Extravaganza

How long has this been going on...

2009-10-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

Living Flame of Love

2009-10-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

O Living Flame of Love...
How Gently and how lovingly
Thou wakes in my bosom,
Where alone thou secretly dwellest;
And in Thy sweet breathing
Full of grace and glory,
How tenderly Thou fillest me with Thy love

St. John of the Cross

A Better Resurrection

2009-04-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

by Christina Rosetti

(1830-1894)

HAVE no wit, no words, no tears;
My heart within me like a stone
Is numb'd too much for hopes or fears;
Look right, look left, I dwell alone;
I lift mine eyes, but dimm'd with grief
No everlasting hills I see;
My life is in the falling leaf:
O Jesus, quicken me.

My life is like a faded leaf,
My harvest dwindled to a husk:
Truly my life is void and brief
And tedious in the barren dusk;
My life is like a frozen thing,
No bud nor greenness can I see:
Yet rise it shall--the sap of Spring;
O Jesus, rise in me.

My life is like a broken bowl,
A broken bowl that cannot hold
One drop of water for my soul
Or cordial in the searching cold;
Cast in the fire the perish'd thing;
Melt and remould it, till it be
A royal cup for Him, my King:
O Jesus, drink of me.

Sweet desire...

2009-02-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

Kiss me and kiss me again,
for your love is sweeter than wine.
How fragrant your cologne;
your name is like its spreading fragrance.
No wonder all the young women love you!
Take me with you; come, let’s run!
The king has brought me into his bedroom.

Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Song of the year- "Ella baila sola"

2008-12-14T23:56:00.000-08:00

The very thought of you...

2008-10-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

The very thought of you
And I forget to do
The little ordinary things
That everyone ought to do

I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as a king
And foolish, though it may seem to me
That's everything

The mere idea of you
The longing here for you
You'll never know
How slow the moments go
Til I'm near to you

I see your face in every flower
You're eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my Love

The mere idea of you
The longing here for you
You'll never know
How slow the moments go
Til I'm near to you

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my Love.

El Triste

2008-10-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Amazing song and interpretation. Kalimba is indeed one of the best singers we have in Mexico.

Obsessions

2008-09-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

Aleks Syntek is my latest obsession. He is a 360 degree musician and composer and an amazing human being.

To learn more about him, his music and watch some of his videos, go to youtube.com/user/AleksRealSyntek.

The video bellow is one of his latest hits.

"Hasta el fin del mundo:"

Guitar chords to "Hasta el fin del mundo:"

Enjoy!

SD

Uptades...

2008-08-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Though I haven't written much neither on paper nor on this site, much has been written in my heart. Over these few months, I've realized that there were many things that needed attention: Incomplete healing, wounds of yore and hidden desires. The Lord put His finger on them.

It's been a few months and the process still continues, and His love for me is more real than ever before.

God is enthralled by my beauty! I never really thought He would... He's liberating me from myself and tearing some unnecessary walls I had built around me.

He loves me.

Among other things:

-I'm reading Captivating by John and Stasi Elderige
- I'm a pre-k teacher

SD

Cuando estás conmigo

2008-05-01T22:42:00.001-07:00

I like everything about this song! Like the lyrics, musical arrangements, and last but not least, the artists themselves.
Do I listen to secular music? Not always, but sometimes...

Cuando estás conmigo se llena mi corazón
tiene sentido la vida y el mundo es una ilusión.
Cuando estás conmigo la noche tiene color
y un beso es suficiente para entender el amor.

Y al abrazarte y sentir que me amas salen las estrellas
aún si es de día y todos esos días llenos de vacio se volvieron polvo
porque estás conmigo...conmigo.

Cuando estás conmigo es bello mi alrededor
y una sonrisa tuya derrite mi corazón.
Cuando estás conmigo el tiempo pierde el valor
y una caricia tuya me hace volar hasta el sol.

Y al abrazarte y sentir que me amas salen las estrellas
aún si es de día y todos esos días llenos de vacio se volvieron polvo
porque estás conmigo.

Tiene sentido la vida (porque estás conmigo)
y el mundo es una ilusión (porque estás conmigo)
cuando estás conmigo (conmigo)
es bello mi alrededor.

Y al abrazarte y sentir que me amas salen las estrellas
aún si es de día y todos esos días llenos de vacio se volvieron polvo
porque estás conmigo...

Tiene sentido la vida (porque estás conmigo)
y el mundo es una ilusión (porque estas conmigo)
cuando estás conmigo (conmigo)
es bello mi alrededor.

Jesus alone

2008-03-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

Regardless of how much we can rely on our friends, family and beloved, there's nothing greater than relying on the One and Only: Jesus. We as humans tend to be easily seduced by the dimness of temporal beauty and worldly security, that which we perceive as a "sure thing." The tangible. But when it comes to our Christian walk, we must not walk by sight, but by faith.

One of my biggest challenges has been learning to believe in God's promises for my life. I often tend to drift away by holding on to the one thing that I once thought was a "sure thing." When I don't see certain things coming to pass, I regress and regret not having what I once held as secure.

In Luke 9:35, after Jesus transfigured himself before the awe-filled eyes of Peter, James and John, they see Jesus alone. Jesus alone because the precious light of His glory shone ever brighter than that of Moses and Elijah. Jesus stood alone. As He revealed Himself to His disciples, the words of Peter in the previous verses resonate... He is Jesus, the Christ of God!

It is this same revelation that I pray to receive from the Lord when all the "sure things" I used to hold as precious sting my soul with doubt and fear. I pray to be reminded that Jesus stood alone. Though the miracles performed by Moses and Elijah were a "sure thing" of yore, Jesus' glory was greater.

Jesus' transfiguration reminds me that He is my only rock, my salvation, my shelter. Jesus alone.

No matter how much I may come to rely on my beloved, my friends, my family... Jesus will always stand alone because His love will never fail me, so I strive, as Paul encourages the Ephesians, "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. "(Eph. 3: 18-19, NIV)

May the daily revelation of the Christ of God to us be a constant reminder of His absolute and complete love for us because He is Jesus, the One, the Only Christ of God!

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Ps. 62:1-2, 5-7

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Charco de Rosas

2008-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

Ojalá regreses; vuela a mi lado... eso seria un milagro. - SD

Ojalá aparecieras en un charco de rosas
Ojalá te traiga a mi cama en mi sueño de cada noche solitaria
Ojalá y mi canción vuelva a hacer que mi alma vuele
Ojalá que en el mar aparezcas vestida de azul un dia que yo te busque con prisa
Y dejar que me lleve el viento hasta tus brazos...
Quiero perderme en un charco de rosas, solo de rosas
donde no este nadie, excepto tu y yo
para poder desdibujar con mi ardor cada instante de tu cuerpo
quiero un charco de rosas para invitarte al amor desenfrenado de la libertad
y disfrutar cada minuto mojado en mi charco de rosas
Me quedaré esperándote junto a mi canción esta noche,
haré un espacio en mi cama para cuando llegues tarde
y estaré despierto antes que tu en la mañana para proponerte el sabor del café en mi charco de rosas
Ojalá y te me borarras de mi mente
Ojalá que la lluvia me lleve hasta ti
O que pase un milagro o pase algo que te traiga hasta mi.

Autor: Raúl Bañuelos.

Just because...

2008-02-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

Prayer and fasting

2008-01-21T23:41:00.000-08:00

These last few weeks and the next to come, my home church, City Bible Church is having a 40-day fast.

I'm taking this time to gather my thoughts, dreams and desires and bring them before the Lord as an offering. I will not offer to the Lord something that costs me nothing.

Awaken me Lord!

SD...etc

2007 Recap

2007-12-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

January
GU 2007- God is not dead.
Powerful presence of God. Lives changed. My life transformed. Moving forward and up.

February
Love month. Coming to the realization that God’s love is deeper and better. Found true Love. Joy. Fulfillment.

March
Got more involved in Gen Church and the GC worship. Spanish service worship growth. New songs. Life Development Tracks: Stress.
Delirious? Live at CBC.

April
Preparation. My birthday. Abandonment. Growth. New home.

