Highlights Of My Weekend

///Friday afternoon my Mom and I drove to meet once again with my Naturopathic Doctor. During our long wait the skies started to darken and then suddenly there came a massive downpour of rain with lightning and all. I just sat there in the waiting room thinking, oh Lord did you miss talking to me today (inside joke). God and I just dialogue like that because ever since he revealed to me that He wants to do life with me I can't go anywhere without Him nor step foot anywhere He doesn't want to go. Anyways, yes we eventually made it inside to the Doc's office and I quickly stepped on the scale anxiously anticipating some good news. Four more pounds gone! I'm feeling pretty good about my temple. There's room to meet with my Lord now (another inside joke, sorry I just had to). So to be super exact I'm totaling in at 38 pounds lost. I'm happy...ecstatic...I can't wait to jump and dance for my God freely the way He deserves (that's why this whole journey began in the first place, as stated in previous posts).

///I popped out my journals once again! It's been a long while, in fact, since I've written in my journals. Saturday night I crept downstairs with my three journals, Bible, highlighter and pen in hand. It was close to midnight so I was trying really hard not to wake anyone up. My Spirit was hungry and thirsty. I have no idea why I love having my alone time with my Lord at this time but it always just seems to click. I imagine The Holy Spirit sitting in the couch next to mine whispering yet another one of His teachings for me to meditate on. For those of you like me who attend school and have been called to God's ministry I know it's hard sometimes. Maybe you also have a job and other responsibilities. I've even told God...God, why aren't there more hours in a day. I got an answer pretty quick. We have been given the freedom to choose our priorities. But when you're in love time ceases to exist. God is first but I feel like there's confusion in this statement. If God has not told you do something then don't do it. Your Spirit, if you feed Him, will let you know instantly when something is not right. He gives us discernment. For instance, I've had about an equal amount of people express that full-time ministry trumps school, work, vocations, or careers just like others have also stressed the importance of balance in our lives because we are in this world and have been called to shine everywhere. The truth is this: nobody knows your calling except you and your heavenly Father. You have to know who you are and your personal mission so that you won't be moved even by the most eloquent of speakers. I speak from total personal experience because I see this plague sweeping over many people and it's...all that really matters is whether or not you're making God happy. Yes we want to please those we care about and yes we would like everyones support but it's just not going to happen. Know this for sure though, when God is on your side He will defend your cause because it is His cause. He will make a way when you're traveling down the road He's marked out for you to travel. If everything's going wrong and you feel like all doors have been shut and like you're getting no where then you have got to get back to seeking the Lord, something isn't right. Confirmation. We all know the Israelites that followed Moses thought he was a complete whack-a-doodle especially when they had to cross the Red Sea while at the same time an egyptian army was racing behind them trying to kill them. Imagine that. The thing is: the Old Testament is full of God's miraculous signs and wonders for that past generation and the New Testament is full of Jesus making a way for us to reflect God through His signs, wonders, and way of living. This way of living isn't about everyone selling all their possessions and moving far off into the hill country it's about hope, faith, and love. Three powerful words that have not been given enough credit. It's funny how people congratulate you once time passes by and they see the fruit of your obedience to God. Moses was applauded after God used him to part the Red Sea but right before that all the Israelites wanted to strangle him. What I'm trying to say is, live to know God's will for you because His plans are unique and individualized with the same purpose in mind. We have all been given The Great Commission but we have each received from God a way of acting out His Commission. While Paul's Calling involved preaching the Gospel to both the gentiles and the jews in foreign lands (1 Corinthians 1:17), Peter's Calling involved baptizing and preaching the gospel in other regions (Matthew 4:19). The same Great Commission was there but The Spirit of God guided them individually. If we don't have a relationship with The Holy Spirit we're going to be swept back in forth from one man-made teaching to the next. What is The Holy Spirit saying to you? The only way to find out is to speak to Him, to pray, to fill yourself up with God's Word. Only the Spirit of God can tell you what you have been called to do and how you've been called to do it.

