It has been a while since I have posted. These past few weeks has been some of the hardest weeks I have experienced in a long time. First of all my grandfather on my mothers side passed away unexpectedly and then my aunt on my dads side passed away unexpectedly as well. On top of all of that I have midterms which has been keeping me extra busy. I have spent the past few weeks internalizing everything that has happened and....
First of all I can only thank God for the good times I have had with my loved ones. Both loved ones were quite a distance apart from each other in age, but I am thankful for the memories I have. Both were influential in my life at some point.
Second, I am thankful for the grace God has showed to my family and I. I am surrounded with lots of people to comfort and encourage me. Also I have a God who I can look up to for peace and rest.
Third, this is not a goodbye to my loved ones. One day we will meet again in praise and worship to our God.
Overall I am doing well. God has really surprised me and all I can say is that HE is truly good through ALL circumstances. I don't understand everything that happens but He (God) gives me enough to understand why I need Him so much more. I am thankful and hopeful in the Lord.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Enough?
Is Jesus Christ enough?
That was the question I was faced with this morning at church. I mean my first response would be "OF COURSE HE is enough to be content or He is my everything" But as I sat through the sermon I began to wonder if my actions really represented that? Do I really live a life in which Jesus Christ stands as "Enough" for me to not complain, brag, or cry for/about other things in life?
This week I have been praying to God to help me understand some of the things I have been going through, both good and hard. I think He really answered me as I was on my way to church. I turned on my radio and began to listen to one of my favorite local preachers in Chicago, Pastor Erwin Lutzer. To say the least, He preached on Apostle Pauls response when he is given a thorn.
I am amazed by Paul. First of all the way he came to know the Lord is very humbling and second his pure devotion to the Lord is captivating. Pauls response to the thorn that is given to him is nothing but joy in the Lord. It's joy in the Lord because Jesus Christ is more than enough to him. And if this thorn is only going to draw him closer to the Lord then he will gladly boast in it. Dang....One word...humbled.
On top of that then I come in to church only to be asked...Is Christ enough for me?
Well is Christ enough for me? Yes, yes He is. There are times when I don't live my life like He is, but it is the very reason why I need His grace. Everyday is a day given to me to worship Him in heart and then expressed through action. I am blessed and reminded that through my circumstances He is enough for me and it doesn't really matter what my outcomes are as long as He is in the center of it all.
I am loved, forgiven, and renewed. Praise God for His grace. Let us boast in our weaknesses and draw closer to Him! :D
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.-2 Corinthians 12:9
That was the question I was faced with this morning at church. I mean my first response would be "OF COURSE HE is enough to be content or He is my everything" But as I sat through the sermon I began to wonder if my actions really represented that? Do I really live a life in which Jesus Christ stands as "Enough" for me to not complain, brag, or cry for/about other things in life?
This week I have been praying to God to help me understand some of the things I have been going through, both good and hard. I think He really answered me as I was on my way to church. I turned on my radio and began to listen to one of my favorite local preachers in Chicago, Pastor Erwin Lutzer. To say the least, He preached on Apostle Pauls response when he is given a thorn.
I am amazed by Paul. First of all the way he came to know the Lord is very humbling and second his pure devotion to the Lord is captivating. Pauls response to the thorn that is given to him is nothing but joy in the Lord. It's joy in the Lord because Jesus Christ is more than enough to him. And if this thorn is only going to draw him closer to the Lord then he will gladly boast in it. Dang....One word...humbled.
On top of that then I come in to church only to be asked...Is Christ enough for me?
Well is Christ enough for me? Yes, yes He is. There are times when I don't live my life like He is, but it is the very reason why I need His grace. Everyday is a day given to me to worship Him in heart and then expressed through action. I am blessed and reminded that through my circumstances He is enough for me and it doesn't really matter what my outcomes are as long as He is in the center of it all.
I am loved, forgiven, and renewed. Praise God for His grace. Let us boast in our weaknesses and draw closer to Him! :D
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.-2 Corinthians 12:9
Question for YOU: Is Jesus Christ enough?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
SAY WHAT?!
Before you read this blog I want to say that I am just stating my honest opinion. I don't mean to offend anyone in anyway but I ask that you be open minded and honest with yourself. Thanks! :)
Person 1: We can't go to **** town because its late and ghetto in that area right now.
Person 2: Oh... ghetto? Are there a lot of "black" people there?
Person 1: Umm...No. I mean its dark outside and there are a lot of homeless people etc. in that area. It's not safe.
