Missions: Ethiopia Part 2: Healing Hands of Joy and Stormrider: Akeza

After 2 days in Addis we departed for Mekelle, which is less then an hour flight. It is a smaller city then Addis Ababa. I would compare it to Philadelphia being Addis and Pittsburgh being Mekelle. Mekelle was less crowded and had more of a slower pace then Addis. It is also a college town with the Mekelle Theological College and Mekelle Institute of Technology surrounding the area. 

Coffee Ceremony

After settling down at the hotel, we headed to the center. When we arrived at HHOJ the women gave us a wonderful warm greeting! They had beautiful smiles on their faces,cheering, waving incense and tossing popcorn and rose petals in the air.  All eleven ladies greeted us with kisses and we took pictures before entering in the center. The women performed a traditional coffee ceremony as we all sat in a huge circle introducing ourselves. The women were very open and inviting. All of them explained their situation, what lead them to HHOJ and what they were hoping to gain/accomplished through the program. We, in turn, told them what brought us to Ethiopia and why we wanted to come to the center. After the introductions, we had lunch with the ladies and received a tour of the grounds, kitchen, classroom and living quarters from Allison. 

Preparing lunch

One of the customs in Ethiopia is feet washing. This normally occurs when a visitor comes to your home and you wash their feet as a sign of hospitality. Well our team wanted to do that for the ladies and in addition treat them to manis and pedis. The women at first had reservations because they felt that it was wrong for us, the visitors, to wash their feet. But during their Bible study class they were ministered to about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples in John 13:1-17. They learned that Jesus wanted to show His followers what it meant to serve and give themselves to others. Jesus told Peter, who refused the washing of his feet, that he has no part of Him if he refuses. Being able to serve and being served is a blessing and our Father is pleased and glorified when we do that for each other. This made the women more comfortable and ready to receive their feet washing. It was a pleasure and joy to see that the women were enjoying the feet washing and spa treatment. One of the lady's daughter joined in and I was able to paint her nails for her. Each woman received her own nail spa kit with lotion, nail polish and file. What a blessing it was to leave the center that day knowing that the ladies felt special and loved.

Feet washing

Showing off her nails

The second day at the center was one of the best days for me because it was our one on one time with the ladies. I had the privilege of having my time with Azeka. She is 40, divorced twice and has 4 children. During her first pregnancy, Akeza had prolonged labor with her son and developed fistula because of it. She was able to receive surgery and has since been cured. 10 years after the surgery she remarried and had 3 more children. I questioned Akeza why would she remarry and have more children after the traumatic experience with her first marriage and pregnancy? Akeza explained to me earlier in our conversation that she divorced her first husband because he was cheating on her with other women in the village. She responded to me so plainly and with confidence, "Because I had the desire to have more children." Her response gripped my heart in the most intense way. Most of these women are married off at a very early age, as early as 8 years old, abused and outcast by their communities because they have fistula. You would think there would be bitterness, unforgiveness, wrath and fear that would overcome them.

Akeza

Akeza, as a woman, wanted to fulfill that desire of being a wife and a mother. Unfortunately, her second husband was abusive and the marriage dissolved but she preservered. She has a strength and a willingness to succeed in life. She told me her strength comes from God. She knows that fistula does not define her life and that being at the center has strengthen her faith. She has developed relationships with the other women; they have sown into each other lives and have been able to encourage one another through this experience.

Towards the end of our conversation I told Akeza that she reminded me of the young girl (Jarius' daughter) Jesus brought back to life in Mark 5:35-43. Everyone that was at Jarius' home thought that this was the end. Before Jesus and his disciples arrived a servant from Jarius' house told him not to bother Jesus because his daughter was dead. But Jesus knowing what was going to happen went to the house and told everyone there that the girl was sleeping. The mourners at the house laughed at Him. Jesus had everyone removed from the room besides the girl's parents and 3 of His disciples. Jesus proceeded to take the young girl's hand and said to her "Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise (verse 41)." The little girl got up and Jesus told them to get her something to eat. Jesus who is sovereign knows the beginning and the end of your life. Others might feel like they have the right to speak over your life because of the circumstances that you are in but God has the final say.

