After God's own Heart

A matching wardrobe

2007-06-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

Some like khaki pants, others just jeans.
Some like long sleeve shirts, others prefer them sleeveless.
Some prefer skirts, others some comfortable pants.
Some prefer ties, others just a t-shirt.
Some prefer sandals, others prefer closed toe shoes.

It's hard to find someone that will wear the exact same outfit you're wearing, unless you agree to wear the same thing on purpose, which some times happens.

As Christians, God calls us to have matching outfits all the time. This might not be obvious at the first impression, but as people get to know you, they'll realize that we're all wearing the same thing…

"Put on the garments that suit God's chosen people, his own, his beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience" Colossians 3:12

"You have all put on Christ as a garment." Galatians 3:27

"Put on love." Colossians 3:14

If Christ has called us to put on these garments, to be otherwise dressed is inappropriate.

The clothes we wear are what people see. Only God can look on the heart. The outward signs are important. They reveal something of what is inside. If charity is there, it will become visible outwardly, but if you have no charitable feelings, you can still obey the command. Put it on as simply and consciously as you put on a coat. You choose it; you pick it up; you put it on. This is what you want to wear. (Elisabeth Elliot Devotional)

I once heard that we (Christians) might be "the only Bible some people will ever read", and this is true. Our behavior, attitude, language and even the way we handle every trial, is being closely watched by people that don't know Christ, so we have to "put on" the right clothes every day, in order that through them, they can see the Great Designer of the Universe…God!

If you are a Christian, you ought to dress like one, to honor the man that died on a cross, taking the place we should've been in.

Do you want to dress like one? Then put on Christ, who is love, patience, gentleness, humility, compassion…All these things might be hard to wear some times, but as we obey him every day, it'll get easier each and every time to throw away the old garment, and put on the new one.

So…What will you choose to wear today?

Finding your true worth

2007-06-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, I remember those days during my teenage years and part of my young adult life.

My wardrobe? Dark blue or black long shirts, dark blue jeans, a few beige shirts, but that was it. My hair rarely up on a pony tail because I didn’t want my face to be too “visible” to others. If I knew there was a way to get invisible, I would’ve done anything I could to find out how.

My house and especially, my room, became my favorite place to be. I loved people, but somehow I felt that people didn’t feel the same way about me. I felt unloved, rejected, insecure, so much so that I felt unworthy of so many things. My parents were always very loving to me, but I was never a favorite among my other family members because I was the middle child and a shy little girl.

Since my brother was the oldest and only boy at the time, my grandpa would take him everywhere and hang out with him the whole time. My sister was the baby of the family, so my grandma would take her to her house, buy her toys and cook her desserts. Somehow, I was often left out. I didn’t understand why, and I started to blame myself, which led to insecurity and no self worth.

As years went by, I grew up as a very insecure girl. I didn’t always have someone to try to convince me of the opposite, so I just allowed the enemy to keep feeding the lie. I didn’t have a lot of friends in high school because I didn’t drink or smoke, so I wasn’t considered “cool”. When you’re growing up and face all these teenage-giants, you feel “like a nerd” because you don’t do the same thing everyone else does.

When I went to school to be an architect, I thought I was never going to make it, but in the strive to prove everyone wrong, I gave my best…And ended up graduating with excellent grades and even winning a National Contest of Architecture with some friends from school.

I got to move to FL with a good job and felt like I was given an opportunity I didn’t deserve.

All my life, I tried to “hide” or just be “invisible”. I grew up hearing that your worth was based upon your looks and your personality. If you were a little chubby, forget it, nobody would ever even look at you. If you didn’t have the type A personality, you would never be able to make a lot of friends…Lies, lies and more lies, but back then, that was the only true I knew…And since I was none of the above, I felt I wasn’t worthy enough to be noticed.

All those things took a toll in my life. My heart was empty, I felt like I was walking around in circles with no purpose, thinking that life was only to be born, go to school, grow up, get a degree, have money, get married and have children. I somehow knew life had to be more than that, but since I had no compass, I was stuck in the pit I put myself in.

Then one day, after seeking and seeking, I found him…Or should I say, he found me? JESUS.

I couldn’t believe a love so strong, so pure. I remember that for the first time in my life, I felt UNCONDITIONAL love. I thought I didn’t do anything good to deserve it, and indeed, I didn’t. This Holy Man just wanted to save me, because He is SO GOOD.

As he drew me closer to Him, my eyes were opened to a whole new world. He told me that I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” Prov. 139:14. That he had engraved me on the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:15).

He gave me a whole new meaning of what my worth is based upon. It’s not about the looks, not about a personality, not about just being “lucky”, not about being cool, not about having luxuries and wealth, not about anything this world says it’s about.

