I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face

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

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

1. 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.
2. 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Moroccan Evening

Thoughtless... not

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

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

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.

Read more here

School

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...

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

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

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

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

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,

SD

Prayer Insights

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.

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

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...

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

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

The team in Rabat at the King's tomb.

A life changing experience

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

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

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.

Lines...

"My Lord, My Love, my heart's Eternal Light
Shine on Thy lover through the hours of night,
Shine on my thoughts, my very dreams be found
About Thy business, on some holy ground."

"Walking the dawn-wind, Jesus, Heavenly Lover,
In the still beauty of the waking morn,
Unveil Thyself to me, and with the vision
Shall come the strength for trial yet unborn."

-Amy Charmichael

Prayer Insights

By: Dr. Steve Swihart

Not long ago I completed a study of the four Gospels. My objective was to find out what made Jesus such a great leader. I wanted to discover those qualities in Jesus’ life that He both practiced and passed along to others (especially other leaders). Altogether, I found twelve items that made Jesus the world’s most remarkable leader. In this Prayer Guide we will briefly examine the first outstanding element in Jesus’life: PROFOUND HUMILITY.

Humility is the root beneath every spiritual fruit (including successful prayer). Jesus knew this, and he was without any doubts the most humble person ever to live on earth. From start to finish, Jesus knew that a humble disposition was required if he (or anyone else) were to bring glory to God. Too often the world looks on the OUTSIDE, but Jesus knew that God looked on the INSIDE, and what God wanted to see, more than anything else, was A HUMBLE HEART (see Matt. 20:20-28; Lk. 22:39-44 and Phil. 2:5-11).

Death

Recently, I've been thinking about death. By death I don't mean the kind were your flesh dies and gets rotten, but the kind of death that calls you to a higher path: resurrection. When Jesus died, he sacrificed His life just to save His beloved bride (church); when He rose from the death, His body was glorified and sanctified as He went to be at the right hand of the Father...

Feeling lonely and afraid, Jesus, in His very last hours cried to the Father. Being the Son of God , He had the power to summit to Himself all powers and principalities, including men. As a man, He had the choice to either wait for His prosecutors, or run away... His will met the will of the father. Who's will are you pursuing? Yours or the Father's? Addison Leitch said that when the will of God crosses the will of man, somebody has to die. So we die in order to live.

The temporal suffering and pain we might be going through, will be just a fainted memory compared to the rewards we will be given in Heaven. Our purpose here on earth, is to die to ourselves, and to start to live for Christ. Paul says "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." How can you gain something from dying? Dying to one's self is is though, and wrecking for the flesh, yet, our spirits long for that carnal death, so that our bodies can be glorified, and sanctified as Jesus was. "Christ in us, the hope of glory," yet, the only way to have Christ in us, is to die.

The path of renunciation isn't easy. When the night in your life is at its darkest point, then God will show you the light to the path of renunciation, so that, you may follow the same path Christ took to the Calvary.

God has taken so many things away from my life, that just when I thought I had nothing left to give, He asks me for more... I will not offer a burnt sacrifice that cost me nothing (see 1 Chr. 21: 24) I will give to the Lord the best out of my life, the things I love the most... My dreams, my desires; all to Him because I will not offer something to Him that has cost me nothing!

I wait.
Dear Lord, Thy ways
Are past finding out,
Thy Love too high.
O hold me still
Beneath Thy shadow.
It is enough that Though
Lift up the light
Of Thy countenance.
I wait-
Because I am commanded
So to do. My mind
Is filled with wondering.
My soul asks "Why?"
But then the quiet word,
"Wait thou only
Upon God."
And so, not even for the light
To show a step ahead,
But for Thee, dear Lord,
I wait.


Ps. 44:18 (NEB)

In hot pursuit,

SD

Do you know Him?

Thou shalt know Him when He comes
Not by any din of drums,
Nor the vantage of His airs,
Nor by anything He wears,
Neither by His own crown nor His gown.

For His presence known shall be
By the holy harmony
Which His coming makes in thee.

-Anonymous

Friends from Mexico with friends from Fuego Nuevo (CBC) 

La conversion de Saulo/ Saul's conversion... A picture from one of our Fuegon Nuevo/ New Fire Hispanic youth group meeting. 

The Beloved's Request

I've been reading Song of Songs lately. I was inspired to read these verses because a friend of mine who came from Mexico wrote the most beautiful song I have ever heard from these verses.

