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