Akeza was in agreement and added that God is in control. She is so thankful that He has brought her out of the darkest places in her life and have lead her to a place of peace and trusting in him. Akeza blessed me tremendously with her beautiful spirit, laugh, openness and strength. She told me that she would be praying for me to get married and that I would have lots of children! What I found to be very interesting was that our interpreter and  I had similar stories. All three of us had a connection even though we come from different backgrounds, cultures and upbringings. I truly understood in that moment that allowing yourself to be open can really minister not only to others but to yourself.

I greatly enjoyed my time talking to Akeza and my team members also felt the same way about their one on one time. It was truly an honor and a privilege to get to know my friend Akeza. I will never forget her and our conversation. She has motivated me to continue to preservere no matter what obstacles come into my life. God is in control and has the final word.

From left to right: Senait (who is apart of the HHOJ staff), me, Akeza, one of the ladies in the program and our interpreter Flash

Next week will be the third and final post about my trip!

To learn more about the trip please visit the team's blog at  http://www.tscnyc.org/i61teams/category/africa/ethiopia-africa/  and to learn more about Healing Hands of Joy please visit http://www.healinghandsofjoy.com

Stay Calm Jesus Loves You: Part 2 - Envy and Boasting!

In continuing with my previous post, the scripture brings us to two more attributes of love:

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love does not envy; love does not parade itself (boast)

Envy: a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

The word in this definition that stands out to me the most is discontented. When we are discontent with what God has given us or entrusted to us, we begin to look at others that have what we want and deduce that the reason they have it is because clearly God loves them and not us. This is incredibly false! We need to stop comparing ourselves, talents, possessions, status etc to what others have. If we would simply accept the fact that God loves us, then we would look at the things that we have and glorify in the fact that it was given to us. We bring such pain and hurt into our lives with envy. Once envy comes in, it twists are vision to no longer see that the root problem is that we are discontent. Instead it masks itself as a lie against the nature of God, that says, He does not love me. He won't give me the desires of my heart. He won't answer my prayers. Once that root comes into our lives we become offended by our Lord. Envy kills the soul, it robs you of life. It makes you focus on everything that is wrong rather on what is right. It causes you to actually hate when good things happen to and for others. When it gets to that point you are void of any true love of God. God is good! If you don't like when good things happen, then you are in direct opposition to God and His work. If you are content with what you have been given you will know that God loves you. Instead of looking at what you have been given negatively look at the positives, there is no one God saw more fit to give what was given to you but you. You are unique in inheriting whatever it is that He gave you. Try to see what you have been given through Gods eyes and if you can't see it ask Him for the vision to see. Love is content, it does not want what others have. Love is full and complete, it wants for nothing. Psalms 23:1 says, "The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want". David can claim this because he has all he needs. He isn't looking for more, God has given him his needs and he wants for nothing. Now please don't misunderstand me, complacency and contentment are two different things. But to being content means to rest in the knowledge that you do indeed have all the tools you need. When God shows you how to use these tools you can enter into the season of your life.

Boast: talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.

Love does not parade itself. Love is humble, it makes no trumpet sounds or overexposes itself. One characteristic of humble people is a sense of self-worth that can't be defined by others nor does it depend on the applause of others. Self-assured people know who they are. They understand their limitations and that in which they excel. There is no longing to be approved or lifted up. Love is the same way, Love comes quietly. It is not flashy. Love has an identity. Many people who seek attention or parade themselves have no identity. They do not fully know who they are and therefore need the approval of others in order to feel complete. Real love does not need to parade itself, it is known by its characteristics. When you look at love, you know it, you feel it, there is a distinct witness that it is indeed love. Sometimes, it is in the most quiet of ways God shows that He loves you. There is no production or fanfare. When love is boastful it is less intimate and God desires an intimate relationship with all of us. When Jesus healed various people in the Bible, more often than not, He told them not to say anything or share what He did for them in a public manor. This is love. In Matthew 6:3 Jesus says "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth". Love is not about patting itself on the back, it is so selfless as to not even give credit to itself even after demonstrating one of its attributes. When we boast, we are saying that the approval of God is not enough. That we somehow need for man to lift us up. If you truly know that God loves you, then you understand that He approves of you. He doesn't need to put you on a pedestal, send a dove and proclaim that you are a good child. Love simply does what is necessary even without recognition. Think about Jesus. He did the most amazing, game changing, life altering work on this earth, the very personification of love and everyday you don't hear trumpets from heaven and Jesus giving a speech for all that He has done. No, true love will sit quietly and unrecognized until our eyes can accurately identify it.

