I am so thankful God brought me back from the grip of this world, BUT the only way that was even POSSIBLE was the fact that I opened my heart to the change that God had for me. The only way that I will be able to thrive on the path that God has for me in his perfect will is if I continue to have an open heart to God's changes. This video spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well. His name is Brian Welch and he was the lead singer (I think) of a secular rock band by the name of KORN
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
My First Essay
I wrote my first essay last night. It wasn't hard after I started writing, but to get myself to start that first sentence, MAN! It was like pulling my own teeth!
So, today is the peer review, I will let you know how it goes. Here it is to read though:
My God Experience
If you have ever stepped into and Apostolic Pentecostal church service, you will notice immediately that it is unlike any other church service you have ever or will ever attend. The experience is one you will never forget, from the friendly, smiling people to the upbeat, soul stirring music, to the unabashed, straightforward preaching. Being raised in an Apostolic Pentecostal church, I was privileged to experience this first hand for the majority of my lifetime. Two years ago, I had a God experience that changed my life. Everyone that has ever experienced the presence of God will never be the same. It is a life-changing experience that will either change you for the better or, if not acted on, it will be a nagging thought of “what if” for the rest of your life.
Being at church and experiencing the presence of God is refreshing, uplifting and even strengthening. There have been many times that I have gone to church after a long day, exhausted to the point of falling asleep and just from experience of the praise and worship service, I am energized and awake during the preaching. Many of these times I hear something that will help me through either a current problem or help me to understand a problem from my past.
Two years ago, I turned my heart back to God. Even though I had been raised in church, I hadn’t really gotten the revelation of who God really is; what it means to truly be a child of the King; what it’s like to be a love slave for Christ. From that night until now it has been a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything else I have experienced in my life this far. That experience has changed my thought process, how I deal with different situations, my attitude, the way I dress, and so much more. I am noticeably different.
In the essay “Salvation” by Langston Hughes, the author relays a description of what his Aunt Reed, and other adults in her church, says it is like to receive Jesus into his life. Although the essay doesn’t say that whether or not he received Jesus, the description is very telling. Receiving the Holy Ghost, Jesus, is a lot like Hughes’ description, although I wouldn’t put it the same way. The feelings I had when I received the Holy Ghost were joy, elation, like I was walking on air, as if I was a new person, that nothing in my life that I had ever done wrong mattered anymore, and so many others.
Living a changed life has made all the difference in the direction my life path is going. I went from living with my ex-boyfriend and participating in an un-wholesome and dangerous lifestyle, to going to school, working and being in a loving relationship with a man who shares my deepest hearts desire to serve the Lord with all my heart for the rest of my life. My God experience wasn’t a one-time thing, it is an everyday occurrence for which I wake up every morning anticipating what God has in store for me. Who will I cross paths with that I can share this boundless joy with?
I am actually in class right now. So gotta go!
So, today is the peer review, I will let you know how it goes. Here it is to read though:
My God Experience
If you have ever stepped into and Apostolic Pentecostal church service, you will notice immediately that it is unlike any other church service you have ever or will ever attend. The experience is one you will never forget, from the friendly, smiling people to the upbeat, soul stirring music, to the unabashed, straightforward preaching. Being raised in an Apostolic Pentecostal church, I was privileged to experience this first hand for the majority of my lifetime. Two years ago, I had a God experience that changed my life. Everyone that has ever experienced the presence of God will never be the same. It is a life-changing experience that will either change you for the better or, if not acted on, it will be a nagging thought of “what if” for the rest of your life.
Being at church and experiencing the presence of God is refreshing, uplifting and even strengthening. There have been many times that I have gone to church after a long day, exhausted to the point of falling asleep and just from experience of the praise and worship service, I am energized and awake during the preaching. Many of these times I hear something that will help me through either a current problem or help me to understand a problem from my past.
Two years ago, I turned my heart back to God. Even though I had been raised in church, I hadn’t really gotten the revelation of who God really is; what it means to truly be a child of the King; what it’s like to be a love slave for Christ. From that night until now it has been a journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything else I have experienced in my life this far. That experience has changed my thought process, how I deal with different situations, my attitude, the way I dress, and so much more. I am noticeably different.
