda located within one of the two resorts we stayed at

A walk on the beach-check out the pelican making a swoop behind us!

Friends, we had a lovely time. We spent two weeks hanging out 24/7 and bonding. God really blessed our time. We stayed at two different resorts: 1) The Sun Palace and 2) Aventura Spa Palace. We enjoyed each other, as well as the sights. During our time at the Sun Palace we visited Chichen Itza, and Isla Mujeres where we tasted Pescado a la Tikin Shi-it's Mayan I think. It was the days fresh catch prepared with special spices and barbequed in a little hut. We'd make a special trip back to Isla Mujeres just for that fish and the fresh guacamole!

What else? Okay during our stay at Aventura Spa Palace we went to Playa del Carmen where we spent the day at a related resort (PlayaCar Palace). There we enjoyed the sun, a walk along the beach, and then some shopping. Upon our return we visited a little coffee shop located on the grounds of Aventura Spa. There we had some of the most delicious crepes ever! Alan could have had one every night we were there. I've never seen him eat so much! We both did actually. It was so fun! And finally we went snorkeling at Maroma Beach. I'd never done it before and I almost changed my mind and stayed on the boat as I stood at the edge of the boat about to jump in. But I did it, and once I got the hang of it I was like Jack Cousteau (that's what Alan said). It was a-mazing! Can't wait to do it again.

I returned to work on Tuesday of this week and missed my husband terribly. But it's so wonderful to get to see him everyday I get home! Thank you for your prayers, for your love and for just being such great friends. We love you and and thank God for every one of you!

In 5...

2008-04-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

Yes. In five days I will be Mrs. Reyes. I can hardly believe it. God's kindness has been overwhelming! It is really humbling to think back on all He's allowed to happen prior to this to show me my sinfulness and continued vulnerability, to show me that His ways are higher than my ways, and to humble me and keep me close to Him. With Christ there is forgiveness and second chances, there is redemption and restoration, there is and end to the enmity between God and man. He's awesome and I pray I'd never cease to be amazed!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

So I've Been Told I'm a Party Quadroped...

2008-04-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

I beg to differ.

A Brother in Christ From Cuba

2008-03-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from a letter received from a brother in Cuba names Cesar. He recently received a few free items the ministry of GTY sent him. The package sent included pens and a couple of Spanish books by John MacArthur. I will type it in Spanish and then translate it for English-speakers...

Hermanos: Tú pues, se participe del sufrimiento como buen soldado de Cristo Jesús (2 Tim. 2:3), Jesús está buscando personas que estén dispuestas a tomar participación del sufrimiento; Estos son los mejores soldado para Su reino. Fue por medio de sufrimiento y no por obra, que Jesús ganó victoriosamente nuestra redención. El sufrimiento logra mucho más que todas nuestras actividades, las cuales muchas veces incluso nos complacen. Por eso digamos "sí" al sufrimiento en nuestras vidas y entonces realizaremos grandes cosas y ademas tendremos una rica cosecha para la eternidad ¡A Dios sea la gloria!

Brothers: Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:3), Jesus is looking for people who are willing to participate in suffering; These are the best soldiers for His kingdom. It was through suffering, and not by works, that Jesus victoriously won our redemption. Suffering accomplishes much more that our activities (good deeds), in which many times we also please ourselves. For this reason let us say "yes" to suffering in our lives, for then we will accomplish great things. And what is more, we will also have a rich harvest for eternity. To God be the glory!"
I was encouraged to read this letter, hope you are too.

Playing with Knives: God the Dangerous

2008-03-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

Yahweh yearns for "godly seed," and for Him that means He wants people who are people like Him, people who are holy, merciful, unpredictable, and dangerous.

Douglas Jones

God Answers Prayer!

2008-03-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

I just received the following text message from Alan:

BABE! I RECEIVED FULL APPROVAL! LONG BEACH JUST CALLED REQUESTING A START DATE!

My baby is coming home. Praise our glorious Lord!

What's Happenin'

2008-03-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I wanted to blog and update you on the details surrounding my brother Joey's case. Firstly, thank you to all who have been praying for him. It has been interesting to see how all this is being worked out. I can't help but think of the verse in Scripture that says for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. i'm so thankful for both His common and divine grace!

My brother has written to me a couple of times, but in his most recent letter he told me that he'd been given a Bible. He said he'd been memorizing a couple of verses from Psalm 23, and that he's receiving comfort from the Scriptures.

He had a trial on the 10th where his attorney Mrs. Grier represented him very faithfully. I wasn't present, but my younger sister Malisa gave me the details. Apparently they are having a hard time placing him into a special school because they've been waiting on a psychological analysis. Things could have gone faster if the school he was attending had responded a bit faster and given the city their diagnosis of Joey: emotionally disturbed. But his attorney said that this term was too vague for the Regional Center to be willing to step in and provide life term assistance to my brother. The city just wants to prosecute my brother as a criminal, but Mrs. Grier is doing all she can to insure my brother gets the proper help.

As I spoke to my sister about these things I thought to myself "why is this lady so caring and compassionate?" Before I could say anything, the answer came to my mind "this is an answer to prayer!" And my sister Malisa added that this woman has a son just like our brother, and that this is the reason she is doing all she can to get him the help he needs.

A psychologist by the name of Dr. Roman recently evaluated Joey and determined that he's mildly retarted and autistic. Now they want the court to provide funds for a neuropsychologist to evaluate him to confirm the psychologists assessment. As I mentioned before, the city is trying to say that nothing is wrong with Joey in order to try, and prosecute him as a criminal.

Please keep praying for Joey as you feel led by the Spirit to, and pray for us who know the Lord in the family to be a source of continued encouragement to Joey in the days to come. As it is, Joey will remain in jail until the neuropsychologist evaluates him.

I'm getting married in 45 days!

Update...

2008-03-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends! Thought I'd update the blog with the most recent goings on. Thanks to all who've been praying for my little brother. His trial was postponed for the third time in a row a couple of weeks ago and was rescheduled to March 10. He wrote me recently and told me that he'd been given a Bible and that he was memorizing a couple of verses from Psalm 23. Keep praying for his salvation and that God will give wisdom to those deciding which placement school/camp he'll be going to.

In other news my sister found out that my little nephew of three years of age has epilepsy. Although it's not good news, it's an answer. The hospital that previously saw him couldn't give my sister and her husband any answers. So after having gone through much red tape, they were finally able to get Nick seen by the head neurologist at Children's Hospital in L.A. After reading his EEG and observing Nick for a while she let them know what was going on. This broke my heart. But a dear friend encouraged me with these words: "The epilepsy will be a huge tool that God uses to humble them and shape them into something more beautiful. Praise God for His foundry- I know you know what that means."

What else? Ah yes, the wedding. Alan and I are so excited about our upcoming marriage. Our premarital sessions have been a huge blessing and encouragement, and have helped us see that we are on the same page spiritually. Christ is our foundation and it's on Him that we will continue building our relationship. My dress is ready, he will be getting fitted for a tux soon, the banquet hall is booked, so is the photographer, flower concepts have been drawn, favors are decided upon, make up artist booked, RSVP's are coming in slowly but surely. Still need to do some revisions on the seating arrangements, and to get some pearl earrings. I'm thinking aloud.

My prayer is that our wedding will put our great God on the pedestal-He deserves the greatest praise..."Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt yourself as head over all."

Alan & Chela are Engaged!

2008-02-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from the most recent letter Alan wrote me:

My Dearest Bride to Be,
Friday evening was the second most incredible night of my life. I love you. Every time I think of you my heart beats faster and a smile comes over my face. I praise our Lord in tears of joy that He saved us and brought us together. I wish those who are shocked about us could know what we know. I pray that they would celebrate and praise God with us in what He has orchestrated.