Person 2: Oh...
So... am currently taking a Racial and Ethnic Groups sociology class. I guess I have become more sensitive to racist or racial remarks. I couldn't help myself but to blog about it. :p
You see... God opened my eyes while I was in California to some prejudice ideas that I was raised up with. There is really no one to blame. I can't be upset with my parents and their unfortunate encounters with other racial groups, but I am going to be honest and say that I can't deny that fact that I WAS raised with some prejudice influences BUT I am blessed that God has shown (And really is still showing me) what it means to love ALL His people. WE are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. It doesn't matter what the color of our skin is, what we eat, how we smell, etc.
In my Soc. class I learned that biologically we are ALL the SAME!!! We are actually more biologically different among those who may "look" similar to us! Crazy! God is SO amazing! We were created in His image and I pray that as we make Him our Lord and Savior our actions would reflect Him!
Honestly I am tired of hearing racial/racist jokes. It hurts even more when I hear it from close friends and family, but I will not be discouraged because I know God is in the midst of all of this. He is good and sovereign. I know that through prayer and petition, the Lord hears me.
Question for YOU: What is holding you back from loving ALL of Gods people?
Person 1: We can't go to **** town because its late and ghetto in that area right now.
Person 2: Oh... ghetto? Are there a lot of "black" people there?
Person 1: Umm...No. I mean its dark outside and there are a lot of homeless people etc. in that area. It's not safe.
Person 2: Oh...
So... am currently taking a Racial and Ethnic Groups sociology class. I guess I have become more sensitive to racist or racial remarks. I couldn't help myself but to blog about it. :p
You see... God opened my eyes while I was in California to some prejudice ideas that I was raised up with. There is really no one to blame. I can't be upset with my parents and their unfortunate encounters with other racial groups, but I am going to be honest and say that I can't deny that fact that I WAS raised with some prejudice influences BUT I am blessed that God has shown (And really is still showing me) what it means to love ALL His people. WE are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. It doesn't matter what the color of our skin is, what we eat, how we smell, etc.
In my Soc. class I learned that biologically we are ALL the SAME!!! We are actually more biologically different among those who may "look" similar to us! Crazy! God is SO amazing! We were created in His image and I pray that as we make Him our Lord and Savior our actions would reflect Him!
Honestly I am tired of hearing racial/racist jokes. It hurts even more when I hear it from close friends and family, but I will not be discouraged because I know God is in the midst of all of this. He is good and sovereign. I know that through prayer and petition, the Lord hears me.
Question for YOU: What is holding you back from loving ALL of Gods people?
Friday, January 18, 2013
Prioritize!
I wanna get involved in everything but I have to remember to set my priorities and manage my time well especially as I face 16 credits this semester! :p This semester I feel like God keeps on bringing (Or maybe the devil idk hahaha I guess it just depends on how you look at it, distractions or motivations? :p) on more opportunities to be involved on campus and with the city. It's difficult to turn down some opportunities but I need to finish out my commitments of the school year well. Anyways....
School has been VERY good! Yes I have a lot of projects, Spanish homework, and reading...LOTS of reading...BUT I love it all! My professors are just amazing and I feel like I am taking in so much! So many things to think about. I feel like my brain has doubled in size from just one week of lecture. I am looking forward to all the projects and hard work that I will have to put forth this semester. I know the Lord is right by my side and this semester, much will be accomplished. I am thankful and great full that I have an opportunity to have a higher education. God is so good. :)
School has been VERY good! Yes I have a lot of projects, Spanish homework, and reading...LOTS of reading...BUT I love it all! My professors are just amazing and I feel like I am taking in so much! So many things to think about. I feel like my brain has doubled in size from just one week of lecture. I am looking forward to all the projects and hard work that I will have to put forth this semester. I know the Lord is right by my side and this semester, much will be accomplished. I am thankful and great full that I have an opportunity to have a higher education. God is so good. :)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Invest...
Today at church the pastor preached about giving back to the city in a Godly manner. Everyone in the church was given money and asked to use it wisely to invest into the city of Chicago. (Dang that was a lot of money! There were over 200 people in that room and every one got at least $3.00-100.00!)
I love my church. I won't lie. It is really big and at times I feel awkward when I am alone but in the mean time it fits me where I am at in my life. Anyways...
Pastor Jackson preached about the importance of being involved with the community and using the gifts and talents God has blessed us with to bless others. This is something that has been on my heart since I moved into the city. This is the very reason why I felt I needed to leave last summer to California. I try not to bubble myself on campus (which is VERY easy to do). I am always looking for an opportunity to serve the Lord outside of my comfort zone.