In the essay “Salvation” by Langston Hughes, the author relays a description of what his Aunt Reed, and other adults in her church, says it is like to receive Jesus into his life. Although the essay doesn’t say that whether or not he received Jesus, the description is very telling. Receiving the Holy Ghost, Jesus, is a lot like Hughes’ description, although I wouldn’t put it the same way. The feelings I had when I received the Holy Ghost were joy, elation, like I was walking on air, as if I was a new person, that nothing in my life that I had ever done wrong mattered anymore, and so many others.
Living a changed life has made all the difference in the direction my life path is going. I went from living with my ex-boyfriend and participating in an un-wholesome and dangerous lifestyle, to going to school, working and being in a loving relationship with a man who shares my deepest hearts desire to serve the Lord with all my heart for the rest of my life. My God experience wasn’t a one-time thing, it is an everyday occurrence for which I wake up every morning anticipating what God has in store for me. Who will I cross paths with that I can share this boundless joy with?
I am actually in class right now. So gotta go!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Another New Car & Valentine's Day
I'll start with Valentine's day. I almost didn't have one. Only by the kindness of Margi, putting up the deposit for a rental car, did I have one. She is so awesome!
Bobby, Mariah, Jasi (Jazzy), Andy and I had a great time. Jasi got cuddly toward the later afternoon and I got to hold her & feed her & rock her to sleep. Awww =)
(I actually got a semi-normal picture outta him. It's a miracle!!)
So, after a great afternoon, I get home and there is a box on my front step. It looks fammiliar...like the one that I got for Christmas. Hmmm.....
I was on the phone with Andy at the time....and guess what? Yes the flowers were from him. He didn't even give me on hint that he had gotten me flowers. Little runt!
(Aren't they beautiful?)
Well, last but most certainly not least!!! I have my new car!! My other one decided to die on me, as you know. So now I have a (as my mom would say) "Spicy" New Car. It is so very nice. And it has a moon roof!!!!!! So what I wanted. YAY!!
Well, time to go catch up on all the homework that I have been neglecting these past few weeks. Yes I said weeks. I know. I just dug my own grave. I'm going to go and try to get out now. =)
Hope you liked the update. =)
Bobby, Mariah, Jasi (Jazzy), Andy and I had a great time. Jasi got cuddly toward the later afternoon and I got to hold her & feed her & rock her to sleep. Awww =)
(I actually got a semi-normal picture outta him. It's a miracle!!)
So, after a great afternoon, I get home and there is a box on my front step. It looks fammiliar...like the one that I got for Christmas. Hmmm.....
I was on the phone with Andy at the time....and guess what? Yes the flowers were from him. He didn't even give me on hint that he had gotten me flowers. Little runt!
(Aren't they beautiful?)
Well, last but most certainly not least!!! I have my new car!! My other one decided to die on me, as you know. So now I have a (as my mom would say) "Spicy" New Car. It is so very nice. And it has a moon roof!!!!!! So what I wanted. YAY!!
Well, time to go catch up on all the homework that I have been neglecting these past few weeks. Yes I said weeks. I know. I just dug my own grave. I'm going to go and try to get out now. =)
Hope you liked the update. =)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Let Go & Let God
How many times have you heard that phrase "Let Go & Let God"?
Me?.....I can't count anymore. =)
These past two years have been "LG&LG" moments everyday. What could be so bad with that you ask? Well, let me tell ya! If you DON'T "LG&LG" you are in for a bumpy ride! Oh yes! If you try and control the situation, Gueess Whaat?? That's right, you LOOSE control!
Can you tell I am speaking from experience? =)
So lets just bring you up to date over the past two weeks since my last post.
Let's see. I got an adorable car, which turned out to be NOT a good car. Last week on the way home from church, I was on the phone {on my Bluetooth =)} and I hear this "pop" underneath my car. I figured it was something that came from the road and hit the bottom of my car. When I get off of the freeway and turn onto 30th, it starts revving weird when I take off. I didn't really think anything of it until the next morning I start my car to go to school and Whaddya Know! It starts gushing out dense white smoke...that doesn't dissipate (go away), instead it smokes up the entire street until you can't see the end of it. So, of course, FREAK OUT TIME comes into play. I call my sister to see if her car insurance plan has road side assistance that will tow my car to the automotive shop. Nope, and of course, being the smart cookie I am, I DIDN'T get that on my car insurance plan because, you know, when will I ever need that? Oh....only less than a WEEK after I put the car in my name! I mean I don't even have the official title yet, for Peet's Sake!!! {That was a plug for Peet's Coffee & Tea, for all of those who needed the hint. =)~} Soooo, That was my wonderful Wednesday morning. As the morning progressed, I called my Uncle's automotive guy and had my poor little hunk of junk towed to his shop. He calls me by the end of the day and tells me that my head gasket blew & I have 2 options:
#1 Replace the head gasket for $1800 OR #2 Buy a new engine for $2500
WHY!?!?!?!?! WHY ME!?!?!?!? I just bought this stinkin thing less than two weeks ago!(At the time) Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
So after getting a rental car at 4PM, I am driving up to Auburn and Garfield (where Pat's shop is-Automotive Guy @ Pat's Little Shop Of Wrenches), balling my eyes out on the phone with Andrew. We pray for peace and God's will to be done and I start to calm down.
