Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. In the beginning, I thought why is it called Good Friday? Then I realized that today is such an important day that marks His love for us. He died on this day. We remember the sacrifice He made for us. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to cover up our sins. He fulfilled His promise to us. "He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) The list goes on an on and that is why it is good. I am thankful for all the promises He has kept and His love for me.

I found this incredible video about His crucifixion and a talented sand artist. I hope you enjoy your day and remember all that He did for us.

Have a Good Friday!

Recharging My Batteries

Some days (like last night) I get exhausted--physically. I feel like it's a sturggle to get through the work day and to be involved in my family activites afterwards. But in special moments, something happens just at the right time I need it. Case in point, the sun in all its glory shines so bright on this wintry day just at the exact time I need it and I feel recharged. I thank the Lord for being able to view these beautiful landscapes He has created and even though I'm exhaused, I know He'll give me the strength to finish the day.

Another thing that recharges my batteries is when I read my Bible. It is something I crave and it is alive to me. All the stories and messages are so real and vivid and I feel like I'm there.  For something that was written thousands of years ago and still pertain to today's messed-up society, only can be from God. I may not literally have an ox or a donkey in my backyard but the principles are still the same.

I remember when I first became a believer I would only get my information from church and do nothing the entire rest of the week and in all honestly drag myself to church because I felt it was the right thing to do. Fast forward to over a year later and now and I LOVE going to church. I love hearing the message and I love sharing it as well. It's amazing what God can do to people and even though this blog is just an outlet to express His love for us, my prayer is that at least one person can get something out of it and feel the love of God.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
    and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7


Here's a great video to complement the scripture:

Small Steps : How God is Changing Me

This morning was one of the most incredible ways I have noticed how God is changing me. Last night was the Super Bowl and boy did it last longer than I thought. By the time my family left and everyone got ready for bed, it was already past 11:00pm. I was so tired in fact that I forgot to set my alarm.

So imagine waking up to a voice saying, "It's 7:28!" Realizing you leave for school/work at 7:35am. The old me would have jumped out of bed, panicked, tore up the house looking for what to wear, searching for my cell phone, and trying to find what to have for lunch--all while figuring out how I'm supposed to shower, put makeup on, and let the dogs out all within 7 minutes. 

Well if you notice when I mentioned the "the old me," in the previous paragraph then you know where this is going. At church on Sunday, I left with a message of being patient, you are always being watched by other people, and of course about LOVE seems how it's February. The Pastor was sharing a story about his wife and how she dropped his beloved Ipad that he uses to deliver his sermons on the ground and cracked the screen. Under normal circumstances he would have yelled and yes he even mentioned wanted to cuss, but he did neither of those things. Instead he just took a deep breath and gracefully picked it up from the ground. 

How many time do we overreact when actually there's nothing that you can do about it?

 When I woke up this morning, I knew there was no way I could do everything I had to....so I took my time. Made a couple jokes, drop the kid off at school and came home and finished getting ready. Sure I was a few minutes late today but I'm not going to let that ruin my day. I'm not going to let it get my morning off to a bad start. And that my friends is how God is changing me. I'll leave you with a marvelous bit of scripture. One that I have personally memorized. 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Image copyright Rick Short

Letting Go

One of the hardest things I had to do as a Christian was letting go. Letting go of worries of money, situations out of my control, even relationships that are strained.  I'll admit that it was one the hardest things I did, yet I always wonder why did it take me so long to do it.

I didn't grow up with God in my life as a child. I only discovered Him a year ago. Since then, it has been such an amazing journey and now I actually see the world so differently. Death does not have the same impact it did on me when I was a kid. Yes it is still sad and I will miss that person, but if they are believers, then I look at it as they have graduated to the next step and when it's my turn, I'll see them again and celebrate. 

Money does not have the same meaning either. I don't have a lot of it. I live a modest life but I am very obedient about giving to the Church and any other causes that will benefit His kingdom. It's incredible to see what God can do in your life when you become obedient. I have been tested several times in this matter and each an every single time He has delivered. 

But the biggest thing is if any situation I face and am having a difficult time with, I just give it to Him. I lay it at His feet and let Him handle it. The moment I discovered that, was the moment my life became stress-free and not a worry in the world. I pray and I wait. It's incredible to watch what happens next. It's as if a 50 pound weight has been lifted and I can breathe. I don't know why anyone would want to live a life thinking they have to handle it all on their own. I was there and believe me....it's no fun. Now this may mean that you may have to give up some things, sacrifice a little, but God will a-l-w-a-y-s take care of your needs.

Here's the thing. God has a plan for my life and for yours. Worrying about something doesn't do anything but add stress. Here's one of my favorite passages about worrying: 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27

So you see worrying is a waste of time. I challenge you to give all your worries and concerns to God. Just let it all go. He wants you to live a happy and righteous life because His plan is so much better for you than your own.