How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing Lent? How can I rejoice fully in your Resurrection when I have avoided participating in your death?
Yes, Lord, I have to die—with you, through you, and in you—and thus become ready to recognize you when you appear to me in your Resurrection. There is so much in me that needs to die: false attachments, greed and anger, impatience and stinginess.... I see clearly now how little I have died with you, really gone your way and been faithful to it. O Lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.
Henri Nouwen
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Cyberfast
is going on a cyberfast. for real. if you need me, call/txt. i need to be mastered by nothing! i'll let you know when i'll be back!!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
25 random "Mayra facts"
Please join the club!
I would love to learn more about YOU!
1. If I'm out during the evening I look for the moon, stare at the stars and tell God that's he's beautiful.
2. I like to blog, a lot.
3. i secretly want Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears to get back together =)
4. Corporate Worship helps me feel closer to God.
5. I love listening to classical music.
6. I prefer Facebook and Twitter over Myspace.
7. "when i grow up" I would love to be involved with Christian Concerts (in some form or fashion). For now, I'll volunteer =)
8. I don't sleep very much.
9. I love warm weather
10. I love hanging out with my friends. I especially love it when we just sit around and praise God..too bad Abby no longer has her guitar =( .
11. I'm very empathetic
12. I collect crosses and Frank Capra movies
13. I love drinking hot tea. My favorite is peppermint with honey.
14. I long to travel the world alone, and stay in random hostels, but I'm not brave enough.
15. I'm awesome at Monopoly...I NEVER lose. I'm also pretty passionate about Taboo, and think Catchphrase is really unfair.
16. My favorite show EVER is Felicity. If I ever have a baby girl I wanna name her that.
17. The most useful advice I have ever gotten is to never stop preaching the love of God to myself... over and over, day in day out....
18. I truly believe that "We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace." I'm sorry if i have ever offended and left a bad trace. i also wanna take the time to apologize for other Christians who may have offended you and made you think that our "religion" is for hypocrites. I love you. I'm sorry that we have sinned against you. Please don't judge our beautiful Lord based on a few.
19. I learned the hard way that God's way is the best way. All other roads lead to pain and heartache.
20. I've also learned that time heals all wounds.
21. I miss the Piney Woods of East Texas. One day I wanna move to the country. Aww, thinking of Nacogdoches makes me wanna cry..haha. Axe Em Jacks!
22. Being a History major is really tough because historians claim they can disprove Christianity. Sometimes, they provide pretty convincing evidence, but when I feel myself falling into that trap I remind myself that "i am not skilled to understand" and I pray. I believe EXACTLY what the Bible says. I still believe Genesis 6-9 and don't care what you claim to prove with the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ohh, I could go on and on but I won't! haha.
23. My favorite smells include cinnamon, apple, vanilla, freshly cut grass, lemon, pine sol and clean laundry.
24. I have to have a blanket covering me while I sleep!
25. A lot of people have told me that if I had a reality show they would watch it!
I would love to learn more about YOU!
1. If I'm out during the evening I look for the moon, stare at the stars and tell God that's he's beautiful.
2. I like to blog, a lot.
3. i secretly want Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears to get back together =)
4. Corporate Worship helps me feel closer to God.
5. I love listening to classical music.
6. I prefer Facebook and Twitter over Myspace.
7. "when i grow up" I would love to be involved with Christian Concerts (in some form or fashion). For now, I'll volunteer =)
8. I don't sleep very much.
9. I love warm weather
10. I love hanging out with my friends. I especially love it when we just sit around and praise God..too bad Abby no longer has her guitar =( .
11. I'm very empathetic
12. I collect crosses and Frank Capra movies
13. I love drinking hot tea. My favorite is peppermint with honey.
14. I long to travel the world alone, and stay in random hostels, but I'm not brave enough.
15. I'm awesome at Monopoly...I NEVER lose. I'm also pretty passionate about Taboo, and think Catchphrase is really unfair.
16. My favorite show EVER is Felicity. If I ever have a baby girl I wanna name her that.
17. The most useful advice I have ever gotten is to never stop preaching the love of God to myself... over and over, day in day out....
18. I truly believe that "We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace." I'm sorry if i have ever offended and left a bad trace. i also wanna take the time to apologize for other Christians who may have offended you and made you think that our "religion" is for hypocrites. I love you. I'm sorry that we have sinned against you. Please don't judge our beautiful Lord based on a few.
