Who is your foundation?

In the beginning of this year, the Lord spoke a prophetic word saying "Anything that can be shaken will be shaken--starting with His church!" We are only in the beginning of March 2015 and I have personally begun to feel the tremors of being shaken. My question today to you would be, What is your foundation?  and Where/who is your anchor today? 
For many people their foundation are things of this world; career, money, food, sex, friends/acquaintances (i.e. Instagram followers, Facebook Likes and Retweets), recognition, successes and the list goes on. But those make for lousy foundations because of their temporal values. Nothing in this world will last forever except for God and our eternal spirits (1 John 2:17, Matthew 24:35). So again, I ask not where do you put your hope and trust but who is your foundation.

Foundation: (noun) The lowest load-boarding part of a building, typically below ground level. An underlying basis or principle of something. A basis upon which something stands or is supported.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus spoke a parable of the wise and foolish builder. The wise builder built his house on a rock and the foolish builder built his house on sand. Now when the shaken happened (the wind, the storm, the rain), the house that withstood all of that is the house that had the rock foundation. I believe Jesus spoke this parable as a metaphor to Himself. Many times in Scriptures, Old and New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the Rock (Psalm 118:22, Matthew 21:42) and basically He is saying/hinting to the people back then and to us now that if our foundation isn't on Him we will surely not withstand the shaken.
Another place in the Bible, Matthew 16:18, Jesus told Peter, one of his disciples, that He will build His church upon Peter, the rock. Because Peter had a revelation on who Jesus Christ was, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the Sent One... Jesus said that His Church will be built on this rock.
So let's look at a natural rock. A rock is hard, strong, not easily moved and a sturdy foundation to build on.
As the year 2015 progress with many highs and lows, I pray that our foundation remains on the Rock who is Jesus Christ. Yes storms of life will come--stay on the rock. The joys of life will come--stay on the rock. Don't get off the rock because you think you got this. Stay on the rock and with that I'm out.

Pwendy Fenelus 

Summer Time Modesty

"How short is too short?" If you ever had to asked yourself that question, it's probably too short. 

So summer is almost here and with it comes the heat, cold ice cream and a lot of time by at least some form of water; the beach, water parks, the pool, a lake, your bathtub ;) And with the beauty of summer also comes dresses, sandals, shorts, skirts and swimsuits.

Yesterday I went on a hunt to find some dresses. Simply stated, dresses are a cure to a "I hit the snooze button too many time" kind of morning or a "I don't know what to wear to this thing" event. Dresses are just simple and I love them. The fashion industry have seriously put out a great variety of style of dresses, maxi dress, midi dress, peplum style dresses, stripes, prints, floral, polka dots, etc. There are so many to choose from, but what I was encountered with yesterday was the lack of length to most of theses dresses.

Since it's summer, I don't always want to have to wear leggings under a cute dress because it's too short. Or I don't always have to wear flats because if I wear heels the short dress length looks even shorter. I wondered why can't they (whoever they are) just make dresses that are cute but not so short that they resemble shirts.
I did find some cute dresses but again, I would have to modify them in order to wear them comfortably without worrying about the length.



Here are few tips I found for dressing modestly:
1) Include the Lord Jesus in your wardrobe

Me trying on dresses just for fun
some time last year :) 

- I am in constant conversation with the Lord, whether it is at work, in the car, at the store. So when you go shopping before you even purchase that reeeaaal short skirts or deep low  shirt and have to waste your time to return it or waste the money on it or have temptation as an option right in your closet. Just talk with Jesus right then and there as you are shopping and include Him in your purchases. Its as simple as asking your friend, "Hey, what do you think of this shirt?" If you ask, trust me He will answer you because you chose to include Him in your daily life.
2) Include the Lord as you're choosing your outfit for the day 
- Many of us have items in our closets, base on our body types and where we are going that we have to modify to complete "the look". Sometimes its throwing a jacket over a shirt or a tank top under a dress or a shirt or leggings under a too short dress. If you include him in your outfit choices, not only does the Lord come up with some wonderful combination of pieces that you would have never thought to put together but He will also gently remind you to fix certain things before you step out the door.
3) Pray about it!
- Everything we do stems from the heart. And everything we do as Christians should be to glorify God the Father. Yes, even down to how we represent Him in our clothing. Can you imagine a United States Ambassadors showing up to an international gala or affairs dressed in scrumpy clothes? There would be criticism and speculation on our country, because he or she is our representatives.

These are all so cute.. dresses, dresses, dresses. :) 

So pray about it. If you see yourself always heading towards the skin tight barely there clothing, honestly sit down and ask the Lord why is it that you want to wear those kind of clothing. Remember what we put on our body, tells a lot about how we want the world to see us and to treat us.
4) Ask a trustworthy Godly friend for an outfit check
- If that person lives with you, it will make it easier. If you are married, ask your spouse. If you are maybe meeting your friend, it's never too late, ask her how you look and if it looks good then great! If you missed something that simply you couldn't see, then next time you know for that outfit. I know many people might be rolling their eyes thinking, "I'm not doing that. I am grown! I include my friends in my style when I want to. But this is my body and I can dress however I want to." Well, if you are a Christian and you believe on the Word of God and the Word is your guide, the Bible says that we are not our own. Our bodies are not even our own, we were brought with a high price, which is the Blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20).

You can find these anywhere, really.
They are always on some sort of sale. 

Basics you should always keep in your closet:
1) Tank tops (Different colored ones are good) but white, black, cream
2) Under Shorts (Again for short dresses)
3) Stockings (It's not your mama's stockings anymore, so many varieties now play around with them)

I usually have a hard time finding
these but just look around in
your favorite store for them.