It’s about a Father who loves His creation so much, that even when He doesn’t need us, He actually wants to use us. It’s about a Father that wants to “team up” with me for His glory. It’s about a Father that saw the desert in my soul, and poured out living water. It’s about a Father that loves me just the way I am, but so much, that He wants to change me for my own good. It’s about a Father who saw me, when I was invisible to many others. It’s about a Father who even when I didn’t believe in myself, knew I was capable of many things. It’s about a Father that even when I make mistakes every day, is always willing to forgive me and give me another chance. It’s about a Father whom I’m sure, is looking forward to the day we’ll see each other face to face. It’s about a Father that loves me so much, that sent His own Son to save me. It’s about a Father that thinks I am worth His own Son’s blood, even to the last drop.

God spells LOVE a little different than we do…He spells it JESUS. I am worth the blood of LOVE, the blood of JESUS… And in Jesus’ blood, is where I realized how valuable I am, AND SO ARE YOU!

Brained washed?

2007-06-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to write this blog for a while, but sometimes thought that people might get offended, and that's the last thing I want to do…But then, Pastor Doug Sauder told us that we should be revolutionaries for Christ, and since Jesus IS and will ALWAYS BE my biggest love, I decided to speak up, no strings attached!

Last year, I was having a conversation with someone that I love very much, and somehow we started talking about Christ, the Bible and how I LOVE going to Church and serving there.
This person is not saved…YET! So it's hard for him to understand how important this is to me, and foremost, how REAL!
I was told that I had been "brain washed", that I shouldn't believe everything that the Bible says, and especially, think that God can really speak to me.
He read the WHOLE Bible years ago, and told me that he never heard or felt God speaking to him…At that very moment, something that Pastor Bob once said came to my mind and I told him "well, that's maybe because you've read it with your head and not with your heart". How different are the eyes and ears of our minds, from the eyes and ears of our hearts.

All these words obviously broke my heart, especially because this was coming from someone that I love VERY VERY MUCH.
Some times you wish everyone you know could understand this burning fire in your heart, this love that no words can describe, this man, who changed the course of history, and hanged on a cross to save a world of lost sinners…like me!!

I've had the same problems with close friends, that think that I'm crazy or not "open minded enough". I remained silent for a long time, while my heart wanted to SCREAM that I LOVE JESUS WITH ALL MY HEART.

So…
If wanting to be a better person every day, even when I fail,
If treating people with respect, even when sometimes they might not deserve it,
If not saying bad words anymore,
If not having an outburst of anger because someone cut me off while driving,
If believing that a union should be between a man and a woman, just how God intended it to be,
If believing that homosexuality is not a birth defect that is very normal,
If believing that you shouldn't be dating or sleeping around because you have to remain sexually pure for your future husband/wife,
If reading the Bible every day,
If praying in the morning, at nights and even at work,
If taking classes to know more about my Savior and how to share my faith,
If trying to speak up when I see someone being treated unfairly,
If singing to Jesus to the top of my lungs,
If listening mostly to Christian music,
If praying for a friend in need,
If wanting to get involved in Church to serve MY LORD,
If telling someone that they're being disrespectful,
If being against abortion,
If now hating to talk about someone behind their back, gossiping,
If wanting to be obedient to God's calling, even if that means going in a Prison full of women convicted of murder to tell them about a Savior that loves them,
If going on a Friday night to a city with bars and motels to evangelize on the streets,
If deciding not to go dancing to a club anymore because of the things I get exposed to,
If believing that getting drunk is not OK,
If deciding not to watch movies with sex scenes anymore,
If thinking that men shouldn't cheat on their wives and vice versa,
If giving part of my monthly income to feed a child in Africa,
If giving money to my Church home,
If thinking that prayer is all so powerful,
If believing that Jesus DOES talk to me,
If believing that there is no sin that He won't forgive,
If firmly believing that EVERYONE deserves to be forgiven if they truly repent, no matter how terrible their sin,
If volunteering to shampoo the homeless' heads or feeding them,
If posting this blog to speak up,
If knowing that Jesus was raised from the dead and will come back again SOON!!

If all these means being brain washed...
Then YES, I guess you can say that I have been brain washed…And not with just any cheap detergent, but with the blood of the spotless Lamb of God, which is like CLOROX BLEACH!!! And PRAISE GOD for that, because the dirt is gone!!!

Have you been brain washed too? Join the club!

Me, God? How?...Amazing Grace!!

2007-06-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still amazed and overwhelmed at the goodness of my God...

Last Friday night we went with a group of the Everyday Evangelism class to Las Olas and A1A for a Street Evangelism outreach.
I was afraid to volunteer for this event because, for those of you that know me well, you can tell how shy I am when I don't know a person and although I love to talk (specially about Jesus) if I've never met you before, it might take me a little bit to get comfortable and really talk to you (right Barney?...sorry, I meant Jen?).

I signed up for the EE1 class because I knew that God had been calling me to do it, so I obeyed and did. The class has been AMAZING!
When they were asking people to volunteer to the Street Evangelism, I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone, take a step of faith and do it.
I even told one of the girls who was signing people up that I was a little scared because I've never done something like that before, but she smiled and said that everything would be alright.