19. I learned the hard way that God's way is the best way. All other roads lead to pain and heartache.
20. I've also learned that time heals all wounds.
21. I miss the Piney Woods of East Texas. One day I wanna move to the country. Aww, thinking of Nacogdoches makes me wanna cry..haha. Axe Em Jacks!
22. Being a History major is really tough because historians claim they can disprove Christianity. Sometimes, they provide pretty convincing evidence, but when I feel myself falling into that trap I remind myself that "i am not skilled to understand" and I pray. I believe EXACTLY what the Bible says. I still believe Genesis 6-9 and don't care what you claim to prove with the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ohh, I could go on and on but I won't! haha.
23. My favorite smells include cinnamon, apple, vanilla, freshly cut grass, lemon, pine sol and clean laundry.
24. I have to have a blanket covering me while I sleep!
25. A lot of people have told me that if I had a reality show they would watch it!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Fine in '09!!!
Well, at the beginning of the year I resolved to stop procrastinating, memorize the book of James, and learn to love jogging..... SO far I have put off a million things, I've only memorized the first 3 verses (i'm supposed to memorize 2 a week) and I HATE jogging! I love how idealistic I am New Year's Eve, and then January 2 rolls around all my plans fly out the window. I think part of the problem is my personality. I hate being made to do things. When I make rules for myself saying you have to do blah, blah, and blah I end up giving up because usually I don't see any eternal value in my "rules."
School starts Monday, and I'm super excited. It's my second to last semester.... I can see the finish line...haha. I'm not sure WHAT i'm gonna do when I graduate. I have faith that God will put me exactly where he wants me to be .
It's only the 10th of January, and I have already been given so many blessings! Lets start with the one that's most evident on my facebook page:
In November I went to itickets.com to look up when Tenth Avenue North would be coming to Houston when I saw that David Crowder was coming in January. I was soo excited because c'mon DCB..'nuff said. Anyways, On Monday, I decided to call the church to see if the concert was free or if you had to pay money at the door because there wasn't any ticketing information on itickets.com. When I called the receptionist and asked about the concert she informed me that the concert sold out when it first when on sale to the church members. I was soo crushed. Seriously, I felt my heart drop! I couldn't believe that DCB would be in Houston, and I wouldnt be able to go. I'm used to going to whatever concerts I want, whenever I want. So, I really thought that would be the end of the story. However, on Tuesday, I had a dream that I was at the concert and it really bummed me out. I tried to push it outta my head, but I couldn't. On Wednesday I decided to call the church and see if I could volunteer to be an usher or work at the merchandise table or volunteer for anything. I just wanted to help and be there! Unfortunatley, all those positions had also been filled. So, i thought "mayra, you've done all that you can do. let it go." but you know me. I couldn't! So i went to the church website and I e-mailed the youth pastor. I asked her if she knew if there was any possible way i could buy a ticket to the concert and Lo and Behold SHE KNEW SOMEONE WHO WAS TRYING TO GET RID OF A TICKET. You can just imagine how happy I was. I called Melissa and asked her if I could please buy her ticket, but she refused to sell it. She wanted to GIVE it to me. Not only that, but she wanted to give me 3 FREE tickets. That woman was a total blessing. How many people can get 3 tickets to a private sold out show? The concert was amazing. I lost my voice. You can check out the footage on my youtube page. I was also able to meet David for the second time in the past year. He didn't remember me, but that's to be expected. I bet he meets thousands of people a year.
That whole experience helped me learn 2 important lessons. 1. Humbling yourself and begging. E-mailing the youth pastor was really a hard decision, but it was worth it. It was hard because I don't really like asking people for help/things. Maybe it's a pride issue? 2. The Lord delights in me when I delight in him. Does that make sense? I mean honestly, he meets my every need! MY EVERY NEED. I just had a revelation. I think I'm gonna start a blog about all the positive things that happen to me so I can remember when I'm having a bad day. I mean I already have a private blog about my "lamentations" I might as well do the opposite.
This blog is a lot longer than I originally intended, but I'm gonna go ahead and quickly list the other ways that the Lord has blessed me this year.
* The Lord helped me meet my financial aid needs for college
* My dad gave me a new car
* I got a job, possibly substitute teaching.
* Connected with people that I havent seen in awhile!
* and the biggest thing is I think I found a home @ a new church!!!
So far, It's been smooth sailing =)
I pray that it stays that way.