*Sometimes high heels, bare legs and short skirts or dresses is not the best outfit choice, you can always throw on a skin-colored stockings to make the look more classy*
4) Leggings (Not a big fan of these for Summer but for Fall and Winter works great under things)

That is it! I just thought I would share my little experiences and hope this help!
Love you all :)

When Singleness Offends

     Four days ago I turned 25 years old! And I noticed (even before my birthday) the curiosity of others and hope from some of why I do not have a special guy friend aka a boyfriend and as I lay down on April 23rd, 2014 I had this thought, "Is my singleness beginning to bother or offend others?" I mean, it is my singleness after all. Now I know that all the people who have asked or wished or hope on my behalf is doing it out of good will, but sitting at my birthday table and hearing words like "I can't wait until I'm celebrating with you and your husband" tends to steal from that special moment in the present (Because I don't have a husband right now, it's just me) and it made me wonder if being alone, for the time being, leaves a bad taste in other's mouths.

       I think many singles would be so okay with their singleness season if there weren't so many voices echoing future statements like that. And trust me I get it, moms want to see their daughters or sons get married and friends want to see you happy in that special relationship, but my answer to all of this questioning is found in Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." God said He would not withhold any good thing from me and I'm a good thing to my future spouse just as he will be a good thing to me (Check out Genesis 2:18). So if we have not yet met then me or him are not yet a good thing to each other. Oh, the time will come (If you have a desire to be married and God's will for your life is marriage) that you two will be a good to each other and you won't even know how this person came in your life and BOOM!

So my advice to myself and to you all who are single: 

-Don't force it, let the Lord lead you and seriously you have plenty of time. (Even if you think I'm (fill in the blank age) and my plan was to be married and have (this amount) of kids). Well, throw away your little plan, God is faithful and His plan will prevail and it's actually the better, more fulfilling plan for your life.

-Find a fun and funny answer to give to friends and family when they asked about your relationship status. Mine are kind of spontaneous to the moment but they work. It's not my job to "find me a boyfriend". My God is the ultimate matchmaker.

- Do I dare say, Don't think about it (even when everyone is else is thinking it for you). I fell in the trap of over thinking my singleness and becoming curious like the others to why I'm still single and is there something wrong with me? Well, over thinking about anything is not good. So think about and do something else. One of the things I love to do is volunteer and when I am volunteering and putting others before me, I am not thinking about single stuff. When I am working on something (at work or at home), I am not thinking about the pros and cons of being single. So get out and do something.

I pray this help someone or at least made you laugh a little. God is faithful, you are not forgotten and remember Jesus is our first Bridegroom. Have a great week!

5 Reasons Why I Love Christmas!

Christmas Season is absolutely one of my favorite Holiday to celebrate. I wait for it. I anticipate it. I avidly participate in it. I absolutely love it. Why you ask? I will tell you :).  Because it is the season where we celebrate the birth of our King Jesus and we give to each other. So here are my top 5 reasons why I love Christmas.

1) People are much more nicer during Christmas. 
No, I don't have the statistic on Black Friday shoppers/ Last-minute shoppers anger level, but everyone is more apt to be nicer to people, family, friends and even strangers. And I think that does something to the atmosphere of our society.

2) There is a spirit of giving.
I know, I know. Commercialism. Christmas is not about the gifts you get, is the gifts you give. I agree, but Christmas is about the gifts you receive as well. Whatever the gift may be. Someone who loves you spent their time to think of a gift, go out and buy it, wrap it for you just to see the joy on your face when you open it and use it.
It's the same thing with Jesus. God sent His only begotten Son as a gift for us just so He can see the joy on our face when we experience salvation. God is such a good God.

3) Family, Family, Family 
College students come back from school. Grandma and grandpa comes to visit. We are all gathered around simply to spend time with each other. How awesome is that? We are not meeting because there is a death or even a celebration like a wedding. There is no event. No to-do list (Minus if you are hosting like a dinner or something). No dress code. Just spending time with the ones you love.

Now I know (especially as a still new resident of New York), it's hard when everyone is celebrating with family and you have no one to celebrate with. Listen, YOU have the option to be down and sad or to make something good of spending Christmas alone. 1st know that God is with you ALWAYS at ALL time. So you might be 'alone' in the natural but you are not alone in the spirit realm because the Lord is with you. Second, I believe that God will send someone your way so you can enjoy Christmas. The Church is Christ's body, created for these types of situations. So I pray that your church is having a gathering, a Christmas dinner, maybe a family will invite you to their house and you can just hang out with them. Third and finally, if you really have absolutely no where to go and nothing to do that day. Celebrate Christmas your own unique way. Whatever that means to you, I don't know. But for me, I planned on buying gifts for the people closest to me (though not family) and serving the needy on Christmas day so I'm not sitting at home sulking. Then maybe use that time off to spend some quality uninterrupted time with the Lord. And pray, pray, pray God answers prayers. He will send you friends, company whatever you ask in its proper season.

4) The Decorations
Tinsel lights, fresh wreaths, bright hue ornaments. It's all so wonderful. :) Nothing can beat Christmas decorations as far as I'm concern.

5) CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! 
The oldies and the new ones. I absolutely love singing the carols and all the newer Christmas songs. It's the only time of the year with Jesus Christ's name is proclaim in all the stores while I am shopping AND I get to sing a long. Plus this is the time when church's have plays and cantata's.

That is my list of why I absolutely love Christmas... so MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family!

My mom and I in NYC 2010. A year before I moved to New York. 

Being Hurt, Seeking Comfort, Knowing the Healer

This was on my heart so I decided to use my public journal (this blog) to write about it.
I am not one to bare it all (especially on social media) but it's about to get real transparent in this entry. Ready? (Hope this helps somebody).

As a single person, knowing that God has put a desire for  marriage in me, one of my gifts to my future husband (whoever and wherever he is lol) is I'm writing letters about things that are happening in my life as I wait for him. And this will be one of my many wedding gifts to him. <--This girl will be showering her husband with gifts on that wedding day and night. lol.