OH! Wednesday was supposed to be my 1st day on my new job! That was great having to call in and say that I can't start today because the car that I bought specifically for this job decided to die on me.
Thursday I am still figuring out my options considering I have no more money to spend on a car. Miracle of all Miracles, my Uncle volunteers to lend me $1000 toward a car fund & so does my Dad! I didn't even have to ask! God was already starting to work on my situation! My mom's side of the family has the "family practice" of NOT lending money to anyone. So that is the Miracle of all Miracles, well one of them. Oh yes and I officially started my job that day too. (Exactly one week ago)
Friday, I talk to my Uncle and I decide that since Pat is giving me the option of selling my HOJ (Hunk Of Junk) to him for $1000, that is what I will do.
Sunday afternoon, Maria and I go car shopping. We went to probably 6 different used car dealerships on Fulton Ave. and everything was $4000 or more. Talk about discouraging. So my Uncle, bless his heart, goes looking for a car for me. He finds a Ford something-or-other. Now Ford's are not an option. They are HOJs to the MAX. So when I tell my Uncle that I don't want the Ford, well....let's just say he was disappointed. Around the time that I talked to him, Maria stopped to pray. She asked God to lead us the perfect car, that was about 3:40/45ish. When I dropped her off at home, she got onto Craigslist around 4:15 or so and saw this cute '94 Honda Accord, 4D, Red Wine color. So cute. She e-mails the gal and finds out that the car is still available. When she looks at the time that the car was posted...Get This! It was posted at 3:45PM!!!!!! Can you believe it!!! I have had God answer prayer, but not in the same exact minute the prayer was uttered!!!! So, Maria is about to send her an e-mail back to set up an appointment to view the car and she is led to say "I will bring cash for the car tomorrow morning". The girl is leaving the country to go on a volunteer aid trip (I can't remember the name of the organization), so the car won't be available until Monday the 16th, which is the day she is leaving.
So last Monday morning, we go see the car. This little car is absolutely beautiful. It has a moon roof, which I asked God for, and it is a 5-Speed. It has impeccable interior and only a few minor cosmetic stuff on the outside. The paint job looks like new. When we get to talking to the girl, she tells us the trip she is going on is to, get this, HONDURAS! (For those of you who don't know, I am half Honduran. I was just there in August 2007!) Totally crazy! and SO Totally a God thing.
Well, through all of this craziness, my landlord has been such a blessing. She let me borrow her car for the past two days and is letting me borrow it tomorrow as well. AND above all of that, since I won't have a car available on Valentine's day she is willing to put up the deposit for a rental car so that I CAN have a car for that day!! She is the best!!!!!!
OH Yeah, I can't forget to tell what happened two and half weeks ago on Sunday. Andy and I consecrated a deeper commitment to God. Since then, everything has been thrown our way. The day after, Andy gets up from praying and can't move because it feels like he dislocated a rib. Then on the morning of my car fiasco, he gets not so good news. Then so many other things. My goodness! Guess what Devil? NaNaNaNaNaNa! (C.M. Style)
WOW it's late. I gotta go to bed. Good night everyone! Hope you like my crazy life! lol
Me?.....I can't count anymore. =)
These past two years have been "LG&LG" moments everyday. What could be so bad with that you ask? Well, let me tell ya! If you DON'T "LG&LG" you are in for a bumpy ride! Oh yes! If you try and control the situation, Gueess Whaat?? That's right, you LOOSE control!
Can you tell I am speaking from experience? =)
So lets just bring you up to date over the past two weeks since my last post.