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I beseech you, if you are feeling incomplete and envious, please search the scriptures for the truth of God's love. These two issues can lead us down paths that end in destruction.  Remember, scripture says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18) and "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." (Proverbs 14:30). Know that you are loved.

Special Gift

It is that special time of year again. This is the season to recognize the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We went to a wonderful concert at our church this week. 150 Male p choir accompanied by a big band singing praises to our Lord. It was an amazing night! Seeing men of all races, nationalities and ages freely and boldly worshiping the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the special gift that the Almighty God gave the world. Priceless, precious, wonderful, awesome and beautiful are just a few adjectives to describe the innocent spotless lamb that was born over 2,000 years ago. Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. I would like to encourage you to take 10 minutes to really think about Christmas and why we celebrate it. Let the Holy Spirit give you a revelation about the day Christ was born. Have a Merry Christmas and may the Lord bless you and your family this holiday season.

Welcome 30s: The Age of New Beginnings

This month I turned 30! I can't believe the years have gone by so fast! It seemed like just the other day I was 7. Well, maybe not, but the years have crept up on me. 12 years ago I graduated from high school, 8 years ago I graduated from college and now I am a working girl in the Big Apple. This is not where I thought I would be. I had my life planned out by the age of 13. It went like this:

1. I would attend FIT (like Lisa Turtle from Saved by the Bell) and major in Fashion Design. Instead I graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Apparel Design.
2. Then, I would meet my husband, who would major in finance, and start his own company. (Instead I dated a wannabe rapper for 7 years and it went no where)
3. By the age of 23 we would be married and living in a fabulous condo on the east coast with a second home in West Africa or Europe.
4. By the age of 30 I would be a stay at home mom with 5 or 6 children, 3 dogs, a mongoose and a farm out in the country. Oh and an Aston Martin, his and her black on black Range Rovers and a small yacht for vacations on the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

Well, needless to say, my life turned out differently. Maybe some of those plans would have happened, but God intervened. I believe if the plans I laid out happened, I would not be in Christ the way I am in Him now. The Lord saved me from a destructive path. There were times that I considered living with my then boyfriend, moving out to NYC or LA right after college but God closed every door. At the time, I didn't know God was preparing me to become the young lady that I am today. I know Jesus as my Lord, Savior, Best Friend and Brother.

He is showing me that He has bigger and better plans in store for me than I could ever imagine. Not material/earthy wealth or worldly success, but the things that are eternal and everlasting. Because all the worldly things shall pass away and things that I am growing spiritually are all for the glory of God. The beautiful thing is that I am seeing it. God is using me in my workplace, family, church and friendships to bring Him glory. He is pruning me to be the sister, friend, daughter, servant, intercessor, future wife and mother that He has created me to be.

I was talking to my sister about how significant the age of 30 is. Jesus started His full time Ministry at 30, Joseph became Governor over Egypt at 30 and David become King of Israel at the age of 30! On the Christian resources today website, it states that the meaning of 30 is "the marking of the right moment." So I know that God has a lot in store for me. Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT

To all my brothers and sisters turning 30 this year or who are already in their 30s and feel like they have not accomplished the goals or plans they set out to complete by the age of 30; believe me the best has yet to come. God has everything planned out! Trust Him and live in His Will and you will see miraculous things happen. Remember to be obedient and He will lead you into your calling.