A few days ago, I wrote a very transparent letter to him stating that I am now ready to be hurt by him. "Excuse me, what did she just say? Ready to be hurt? Are you crazy?" Yes, I said it right. How can you be ready to be hurt by somebody? Well, for more than a long time I have tried my hardest (it seemed like my life mission almost) to try to avoid being hurt because I was hurt in my childhood. I didn't want to ever, ever get hurt again. And let me tell you trying not to get hurt takes up a lot of energy. Dodging, escaping, ignoring, isolating. It's a lot of energy. And you really just end up hurting yourself. There are a lot of people out there who love you, who want to love you, who God has placed in your life to show forth His unconditional love and if you let them they will do just that. It's a risk, I know but keep reading.

 Jesus (God Incarnate) was on this earth for 33 years, He did what He came to do; died on the Cross for you and me and now it was time for Him to return back to the Father in Heaven. The disciples were like "So you are just going to leave us? I thought you were our friend...wait where are you going again?....Heaven?...Can we come?" (Maybe they didn't ask all those questions... I know I would). Jesus promised them when He ascends to Heaven they will not be left as orphans, the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter, would come. He will never leave them or forsake them. Even until the end of the age. (Meaning the end of this world).

In John 17:15, Jesus was praying for us He prayed this, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." Jesus knew that in this world, we were going to get hurt even though He is always with us, so He sent the Comforter (Holy Spirit) for those times in our life. Think about it, why would we need a Comforter if we weren't going to need comforting.

I found in my walk with the Lord that HE IS THE ULTIMATE HEALER. Let me say it again, ULTIMATE HEALER. I am firmly holding on the truth found in Revelation  21:5 Jesus said, "I am making everything NEW!" *You should go ahead and read that whole chapter in Revelation--it's so good* Noticed Jesus didn't say, I am piecing the broken pieces back together with some glue and tape and showing it forth as new. He doesn't refurbished the past hurt in our lives. He gives us a new life. How you ask? Well, the memories will still be there, "So and so hurt me" "So and so disappointed me" but supernaturally the pain of those memories will be gone! Meaning they won't hold you captives anymore, you can live and have a beautiful God-breathed life. He will do that just for you!

No one in this world can do this for you and for me. No one can take something that was broken and hurt beyond recognition and make it NEW! This same depiction is found in the way Jesus died. He was not just crucified. He was badly beaten, the Bible said He was not even recognizable as Jesus. He was basically mauled by the Roman soldiers, they call it the half-death. It was not just a little whipping. His body was broken for our sake (hence the breaking of the bread for Communion to honor His sacrifice for me and you). But then 3 days later, Father God raised Him up new. So new that Thomas, one of his disciples, said he needed to see the nails and his hand to make sure that this was the risen Christ. So Jesus being awesomely Himself appeared and showed Thomas his nail pierced hand and then  he believed.

Isn't that awesome guys? God, the Only One, makes all things in your life new. Being hurt is a part of life, even Jesus didn't deny that, but He also promised that no one can hurt you more than He can make you whole and heal you. He believes in you, even if you don't believe in Him. I pray right now that you will come to Him. He is not mad at you. He is not going to mock you and say, "Ahh, you finally came to your senses. I told you so." He is so loving, so willing.... He will embrace you, He will comfort you, He will forgive you and He will put you in your rightful position again. Head up, Whole, and With Him.

I must say that this is not an overnight thing! I have heard very few testimonies of people who were just totally and completely healed from past hurt overnight. Most hurt fester for years, God is the author of time. He does not function in time like we do, so no worries and no rush. Let Him take you through the healing process in His time. Your healing might take 10 years! (but it's still worth it). Don't look over to the next person and miserably say "Oh God, look at them. They are healed and whole and look at me." He will probably exclaimed, "Look at you! My Daughter, My Son you are being healed as we speak."  Trust God with your life. Believe that He makes all things new. He is definitely not afraid to prove it to you. His track record is clean. (So fresh and so clean, clean*)

So shall we recap.
1. In this life, it is futile to try to run away from being hurt. We are all imperfect humans in this world, (think of how many times you unconsciously hurt someone by something you did or didn't do). So it is inevitable.
2. It's okay to be honest with God and others (appropriately) about your hurt. *I will write a blog soon enough about being a happy fake person* But know it's okay to say, "I'm hurt!"
3. God is the ultimate healer. No one can heal you like Jesus can. He is like the ultimate Mr. Fix it! Trust me He is!
4. What is there to lose? Hiding in your closet, underneath your blanket, behind loads of work, constant partying, fake smile or even with yourself is not going to get you whole and healed any quicker. Run to God, sit quietly at His feet (I bet He is already wooing you to Him right now even as we speak--He is a loving Father, remember).And watch Him calm all your fears, watch as He, Himself begins to heal and mold and shower His unfailing, unconditional love on you.
5. If you remember, days, weeks and months from now, come back and write your testimonies about what God has done for you, how He has healed you on this blog. If you don't remember, tell somebody, somewhere, anyone who will listen about what He has done in you and for you lol. It might just changed their life.

Be Blessed.

Who Do You Think You Are...

Admit it, we do a lot of thinking. We think about how we look like, we think about what others think of about us, all day long we are thinking on things. 

The Bible says, "As a man think so is he." So who we really are, starts in our thought life. 

Many people don't pay attention to their thoughts. If you ask them what is on their mind they will say "Nothing" but the Bible encourages us to be mindful and aware of our thoughts because it affects every part of our lives.  

Phillipians 4: 8 writes, "And now dear bothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy praise." 

Gossip and The Tongue

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Gossip is defined as a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or report of an intimate nature; a chatty talk. Why do we gossip? Because we as humans still live in a sinful state of mind. But the Bible still does not excuse gossiping. In Romans 1: 28-32, Paul list gossiping among such sins as murdering, deceit and sexual immorality. In the modern Church, we fail to view a ‘little sharing of information’ as harmful.

            Gossip clearly put, is sharing information about another that is not needed. Many people think sharing something bad about someone is gossip but sharing something good or personal can also be gossip. Why did Paul spent so much time speaking on gossiping in the epistles? Because the Church was gossiping and it was causing strife and guess what? A lack of growth. God’s Church is a Body, a body needs to grow. When we use our tongues to hurt another part of the Body, that wounded part ceases to grow. We do not want that.