My heart started pounding when they were asking for volunteers and I knew where all that was coming from.
I wrote down my name on the sign up sheet, not really knowing what I was doing, just trusting God with it.
I even thought it might have something to do with the vision He gave me when the EE1 class started (while we were looking at a video) of what his future plan is for me. The friends I said this to even told me to write it down, mail it to myself and store it somewhere, and see if a few years from now, I'm doing what God told me in that vision…And I did!

Anyway...I prayed all last week about the outreach. I was convinced that God already knew who were the people He was going to put in our way that night, so I just prayed for a successful outreach and for him to speak thru each and every one of us.
As Friday approached, I was getting more and more nervous, but trusting God that He was going to do all the work thru me, because there was NO WAY I was going to be able to do it on my own.

So Friday night comes...As I was driving down to Las Olas I was praying and singing to Jesus and repeating that everything was going to be OK. When I parked I said a prayer and then told him "OK, I'm here, now you have to do the rest".
One of the girls who had been in this outreaches before came to talk to me and as I told her how nervous I was, she said that there was nothing to be nervous for and that once we prayed, I was going to feel much better.

When the 21 volunteers were there, we went to the beach and under the beautiful star filled sky, we worshiped and prayed before going out to talk to people.
I can tell you that after we were done, my fears were GONE!!

As we were worshiping, I noticed a guy sitting by the lifeguard stand who kept looking at us, and in my heart, I felt he was one of the people I had to go talk to.
When we were done, we split up in groups of 3 or 4. I was with 2 guys, Julio and Dave. Julio had done this many times before and it was Dave's first time also.
Then Julio said something that left me perplexed...He said "I know who God wants us to talk to"...and he points out to the same guy that I saw, the one seating next to the Lifeguard stand...Ohhhhhhh!!!! How amazing is that Julio and I, who ended up in the same group, felt that God was telling us to talk to that same guy...Can you already see God's hand in all these???

To fill you in a little bit...This guy, John (named changed for respect to him) was drinking beer and smoking a cigarette.
We went up to him, said hi, introduced ourselves, and he gave us a look like "oh no, what do you want?" He was a little drunk and looked very very sad.
Julio started the conversation, asking his name, where he was from and other things to make him feel a little more comfortable with us.
Then Julio started asking "the" questions...I was amazed at the fact that he knew a lot of Scripture.
He told us that he had lost EVERYTHING and EVERYONE (parents, wife, etc) about 10 years ago, and ended up on the streets. He was very angry at God because he said that He took everything he loved the most.
Julio asked him if he knew the story of Job, and to our surprise, he did, but said that Job's story was nothing compared to his.
He was an ex-military and had seen a lot of people die in combat and also his mom and his beloved wife years before…You could tell he was deeply hurt as a result of all these things.
Julio was doing all the talking at this time, and I felt inside of me that all I needed to do that moment, was pray and pray.
As John kept talking, my heart was filled with compassion for this man that thought that God was somehow punishing him.
He said that one time he even put a gun in his mouth, pulled the trigger and didn't shoot. The next day, he pointed the gun up to the sky to see why it wasn't working and BANG, it shot!!!!
Julio told him that God had a plan for him, because he tried to kill himself and couldn't.
John said that whatever God's plans were for him, he didn't want them, he just wanted God to take him and end all his pain.
He also said that he wasn't good enough for God to use him.

I could relate to John a lot, because before I came to have a relationship with Jesus, I was very angry at him. I felt that I wasn't good enough for whatever He wanted to do with me...A lot of John's words were the same words that came out of my mouth years ago.
I felt the LORD telling me at that point "talk to John, tell him where you were and where you are now that you know me"...I had an internal battle, because I was like "no way, I can't talk LORD, you know I can't", to what He kept saying "yes you can, trust me, yes you can". This went in my mind for a good 45 mins. (yes, that long)
I kept seeing all this signs that I HAD to speak up, but I was too afraid...There was no way I could be as good as Julio talking.
Suddenly we were all quiet...and I knew I had to talk, or else I would regret it for the rest of the night.

My mouth was opened and a question came out of it. I asked John if I could tell him my story, and he smiled and said "yes".
I started telling him my testimony and that I could relate to him because I was at that same point of anger with God. I felt very sad, very broken, but God put people like Julio and Dave in my life, to let me know that He loves me, and that I had 2 options...Get out of my misery and trust him, or just continue to be broken and miserable for the rest of my life. I decided to trust him and follow him.
I told him that when I felt that the whole world turned its back on me, Jesus turned to me and opened his arms and embraced me.

I kept talking and I felt a peace inside of me, like God was putting all those words in my mouth. John just sat there smiling and listening.
When I was done, he still said that he didn't want what God had to offer him, he just wanted to die...But at least I know I said what God wanted me to say.

We spent a whole hour with this man, who that night had a divine appointment with God...We ministered to him, we loved on him, we gave him socks, but most importantly, we watered the seed that someone had already planted some time ago.
We didn't see him come to Christ, but I know that now that he is in our prayers, sooner or later, John will surrender his life to him...I just know it!
At the end, HE PRAYED FOR US. He prayed that God will continue to use us to "refresh" people like him, and we felt blessed with this stranger's heartfelt prayer.

