"A Blessing In Disguise"

After the car accident I was in 10 days ago, my friends, relatives, church family, and even people I wasn't really close to- all wished me their blessings and prayed that God would bless me through this difficult time. Many sent get well cards, text messages, picture messages, called, or brought flowers to encourage and lift up my spirits. One thing that was common in a lot of those messages was the content. No, I'm not talking about the "Get Well!" part of the message or the "Hope you feel better soon!" (although that was very encouraging!) many used phrases such as; "God is trying to do His will in your life", "God is Sovereign", "God is Good", "God uses sickness and accidents as Blessings in disguise", and many others along the same lines.
...I'm not sure if the people who wrote that-did it because it sounded good, because that's what you usually write on a card to a sick person, or because they really truly understood the deep meaning behind those words and meant it. (I hope it's the last one, but in no way do I judge the other reasons).

Throughout these past 10 days, I can't even begin to explain all the thoughts that went through my mind or all the feeling that I felt. One thing that I want to confirm is this, those phrases written on those cards are true indeed. God is Absolutely Sovereign, Good, Merciful, Kind, Loving, and He IS doing His will in my life. This accident has truly been "a blessing in disguise".

Words can't describe those blessings I've received, and how much lessons God is teaching me. My life has changed. I'll never be the same, that person whom I once was. Through this event, God's speaking to my soul. Continuously, day by day... He's molding me and shaping me to be more like the light that I'm supposed to be- one that reflects His image...my character, my attitude, my pride, my dignity and my self ego- all this the Lord is breaking down so there'd be room for humbleness, respect, more love, and kindness. I can't image how much more the Lord's prepared for me, those little simple lessons- the one's we tend to skip right through each day- until of course were faced with them directly.

My heart is filled with joy and happiness yet more and more throughout this time of painful trials...I know that this has truly been...a blessing in disguise!

And I would never take back time to make a different turn on that dark intersection...for this has been a right turn in my life, one that has lead me to the greener pastures.

*Thanks to everyone who took part in the prayers and support! I do believe that they are what keep me going day by day, knowing that God hears our prayers. And may God deeply bless you in return for blessing me with your encouragements along the way. May God bless you, your families, your futures, and may He shower you with those "blessings in disguise" that can effect your life forever.

Breaking the Mold or Shattering the Mirror

I remember when I was just a little kid I had such a fun experience making mud cakes! I would grab one of my grandma's old pots (that she never uses!) and stuff it with wet mud (not too runny, but wet enough). Then, I would carefully turn the pot upside down and dump out the mud, now shaped in a circular form as the pot. I would then proceed to "decorate" the muddy mold with grass and other colorful flowers to make my beautiful "cake". Oh wow! I had so much fun!

I did run into a problem though. I noticed that if the mud dried up just a little, the mold would not come out all the way or it would come out halfway, resulting in a pile of mess inside and outside of the pot. Therefore, the mold had to be taken out of the pot before it had a chance to dry even a little and stick to the pot. These were my days filled with experimenting and exploring as a young child.

It is interesting to find, that the bible also talks about "molds" in it's pages. In Romans chapter 12 v. 2, Paul says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines conform as "To make like, in external appearance; to reduce to a like shape, or form, with something else..."

Transform is defined as "To change the form of; to change the shape or appearance; to metamorphose; as a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly."

I find that in my personal walk with God, I tend to at times stray away from Him and find myself conforming into the "mold" of this world. When I find myself in love with the world's glitz and glam, whether it would be the world's catchy fashions, risque movies, infatuation in self-image, idolization of wealth, etc I find myself being outlined and molded more and more into an image of the world. It reaches the point where the line between the world and me as a Christian is worn off into a mere gray speck in the dust. The plans of the devil is to offer these things on a fake gold platter, in high hopes that we will soon be in a messy pile of mud decorated with lifeless grass and dead flowers. But it is not to say that we weren't warned!

It is clear that the Bible teaches us to be set apart from the world, but what is more special, is that the Bible is the resource that offers us the ability to examine ourselves to determine where we are spiritually. Is it one foot in the world's door, and one foot into the church treshold?