May
More preparation. CBC conference.
Special guest Marco Barrientos. Got to work with him for the 2 days!
Exhilaration. Excitement beyond my comprehension. Shower of blessing & God thoughts.

June
Summer. More preparation. Confessions. Restoration.

July
Summer. Joy. Wonder. Patience. Bere in Africa.

August
Summer. More preparation. Answers to questions. Freedom.
Rojo in CBC. Excitement.

September
End of summer. In awe! Everything suddenly becomes more beautiful than ever. Somebody please wake me up this must be the best dream I’ve ever had!

October
School. Work. Life Development Tracks. Stress. Frustration. Attitude change. My Jesus, Holy Spirit and Father- THANK YOU for loving me when I don’t deserve it.
Israel Houghton. Starfield.

November
Changes. Transitions. Most amazing weekend of my life to this day. Hope. Joy. Love. When?
First 2007 visit to Mexico. Wedding.

December

Going to Mexico again…

2007-11-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

I like the way you look at me
and the way you say my name
I like the way you make me laugh
and how you make me smile.

And the things that I have yet to know
and oh the things that are left to unfold.
So say my name and hold me close.
Look into my eyes and say that all will be alright.

Goodness...

2007-11-04T22:08:00.000-08:00

Two weeks of a wonderful and happy roller coaster ride with the Holy Spirit: He is my guide, my personal assistant. He is good, so good! God, thank you for every good gift!

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Cr. 29:14

2007-10-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for visiting. I will be posting soon. For now and in case you haven't noticed, I'm taking a break. The Lord is adjusting some things in my life, so while I allow His Spirit to work in me, I won't be writing.

Again, thank you for visiting!

SD

Somber

2007-09-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

I'm starting school today. I don't have any room for distractions. I'm letting go of those things which make my journey harder. I'm pressing forward. I'm finishing this race.

I’m holding the carcass
Of a dead dream.
It’s rotten smell drowns
My soul.

I’m digging a deep hole
And I’m letting go.

The smell of death
Dries my hands,
Darkens my vision;
This must go.

I’m holding the carcass
Of a dead dream,
A broken heart,
Teary eyes.

But in this hole I’ve
Dug
I’m letting go…

SD...etc

Sweet embrace

2007-08-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

Embrace me,
hold me close.
Look into my eyes
and see what's inside.

Your sweet embrace
enamors my soul;
you draw near
and I come close.

Your heart beat
and mine
become one;
one mind, one soul.

It's your sweet embrace;
so hold me close.

Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

2007-07-31T23:32:00.000-07:00

I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in my life here on earth, whether I live or die.
Phil. 1:20 (NCV)

2007-07-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

2007-07-21T23:22:00.000-07:00

Relient K

when i made up my mind and
my heart along with that
to live not for myself but yet for God
somebody said "do you know what you are getting yourself into?"

when i finally ironed out all of my priorities and
asked God to remove the doubt that makes
me unsure of these things i ask myself i ask myself
"do you know what you are getting yourself into?"

i'm getting into you because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life

when he looked at me and said
"i kind of view you as a son" and
for a second our eyes met and i met that with a question
"do you know what you are getting yourself into?"

i'm getting into you because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life

i've been a liar and i'll never amount
to the kind of person you deserve to worship you
you say you will not dwell on what i did but rather what i do you say
"i love you and that's what you are getting yourself into"

i'm getting into you
because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you
because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life

i'm getting into you
because you got to me
in a way words can't describe
i'm getting into you
because i've got to be
you're essential to survive
i'm going to love you with my life

you said "i love you and that's what you're getting into"

Tears, hugs and goodbyes

2007-07-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Today I said goodbye to one of my closest friends. Joanna is moving to Mississippi this weekend leaving behind an array of tears, memories and goodbyes. She was a mentor to me through my Jr. High and High School years- her influence expanded in every direction- through her words of encouragement, confessions of faith and unconditional love, she saw in me, and in her small group (Beni, Ashish, Davina, Paulina, Indu, Liz, Bere and many more) leaders, pastors, preachers, prophets and visionaries; some of us are already what she had pronounced years ago, others are en route…

As I look back at those years, I see Joanna as an appointed angel, as a woman who sacrificed leisure time with others just to spend time with us. The countless hours she invested in us will not be taken for granted.

The journey continues as our teary eyes and broken goodbyes are uttered…With a thankful heart I praise God for having Joanna in my life and although I know I’ll see her again, I can’t ignore the poignant sensation I feel as knowing she will be across the country. Yet, my heart is at peace because her departure, will not only bless her husband Greg; but her presence alone, will bless those who are to divinely meet her soon.

My only consolation is that she’s promised to come to my wedding!

O, Lord, may that be soon!!! :D

In hot pursuit,

2007-07-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

nueva vida, transformación espiritual
sobrematerial
buscando
libertad- nueva; naturaleza- nueva...

entrega total... el volante solo en tus manos
te lo doy
moldealo
benignidad...

y las manos hasta arriba
por el Dador que me da la nueva vida.

A challenge from history

2007-07-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

We must look upon the world, with all its delights and all its attractions, with suspicion and reserve. We are called to a higher Kingdom, we are touched with a diviner Spirit. It is not that He forbids us this or that comfort or indulgence; it is not that He is stern, demanding us to follow a narrow path. But we who love our Lord and whose affections are set on Heavenly things voluntarily and gladly lay aside the things that charm and ravish the world, that, for our part, our hearts may be ravished with the things of Heaven that our whole being may be poured forth in constant and unreserved devotion in the service of the Lord who died to save us.

-Amy Charmichael

These last couple of weeks, the Holy Spirit has challenged me through these words. We, as God's workmanship carry a divine Spirit which was imparted to us through the Breath of God as He gave us life. Thus, our heavenly affections ought to surpass our worldly affections. The higher Kingdom of which Charmichael speaks of, is the propeller of our thoughts, actions and consequently of our decisions because as God's master pieces, our Spirits cry out Abba, Abba Father longing to be with the One who called the Cosmos into life.
It is my longing that I'll always bring to my Jesus my" constant and unreserved devotion" as He did it for me 2000 years ago...

Lessons well learned:

2007-06-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

The lesson of God's faithfulness

Me asombra tu amor y tu fidelidad
que a pesar de mí me puedas amar
siempre has sido fiel y ami lado estás
tus ojos de amor ven mi caminar.

Tal vez el sol mañana no aparezca
pero puedo confiar en que Tú allí estarás
y del firmamento se borren las estrellas
pero a tu palabra fiel tú seguirás.

Tú has sido fiel
Tú has sido fiel
Tú has sido fiel
Siempre has sido fiel.

From Te daré lo mejor by Jesús Adrian Romero (2004)

One of the qualities I admire the most in a person is that of faithfulness. I often hold very high expectations when it comes to this particular quality; consequently, I'm easily disappointed.
These last few months, I've been exposed to God's faithfulness in different areas of my life and my family. I've seen God faithfulness in my church and have seen God's supernatural provision as a sign of this marvelous God-quality.
I met with my mentors Joy and Eugene Greco who came to visit from Spain. Their testimonies yesterday provided me with a clear picture of faithfulness; their faithfulness when working with people, when working with their lovely local church in Malaga, and with the team God's building in Spain to take the Message of Hope to the Spanish people. The Greco's faithfulness was rewarded with more faithfulness: The abundant and overflowing faithfulness of God.

May I be faithful to God and to those who love me as to show them God's love through my testimony...

In hot pursuit,
SD

...

2007-06-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Some thoughts by Sarah... Check out her blog.

And then,
someday,

no more missed time,

...no more goodbyes.

And then...

...always.

- Sarah Thomas

When will I not say goodbye? When will it be always?

Lord,the Love you've shown me is true, is real! Thank you for your Love! I long to see you my sweet Jesus, someday, face to face, when I will no longer say goodnight, or goodbye to You because I will be with you, my Jesus... always!

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

2007-06-01T00:27:00.000-07:00

Sorrow lasts for one night...

2007-05-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

but joy comes in the morning...

Spring
by Sarahi Dominguez

It's spring time in my heart
the fruit of patience
reveals its face,
a song of Joy reborn anew.