As I drove back home, I was amazed and humbled on how God used me, a "former" shy girl, who was afraid to talk, who many times felt rejected, to minister to a broken soul.
God used ME? I have nothing to offer him, but I know that all He needs me to do, is step out of my comfort zone and be obedient to his call...He'll do the rest, with his amazing grace!

So if you feel that you have nothing to offer God or that He could never use you, let me give you a little encouragement and tell you that He not only CAN, but WANTS to!!
Just step out of your comfort zone...it's hard, but it's WORTH IT!!!
Don't miss out on the amazing plan God has for you.
...And always remember "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called".

A Mountain to climb...PART II

2007-06-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

The last months have probably been the hardest of my life...so far at least!

God put in my heart the desire to start serving in a new Church, Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale and had to leave the choir in my old Church, the Pageant and everything I loved, to start all over again. But God puts blessings in a package that follows our obedience.
Little did I know that attending a new Church would bring along a lot of trials and testing. Don't get me wrong, they've all been for my good, but you know that when you're in the middle of the ocean during a Storm, it's hard to see the shore.

Now after a few months, I can look back and understand why God brought me here. It was time for new challenges, which would bring along more restoration in my heart and the renewal of my mind. It was time for God to show me the next step so that I could keep climbing up to the top.

I wrote the poem "A Mountain to Climb", inspired by all the things that had been happening to me during these last months and specially, by the love of Jesus and his patience with me all thru that time.

I used to write more often when I was a teenager and my inspiration were mostly the guys I had a crush on at that time. But that quickly disappeared as I grew up and got caught up in the busyness and craziness of this world.
After I came to know Christ almost 3 years ago, the transformation He started in me has been beyond human understanding...And now, after all these trials, I feel him closer than EVER...And found in him my new inspiration to start writing again. The awesome thing is that that inspiration will never go away, because Jesus is not like those crushes I used to have, that come and go, He will be there FOREVER...

Now...Don't you some times find yourself in front of that huge mountain? Don't you look at it sometimes and feel that it's literally IMPOSSIBLE to get to the other side?? I've felt that way, MANY TIMES!!!
But the good news is that when we receive the Salvation thru Jesus Christ, we really are given that tool box! We dig thru it but most of the times think that it's contents are never enough to help us climb up that mountain...Love isn't enough, compassion isn't enough, understanding isn't enough, praise isn't enough, joy isn't enough...And we find that we don't have enough FAITH inside of that tool box to put Grace into practice.

Well, when are we going to be satisfied then?? Do you think that if that tool box had a nice car would be OK? or a nice and big house? A bank account with a lot of money in it?? A closet full of the most expensive outfits? Lots of girlfriends? Lots of boyfriends?
I'm sorry to be realistic, but these things won't feel the void in our life. They could make us "happy" but won't give us joy, could make us have some fun for a little bit, but won't give us peace.

We are that tool box. God has given us all these things and MORE, to be able to climb the highest mountain. When you stand in front of one, remember that man who stands there with you all along...Jesus.
Make sometime to read the book of Knowledge on how to climb a mountain, His Word...For when we buy something new, we always go to the manual to learn how to use it, otherwise, we won't be able to put all the pieces together.

Realize that joy, praise, courage, patience, compassion, understanding and love, are all the things you need to climb up that mountain. And if you find the way too slippery or the top too windy...Remember that Jesus promised He'll ALWAYS be there...He'll just be...a prayer away!!!

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

A Mountain to climb

2007-06-19T06:14:00.001-07:00

I found myself in front of a mountain
It’s top as high as the heavens,
I had to climb it
To get to the other side
Something called Paradise

I started analyzing all the possibilities,
as a human, over thinking responsibilities
Too rocky one of the sides looked,
Too slippery and covered with ice the other one stood,
Too windy looked one of the ways
The other one covered with trees
Would be a disgrace

How would I ever get there?
I checked inside a tool box that I had,
What could be helpful?
Climbing up that high mountain
Would be an adventure

Some experience from the years I could use
Godly Wisdom could help me make it thru

A thick rope of Understanding seemed to help,
But applied without some Patience
I thought would make it fail

I found some nice boots made of Love
But I thought that wouldn't be enough
To keep me warm

Then I saw a book called "Knowledge on how to
Climb mountains",
I didn't have time to read it,
So I kept looking thru

I found Grace that could come in handy
But digging inside, there wasn't enough Faith
So one without the other?
I didn't think it would be OK

What is this? I asked to myself
And pulling out some gloves
Realized Compassion was part of the box

Something called Joy had a bright color
And Praise promised to take away the sorrow

Then I saw something inside burning
A Holy Ghost that was yearning
To be used on this journey
Of climbing up that mountain and learning

I found myself hopeless,
How would these things
Even help me find a way
Thru that mountain, today?

I realized a man
Had been watching all along
He introduced himself as Jesus
The one who died on the Cross

"Did you come to my rescue?" I asked
"Maybe if He carries me over
I can complete the task"

He looked at me and said
"What are you waiting for
To be on your way?"