I truly feel that the Lord has great things in store for me in '09.
Psalm 103
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
The LORD performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows [c]our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
School starts Monday, and I'm super excited. It's my second to last semester.... I can see the finish line...haha. I'm not sure WHAT i'm gonna do when I graduate. I have faith that God will put me exactly where he wants me to be .
It's only the 10th of January, and I have already been given so many blessings! Lets start with the one that's most evident on my facebook page:
In November I went to itickets.com to look up when Tenth Avenue North would be coming to Houston when I saw that David Crowder was coming in January. I was soo excited because c'mon DCB..'nuff said. Anyways, On Monday, I decided to call the church to see if the concert was free or if you had to pay money at the door because there wasn't any ticketing information on itickets.com. When I called the receptionist and asked about the concert she informed me that the concert sold out when it first when on sale to the church members. I was soo crushed. Seriously, I felt my heart drop! I couldn't believe that DCB would be in Houston, and I wouldnt be able to go. I'm used to going to whatever concerts I want, whenever I want. So, I really thought that would be the end of the story. However, on Tuesday, I had a dream that I was at the concert and it really bummed me out. I tried to push it outta my head, but I couldn't. On Wednesday I decided to call the church and see if I could volunteer to be an usher or work at the merchandise table or volunteer for anything. I just wanted to help and be there! Unfortunatley, all those positions had also been filled. So, i thought "mayra, you've done all that you can do. let it go." but you know me. I couldn't! So i went to the church website and I e-mailed the youth pastor. I asked her if she knew if there was any possible way i could buy a ticket to the concert and Lo and Behold SHE KNEW SOMEONE WHO WAS TRYING TO GET RID OF A TICKET. You can just imagine how happy I was. I called Melissa and asked her if I could please buy her ticket, but she refused to sell it. She wanted to GIVE it to me. Not only that, but she wanted to give me 3 FREE tickets. That woman was a total blessing. How many people can get 3 tickets to a private sold out show? The concert was amazing. I lost my voice. You can check out the footage on my youtube page. I was also able to meet David for the second time in the past year. He didn't remember me, but that's to be expected. I bet he meets thousands of people a year.
That whole experience helped me learn 2 important lessons. 1. Humbling yourself and begging. E-mailing the youth pastor was really a hard decision, but it was worth it. It was hard because I don't really like asking people for help/things. Maybe it's a pride issue? 2. The Lord delights in me when I delight in him. Does that make sense? I mean honestly, he meets my every need! MY EVERY NEED. I just had a revelation. I think I'm gonna start a blog about all the positive things that happen to me so I can remember when I'm having a bad day. I mean I already have a private blog about my "lamentations" I might as well do the opposite.
This blog is a lot longer than I originally intended, but I'm gonna go ahead and quickly list the other ways that the Lord has blessed me this year.
* The Lord helped me meet my financial aid needs for college
* My dad gave me a new car
* I got a job, possibly substitute teaching.
* Connected with people that I havent seen in awhile!
* and the biggest thing is I think I found a home @ a new church!!!
So far, It's been smooth sailing =)
I pray that it stays that way.
I truly feel that the Lord has great things in store for me in '09.
Psalm 103
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
The LORD performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows [c]our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Male Wishlist
The following qualities if not met are dealbreakers:
- Christian
- Musically Inclined
- Good in Math
- Must be between 5'7-6'1.
- Manly Voice
- Introvert
- Deals with anger in a passive agressive way.
- Can challenge me/Teach me things
- Opens Doors for me
- Patient
- Can properly use commas, semicolons, and colons.
The following qualities are preferred BUT negotiable.
- Strong jaw line
- Cleft chin or Dimples or Both
- Accent of some sort
- Facial Hair
- Light colored eyes
- Appreciates Coldplay, Aaron Shust, John Mayer, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Jack Johnson (You have to like at least one!)
- Enjoys Board Games or Uno
I have the right to add or ammend at my discretion with or without notice =)
Good day!
P.S. I'm halfway kidding!!! lol =)
Friday, December 12, 2008
You've Captured My Heart
Thank you for proving to me that You are everything that you say you are. Oh my Lord, you heard me begging You for mercy. Thank you so much for not letting this semester go to waste! I love you so much.
This semester was tough.
A million things weighed me down.
I was a mistress
I chased after lovers that didn't satisfy
But You helped me find Micah 7:8: Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.
It became my battle cry.
Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize
Thank you for helping me cut through deceptions with the Sword of the Spirit.