It's spring time in my heart
streams of living water
flow from within,
a song of Love springs forth anew.

My heart's made new,
my Love's so true;
it's spring time in my heart
because your Love is true.

When I found the one I love.

I held him and would not let him go...

Song of Solomon 3:4 (NKJ)

Lessons well learned:

2007-04-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

The lesson of silence

I am waiting. I have questions. All I hear is a peaceful silence; God's silence.

While I wait to hear from God, I rest under His wings.

Silence.

More lessons coming soon because I'm learning.

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

I'm Not Who I was

2007-04-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Brandon Heath
From the album Don't Get Comfortable

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was

2007-03-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

The Lord God is my strength,

and he will make my feet like the hind's feet,

and he will make me walk upon mine high places.

Habakkuk 3:19

2007-03-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - Ps. 90:12

Lessons well learned:

2007-02-26T00:55:00.000-08:00

The lessons of a broken heart

I must admit it... I have had my heart broken. I am not as strong as I thought I was, and I am not as obedient as you presume me to be; my disobedience caused me pain, sorrow, and worsen the situation of my heart by shattering it, if not in half (as it is presumed by the pertaining fantasized drawings), in pieces so small, only the hand of God could fix. The damage was so great that at some point I thought all was lost- my dreams, my hopes, my future & destiny, and my notion of romance.

I confess to have lost all faith in the so called "romance." If what I had experienced was falsehood, then, I wanted nothing at all. How could one's heart deceive? How could it forget? Why did it have to be this way?

To my surprise it didn't have to be this way; it didn't have to hurt, and I didn't have to forget if I would have heard the counsel of my loved ones from the beginning. With much shame and regret I admit not having followed, I admit having gone my own way , I admit my foolishness, my hardness.

But, in the middle of my failure, my pastors, parents and friends loved me, forgave me, and lessened the pain by being the "healing" hands of God. God's words healed me, restored me, completed me and filled all the empty spaces a young man left in me. My mistake: Making an idol out of this young lad. God is consuming fire. He consumed me, and all that was between God and I. He loves me. His love is better, sweeter. Never ending.

So, who cares? It matters because if anything, I want people to know that God is righteousness. That if you disobey, there are consequences to your acts; God in His loving kindness will have to put us through the fire to refine and expose our weaknesses. God is merciful, He will take the time to heal your heart and will give wisdom to others around you to help you out of the rut. God is all in all, He is the Living water, the bread of Life; the source of Life- no man can provide for that. I speak from my own mistakes, because I became a statistic. Don't become one.

It's been a year since my "great fall," time's gone by. I've learned that my God is a good God. He desires what's best for me because He loves me.

I leave with the very words that triggered my thinking. Perhaps you will relate. Selah.

"In speaking of this desire for our own far-off country, which we find in ourselves even now, I feel a certain shyness. I am almost committing an indecency. I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you -- the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, the mention of it becomes imminent, we grow awkward and affect to laugh at ourselves; the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell, though we desire to do both.

We cannot tell it because it is a desire for something that has never actually appeared in our experience. We cannot hide it because our experience is constantly suggesting it, and we betray ourselves like lovers at the mention of a name. Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter. Some have used an expedient that identify with certain moments in the past. But all of this is a cheat. If they had gone back to those moments in the past, they would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it; what they remembered would turn out to be itself a remembering. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things -- the beauty, the memory of our own past -- are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never visited.

Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us up from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundered years. "

C.S. Lewis - The Weight of Glory

2007-02-11T21:24:00.000-08:00

Ps 45

My heart overflows with a beautiful thought!
I will recite a lovely poem to the king,
for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

You are the most handsome of all.
Gracious words stream from your lips.
God himself has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!

You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!

Scattered Thoughts...

2007-01-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to get inspired, but my muse insists on visiting me by night, and far far away from a computer keyboard. Nevertheless, I present to you... My mostly scattered thoughts with slight chances of rain:

Pride is usually the root of most moral failures.

I AM a WOMAN, and YES, I'm called to ministry!!!

I want to be transparent: Integrity and personal accountability before God and my spiritual authorities.

"Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Spirituality and the Mind found that worshipers who speak in tongues are ceding some control of their brain, the New York Times reported. Led by center director Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, the scientists took brain images from the five women while they were speaking in tongues their frontal lobes- the willful, thinking part of the brain- were quiet, as were the language centers, indicating something else was in control. The findings differed from similar scans of the people practicing meditation, which showed a more active frontal lobe." -Charisma Magazine

In hot pursuit this 2007,
SD...etc

P.S. Some Kiwies can fly... just watch me!

2006-12-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

2006-11-30T12:46:00.000-08:00

My testimony

Elisabeth Alden Scott

And shall I fear

That there is anything that men hold dear

Thou would'st deprive me of,

And nothing give in place?

That is not so-

For I can see Thy face

And hear Thee now:

"My child, I died for thee.

And if the gift of love and life

You took from Me,

Shall I one precious thing withhold-

One beautiful and bright,

One pure and precious thing withhold?

My child, it cannot be."

Your will be done Lord, not mine! All my dreams, hopes, and desires are Yours forever. I choose You, I choose Your yoke; I choose to follow you, now and forever!

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Behave like a person, not a mule

2006-11-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should
go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no undesrtanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in Him.
-Psalm 32:8-11

The Cry of a Desperate Soul

2006-11-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Came across this prayer last night while reading a book. It comes from the Southwell Litany for the Personal Life. It's an amazing prayer... The cry of a soul seeking to serve the Lord consistently, wholeheartedly, and with a purpose, may this be also my prayer and pursuit during this season of my life, and the more to come!

" From moral weakness of spirit; from timidity; from hesitation; from fear
of men and dread of responsability, strengthen us with courage to speak the
truth in love and self-control; and alike from the wekness of hasty violence and
weakness of moral cowardice,
save us and help us, we humbly beseeck Thee, O Lord.
From weakness of judgement; from the indecision that can make no choice;
from the irresolution that carries no choice into act; and from losing
opportunities to serve Thee,
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. "

(Cincinnati: Foward Movement Publications)

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

The Colors of Fall

2006-11-09T22:54:00.000-08:00

I took these pictures while driving. I don't recomend it if you're not such experienced driver as I am... As I've mentioned it previously, Fall is my favority season, and I enjoy capturing the colors that year after year decorate the streets of my city; such splendor takes me back to the Maker of all things, for in Him all things were created, and in Him all things exists and are called into order.

God, You're marvelous in every way, may the World sing of Your magnificent works forever and ever! Amen.

2006-10-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

The Love of God is extravagant,
fills my life
My cup overflows
He is all I need.

My mind soul and spirit desire
Him alone.
Divine!
He is all in all.

2006-10-15T23:24:00.000-07:00

Do not let your tongue lead you into sin,

and then say before the angel of God that is was a mistake.

Ecclesiastes 5:6

The Dawning of a new day!

2006-10-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

These past weeks I've been assessing my life, meditating, and pondering about what the future holds. My heart has been broken and some of my deepest (personal) dreams are dead. So as I look upon my corpse, I realize that the smell of death is nothing but the sign of life in me: Of Christ in me, the Hope of glory.
I've had to give up my dreams of grandeur, of fame, wealth, and superficial happiness. And though the renunciation to these material things have broken my heart, I feel alive and I've found that in my brokenness the Lord as cleans me from things that aren't meant to be in my life. The promises of God are eternal and everlasting, His covenant will not be broken, and His perfect Will will always prevail because HE IS GOD! He working in my life, so that everything He's said to me come to pass...

Thank you Lord for keeping me, for setting me apart, for continuing to pour out your Spirit! I don't deserve your Love and sacrifice, but thank you for choosing this broken vessel to be used by you and for Your Glory! Because you made me righteous in Christ, I can stand before you as blameless! Thank you for the sanctifying work of the Spirit (1 Pt. 1:2)! Though I haven't seen you, yet I love you (1 Pt. 1:8)!