No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin

My friend emailed me this article and I just had to share it with my fellow stormriders! It is a great article from crosswalk.com by Paul Coughlin. I hope it intrigues and edifies you as it did me. I have always prayed that Jesus would help me to be more direct, firm and kind when speaking to people than to be nice, wishy washy and timid. Christ definitely illustrates in the Bible how we should conduct ourselves when faced with confrontations and certain situations. In the end it is all with love and truth. Click on the title to read the article or click the link below, enjoy!

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/PCoughlin/11633154/

Get Alone With God

We recently went on a weekend retreat with our young adult ministry from church. We were able to get away from the busyness of the city and relax out in the country. It was a wonderful time to reflect and get alone with the Lord. Like we have discussed in previous posts, it is so important to build your relationship with God. One of the ways to do so is to be intimate with God.
The healthy relationships that we invest in with our family members, friends, co workers and spouses are earthly examples of how our relationship should be with the Lord. We need to get alone with Him to learn more about Him. We can experience His love, joy, pain, concerns, compassion and spirit by just taking the time to be in His presence. When you want to get to know someone better, you spend time with that person. You build a level of intimacy with the person. You learn that you can confide and trust that person. You also find out what the person thinks about you, if they love you or care about you.

God wants that same level of intimacy with us. He wants to hear about our concerns, deep thoughts and desires. On the flip side we need to also ask God about what concerns Him about us. Are we walking in His will, are we obeying Him and loving Him? Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days to get alone with God, before He started his ministry.

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness John 4:1. Jesus got alone with his Father to gain wisdom, strength and understanding of His plan. Jesus also got alone with the Lord when John the Baptist died and before he feed the 5 thousand (Matthew 14:10-14:21). There are other times throughout the gospels that Jesus went out to be alone with the Father. And every time he went out to pray something miraculous happened! So if our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ could find the time in the short 3 years of His ministry to pray and get alone with God; we need to follow His lead and do the same.
I pray that you get into the prayer closet and get alone with God. He is the reason why we are still here, so give Him your time and attention every moment you get.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8

The Real Face of Jesus? GMA article

Good Morning America did an segment on "The Face of Jesus" which is a program on the History Channel, which I believe is airing this week. Many Christians might think this is crossing the line or that it is not important or it is blasphemy. I personally do not believe that the shroud of Turin is real. It is not mentioned in the Bible therefore I do not consider it to be anything of importance. But we are posting the segment because it will have many people talking about Jesus. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:15-18 that

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

At first I took to offense at what these scientists were doing and I told my sister that they were wasting their time. But she said to me what if by doing their research they come to know God. And in that I can rejoice and pray that the millions that watch that program will be lead by God's spirit to Him. What the enemy might have planned to confuse people God will use it in His own will.
Since Easter is a few days away let us pray that many will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Not of This World

Lately the Lord has been placing many things upon my heart. He has exposed me to many of the enemy's plans and tactics to destroy the church (the body of Christ), to deceive the world into believing a false doctrine ( The New Age Theories) and pushing the Anti-Christ agenda. It is in all the popular movies (Avatar, Transformers, Sex and the City, Twilight), music ( Lady Ga Ga, Beyonce, Rhianna, Jay -Z), television (Lost, True Blood, Dexter) and books (Twilight, Harry Potter, The Secret).
The funny thing about it is that the Bible already warned us that these things will happen. Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us:

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

This passage speaks to the times we are living in. The economy is the way it is because people have such a love for money and wealth. You have movies, songs, TV shows, singers, actors, magazines, books and TV personalities that blaspheme God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (which is an unpardonable sin). Our society tells us to be lovers of things and ourselves, to be a go getter and go for yours. Instead of loving one another and doing the will of God.
The sad part is that many Christians are participating in this behavior. Believers who say they love Christ but yet they disobey His word. Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments." Okay, so many of you will say but I don't do any of those things Paul speaks about in 2 Timothy. Paul also stated in Romans 1:32

