Open Hands, Open Heart.

MY BIRTHDAY...

2008-12-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

This is forwarded from a friend of mine. Please read and reflect on this, as Christmas day has just come to a close....

Hello there!,
As you well know, we are getting closer to MY birthday. Every year there is a celebration in MY honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.
During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of Me.
As you know, the celebration of MY birthday began many years ago.
At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.
Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that lastyear there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts andchocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.
But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.
I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.
The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to bewith them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided toenter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.
They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.
To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor!
At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?
I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.
I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.
I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on thecross, to save you.
Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose partythat no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..
Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.
Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.
Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my greatparty.
See you soon.

I Love you!,

Jesus Christ

Man, I got goosebumps with this letter. It's so true... not only do we forget about Christ on CHRISTmas day, but EVERYDAY we forget about the One who gave us true life. I know that I got caught up in the busyness of the couple of days... It's too easy to get sucked into society's... or Satan's... trap of being "too busy" to spend time or even aknowledge the presence of God. I pray that we ALL aknowledge His presence everyday. I ♥ you guys, and I hope you had an AMAZING CHRISTmas! Please know that it is NEVER too late to start fresh with Jesus.... isn't His love and grace so amazing?

Email - "I'm addicted to praying! :)"

2008-11-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

The email below is from a girl who I met up with a couple of times to answer a bunch of questions about God and the Bible. The last time we met, she said that she didn't know why we had to pray. I encouraged her with Scripture and my experience with how the Lord has wowed me when I pray! See how good God is -->

"So, every night I pray. I'll talk about that day, what's happening the next day, and then anything else that needs prayer. I usually pray about 5-20 minutes. Often, I'm really tired and don't want to pray until I get started and then I'm suddenly not tired and enjoy talking to God. So, a couple nights ago, I really tired, and I thought, why don't I just skip praying tonight. Most people don't pray every night anyway, and I don't really have to. So I didn't. And it was actually kinda nice going to sleep right away. The next morning, I was thinking about something that happened the day before that had gone really well. And something that day that I was nervous about. And suddenly I realized that there was so much I needed to talk to God about! I went up to my room prayed about everything I should have the night before. Needless to say, I'm back to praying every night!"

Praise the Lord!!! And here's a really cool verse that popped out at me, when I was doing my devotions:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Proverbs 15:8

God doesn't care if someone does the biggest deed ever! He only cares about our relationship with Him! How refreshing is that? I cannot help but to be thankful that God only desires a relationship with us, with me! :oD!

Isaiah 43:10-11

2008-11-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

I want to be God’s servant. I want to be used. This may seem weird to society or even to you, but it is one of my deepest desires in my life. Jesus changed my life. He gave me new eyes and a new heart, when I merely took the step of entrusting my life, my heart to Him. The poem that I posted in August (the one I wrote in high school) was only a tiny reflection of what the Lord has done to me. He brought me out of such a hopeless mess…. I was seeking temporary satisfaction in guys… and girls, in drinking, and in looking good. Yet, it wasn’t enough to fill my thirst. I always wanted more. Jesus fulfilled that thirst. He has yet to ever let me down. He is and was so constant and faithful, even in my faithless times. He is the only source of satisfaction of all our lives, not just my life. This satisfaction has become so real to me. I want God to use my testimony (my life story) to help me relate with those with whom I come in contact. God has used my life before Christ to bring others to Him, but I would love to see more students influenced by my life transformation!

It really has been laying on my heart for the past month that it is imperative for the world to understand that sharing Christ is not about Christians being right, but it’s about loving the world so much that we have to share our experiencing the reality of Jesus Christ. It has been such an honor and privilege to share the gospel with college students, as I have been more mindful of this motive. It’s all about love. It’s not about whether you jam the truth down someone’s throat so they can hear it. Jesus didn’t work like that, and it’s safe to say that He is cringing when He sees His children do so. I had spoken with a student on several different occasions about spiritual stuff, and I just recently had the opportunity to pray with him to receive Christ into his life!!!! And it is EXCITING to see his heart transform!

God is totally teaching me that I should have patience with Him and give all control to Him on an hourly (or should I say secondly) basis, especially when sharing my faith. I am the most impatient, need-to-be-in-control person EVER. So, it’s been a ride! However, God has been doing some amazing things in my life, after I have been giving Him control…

My buddy and co-worker Bobby led Cru’s staff prayer meeting last week on the names of the Lord. One of His names that really struck me was El Elyon, meaning “The Lord Most High.” This Name shows that the Lord is sovereign over all and in control. --->

I will cry to God Most High,

To God who accomplishes all things for me.

-Psalm 57:2

Just last week, after crying out to the Lord about things that I have been impatient with and not been completely surrendering to Him. The very the next day, every single prayer was answered to the very detail. I mean, I prayed for an ENORMOUS amount of money to pay for last summer's seminary classes, and He provided! He is so good! Not only that, but the ministry is definitely growing!!!! It's just so exciting how much closer I am growing with the Lord, as I am constantly relinquishing control and depending on Him! Please pray that God would extend my time with Him - I need to constantly be filled to pour out to others... I want to be a servant for Jesus! :o) The Lord spoke Isaiah 43:10-11 into my life, and it has become my favorite!!!!