///What can I say about Sunday? The Holy Spirit did His thing and I love His invitation for me to be apart of it. We had our Tardes De Gloria Service one hour earlier so that at 7:00 we could make a way for Chuck Pierce to speak over us as a body of Christ, as a congregation, and as citizens of The Rio Grande Valley. Needless to say the time I spent from 4:00 to 9:00 was well spent. If I can worship my God freely then I'm there. Great prophetic night.

Perfume: Personal Aroma

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We all have a scent that we release. God has given each and every one of us a special one-of-a-kind aroma. When you speak, sing, dance, laugh, cry, and walk you're releasing a scent to those around you. Do you release peace or anxiety, joy or sadness, confidence or insecurity, sweetness or sourness? Whatever kind of scent that you're releasing it affects the people around you and the spiritual atmosphere. If we release security then those around us will feel secure, but if we release fear then those around us will sense this and latch on to that fear. What scent do you release?

^{(2 Corinthians 2:14-17)} But thanks be to God, who 

always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal 

procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the 

knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the 

pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being 

saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are 

an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma 

that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike 

so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. 

On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God 

with sincerity, as those sent from God. NLT

This verse is a perfect example of Worship. It's a continual overflow of giving love back and forth. This verse tells us that we are a pleasing aroma that God loves and likewise we are a sweet fragrance, an essence of Him, here on this earth. Our lives are a pleasing perfume that we offer up onto the Lord and His pure essence our one desire. His presence. When you smell a bottle of perfume that you really like it's almost as if for a moment you take a trip into a garden. When we encounter God and find ourselves immersed in His presence we experience the same effect. It's that place that nobody can describe but that we know all too well. That secret place. When I sing and for a moment close my eyes and lift up my hands and call on His name I'm there with Him and He's here with me. Not only does this happen during my intimate time with the Lord but Sunday afternoons, though we sing for up to three hours, time flies and moments pass by in the blink of an eye because my aroma has floated up to my Daddy and He's pouring all of His fragrance down on me. Those moments are so crucial in both the quiet times and the corporate times. The word of God could not have compared our encounters during worship any better than to a sweet perfume. This type of atmosphere is what we should try to create in our churches. It's not just about singing a few songs and speeding off to the Word...it's about enjoying the trip along the way. Enjoy God's presence and let yourself be taken over by the Holy Spirit. Whether you've got an amazing worship leader or pastor or not, perceive the Holy Spirit moving in and around you and jump in. If you're like me and find yourself up on the altar leading, singing, or playing an instrument then just know that you have a personal perfume. What you feel and think people can spiritually smell (perceive). When you're up there on stage do you denote confidence, love, security, passion, or mixed emotions? Something that still helps me to this day is what one of my School of Psalmist's Instructors taught me,

"Wherever you find yourself and in front of whoever you find yourself nobody knows what you're thinking but you. If you're nervous nobody knows it but you until you show it through your expressions and actions." So let all the insecurities go and depend on God's strength. He has given you the authority. Spread the sweet smell of confidence as you do your corporate Worship service, concert, gathering...etc. Share with others that same perfume that you share with the Lord so that they too can be engulfed in the Lord's presence.

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So let this be our perfume:

(2 Timothy 1:7)For God has not given us a spirit of fear 

and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

{Power}

{Love}

{Self-discipline}

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Callings & Roles In The Worship Ministry

Ministry- The act of serving others; This word derives from the Latin word "Ministerium" which means service. 

Worship Leader- In a congregational setting, one who guides the congregation through praise and worship. Worship Leaders are in charge of organizing songs, they sing and/or play an instrument, and take the lead. The relationship between the Worship Leader and the congregation most resembles how a shepherd leads his/her flock toward the stream and green pastures and then lets them enjoy their feeding while keeping a close eye on them. Worship Leaders lead others through songs, offering praises (which God inhabits) to the Lord , creating the spiritual atmosphere for an encounter.