Doug Phillips, the president of Vision Forum Ministries(http://www.visionforumministries.org/) speaks often of the Desert Island Challenge in which he gives a scenario that if we were on a desert island with only the Bible to guide us, how would our views be shaped? What will we be like?

Obviously being on a lonely desert island, with nothing to distract us, or lead us to wander, we will look to the Bible as our reference and guidebook. Therefore, we will be built up and shaped into God's mold according to His word.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul writes "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...". In James chapter 1, v. 22-25 we are told to not only hear what the Word tells us but also be doers of the Word. These verses reiterate the point that the Bible is our mirror. This mirror shows us the "mold" we are in and it is up to us to break the worldly mold, or to shatter the mirror of God's Word in our defiance...the choice is after you dear reader.

Do You Know???

This is a must see for everyone. What children are being "taught" in public school doesn't even cross the minds of the parents! This video is the first in several parts. To continue viewing, just click part 2, 3, etc.

Funny But Oh So True!

{People need the Lord...yet they're holding back}

I was recently introduced to Britt Nicole's song "The lost Get found"...It's a great motivational piece that really calls for us to be the light for the world...that the world depends on it!

So, randomly browsing for goodies at our local Christian book store, I go over to the CD section, and find her CD! I was very excited to hear it before purchasing, unfortunately, that wasn't an option. However, I did like that song, and wanted to give this CD a try.

As bluntly as this may sound, I was very disappointed.
About two of the songs from the whole CD mentioned God.

The other songs, despite being sad imitations of today's popular pop music, were pretty much encouraging to "love yourself for being christian" or "celebrate being christian and dance".....and how it's "cool" to believe in God...or little tid bit stories where she sings to trust/believe/depend in Him...

I have nothing against encouraging and uplifting. but the WHOLE CD??????

It's so easy to drift off into praising yourself as a new person through Christ...it's so easy to focus on the hardships and trials of a Christian path and be drenched with experiences to share and encourage others with. HOWEVER, we then lose focus of the One Who really needs all the attention. All the praise. All the Focus...God needs to be Praised because PEOPLE NEED THE LORD. People don't need to be encouraged if they are broken. They need the remedy to be healed. People don't need to know how "cool" it is to be a Christian or "stand out"...people need to know how horrible the world really is and How GREAT God is. people need to know how God changed us and why we naturally stand out....

Let's see how the Bible teaches us:
Psalm 40:3
He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

Psalm 44:8
In God we boast all day long,And praise Your name forever

Sing praises to the Lord, so that many will see it and fear it!!!They should "fear" not having the Lord in their hearts, they should long to meet your God.

I am truly unhappy when I hear that churches have two services one "contemporary" and another "traditional". why???? is contemporary for the "younger people" so that it may be "more appealing?". People need the Lord...so why not just give them Him? why conform to the worldy ways so that the wordly people may feel more "welcomed" and less awkward?? so they don't think of church as "boring"...the world NEEDS to see that difference between Godly and worldly. the World will want the peace in your heart-- to know you are saved. Happiness to know God and to live with Him and for Him!!

People need the Lord, and we need to shine and praise Him alone. we can't heal, forgive or give eternal life. God Can.

GOD CAN

Your heart is on your sleeve, despite the ways you try to hide it.He can see your tears, although you quickly try to dry them. People need the Lord, yet they're holding back.
God is calling you to....

Trust in him to hold you near and safe, God can heal your soul, cleanse your heart, give you Love. You'll never thirst again. God can.

A mask of happiness-you're holding up to hide the hollow. He sees your searching heart, and still your pride won't let you follow. People need the Lord, yet they're holing back. God is calling you to...

Trust in Him to hold you near and safe. God can heal your soul, cleanse your heart, give you love,you'll never thirst again. God can.


Surrender to His love and you will conquer sin. Jesus is the only Way to Life.

Trust in Him to hold you near and safe. God can heal your soul, cleanse your heart, give you love,you'll never thirst again. God can.