Let's see. I got an adorable car, which turned out to be NOT a good car. Last week on the way home from church, I was on the phone {on my Bluetooth =)} and I hear this "pop" underneath my car. I figured it was something that came from the road and hit the bottom of my car. When I get off of the freeway and turn onto 30th, it starts revving weird when I take off. I didn't really think anything of it until the next morning I start my car to go to school and Whaddya Know! It starts gushing out dense white smoke...that doesn't dissipate (go away), instead it smokes up the entire street until you can't see the end of it. So, of course, FREAK OUT TIME comes into play. I call my sister to see if her car insurance plan has road side assistance that will tow my car to the automotive shop. Nope, and of course, being the smart cookie I am, I DIDN'T get that on my car insurance plan because, you know, when will I ever need that? Oh....only less than a WEEK after I put the car in my name! I mean I don't even have the official title yet, for Peet's Sake!!! {That was a plug for Peet's Coffee & Tea, for all of those who needed the hint. =)~} Soooo, That was my wonderful Wednesday morning. As the morning progressed, I called my Uncle's automotive guy and had my poor little hunk of junk towed to his shop. He calls me by the end of the day and tells me that my head gasket blew & I have 2 options:
#1 Replace the head gasket for $1800 OR #2 Buy a new engine for $2500
So after getting a rental car at 4PM, I am driving up to Auburn and Garfield (where Pat's shop is-Automotive Guy @ Pat's Little Shop Of Wrenches), balling my eyes out on the phone with Andrew. We pray for peace and God's will to be done and I start to calm down.
OH! Wednesday was supposed to be my 1st day on my new job! That was great having to call in and say that I can't start today because the car that I bought specifically for this job decided to die on me.
Thursday I am still figuring out my options considering I have no more money to spend on a car. Miracle of all Miracles, my Uncle volunteers to lend me $1000 toward a car fund & so does my Dad! I didn't even have to ask! God was already starting to work on my situation! My mom's side of the family has the "family practice" of NOT lending money to anyone. So that is the Miracle of all Miracles, well one of them. Oh yes and I officially started my job that day too. (Exactly one week ago)
Friday, I talk to my Uncle and I decide that since Pat is giving me the option of selling my HOJ (Hunk Of Junk) to him for $1000, that is what I will do.
Sunday afternoon, Maria and I go car shopping. We went to probably 6 different used car dealerships on Fulton Ave. and everything was $4000 or more. Talk about discouraging. So my Uncle, bless his heart, goes looking for a car for me. He finds a Ford something-or-other. Now Ford's are not an option. They are HOJs to the MAX. So when I tell my Uncle that I don't want the Ford, well....let's just say he was disappointed. Around the time that I talked to him, Maria stopped to pray. She asked God to lead us the perfect car, that was about 3:40/45ish. When I dropped her off at home, she got onto Craigslist around 4:15 or so and saw this cute '94 Honda Accord, 4D, Red Wine color. So cute. She e-mails the gal and finds out that the car is still available. When she looks at the time that the car was posted...Get This! It was posted at 3:45PM!!!!!! Can you believe it!!! I have had God answer prayer, but not in the same exact minute the prayer was uttered!!!! So, Maria is about to send her an e-mail back to set up an appointment to view the car and she is led to say "I will bring cash for the car tomorrow morning". The girl is leaving the country to go on a volunteer aid trip (I can't remember the name of the organization), so the car won't be available until Monday the 16th, which is the day she is leaving.
So last Monday morning, we go see the car. This little car is absolutely beautiful. It has a moon roof, which I asked God for, and it is a 5-Speed. It has impeccable interior and only a few minor cosmetic stuff on the outside. The paint job looks like new. When we get to talking to the girl, she tells us the trip she is going on is to, get this, HONDURAS! (For those of you who don't know, I am half Honduran. I was just there in August 2007!) Totally crazy! and SO Totally a God thing.
Well, through all of this craziness, my landlord has been such a blessing. She let me borrow her car for the past two days and is letting me borrow it tomorrow as well. AND above all of that, since I won't have a car available on Valentine's day she is willing to put up the deposit for a rental car so that I CAN have a car for that day!! She is the best!!!!!!
OH Yeah, I can't forget to tell what happened two and half weeks ago on Sunday. Andy and I consecrated a deeper commitment to God. Since then, everything has been thrown our way. The day after, Andy gets up from praying and can't move because it feels like he dislocated a rib. Then on the morning of my car fiasco, he gets not so good news. Then so many other things. My goodness! Guess what Devil? NaNaNaNaNaNa! (C.M. Style)
WOW it's late. I gotta go to bed. Good night everyone! Hope you like my crazy life! lol
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