Worship Minister/Pastor- One who ministers on the specialized topic of "Worship" by serving others. Worship Ministers serve by leading, teaching, and providing spiritual guidance. The relationship between a Worship Minister and the congregation most resembles how a pastor leads, guides, and cares for his/her flock or any other group of people.

Psalmist- One who writes and/or composes poems out of one's own thoughts and feelings. These poems can be turned into songs and the best example of this is The Psalmist David who wrote psalms (poems), sung, and played them.

Christian Music Artist- One who writes, performs, or composes christian music. Some examples would be Francesca Battistelli, Kari Jobe (also an example of a Worship Leader), Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp, TobyMac, and David Crowder Band.  

* (This is a new one for me) Worship Evangelist- one who spreads "The Good News" and brings revival of personal commitments to Christ through worship music. An example of this is:
(Psalm 108:1-5) My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

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So let us remember that "Worship" is the act of responding to God's love with love by offering one's very life as a living and breathing sacrifice. Anyone who has been called to the Worship Ministry is leading, serving, and guiding others in a way that shows them how to respond to God's love with their very lives. They help others know the meaning of Worship. A great majority of Christian music artists are not in the Worship Ministry but they are impacting the world with what God has given them in a way that glorifies God. Being in the Worship Ministry means that one is serving, and like my Psalmist School directer says, "Ministry is really the record of your service. Many want the title but they don't have the proof of the work to back it up." You see no matter what ministry we're called to it doesn't become a ministry or our ministry until we have a record of our service, until we have invested of our time serving others.

(2 Corinthians 6:3-10) We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

² 

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Specifically I wrote this post because we all have questions. What's the difference between this and that? What does this really mean? I personally ask God all the time, "how can I define this?" And then...comes wisdom. The definitions that I decided to share above are some words that I myself have asked God to clarify because I'm a lover of knowledge I guess (I thank God for such an inheritance). These are cut to the chase sort of definitions to just supply a purposeful answer but of course with all things involving God we can go on and on, and deeper and deeper. I just wanted to clarify some of the visible callings that fall within the category of "Worship ministry". First off, the question I want to answer is, what sorts of things can we do that are considered to be part of this particular ministry? Just like I talked about how there are expressions of worship these same expressions, no matter what they may be, can be turned into a Worship Ministry the moment that a person begins to serve others through their artistic expression of worship. Some do spoken word, others write music or psalms, some dance, and some play an instrument or lead worship services, or maybe even act—these are all expressions of our worship to God and become a Worship Ministry only when we begin to serve others through these expressions in a way that pertains to the subject of "worship". So whatever you have been called to do, this calling turns into a ministry when you begin to serve. Maybe you've been called to be a songwriter, a worship minister, or an actor but this becomes a Worship Ministry when you, for example, teach others about worship through your songwriting, ministering, or acting. It has nothing to do with being in a church because some ministries are specifically for the congregation but others are born outside of the church for different reasons. The disciples had their own individual ministries but they all worked and served with the same purpose in mind, and that was to spread the word of God and the message of salvation. So whether some ministries are meant for the church, for a local group of people, or for the nations a Worship Ministry has to do with presenting "worship" and it's detailed branches to others through service. 

May The Painting Reflect The Painter

(Psalm 8:3-4) When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

When God created us were were like clay, a motionless glob in need of shaping. We needed a master and God longed to construct a fine masterpiece. The skies were like a blank canvas crying out for a way out of darkness. One breath, one brush stroke, one movement and we came to be. Our craftsman labored joyfully and smiled at the sight of us as He made us in the secret place. Each brush stroke brought life.

Like any artist, God has a special connection to each of His masterpieces because to Him they are perfect and one of a kind. To lose such an intimate relationship would hurt Him because He labored and toiled, cried and laughed, imagined and brought life. His pencil drew and His finger touched each soul.