I will never stop preaching Your love to myself.
Over and over, day in and day out.....
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will hide your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
You showed me how much you loved me after I begged you for a sign.
You saw me on my knees begging and crying for you to turn to me, begging you to shine your light on me.
Thank you for giving me the affirmation I was searching for.
Thank you for showing me that You love me in such a tangible way.
You are so beautiful.... I am at a loss for words...
I ALWAYS wanna feel like this. I wish I could bottle up everything that I'm feeling and take a swig of it when I'm weary.
One day I will feel like this for all eternity.
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!
This semester was tough.
A million things weighed me down.
I was a mistress
I chased after lovers that didn't satisfy
But You helped me find Micah 7:8: Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.
It became my battle cry.
Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize
Thank you for helping me cut through deceptions with the Sword of the Spirit.
I will never stop preaching Your love to myself.
Over and over, day in and day out.....
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will hide your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
You showed me how much you loved me after I begged you for a sign.
You saw me on my knees begging and crying for you to turn to me, begging you to shine your light on me.
Thank you for giving me the affirmation I was searching for.
Thank you for showing me that You love me in such a tangible way.
You are so beautiful.... I am at a loss for words...
I ALWAYS wanna feel like this. I wish I could bottle up everything that I'm feeling and take a swig of it when I'm weary.
One day I will feel like this for all eternity.
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hold My Heart
How long must I pray to You?
How long must I wait for You?
How long until I see Your face shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will you turn to me?
One tear in the dropping rain,
One voice in the sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One light, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't sleep but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
Father could You hold my heart?
How long must I wait for You?
How long until I see Your face shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will you turn to me?
One tear in the dropping rain,
One voice in the sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breaking heart?
One light, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart
I've been so afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't sleep but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
Father could You hold my heart?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Psalm 73
I will keep this hidden in my heart so I can remember it when the World tries to pull me in with its affections.
1Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pains in their death,
And their body is fat.
5They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
7Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot.
8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
9They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.
10Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11They say, "How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?"
12Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.
15If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.
21When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.
1Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no pains in their death,
And their body is fat.
5They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6Therefore pride is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
7Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot.
8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
9They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.
10Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11They say, "How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?"
12Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.
15If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.
21When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Revelation
I'm reading an amazing book called Crazy Love. It's very convicting. I only had a chance to read the first chapter, but I already think it's amazing. I mean really...What do I know about our Lord's Holiness? I know I'm supposed to love Him and set him apart, but why don't I act like it? WHY must I consistently remind myself to have a quiet time or to set aside time to worship him? Why is it not something that I look forward to like watching the latest episode of my favorite tv show? The Lord is better than that! I mean just read Revelation 4:8! The Seraphim angels have to shield their eyes, and their feet from the glory of the Lord! That is the SAME God that I claim to love so why don't I show him the same reverance? I am so ashamed of myself! I wonder if I even act like a Christian. Would people know that I'm a Christian without me telling them?? I need to get my priorities straight. I need Christ to be the center of my life. I'm through with being disrespectful towards my King. From now on I will try my hardest to be a living sacrifice. I only hope that my life reflects that.
I read some scripture in Revelation in a new and awesome way, but I didn't completely understand it. I looked up several translations to see if that would help but I'm still not completely sure I understand. I put in bold and italicized the verses that I haven't quite grasped.
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 11 "Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created." (Rev. 4:8-11)
Does this mean that whenever I give glory, honor and thanks to the Lord there are 24 elders who cast their crowns and also praise the Lord? It seems to me that if this is the case then they will ALWAYS be doing that because I would like to think that at any given moment their is always someone giving praise to the Lord.
Hopefully, I'll be able to share the other things that this book is teaching me. I'll leave you with the lyrics of 2 songs that I heard during my worship time that convicted me as well. I confess my sins of making the Lord to0 small and thinking that i had him all figured out! I was so wrong.
I read some scripture in Revelation in a new and awesome way, but I didn't completely understand it. I looked up several translations to see if that would help but I'm still not completely sure I understand. I put in bold and italicized the verses that I haven't quite grasped.
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, 11 "Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou didst create all things, and by thy will they existed and were created." (Rev. 4:8-11)
Does this mean that whenever I give glory, honor and thanks to the Lord there are 24 elders who cast their crowns and also praise the Lord? It seems to me that if this is the case then they will ALWAYS be doing that because I would like to think that at any given moment their is always someone giving praise to the Lord.