What can I say? I'm still in shock myself. He said to me as he knelt before me, ring in hand, that he'd be honored if I would serve the Lord with him as his wife. I closed my eyes in disbelief, praying that God would help me be the wife He wants me to be. I know how hugely important this decision is. All at once I thought about all my inadequacies. I was immediately taken back to the day that I first heard the gospel. I remember the question: "So if you were to die today and stand before God and He were ask you why He should let you into His heaven, what would you say?" My sinFULL life flashed before my eyes and I replied, "He shouldn't let me in." And then they told me about my sweet Savior, my Redeemer and friend. They shared with me what He did on the cross in my place. When I prayed I remember saying in my heart, "Lord, You know me. I'm a hypocrite, and I can't do this on my own! Nevertheless here is my life Lord, do with it what You want."

Before Alan put the ring on my finger, I closed my eyes and prayed saying, "Lord, I can't do this on my own! May I always depend on You for all I need to love & serve Alan. May we glorify You in our lives and in our love for one another!" Then came my reply: "Alan, I would be honored to serve the Lord with you as your wife."

Pray that we will do just that.

I had to post this...

2008-01-31T16:04:00.001-08:00

Just heard a message from a series Alistair Begg did called Providence. It's one of the messages from Volume II of the series. I was blown away. It was so encouraging to be reminded of where I once was when I didn't know the Lord Jesus Christ, and also amazed to be able to look at the big picture and see God's providence working itself out for His purposes.

So I took the following notes:

Conversion is when a person says, "I'm absolutely flat-out guilty, and I deserve death for my crimes. And unless someone comes to pay a price which I deserve to pay, then I'm going to spend eternity trying to pay it off. There is no way I can pay it!" Isn't it interesting that the one (for the brothers), who they had offended, was the very one who held their lives in his hands. Does that make you think of anybody?

The One against whom I have offended, is the One who holds my life in His hands. You review the story, and it is very clear that they had no interest in Joseph. For 20 years they'd ignored him, they hated him before that, they didn't recognize Joseph, and they (the brothers), did not know that he (Joseph) could understand them.

This is what is true of all of us by nature concerning Christ. We have no interest in Him, we do not recognize Him, and we do not know that He understands us. And then we get to the magnificent scene in Genesis 45 where Joseph discloses hisself before his brothers. Wow. Oh that God might bring us where He brought these brothers--to an awareness of their great need, and then in turn, to the discovery of great provision. What would they have cared if they had all the fun and all the food they wanted in Canaan? They would never have cared to come to Egypt!

What an amazing picture of God's providence being worked out through unseeming circumstances! Do you think Jesus cries tears of Joy when one is added to the to the kingdom? The Scriptures say "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who think they need no repentance." I know that there is no sorrow and that not a tear is shed in heaven. The thought just came to mind, and I want to weep tears of sorrow until I am able to weep tears of joy if and when the Lord chooses to save those in my family, and those of my friends who don't know Him.

It is only when God shows to us that the cupboard of our own ingenuity is bare, that we will then go humbly to He who is the Bread of Life. AMEN!!!

just wonderful...

2008-01-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Thought I'd fill you in on the weekend... Alan flew in on Thursday at 9:15 p.m. and we had a wonderful dinner on Friday evening at Raymond's in Pasadena. The ambiance was just as romantic as it can get, and the food was absolutely delicious. Saturday we went to beautiful Santa Barbara. God gave us a gorgeous day! We got to enjoy brunch together at a local restaurant. We walked around, visited some shops, and then stopped in at a local jewelry shop.

We looked at engagement rings. Yes, you read that correctly! Please be praying with and for us as we desire to be married towards the end of April.

Okay...So Sunday we went to church, had lunch with Tim & Norma (our friends who reconnected us), and had a blast reminiscing about how everything came to be. Sunday evening we had dinner with a couple who I know are going to be a great source of mutual encouragement in the years to come. We went to Il Fornaio in Pasadena and then had dessert (yummy Strawberry Shortcake), at their house afterwards. We played a round of Taboo, ended up tied, prayed together and ended the evening.

Monday morning, his mom prepared us a nice breakfast and then we were off for a beautiful drive to the Palos Verdes area. We had lunch at Rockfish in Manhattan Beach, walked on the pier, watched the sun begin to set, and then headed home when it became too cold.

We talked about making our plans always with this in mind, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that" (James 4:15). So we're planning a very small wedding. Pray that all the details will come together smoothly, and that we commit all our plans to the Lord seeking to glorify him in all things. "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth" (Psalm 115:1).

The details of his swap from Miami back to L.A. are still in the air (of course we know God is in control), nevertheless we covet your prayers for that as well.

Praise be to the One who Orchestrates all Things

2008-01-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

Sent: Monday, December 24, 2007 12:17:09 AM

(Tim & Norma are dear friends. Them two, along with another mutual friend were used to reconnect Alan & me. This was the email i sent her after our first date on 12/22/2007. Alan came to visit from 12/22-12/26)

Norma,
Wow...I'm nodding my head in disbelief thinking can this really be happening to me right now? Thank you for praying, for your constant encouragement, and for reminding me to enjoy. With all that's been happening with Alan, it has made me think back on some words that a pastor once said about God. He said that when we wait on God to bring us a mate, and we don't try to help God by leaning on our own understanding, or putting ourselves in places to be seen, then He will bless us with a person that will make us say, "Lord, he or she is better than what I ever could have asked or thought!" When He blesses it's shockingly good and kind. I don't understand. But God knows our hearts so well.

(Norma's reply):

Chella... Our dear Cinderella :) How are you querida? Thanks for the pictures!! They look great and radiate JOY!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord for being the Master of Orchestrating. We are humbled to know that we were used as instruments in this beautiful story. We'll pray for you guys -- our God is awesome.

HE SO IS!

long time no post

2008-01-08T19:23:00.001-08:00

hello dear friends. life does seem to gush at you at times doesn't it? here it is already about the 10Th of January and I'm playing catch up. where do i start? God. he is so good...lately I've been being reminded of the simplicity and the great power of the cross. the gospel. it is essential. i can't move anywhere from that. he redeemed us from the curse of the law! I'll never forget the first time someone presented the gospel to me. i thought to myself, "it's by faith? that's it? no way! there has to be something that i need to do..." mind you, i came out of the Catholic church where salvation is works based.

salvation is by God's grace, through God-given faith in Jesus Christ alone. and who is Jesus Christ? God. i believe this. i really, really do. nevertheless i fight every day. i know my brothers and sisters in Christ are tracking with me here. i strive and fight to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. i believe, therefore i want to obey. oh i fail. but the Lord doesn't leave me on the ground. He picks me up and gives me the grace sufficient for each day's battle.

Joey is still in juvenile hall. he has a court date coming up on February 21st. pray for him, he's been pretty bummed because his court date keeps getting postponed. in the midst of it all though, the Lord has provided a witness-a chaplain who did some serious time from the age of 13-21. the Lord saved him and is now using him to share the gospel with these young men. it is a special ministry indeed. i praise God for him!

Christmas was spent with family, and New Year's was spent in Florida with a very special man the Lord has brought into my life named Alan. he has been an incredible encouragement and blessing. more to come on that later. for now, join me in praying for the salvation of my parents and youngest siblings, for guidance, wisdom and a true & resting trust in God.

End of November...

2007-11-29T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hi friends. Thought I'd update you on all the goings on. I'll try to keep it brief. My youngest brother (16) is still at juvenile hall. His next court date is on Dec. 20th. He gets to call home, and we got to talk to him on the evening of Thanksgiving. Told me that some people from Victory Outreach came out to bring them a nice meal and he met and heard the testimony of a former gang member. He said he was encouraged. Only parents are allowed to visit on Sunday's from 1-4. You can just imagine how hard this is for my parents. I keep telling them to stay strong, that Joey's okay.Considering the threats he's made, I think it's best he remain there. It's safer.

Thanksgiving was good. Spent it with family and friends. I'm so thankful for God's mercies that are new every morning. Learning so much about my sin, God's grace, Jesus Christ, the salvation we have in Him that can never be revoked, the enemy within, my half-heartedness, God's faithfulness and unchanging love, prayer and doing it with faith-not with a defeatist attitude, that I'm still hurting over my parents' divorce, that I don't want to lose my parents and that because I know I will-I don't get close to them. So I'm missing out-BUT God has shown me these things and I'm praying that He'll correct my wrong thinking, and teach me to love without fear.