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Each and every one of us was created with passion and love by the hands of God. He enjoyed turning on the biggest lamp in the world to see our faces. Placing His purpose in our hearts, He knit us together. It's about time we recognize Him who loved us first. We were not created to be invisible or overlooked. How long must we hide our lamp beneath our bed? The hour has come for the children of God to wake up from our slumber and shine in our schools, church, and daily lives. It's not  just about shouting the name of Jesus everywhere we go, but about showing the proof of His love in all that we say and do. We can not preach forgiveness when we hold grudges against those who have deeply hurt us. Shine by "loving like you've never been hurt," and by living each day with this amazing mindset: I have Jesus and I get all these things too? Wow! Just like God has given us life we must give life to others...we can only give what we have. Don't have? With all my heart I say, ask and you shall surely receive  Start painting life. Let your life reflect the artist who created you. Hold tight to the word of God and start leaving trails of light everywhere you go. May those who see you see what God intended them to see.

Personality Quiz: How's Your Relationship With God doing?

Just wanted to share with yall a little quiz I made. This one's more for the ladies but fear not my guy readers soon you will get a quiz just for you made by a very good friend of mine. Be sure to check it out and find out what kind of relationship you have with God. Where are you spiritually? Guess no more! Hope yall enjoy and let me know whatcha' think! God bless.

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Quizzes by Quibblo.com

A New Sound Resonance

Resonance- A quality of richness or significance, especially in evoking a response or strong emotion; the intensification and enriching of a musical tone by supplementary vibration (vibration of something beyond the original sound source).

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Recently I've been meditating on how God wants us to worship Him. What makes Him happy? What touches His heart? This was and continues to be my personal prayer with him. Sitting down and talking with my dad after dinner we both agreed upon one thought: The Lord reveals to each person how He wants them to worship Him. It's not about watching T.V, however much of a great invention it might be, and getting ideas and then copying them. It's not about flipping through the next cover of teen vogue and picking the image we want to carry out. Just because God isn't verbally telling us direct instructions doesn't mean we should pick what we see and like without consulting Him. God wants to give us a new image, a new look, and a new sound. I will never judge a fellow believer for taking a worldly song and turning it into a spiritual one because I don't know what kind of personal revelation or calling they have received from the Lord. I can only speak for myself and for those that have a similar revelation. God has spoken into my heart that He wants a new sound from me. Like I have been taught, all music belongs to God and was invented by Him but the devil has distorted the sound. God has shared with me how much He wants me to flow out of a new sound, something never heard before. I feel these words--captivating, powerful, breath-taking, holy, resonance. Focusing on worshiping God through my music I strongly hold tight to the fact that the Lord is breathing life into this generation, into me, to produce a never-before heard sound. How to live, how to sing, how to dress, these are all inspirations that the Holy Spirit wants to provide us with. We don't need to copy or add onto someone's hand-me-down sound, we need to know the secrets that lie in God's heart and ask Him for them.

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(Isaiah 45:3) I will give you hidden treasures,

riches stored in secret places, so that you

may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel,

who summons you by name.

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(Romans 12:2) Don't copy the behavior and customs

of this world, but let God transform you

into a new person by changing the way you think.

Then you will learn to know God's will for you,

which is good and pleasing and perfect.

*~*~*

This world needs to be shaken up by more than an album, it's crying out for a generation ready to give off what the Lord has personally placed in their hands. When we display a new song, a new image, then we truly transform what is around us because what we have from God is meant to be more intensely profound. It's time to let His new sound resonance shine because God is not a God to stay in one place or in one dimension...He breaks barriers and pushes us toward the plans He has set for us. May you and I give life and show others His new revelation, His heart's true desires.

Through God's Eyes

So many questions may go through our minds such as: Does what I am doing matter? Does it make a difference? Can my testimony even make a dent in someone's heart? I have asked myself these things as of lately and I just can't can't stop feeling overwhelmed when writing because God just answers me faster than lickity split (wow I haven't used this word since I was in elementary... weird). It's just mind-boggling. I can't help but feel grateful for my God's love, I mean, I don't deserve it but He just works in extraordinary ways that make me feel so whole and so complete. No other love compares. Now I get that what I see at the moment is only one view. It's like looking through some binoculars or through a telescope because God's eyes see the whole picture while my eyes see two holes of a view.