who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

The word approve means "to speak or think favorably of"and "agreeable or good". So by definition if you are listening to these artist, watching these shows or movies or reading these magazines or books you are in a agreement with them.
Brothers and sisters because we are dead in Christ we are not of this world. We are not to practice nor participate in the things of this world. In John 15: 19 Jesus said "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." The Lord brought me this word a while ago and I had to search my own heart. I still enjoyed reading some fashion magazines that dealt with vanity and sex. I own movies that are totally against the Word of God. I had to stop listening to worldly music as a whole and make a decision to be on the Lord's side. It is a difficult thing to do because the flesh lust after the flesh. But we have to die to all our desires and lay everything on the line to God. I have to repent and ask God to give me His heart and His desires for my life.
We are the light of the world! We can not blend in with the darkness. We are set apart from everyone else in this world. We are heirs of the Kingdom of God. I pray that this word encourages and motivates you at this time. Jesus is coming very soon and I pray when He comes he sees His people living out His word.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.

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We Are Back :)

Hello Stormriders,

We are so sorry that we have not posted as regularly as we should be. We were on a 2 week vacation in Korea (which we will post about real soon!) God did some amazing things in our lives while we were there and we will share some of them with you in the weeks to come.
Also, we will be posting more about current events and how what is going on in the world is effecting the Body of Christ. We pray that the Lord has been keeping you healthy, strong and well. And now that we are back and refreshed; it is time to kick some major enemy tail and ride this storm all the way home.

JESUS IS LORD! Keep riding the Storm.

The End Of the Year Prayer

We give all honor and praise to our Mighty God, who is called by many names(JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, I AM, ELOHIM, JEHOVAH-JIREH, JEHOVAH-ROPHE, JEHOVAH-NISSI, JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH, YESHUA, IMMANUEL, LORD, MASTER, ALMIGHTY.......). He is our rock, our shield, our strong tower, our rest, our healer, our provider, our protector and constant help. We lift up our hands to you and we say thank you for all your grace and mercy this year. You have kept us and never forsaken us in 2009. You were there holding our hand every step of the way. Jesus you are our brother and best friend. You took all our concerns and prayers to the Father and interceded on our behalf. You answered our prayers and you delivered us in our time of trouble.
There is no one like you. You are the Alpha and Omega, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The whole earth bows down before you. You are our light and source of power. We could not do it without you. Thank you, thank you Jesus! We have made it another year. Thank you for allowing us to grow. Thank you for purging all the negative stuff inside of us. Thank you for letting us know you more. Thank you for the many blessings, tests, trails and tribulations in our lives; because it only brought you and you alone glory through our testimonies.
What a mighty God we serve. A God that continues to love us pass our transgressions. Thank you Lord for all you have done for us. And we pray that in this New Year you will continue to do a mighty work in us. We pray that many souls and lives will be saved in your holy and precious name. To God be the Glory. In Jesus' name. AMEN.

Go and be blessed.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

A Stormrider's Testimony: My Favorite Four Letter ‘F’ Word Meets Love

Forword: The following testimony is from a Stormriders reader. We believe that you will be truly blessed by these words, we know we were!

My Favorite Four Letter ‘F’ Word Meets Love.

I used to be this person that bought into that whole idea that many people are taught today: be independent, capable, fierce. Something in me wants to go back and poke this person’s eyeballs out.

You see, about two years ago, I met Jesus Christ. And no I don’t mean that I learned about Him, but that after 23 years of knowing about Him, going to church, including 6 years of being angry at God, I met Him. He became a real everyday part of my life, and an year later, I got baptized. Then almost immediately, the company I worked for announced it was shutting down and I lost my job in ten days, my following job turned out to be a nightmare I had to quit. Soon I had to leave the city, live in a half constructed house, with no transportation, no tv, no internet, or even a computer. I was my very own contemporary Robinson Crusoe. But while the situation was not pleasant, I only saw them as challenges to conquer like I had before. How wrong were my thoughts. I was totally wrong to think of it that way and most importantly, it turned out to be a revealing blessing in disguise.

When I was a little girl, there was a moment when I was molested by an uncle. I should have said something, told someone, but instead, I actively chose to stay silent and resolve the problem on my own. I did not want to burden anyone else and most importantly and eerily, as scared as I was, my little mind didn’t think she needed the help.