The friends God has graced my life with have been such a blessing too. One friend reminded me of God's great love that pursues us until the very end, another friend that we're heavenbound, another friend that "He is moving us into that house where every expectation will be far surpassed and the ugly features of our deteriorating bodies will be replaced with divine designs. We will be home. Home because that is where He is and by faith I know it will be far better."

Brothers and sisters, lets be people who really care about one anothers souls! Thank you friends for bearing your hearts to me, for your prayers, probing questions and your listening ears.

Praise God for the Spirit in us that catapults us into God's presence. Whether it be painful affliction, sorrows, thankful rejoicing, or anxiety over the unknown...He just knows how to get us to draw near to Him.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

Friends, You Are Not Chained here!

2007-10-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Some of you metaphorically feel chained to your desk; stay at home mom, chained to her house. Some of you are literally stuck on a hospital bed on occasion, or find yourself stuck in chemotherapy and treatment for some ailment. You may find yourself saying: "God, why am I chained here?" And God through Paul would tell you, "You are not chained here, you are in a situation where I'm bringing people into your world and giving you an opportunity to speak of Me, and to suffer like me (this is called a privilege in Scripture), and to demonstrate the difference that I {God} make in the life of a hurting person." So your suffering is not in vain, it's for your good and the good of those who are seeing and hearing of how you suffer.

-Mark Driscoll on Philippians 1:12-18

My dear friends who are suffering, I am greatly encouraged by each of you!

This I Know..

2007-10-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him" (Nahum 1:7).

A friend shared this verse with me the other day and I thought it appropriate to stop and write a quick little post about what my weekend was like.

Wednesday night I had a spectacular dinner with one of my good friends (Edmond). Check out the menu: salad ... greens with sliced pears, orange-cranberry raisins and fresh shaved mozzarella cheese, served with balsamic vinaigrette; scalloped yams with praline topping; chicken pesto panini on wheat sourdough bread with roasted bell peppers and Havarti cheese white wine and sparkling pomegranate juice; classic vanilla bean ice-cream; winter fruit blend tea. We whipped this all up at the house I was house sitting.

Friday after work I went to Costco to buy new tires. Saturday morning my house/dog sitting came to an end and I headed home to get ready for my birthday dinner scheduled to take place at my sister's house in Northridge. As I drove across town I skipped over the freeway, but noticed there was a huge traffic jam. Little did I know that the main freeway (Interstate 5), had been completely closed down due to an accident that took place at 11:00 p.m. on Friday Oct. 12th. I finally found my way around it, but not after being on the freeway from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dinner was great. It was a special time indeed. My sisters went all out and put up pictures of me growing up and decorated very, very nicely. I can say it's been getting better every year. After dinner a few friends got together and went salsa dancing at El Cid in Hollywood. I'm still a bit sore from that, but it was a great time. Sunday I got to go to a special 28 year anniversary for a Pastor friend of mine (Pastor Alejandro Hernandez). It was out in La Puente. We had a wonderful and encouraging time of fellowship there.

And finally on Monday I took the day off and my best friend took me to Bodies...The Exhibition. It was phenomenal, super amazing, and just plain cool. It was down in San Diego. First we stopped at Peet's Coffee and Tea, I got a medium Pride of the Port and my best bud got herself a small Decaf White Chocolate Mocha. We also split a cinnamon twist. Then we were off. I hadn't a clue where she was taking me (even though I drove), so it was a total and complete surprise. All I can say is wow...God is good.

Yes my brother is in juvenile hall, yes I wish things were different, yes it hurts to know that he is without hope in this world as are my parents, but this I know: God is for me! And I have the privilege of being able to come before my faithful and merciful high priest in prayer for them. I'm not going to give up! I was able to smile through the entire weekend and even until today, because I know God is sovereign and He works all things for good.

I thank God for all He has taught me and is going to teach me throughout this new year, for the wonderful friends He's blessed me with, and for having saved my three younger sisters. Great is His faithfulness!

Praying

2007-09-28T12:20:00.001-07:00

This great truth is brought especially near to our heart when we realize how attentive He is, not merely to the passing interests of His creatures, but to their spiritual concerns. Though vast distances lie between the finite creature and the infinite Creator, yet there are links uniting both. When a tear is wept by you, do not think that God does not see it; for "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him." Your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; your whisper can incline His ear to you; your prayer can stay His hand; your faith can move His arm. Do not think that God sits on high taking no account of you. Remember that however poor and needy you are, still the Lord thinks of you. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." Oh! then repeat the truth that never tires; No God is like the God my soul desires; He at whose voice heaven trembles, even He, Great as He is, knows how to stoop to me.

-Spurgeon's Morning & Evening

2007-09-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

For those of you who heard the rumor that I flamenco danced upon a table...It was in the paper too (wink-wink)!

A Day Out With the Twins

2007-09-14T16:16:00.001-07:00

Last Thursay my best friend and I got to hang out with "Las Gemelas," (AKA: Jennifer & Jessica). We went to Penelope's Cafe in La Cañada Flintridge, then over to Descanso Gardens, then to Montrose to have chocolate banana shakes at Black Cow Cafe, Patty's Closet to do a little bit of shopping, and finally headed to Pasadena for Spanish food and flamenco dancing at La Luna Negra. So thankful for the love of Christ that binds us all together. Jennifer and Jessica, you two are very special. Thing one and I count you two as one of the many perfect gifts from above!

Great Gatsby--a couple of flappers from the 1940s!

2007-09-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

The title of this post was the description my best friend gave to the first photo in this little group. My good friend Edmond and I attended the wedding of Josh and Kristine Mittmann on Saturday, September 8th. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful wedding!

Doubting Thomas

2007-09-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

what will be left when i've drawn my last breath
besides the folks i've met and the folks who know me
will i discover a soul cleansing love
or just the dirt above and below me

i'm a doubting thomas
i took a promise but i don't know what's safe
oh me of little faith

sometimes i pray for a slap in the face
then i beg to be spared 'cause i'm a coward
if there's a master of death i'll bet he's holding his breath
as i show the blind and tell the deaf about His power

i'm a doubting thomas
i can't keep my promises
'cause i don't know what's safe
oh me of little faith

can i be used to help others find truth
when i'm scared i'll find proof that its a lie
can i be lead down a trail dropping bread crumbs
that prove i'm not ready to die

please give me time to decipher the signs
please forgive me for time that i've wasted

i'm a doubting thomas i'll take your promise
thought i know nothing's safe
oh me of little faith

~Nickel Creek Why Should the Fire Die?

Amazing Grace

2007-09-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

To return good for evil is divine.

A Wise God Has Lead You to Where You're At

2007-09-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

At staff meeting today our managing director said some things that were very sobering. He said that he had a pretty good idea that many of us had not planned to be working at Grace to You for as long as we have, or even at all. He said "many of us may have had dreams of being elsewhere doing something completely different." He included himself because back 10-12 years ago he was in the midst of deciding whether or not to become a partner at a law firm in Pasadena, something that he was very excited about. But God directed his steps here, and he's genuinely thankful.

So, we may see life working out differently than what we had planned, but we need to recognize that this season of our lives is a gift from God. We need to say, "God, this is your gift for me for now and I'm going to rejoice in it." How easy is it for someone who has for so long dreamed of being somewhere else, to accept that God has directed their steps differently? It can be hard at times, and I speak from experience. It has been so humbling!

He quoted Matthew Henry who said, "Follow providence, don't force it." Then just before our staff meeting was concluded our managing director said, "It often proves best which is least of our own doing." This reminded me of what a Pastor counseled me not long ago, "You need to learn to wait, and don't try to help God because He doesn't need our help." So wait and pray, pray and wait. Be purposeful in everything, and don't wast your life "because the days are evil." God forgive me for stewing about where I am, and what I don't have...and thank You for all I do have in Christ, "who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!"