Just a few minutes ago I gave my fourth worship bible study class to one person. I usually have more students but this week has just been overwhelming for each of us that I thought nobody was going to be able to attend. To my surprise someone did come, rang my doorbell, and completely threw me for a loop. I didn't expect anyone at all and at the end of the day I felt like God just laughed with me and said: " Remember...your plans are not My plans and your ways are not My ways." I literally just giggled as I unlocked the front door. Plus the cashier gave me a free smoothie, that is the grace of God my friends. What more could I asked for? I had some heartfelt moments, shared some laughs, felt God's love, and tasted the sweet taste of a free mango smoothie from the coffee shop down the street.

What I can offer at the end of this post is...

Prepare yourself, prepare, prepare, prepare yourself for the plans that God has for your life. Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant and never compare yourself to others. God has something for you. If you could only see through His eyes, then and only then, you could fathom the wonders that the Father has in store for you.

Remember:

(1 Corinthians 2:9) However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

and...

(Psalm 32:10) Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD

Crossing The Bridge: What's Your Egypt?

Our past hopes, dreams, memories  expectations--These are all things that cause us to remain where we are, or that also restrain us from going forward. Think about this: What's the one thing that mostly keeps you from moving forward?...............Ok. Now that you've got it, What about that makes you want to hold on to it? Why do you not want to let it go?.................Alright...so now, I only have one more question for you, my lovely reader. Do you know that God has armed you with all that you need to leave behind all that holds you down? Do you know that you can do All things through Christ who strengthens you? There are so many things that can keep us from obtaining the purpose that the Lord has in store for us and one biggie would definately have to be our past. Our loved ones. Our friends or people who have hurt us. Our guilt or condemnation. What we've built and have helped to restore. So many things just drag us down reminding us of what was, but so many obstacles can discourage us along the way as well. We can not, I repeat can not go back! (2 Timothy 1:7) "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." God, through His son Jesus Christ, has given us the power to overcome all obstacles, the love needed to combat the most wicked person or situation, and the self-discipline needed to persist and move forward toward the desires that He has placed in our hearts. Once we recognize the keys He has given us, then we can confidently walk toward that bridge and begin to cross it to reach that new dimension of Glory that the Father has in store. (Hebrews 12:1-3) "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us  throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

When God delivered the Israelites from egypt, they followed the cloud od God's glory by day and His pillar of fire by night, under the command of Moses. Walking through the desert, The Israelites began to complain.  (Numbers 14:1-5) "Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel." Sometimes we complain about everything "bad" that happens to us that we miss the big picture. God has the whole pic in his hands but He permits us to see little snipits because if we were to see the whole thing then Who knows how many would actually follow Christ in body, mind, and soul? I've been hurt but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up. What is your egypt? What do we constantly want to return to? The Israelites would have rather gone back to being slaves than die, in their natural body, persisting toward the goal, the land of milk and honey. All they saw was their memmories and beautiful moments and the food they ate, instead of seeing that God was trying to liberate them from captivity. The truth is we want the change but we don't want to go through the fire. The reality is that Jesus is in the midst of the fire with us. He promised to never leave or forsake us but we have got to stop looking back. The more we look back the more we'll dwell and then remain stuck there like stone. God does not act on our complaints...He acts on our faith. You see, the Israelites lacked faith because they wanted to return to Egypt because the land that God promised them was fortified and filled with giants. They saw the natural possibilities and obstacles, but failed to see the supernatural. It's amazing! (Numbers 14:6-9) "Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a

wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey.  Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Even though they had a mighty God they only saw the mighty obstacle. They looked back! Because of their complaints God did not permit them to see the land he had promised them. We have to decide if we are going to complain and wine and cry when problems come, or decide if we are going to bless whoever and whatever and keep fighting the good fight. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and a great blessing at the other end of the bridge if we decide to cross it. I encourage you, out of personal experience  to not let anything or anyone stop you from doing what God wants you to do. may God bless you on your walk and surround you with people who are going to always lift you up.