This morning the Lord woke me up and said:

"The Lord will surely comfort Zion (you, Sarahi) and will look with compassion on all her (your) ruins; he will make her (your) deserts like Eden, her (your) wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her (you), thanksgiving and the sound of singing. "
(Is. 51:3)

2006-10-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

"Whatever weakens your reason, impairs

the tendernes of your conscience, obscures

your sense of God, and takes off the relish

of spiritual things; that to you is sin"

-Susanna Wesley

A prayer

2006-10-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Lord,

I give up all my own plans and purposes; all my own desires and hopes and
accept Thy will for my life. I give myself: my life, my all, utterly to Thee, to
be Thine forever.
Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit, use me as Thou wilt, send me
where Thou wilt. Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and
forever.
(Prayer by Betty Scott)

2006-09-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

I liked this poem. I've lived its meaning.

Broken Rose
By Ashish Joy

Broken rose…rise up
Broken heart…sing forth
For you are but an offering rising

Though undone you are yet one
Treaded over…watched from afar
Though bloodied…Though torn
Remember Christ…Remember His love

I will watch you…and hold you deep within my heart
I will gather your broken shards…in admiration and respect
For your love is precious to me and yet
Though it seem I let you go…just know
I will hide my face…and turn my eyes
And wait patiently for your call

Until then…hold on dearly
For life will come at you more and more quickly
Your brokenness is but an offering
Poured out dreadfully for all to see

Yes…all do see…but they respect
Your willingness to be spent
In love and admiration they applaud
Your life and all you’ve ever lost

You’re a light…bright…strong…courageous
Such words speaks dimly of who you really are
You’re a hope…a star…a flame
And though all you say may one day be
Just know that I’ll be watching…and waiting
For the day you will reach out for me

A principle for life... for my life

2006-09-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

The Northwest fall is here. As I look out my bedroom window, I can see the small drops of rain falling down... obedient to the will of the Father- gravity; and as I open my window to witness such event live, the wind swiftly blows down causing me to close my eyes and sense the smell of rain. The scented smell of wetted dirt, the fresh smell of drenched lavender- all obedient to the will of He who has submitted all things under His feet, and that yield to their Designer’s tenacity and creativity. The carefully orchestrated seasons come, and go; as summer leaves, the burgundy color of the once green leaves indicates that fall has arrived.

I see the leaves beginning to fall, and though to some, the withered trees appear as death; this only marks the beginning of something new. A type of death that symbolizes life. All things made new. I see our latest acquisition to the family running through the temporarily disabled strawberry leaves, as he cautiously digs around to hide the nuts I had set out for him to eat earlier this morning. This little new friend incites me to think about his innate nature, and again I come to the conclusion that, he's following only the orders that he had been set out to follow, as he worships his Creator by performing exactly what he was meant to do. All of nature, obedient to the Will of God.

I've come to accept His perfect will for my life. Though I don't know the “whys” of many situations, I have made it a principle in my life, to not ask, to not question, and to willfully submit to such perfect plans. I am choosing to stand firm, and accept His will even if I don't understand (necessarily) everything that has happened, is happening, or will happen. I end with E.B. Pusey's exhortation, and hope that it will sink into your heart as well as it has in mine:

This, then, is of faith, that everything, that very least, or what seems to us great, every change of the seasons, everything which touches us in mind, body, or estate, whether brought about through this outward senseless nature, or by the will of man, good or bad, is overfuled to each of us by the all-holy and all-loving will of God. Whatever befalls us, however it befalls us, we must recieve it as the will of God. If it befalls us through man's negligence or ill-will or anger, still is, in even the least circumstance, to us the will of God. For if the least thing could happen to us without God's permission, it would be something out of God's control. God's providence or His love would not be what they are. Almighty God Himself would not be the same God; not the God whom we believe, adore, and love.

(Taken from Mary Wilder Tileston's Daily Strength for Daily Needs)

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Prayer Insights

2006-09-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

by Steve Swihart

“Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mk. 9:23). One of the most positive words in the entire Bible is this one: POSSIBLE. Here is identified the atmosphere of successful prayer: believing firmly that everything in God’s will is POSSIBLE. And the secret of a POSSIBILITY ATMOSPHERE in prayer is discovered when we
come to embrace a POSSIBILITY ORIENTED GOD –– “with God all things are POSSIBLE” (Matt. 19:26). When an ALL-POSSIBLE faith locks arms with an ALL-POSSIBLE God, good things are certain to happen.

The great enemies of prayer are (1) forgetting that with God all things are POSSIBLE, and (2) forgetting that with faith in God all things are POSSIBLE. Resist these enemies every time they appear. Never accept a “No” from circumstances when God has given you a “Yes!”

2006-09-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

"A man can destroy with

his character what he builds

with his gift."

-Ern Baxter

Corro a Ti...

2006-08-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

As my Summer comes to an end, I thank God for all the good gifts that He's added into my life. I thank Him for my Church and for the amazing vision of wanting to dream bigger dreams and wanting to "imagine" the infinite and wonderful possibilities of a life completely surrendered to God.
I also thank Him for the gift of Sie7E where I have found new friends, renewed joy, and unconditional love... The happiness that has been summoned is unimaginable, and overflowing.

The addition of other greater Gifts reminds me of God's unfailing love for His children, yet many times we fail to see the greater and the better that God has for us. Be always reminded that your best, if it ever comes to pass, might not be God's best; so I'd like to encourage you to continue to pursue the greater and better that God has for your life. The amazing gifts that God has for your life await to be delivered into your hands, once you accept His perfect will for your life, and align yourself- then, they will be yours. He's only waiting to take you farther than what you can imagine.

"Your thoughts - how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them - any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! " Ps. 139:17-18

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

Grupo Sie7E

Long, lasting friendship...

...

2006-08-07T23:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a simple stare, a smile, a sight, or silence in its deepest, most complex form can scream at you. It can tell you things words cannot match.
I encountered this silence today, the stares... and I am confused, because I don't know how to interpret it all, yet in the midst of all this silence and confused smiles, I am beginning to understand...

Silent
By Ashish Joy

Words escape trembling lips
As breath cools the heat rising within
The heart fluttering as hands rummage
Head burning in the heat of night
As silence breeds a breathless stare

Words are meaningless
Hearts stare at each other
Eyes meet and a smile surfaces
Features go soft
A laugh erupts

2006-06-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

WHY Latinos cant be terrorists.....

1. 8:45 am is too early for us to be up
2. We are always late, we would have missed all 4flights
3. Pretty people on the plane distract us
4. We would talk loudly and bring attention to ourselves
5. With food and drinks on the plane, we would forget why we're there
6. We talk with our hands, therefore we would have to put our weapons down
7. We would ALL want to fly the plane
8. We would argue and start a fight in the plane
9. We can't keep a secret, we would have told everyone a week before doing it
AND MY FAVORITE.....
10. We would have put our country's flag on the windshield.

ARE YOU A LATINO? HOW CAN YOU TELL FOR SURE?
If others tell you to stop screaming when you are really just talking.
If you light a candle to Virgin Mary on the night before your big test.
If you use "manteca" instead of olive oil and can't figure out why your nalgas are getting bigger.
If whenever you feel under the weather, you compulsively dab on some "Vic's vapor rub" all over your pecho and inside your nostrils or use it around your eyes when you can't sleep!!!
Your mom packs your "lonche" every day even though you've just turned thirty-two.
If you call the North Americans "gringos", including Canadians, and call all Asian people "chinos" or "chinitos"and you call the corner store "the chinito's store."

Prayer Insights

2006-06-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

Steve Swihart

The apostle Paul relied heavily upon PEOPLE like Silas, Timothy, Titus, Sosthenes, Luke and others to fulfill the ministry God had for him. He also relied strongly upon the PRAYERS of others for effective ministry. He requested the Romans, the Corinthians, the Ephesians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians, and Philemon to pray for him (Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 1:10-11; Eph. 6:19-20, Col. 4:3-4, 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Plm. 21). Even Jesus looked to PEOPLE and to their PRAYERS for help (Mk. 3:13-19 and Matt. 26:36-46).