When I got older, there were other incidents that indicated a severe isolation and unhealthy idea of self-sufficiency. During college, instead of accepting a ride to the hospital, I insisted on driving myself to the ER, despite the fact that I did not even know where the hospital was. I eventually found my way there by asking a stranger on the street for directions, as if nothing was wrong. My love life wasn’t so much a love life but a shambles of sanitized laughter and entertainment. I dated men who amused me, but secretly I was choosing the ones that could never fall in love with me. I had a bad habit of never letting him pay or resenting roses on Valentine’s day. I ran the second I felt his emotions were in the picture. Many of my closest friends were people who wanted someone to listen, but people I had known from the beginning did not know how to give back. But I actively and willingly made these choices. I did not want the burden of ties. I was happiest alone.

And it was a high. When you’re alone, you have true independence, the kind that goes beyond the financial into the emotional. It’s easy in this situation to feel that every event in your life is your own creation. After all, you have no one to credit but yourself. There is a certain confidence that grows with you and a fierce conviction in who you are and what you can do. If I wanted something, I felt like I could have it. If I wanted to be someone, I felt like I could be her. My motto was “the only thing standing in the way is yourself.” I needed no one, I was beholden to no one, and I owed no one anything. I was free. In a sick masochistic way, I reveled in it.

But the empowerment, strength, and freedom of independence, comes with a sick cost to oneself. If I had spoken out about molestation I could’ve curtailed unnecessary pain to myself, or if I had accepted a ride to the hospital, that moment could’ve been a fond memory of someone’s affection for me. If I had learned to be a little more dependent, it could’ve been an earlier walk with Christ. A lot of things could've been easier, had I sought a little less isolation and independence.

Even after I accepted Jesus into my life, my Savior and God, I continued to seek independence. Even our relationship I thought of as a give and take I ahd to work for and resolve in my own capacity, instead of letting it just be. After I lost my job, I would wake up every morning and spend hours at my desk, reading the Bible and taking notes. I would look up devotionals on the internet and pray another hr before going to sleep. I even feared taking other jobs in the case they would not please the Lord. When the pressure mounted and I felt doors on all sides were closing, I found myself literally choosing to skip meals rather than admit need or accept help. I was still having difficulty accepting the blessings in my life. But one day, during prayer, I heard God speak these words into my ear, “Let me love you, child.”

I understood then, something He had been trying to tell me, it’s not about deserving His love through hard work or earning it, but just accepting it. He is a wonderful and great creator, who created you just for that purpose, to be loved. Because His love is FREE! God had already been loving me abundantly even to the point where He had taken away all my instruments for self-sufficiency and was forcing me into an austerity to teach me the most freeing lesson of all, to let in the love Jesus was sending me. IT was me who was rejecting His love by rejecting the love in my life.

It’s a funny feeling, that first time that you let someone pay for your dinner. Or to have someone offer you a place to stay and you accept. Or crying your eyes out in someone's embrace. It was unfamiliar, bizarre, and all very nice. It’s actually warm and cozy; a complete relief, like I was finally home. His love had already placed the people and things I needed for my joy. Even the trivial things I found myself blessed in, I ended up eating so much I gained all the weight i'd lost and more, I went to all the parties I wanted to, I still had delightful outfits coming out of my closet. I should've been unable to do any of these things! But here I am, fat, happy, spoiled, and loved. All I had to do was open up my heart.

I'm not perfect at this yet. Sometimes I'm even tempted to go back to the way I was and enjoy the thrill of running my own show, campaigning for myself. And still in other moments, I still feel I don't deserve without earning. especially a Savior. But no ego-trip or insecurity is worth losing what I now know. You can work hard and be strong, and someone will always always applaud you. But now, I can be weak and still be strong, because I'm letting someone else catch me. Someone so good He'll even force you to let Him catch you. His name is Jesus.

True strength is the courage to open your heart. True empowerment is the love of others in you. True freedom is a true love, one that takes you as you are and loves you. Even the secular saying goes, a true love sets you free. God's love is truly a true and good love.

So just let go, let down your walls, lose control, and BE FREE.

"What a man desires is unfailing love." Proverbs 19:22a

Who Will Pray for Me?