The Rodriguez Family

2007-09-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

"I can't think of any place I'd rather be..." This was what I heard Fernando's brother Ben say at one point in the day. It was very fun to swim all day, and enjoy everything from chips & salsa, ceviche, fruit salad, sandwiches, and finally some carne asada!

My Youngest Sister Turned 20!

2007-09-10T13:37:00.001-07:00

From left to right: Joey, Emily, Flora, Chela, Tina, Malisa, Mom. Here's what we did on this obliteratingly hot Saturday: breakfast at Porto's (of course, had to squeeze that in), walked around Burbank for a bit, and then went to our other sister's house (Tina's) for some fruit salad. Flora's boyfriend Jeffrey came and joined us and we headed to the Westfield Topanga Mall (to stay cool). We worked up a good appetite and had dinner at Buca di Beppo's. Just recently I heard a sermon by Alistair Begg wherein he talked about how appropriate it is to celebrate birthdays. It was great to be able to celebrate with our sister, and thank God for yet another year!

ON BEING SILLY...

2007-08-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

That's all, thank you.

Thank you Alistair Begg!

2007-08-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

I used to listen to him (Martin Lloyd Jones), on Sunday morning and I used to feel it. Well, if this is Christianity then I don’t know anything about it. On Sunday morning I used to pray that somebody would be converted. I thought you had to be a drunkard or a prostitute to be converted. I remember how I used to rejoice to see when drunkards become Christians, and envy them with all my heart because they were full of joy and free. And here I was in such a different condition.

Some of you are just like Mrs. Lloyd Jones. I am convinced of it. And you feel yourself trapped because you’re not honest enough to admit that you have never really come to faith in Jesus Christ, and you hear people give their testimonies in baptism and you share their joy. But it closes down a piece of you because you know that you have no such personal testimony to give. Wouldn’t you be bold enough tonight to acknowledge it? Just where you sit? Just as you listen to this scenario unfold? Just as God grips your heart and cry out to Him and say, “Lord, I am just like that lady, and I need what she sought. I need You!”

I recall sitting in the study at 57 Victoria Rd., and I was unhappy. I suppose it was conviction. I felt a burden of sin. And I shall always remember Martin saying, as he looked through his books, “Here, read this.” He gave me John Angell James’ The Anxious Inquirer Directed. I have never forgotten what I read in that book. He showed me how wrong was the idea that my sin could be greater than the merit of the blood of Christ. His death was well able to clear all my sins away. And there at last, I found release and I was so happy.

Patience

2007-07-27T09:47:00.001-07:00

Wow, wow, wow. What a week this has been. I have been dealt so many lessons on God's sovereignty that all I can do is be still and shut my mouth. I have learned from a dear friend's hardships this week, that although God may close one door, He opens ten more. He works all things for good, and there should be no doubt about that. I think about that constantly as I am 30 years old now and single. How content I should be! God has me exactly where He wants me. He has my friend exactly where He wants him. He called here yesterday bursting with joy, and although he didn't speak to me on the phone, it was good to overhear the conversation. God disciplines those He loves. For a while there I was thinking, "Oh man, does God love me? I've seen nothing but grace, grace and more grace!" "NO good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." I know He loves me, and that just leaves me speechless.

Oh the Pain!

2007-07-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends! It's been a while. The nook I'm living in is pretty sweet, I must admit. God is good and He works all things for good. My brother Joey is in the behavioral hospital again until the 16th. I'll spare you the details, but please pray for God to grant him repentance and a new heart that lives and beats for Him. Pray for me to not lose heart, and not tire of well doing especially when it comes to my dear family.

Surrender has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. I have seen how I hand things over to God and then take them back, and hand them over, and then take them back again. As if I could handle them better than the Creator of the universe and Sustainer of our souls can! "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on your own understanding Cella." How long will it take for me to get it? Praise God for His lovingkindness that endures forever!

Regardless of how I feel right now, I'm joyful. At this morning's staff meeting here at Grace to You our managing director read a passage out of Revelation 21...And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

There is much to look forward to.

"Oh, for holiness!
Oh for more of God in my soul!
Oh this pleasing pain!
It makes my soul press after God."

David Brainerd

Influence, Influence.

2007-06-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

What message do you leave the world when you pass by?

No human being can come into this world without increasing or diminishing the sum total of human happiness, not only of the present but of every subsequent age of humanity. No one can detach himself from this connection. There is no sequestered spot in the universe, no dark niche along the disk of non-existence to which he can retreat from his relations to others; where he can withdraw the influence of his existence upon the moral destiny of the world. Everywhere his presence or absence will be felt; everywhere he will have companions who will be better or worse because of him. It is an old saying in one of the fearful and fathomless statements of import, that we are forming characters for eternity. Forming Characters? Who’s, our own or others? Both! And in that momentous fact lays the peril and the responsibility of our existence. Who is sufficient for the thought? Thousands of my fellow beings will yearly enter eternity with characters differing from those they would have carried thither had I never lived. The sunlight of that world will reveal my finger marks in their primary formations and in their successive strata of thought and life.

-Elihu Burrett

Where to Next?!

2007-05-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

So, let me explain the above masterpiece. On our way from Marysville, Washington back to beautiful Albany Oregon we had a very memorable experience. What started as an everyday drive from point A to point B, soon became the object of much hilarity. It was something to behold. In fact, we pulled over for a good 2 minutes to wait for it to pass us by. Sadly that never happened as the vehicle moved very slowly (we had been forwarned of this as the sign on the back of the vehicle said, "sorry, she goes slow.")

We weren't able to take a real photo of the unique transportation, so we were forced to use our collective imaginations to draw the aforementioned vehicle. Including the accompanying rubber chicken. We laughed sooooo hard! I can only imagine the travelers packing their car. Before strapping on the luggage to the back of the car, double-checking to make sure the rubber chicken hadn't flown the coop. But this is an accurate depiction of the current state of the vehicle in question, with digitally time-enhanced features.

My dear friend and I had a wonderful time driving to and from every destination. It was great to experience Western hospitality. My co-worker said we should have crossed the border into Vancouver, and both of our parents said we should have gone to Alaska, but we were scared of falling off an iceberg. AND, we don't know if they have green VW buses with rubber chickens on them.

"7 Things"

2007-05-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

My dad's a gardener, and when I was little, dad would take sister and I to the dump with him. We'd scrounge about and find neat toys.

My uncle worked and lived on a plant nursery, and sister and I would make up stories about the mounds of dirt all around the premises. We'd tell our cousins that beneath them there were buried treasures, and if there was some old receipt we found on the ground or something, we'd say it was the map.

Okay, so you know those kids that go door to door selling chocolate, candles, and peaunut brittle? "Yeah." That was me (summer job). I quit after after the first obliteratingly hot, and humiliating day. I got to someone's house, and crying I asked if I could use their phone to call my parents to come pick me up.

You know those white Easter bunnies that take pictures with kids at the nearby mall? Yep. Man was it hot in those get ups!

At a junior high school dance, while I was having blast showing of my "moves," a friend turned around and asked me, "Is that the only move you know? This is not disco music you know!?"

I was and still am a big fraidy cat (I was worse when I was younger). One day some neighbor kids were out playing and they saw me lugging around my cabbage patch doll. They grabbed it from me, and started playing catch with her. At one point the doll fell face down to the ground, and it got all scratched up. I cried because I was afraid of what mom would say. Those kids were not apologetic at all. In fact, they made up this crazy story about abused dolls coming to life at night and taking revenge on their owners. I believed them, went home crying and told my mom that we had to burn the doll or she'd come to life and kill us all" (talk about gullible).

My sis and I loved big sticks growing up, and still do. One day I bought one from an ice cream truck and my sister asked for a bite. Well her bites took well over half of it! She said she wouldn't do it that time if I gave her a bite. And she even promised to be my slave for a week if I'd give her a little bite. So I gave her a bite, and you guessed it...left me pretty much with just the stick it was on! I chased her around the house and into the back yard. As I chased her into the back yard, there was a broom leaning against the side of the house. Sister grabbed hold of it and sent it flying back into my eye. I cried. She won. End of Story.

Oregon and Washington, Here We Come!