If Paul and Jesus counted on PEOPLE and their PRAYERS for success, then these examples must also become our own pattern. Everyone in the ministry needs people he (or she) can rely on for SUPPORT and SUPPLICATION. The work is too important,
the temptations are too real, and the trials are too heavy to travel the road of ministry alone. Surround yourself with PEOPLE and PRAYERS.

2006-06-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

e.e. cummings

2006-05-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

My sweet Jesus
I love you!
In Your eyes
I find myself!
And
In Your arms
I rest assured!

Your love
has changed me;
Your hands
have healed me.

I sing of Your great wonders
night and day.

My heart sings to You,
Your law is my delight,
it lightens my path;
of Your mercies I'll forever sing.

My sweet Jesus
I love you!
In Your eyes
I find myself!
And
In Your arms
I rest assured!

Bless the Lord, O my soul;and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's...
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Ps. 103:1-5; 14

The vision awaits its appointed time

2006-04-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

And the Lord answered me:
"Write the vision:
make it plain on tablets;
so he may run who reads it.
For still the vision awaits its appointed
time;
it hastens to the end- it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay."

Habakkuk 2:2-3

Set apart

2006-04-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the gentiles.

(Gal. 1:15-16)

I thank Thee, O living and eternal King,

Who has mercifully restored my soul within me;

Thy faithfulness is great.

(Ibid., I, 1.)

Immigration reform

2006-04-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

I received this email from a friend who, disagreeing with my point of view about the resent topic being discussed in Congress regarding an immigration reform that would allow many illegal immigrants to gain their legal status as residents in the US, wrote to me because such reform would back fire... If you have any comments for or against, they will gladly be welcomed.

Hey Sarahi:

What kind of immigration reform do you want to see?Well, without making you or anyone else mad, I want to see:

The borders closed because I want our govt to know who is coming across, plus to slow down the drug, gangs,and human trafficking coming across the border. Especially gangs like MS-13 that are causing problems in our streets and cities. I don't think we should make all illegals Felons, for one, it's unrealistic, and two there are good people here in the U.S. trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. But after you commit a felon in the U.S., and you serve your time, you should be sent back, and never granted access again to theU.S. Too many repeat offenders coming back and forth, and our judicial system is almost a third illegal alliens. They should receive due process of law.

I am okay with a guest worker program as long as they pay taxes, and the workers receive at least minimum wage. My thing is illegal workers are hurting the middle class, union jobs such as painters, construction, carpenters are going away because business are paying illegals a lot less and with no benefits, and it drives wages down and hurts our middle class. Middle class is the backbone of American society in my opinion. Business should befined when they hire illegals knowingly. However, there should be a guest worker program, or a "work for citizenship" program for those who have been here.

Then, the government should give Homeland Security more money to process visa and citizenship paperwork, it should be quicker and easier to encourage immigrants to go through the process.

These are my opinions, don't be upset if you disagree with me, you know I love the Latin culture, but I love my country too, and I think I have a descent planto fix immigration reform. I have put a lot of thought into it...

2006-03-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

Ask of ME , and I will give You
the nations for Your inheretance,
and the ends of the earth for your
possession.
Ps. 2:8

A Hymn

2006-03-22T12:53:00.000-08:00

Anna L. Waring
(1850)

Father, I know that all my life
Is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come
I do not fear to see;
I ask Thee for a present mind,
Intent on pleasing Thee.

I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child
And guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate .

In hot pursuit,
SD

Broken

2006-03-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

If my life is broken when given to Jesus , it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad.

- Ruth Stull

O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I've tasted

More deep I'll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel's land.

( Annie R. Cousin)

Two weeks! Two weeks of waiting, of seeking the Lord's face. Two weeks of longing, of uncertainty, of trying and testing. Slowly, the Lord has been showing me the intentions of my heart, and of the hearts of others; the Lord is with me as I walk through the waters, and as I pass through the fires of life, He holds my hand. I am being refined, perfected, stretched.

Yet, though I am suffering and learning from the pain I am feeling, my heart is at peace; I rest under the shadow of His wing because He has requested me to stay there (Ruth 2:8), to not go anywhere else. I am at His feet, one of His servants who has found favor in His eyes! He rules over everything and anything; why would I question Him? He created the mountain tops and the valleys; why am I to ask for an explanation? Happy is he/she who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his/her God (Ps. 146:5).

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases. (Song of Solomon 3:5)

In hot pursuit,
SD

...etc

Waiting

2006-03-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

What is waiting?

From Quiet Talks on Prayer by S.D. Gordon

Steadfastness, that is holding on;
patience, that is holding back;
expentancy, that is holding the face up;
obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or
do;
listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.

How long, Lord, must I wait?
Never mind, child. Trust me.

In hot pursuit,
SD

Prayer Insights

2006-03-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

by Steve Swihart

Presumption is the NATURAL ability to believe God for what YOU want. Faith is the SUPERNATURAL ability to believe God for what HE wants. The difference is found in the starting point. Presumption begins with YOUR heart. The prayer of faith begins with HIS heart. Therefore, the first step in prayer should be to distinguish and get rid of the clever ideas and agendas that are rising up from our own mind. Remember, real faith is nothing more or less than believing God for the fulfillment of the desires that He himself is planting inside our hearts.

I owe my parents

2006-02-27T14:10:00.000-08:00

Something a friend sent me... Enjoy!

1. My parents taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My parents taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My parents taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My parents taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My parents taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My parents taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My parents taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My parents taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONIST.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My parents taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12 My parents taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My parents taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My parents taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My parents taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

In hot pursuit,

SD

Life

2006-02-25T19:53:00.000-08:00

Faith
Hope
Joy
Peace
Heartache
Longing
Patience
Silence
Dissonance
Love
Vulnerability
Tenderness
Sensitivity

I am with you.... I am the Lord your God... Your deliverer (Isaiah 43:2,3)

He is my creator
He's fashioned me
He has paid my ransom
He called me by name.

So

He is with me
He is my Lord
He is my deliverer
I am His claim.

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

I resolve to...

2006-02-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and recieve the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:12-14 NLT)

"These are the articles on which I must stand, and, God willing, shall stand even to my death; and I do not know how to change or to yield anything in them. "
-Martin Luther

There is more for me than what I think there is... I will not comform... I will not yield... I will not give up... I will not sell myself short!

I choose to run this race, and every race is meant to be run alone; even if it means to let go of things, people, or any sort of yoke that strains me; I will run this race, I will not stop now, I cannot just give up now. I have started this race, and I am running, and finishing this race no matter the cost!

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

Quotes

2006-02-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

I found this quote today, and thought it to be very significant, specially because as some of you know, I am going through something- a journey where I am having to wait, wait, and keep on waiting. Don't know how long this waiting process will last, but I am enjoying the journey because not matter the circumstances, we as children of God have the assurance that God is in control, that He's watching over us, and that above all, it is all for the Glory of His Name...

" It is not the goal but the way there that matters, and the harder the way the more worthwhile the journey." - Wilfred Thesiger

SD

2006-02-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

Uncertainty
Ashish Joy

You play the part…it seems so easy
You seem like you got it all together…seemingly
Why do you burn within me so?
Why don’t the passions die?

Your eyes, ever so beautiful…yet unlooked for
Your mask, beyond compare…yet you remain my mystery
You haunt me…yet you strengthen all the while
Why believe at all? Why feel the dregs of endearing loss?
When the joy ascertained, though unfulfilled, allows for a mindless maze
I stand unsure of who I am, for somehow I think I am who I am with you

Though uncertain, I can with honest say
You keep me screaming at myself
With my silence, and my stares
You keep me doubtful of this core
With your wavering visage
I keep reading, yet find no coherence there

Keep me without a vision
Let me run without a care
Even if I’m not the object of your affection
I will still find solace there

When my voice comes through the skittishness within myself
You’ll know my heart, and the words for you I’ve penned
Until above and below, meets perfectly within my soul
May these words be my hope, and your sight be my sorrow

Show me your Glory

2006-01-27T15:07:00.000-08:00

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim His savation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

PS. 96:2-4a

By Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff, Israel Houghton

Show me Your glory, show me Your glory
I want to gaze into the beauty
of your holiness
Show me your glory I'm desperate to see
I will be still as You reveal Your glory

I am drawing near to worship You
There's a longing in my heart
To be with You
Call my name and I will answer YOu
In humble truth Lord here I am
hide me with Your hand.