"I have nothing" to him I said
"To help me climb the mountain
And not be led astray"
"All the ways look so hard to climb,
I rather stay and conform to this life"

With love He looked and me and replied
"All you need is in that tool box,
Put together for your good,
That mountain will be nothing,
Once you put those things in use"

I grabbed some of the Courage that was inside,
Got up on my feet to finally start

"Would you stay with me?" I said
Lovingly looking at me He replied
"Always, all you need to do
...is Pray".

Written by ~Ursula~

Paid in full

2007-06-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor."

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me.

He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney,
a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman belongs in hell."

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible

Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely
forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not
Offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.

The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations.

And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine."

My Lord continued with, "Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me. Satan still does not understand yet.
This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done."
"I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.

The following words bellowed from His lips.
"This woman is free." The penalty for her has already been paid in full.
"Case dismissed."

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one." I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"

Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to me and asked me to represent them has received the same verdict as you,

~Paid In Full~

"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"
"The most important things in life, are not things."

Laminin...Holds us together!

2007-06-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of "Laminin"?
To be honest with you, I never did before.

On Saturday night I went to the Chris Tomlin’s concert and was completely blown away when Louie Giglio, who is a special speaker at the tour, came out and spoke.
He showed pictures of galaxies and the four largest stars that have been discovered and compared them to how vast they are in comparison with the Earth and even the sun.
To us, they seem HUGE, but to God…
“No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand”. Isaiah 40:15

Then he started talking about us (humans), and although we’re so insignificant compare to all the universes, God loves us very much, and how we are wonderfully made (Psalm 139).
He went on to talk about "Laminin", a protein in our body that literally holds our skin, organs and everything else in our body, in place. It literally is “the glue” of our body.

Louie said he met a Molecular Biologist a few years ago when he was a few days away from a christian conference, where he was supposed to talk about God and how the human body works. This Biologist was so fascinated, that started asking him what he was going to say. Louie wasn't very sure yet, but then the Biologist said to him "you HAVE to talk about Laminin".
Louie had no idea what it was, so this Biologist started explaining him the function of it, and how important Laminin is to hold the human body together. Basically without Laminin, our body cells won't reproduce and as a result, we would die.

I was so fascinated by it, that I decided to make a little research, especially after they showed us a picture of what Laminin looks like...

Here are a few of the things that I found:

Laminins are the major non-collagenous component of the basal lamina, such as those on which cells of an epithelium sit. They are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue. Laminins are secreted and incorporated into cell-associated extracellular matrices.

Yes, it all sounds a little confusing, but basically, Laminin holds us together. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to make it!!

Colossians 1:17 says “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

God holds us together…even in our darkest hour, He still does. And He holds us together with Laminin…Do you want to know what Laminin looks like?

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r305/urselca/LAMININ.jpg

Now…Are you blown away also?? I’m still amazed by it. God created us into His image, holding us together with Laminin…And what does Laminin look like?? A cross!!!!

God holds us together with a cross…The Cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tell me if this is not a God that should be praised, loved and served??? This is my God

Are you IN??

2007-06-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

I have been convicted lately of the way I live my christian life...and I want to share it with all of you.
I go to Church twice a week (that's only for the Services), I take different classes there, hang out with christian friends, and find myself being not ME as much, but trying to be more and more like Jesus. Yes, yes, that's all good!

BUT...I realized that I've pulling myself in the "christian bubble" and not being IN the world as Jesus says I should.
I've seen my circle of friends radically changed this last year and realized that I'm neglecting my friends that don't know Christ.
Yes, I still call them and help them when they need me to, but I'm not spending that much time with them anymore, trying to "make disciples".

It is SO EASY to get to that point, where you're in your comfort zone, fellowshipping with your christian brothers and sisters, while the world keeps living in darkness. I felt so convicted and selfish.
A couple of months ago, I realized I've been taking all these classes to learn more about Christ, to learn more about the Bible and become a better christian, but what was I doing to change the world around me? Not much I guess.
It felt awesome to see how much I've grown spiritually, to see how closer and closer I get to Jesus every time, excited to take more classes so that I could learn more and more...but still I felt there was something lacking inside of me.

One night, God led me to Hebrews 5:12 and then I realized how selfish I was being for taking all these classes and not doing much with what I was learning.
"You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word..." Hebrews 5:12

Now that REALLY convicted me...After that, God put a passion in my heart for those who don't know him. I LOVE serving at Church, but people there are already saved. I WILL see them in Heaven.
So what I really ought to do is go out and be IN the world, sharing my faith, my love and God's love for the world. Call my friends who don't know him and look for opportunities to share with them...Be God's arms in this world pulling people towards him, not sitting in my "christian bubble" thinking "YEY, I'm already saved!".

We are honored to be called by His name, so let's live in a way that makes us deserving of being called "christians". Let's go out and be IN the world, trying to gain more souls for Christ.
Jesus said that in His Father's house there are many many rooms...Lets make sure none of them remains empty.