"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD,

"And My servant whom I have chosen,

So that you may know and believe Me

And understand that I am He

Before Me there was no God formed,

And there will be none after Me.

"I, even I, am the LORD,

And there is no savior besides Me."

-Isaiah 43:10-11

Jesus changed my heart in high school....

2008-08-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is a poem that I wrote after I accepted Christ in high school.....

"Popular Ain't So Pretty"

Feelings of anger in my head.
Why am I so angry?
Must I start?
I can't tolerate those whom are too good for everybody,
The ones that thrive for others feeling left out,
What the heck is that all about?
Smoking and drinking isn't really that cool at all,
And does it really matter,
Whether someone enjoys a different sport
Or seems a pound or two fatter?
Somebody's too religious, too smart, too quiet, or isn't your favorite race,
Somebody has a different sense of style and seems happy and yet that doesn't fit your taste.
Everything matters until there's something you may need,
Something that they possess to make you feel you're still in the lead.
Then, it goes back to belittling them again,
Putting them down these people qho only dream to be your friend.
Why do you feel that a disability is a laugh?
Did you ever try to put yourselves in their shoes for a minute and a half?
No, of course not, that would be a little too kind,
And you wouldn't want to have somebody else's feelings on your mind.
You know that society has gotten your better half,
When your hairstyle is perfectly matched with another's,
And your laughing somebody else's laugh.
You're no longer individuals anymore,
Your own thoughts and emotions are now thrown on the floor.
I wish that you would just understand,
That only your personality makes you beautiful, not your $200 dollar sneakers or your dark tan.
Do you really think you're cool?
And do you really think you run my school?
Listen up and do yourself a favor.
Stop your ignorant laughing and immature behavior.
Place mirrors in front of your narcissistic faces and laugh at the real losers - YOURSELVES.

Get to know me with 20 Questions

2008-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys, and welcome to my brand new blog! I am so excited to share my journey with the Lord with you! I was trying to think what the perfect first blog would be, and as a slight perfectionist, I was thinking about this for a couple of months. I finally decided to share these 20 questions that Campus Crusade's women sent me to better get to know me! So, enjoy! :o)

1. Brew of Choice?

I love those Starbucks Mochachip frappaccinos.

2. Quintessential chick flick: 13 Going on 30

3. Perfect Day off: Spending the day at the beach with my family.

4. Games: Hate them / Love them?

Love them. I'm the master of "Catchphrase," and "Signs" is always a goodie!

5. What you may not know about me: BBQ sauce makes me cringe. And that includes BBQ ribs... definitely!

6. Indulgence: Facial / Manicure / Pedicure / Massage?

Those things cost too much. I do them myself.

7. Silliest word in the dictionary:

floccinaucinihilipilification - Estimation that something is valueless. Proper pronunciation based on Latin roots: flockə-nowsə-nəkələ-pələ-fək-ation. Check out some more weird terms: http://listverse.com/miscellaneous/20-weird-english-words/

8. Writer /Speaker that speaks to my soul:

I love Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" study! God used her to change my life! Shannon Ethridge's Completely His: Loving Jesus Without Limits has helped me to love the Lord regardless of my circumstances! Praise God!

9. Place in the world I would most like to visit:

I want to go to the Island of Capri in Italy! I would also love to go to Israel and walk the places of the Bible :o)

10. Music that I would blare out my convertible on a perfect summer day:

"Psalm 118" by Shane and Shane - it's simple, but oh so true!

11. Oldest piece of clothing I am still wearing:

A pair of jeans from 7th grade!

12. You can never have too many shoes / earrings / handbags / jeans / cosmetics / __________?

Summer dresses. It's classy and cute.

13. My dream car is:

Any HONDA that doesn't resemble my current car in any way... i.e. I don't have to feel like it's going to die in a split second!

14. I have a favorite stuffed animal / pillow / comforter / nightgown / _________? that soothes and comforts me.

My grandpa's oversized peach pajama set. It reminds me of good times with him.
15: Every woman should ____________________.

... know their worth in God's eyes.

16. Sacrifice first - chocolate or coffee?

Definitely coffee. I don't drink that a lot, just green tea. I hafta have my dark chocolate though!

17. Book on my nightstand:

Changes that Heal by Henry Cloud

18. TV series I want to be a character on:

The Real World - hands down. My heart really goes out to the people on there, and I would love to show them that they have hope in life, by showing them who Jesus really is.

19: Ethnic food I DO NOT like:

Sheep brains....actually any brains. I never had it, and I never will.

20. When the Lord brings me to mind, please pray:

That I would be a blessing to all I daily encounter, completely dying to myself and living for Him.