Yoooooo!!
Okay guys (and guyettes), it's been a long week and it's not technically over yet..I just need to get this stuff straight with God.
Today, I woke up at 11:00am feeling like such a let down (no weird dreams this night), but I felt so rushed because so much is planned for today and I don't know if all of that is possible. I have a paper to finish, I have a b-day party to attend, a pajama party, a relationship charla...ah!
It's just that I have to pick and choose. And most importantly, I need to spend time with God. God is super important, but the time I give Him...is really not that much. I've told myself so many times that I'd change and instead of watching movies before sleeping (which I absolutely love doing), I'll spend time with God because He deserves that time. Needless to say, it's been a struggle. I can't do it all, and I am not even sure I want to do it all, but there is a part of me that just needs to talk to God sooo bad so that He can show me what to do.
Maybe it's the failure part of me that needs His forgiveness. The forgiveness that is so hard for us to just take, freely, without any strings attached. And it is by human nature that feel the need to get what's coming, or to be given what we deserve. And life with God is not like that. He gives us good things we don't deserve (Grace/Gracia) and doesn't always punish us when we deserve it (Mercy/Misericordia).
I honestly just want to sit here and listen to Him and have the face to face that is deeply needed and desired. But I'm scared that if I do that, I won't get anything else done today. However, I know that when the Bible says 'Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness' it meant that God is #1, at least should be. This world is so distracting...I guess I let it.
"God, I honestly am sorry for not spending as much time with you to build this relationship with you. It seems like when I try to work on it, I come back to the same issues. I don't want to be the baby Christian forever, and you want to see me grow, but God I'm struggling here. I really am. The demands of this world can be slightly overwhelming (who am I kidding. Very overwhelming) and so I guess the logical answer would be to spend every waking moment with you, as not to be swept away...
"Once again, I come before you with a broken and contrite heart, but that's all you ask for: my heart. I don't trust anyone else with it, but often neglect to hand it over to the one who takes care of it. And so I ask that you put it on my heart to spend more time with you and make this relationship a developing one and not static. I know what I'm asking for involves growing pains, but God, it's so worth it because you know better than you.
"I won't say anymore because I know you've heard it all. Thank you for being absolutely amazing, loving, understanding and present. From my heart to yours and in Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
-I feel better, but know that this is just the beginning of something that requires my effort. I thank God for His stregth, strengthening me in the process. Alright, chiquillos and chiquillas...I'm out. Try and spend time in the relationship you've established and if you are where I'm at, praying just changes it all.
Much love, peace and praying grease,
Ife 'Quipayan' S.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Undeniable
So, I can consider this a 'moment making' and a devotions because I haven't done a moment making blog in a while. Sorry, just been busy. And besides, by spending time with God, I'm making a moment so..boo yea.
Aight, homies and hometts, I want to make this a very happy blog. So I'll include pictures and a video and all that fantastic stuff!! So, enjoy and find some sun in your life so that you are just as happy as I am right this very moment...well, I'm a bit stressed, but overall quite happy with life. I'm even going to use a different font!!
The reading is from: Génesis 1: 27-31/ Genesis 1: 27-31. It talks about the time when God basically handed over the world to Adam and Eve and took lots of delight in His creation. He made us in His image and loves this way.
I like to admire people...seriously, or at least what I see in them. Por ejemplo, when I'm sitting in the micro and not really doing anything, I like to stare out the window and just take in all the variety that God spectacullary created. I mean, take a look at this photo, what do you see?
Aight, homies and hometts, I want to make this a very happy blog. So I'll include pictures and a video and all that fantastic stuff!! So, enjoy and find some sun in your life so that you are just as happy as I am right this very moment...well, I'm a bit stressed, but overall quite happy with life. I'm even going to use a different font!!
The reading is from: Génesis 1: 27-31/ Genesis 1: 27-31. It talks about the time when God basically handed over the world to Adam and Eve and took lots of delight in His creation. He made us in His image and loves this way.
I like to admire people...seriously, or at least what I see in them. Por ejemplo, when I'm sitting in the micro and not really doing anything, I like to stare out the window and just take in all the variety that God spectacullary created. I mean, take a look at this photo, what do you see?
I knows these people personally, so my love for them is bias, no importa how they look. But seeing as you don't, looking at them, and their differences and their similarities is the beauty of this photo. God placed His mark on each person in this photo and called them 'beautiful'.