One final verse for us to realize what God wants us to do...
"So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them." Ezequiel 34: 5-6

The workers are few...We need more volunteers...ARE YOU IN?????

What do you mean I can't have it?

2007-06-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

What do you mean I can't have it?...I want it, I want it, I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does this somehow sound familiar to you? It does to me!
When I was growing up and my siblings and I went grocery shopping with my parents, we ALWAYS wanted some candy. We would ask and ask and ask, and most of the time my dad would say NO.
Or going to a mall, we would go into a toy store and wanted Barbies and dolls, to what my parents, if it wasn't a special occasion, would again say no.
Many times I wanted something so bad, that if my dad didn't give it to me, I would have a fit (yes, I guess I was a spoiled brat sometimes). But even that didn't work with him, why? Because he knew what was best for me.
He wouldn't buy me certain dolls I wanted because he knew they were not going to last long and then I was really going to cry once my "new" doll was broken after only a few times of playing with it. He always made sure I got what was best for me, and he was always right.

The other night at our Women's classes at Church, our class leader told a story of someone she knows, that inspired me so much, and made me REALLY think about my Heavenly Father and how He always knows why He says "yes" and why He says "no":

A few years ago, there was this teenage girl and her family that she knew. The teenager had been taking the bus and trains to get to school and her part time job. She would do that every day with a very close friend. One day, they heard of someone who was selling a car at a really cheap price. When she went to look at the car, she realized it was very old, but since she was able to afford it, she and her friend decided that they were going to buy it together and then drive it to school and work, so that they didn't have to take the train and bus anymore.
She realized she had to ask her father for permission first. When she did, her dad said "no". She pleaded and pleaded and her dad didn't change her mind, he still said that he didn't want her to buy that car.
She got upset, but little did she know that her father had been saving money to buy her "dream car". She got it a few weeks later, and you can imagine her happiness when she got not only a brand new car, but her dream one as well.
Still to this day, she drives that car and absolutely loves it!!

How many times we ask God for things that we want and get a "no" for an answer, but get so upset because we didn't get what we wanted?
Many times I’ve prayed for some things that didn't come, and then said to God "OK, I'm going to pray agaaaaaain and I know now it'll happen", only to realize that God does not change His mind and that He knows that if He says "no", it's because He has something better for me.
I used to get upset, frustrated and even very sad when a prayer went unanswered. I used to ask God why wouldn't He give that to me if He knew I wanted it so bad...Well, thank God that He doesn't answer all my prayers, because otherwise, I'd probably would have gotten in trouble or would be crying over that "broken toy". After the "no s", He's always shown me that He had been saving to give me my "dream car".
I love it how Ruth Bell Graham once said that if God would have answered her prayers about a husband, she would have married the wrong guy, and not Billy Graham...Can you imagine that? God certainly knows what He's doing.

Trust in your Heavenly Father. Know that He ALWAYS has the best for you.
Sometimes the world's point of view of "the best" is not the same point of view He has, but who would you rather trust?
He always has something wonderful in store for us, He's just waiting for the right moment to bless us with it. Trust in him with all your heart, in good and bad times, because He always knows what He's doing.
So if you don't get that house, that car, that job, that vacation, that husband, that wife, those babies...Know that He has something better for you or it might just not be the right time yet. There is a season for everything...or could you have snow during summer or 85 degree temperatures during winter?

The Bible is full of stories about God's perfect timing. About his children praying to him and not getting certain things at a certain time, but look at the answers later on....amazing results!!! Well, it's no different with us now, we are his children too and are called by His name...How awesome is that!

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

I just want to leave you with a little poem by Ruth Graham. See what happens when you get to really know your Savior:

I lay my why s
before your Cross
in worship kneeling,
my mind too numb
for thought,
my heart beyond
all feeling.
And worshipping,
realize that I
in knowing You
don't need a why

Spread out your wings...and fly!

2007-06-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago I heard the comparison of a butterfly leaving the cocoon and our daily lives on this world, and honestly I thought it was BRILLIANT!!

If someone told you that once you accept Christ in your heart, all problems will be forever gone, let me lovingly tell you that there's nothing further from the true. We live in a fallen world and everyday we face the battle "not against flesh and blood enemies but against rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.
So we will still face difficulties along the way...But let me tell you the beauty of it all.
God is SO PERFECT, that even in nature we can see a relation with our every day life.

When a butterfly is ready to leave the cocoon, she has to struggle a little bit in order to break it. If you help the butterfly and "make it easy for her", her wings will be so weak, that she will not be able to fly and soon will die.
Same thing with a chicken breaking the egg. You can't help the chicken during his struggle because you'll only hurt him by making him weak.

How AWESOME is this!!!
When there's a storm in your life, just look at it as the cocoon or the egg God has placed you in, to make you stronger.
He doesn't do it because He doesn't care, but because He loves you SO MUCH, that He knows that although you may not understand right now, you'll eventually come out of the situation stronger...and not only that...How beautiful a butterfly looks when flying out of the cocoon, how energetic a little chicken is as he runs once out of the egg?? Same thing with you, with me, with all of us. We'll be beautified thru these things, looking more and more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

So when you're in the cocoon... “Don’t be afraid, for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” Daniel 10:19.
God is only putting you in there for a little bit, to make you stronger, to beautify you, to purify you as gold...So take courage my friend, remain faithful and pray without ceasing.