2007-05-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! My best friend and I are about to embark on yet another adventurous road trip. She's done such a wonderful job planning out things to do, people to visit, marshes to walk in (without golashes). She even planned for us to stop at a place where we can sip a cup of coffee while playing a favorite board game, and all while waiting for our laundry to be done (Sit 'n Spin)! I can't wait to see all the breathtaking views of God's creation, to laugh and sing on the drive with my friend, to maybe, see more rain than we ever see in California in 1 year. Pray for us to be safe, and to just enjoy our time visiting friends, and be mutually encouraged by them and one another.

Mother's Day is Coming Up!

2007-05-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today I read out of 1 Samuel and how God heard and answered Hannah's request to give her a son. It was neat to notice little details like how "She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." I thought God understands our grief, and he puts our tears in His bottle. And what a vow Hannah took to make! "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me...and give your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life." Think about it, giving up your one and only child to do the work of the Lord forever. Yet she went away and her countenance was no longer sad, it was as if she eagerly anticipated the Lord's answer. She prayed believing like James 1:6 tells us to pray. I asked myself: Do I do this? Then I read on and came across this, "Now when she had weaned him she took him up with her...and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh, although the child was young." I pray that I'd be eager and willing to send my kids off to serve the Lord, should He bless me with children. We humans tend to grasp onto things so tightly like selfish little children saying, "mine!" God help me offer my life up as a sacrifice like in Romans 12, and hold things loosely knowing they are on loan as it were, from You. Then there's this long account of Hannah's rejoicing in thanksgiving :) She was such a good mom too...check it out, "Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD, as a boy wearing a linen ephod. And His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she would come up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice." Samuel went on to be of great use to the LORD. I was amazed to read about one of the very first things God told him He was about to do. And Samuel had to reiterate it to Eli himself! Eli was like, "What did God say? Come on, let me have it..." And then came Eli's serious but quiet response, "It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him." Little did Sam's mom know :) I pray for my mom who doesn't know the Lord yet as well as for all the mom's out there who are without Christ. May we be thankful regardless, for we have a faithful and loving Father who has never, and will never relinquish His care.

So long April...

2007-04-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Wow. Can anyone stop the train of time? John Mayer wrote a song about this very subject...

Don't know how else to say it, don't
want to see my parents go

One generation's length awayfrom
fighting life out on my own

Come on stop this train, I want to get
off and go home again

I can't take the speed it's moving in I
know I can but honestly won't someone stop this train?

So afraid of getting older I'm only good
at being young

So I play the numbers game to find a way
to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man, said help me
understand

He said turn 68 you'll
renegotiate

Don't stop this train, don't follow it
moves the place you're in

I don't think I could ever underst and I
tried my hand

John, honestly we'll never stop this
train

But I'm headed somewhere out of this world! Why would I want to stop this train? Last month my youngest brother turned 16, and on the day before his birthday he tried to stab himself in the chest while he was in class. This landed him at a mental hospital for the second time of his life. He's on four different kinds of medication. One of the meds he is taking is for bipolar disorder/seizures. My brother does not suffer from either of these conditions. Told mom about the side effects of the medications. She wasn't aware of them. Mom, dad and my brother don't know the Lord yet. How do I pray? God, please restrain my brother in Your common grace from doing anything even more dangerous. Open their eyes so they may see! So all this month, this was heavy on my heart. Especially after the shooting at Virginia Tech. Fear gripped me.

Then I went to God's Word and read about Joshua, and how the LORD prepared and encouraged him before he went to battle "...just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." I read about Jesus' call to repent in Luke chapter 13 as was reminded to keep praying for mom, dad and Joey as well as all the families affected by what took place at V-Tech. And at church I heard a sermon that reminded me of God's backpack of unlimited provision "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory" (2 Peter 3:3). I thought about God's unending love, care and compassion. I wept. I thank God for Pastor Rick Holland who at one point in his sermon last Sunday said "Put God between you and your anxiety." I was left speechless. With Job I ask, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" He works all things together for good. "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him. For the help of His presence. (Psalm 42:5). I have hope! :)

In Light of 1 Corinthians 7:32-32...

2007-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

I recently pulled an old card out that a dear friend gave me, and a couple of other single girls a couple of years ago on Velntine's Day. It was a poem. Check it out:

The Unknown Man
Oh, unknown man, whose rib I am,
Why don't you come for me?
A lonely, homesick, rib I am
That would with others be.
I want to wed-there, now, 'tis said!
(I won't deny and fib)
I want my man to come at once
And claim his rib!

Some men have thought that I'd be theirs,
But only for a bit,
We found out soon it wouldn't do
We didn't seem to fit.
There's just one place, the only space
I'll fit (I will not fib).
I want that man to come at once
And claim his rib!

Oh, don't you some times feel a lack,
A new rib needed there?
It's I! Do come and get me soon before
I have gray hair.
Come get me dear! I'm homesick here!
! want (and I'll not fib).
I want my man to come at once and claim his rib.

:)

Mere Openness

2007-03-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Please read and share comments

Mere Openness
The “openness” that is often praised among Christians as a sign of true humility may sometimes be an oblique effort to prove that there is no such thing as a saint after all, and that those who
believe that it is possible to live a holy life are only deceiving themselves. When we enjoy listening to some Christian confess his weaknesses and failures, we may be eager only to convince ourselves that we are not so bad after all. We sit on the edge of our chairs waiting to grasp at an excuse for continuing to do what we have made up our minds long ago to do anyway. The Lord is ready to forgive sin at any moment and to make strong servants out of the worst of us. But we must believe it; we must come to Him in faith for forgiveness and deliverance and then go out to do the work He has given us to do. “Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity” (1 Corin-
thians 13:6, KJV). Let us be willing to call iniquity what is really iniquity, rather than to call it weakness, temperament, failure, hang-ups, or to fall back on the tired excuse, “It’s just the way I am; at least I’m open about it.”

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
PSALM 51:10, KJV

For Victoria...

2007-03-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here's my adorable little nephew. He is so sweet! He's 2 now and likes to give hugs, make people smile and be happy, eat, throw things, scream, bug his sister when she's piecing together her snow white puzzle and stomp around the house in his onsies.

Roles...

2007-02-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

Hello! Wow...It's been a long time. Too long. I hope you are all doing well. So much has happened in my life in the last few months! I just thank God for His grace and mercy which endure forever. Every day I see my sinfulness more and more as I read God's Word, and I'm constantly caused to reflect on my inadequacies. But Christ is beginning to stand out much more to me as the days rush by.

Forbid it Lord that I should boast

Save inthe death of Christ my God

All the vain things that charmed me most

I sacrifice them to His blood

I need to make this my "mantra" every day!

My friend's daughter had a birthday this past Saturday, and I was talking to her mom and mother-in-law who were there. It was so neat to watch how they express their love for their children and grandchildren in such different ways. Then one of them asked me, "when are you going to have a mother-in-law?" I replied, "well, maybe it's a good thing that I don't just yet." They laughed and laughed. I didn't mean anything negative by it. Nevertheless, I'm glad they found it amusing.

The older generation in my culture seems to think that marriage is everything. But I'm enjoying life as a single person, and I'm learning where contentment is really found. It's not in a relationship with the opposite sex, in a perfect relationship with parents and family (this seems impossible sometimes), in a dream job, in stuff (shoes, make-up, cute clothes, good hair days). It's found in knowing God and living in eager anticipation of His return. "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).

My friend's mom asked me what I had been up to (it had been years since I'd last seen her). I told her that I was just enjoying being a sister, friend, daughter, auntie, and employee. We have so many roles, and we seem to pick up more as life goes on! God give us single people the grace to keep pressing on, serving You and others with real love & joy (it can only come from You), and just enjoying life while You do give it!

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them."

Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiates 12:1, 6, 13-14

Struck!