There is absolutely nothing more precious than the Glory of the Lord. As His majestic face is shown to us, we are transformed, renewed, perfected in His presence...
I want to see the Glory of the Lord this year; be known as one who carries such glory and doesn't shred His precious presence. As David carried it with him, learn to call onto the Glory of the Lord, to not let anything come in the way of reaching out, of moving forward, of growing in Him as I allow the Glory of the Almighty to grow in me as well.

Here I am Lord, have your Way!

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Prayer Insights

2006-01-26T18:00:00.000-08:00

by Steve Swihart

Our horizontal relationships are often the key that either unlocks or locks the door to our relationship with God. Paul writes, “I want men to pray with holy hands . . . free from anger and controversy” (1 Tim. 2:8 NLT). Peter warns husbands that if they fail to treat their wives with a proper honor, their “prayers will not be heard” (1 Pet. 3:7 NLT). And Jesus said if a person offends someone, he must first “be reconciled to that person” before he offers any gifts to God (Matt. 5:23-24 NLT).

No one can be right with God who does not first attempt to be right with people, too. This includes every possible relationship: spouse to spouse, parent to child, employee to employer, citizen to government, pastor to church member, and so on. Are you doing everything possible to be united with everyone? If so, the Lord will open His door wide to you. If not, the Lord will block the way to His heart until you humble yourself and seek reconciliation.
Keep your relationships with people free from clutter and you will always find it a smooth walk into God’s presence.

Show me the way

2006-01-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence

and the pleasures of living with you forever

Ps. 16:11 (NLT)

Me mostrarás la senda de la vida;

en tu Presencia hay

plenitud de Gozo;

delicias a tu diestra para siempre.

Sal. 16:11 (RV)

The Life I owe

2006-01-03T20:55:00.000-08:00

O love, that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
that in Thine ocean depth its flow
May richer, fuller be.

George Matheson

I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face

2005-12-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I fain would take my stand,
The Shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a wea-ry land;
A home within the wilderness
A rest upon the way
From the burning of the noon-day heat
And the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus
My eyes at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
To wonders I confess
The wonders of His glorious love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face,
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

Elizabeth Clephane (1868)

Quotes

2005-12-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here are some good quotes I found by Mariama Bâ- a Senagalese novelist who advocated for women's rights. Enjoy. Selah.

Friendship has splendors that love knows not. It grows stronger when crossed, whereas obstacles kill love. Friendship resists time, which wearies and severs couples. It has heights unknown to love.
One imagines the birth of happiness to be accompanied by some great spectacular upheaval. One can imagine it flowering in the most luxurious setting. Yet happiness is born of a trifle, feeds on nothing.

There's more... You can find them in So long a Letter (1979) if any of you, my fellow readers wish to do so.

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Words from the heart

2005-12-01T19:53:00.000-08:00

I’m yours… By Ashish Joy

You don’t know what to say
It’s like you got it all wrong again
Why does it seem to consume me from the core?
Does sin have no bounds to stay clear of my psyche?
Does life have no defense, to remain untouched?
It keeps growing, just a little here, just a little there

You’re trying your best, but it doesn’t seem to go
You’ve laid it on the line, but you don’t have the will to stay the course
What do you do, when life’s heaviness comes your way?
How to react, when the struggles, take your breath away?

God I’m angry with myself, consumed because I want to…but can’t
O God take this blemished vessel, and use it for your glory
I have not more, than the scars from my past
Screaming at me, making me remember my life, my death
I am nothing more than you my God…and yet
It all still hurts, because pain has this way of staying
So here I stand, my life secure in you, yet a whisper away from failing

Take this imperfect man, and breathe into me, heaven’s breath afresh
Take this impassioned soul, crying for more
Bring me low, that I might find grace in you
Smash me down, that I solely rely on youI
need you God, desperately need you
More than ever, I need you

Jesus, thank you, for redemption
For grace, for the unforgiven
For life, when death was around me
For all you gave, when I needed it most
Now God, I come to you humbly
For I am nothing….but a mess cleaned up thoroughly
You are my God…my King…my Redeemer…my Love…my Everything

I’m yours…only yours

Beautiful words... I pray that you will never forget to whom you belong, and that you will always remember the creator, always.

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

My daily prayer... lately

2005-11-17T23:15:00.000-08:00

Weeks might go by, years might fly away, and life may seem as if it's simple going by... Leaving me as I desperately grab a hold of it like water between my fingers... It is in the midst of it all that my soul cries out, it hungers, longs for the Presence of the Almighty night and day. As the days go by, the years fly way, my hunger increases, the longing within my soul grows evermore.

Thus, I say what David said in 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 not all His benefits:
Who forgives all you iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from
destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good
things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's...

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

A Sonnet of Sonnets, # 6

2005-11-11T22:46:00.000-08:00

Christina Rosetti

Trust me, I have not earned your dear rebuke,-
I love, as you would have me, God the most;
Would lose not Him, but you, must one be lost,
Nor with Lot's wife cast back a faithless look,
Unready to forego what I forsook,
This say I, having counted up the cost,
This, though I be feeblest of God's host,
The sorriest sheep Christ shepherds with His crook.

Yet, while I love my God the most, I deem
That I can never love you over-much;
I love Him more, so let me love you too;
Yea, as I apprehend it, love is such
I cannot love you if I love not Him,
I cannot love Him, if I love not you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present not 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. - Rom. 8:38

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

2005-11-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Jacob Encountering Rachel with her Father's Herd

By Joseph von Führich

A great picture from the 19th century Bohemian school. Portrays the Biblical story of Rachel and Jacob, which according to Führich, portrays three scenes: Longing, Encountering, and Fulfillment.

This painting has great depth to it, which is part of the meaning. Also the color, and shade add to the story telling of the painting- it's awesome!

Note: I love the sheep too.

Prayer Insights

2005-11-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

By: Dr. Steve Swihart

Sometimes your best praying will not involve speaking, but listening. And sometimes your best listening will take place when you get in a restful location and play worship music.

My digital camera has a battery that must be recharged after a certain amount of use. The same thing is true in prayer. After a certain amount of praying, day after day, it is a good thing to break the routine and recharge your “spiritual batteries.” Good worship music is one of the best gifts the Lord has given us to refresh and renew our spirit.

Intercession tends to focus on people and problems, while worship focuses on the majesty of God. Obviously, our best praying comes as a result of the overflow of worship. Be sure your horizontal intercessions are backed up with meaningful vertical worship.

2005-10-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Moroccan Evening

Thoughtless... not

2005-10-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy these past couple of weeks with school and church activities... So, all I think about most of the time is: How is the Media influencing me today? or I wonder what Blake meant in that poem? or What was Carlyle thinking when he wrote Natural Supernaturalism? or If culture is influence by the environment of the individual, then a person is able to change his/her culture... I wonder if I move to North Africa, will my culture change as to not be "Mexican" anymore?
Then, in the mist of the chaotic thought processing, I remember a Bible verse... "Honor the Lord with your possessions... pues mucha paz tienen los que aman tu ley... in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... blessed are those who..."
Furthermore I think about my personal life: "What should I say to _________ so that he gets the hint? Should I be more straight forward? Is this going to be God's will? God, is this the one? Please! I beg you, I hope this is it!"

"What a life!" I say to myself. But then, I hear God say to me, "Trust me!" And then, peace, joy, and assurance. God's sovereignty is beyond what I can think or even imagine. Day by day, I choose to give my life to Him, in all I do, in all I think of, let it all be for the Glory of GOD!

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Credo Statement

2005-10-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

I had this assignment as part of my Intercultural Communication class. It's my credo statement, which encompasses my core believes and values, all in a "nut shell." Though this is a very short version of my credo statement, I tried to make it as concise as possible so that it could express all that the most important aspects of my life, without losing its truest essence.