I won't post the song because he's just recording it ( I just got the preview of his album). The most amazing thing about his song is that he, being a guy, was able to unveil his feelings before God and to tell Him how much he really loves Him. The song is just beautiful... I might post his song if he allows me to, once his album has been released, on the mean time, I delight in God's words spoken to me just as Solomon spoke them to his beloved one thousands of years ago.

I advice you to read Song of Songs so that you may know God's poet side. If you're interested in knowing his warrior side, read Revelations...

My beloved spoke, and said to me:

"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."

My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hidding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.

From Song of Songs 2:10-15

The Refiner

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver"

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.

He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Know that God is watching over you. And, whatever situation you're going through, will cause you to be a better person in the end. Remain Blessed.


What a great blessing it is to know that our Mighty God is watching over us. That when the situations around us seem to only increase and our hope seems to decrease; it is for our good, and for the best. Remember that even in the hottest seasons of your life it is when God is truly shaping you into His perfect image, so that you may "shine like stars in the universe." What a glorious promise, to know that in the middle of our storms God is purifying our flawed selfs so that we may be taken from glory to glory until the day Our Lord comes to take us to be with Him forever.

"Yo soy de mi amado, y de nadie mas. En El esta mi contentamiento."

In hot pursuit,

Sarahi

A song by Juan Luis Guerra

I love merengue, especially when it comes to Christian merengue that only brings honor and glory to God. Not the merengue that brings pleasure to the flesh, but the merengue that is pleasing to GOD, the merengue that God delights in.
So anyway, here's a song from the "Para Ti" (For You) latest CD of Juan Luis Guerra. For those of you who have never hear of this guy; he's a Christian worshiper and prophet. He used to sing secular music (merengue and tropical) was very famous and popular, and very given to the sensual pleasures of his flesh. But then, he became a Christian and is now a worshiper and a trompet, he's an awesome prophet.
This song is called "Eres" (You are). I'm making a rough translation of this beautiful, song.

Eres/You are
Words and music by Juan Luis Guerra

Oh Senor, en ti he confiado/ Oh my Lord, I've put my trust in You
Pongo en tus manos mi espiritu/ My spirit I put in Your hands
Oh Senor, me has redimido/ Oh my Lord, you've have redeemed my life
Y en ti se alegra mi corazon/ And my heart rejoices before You (throne)

Eres mi fuerza y mi morada/ You are my strength and shelter
Eres la voz de mi madrugada/ You are the voice in my dawn
Eres mi roca y mi torre fuerte/ You are my rock and my strong tower
Eres Senor/ You are my Lord

Oh Senor, bendito siempre/ Oh my Lord, forever blessed
Alfa y Omega, principio y fin/ Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end
Oh Senor mi ser te adora/ Oh my Lord, my whole being worships You
Y en Tu presencia quiero vivir/ And in Your presence I wan to live.

God has become my only adoration. My only love. I have no eyes for anyone else, I wish for nobody's company by His alone. He's the first voice I hear at dawn, the last voice I hear as I go to sleep; the Only One I dream of, the One I love, I adore.

God, You know You're my life, my world, my everything, my Beloved. God, I am your slave, but not because You took me by force, but because I gave myself unto You! Jesus, Father, Holy Spirit; I Love You. I long for your company, for your voice. Just to see your beautiful eyes as I wake up every morning... Come, stay here with me, by my side... forever.

At Your feet,

Songbird

New Prohetic trends will NOW emerge

This article was writen some months ago. I see how this word is coming to pass... It's so awesome that out generation is a generation of prophet-worshipers with a sword, what a great blessing to not only be called a servant, but a friend; to fight right next to my Mighty Warrior Poet, mighty in power, mighty in deeds... Some sentences and words I've bolded so that you pay close attention to the main words the Spirit of God is speaking to His childre.

I've learned to be silent during these weeks, just to wait on the Lord. I don't move a finger of mine unless the Lord tells me to do it so. Generation, listen, listen to the soft, sweet voice of the Poet, then, the Warrior will call you out for war.

In hot pursuit,

Sarahi

New Prophetic Trends Will NOW Emerge: A 10 Day Prayer Focus to Decree & Emerge into Your Promises Ahead!

By Dr. Chuck D. Pierce

AN EMERGING PROPHETIC GENERATION SANCTIFIED FOR WAR!