2007-01-04T16:47:00.000-08:00

“Safe”
It’s safe for everyone, clean jokes and cleaner fun
Come bring the kids and wife, stay safe and stay alive

We’ll close and lock the doors to keep the bad ones out
That’s how we’ll show them just how good it is inside this house

They’d hurt our young, they’d steal our time
They’d eat our bread and drink our wine

I’d rather fail a thousand times than live in fear and never try

It’s safe and quiet now, far from the seething crowds
Who clamor for what they deserve, those sinners sure do have some nerve,
We’ve earned our right to live in peace by choosing Christ and living quietly

A thousand times I’d rather fall than be afraid to move at all
After all what is this thing that you call grace? And is it safe?
-Justin McRoberts

What's Really Going On?

2006-11-28T17:07:00.000-08:00

Wow! I remember when my friend would ask me questions like, "What kind of guy do you see me with?" and when she'd make statements like, "Maybe the Lord wants me to remain single for the rest of my life?" The mere fact that she was asking me what kind of guy I saw her with told me that she had a desire to be married, to be someone's helper. She will be just that because the Lord blessed her with a sweet and godly man of God. This year has been filled with many blessed unions of different friends from church. I went to my last wedding for the year on the 11th of this month!

Being in my friend's wedding was a unique and special privilege because we were witnesses. Being a bridesmaid is a huge responsibility! Not only is one affirming the union of two special friends, but it also brings with it the responsibility of praying for the couple that God has united in holy matrimony. And there's so much more to marriage than the ceremony too! It is a beautiful picture of God's promise to us made through the holy sacrifice of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the beautiful invisible but priceless ring we wear until our dying day! I am so happy for my dear friend and I do pray that God will be their strength and shield, that He would be their trust even through times of "drought."

I'll catch up with you all some more later. God bless you all my friends!

30 Years of Grace

2006-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

On the night of my 30th Birthday my good friend (and former roommate) and I sat in her car talking for about an hour. We talked about God and all the things He is teaching us right now, we listened to Justin McRoberts' Untitled EP and silently tuned into his lyrics, we talked about friends and boys, and ended the night in prayer. It was so sweet! Anyway, one of the things she said in her prayer that really struck me was this, "Thank You God for giving Chela 30 years of grace." Wow. It's so true! Even during my 22 years of lostness, His common grace was at work. What a lover! He pursued me hard, and He captured me with His sweet words.

There is truly nothing like being a part of God's family. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting" (Psalm 118:1). Not only has He blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies and given me everything pertaining to life and godliness, but He has given me a wonderful and loving family, solid friends, a roof over my head in the home of an amazing God-fearing woman (what an example of sacrificial service to others she has been!), a very fun and sweet other roommate, health, money to pay my bills, a car to get to work in, an awesome church, and for Pastor John MacArthur, whose teaching has benefitted me for eternity. I have learned so much not only from Pastor MacArthur's faithful teaching of the Scriptures, but from other Pastors too like Rick Holland, Phil Johnson, and Don Green. Also from shepherd's from old Bible Studies and their wives (Justin & Jana Erickson, Phil & Jamie Layton, "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17).

The latest on my family is this, my brother Joey has been released from the placement camp type school he was in after a year of being there (praise the Lord-it's an answer to prayer), but now we need the Lord's wisdom to know where to go from here. Mom and dad are divorced and experiencing financial problems like never before. This has put a strain on all of us. We're praying for their salvation, along with my brother's who would write my job here at Grace to You asking for us to pray for his salvation. Two young cousins of mine Christian and Juan (both 15 years old I believe) were hit by a car. It was a hit and run accident, and the man who did it is still at large. They survived, but one of them (Juan) sustained brain injuries. He is currently hospitalized, and after being unconscious for over two weeks has finally opened his eyes. Pray for their salvation. It's my dad's side of the family and they're all Catholic.

Pray for my sisters and I to be a consistent testimony of God's love to them and even have opportunities to share with them. During the last visit we paid Juan, one of my aunts asked me to pray for his recovery and for the families involved - this came from my aunt, the "Super-Catholic." It was a privilege, and we just prayed that God would help my cousin recover quickly that he may have an opportunity to hear and understand the gospel, and perhaps if God be willing, even respond in true repentance and faith in Christ. (sigh) I've also prayed for the man who did it. I can't imagine what must be going through his mind right now. But God knows and He is the righteous Judge, I leave him in His hands wherever he is.

Man, I don't know how people do it without the Lord! He is my refuge and strength, my very present help in trouble. I'm going to hide myself in Him. I'm praying that I'd swim in His Word consistently so that I may establish a habit while still single, that will last until I take my last breath on earth. I can't wait for the voice that will say, "Come awake from sleep, and rise! Your were dead, you've come alive. Wake up, wake up, open your eyes; Climb from your grave into delight." ~David Crowder Band Come Awake A Collision or (3+4=7)

To all my friends: HEBREWS 12:1-2

Right Views...

2006-08-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Okay so lets talk about the fear of God. Proverbs says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." So what are some ways we can grow in the area of fearing God? Any suggestions?

A Wise Pursuit

2006-08-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your ear to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
and search for her as for hidden treasures;
The you will discover the knowledge of God.

Not that I have already obtained it...

2006-07-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

"Into the darkness of petty self-preoccupation has shone ‘the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4). This is about the glory of Christ, not about me. And when it is - in some measure – about me, it is not about my being made much of by God, but about God mercifully enabling me to enjoy making much of Him forever."

I am often times preoccupied with self. This is why I posted this quote by John Piper. How convicting yet encouraging it was for me to read this. Also this past Friday at Bible study our shepherd spoke on the heinous sin of Pride. He spoke of the importance of maintaining a right view of ourselves and a HIGH view of God our King. We were exhorted to be humble, broken, and trembling.

At one point he told us to realize who we are and who God is. When he said that, I wrote in my notes: I'm a worm...dust, and of God I wrote: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.

I always have a lot on my mind. My little brother who's in a placement camp for boys, my mom whose got diabetes and who is struggling financially, my youngest sister's spiritual growth, as well as that of all my sisters and brother-in-laws who know Christ, my dad who hasn't been to church for a long time, but says he is reading the Word (I don't see him living it out though).

My prayer is that I'll learn to trust God, and learn to cast all my burdens upon Him. I am praying that God will be glorified in the lives of my parents who are divorced, so that they may know Him and look to Him for wisdom on how to bring up my two youngest sibs, and that they would know true and lasting joy. It's hard to know what to do. How can I help? "I lift up my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord!" Nothing is too hard for the maker of heaven and earth!

Pray with me for them and for me to love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength, and to show my family the same loving compassion which was shown me by Christ on the cross.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

2006-07-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

At today's staff meeting here at Grace to You our managing director handed out a sheet of paper containing our purpose statement. We sign one every year. However, today he took some time to talk about the seriousness and importance of this. I was glad. It really helped me reflect on why I'm here. Were it not for grace, I would still be wallowing in the mire of my sin. But God...demonstrated His great love for me in that while I was still sinning, Christ died for me.

I've been working here for six years as of last month. Prior to this I was working at a mortuary. Yes, a mortuary. I worked there for three years and it was not until the third year that I was there that God breathed life into me. I was as dead as dead can be. While working at the mortuary, my close friend Tracy lost her mother (breast cancer). I'll come back to that shortly.

I was 22, and had quit going to the Catholic church I was attending after a confession session with a priest. He listened, offered me some advice about my feelings of guilt over my sin, and then told me to say a few hail Mary's and Our Father's. I walked out of there thinking to myself, "I don't feel forgiven"

As I sat in the pew there I didn't even bother to recite those prayers. I walked out of there determined never to go back. I was on a mission to find answers. I went from studying with a Jehova's witness, to looking into meditation. I recall even attending a Harvest Crusade where Matthew 13:20-21 took place. I was in college at the time (third year of attending evening classes only), and working full-time at the mortuary. I had just finished a class on anthropology too, I remember.

It was around this time that my friends mom died. The mortuary I worked at handled the services. It was hard. When they brought her mom back from the embalmers I went to see how she looked. I touched her up with some makeup. And I remember thinking, "I wonder where she is now." The funeral took place and I took the rest of the day off to spend time with my friend Tracy, her husband and their families.