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An Unlikely Treasure—God Sees Differently

Good Afternoon dear Readers. I feel great today! Today in particular I felt like blogging before I busy myself up. I want to give you, my lovely friends, an update and something to inspire you as well. Who doesn't want to get inspired, right? I myself get inspired by your blog posts and as God has placed in my heart, I'd love to give back. You see, a certain topic has been bouncing off the top of my head and I just can't wait to share it with you: How God transforms something ordinary into something rather extraordinary! And so...let the story unfold...

One Night With the King: The Story of Esther

Oofuh! Let me just blow the dust off of my imaginary ancient bible. Many, many, many years ago, in a country called Persia (Babylon), there was a king named Xerxes and a queen named Vashti. King Xerxes ordered his wife Vashti to appear before him at a party so that he could display her beauty for all to see. When she refused, the king was furious.
In case that wasn't bad enough, a horrible man named Haman was one of the King's advisers. Haman warned the king that if word got around, all wives would disrespect their husbands in the same manner. At Haman's urging, King Xerxes ordered that his wife be "banished."
King Xerxes, with Haman's advice, ordered a search through the kingdom for a beautiful virgin girl to be his bride. These women underwent tedious beauty tests, just like a Ms. America Pageant. It wasn't too long before the King's scouts happened upon Esther. Esther was beautiful, gracious and kind -- just what the king was looking for.  After she won the King's favor, Esther was married to the king Xerxes.

Now Esther was a Jew. The Jews had been driven out of Israel, their home, about 70 years before and exiled in Persia. Although they did there best to make a living in this strange land, they prayed that someday they would be able to return to their home. Esther's uncle Mordechai, was the leader of the Jews. Mordechai encouraged Esther to hide her faith from the King and his advisers, which she did.

Haman had, by this time, become a powerful man in the kingdom - Prime Minister of Persia in fact. He decided that given his rise in power, it would be appropriate for everyone to bow down to him. But Mordechai refused to bow down to a man. Haman was very angry and asked the King to authorize a royal decree to annihilate the Jews.

Haman cast lots to determine the day this was to happen. And so it was decreed that in Adar of the coming year, on the 13th day of the month, all the Jews were to be killed, in every province and every nation of the land. There would be no place to run, and no place to hide.

This is where our courageous Queen Esther comes into the picture -- Mordechai, having found out about Haman's evil intentions, sent Esther a message. He told her what Haman was plotting and asked her to go to the King on the Jews behalf.

Esther was terribly afraid. She hadn't been allowed to see the King for a month. In fact, no one could see him without being invited. But she fasted and prayed for three days, mustered up her courage and went to see the king. Her exact words were, "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish" Esther 4:16. Although he was initially angry at her, King Xerxes spared her life and offered "half [his] kingdom for [her] wishes,"

All she asked was that the King and Haman join her for dinner that night.
As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question." Of course, both the King and Haman agreed to attend a second banquet with the lovely young Queen.

Haman was very pleased that he'd been asked to dine with Achashveyrosh and Esther two nights in a row and was filled with pride. But then he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and still Mordecai refused to bow to him. Haman was filled with rage. He decided that night to build a gallows with which to hang Mordechai and planned to speak to the king about it the very next morning. That way, he'd have the whole matter dealt with during the day and be able to enjoy the next evening's banquet in peace.
That same night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. The book was turned to the day Mordecai exposed a plot to assassinate the King. The King was reminded of this tale and asked what reward Mordecai had received. The king's attendants told him that nothing had been done for Mordecai.