"As a born-again Christian, I believe in the eternal truths of the Word of God. My life decisions and actions are based on the Bible principles so that I may live a life that reflects the true essence of God and Christ.
I believe that everything that happens in my life is for a purpose, and that God works around this purpose so that it may work for good into my life.
My life has a purpose and a destiny, therefore, it is my responsibility to be equipped so that God may use my life, and that way, my life can be a reflection of God’s grandeur and power. Christ in me, the Hope of glory."

In hot pursuit,
SD...etc

We Write out of Relationship

2005-09-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

By Amanda Fergusson

We only have to look at the Psalms to see that every one of them is written out of relationship. Whether the psalmist is praising or lamenting, the foundation on which he addresses God at all is that he is in covenant relationship with Him. David, perhaps the greatest songwriter of all, wrote this as an epitaph on his life:
"The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel's singer of songs. The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue." (2 Samuel 23:102 NIV)
For David it was all about his relationship with God. When he sinned it was God who he felt he had offended first and foremost (Psalm 51:4) even though his sin had hurt others. When he won battles, he credited his victories to God (Psalm 18). Whether life was going well or times were tough, the songs he wrote were all viewed through the prism of his relationship with God.

School

2005-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

I start school today. Everything is going to be new for me since I just transferred from PCC to PSU. Everything is bigger, larger, louder...

I hope to gain as much knowledge as I can. I don't wan to take this opportunity of going to college for granted! Learn, interpret, and retain the knowledge I'm given.

I say goodbye to Summer and move forward to face Fall as it is; and as it progresses, I hope that the old leaves of my tree will fall, and make room for the newer ones that come along. Slowly, my brain strives to retain all the good it receives, as the neurons in my brain branch out to make new connections...

May this Fall be good. A new season, a fresh start.

Peace and God bless,

SD

Every good gift comes from above... every single one...

2005-09-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

As I was scanning through one of the books I read recently, I found a statement of faith made by one of the most amazing man that have ever walked on the face of the earth... Besides Jesus, this man lived a purposefull life in wisdom and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

* For all of you guys out there who might not have a clue about what to make of your life, I would recommend that you learn and study the life of Jim Elliot. A true hero, who knew who he was, where he wanted to be, and the resources he had to accomplish the perfect will of God.

I took this quote from Shadow of the Almighty by Elizabeth Elliot.

"Because, O God, from Thee comes all, because from Thine own mouth has entered us the power to breath, from Thee the sea of air in which we swim and the unknown nothingness that stays it over us with unseen bands; because Thou gavest us from hear of love so tender, mind so wise and hand so strong, Salvation; because Thou art Beginning, God I worship Thee.
Because Thou art the end of every way, the goal of man; because to Thee shall come of every people respect and praise; their emissaries find thy throne their destiny; because Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to Thee, babes sing Thy praise; because Thine altar gives to spawrrows shelter, sinners peace, and devils fury; because 'to Thee shall all flesh come,' because Thou art Omega, praise.
Because Thou art surely set to justify that Son of Thine and wilt in time make known just who He is and soon will send Him back to show Himself; because the name of Jesus has been laughingly nailed upon a cross and is even now on earth held very lightly and Thou wilt bring that Name to light; because, O God of Righteousness, Thou wilt do right by my Lord, Jesus Christ, I worship Thee."

In hot Pursuit,

SD...etc

Inusual

2005-09-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

This song has been such a blessing for me. Because at all times, we can be certain that God's perfect plan is always the best for us. We don't have to understand it, because it's too perfect, yet, we can accept it and say Yes, and Amen to all of HIs perfect thoughts...
Lets not forget that it's all about HIM. Our most sincere, whole-hearted adoration, and praise, all for HIM.
We are to always lift our eyes up, and behold His precious face, the glow of His holiness, the sweeteness of His voice. Love Him, for who He is, because there's absolutely nothing that can separate us from Him.

Words and music: Bani Muñoz

De lo poco haces mucho

De la nada haces todo

Donde menos te espero estás

Eres inusual

Diste vida con tu muerte

Luz a la oscuridad

Hoy me quedo sin palabras

Y veo que eres real

Ya no dudo más

Ya no temo más

Solo creo en ti

Eres Dios Inusual

Tu amor sin igual

Mi papa celestial

Sobrenatural

Eres Dios Inusual

Tu amor sin igual

Mi Papa celestial

Nadie como tú

Powerful Attracion

2005-09-13T23:21:00.000-07:00

by John Thomas

Two questions came to mind while lying awake at 3:30 in the morning listening to my neighbor’s dogs bark. First, how accurate am I with a frozen hotdog at 20 paces, given total darkness and a six-foot fence about mid-way? And second, how is it that women have all the power?

Read the whole article Here

Expressing our deepest longings

2005-09-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was a Spanish reformer who earnestly sought to glorify God. This fact is demonstrated in one of the prayers he recorded in his journal:

“Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward, except to know that I do Your will.”

If you were to write out a single prayer to express the deepest longings of your heart, what would you say?

The Road of Renunciation

2005-09-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

What things has the Lord asked you to give up and you haven’t?

They might be dreams, desires, relationships; simple things such as a CD that shouldn’t be there…

These little things keep you away from having a closer relationship with God; from drawing near because you know that something in you isn’t aligned to the word of God. He doesn’t seek to "rule" over your life, and although He owns you - He is a gentleman, and won’t force things out of your life.

What part of being a “love slave” do we not understand? Being a love slave means choosing to belong to your Master for life, knowing that you do not own yourself anymore, but that you’ve submitted you entire life at His feet despite the fact you've been set free.

Let go of those things that keep you away from Him. Know that one day in His presence is sweeter and better than thousands of days out of His courts…

His paths and thoughts are so much higher, that we humans, will never comprehend them; we only have one choice, to embrace those thoughts, to accept the path of renunciation without looking back. This path is only for the few… for the humble one who has chosen to love his life last, and to love God above everything and anything. Only the brave choose this path, and thought there’s pain, they press on, they move forward, because they know that their greatest reward is to behold the beauty of the Lord, to see Him face to face…

Don't worry about your life now, because He owns it.

In hot pursuit,

Prayer Insights

2005-09-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

By: Dr. Steve Swihart
Here are some cautions you should be aware of each time you pray:

1. Do not trust in the number of your prayers, but in the number of God’s attributes.
2. Do not rely on the length of your prayers, but on the length of God’s grace.
3. Do not rest your heart in your sincerity, but in the Scriptures.
4. Do not focus on your problems, but on God’s promises.
5. Do not try to talk God into your own will, but try to get to the place where you are prepared to accept His will, whatever it is.
6. Do not become trial-centered, but Throne-centered. Remember Who's in charge.
7. Do not merely talk, but listen as well.
8. Do not stop believing when you stop praying.
9. Do not pray desperately FOR victory so much as FROM a disposition of victory because of the supreme sufficiency of God’s sovereignty and grace.
10. Do not pray your own prayers, but find out what God wants prayed.

2005-08-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mi Deseo/ My desire

Words and music by Virgilio Sierra (From Contagious )

Mi deseo es hallarte
Como un tesoro en el fondo del mar
Con mi vida quiero honrarte
Y tus manos benditas tocar.

Una y otra vez te he fallado
Mas de l as que quiero contar
Misericordia nunca has negado
Y eso no lo puedo olvidar.

Tengo sed de ti Jesús
Y solo tú me puedes saciar
En el río de tu Espíritu
Yo me quisiera ahogar.

Mi deseo es hallarte
Como un tesoro en el fondo del mar
Con mi vida quiero honrarte
Y tus manos benditas tocar.

Cada día quedo asombrado
De la inmensidad de tu amor
Y cuando tú estás a mi lado
Mi mundo es de un nuevo color.

De los pies a la cabeza
Mojado en tu presencia quiero estar
Rompiendo las cadenas
Jesús no me da pena
El me da la vida eterna.

Photo by Sarahí Domínguez (me)

De principio a fin

2005-08-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

Todo lo hizo hemoso en su tiempo; y ha puesto eternidad en el corazon de ellos, sin que alcance el hombre a entender la obra que ha hecho Dios desde el principio hasta el fin.