            James 3: 9-10 reads, “With it [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” Which means what comes out of our mouth in the privacy of our own home or phone conversations, God hears it and takes account of it. He takes is very seriously, because we are talking about someone He dearly loves and has a plan for.

            What would mark us as God’s people to the world? In John 13:35, Jesus Himself said it’s our love for one another that will prove to the world that we are His disciples. Is the local church united? Especially in how we esteem each other when nobody is looking?

            God is calling us to do better. He wants His church to grow to a full, mature body.

            In Romans 7: 14-25, we see Paul’s thoughts on his struggle against sin, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong but I do it anyway…Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”   

            See, we can no longer say “I can’t help it God!” because Jesus is the answer. The Holy Spirit will help you and He is always with you (John 14:16). God Bless.

            

Worship Him

Luke 7:36-50 speaks greatly on what worship is and how simple it can be. First question to ask is, “What is it that provokes us to worship?” Naturally, when we are hungry our body goes to find food. Well, when we know and understand how much the Father loves us and how much we have been forgiven, we are naturally move to worship. Revelation 4:11 reveals that we were created to worship Him, which means it is in our DNA and really natural for us to worship the Father.

            The woman with the alabaster box was known in her town as a sinner. Yet she came to Jesus and poured out her love on Him. And Jesus received it as worship. She did not come with a three-piece band or the newest worship CD, she came by herself, only to offer up herself. The Bible says in the alabaster box was expensive perfume, probably worth up to one year’s wages! This woman could have chosen a cheap perfume, but she was so grateful and thankful to God for forgiven her, she gave Him the best.

            Many of us give God the leftovers. The leftovers of our day, the leftovers of our finances, the leftovers of our love, but He wants to best, He wants the first. Just because we can’t see God, doesn’t mean He is not grieved when we do these things. He cares.

            In regards to worship in a public setting, this woman did not say “I will catch Him when He is alone and thanked Him”. Jesus was at a dinner when she decided to worship God. She was not ashamed, she openly poured out her love on Jesus in front of everyone. He tears were her worship.

            Her worship did not have a set plan either. It was not pretty in the sense of how we worship nowadays (Standing up straight, not moving at all, aware of every eye being on us). She couldn’t stop crying and wiping His feet with her hair and kissing His feet. There was spontaneity in her worshipping God. Many of us because we are so used to religion, we think worship is the first part of Sunday morning Service. We think its music or songs, or even worse we think that if we don’t sing a song we have not yet worship God. There isn’t a set plan or formula to worship God. The woman probably came to Jesus to offer up her perfume, but in His Presence she began to weep and kiss His feet (which is significant, because the woman anointed the place where He will later be pierced on the Cross).

            And lastly Worship requires faith. After she worshiped, Jesus response was “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (v.50) She was released from bondage in worship. Worship is a powerful tool the Father has given us to be free. He so longs for us to worship Him so that we too can be free in His Presence. I purposely did not write out the full story found in Luke because I believe it is good for you to read it yourself and allow God’s Spirit to speak truth to you about worshiping Him. 

Hurricane Sandy

As a resident of Long Island New York, I experienced the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Fortunately, family and friends weren't gravely affected by this storm but most to all I knew were out of power for a few days.
Here is what God showed me during these times.
1) No one and absolutely no one I knew wanted to sit in darkness, day in and day out.
2) When the power went out, many other things went with it. The use of your fridge and/or stove (food supply), the inability to see (light) and most importantly for New Yorkers entering the Winter season the use of their Heat.
Here is the spiritual side of this, when you are in darkness you lack many things. You function at a very minimal level.
In the Word of God, it likens God as Light because God is Light and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.
There are many people, without knowledge of this, who are walking, sitting or living in darkness. They have no clue that they are missing Life, Food (Spiritual food), the ability to properly see and Heat (Passionate Love from the Father).
Like I said, in the aftermath of Sandy nobody I knew enjoyed being in the dark and I think that as we actively pursued and hoped for LIPA (Long Island Power Administration) to turn back on the power. We should also actively pursue, call on, and wait and hope for God to turn back on the power in us, through us and for others. :)

An Awaken Church: More Than A Seat Warmer

In this age of religion where one can confidently say “I’m a Christian!” simply because they grew up in a Christian household, many fail to understand what Christianity really is. In simplest form, Christianity is not a religion but a vibrant, ongoing, alive relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

                Sunday Morning is rapidly becoming a religious routine for some families. You know, wake up Sunday morning, go to church (because that is what good people do), tip the church with a two maybe a twenty dollar bill, nod and smile at the Pastor, let the words he is saying go in one ear and out the other but never in your heart and then leave the same way you came until next Sunday. That my friend, is not Christianity.

                God is not interested in your outward appearance of being a Christian. He is interested in you. He is interested in your heart and He is interested in you coming to Him, not just warming up a church seat. 

                Have you ever actually read the Bible? The prophet Elijah prayed for the rain to stop, it didn’t rain for 3 years then he prayed for it to rain again and it rained! Not only that  but before the rain started, he picked up his robe and outran the King’s Chariot to town! Can you say Supernatural? I mean Red Sea’s were being parted, leprosy’s were being healed, sin’s were being forgiven, lames were walking, prophecies were being fulfilled, poor’s were being made rich, fatherless children were being fathered again. God was restoring all these things back unto Him. And these things are still happening right now.

                Why aren’t we seeing them? Why are we not we experience this? Is it only for those people back in Bible times? Have you heard of Azusa Street or ever go to any place where God’s Presence and Power is reverence and honored?