Much that has been hidden will now begin to EMERGE! The prophetic voice is going through a metamorphosis and getting ready to emerge. Many have grown weary of a lack of integrity and immaturity in the prophetic. However, I have seen the prophetic since 1986 being like a butterfly emerging out of a cocoon. When the butterfly emerges there is great beauty. A metamorphosized beauty is linked with holiness. Psalm 96:9 says, “O, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Tremble before Him all the earth.” God has been renewing the mind of the prophets and breaking their conformity to this world (Romans 12:1-2).

To be conformed means that your outer fashion and appearance is modeled or patterned after world lust. God is removing the old garment from His prophets, transforming their minds and spirits, and preparing them to speak a clear word in season. This is a generation that is arising that will enter into a holy clarity of God’s expression in the earth.

We are entering a SEASON OF CRISIS. At any midpoint, it’s crucial to continue pressing forward and not go backwards. The Lord has a desire to raise up a generation to bring peace or wholeness into the earth realm. However, this is a generation with a sword in their hand. Many have resisted embracing the war aspect of this season. This happened in Numbers 14 when it was time for a generation to enter into Canaan to establish themselves in God’s promised land. Twelve spies went in. Ten returned with a report of the promises being real in the land. However, they were unwilling to go to war for those promises.
Forty years later, we find the Lord sanctifying a generation that would cross over into the war and possess God’s promise. We find the Lord developing a priesthood that would go before the people. We find the Captain of the Hosts meeting the leadership in a way to lead them past “their camps” and into His plan. We find a generation that was ready to BELIEVE and FOLLOW! That same thing is happening now. A generation is rising that is willing to believe, war and follow.

A FAITH-FILLED GENERATION IS EMERGING!

We have recently entered the Hebraic Year 5765. This is the fourth year in a seven year war season that began in September 2001. This is the year that many issues will come FULL CIRCLE! Therefore, this is the year that a generation must emerge with great spiritual life. This war is over the manifestation of covenant blessings in the earth realm. A generation is rising to bring forth the next dimension of covenant blessings in the earth. There seems to be ten emerging prophetic issues that we need to be concerned about this year. To emerge means to rise forth and come into view, to become visible, apparent or known, or sudden unforeseen situations coming into full view that require immediate action.
A generation is always linked with the act or process of producing offspring. A generation signifies a stage or degree in the succession of a person or a group of people who are aligned in experience, attitude, spiritual force or product development. A generation signifies a stage that should produce the next level of improvement and quality.

In Biblical understanding, a generation is linked with a revolution of time, or a certain age or lifespan where something happens. The Hebrew words for generation are doar and dur which mean to dwell or circle. Therefore, a generation is not just linked with age but with a heart to enter into the fullness of God’s planned inheritance for this time frame. It is a people filled will faith and a different spirit that have a heart cry like Caleb who said, “I’ve waited forty years - give me my inheritance now.” It is a corporate army who is crying, “We will not go around that mountain again! We are ready to break old cycles and enter in!”
In Matthew 24:6-7 the Lord told us, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (emphasis added). If “the end is not yet,” then we must rise up and enter into the “now” of God. The end has connotations of finality. Since we have not reached that final place where the culmination of all things has occurred, we must learn to operate in the now!

What we do now will determine our future. Isaiah 46:9-10 says, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My Counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”

When we hear the word “war” we have thoughts of destruction, sorrow, grief, loss, conflict, and death. However, the Lord says clearly, “See that you are not troubled.” God is putting a peace in our hearts so a generation that is arising will go to war for all of God’s covenant promises. This generation is not just people young of age, but a people with a heart filled with faith, aligned together to bring forth God’s plan. There are many wars ahead: wars over the changing of laws and times, wars over calling good evil, and evil good, wars of compromise, wars of religion wanting us to take a form but denying the power of God. But God! This is a generation who will declare, decree a thing, and watch God bring it forth in the earth.

DECLARING BY FAITH FOR CYCLES TO SHIFT NOW!!!!

When the Lord makes a declaration He already knows the end of the thing. Recognize that you are on a path of life. It is set before you. You are urged to press along that path and endure that path until you reach the end. There are big boulders and potholes in the way, and often times, the path needs to be cleared out before you can begin. There may even be boulders all along the way. However, our Father in Heaven is going to watch after you from the beginning of that path until the finish line because He already knows the end.
With this reality we should never lose faith or hope along our path. The real issue along the path is to have a reality of who God is and what His purpose is from the beginning until the end. “I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Rev 22:13). This is simply a statement that says, “I AM. I AM, and I can make you well able to accomplish My purpose here on the earth.” A verse that I want to remind you of is Jeremiah 33:3 from the Amplified: “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).” Let God show you things that you do not know so you can walk in victory.