The next morning, just as Haman was arriving to ask that Mordecai be hanged the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Haman, still filled with pride, mistakenly thought the king was referring to him. So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, `This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'"
Imagine Haman's embarrassed face when the King commanded, "Go at once. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate." Haman obeyed. He was very upset that Mordecai, his enemy, was being honored by the king. Immediately after leading Mordecai around the city proclaiming, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!", Haman had to go to the banquet with the King and Queen.
 
Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith and proclaimed herself a Jew. She begged the king to spare her people. Harbona, one of the king's attendants told the king of the gallows that Haman had built to have Mordecai hanged. The king was furious with Haman and ordered that he be hanged on those gallows. Haman's pride and cruelty had led to his own destruction and the brave, young Esther had saved her people.

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At first Glance, to many, Esther might have looked average. Just like any other "Jewish" girl but she was not. In God's eyes she was a brave hero, while she herself probably looked in the mirror and saw a frightened young nobody. Because Esther feared and obeyed God, she saved the lives of her beloved people. Did Jesus not do the same for us? The difference here is that God did not spill her blood. God honored Esther because like David, she did not fight greatly... she believed greatly. What must she have felt in those trying moments of life and death? We too face moments in our lives where we have to make a decision: Are we going to listen to what God commands us to do or are we going to run from the call? Like Esther, we must have faith that our God will come through for us. Yes, our situation may seem impossible and, yes, it might seem like there is no hope but...we serve the true and living God who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. A God, like the word says, who is not a man to lie nor a son of man to change His mind. If He said that He would never leave then He will never leave us;However, it's up to us to believe. Like Esther was told that if she did not obey God she would either way perish, we will also face worse things if we do not obey God. He would never let us suffer without He Himself being there on the other side to comfort us, but we have to be brave and go forth in the name of the most powerful God in whatever we do or face. You and I might think of ourselves as ordinary but God sees differently. And what God sees is far more important than what man sees.

(1 Samuel 16:7) But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Not-So-Much Plain Jane

Today was one of those pajama-wearing, bible-reading, and alone-time-spending kind of days. I love my alone time...I think every human being needs it now and again, that is, if we want to stay sane. Dead-set on spending time with my true love (God of course) I grabbed my sister's awesome tricked out teen girl's bible in hopes of discovering some inspirational women. I've really been thinking and reflecting on the kind of women I want to be known as. I mean, the day I get married I want to give the best of me but now and forever I want to give all I am to God. I've really been giving this a lot of thought. Deborah is known for her leadership and Hannah for her commitment and unfailing faith but, what am I known for. You see I don't just want to be a nobody...I want to touch God's heart and forever leave a legacy that will make Him proud. One woman who really inspired me was Jael. If you'd like to read the story you can find it in Judges 4.

Deborah, a prophetess and leader, told Barak that she had everything under control so that he could deal with Sisera because the Lord wanted to rescue the Israelites. Barak refused to go unless Deborah herself accompanied him and she answered:

“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

There Deborah prophesied that a women would receive the credit for killing Sisera. War broke loose and the Lord caused Sisera to flee, and as Barak chased him, he ended up taking refuge in the tent of a woman named Jael. Because there was an alliance Sisera trusted her to hide him, but Jael was wiser and was able to to do what Barak himself did not. She killed him. The prophecy that God had given Deborah came to pass because God delivered Sisera into the hands of Jael.

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Sometimes many of us girls might feel like Jael. We feel unnoticed or like plain Janes, but that's not what God sees. He uses the most unexpected people to fool the wise and receive glory. Wow! How amazing is that?! If you read along you'll also see that God gives a tribute to her through Deborah's song. Yes, Deborah ended the great victory with worship!

What I hope to get across by sharing this story is: don't feel like you're too simple or ordinary for God to use. If you do feel this way then you are exactly the kind of person that the Lord wants to use! How awesome is that? The girl that nobody noticed was the girl that God used to take out an oppressor. While everyone else fought with swords, she fought with her wit and the backing of the Lord. If you thought that you weren't anything special I hope you learned from Jael's story. I sure did. You see, God wants to use us...all of us. Whether we're a Deborah, a Hannah, or a Jael, God wants to use us and has a special purpose for each and every one of us. So like I stated before, I don't want to be interpreted as a plain Jane because according to God I'm so not and neither are you.