A portrait of Jesus painted by Akiane Kramarik called the Prince of Peace

                It is more than just 2 or 3 songs on Sunday morning and a 30 minute short message. God says, if you seek Him with your whole heart you will find Him. He is not hiding; He is waiting for you to come to Him. As I’m studying Jesus’ ministry, I’m learning that there were very large crowds that constantly follow him. I would think in these crowds, you would find people who were just following along. They don’t really understand what’s going on, they probably stumble upon the crowd asking “What’s going here? Why is everybody gathering around this guy? Who is he? Whatever, I guess I will follow along too.” Those people were just there, absolutely no connection to the person of Jesus in the midst of the crowd. Then there were people who have been hanging around the crowd so much that they felt they were actually gaining something just by being part of the crowd, they probably thought something along these lines when they get to Heaven, “I’ve been traveling with this crowd for awhile, I don’t really know Jesus but I know someone who know Him. Can I come in too?” 

Finally in the middle of the crowd, you will find the disciples of Jesus; the Twelve. They not only saw Jesus being praised, but they experienced Jesus being booed, they experience the shame of walking with Jesus, the ridicule, the persecution. These Twelve, after the crowd went home, stayed up late asking Jesus questions that boggled their mind. These disciples spent intimate quality time with Jesus.  And that is the same thing God wants his disciples even in the 21^st century to do. Jeremiah 33:3 says “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come”. God wants to speak worlds of mysteries to you. He wants you to ask Him, “Lord, I don’t know which fruit juice to buy can you help me?” or “Lord should I go shopping now or on Wednesday. I want a good sale.” He knows when the sale will be. He wants to be part of your everyday life, not just Sunday Morning. The only question is will you allow Him?

                

All Roads Do Not Lead to God

"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." -Jesus 

In this day and age, where the Gospel is becoming watered down and lukewarm Christians are in mass production, no one wants to face the truth in the Bible. Now, is everything goes. Let's create world peace by bringing everything together.There are coexist bumper stickers everywhere. Intervarsity clubs and worship places are springing up on every high school and college campuses; there are some even at the airports. It's okay if you want to worship Buddha or Allah. Whatever you choose it's fine, it's your belief and when it's your time to go you will either go to Heaven or Hell if you believe in that or purgatory if you believe in that or turn into a rat or a cow in reincarnation I mean if that's what you believe or have 70 virgins waiting for you if you are a Muslim man or just nothing if you are an atheist. 

Truth is Jesus said, in the book of John chapter 14 verse 6, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me." 

If you are not a Christian and just so happen to be reading this you might say, "Those Christians, they think their religion is the right way. So exclusive, so close-minded. How can you make such a claim?" It's not that I am making this claim, Jesus Himself was the only person out of the history of this world who lived on earth as a sinless man and died on a Cross for each and everyone of our sins and He made this claim. He is the only one in this world's history who resurrected from the dead after 3 days from His grave defeating death itself and Satan and went back to Heaven. I read in a 'Christian' magazine in an interview the guy was asked what do you think about Heaven. And he answered well, I think it's a state of mind not really a real place. Call me crazy if you want to, but since God in Himself, cannot tell a lie, He said in John 14: 2 to His disciples who were just like you and me (filled with doubt, unbelief and a little confused); " There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" Heaven is a physical place not just whatever you think it is, or an ethereal place. 

I've never been to outer space but an astronaut have. He/she can take pictures, get moon dust/rocks, gather stories and bring them back to earth. Because of their testimonies and their proof, I believe them. First, that they actually was in outer space and second outer space exist. Same thing, in John 3:13 it says; "No one has ascended to Heaven but He who came down from Heaven, that is, the Son of Man [Jesus] who is in Heaven." Jesus was in Heaven, He came to earth as a witness and with proof of who He said He was, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. He wasn't just talking a good talk, He proved it. John 5:36 Jesus addressed the crowd of unbelieving people; "But I have a greater witness than John--my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that He sent me."  and at another place where people where asking Jesus how can you claim such a thing you are just a mere man, He said, "Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do." (John 14:11). See, before Jesus came, miracles weren't happening like at all. Blind people were blind, the sick were sick, the poor was poor and worst yet the lost souls had absolutely no hope. But then Jesus came on the scene and changed everything. He made a Way by dying on that Cross to restore all things back onto the Father. 

I'm sorry, but Mary (as wonderful as she was being Jesus' mother) cannot save you because she was not God and did not die on the Cross for you. Same thing with Allah, you can call on Allah's name all you want, he cannot save you or heal you. If you study world religion, what makes Christianity stand out from all others is a couple of things:

1. God is Love. It's not just a cool statement to say or put it on a T-Shirt. The Bible says "No greater love than this than the One who would lay down His life for His friends." (John 15:13) <--talking about Jesus here. Christianity is the only 'religion' that a Sovereign God chooses to sacrifice Himself for an eternal relationship with His sons and daughters (humans). :) All other religions are guilt-ridden, shame, full of penance, and self-mutilation for acceptance. But Jesus took upon Himself all that at the Cross so that we can be saved, free and have a relationship with Him. 

2. It's a relationship not a 'religion'. Religion does not allow you to just talk to your god whenever you either have to pay a fee, physically beat yourself up, offer up physical food to an idol or your simply not worthy enough to 'talk' or 'worship' this god or idol that cannot hear you, cannot comfort you and cannot speak to you. But our God is living and He makes Himself known all the time. He hears us but not only can He hears us but He moves dramatically on our behalf. He speaks!! Religion definition in the dictionary says, "A set of beliefs that a group of people abide by." but it's more than that. Jesus told the Pharisees of His days, "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." (John 6:39). The Pharisees had religion; don't do this, do this, don't do that, do this, but they did not have a personal relationship with the God they studied. And this relationship is open to everyone. :) 

3. Jesus didn't just claim to be the Way and the Truth but also the Life. I sometimes asked what is the difference between those self-help books and encouragement gurus and the Holy Spirit and God. Besides one being finite and one being infinite. What God told me is that self-help book/programs may appear to have similar surface results as one being changed by God's Holy Spirit but below the surface there is only so much you can help yourself to until you need God to help you. Self-help book/programs/whatever else is your vice to creating a better life may last for a while but not forever. God is the only One who can deeply affect, rearrange and changed your entire life. He doesn't just make you better. He gives you an entire new life once you become born-again.  