Eclesiastes 3:11

Painting by Phil Pringle

Amigos...

2005-08-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Pensando en el ejemplo que nuestro amado Jesús dio como no solo Emmanuel y salvador nuestro, sino también como amigo de sus discípulos, pienso en la palabra amigo/a.
¿Qué es un amigo? ¿Qué características debe de tener una persona para ser considerado un buen amigo?
He aquí mis ideas de un buen amigo. Oro, y espero yo también poder ser considerada una amiga, que ama de verdad como Jesús nos ama a nosotros.

Un amigo:

1. Se ríe de tus bromas aunque no sean graciosas
2. Te llama a primera hora para decirte “buenos días,” y te llama para decir “buenas noches” antes de ir a dormir.
3. Sabe lo que tu silencio esta diciendo
4. Conoce el significado de tu mirada
5. Recibe tus llamadas por mas ocupado que este
6. Es tan sincero contigo como para decir que tienes un fríjol en el diente, o para decirte que no estas haciendo las cosas bien
7. Ve en ti lo que ni tu mismo puedes ver en tu persona
8. Siempre te recibe con una sonrisa
9. Se alegra sinceramente de tus triunfos, y llora contigo las penas
10. Esta contigo en los momentos mas importantes de tu vida
11. Llama casualmente para decirte “hola” y que sepas que piensa en ti
12. Conoce tus necesidades, y te apoya en oración para que salgas adelante
13. Te dice que te ama y no tiene vergüenza a la hora de decírtelo
14. Te abraza sin tener motivo o razón
15. Sabe cuando dejarte solo
16. Escucha tus quejas y reproches de la vida, y sabe justamente que decir en el momento
17. Respeta a tus papas, sean buenos padres o no
18. Comparte contigo lo suyo
19. Reconoce que necesita de ti cuando en necesario
20. Conoce los motivos de tu comportamiento… pero cuando lo confundes te pregunta la razón de tu comportamiento
21. Cuando no sabe que decir, se queda callado y te da un abrazo, o simplemente sonríe
22. Hace planes contigo para el futuro
23. Reconoce sus fallas, cuando “mete la pata”
24. Te pide perdón de algo que no hizo y asume culpas que no son de el
25. Manda tarjetitas electrónicas en tu cumple, de navidad o de año nuevo
26. Siempre te reta a que seas mejor, a crecer, a seguir adelante
27. Nunca te dice “whatever” o “I don’t care”
28. No tiene miedo de decirte las cosas como son, pues da su justa opinión en el momento preciso
29. No trata de hacerte como el, o de cambiarte. Aunque sean diferentes acepta lo tuyo, y tu lo de el
30. Le preocupas tanto como para orar por ti todos los días
31. Guarda tus secretos
32. Sueñan juntos

En todo tiempo ama el amigo, y es como un hermano en tiempo de angustia. Prov. 17 17

Beauty tips

2005-08-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Focusing on the Eternal
By Leslie Ludy

The greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. (Charles E Hummel)

This week, take a daily inventory of the seemingly urgent things in your life, and then contrast them to the things that are truly important in your life. Taking extra time in the morning to journal, read our Bible, or simply worship our Prince is far more valuable than rushing to meet the demands of the culture.
Spending time deepening an important relationship, or slowing down enough to really listen to someone will reap far more eternal fruit than rushing to meet a deadline. Yet we so often forget that simple truth. When you lie in bed at night, review the events of your day and ask yourself, “Did I do anything truly important today, or did I simply accomplish meaningless urgent tasks?” As we realign our life toward our Prince’s priorities, we will become vibrant and healthy, marked by unwavering peace and joy that cannot be taken away by the constant pressures of the world.

Take time to analize your day. I encourage you to discover the beauty there is within everyday. Just as the word of God says it, the mercies of God are new everyday, therefore, you can live everyday under the amazing grace and power of God, because it is only through His new mercies that you and I move, live and breath.
Find the everyday gifts in your life; they can be as simple as a smile, or a word of encouragement, or just an "I love you."

You can live everyday under the shadow of the Almighty, and enjoy the joy, peace, and love you've been looking for.

In hot pursuit,

SD

2005-07-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

The team in Rabat at the King's tomb.

A life changing experience

2005-07-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

This week I came back from Spain and Morocco. My life was changed, my perspective of the world shifted, and my heart transformed.
It takes moments such as the ones that I experience to open my eyes to the great needs of the world; to the respond to the call of God, to His command of "loving your neighbor as yourself." Such a simple statement seldom expressed by individuals...

I will live this command. The world, everything that's happening in it, all because we, human being have failed to live simple statement: Love God first, and over everything; and love your neighbor as yourself.

If you want to be a history maker follow the two simple statements mentioned by a man who loved his very life last, and loved the world more than his own.

Know that life is not about you, not about what you can get, how high you can reach... All selfish thoughts. It's not about you. It's about how much you can do for others. It's about others because their eternity is at stake, their lives, their future.

Coming back from that trip made me realize that there is hope, because there are few how have loved the lives of others more than their own. It's all about others, and what you can do, even if it's just a prayer, a hug, a kiss, a smile, the pure embrace of another human being ... It's not charity, it's love. And it is this love that creates hope and gives a testimony to the world that there is a God that cares. If we only lift our eyes up, stop thinking that we are the center of the universe, and live to love others; we'll see that God exists, that God is real, and that there is hope.

Thank you God for your Son Jesus, because He loved the world first, and gave His everything to show how life is supposed to be lived. Thank you!

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

STORM Team to Spain and Morocco

2005-05-29T00:13:00.000-07:00

I'll be in Spain in 16 days! I can't believe the time's come when the team and I will be stepping into a new realm. We're moving forward. We're not conforming.

From June 15th to July 4th, I'll be in Spain and Morocco. We're going to be in southern Spain and in Ceuta, a Spanish city in Morocco. Purpose? To empower and minister to the people of that region through teaching, prayer, and worship.

In Malaga we're going to have a conference where we'll have pastors and worship leaders that we will be ministering to. Then, we're going to Ceuta to be with a group of missionaries that are in charge of Betel in that city. Betel is a rehab center. So we're going to be going out, and with all our strength and energy find the homeless, drug addicts and prostitutes to pray and minister to them. But, mainly to just love them. In Betel the majority of the ex-drug addicts who have given their lives to Christ have HIV; the team leaders Eugene and Joy Greco tell us that these people live everyday with so much passion, love, and hope. They live everyday as if it was their last... They know the full meaning of the word "grace."

I think about the apostle Paul, when in jail, in the middle of the night; lift his voice in worship with Silas. God delivered the prisoners. That's the freedom that we want to see in Spain and Morocco.

I've been getting ready all this time. That's one of the main reasons I haven't been able to post. When I come back I'll try to have some pictures and testimonies.

In hot pursuit,

SD...etc

Important Recall Notice

2005-05-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

I got this story from a friend. Hope you like it.

Regardless of make or year, all units known as "human beings" are being recalled by the Manufacturer. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named "Adam" and "Eve" resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect is
technically termed, "Serious Internal Non-morality," but more commonly known as "SIN."

Some of the symptoms of the SIN defect:
[a] Loss of direction
[b] Lack of peace and joy
[c] Depression
[d] Foul vocal emissions
[e] Selfishness
[f] Ingratitude
[g] Fearfulness
[h] Rebellion
[i] Jealousy

The Manufacturer is providing factory authorized repair service free of charge to correct the SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus Christ, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. To repeat, there is no fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected please upload the burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Christ, into the heart component of the human unit.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Christ will replace it with:
[a] Love
[b] Joy
[c] Peace
[d] Kindness
[e] Goodness
[f] Faithfulness
[g] Gentleness
[h] Patience
[I] Self-control

Please see the operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details on the use of these fixes.

As an added upgrade, the Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from the resident Maintenance Technician, the Holy Ghost. Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up residence on the premises.

WARNING: Continuing to operate a human being unit without corrections voids the Manufacturer's warranty, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will ultimately result in the human unit being incinerated.

Thank you for your immediate attention.