I want to be known for my love of God, passion for worshipping, artsy talents, funny sense of humor, maturity, sensibility, understanding, and heart.                                                              

I am who I am—God's daughter. And that is definitely enough...it's everything!

(Psalm 139: 13-14) For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Discovering Me

Rain: so beautiful and gentle .
I've always thought that when it rains, it means that God's tears are whipping the dirt off the earth . I tend to view things with a touch of symbolism . Has anyone else noticed the fresh and clean smell after it rains? I compare this to how our sins were just poured on over Christ . The rain is a gift from our father up above who just reminds us that His son paid the price so that our sins could be washed away, just like the rain water drags away all excess waste down the sewage drains .

Just yesterday I felt like God washed away so many things that had been bothering me . For a second, (OK more than a second) I had forgotten who I was in Christ . I had gotten so caught up on what people say and think of me that I lost sight of how special I am to God . I just learned that this happens when the enemy wants to rob your identity and leave you feeling like your dreams and the promises God has for you are a lie . After the people I love reminded me of this, well... of course I had to change a few things about my outlook on my situation . Number one, I have to get my confidence back...and number two...I definitely have to keep praising God no matter what anyone else thinks . How to do this? First of all so much prayer and secondly I need to get out there and stop being shy . I mean, God didn't give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7) . In fact, on Thursday my mom invited me to a prayer group with her but I had said no because I had just gotten out of college and I wanted to rest . Well it turns out that all of a sudden I felt God just tug at my heart and say that He had something waiting for me at that very place . I called my mom for the address, got in the car, and drove like my life depended on it . When God wants you to do something you don't ask you just go, knowing He has something special for you . Once there, I sat down while they prayed for every single person. And by the end, Daniel (my boyfriend) and I got to sing and play "su gloria esta aqui" by En Espiritu y en Verdad. But wait folks, that wasn't the surprise. No no, the surprise that God had in store for me was that after the meeting ended a man came up Daniel and me and asked us if we were interested in playing at a park with another band next Saturday. Wow...there's no doubt that God loves me and is always trying to show it . I mean wow, really? I'm so excited but I have a tendency not to show it in public. Which from this moment on has to stop! I should add that to the list of things to do .

 I'm slowly discovering myself again (if that makes any sense) . For instance, yesterday I started painting again and put together a cross and want to continue to make more to raise money for our band (Banda Cielo Abierto) I had a really nice, relaxing time just listening to music, conversing with God, and painting . I even cracked open my bible and read the book of Titus while I waited for the base coat of paint to dry. If you scroll down you can see some pics of the cross . It made me feel so happy that I dedicated time to God again, and I want to continue to do it, because we all need that personal relationship with Him that makes us stronger and fulfilled .

This journey/ discovery is one that I personally am going on to bring out the best in me . On Tuesday I start Salmista School at my church and I just wanna really go for it and meet new people, you know? Honestly it's hard to find Christian friends who will always be there for you, but like I said this is a journey of self-discovery . I'm ready to just give it all I have for God and put my dreams in His hands. And again I confess: (2 Timothy 1:6-7) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands . For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline ." I'll keep you guys posted and if I can give any advice to y'all...never believe the lies that people say about you, and always remember that your true value isn't measured by what people say, but by the price that Jesus paid. That's how much we're worth . And if you've ever been hurt in any kind of ministry, from personal experience, I can say forgive because God has bigger things for you than you can imagine . And this I can also say from personal experience  (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This verse does give me hope and always keeps me trusting in him . There's been times when I didn't even want to sing anymore but God wouldn't have it. He picked me up, healed my broken heart, and gave me the joy for singing again. That kind of joy that I can only compare to the air I breathe. Praising and worshipping God for me is like the blood that keeps my heart pumping. It's all for Christ and His Glory. God bless and well....here I go!