4. Christianity is the only one that has proof to what it claims. All the other religion claim many things but absolutely no proof. Jesus made sure to leave His proof before He left the earth. He told all His disciples "Greater works shall you do in my name." One time, the disciples got in big trouble with the government because they preached in Jesus' name and miracles and crazy good stuff started happening just like Jesus said. The religious heads were jealous because people started believing in Jesus being the Son of God. (Mind you Jesus has already ascended back to Heaven, but miracles kept happening as the disciples had faith in Jesus). The philosophers could not philosophized these miracles. The scientist couldn't analyze the analytic data. When the disciples were brought before the High Council they were sent outside and one of the religious expert named Gamaliel told a couple of stories of man who pretended to be someone great, had a large following but  the whole movement amount to nothing so he said leave these disciples alone if they are doing these on their own doing this whole thing will soon die down but if it's truly from God you will not be able to overthrow them and you might find yourself even fighting against God Himself. Well, you know the rest of the story. We are here in 2012 and Jesus still have disciples who are doing great works in His name. Notable miracles are being demonstrated all around the world in the name of Jesus Christ not so the preacher or the ministry can get recognition but because the people being healed, saved, set free and delivered God loved them so much and that was His ultimate plan. 

"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Check this out: Heaven is definitely a Real Place and God wants YOU to be there with Him, the only Way is through His Son, Jesus.  <3

I-Hope You Know...

I recently started working as a waitress at IHOP. My first ever waitress job. I know it's sounds super weird but I have always wanted a server job like either at a restaurant or at a fancy hotel where you have the black and white uniform and a towel over your right forearm and wait on people. Don't ask me why but I've always liked the idea of serving people and meeting a variety of people as well.
As you may well know, IHOP is not a 5-star type restaurant but what it offers is MAJOR friendliness and really good, fatty food. :) <--hey, that's why everything taste good.
It's only been my fourth day on the day I'm writing this and here is why IHOP is one of my post.


The dishwasher, as you can imagine, washes hundreds of dishes at light speed and doesn't necessarily dry every single piece of silverware which in turn leaves watermarks on the silverware giving it the look that it's 'dirty' but it's not. Now, I've encountered people (and trust me I was one of those people before I started working at IHOP and started putting 2 and 2 together) who are very haughty when they say this, "This knife is dirty" (insert stink face here) "Can I get another one." (customer rolls eyes with the 'I-can't-believe-they-gave-me-a-dirty-utensil' huff). At this point, its useless to try to explain to the customer that it's not dirty but it is just water mark because we don't hand dry our utensils....uh never mind. They just want to see a clean, brighter than diamond sparkly clean knife.

The Scripture from Matthew 15:11 came to mind after this happened to me a few times at IHOP; 

"It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled  by the words that come out of your mouth."  

So many of us are overly concern about what goes in our mouths but not what comes out of it. Jesus said in both Luke 6:45 and Matthew 12:34 that what comes out of your mouth is determined by what is in your heart. Your speech surely does betray you either for the good or bad. So what is left to ask ourselves is, "How can I get good in my heart so what comes out is good?".... Well, it's two-part deal. 

• First, you must GUARD your heart. In Proverbs 4:23, it says "Guard your heart above all else for it  determines the course of your life." If you are constantly listening to crap, that thing is getting in you and sooner or later if you are not guarding your heart, crap gets in you and crap will come out. So guard you heart, do whatever it takes. If its stopping following that stupid show or stopping hanging out or having a long conversation with a certain individual, do it. Don't let garbage get in you. 
• Secondly, you must FILL you heart with the WORD OF GOD which you can only find by reading the Bible yourself (emphasis on yourself). It is great to sit under a man and woman of God and eat from what they have brought to you, but God is a personal God and want to fellowship with you one-on-on on a daily basis. Psalm 119:9,11 says; "How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word."--"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." 

There is no way you can obey God's Word, if you don't know God's Word or have purposefully hidden His Word in your heart. 

The Bible is not just a religious book, but its God's Living, Breathing Word. Those Words can bring to life things that have been dead in your life. But again, you have to read it, get to know it for yourself, so this beautiful life-transforming relationship with Jesus to begin. 

Be Blessed, 

Pwendy

Woman in God's Eyes

This was just on my heart. As currently a single woman <- feels so weird saying woman because I'm 23 and don't even look it. But as a single girl, knowing that God has promised me a husband..No, I'm not called to be a eunuch like the Apostle Paul says. So I am waiting, preparing as the Spirit leads and of course fighting constantly with my flesh to stop asking the When, How, Who, Where questions and just trusting God.

But this the revelation that God gave me and maybe it can help you who are reading this. In my 'waiting' period I kept thinking "When I meet him, then I'm going to feel complete. I'm going to really know my purpose. I'm going to be whole." I mean the Bible does say Eve came out of Adam and Adam did say concerning Eve that she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh and God did say that the two shall become one. But if you read Genesis 2:21-23, the account of how woman was created and her purpose. You will see that it was not Adam that gave her purpose and life but it was God Almighty. He put Adam to sleep, took a rib out of him and made Eve and presented her to him. God made two complete, whole human beings to mesh into one when they come together. I know it's too awesome to completely understand. :)

So if you are also waiting for your Adam, know that God's got your back. He has not forgotten about you. And know that no one can give you your purpose except for God, the One who created you. So you have to first seek Him to find out your purpose and when you do meet your spouse you are to be his Help Mate. But primarily your purpose comes from God. <3

Check out this video of God's Great Love for you below!!

Don't Judge Me!

Cue roll-your-neck & Wave finger back and forth

The Dont-Judge-Me Card: A card that many Christians like to use when they are being corrected, disciplined or exhorted. 