10 EMERGING PROPHETIC SHIFTS!

A 10 Day Prayer Focus to Decree & Emerge into your Promises Ahead!

1. A New Passion in God’s prophetic people to be holy and separated out of and unto His purposes. Read Colossians 1. Ask God to reveal any unholy, besetting sin within you that could affect your conscience and allow Satan’s seducing, condemning voice to speak subtly in your ear. Meditate on Joshua 1-3. Prepare yourself for victory.

2. New emerging strategies that will cause us to have the right word to change legal structures. This is where the real war over our nation lies. Read Acts 3-5. Pray that the spirit of boldness begins to rest upon you. Ask the Spirit of God to deal with all of your infirmities. Ask the Lord to show you your place of involvement concerning legal structures in days ahead. Read Colossians 2. Ask God to remove any religious legalism you might be operating in.

3. New strategies concerning supply and the transference of wealth. Read 1 Kings 17, 2 Kings 4, and Mark 12:41-44. Decree that the spirit of poverty will not speak and deceive you this year. Ask God to show you how to multiply your resources. Ask the Lord to give you favor with your creditors. Ask the Lord to show you how to give. Ask the Lord to break a spirit of greed or covetousness in your bloodline.

4. New warfare strategies of recovery and reversal of fortune. Sit before the Lord and ask Him to give you the mind for recovery. Last month we prayed 1 Samuel 30. Re-read 1 Samuel 30:6-8. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Then read Jeremiah 30. Ask the Lord to give you an understanding of the power of restoration. Then pray Haggai 1-2. Decree that all disinterest, disillusionment and discouragement will break from you. Pray for every building project that God has put in your path – that includes ministries and your church as well as any physical building. Ask God to unlock the silver and the gold.

5. A new release of the seer anointing that will cause us to experience new dimensions of our covenant blessing. Read Jeremiah 31-33. Look very closely at the promises that are recorded with the new covenant. Ask God for any distinct obedience that He would have you do to prepare you for the new. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to mighty things that have been hidden to your understanding.

6. A new miracle mantle upon God’s people that produces signs, wonders and healings in the Body and the world around us. Be overwhelmed and encompassed by His supernatural LOVE. Read Colossians 3:1-17. Pray in the Spirit for five minutes. If you do not have a spiritual language then praise for five minutes. Receive a release of compassion. There will be great breakthroughs in the area of blood, the mind, and the endocrine system. Read Hebrews 4 and 9. Pray for everyone you know that has diseases related to the blood, mind or endocrine system. Ask God to bring them in your path so you can lay hands on them. Do not be afraid to lay your hands on the sick and pray for them this year.

7. New prophetic declarations that will cause old cycles to be fully completed, and new administrative methods released. Read Ezekiel 36-37. Read Matthew 14. Make a list of old cycles that have been hard to break. Decree the opposite.

8. A new season of adventure. This will not be a “safe” season spiritually. You must be willing to step out by faith. Read Hebrews 11. Then choose one of the faith characters and read the history of how that person stepped out. Ask God to give you faith to make a bold leap of faith this year. This is a year to walk a FINE LINE in every area of life. Do not be afraid of falling. Do not try to stay balanced in the flesh. Do not let your fear of change make you afraid of making decisions. This is a year of the Spirit supernaturally rekindling the power gifts. The war will take a supernatural turn. Read 1 Cor. 12 &14. Do not be afraid to experiment and be creative. Witchcraft will become very subtle. The Spirit of God will lead us into occult vs. Holy Spirit wars. Ask Holy Spirit to invade your life, church or ministry connections, and your state.

9. A new season of aligning the generations. Pray for three prodigals that you know. Pray for a college campus. Read Luke 15, especially vss. 11-32. We must connect the generations. Three generations must learn to war together this year (Isaiah 59:15-21). All three generations should speak the same prophetic declarations. The word generation is linked with circle. If you have time, re-read Esther 9.

10. New watchman strategies. Read Ezekiel 13:5. Prophets must shift from just prophesying to watching and standing in the gap. Our watchman assignments are changing. This will be a year of confusion and mixed reports. The Lord will release great discernment based upon our connections and alignments. Ask God who and what you are watching after. Read Genesis 2:8-15. Ask God to define your garden. Ask Him what gardens you are watching after. Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33. Ask God to give you a sure word over those assignments that you are watching after. Read Isaiah 62. Let the restlessness of God come upon you that you may be watchful and not keep silent over the burdens of your heart.