And once you're out of the cocoon...Spread out your strong and beautiful wings...and fly!!!

Three Trees

2007-06-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a Carpenter, "and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

~May your day be blessed and may God cradle you in the palm of His hand~

Are you a Couch Potato Christian?

2007-06-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

OK, this might be one of those long blogs, but I think it's worth reading :-)

This weekend's Bible Study by Pastor Bob Coy and things that I've been hearing and experiencing lately with people I know, inspired me to write this blog.
And the question is: Are you a Couch Potato or a Hands-on Christian?? Do you choose the couch or the Cross??

I googled the words "Couch Potato" and the first thing on the list of results was a test to see if you are a Couch Potato or not...I changed it a little bit and encourage you to answer the following questions and then keep reading the blog.

1. Do you go to Church at least once a week because you feel you "have" to go listen to the Pastor, worship God and “meet” with him, but when you leave the Church ground you don't share your faith with anyone else?

2. Do you read your Bible because is the manual for life, but once the book is closed, you don't feel even a tiny bit of change and desire to serve?

3. Your Church is organizing an event to help people in need on a Saturday morning and you have the free time to go do it, but instead choose to sleep a little longer?

4. You know the Bible from A to Z, have memorized many verses, tell people what they should or shouldn't do because "the Bible says it" BUT when it comes to you, you're still partying, being disrespectful to others, renting the wrong movies and doing everything YOU KNOW you shouldn't do? After all, nobody is watching! (Just let me remind you on this one that God is ALWAYS watching....yes, sorry!)

5. Christmas time is just around the corner...Your Church is asking you to donate toys or some cash to help people who are not able to have these things for the holidays, but you think that with that money you could get yourself that nice Shirt, those expensive shoes or the tickets to the new football or baseball season?

6. You are at work or with a group of friends who are not saved, talking about your weekend. They start talking about their "Happy Hour" on Friday, about their hang over on the weekend, about how bad they treated their mom the other day (even laughing about it) or how they dated many men or women just in ONE weekend, only to "have fun", and all you do is listen and laugh pretending you agree, instead of sharing how you went to Church, went to a christian concert or helped to feed the homeless with your Church family?

OK, enough with the questions. If you were honest and answered YES to at least one of these questions...You are a potential "couch potato christian" and if you answered YES to all of them...Then you really are a couch potato christian.

When people die, we always see their picture or name with the day they were born, A DASH LINE, and the year they passed away. Our Pastor asked a very important question last weekend...What are YOU going to do with the dash?!?!?!?
Jesus died on that cross to give us life abundantly (John 10:10), not a mediocre life. Every time I feel like "giving up", I remember the precious life he gave for my sake and that alone should be an inspiration for us who love him to live in such a way that everything we do, say or even think, glorifies his name.

If God chose us as his children, I'm sure it's not only because he loves us so much that he wants us to be saved, but because he wants us to tell others about this salvation that is available to all...He wants us to SHARE!!
I'm preaching to myself as I write, because many times I've felt embarrassed, especially at work, to share the Gospel. Embarrassed to tell people about my testimony, not realizing that a lot of these people have such heavy burdens inside that they desperately need a little bit of light in their life.

It also makes me sad to see how much need for help there is in the world: poverty, abortion, aids, starvation...And as christians, we don't get involved and try to do something about these things.
Sometimes we think we can only give a little and since it's "too little", we end up not giving anything at all.
That even used to be my case, until God reminded me of the grains of sand. Little tiny pieces that when put altogether, a beautiful beach is formed.

Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 to "...go and make disciples of all nations..." He didn't tell us to get saved and live in our own bubble, without sharing his amazing love for us with others.
Being a christian is a journey, an amazing one...Let's make the most out of it! Let's live in a way that the world can tell that there's a difference in our life, a good one...And that this difference, makes them point out to Jesus, our LORD and Savior.
Let us respond to God's calling of serving, getting involved and not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk.
Let us stop being "Couch Potato" christians and letting others miss out on this amazing walk that Salvation through Jesus provides.
Let us love one another in such a way that the world around us gets overwhelmed, and let them tell "they really are his disciples".
Let us not only go to Church out of "obligation", but with a heart to meet with our LORD, worship him and get our Spirit fed with his word.
Let us SHARE this Gospel with the world and not be afraid of rejection and laughs, for if others can speak boldly of partying hard, getting drunk or sleeping with strangers, why can't we speak boldly about the man who took our place on that cross??
Let us get involved in every outreach to those in need, to the broken hearted and let us never think it's too little...Remember what we can all do if we all give "one grain of sand".
Let us not turn our backs on those who suffer, but let us reach out our arms in love and let them know about our Savior and find comfort.
May the breath of the LORD's kindness through us, blow everything else away.