Like a black person would use the proverbial "Black Card" when in trouble with the law or authorities, Christians are now quick to use the "Don't Judge Me Card" otherwise known as the "You Don't Know Me Card" otherwise known as "You Don't Know What I've Been Through So You Can't Judge Me Card!". When this card is used it is suppose to end all conversations about the issue at hand. This card may be purchased at the Complacent store in No-Growth City. A spiritually immature sales agent will be happy to set you up with your very own "Dont-Judge-Me Card". 
What did Jesus Say about This?
Jesus said, "Do not judge others or you will be judged" and "Take the log out of your own eyes first before you can think the twig out of someone else eyes" 
You are absolutely right when you say that others cannot judge you because Jesus said so. He himself is the only Judge. He is the only One that knows you deeply enough to judge you fairly, correctly and appropriately. God made Him a Judge over all things.
Let's Bring it to the Here and Now (How it is relevant to you) 
But at one point, if the person with the log in their eyes did the work of removing the log in their eyes...by submitting to God and surrendering their will through the pruning/purification process, dying to themselves (which in itself is a daily task). They were taught some things in their wilderness season, that could be a great value to the person with the plank in their eyes. The log has been removed and now they can see and they are better able to help you. The key word between judging and correction is the word 'help'. Judging has no root of helping you. Its only to prove a point, to feel superior, to feel like your right and they're wrong but nothing as far as helping the person. 
Maybe This Can Help...
Its kind of like if Suzy have been down the road Ashley is going in now and Suzy know the outcome and the consequences of that road. Suzy calls Ashley out on it (obviously in a loving way but still getting the main point across). Suzy says, "Ashley I know you are young and you want to have fun but sleeping with Bobby who you are not married with and playing house is only going to hurt you at the end not help you. God loves you too much for you to waste your life on someone who is not willing to Sacrifice and commit to you". 
Now Ashley is mad!! 
Because that is her personal business because even though her and Suzy have been friends since they were both in diapers and are very much close she all of a sudden feels like Suzy has overstepped her role. 
The Truth and Nothing But the Truth
Do you really want to know the real root of Ashley's anger? 
1. She doesn't want to change, because change requires effort and a hard decision on her part that will affect her life. She doesnt know that its for the better yet because all she can see is what's she has now. Temporary-conditional love. 
2. Another reason why Ashley is angry is because she's been found out, exposed. No one and I mean no one enjoy being exposed when something wrong is done on their part. Its not a good feeling. Unlike the Pharisees who brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus to stone her in John 8...the reason for exposure is not to kill you but to save you. Jesus, in the midst of this woman exposed fresh sin, forgave right then and there. Why? Because she was repentant. She realized she sinned not just against her body but against God. And she repented. A lot of us are not really repenting we're just really sorry. Sorry is just a sorry excuse to return back to the same sin. Repenting is a heart thing, its stems from a heart who is truly sorry and broken and God forgives and then (2 parts here->) you then turn and follow His ways from that point on! I'm not sure but the adulterous woman that was brought out on the square to be stone, was also at the end of Jesus' life following Him with the other women when all the disciples have deserted Him. She wasn't just sorry, she turned to God and follow His ways and stuck with Him! 
3. And lastly, Ashley is mad because she thinks exposure demands an explanation, when truth is, God doesn't require an explanation. He already knows us and that we struggle with this little thing called "sinful nature". That's why Jesus died on the Cross so that we can come to Him freely. The law could not help our sinful nature, it only showed us how much we needed a Savior, a perfect Sacrifice--Jesus. The price has been paid already for your sins. What God does require is repentance (and a turned heart towards Him in order to HELP you). 
Throw Away Your Card, It's a Trick 
In the beginning, I said you can find your very own "Dont-Judge-Me Card" in the Complacent store, located in No Growth City. But do you want to know were that city is located?... Smack dab in the middle of Satan's kingdom. The kingdon of darkness. I know it looks and sounds like a cute metaphor story but this is real and I am serious. The devil is so real and he has many strategies against you.He hates you. If he can't touch you (which he can't if you are God's Child) he will try another way. He will give you something to use to self-destruct your own life and spiritual growth. To keep you bound and stuck he manipulates you to use this card and take offense to correction and spiritual discipline. 
Thinking that you don't need spiritual leaders and authorities to speak truth into your life or slap you around a little bit when you want to act foolish and dumb is Satan's little sneaky way of stunting your growth in God's Kingdom. Because he knows once you start to take correction and discipline and making appropriate changes in your life and growing that he is in big trouble. 
Throw It Away---Yield to God's Holy Spirit
When this card is offered to you its good for a lifetime but the day it expires is the day you submit and surrender your will to God and become teachable not only to the Holy Spirit but to the spiritual leaders and/or friends God has placed in your life to speak truth.
If You want to Be Set Free From This... Here's Some "Purposeful" Things To Do 
1. You have to be repentant and if you are not repentant ask God to help you to see the wrong in whatever it is.
2. I say "throw away" the card, but it's not a physical card so do a prophetic act write "Don't Judge Me" on a piece of paper if you have ever used that excuse. Rip it, shred it, THROW IT AWAY. Show the enemy that you are serious about this and that he no longer has hold on you in that area.
3. Pray and start submitting to God. Ask God for directions on who are the people He has placed in your life to come up under and allow to discipline and correct you. Usually that is the Pastor(s) of the church you go to. It can also be your parent(s), it can be also be just your friends. (Don't think just because that's your homegirl/boy that God can't use them to correct you and bring discipline).
4. Start in Step 1 again. The devil will always come and test if what you decided on today is still in effect 2 weeks from now. He has no shame in his game so be ahead of him. Make up in your mind that whenever that thing rises up in you, to say "Nope, I threw that card away 2 weeks ago. I made a pact with God that I will not be offended if someone or my spiritual leaders correct me. Holy Spirit give me discernment in this situation if that person wants to help me or just bring me down. I will take to heart the words they spoke, I will bring it to God and let Him analyze the situation and He will show me what I need to change or do."
I know you can do it! God wants us to be set free!
*And lastly STAY in the Word, STAY in God's Presence. It's amazing what STAYING in Him can do to your entire life.
Be encouraged!