From Glory of Zion

Small group at my house with other people who came visiting from Mexico 

Bere and I with Mike Herron 

The Law of the Yukon

By Robert Service

Send not your foolish and feeble; send me your strong and your sane-
Strong for the red rage of battle; sane, for I harry them sore;
Send me men girt for the combat, men who are grit to the core;
Swift as the panther in triumph, fierce as the bear in defeat,
Sired of a bulldog parent, steeled in the furnace of heat.

'And I wait for the men who will win me- and I will not be won in
a day.
And I will not be won by weaklings, subtle, suave and mild,
But by men with the hearts of vikings, and the simple faith of a child;
Desperate, strong and resistless, unthrottled by fear or defeat,
Them will I gild with my treasure, them will I glut with my meat.'

Christians are always in constant fierce, bloody battles. We're gladiators, only the strongest survive- those who have set their eyes on Jesus, who call Him Jehovah Nissi. To them is given the privilege to see one soul come to Christ... To glut on the meat of defeated enemies like David did on Samson's head.

The youth of our generation need strong men who will go. Who will say Lord send me? Here I am? Can you hear the calling? Can you hear the cry of your generation?

There's so much strength in our generation. .. I want to share a little quote I found in a book I'm reading by Elisabeth Elliot called Shadow of the Almighty, which is the life and testament of her husband Jim Elliot. His life has touched mine so much, that I can comprehend now that only a devoted life, is a world-changing life. These lines were taken from his journal:

"For youth there is special wretchedness, for then the powers within conflict most bluntly with the powers without. Restraint is most galling, release most desired. To compensate for these, youth has special powers. ' I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you; and ye have overcome the Wicked One.' Unusual strength is a premium for youth; acuteness and retentive powers are more real in youth; victory sweetest in youth. Lord, let me live to the hilt, exerting all its force, loosing all its fire. In Solomonic wisdom, I would rejoice in youth, yet remember my Creator."

In hot pursuit,

Sarahi

Prayer insight

By Dr. Steve Swihart

Daily devotions are vital, but sometimes you will need more. When you sense that the Lord is calling you to spend a larger block of time with Him, consider these two options:

(1) Devote a quarter or a half or a whole day to the Lord (praying, reading, listening to Christian teachings/music, meditating, taking notes on the Lord’s messages to your heart, and so on). This plan is best achieved when your family is gone from the home, or when you can get away from your home to a quiet place without interruptions.

(2) Devote an extra hour or so to fellowshipping with the Lord. This suggestion can normally be achieved by dedicating the final hour of your day, before going to bed, to the Lord. If this idea won’t work for you, stay up an extra hour after everyone is asleep, or get up an hour before everyone else. You can do this one time or several times back to back.

When regular devotions aren’t enough for you, spend a larger block of time with the Lord for renewal and revelation. Ask Him to help you find a place and a time when you can sit-and-soak with Him.

This painting I just posted was based on a popular novel (The Genious of Christianity) by the French writer Chateaubriand. The novel depicts two young Native American lovers from different tribes who fall in love and run away together through the wilderness.
The relevance of the painting is that it was not merely to be meditated upon, but to portray the human emotions surrounding our complex nature, which was one of the main topics during the Enlightement/ Neoclassicism of the Mid-19 Century, particularly in Art.

The Burial of Atala, Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson, 1808

Longing for You

Mi copa llenarás

By Marco Barrientos from his Album Yo soy tu Paz
(From Ps. 42)

Con mi alma te he deseado en la noche,
Y en tanto que me dure el espíritu,
Dentro me mi, madrugare a buscarte
Tu Nombre y Tu memoria, son el deseo de mi alma

Como el siervo brama por las aguas
Así el alma mía bramara
Mi alma tiene sed del Dios viviente
¿Cuando vendré, y me presentare ante Ti?

Plenitud de gozo das
Y delicias a tu diestra
Solo en Tu presencia hay paz
Y mi copa llenaras… De Tu Amor.