It was there that I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen for years, Rodney. He asked how I was doing and whether I was going to church or not. I told him I had quit going to the Catholic church and why. Then he said something I'd never heard anyone say to me before, "Wow. Well, I'll be praying for you." This stopped me dead in my tracks. He then proceeded to share his testimony with me. I couldn't believe it!

He had been going to Grace Community Church for years now, and was just a new creature! I admit, I was curious as to what power could have changed this guy so much, but not curious enough to accept an invitation to church. We exchanged numbers and left it at that. He followed up though. And not just with me, but with Tracy and her husband too. After the death of her mother we all began to think about eternity more. Where would we go if we died?

We visited one other church before Grace Community Church. Rodney went with us to check it out. It was strange. A woman was at the pulpit preaching. After this, Rodney said to us, "Look, just come check out Grace. If you don't like it, you don't have to come back." We all got together and went to visit Grace. John MacArthur was preaching on Genesis 1:1. I was amazed. I had never, ever heard Bible teaching like this in my entire life! He was this man teaching us the very Word of God, and we understood it! Besides this, I had just finished an anthropology class. I never believed that I came from a monkey. Here I was learning that God spoke us into creation!

We continued attending Grace, and soon my friends requested that some people from Grace come to their home for a follow up visit. Some really neat people from a group called Discipleship Evangelism came by. Dan and Tracy made it a point for me to be there. I arrived late because I was hanging out with my then boyfriend of about 5-6 years. Our relationship did not honor the Lord at all. Anyhow, my friends had already heard the gospel and prayed with these people. When got there they were so excited for me to hear all that they had to say.

I will never forget one of their questions: So if you were to die today, and stand before God, and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you into My kingdom?" What would you say? As I sat there, I reflected on how I had been living my life up to that moment and replied, "He shouldn't let me in." They said to me, "You're right!" This came as quite a bit of a shock. But they went on to share the good news with me about Christ. They talked about His death being the one and only thing that satisfied the wrath of God against me a sinner.

I sat there kind of dumbfounded thinking, "but there must be something I need to do." I was so accustomed to the Catholic works righteousness system that I felt that there was something I needed to do. But it was as simple as this, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life" (John 6:47). They prayed with me, and after we had finished I uttered another prayer on my own to God saying, "Lord, You know I'm a hypocrite, and that I can't do this. But here's my life. You do whatever you want with it."

He rescued me. He put new garments on me. The garments of Christ's righteousness! Soon after, He drew two more of my sisters to Himself (I have three younger sisters). And just recently, He saved my youngest sister Flora who is one of the dearest, most genuine saints I know. We're still praying for our parents and youngest brother, but so the story goes. And now here I am, a few years later still in awe of the great and awesome God we serve. Here is the last paragraph of Grace to You's purpose statement which I read and affirmed,

"Our desire is that God be glorified though Grace to You's resources. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of this ministry, and we desire to perform our work as unto Him, to reflect Him to all those we encounter, and to operate not in our own strength but through His power" (Philippians 4:13).

To God be the glory through Jesus the Son, and give Him great glory, great things He hath done!

And the views...Oh the views!

2006-07-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
GENESIS 1:9-10

A Flower for My Friend...

2006-07-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

We're Back!

2006-07-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hi friends who visit my blogsite! As most if not all of you know, I love road trips. I hope to be able to go on one or two every year. Anyhow, this recent one lasted five days! Thank God for the long weekend! It was so wonderful, the sights, the people, the ocean, the sea gulls, the sweet fellowship with my friend, the laughs, the white peach tea we had every morning at The Works Coffee Shop in Pacific Grove, the people of Carmel of the Sea who pushed their little dogs around in strollers, and so much more. I thank God for health, for life in Him which is so full of meaning, for friendships in the body of Christ, for His forgiveness and love. He deserves all the praise!

Places worth going back to...

2006-06-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

On the road again...So my friend and I are off to another adventure. This time its to Monterey, CA. I'm so excited! There is so much going on in my life right now, that I think this little road trip is going to help me be still and get to know my Lord and my God better. Not only this, but I will have the privilege of enjoying sweet fellowship with my good friend "fernijen" as well. The weather is supposed to stay in the upper 60's over ther, so it will be a little cool. We're still trying to decide where to go to see fireworks. I hope we find a cool spot. I'm looking forward to people watching, walking, praying, meditating upon God's Word, laughing with and at my hilarious friend, checking out the book store/coffee shop my friend told me about, fresh coffee in the mornings, the views (oh the views!), the driving, the music we'll listen to on the way, buying trinkets for those I remember to, thinking, taking in the fresh air, and just rejoicing in God's goodness to us underserving sinners. I praise God for Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us!

It was a busy work week here at Grace to You. From Wednesday to Thursday our entire staff set aside their usual job responsibilities to pack up and ship out 12,000 free NAS MacArthur Study Bibles! Can you believe it! It is our prayer that it will be a helpful and valuable tool in the lives of many. Let's see...what else? Oh yeah, and today we had inventory.

It was a lot of fun. I got to hear some really funny jokes like this one:

A sandwich walks into a bar and the bartender says, "I'm sorry mister, but we don't serve food here."

Every day after work for the past two weeks I had also been going to a retired co-workers home to water her garden as well as the grass in her front and back yard. It was nice...especially with this heatwave we're currently experiencing in California. It is currently 107 degrees out in beautiful Valencia. I live in the San Fernando Valley which is just as hot, so Monterey is going to be cold compared to this! No worries though, I'm prepared to layer up.

When I return, I will be boxing up my stuff and moving out of my sister and her husbands home in Northridge out to Castaic, CA. I pray that God will bless this decision. I had been living with them for a little over a year now, and I thought it was time to move out. The new place is only a mile away from work so that will be nice. I'm going to miss my niece (Cutie-wootie) and nephew (Papa-love)a lot! I hope and plan to use my time wisely and make it a point to visit my family when I can.
(It's only 25 minutes away from home.)

For those of you who read my blog and pray for me, I ask that you pray that I will marinate in wisdom because I lack it! Pray too that God will be my portion and that I will get to know Him better every day. When I return I'll try to post some pictures for you all to see. Hugs-

Joy is a Gift from God

2006-06-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for memories aren't you? I'm thankful that I can think back on the wonderful times of fellowship and fun I've had with dear friends. Some I've been able to spend more time with than others, regardless of this each moment spent has been a great blessing.

I'm also thankful for the memory of answered prayers. When God first saved me, I remember how I longed and prayed for my sisters to come to know the Lord. I happily drove to church and walked across Roscoe Blvd. by myself thinking, "I hope that one day, my sisters will come to know this joy." I couldn't wait to hear John preach! Sometimes I found a friend or two to sit with, other times I sat by myself. When I did sit alone, I would imagine my sisters all sitting next to me. I'd smile, lift up a prayer to the Lord believing that He would do it. And you know what? He did! I'll never forget the day when we were all walking into church together and all sat in the same pew. Praise God for answered prayer!

It's been seven years now. After the first year, and after God had drawn two more of my sisters to Himself, my parents were divorced. They had been married for 25 years! If my sisters and I had not had our hope in God, we would have lost it. We tried as best we could to maintain harmony, but it got hard. Nevertheless our joy remained. So much has happened, and I'll share it with ya'll as it comes to me. The point I'm trying to get across is that true joy, joy in the Lord and in the hope that we have of being with Him in glory isn't fleeting. It always remains.

Don't get me wrong, there are times when I just want to run away from all the things that are hard to face. But the Spirit in me faithfully, lovingly and ever so gently reminds me that God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

More and more I find myself saying, "I need Thee every hour." All I can say is that these times have made me more thankful. Thankful to God for His listening ear, for His compassions that fail not, for the truth that He shall never leave me nor forsake me.

Not long ago I was sharing my burdens with a friend who reminded me not to forget to take every one of my anxieties, griefs, and sorrows, wrap them up in prayer and confession, tie a ribbon of thanksgiving around them and give them to the Lord. Praise the Lord for His Word, because I know that these words came from a word filled heart. I don't know about you, but it gives me great joy when during times of joy, and especially trials Scripture passages begin to run through my mind (Phil. 4:6; Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 62:8)!