The Heat in Worship| Part 1

*Sorry that a part of this blog is highlighted in white, I'm not sure why it did that or how to fix it but I wanted to post this post. So, just highlight with your mouse and you can see it to read it. Thanks!!

You know I had to this right? I was debating if I should make a blog about this topic. Since I've been following the Basketball games that led to the Heat Basketball team winning their championship tonight! (Whoo Hoo, Go Heat!) I really saw a couple of links between what I was watching on the screen and the Christian life in general especially during worship.
So to start off with my Disclaimer here: I am not an avid Basketball "fan" per se but I do love watching Basketball and Football when they are playing for something big and important like the Superbowl and the Finals. And I guess the reason that is, it's a better game to watch then just a season game when players don't usually give everything but in these last make it or break it game, I usually see lots of passion and I just love it.
Any who... the purpose of this blog is 1/2 venting off frustration and  1/2 paralleling what I saw while watching the B-ball finals this week in correlating it with our worship to God. Now again, I know that worship is totally different from fans loving basketball but not as different as you might think.
Check out this picture... ridiculous I know. lol.

He won the MVP, he's not God. Like calm down. 3 lions?... 

So like I said, this blog is not that far fetch. So let's get started shall we? 
My Observation: 
As a new 'worship leader' at my church and the frustration of getting people to be free in worship... I saw that during the games these fans were W-I-L-D. I mean no holds bar, they looked crazy. Some downright looked foolish. 

They had no problems expressing their feelings towards the team they love. No one had to 'schooled' them before coming into the stadium .They were ready to praise their team. I think the reason they were READY is because they built up their expectancy for a long time. The ones who were engaged in 'worshiping' their team [play along with me here] were the ones who followed the Heat or OKC during their off-season, on-season, the series and now the finals. They felt like they had a relationship with these players. We can hear that in their speech when they say "we won" "we did it". Hunh? The 'fans' didn't practice and play hard, but somehow they felt this connection with their team and it was NATURAL for them to root them on, encourage them, scream and jump for them when they all came together. 

Now God does not need us to 'root' Him on. He is God and He is perfectly perfect all by Himself. But I do believe when it comes to corporate worship, the believers who PREPARED themselves for worship by maintaining their connection with God in their life, really do anticipate the moment when we all get to meet together and praise Him and because of that anticipation/preparation NOONE has to root you on, "Come on lift your hands" "Come on, give God the glory". No, because it just comes out naturally. It's okay to be excited for and with God, you know! You don't have to be all stiff and so mechanical (I use to do and be like that, but not anymore). I love being excited like kid for Jesus. He is awesome! 

Okay, so it's not like I'm saying that a person outward expression signifies their inward love or commitment with God. That is personal! and I really could care less, because I'm worshiping God too, not looking at you. But you cannot deny that a person outward, physical expressions does in fact speak volume to what's happening inside. You do not need a Phd in body language to know when a person feels uncomfortable or angry or sad or annoyed. As humans, God put this thing in us where we can pick up these 'vibes' without words being spoken. pretty cool hunh? So, if during worship a person has a huge frown on his/her face, eyebrows are burrowed down, arms are tightly cross and they have that look like "Is this done yet?" I think its safe to say, that person is not engaging in worship at that moment. Vice Versa, the person who is screaming and jumping may also not be engaged in worship but at least they are trying or doing something for Jesus. 

Observations from the last games where the Heat won the finals in correlation to Worship: 

- Spiritual Warfare 

* It is way better to be on the offense than defense. When the ball is in your court you say what goes when and where and how. You have more control of the game and the points you earn. When its in the other team court and you have to defend yourself you play twice as hard. 

* The devil would like nothing for us to stress and run around with a chicken with its head cut off when the ball is already in OUR COURT. We got the ball, so we call the shots. 1 John 4:4 says: "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world." and in John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." But if a believer does not have a revelation of that (including myself) we will always be on the defense. And being on the defense is stressful. Playing twice as hard. 

- In worship and in all you do for God. You give it ALL you got. 

* This Final game was like no other. I mean when a shot didn't go in, the players didn't shrug and say "Oh, well". It was like every player scrambled for that ball and attempted to rebound that ball at all cost. Some got hit in the face, some was stepped on, it did not matter. They left their blood, sweat and tears on that court. Everything was on the line in this game, so they gave EVERYTHING they got. :)


-When the prize gets closer, the battle gets harder

* OKC didn't just hand the Heat the championship. The Heat had to take it by force. In other words they fought for it. God spoke this to me through one of my devotion the other day. He said if I want this (Him, Blessings, Nations, Cities, whatever He told me is mine...) I CANNOT be passive and weak-minded about it. I have to fight for it!. It's already mine's but now I have to take it. Did you know that when the children of Israel came to the Promised land (the land God for sure promised to them and their descendant) there were people living there already? "The Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivits, and Jebusites." (Deut. 7:1). 7 Whole Nations living in a place God told them was theirs! I can just imagine the Israelites looking at their GPS (which would have been Moses at that time) 
Israelites: Ummm Mr. Moses Sir, are you sure we got the right place here? 
Moses:Yup, God says this is our land. 
Israelites: Umm you do see the people living here already right? Yeah, 7 NATIONS!  We are few, they are many. How on earth... 
Moses: Anh Anh Anh. Stop right there. God said, this is our land, He gave it to us. Now, we got to fight for it. 
*And you know some times fighting can just be RESTING in God and in His FINISH work for you.(Ps. 46:10, Exodus 14:14) Just resting.
Now that makes the devil mad, when you are not fighting in the sense where you are stressing about 'getting the land' but you are fighting by 'believing and resting in God and all his promises for you.' God never breaks a promise. 
So  the moral of this story is YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IS YOURS... DO NOT sit there and let the devil sheepishly take your children away or all your precious belongings. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!
To be continued in Part 2....  

<3 <3 <3