Struggling to Keep a focused Mind, and above all a focused Heart

Undivided Heart
By Eugene Greco

A single heart pure in its devotion
Set apart for you
A willing heart whose door is always open
A heart that You can use

Give me an undivided heart
undivided heart
for the honor of Your name
an undivided heart

Undivided heart, undivided heart
my heart forever will remain
and undivided heart

A tender heart- filled with Your compassion
a heart that You can move
a loving heart-burning with a passion
Totally consumed... (Give me...)


How hard it is for human beings to keep a focused mind and heart... A heart that will not be moved, that will not be fooled by the waves of the emotional man within.
Being a Christian means to have a heart like the Lord's. A heart that loves what He loves...
I'm so afraid that I will be so consumed with accomplishing all those things the Lord has called me to do, that I will do everything within my own power to reach that one thing which I much desire. I do not want to be selfish. That's my biggest fear, that I would become so insensitive, so divided within my hear by things, by the "work of the Lord" that I'd forget about everyone else.
Looking at other people's needs, ministering, loving them, and serving them is the best way to keep our hearts humble and undivided. Knowing the Lord and speeding time at His feet is the best antidote... Loving HIM means loving everything that He loves.

I want a Ruth spirit to overcome my life. To truly say with all my heart, "Your people will be my people and Your God will be my God, wherever you go I will follow." I want a heart that will follow hard after my Lord, not only after His call, or after "serving Him." (Not that those things aren't important, by no means.) Always remember that He is, in the first place, the One to allow you to do all of these things- service, and having great future- for Him as an act of worship, not just responsibility or compromise.

Lord, give me an undivided heart. Remove all my selfish desires and dreams; that in trying to serve You, I'd forget Whom I serve. Give me an undivided heart!

"Lord give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness." - Jim Elliot

Losing you...

I don’t want your appreciation
But your love.
I don’t want your crumbles
But your whole.

Don’t you know that, that,
Which is loved the most,
Is the one thing for which
You sacrifice the most?

It’s taken me to lose it all
To really know that I had nothing at all.
I’ve learned to lose it all
So that I may gain it all.

I feel I've lost you.
Please tell me not it is too late.

(Jan. 12th, 2005)

From a collections of poems I've written over the years.

Everybody in our small group 

The guys from my small group 

Dim

When I don't like the reflection I see in the mirror, then I remember that the Lord is not done with me yet, that there's more work to be done... His soft whisper resounds in my ears, and then I thank the Lord that He takes us from "glory to glory."

That "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully know." (I Cor. 13:12) What a great promise to those who wait on the Lord. Keep your loving eyes set on God. Though we don't see dimly, then we shall have HIM face to face...

As for now, we can see how God puts every piece of the puzzle in place, that He who started the good work in us, will perfect it, in the mean time, I wait...

You are I AM

By Darell Evans

If You are the mountain

I am the climber

If You are the ocean

I am the diver

For You are I AM

If You are the potter

I am the clay

If You are the sunlight

I am the day

For You are I AM

You are the vine

I am the branch

I am the dancer

You are the dance

You are I AM

And there is no other

You are my passion

My vision my color

You are I AM

My everything

You are I AM

You are I AM

If You are the song

Lord I will sing

If You are the player

I am the strings

For You are I AM

If I am the novel

You are the writer

If I am the gold

Lord You are the fire

For You are I AM

You are the wind

I am the eagle

I am the canvas

You are the painter

You are I AM

and there is no other

You are my passion

My Vision my color

You are I AM

My Everything

You are I AM

You are I AM

May everything else around become dim in the bright light of the Presence of Jesus.

In hot pursuit,
ASD...etc

To my Valentine

Though I lack a Valentine, and have never had one, every year I like to write a letter to my future spouse. I pray for him, and ask the Lord to bless him and fill him up with His holy presence.
To all of us who long to find true love, and who are patient enough to wait for their priced beloved, here's a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Paradise.

I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,-- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life!-- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

I pray that I will learn to love my future warrior-poet this way, so that I may be a Proverbs 31 wife for him to truly deserve him and to serve him for the rest of my life...

Faithfully waiting for my warrior-poet,

ASD

Sweet Embrace

After midterms I am ill. I suppose it was because of the pressure from work and school. I dare not to say that my spiritual state is ill as well, for I have glorified God for this "thorn in the flesh" so that I may spend this time in bed, in His arms.
"The Lord is my Shepherd..." Though nauseous and weak, I have felt the presence of God stronger in my life today. Surrounded by worship music, and His pierced hands... His soft voice whispering into my ear those words I've longed to hear from His lips, "I love you, my Songbird." Though weak in the flesh, the Lords has glorified Himself in my spirit, and my soul has found that peace "which surpasses all understandings." He's looked into my naked soul, and has cleansed the wicked feelings that don't conform to His ways.
The path to the Cross is a path of renunciation. Step by step, the Creator of heaven and earth strips my soul and my flesh from those things hindering the flow of His spirit. During this time, I have come to love Him as I never thought I could love anyone else. Jesus, the One and Only. My Beloved, my Shepherd, my Prince, my Wonderful Consoler...