God is to be greatly praised for the many graces He showers us with. Friends, family, life abundant, and the list goes on and on. God is good all the time. This one thing I know, that He loves me so! Our times are in His sovereign hand, and whatever His providence allows is all for a greater purpose.

But the battle ensues and I still at times find myself saying, "no, this isn't the way the story is supposed to go...I'm supposed to be here or there, or doing this or that." How vain! How disgustingly selfish! I think it's because instead of looking up, I'm looking at what is going on all around me.

God has a bigger plan, my life does have a purpose: To glorify God. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Importance of Kindness, Truth, and Thinking

2006-06-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:3-4).

Read this before I went to bed last night, and just marveled at the importance God places on kindness and truth. "Our Father in heaven has called us to be instruments of peace!"

As I drove into work this morning, I was praying that God would give me more love for Him so that I would bring Him more sons and daughters. I saw for a second how the marriage union reflects Christ's relationship to His church. He loves her and together they produce many offspring. Makes me think of the hymn penned by Elizabeth Prentiss, "More love to Thee."

Then I began thinking about the seriousness of marriage, and how it's a commitment for life. I thought to myself, "It is serious, therefore it should not be toyed around with!" I remember thinking I was ready at 21..."Yeah." Now I'm 29 and I'm learning things I never knew, that are helping me prepare for that very special privilege. God is so good, and has been so faithful and patient with me. He knows best...Now if I could only live out this truth (big sigh)!

In the meantime, I'll do what I know is best to do, "Trust in the LORD with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all my ways and know that He will make my paths straight." God, I pray I would not be wise in my own eyes, thinking that I have a better handle on things than You. Instill a greater fear of You in my heart that would cause me to turn away from evil, even from my own deceitful hearts' desires!

"Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You" (Psalm 16:1-2).

The Will of God

2006-05-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

This topic has been on my mind lately because I hear so many people say, "I have a peace about this or that." In fact, I think I've made that statement myself. I read an article in Modern Reformation-Volume 13, Number 1, Jan/Feb 2004 that made me think. Thinking is so good! Here's a bit of what I read,

Few would dispute that "the will of God" is a big issue for any Christian. After all, it is referred to explicitly some four dozen times in the New Testament. God's will should regulate our prayers (Matt. 6:10). Doing his will is requisite for fellowship with Christ (Mark 3:35). It is required for entrance into his kingdom (Matt. 7:21). Living out his will is perhaps the very highest of Christian priorities (Rom. 12:2).

But is knowing God's will a matter of getting the big picture from Scripture's general teaching? Or should we expect personal and specific divine counsel for most, if not all, personal decisions?

Yet humility requires that we recognize the inherent gap between human and divine wills. We must be willing to claw laboriously in search of the latter in prayer. And how about when God wills to insert a Judas into our lives?Too much glib use of John 14:26 overlooks Peter's insight into how much "the will of God" may be to thrust his people forth into dire straights (1Pet. 3:17. 4:19). I have heard many christen their decisions as God's will with "I feel a peace about that." Few correlate God's will with loss, pain, grief, or death. But God's will in Christ is frequently a cross.

Commentaries are welcome!

This one's for all my friends!

2006-05-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Remember Surrender
Remember surrender • Remember the rest • Remember that weight lifting off of your chest • And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was • • Remember surrender • Remember relief • Remember how tears rolled down both of your cheeks • As the warmth of a heavenly father came closing in • • I want to do that again • Why can't I live there • And make my home • In sweet surrender • I want to do so much more than remember • • Remember surrender • Remember peace • Remember how soundly you fell fast asleep • In the face of your troubles your future still shone like the morning sun • • Remember surrender • Remember that sound • Of all of those voices dying down • But one who speaks clearly of helping and healing you deep within • • I want to do that again • Why can't I live there • And make my home • In sweet surrender • I want to do so much more than remember • • Remember • Oh surrender • • I want to do that again • Oh why can't I live there and make my home • In sweet surrender • I want to do so much more than remember • • Remember • • Remember surrender • Remember the rest • Remember that weight lifting off of your chest • And realizing that it's not up to you and it never was • •

In case you're wondering which one of Sara Groves' albums this song is on it is the All Right Here album. Hugs!

The Gospel-"Behold your God!"

2006-05-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

Praise God for the gift of Himself! I was just reading through one of John Piper's books, God is the Gospel and was awestruck. Check it out:

Why is the gospel, which has justification by faith at its heart, good news? Now this question is seldom asked, because being forgiven for our sins and being acquitted in court for capital crimes and being counted righteous before a holy God is so manifestly a happy situation that it seems impertinent to ask, why is it good news?

Every person should be asked the question, "Why is it good news to you that your sins are forgiven?" "Why is it good news to you that you stand righteous in the courtroom of the Judge of the universe?" The reason this must be asked is that there are seemingly biblical answers that totally ignore the gift of God Himself. A person may answer, "Being forgiven is good news because I don't want to go to hell." Or a person may answer, "Being forgiven is good news because a guilty conscience is a horrible thing, and I get great relief when I believe my sins are forgiven." Or a person may answer, " I want to go to heaven." But then we must ask why they want to go to heaven. They might answer, "Because the alternative is painful." Or "because my deceased wife is there." Or "because there will be a new heaven and a new earth where justice and beauty will finally be everywhere."

...all that is true. So what's wrong with those answers? What's wrong with them is that they do not treat God as the final and highest good of the gospel. These gifts are precious. But they are not God. And they are not the gospel if God himself is not cherished as the supreme gift of the gospel. Justification is not an end in itself. Neither is the forgiveness of sins or the imputation of righteousness. Neither is escape from hell or entrance into heaven or freedom from disease or liberation from bondage or eternal life or justice or mercy or the beauties of a painfree world. None of these facets of the gospel-diamond is the chief good or highest goal of the gospel. Only one thing is: seeing and savoring God himself, being changed into the image of his Son so that more and more we delight in and display God's infinite beauty.

Phew! Great stuff huh? It is too easy to get bogged down with the guilt and shame of past sin, or to shift one's focus from the eternal to the temporal. And even to "borrow worry from tomorrow" as one of my great friends usually puts it. This is where the concept that "hard is good" comes into place. The flesh will do everything it can to draw us away from God's promises, and will hinder us from walking in the Spirit. But let us do the hard work of thinking on what is true: "I do not condemn you, either" (John 8:11).

No condemnation now I dread. Jesus and all in Him is mine. Alive in Him, my living head; and clothed in righteousness divine. Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown of Christ my own. AMAZING LOVE! HOW CAN IT BE? THAT THOU MY GOD SHOULDST DIE FOR ME!

Onward Christians Soldiers!

2006-05-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

"...I'm overcome and broken at the wonders of Your hand!" So I'm listening to Jars right now. "Light of the world are You still here? And are we illuminating?" When everything would fight to take His throne in my heart, exhausted from the battle with sin that ensues each day I stop and think of what Paul says in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that your will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." I need to take a thousand more glimpses at Christ! "For the least glimpse of Him is exceedingly refreshing to my spiritual sense and yields a variety of delights." Seriously! Get the mud pies out of my face! I'm one of the many who are far too easily pleased! Praise God for His Spirit in me that has put eternity in my heart so that nothing this side of heaven satisfies more than Him. "You who dwell in glory, the heavens are Your home. You began the story and made Your beauty known. You created nothing that gives me more pleasure than You, and You won't give me something that gives me more pleasure than You!" I'm so grateful to God for the servants He has used to pierce my heart while preaching His word. Rick Holland is one of them. I'll never forget when he preached through Ecclesiastes. The last couple of verses from that book were ingrained in my mind, "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." The psalmist in Psalm 119:5 said it well, "O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!"

Thoughts on Marriage

2006-04-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

"A man who does not take particular and tender care of his wife, and who then expects her to be fruitful and lovely, is not being a true husband at all; he is a dolt--the Greek word for this is probably meathead." ~Douglas Wilson's Reforming Marriage