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"
Is this referring to the future? Did he see the day when we will all surround the throne of God and praise him?
Hopefully, I'll be able to share the other things that this book is teaching me. I'll leave you with the lyrics of 2 songs that I heard during my worship time that convicted me as well. I confess my sins of making the Lord to0 small and thinking that i had him all figured out! I was so wrong.
Beg- Shane and Shane
Here I am
One more day of not
Loving Him the way He asks
In fact my heart is singing praises to the things
that make me feel alright
So I’m sinking fast like a stone heart should
And on the way down
I’ve done what I could
To try and try to turn this stone to flesh
I’m haunted by my God
Who has the right to ask me
What by the nature of my rebellion
I cannot give.
So I beg for you to move
I beg for you to move
I beg for you to break through
So here I am
Got my deeds for the day
All my cute little words about
How I am saved
Am I saved?
Could I love you with my mouth like a church kid should
At the end of the day
My words get burned as wood
Oh, but I was good.
I’m haunted by my God
Who has the right to ask me
What by the nature of my rebellion
I cannot give.
These songs are noise
In your ears
A clanging drum
You want my loveWhat do I know of Holy? Addison Road
I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Paranoid?
By nature I've always been a scaredey (sp) cat. I actually think it's helped me more than hurt me haha....but anyways that's not really the point of this post.
On Thanksgiving Day, I drove to Angleton to visit my grandparents and my aunts, and because I’m currently taking an upper level Texas History course I thought it would be cool to visit the grave of Stephen F. Austin (the Father of Texas). I finally convinced some people to go with me at around 6pm which I now regret! While we were at the cemetery we took some pictures and I kid you not when I say there were some weird images in the photos when we looked at them later that evening. You can see the face of a man in a window AND there is person right next to my Aunt Rosa which was NOT there when I took the photo! Even typing this out is really creeping me out =/
That same night my 9 year old cousin Gigi confided in me and told me that she sees a ghost named Jew and he makes her do things that she doesn’t want to do. It really scared me and I asked her if I could pray for her cuz I really felt like I needed to and then I asked her if she knew about Jesus. She said that she did and when she talked to Jew about Jesus the ghost would leave her alone. The only useful advice that I could think of telling her was to rebuke him in the name of Jesus and she told me that she would. I talked to her Mom about the conversation I had with Gigi and she said that she’s unsure if this is really happening or if she’s making it up but doors open and close on their own in her house and other weird paranormal type stuff.
Ever since Thanksgiving I’ve been really scared to go to bed. I guess it would be safe to say that I’ve been afraid of the dark! However, when I do get scared I pray and I do rebuke the fear. I also remembered that scripture can be used as a sword so I’ve been trying to memorize:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
So really the point of this blog is do you think I’m just being a scardey cat and none of this is real or can this be from the evil one?
I’m not sure what I can do for Gigi except pray….
On Thanksgiving Day, I drove to Angleton to visit my grandparents and my aunts, and because I’m currently taking an upper level Texas History course I thought it would be cool to visit the grave of Stephen F. Austin (the Father of Texas). I finally convinced some people to go with me at around 6pm which I now regret! While we were at the cemetery we took some pictures and I kid you not when I say there were some weird images in the photos when we looked at them later that evening. You can see the face of a man in a window AND there is person right next to my Aunt Rosa which was NOT there when I took the photo! Even typing this out is really creeping me out =/
That same night my 9 year old cousin Gigi confided in me and told me that she sees a ghost named Jew and he makes her do things that she doesn’t want to do. It really scared me and I asked her if I could pray for her cuz I really felt like I needed to and then I asked her if she knew about Jesus. She said that she did and when she talked to Jew about Jesus the ghost would leave her alone. The only useful advice that I could think of telling her was to rebuke him in the name of Jesus and she told me that she would. I talked to her Mom about the conversation I had with Gigi and she said that she’s unsure if this is really happening or if she’s making it up but doors open and close on their own in her house and other weird paranormal type stuff.
Ever since Thanksgiving I’ve been really scared to go to bed. I guess it would be safe to say that I’ve been afraid of the dark! However, when I do get scared I pray and I do rebuke the fear. I also remembered that scripture can be used as a sword so I’ve been trying to memorize:
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
So really the point of this blog is do you think I’m just being a scardey cat and none of this is real or can this be from the evil one?
I’m not sure what I can do for Gigi except pray….
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