Like this sunset (ocaso)
(I took thos photo en Arica from El Morro-check it out!)
I find it beautiful because it is so unique and indescribale.
I guess what I'm just saying that once we start looking at others as God's beautiful creation, we'll see more reasons to show respect to all and how much each life values. I know it can be hard to get past their faults, but remember that God did break the mold when He created them and He finds them important.
I'll end with this song by Mat Kearney: Undeniable
I'm not the biggest fan of the music video, but I like the lyrics and the way he beautifully mixes rap, hip-hop, pop..yea. It's pretty fabuloso.
So, enjoy and try to enjoy the beauty in others ;) Like this cabra chica!!
(Gosh, I need to stop taking photos like this...)
Much love, peace and elbow grease.
Ife 'Quipayan' S.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Not just any old faith.
Aight homies, I have 7 min today (I woke up 19 minutes late, boo).
This question is something that came to mind when reading the devotion for today. It's taken from 2 corintios 4:8-15/ 2 Corinthians 4: 8-15
The author of the devotion in Our Daily Bread starts off by asking if the reader has heard sceptics of the Christian faith say that the believers use Christianity as a crutch. I was knodding my head; I've heard that, but then I thought, what would I say if someone told that to me.
The scripture for today talks about the purpose of Jesus dying and coming back to life; it was to give us a reason to live. (I'm not entirely sure on my interpretation, but that's what I got from it). I also see it as a way to say that our bodies, we, are living examples of who Jesus was and the faith He's brought for us. The devotion then goes to say that the trials and tribulations that we will recieve for this faith is the most obvious reason why the 'crutch' thesis does not stand. Who is willing to go through all that persecution just to "feel safe" or think they are guaranteed the good life 24/7? Or are people willing to be pressed, persecuted, struck down for His name's sake?
Why do you believe what you believe?
This question is something that came to mind when reading the devotion for today. It's taken from 2 corintios 4:8-15/ 2 Corinthians 4: 8-15
The author of the devotion in Our Daily Bread starts off by asking if the reader has heard sceptics of the Christian faith say that the believers use Christianity as a crutch. I was knodding my head; I've heard that, but then I thought, what would I say if someone told that to me.
What would you say?
The scripture for today talks about the purpose of Jesus dying and coming back to life; it was to give us a reason to live. (I'm not entirely sure on my interpretation, but that's what I got from it). I also see it as a way to say that our bodies, we, are living examples of who Jesus was and the faith He's brought for us. The devotion then goes to say that the trials and tribulations that we will recieve for this faith is the most obvious reason why the 'crutch' thesis does not stand. Who is willing to go through all that persecution just to "feel safe" or think they are guaranteed the good life 24/7? Or are people willing to be pressed, persecuted, struck down for His name's sake?
Are you?
I haven't been pressed on all sides, but I know that I must know why I believe what I believe and stick to the faith that has brought me thus far so that the grace of God may reach more and more people.
This is plenty to think about today so,
Te dejo en paz, amor y elbow grease,
Ife 'Quipaya' S.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
I am what I am
Ooh. Those words are strong. I was reading this passage and when I got to this part, partial chills went up my back. Okay, so here's some context:
These words were spoken by our dear friend Paul. Paul, formerly known as Saul, had a bad reputation of killing off Christians and basically trying to destroy the church; that was his mission and he did not let up, not one day. Until...
Until he met up with God. Actually, rephrase: Until Jesus met up with him and blinded him on the road to Damascus. At the end of the day, Saul, now Paul, realizes that he's been persecuting the Jesus that he was preaching.-All together now: HYPOCRITE- But aren't we all?
But, not so fast. This brings us up to date with the passage of the day: 1 corintios 15:1-11/ 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 Paul is talking to the people in the city of Corinth through this letter and letting them know that this gospel in which they believe is something of great importance and has the power to save, if they truly believe in it.
vs. 10"Pero por la gracia de Dios soy lo que soy, y la gracia que él me concedió no fue infructuosa."
vs. 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect."
I am just so awed by the capacity of the grace of this God. Permitting the man who killed lots and lots and lotttts of people to be a speaker on His behalf. It's not that Paul got it together after that moment of "Ahhh. Is that you God?" He even says that he's the least of the apostles because of the death threats and sentences he breathed out, but when God's grace showed up on the scene, that made ALL the difference.