I am blessed to start of the new year with a challenge and that is, to invest into the city God has blessed me with. Not everyone may see Chicago as a blessing and I do not blame them, but to me Chicago is an opportunity to grow spiritually and personally. So, how have I been investing my time into this great city?
Honestly I have been doing a terrible job. Part of this maybe that i'm not really in Chicago often and find myself going back to Rockford home. Going back to Rockford home and staying in Chicago is always a struggle for me. Choosing where I want to be involved (ministry and non ministry) is a constant struggle. I guess I need to pick one place. Hahaha
I know Chicago is a place I wanna begin investing more time into. Part of me is scared and excited. Pray for me. :)
Question for YOU: Are YOU investing yourself into the city God has blessed you with?
I love my church. I won't lie. It is really big and at times I feel awkward when I am alone but in the mean time it fits me where I am at in my life. Anyways...
Pastor Jackson preached about the importance of being involved with the community and using the gifts and talents God has blessed us with to bless others. This is something that has been on my heart since I moved into the city. This is the very reason why I felt I needed to leave last summer to California. I try not to bubble myself on campus (which is VERY easy to do). I am always looking for an opportunity to serve the Lord outside of my comfort zone.
I am blessed to start of the new year with a challenge and that is, to invest into the city God has blessed me with. Not everyone may see Chicago as a blessing and I do not blame them, but to me Chicago is an opportunity to grow spiritually and personally. So, how have I been investing my time into this great city?
Honestly I have been doing a terrible job. Part of this maybe that i'm not really in Chicago often and find myself going back to Rockford home. Going back to Rockford home and staying in Chicago is always a struggle for me. Choosing where I want to be involved (ministry and non ministry) is a constant struggle. I guess I need to pick one place. Hahaha
I know Chicago is a place I wanna begin investing more time into. Part of me is scared and excited. Pray for me. :)
Question for YOU: Are YOU investing yourself into the city God has blessed you with?
Friday, January 4, 2013
2013...A New Year
So it has been awhile since I have blogged. After California everything went by so quickly. God was moving through my heart and I realized I no longer wanted to study science. Actually I knew I did not want to study science after the Spring semester of 2012 (before I left to Cali.) but the only problem was, what did I want to study then? Thankfully, God timing is always prefect. If I didn't struggle and submit to the Lord as much as I have had to this year, I know I would of continued down this path. Also what a blessing it was to find out about the brand new undergrad. program at my university in Public Health. I feel like this is something I could possibly study. It just happened to be that this program just opened up this past fall semester of 2012. Gods timing couldn't be any better. I am blessed and I have seen the Lords blessings through my failures and success. He is so good to me. As I enter this New Year, I hope that I will not dwell on my past failures, but be strengthened and renewed in the Lord. I have had the opportunity to make amazing Godly friends, and I have an amazing family who continues to strengthen and encourage me. God has given me wonderful opportunities that I would of never expected to serve Him and love others. I pray that this year I would remember that God is good no matter what. The verse on my blog site is the one I wish to focus on this year. I pray that you to will be blessed by this verse and Gods love.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Relaxed and Ready to Reflect! :)
WOW I just had a BEAUTIFUL 3 days of relaxation and reflection. This is it. This is the end to a new beginning! God is SO good. How could I be SO blessed this summer? God has provided for me in every way unimaginable and beyond. He has answered prayers in better ways than I could expect for myself. He has opened my eyes to so many things I was blinded to. Praise the Lord!
I want to dedicate this blog to everything I have learned this summer. So much to share!
Where to begin. My 3 day retreat was amazing. We had the opportunity to share affirmations to each other and spend quality time together. I have been blessed with such AMAZING new friends. I would of never imagined to meet such beautiful people. I'm gonna miss everyone SO much! I know that this is not the end, but only the beginning to a new path for all of us! God is going to continue to connect us. I just know it! :)
SO i'm going to be very honest. At the beginning of this internship I was full of doubt and confusion. I was in doubt of what God could continue doing in my life. School left me feeling broken and confused. I knew I could not give up on God, and I needed to leave IL to grow up a bit and get away from the chaos. I prayed and trusted in God that this Cali internship was where He was calling me. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Hahahaha.... God is good. SO good. :p
My time in East Palo Alto was amazing from the very beginning. All my friends were so positive and great. The staff at BCM was amazing. I felt SO welcomed immediately. I was challenged to grow in my relationship with God. I learned so much from my new friends/co-workers. I learned to really be comfortable as the man God had me into. God opened my eyes to the reality of serving in Urban Ministry. And the children....