Let us live in such a way, that at the end of our life, that dash line is bold, underlined and with exclamation marks!!!!!
May people say...He/She really lived to serve and love others...He/She really took up his/her cross and followed Jesus...While we stand on Heaven's gates as they open up for us to enter and hear that loving, peaceful voice saying "Well done, my good and faithful servant"...AMEN!

Purified as Gold…

2007-06-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Why do bad things happen to good people?
I think this is a question that we all ask ourselves at some point in our life.
We live in a fallen world that unfortunately chooses to live as if there was no God.
Things will happen to the righteous and the wicked, the sun will shine over the good hearted and the evil ones, that's what the Word of God says...But all these things will end one day, when Jesus comes back in all his glory.
However, there are some things, some testing that God sends our way...

When I first asked Jesus into my heart and started this journey, I was ON FIRE all the time!!! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders and just felt constant joy and happiness all the time.
God allowed me to experience this for a few months until He said "it's time to put the mirror in front of you"...His word!
I remember that before I became a Christian, the wife of one Pastor in Peru "warned" us that although the joy was going to be beyond understanding, it wasn't going to be easy AT ALL!!!

My first months as a Christian I kept wondering WHY it wasn’t going to be easy?? Everything was peace, joy and laughter back then.
When my real journey began, I had a lot of ups and downs, disappointments, frustrations and even sadness.
I couldn't understand why all these things were happening to me if I loved the LORD and He loved me also. I even got upset with him many times thinking that he had forsaken me, although I knew he promised in his word that he'll never do that to those who love him and earnestly seek him.

For almost 3 years now I've been asking the LORD to "restore, transform and purify" me. Sometimes I thought he was going to perform a miracle, and one day as I woke up, all the bad things were going to be gone for good!! And of course God made me understand that he doesn't work that way, not because he can't, but because if he makes this a long process, it will bring us closer to him, will make us stronger and we will be even more able to glorify his name.

Then not so long ago he led me to this verse in the book of Job:
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold" (Job23:10, NIV)

Do you know how gold is purified??
Thru "Intense Heat".
The piece of gold is exposed to very high temperatures for a period of time. When it's been removed from the heat, the impurities come to the surface, being removed by the person doing the process. Then the gold has more value because it's purer than before.

The exact same thing happens when trials come our way...We are purified thru them.
So whenever we're facing difficulties, let's remember that God is using them all for our own good, to transform and purify us in such a way, that when he looks at us, our Savior's face can actually be reflected in our life.
I know it's easier to say than actually do it, but let's remember that after every storm, the sun ALWAYS shines, that's a FACT!

And when a problem seems to be too big and too hard to get over, remember that the ultimate battle has already been won, for Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

So from now on...
"when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
(James 3:2-4, NIV)

And last but not least..."don't tell God how big your problems are, tell your problems how big your God is"
God Bless :-)

A love worth waiting for...

2007-06-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a book called "What to do until love finds you", by Christian author Michelle McKinney Hammond.

That book caught my eye in the Church bookstore, not only because of the bright red cover, but because of the title. This is a book that I recommend for all Christian single girls...The reason why is because, yes, most of us want to find that kind of love that will last forever, that kind of love that will make us feel alive!

In the search for that love, we might make many mistakes and probably even trip over the same stone more than once.
I came to understand that JESUS is my first and biggest love, and what a blessing to know that He loves me back as much, or even more!!!

This book perfectly describes the way I felt after I started falling in love more and more with my LORD. When you get to know Jesus, the kind of man He was and still is, and how important and loved we are for him, we realize the kind of love that we deserve from a man, the kind of relationship that He wants us to have, in order to glorify his name.

I many times thought that I could go out with a guy who's not a christian and maybe start taking him to Church...But then I realized that's not what God wants for me. I couldn't be with someone who questions why I LOVE going to Church, reading my Bible, lifting up my hands to worship my LORD...He has to be someone who shares all these things with me, a spiritual leader.

I now know God has been protecting me from getting into the wrong relationships, and what a blessing to find that out!!
I just want to leave you my sisters with a poem from that book that I LOVED...About the kind of love we deserve, and that Jesus wants us to find...ENJOY!

I want a man
not just any man
I want God's man
hand-picked
kingdom appointed
for such a woman as this...
I'm looking for a love
not just any love
I want the God kind of love
filling a heart that beats
to the kingdom's rhythm
unadulterated
Holy Ghost saturated
the kinda love that
can't be rated...
poured out
runnin' over
like water in a glass
already full of good things
smooth as silk
yet tough as a rope
wrapping around my soul
keepin' it all together
forever
with room enough for me
to be
a woman
not just any woman
God's woman
whole and free
to love you
the way I want you to love me
with a love
not just any love
but the kind of love
rich as a sinful dessert
pure as tried gold
the kind of love that can hold
onto your hand
and God's at the very same time
delivered from all other ties that bind
and yes
I'm free enough to wait...
for a man
not just any man
but the man
who understands
and knows what love means
and lives what God says...
and wants what I want
a real love
a strong love
a tall love
agape love.
God's love!