I don’t know about you but often times I have a problem praying for myself. I used to think that praying for myself was somehow selfish. While I shied away from praying for myself, I often wondered well if I don’t pray for myself who will. I learned that it’s okay to pray for myself and that it is very important to trust God for your needs. It is also good to remember that you should pray for others. It shouldn’t just be all about you, it needs to be about the body of Christ, your unsaved family and friends and your leaders. Prayer is a time to talk to God about everything that is going on in your life and the life of those around you.

Now to answer the question, who will pray for me? Well that’s easy; Jesus will pray for you. Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” This is one of the most beautiful promises from Jesus. He is praying for us. I don’t know about you but I am surely happy that Jesus intercedes on my behalf. Who better to pray for you! Praise God that He is always mindful of us! He cares so much! When you are going about your Father’s business, he has your back. Praying for you and loving you till the end.

So don’t be afraid to pray for yourself; but always remember to pray for others and that Jesus is praying for His sheep. Also know that if we are praying for others surely others are praying for us. It is a beautiful prayer circle! Praise God for His goodness and love! Praise Him for praying for us! Praise Him through it all!

Good Friday!!! Worthy is the Lamb

Good Friday is the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. Jesus was put on the cross at noon and died at 3:00pm. Between those hours please pray and thank God for what was done on the cross. Thank Him for forgiveness, victory, health, everlasting life, paying the debt for sin and death, for love, peace, grace and mercy. Also for bringing the kingdom of heaven on earth, so that we may have a relationship with Him. Praise the Lord!
My church in Maryland always plays the Passion of Christ on Good Friday. My sister and I are also going to watch it today. It is a good visual reminder of what Jesus went through in order to save us from sin and death. Below is a video of clips from the movie. Worthy is the Lamb by Hillsong is the song in the video. Please share with love ones, friends and co-workers about what Good Friday means to you.


Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they[a] made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul,[b]and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

The Revelations of Matthew 14: 22-33: Keeping your eyes on Christ

This is the third message that the Holy Spirit has led me to discover in this passage. Leading up to this post, I learned this week that I am not skilled to understand God’s will or plan. My flesh will not allow me to go beyond what my brain can comprehend. The Lord revealed this to me through daily words from my pastor and friends. I know that I have written about this before but the Lord has to continue to remind me that I do not dictate what He is going to do in my life.
Towards the end of this message Peter is now walking on water and heading towards Jesus. In verse 30, as he is walking towards his Savior, he started to pay attention to the wind that was gushing around him. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink -”(KJV). Because of all the distractions and horrible conditions, Peter becomes afraid and started to sink. He cries out for the Lord to save him and Jesus immediately picks him back up. Jesus than says to Peter in verse 31 “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Peter started to drown into the sea because he lost focus. Instead of having that faith he had when he stepped out of the boat, he let his circumstances get the best of him. He should have kept his eyes on the Lord and not be concern about his surroundings. We Christians are guilty of doing the same thing. When God gives you a word, promise, blessing or direction; you must hold on to that no matter what. God told us He would never leave us nor forsake us. So if fear or doubt starts to cross your mind, than you are calling God a lair. And we know that God is not like man that He should lie.
Speaking to my friends about our current situations and receiving a word from them really encouraged me. One of my friends received a word from the Lord that her family will receive salvation. Even though things look grim and are getting worse, she is still holding on to the promise. She is not going to question God why it has not happened yet or when. She is going to keep her eyes on Christ and continue to trust in His plan.
When she was talking to me, the Holy Spirit reminded me about Noah. Noah obeyed the word of God and built an ark to house his family and a pair of every land animal to protect them from the flood. He built this ark for over 100 years by faith. It had never rained on the earth before, people around him were calling him crazy but Noah trusted in God’s plan. He stayed focused and completed his task. This is the type of faith, I am praying for. It's that spiritual faith that is passed human understanding. It is the faith that doesn’t care what is going on around you. If God is faithful and continue to give us mercy and grace than why can’t we praise him through our problems?
I pray that we all keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to trust Him through the storm.