The children at BCM taught me SO much about Gods love. I learned to love these kids despite how disrespectful they could be at times. This made me realize how much MORE God loves me. There are SO many more times when I am disrespectful to God and refuse to obey Him, yet He STILL loves me unconditionally! How could this be so? Our God is love. He paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for me and you. That's how much He loves us!
My friends and BCM staff, they taught me to be more comfortable in who God had made me. They pushed me to grow deeper in my faith with the Lord. I was challenged to rely more on God and be joyful, hopeful, and at peace in every situation God has placed me in. A lot of prayer came from the BCM staff and I know God touched my heart. ULTIMATELY I think God taught me that I NEED to enjoy everyday that He gives me and not worry about tomorrow. I was so anxious in the beginning but by the end of the internship I saw God transform me into a WHOLE new person. I never have been so at peace about not knowing what tomorrow may bring. I am just hopeful and joyful in the Lord. God is good. He taught me His timing is better than my own. There is always a time of waiting and I know this is my time to wait on Him. God is going to be with me no matter where I am. He is holding my hand through everything and I know He is guiding me as I continue to trust in Him day by day. AND LAST everything I do I should do it to Glorify God!
I could keep rambling on and on, but I'm a bit lazy writing it all out. If you really want to know the nitty gritty details call me. I love to talk ;) God is good and this is not the end. Perhaps I will keep on blogging as I enter a new chapter of my life. I can't wait to see all the new things God has in store for me. This journey is SO much more fun not knowing whats ahead! God is spontaneous and always good no matter what! All glory and honor to the Lord for this wonderful summer!
I want to dedicate this blog to everything I have learned this summer. So much to share!
Where to begin. My 3 day retreat was amazing. We had the opportunity to share affirmations to each other and spend quality time together. I have been blessed with such AMAZING new friends. I would of never imagined to meet such beautiful people. I'm gonna miss everyone SO much! I know that this is not the end, but only the beginning to a new path for all of us! God is going to continue to connect us. I just know it! :)
SO i'm going to be very honest. At the beginning of this internship I was full of doubt and confusion. I was in doubt of what God could continue doing in my life. School left me feeling broken and confused. I knew I could not give up on God, and I needed to leave IL to grow up a bit and get away from the chaos. I prayed and trusted in God that this Cali internship was where He was calling me. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Hahahaha.... God is good. SO good. :p
My time in East Palo Alto was amazing from the very beginning. All my friends were so positive and great. The staff at BCM was amazing. I felt SO welcomed immediately. I was challenged to grow in my relationship with God. I learned so much from my new friends/co-workers. I learned to really be comfortable as the man God had me into. God opened my eyes to the reality of serving in Urban Ministry. And the children....
The children at BCM taught me SO much about Gods love. I learned to love these kids despite how disrespectful they could be at times. This made me realize how much MORE God loves me. There are SO many more times when I am disrespectful to God and refuse to obey Him, yet He STILL loves me unconditionally! How could this be so? Our God is love. He paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for me and you. That's how much He loves us!
My friends and BCM staff, they taught me to be more comfortable in who God had made me. They pushed me to grow deeper in my faith with the Lord. I was challenged to rely more on God and be joyful, hopeful, and at peace in every situation God has placed me in. A lot of prayer came from the BCM staff and I know God touched my heart. ULTIMATELY I think God taught me that I NEED to enjoy everyday that He gives me and not worry about tomorrow. I was so anxious in the beginning but by the end of the internship I saw God transform me into a WHOLE new person. I never have been so at peace about not knowing what tomorrow may bring. I am just hopeful and joyful in the Lord. God is good. He taught me His timing is better than my own. There is always a time of waiting and I know this is my time to wait on Him. God is going to be with me no matter where I am. He is holding my hand through everything and I know He is guiding me as I continue to trust in Him day by day. AND LAST everything I do I should do it to Glorify God!
I could keep rambling on and on, but I'm a bit lazy writing it all out. If you really want to know the nitty gritty details call me. I love to talk ;) God is good and this is not the end. Perhaps I will keep on blogging as I enter a new chapter of my life. I can't wait to see all the new things God has in store for me. This journey is SO much more fun not knowing whats ahead! God is spontaneous and always good no matter what! All glory and honor to the Lord for this wonderful summer!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)