May I request from you, that you have me in your prayers, if once or twice a week that will suffice. Pray for my trip to Southern Spain (Andalusia) and Morocco. Pray that the Lords will give us (The Grecos, and team) boldness, wisdom, and peace as we minister to the pastors and worship leaders in Spain and Morocco. Specially in Morocco, as it is a Muslim country, though we won't be able to meet with the underground Church in Morocco, we will be ministering to the leaders of these underground churches.

Here's a little song I wrote a couple of months ago which relates to the embrace of my Heavenly Prince...


Sweet Embrace

Take me in your arms of love
and show me your ways.
Teach me your truths as you
hold me close.

All in your sweet embrace,
there I find my strength;
where I come to know you,
as you hold me close.

(Oct. 17th, 2004)


No quiero ni pensar, en una vida de falsedad
porque contigo todo va muy bien.
No quiero ni pensar, que seria de mi
si mi oracion no fuera para ti.

Yo quiero que mi oracion sea como la fragancia
de un gardin, no cualquie gardin,
si no un gardin de rosas...

From RoJo. Learn more about RoJo Here

In hot pursuit,

ASD...etc

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliot

Have I an objet, Lord, below

Which would divide my heart with Thee?

Which would divert its even flow

In answer to Thy constancy?

O teach me quickly to return,

And cause my heart afresh to burn.

Have I hope, however dear,

Which would defer Thy coming, Lord-

Which would detain my spirit here

Where naught can lasting joy afford?

From it, my Savior, set me free

To look and long and wait for Thee.

Be Thou the object bright and fair

To fill and satisfy the heart,

My hope to meet Thee in the air,

And nevermore from the part;

That I may undistracted be

To follow, serve, and wait for Thee

-G.W. Frazer

All for the Honor of Your Name

Lately, there has been some things in my heart which I'm afraid are blocking the road that leads me closer to my Heavenly Father. There are seasons in life where one must pause and analyze the condition of our hearts to deeply see that which, is hindering our walk with God and that is keeping us away from the promises of God for our lives.

Knowing before hand, that once I start to analyze those things in my life that are so temporal, so very worthless; I might come to realize that I have nothing at all that is worth living for on this earth. I have nothing to hold on to. But I praise the Lord for that! That He in His mighty power and overflowing wisdom has dismantled my life of the things of the earth, so that I may utter the same words Abraham did as he dwelt among the Hittites, "I am an alien and stranger among you." (Gen. 23:4) Abraham, having lost his wife- mother of Isaac ( the seed of Abraham), and as such the representation of God's promises to Abraham- felt empty as he stood up before God, and Sarah's inert body acknowledging that he, just as his wife Sarah, was passing by...

This makes me think about my spiritual condition. Am I aware that I am just passing by? As I mentioned it earlier, I have nothing to hold on to. God has taken some Sarah's away from my life so that I may say that I am an alien, a stranger. Lord, I am just passing by. This process of losing the Sarah's in my life has been hard, painful, and sacrificial. But there's more to lose... Much more to give away. I will gladly consent to my Lord's request. Everything has been His from the very beginning, I own nothing (not even my own life) and "it is well with my soul."

I want to finish with a song written by Eugene Greco, a prominent song writer,and worship leader whom I hope I get to know better as I leave with him and his wife to Spain and Morocco this June. I hope that I die fully to myself during that trip. May this be the cry of my heart during this year, "Lord, whatever it takes!"

The Honor of Your Name
By Eugene Greco

Lord, You are free to do anything
Remove anything within me
That stands in Your way or causes You pain
Or hinders Your flow within me
Whatever the cost, whatever the loss
That You would be Lord of all

All for the honor of Your Name
Only the honor of Your Name
Let all You give or take away
Be for the honor Your name

O for the faith to fully embrace
The call You have placed within me Believing for more, I open the door
To Your Spirit's power within me
Whatever I need to finally see
My purpose and destiny...

The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. -Isaiah 50:4