These words were spoken by our dear friend Paul. Paul, formerly known as Saul, had a bad reputation of killing off Christians and basically trying to destroy the church; that was his mission and he did not let up, not one day. Until...
Until he met up with God. Actually, rephrase: Until Jesus met up with him and blinded him on the road to Damascus. At the end of the day, Saul, now Paul, realizes that he's been persecuting the Jesus that he was preaching.-All together now: HYPOCRITE- But aren't we all?
But, not so fast. This brings us up to date with the passage of the day: 1 corintios 15:1-11/ 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 Paul is talking to the people in the city of Corinth through this letter and letting them know that this gospel in which they believe is something of great importance and has the power to save, if they truly believe in it.
vs. 10"Pero por la gracia de Dios soy lo que soy, y la gracia que él me concedió no fue infructuosa."
vs. 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect."
I am just so awed by the capacity of the grace of this God. Permitting the man who killed lots and lots and lotttts of people to be a speaker on His behalf. It's not that Paul got it together after that moment of "Ahhh. Is that you God?" He even says that he's the least of the apostles because of the death threats and sentences he breathed out, but when God's grace showed up on the scene, that made ALL the difference.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Baby, no te preocupes
Hey ya'll. Haven't written in a while 'cause...I went-a CAMPING! It was an interesting experience that allowed me to observe different every day relations between co-workers, between employee and employer, between teacher and student and between classmates.
But, I won't talk about that now. Here is a new devotion to start the week of right.
I am less than one week from turning in my 22 page investigation paper and really excited to be done and share all that I've learned. It's been a fulfilling process that has allowed me to grow, learn and see something new in this world. This week will be the final one that I've got to spend 96% of it working or else... (Insert dramatic music).
Today's devotion comes from Exodus 4:1-5 and talks about Moses' encounter with God in the zarza ardiente (burning bush). These verse specifically relate to the time when he asks God saying "—¿Y qué hago si no me creen ni me hacen caso? ¿Qué hago si me dicen: "El Señor no se te ha aparecido" ?/“What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”
And God answers with a "What do you have in your hand?" <--- This is an interesting question...answering a question with a question...God was up on his Socratic Method teaching style.
Moses shows him the staff (vara) and God proceeds to show him that with this very vara, Moses will be able to show them that indeed God showed Himself to Moses.
So now, what is that in your hand that can be used for God's glory? It's less about worrying about the future or lamenting on the past, we've got to see the present and the things God has surrounded us with to seguir haciendo his work. Supongo que en this light, I don't need to worry, nor should I, about the future and what is to come. I can focus on what God has put before me and trust Him to take care of anything that is to come...I mean, that's what He did for Moses; I'm sure He can do it for me.
From one moment maker to another,
Te dejo en paz...much love, peace and elbow grease.
Ife 'Quipayan' S.
But, I won't talk about that now. Here is a new devotion to start the week of right.
I am less than one week from turning in my 22 page investigation paper and really excited to be done and share all that I've learned. It's been a fulfilling process that has allowed me to grow, learn and see something new in this world. This week will be the final one that I've got to spend 96% of it working or else... (Insert dramatic music).
Today's devotion comes from Exodus 4:1-5 and talks about Moses' encounter with God in the zarza ardiente (burning bush). These verse specifically relate to the time when he asks God saying "—¿Y qué hago si no me creen ni me hacen caso? ¿Qué hago si me dicen: "El Señor no se te ha aparecido" ?/“What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?”
And God answers with a "What do you have in your hand?" <--- This is an interesting question...answering a question with a question...God was up on his Socratic Method teaching style.
Moses shows him the staff (vara) and God proceeds to show him that with this very vara, Moses will be able to show them that indeed God showed Himself to Moses.
So now, what is that in your hand that can be used for God's glory? It's less about worrying about the future or lamenting on the past, we've got to see the present and the things God has surrounded us with to seguir haciendo his work. Supongo que en this light, I don't need to worry, nor should I, about the future and what is to come. I can focus on what God has put before me and trust Him to take care of anything that is to come...I mean, that's what He did for Moses; I'm sure He can do it for me.
From one moment maker to another,
Te dejo en paz...much love, peace and elbow grease.
Ife 'Quipayan' S.
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